Past Press Releases & Results for June, 2001
- June 30, 2001
Eyler and Doran end bad luck with first Mercer Sprint and Modified wins
- June 23, 2001
Tim Dietz awarded first ever ARDC vs. NAMARS Midget Car Clash Event; Fog claims other features
- June 16, 2001
Hawley and Myers repeat in Sprints and Modifieds at Mercer
- June 9, 2001
Quarterson wins second straight in Sprints; Riggs wins #2 in Mercer Modifieds
- June 2, 2001
- Racing washed out at Mercer for the third tim
Racing washed out at Mercer for the third time
By Mike Leone
June 2, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Racing action scheduled for Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park was rained out for the third time this season. Rain showers started around noon and with the forecast of more rain and potential thunderstorms, the decision was made to cancel early in the interest of the fans and competitors alike. It was scheduled to be Summer Fun Kickoff with 150 ticket giveaways to Idlewild and Sandcastle theme parks. Also Kennywood’s Garfield was scheduled to make an appearance.
Current point leaders are Tom Quarterson-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Dean Pearson-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Gary Robinson-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Racing resumes this Saturday night with gates opening at 4:30 and racing at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 724-964-9300. Check out www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
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Quarterson wins second straight in Sprints; Riggs wins #2 in Mercer Modifieds
By Mike Leone
June 9, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway Park returned to action Saturday night. Recording wins and celebrating in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane were Tom Quarterson-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Lonny Riggs-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Andy Buckley-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
It was Mahoning Valley Scrappers Night as 100 free tickets were distributed to their baseball facility and their mascot "Scrappy" made an appearance. Rawlings gave out 300 free baseballs, and all Little Leaguers were admitted free. It was CD 93.3 night as the rock station did a live remote from the speedway and gave out prizes throughout the night.
Tom Quarterson made it two in a row in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature with a last lap pass of Troy Preston. "Troy went the wrong line on the last lap," said the excited West Middlesex, Pa. driver. "I took a chance around the line of the slower car and hoped I’d get in front of him and I did!"
Rob Eyler blasted into the lead at the start over Gary McCollum and Tommy Burns, Jr. in third. Gary Kriess, Jr., who started sixth, used the outside to make it all the way to third on lap two passing Burns for the position. Eyler’s shot at his first career Mercer win was erased when John Toth III spun on lap six. Eyler and McCollum had nowhere to go with both getting into Toth and flipping. All three drivers were okay, but done for the night.
The accident moved Kriess to the lead ahead of Burns and Preston. When racing resumed, Preston passed Burns at the flag stand for second on lap six. Quarterson, who started 10th, got by Jason Jacoby for fourth on lap nine then inherited third one lap later when Burns stopped bringing out the caution. On lap 13, Gregg McCandless slowed on the front-stretch and Mike Shearer flipped violently in turn one trying to avoid him. Shearer was okay.
Lap 13 saw Preston take charge passing Kriess off the inside of turn four. Kriess dropped to third when Quarterson slipped underneath the April 28 winner in turn two for second on lap 15. Quarterson ran down Preston and was all over the fellow West Middlesex driver on lap 17. On the last lap, Preston went low trying to lap McCandless, while Quarterson went high and had enough momentum to carry him past Preston for the lead and the win.
Quarterson drove the R&R Engine Rebuilders #27 to his 12th career Mercer win and has now won the last four features he has competed in. "The Powells give me a good car night after night," said Quarterson. "They want me to do my job and I can do it!"
Preston held on for second over Kriess. New York’s Mike Woodring came from eighth to place fourth over Jacoby. Sixth through tenth were Jack Sodeman, Jr., Brad Ellenberger, Mike Kekich in Dick Schuller’s #61, rookie Brian Woodhall, and Arnie Kent. Heat winners over the 28-car field were Woodring, Ellenberger, and Jacoby.
After getting passed for the win at the checkers the night prior at Lernerville Speedway, Lonny Riggs returned to victory lane for the second time this season in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature. "It’s hard to let one go like that last night," said the Volant, Pa. winner. "We’re glad to be back here tonight."
Steve Young took the initial lead over Don McKnight at the start, while Riggs came from sixth to third on the opening lap. Riggs moved into second on lap four when he passed McKnight. Rob Curtis’ spin brought out the first caution with 11 laps completed. On lap 13, Riggs would make the winning move getting under Young at the start-finish line.
Three cautions slowed action between laps 18 and 19. Riggs went on for his ninth career Mercer win, which also includes five Sportsman Modified wins and two Stock Car wins in the Merle Black-owned, Winners Circle Automotive Machine/Suhrie Industrial Supply Tool Rental-sponsored #58.
Rookie big-block driver, Frank Guidace, who started seventh, recorded his best finish in second after passing Dean Pearson and Young on the final lap. Point leader Pearson was third over Young and Lou Blaney, who started 10th. Completing the top 10 were McKnight, 17th starter Rodney Beltz, Adam Siegel, Les Myers, and 22nd starter Scott Gurdak. Heat victors over the 24-car field were Myers, Pearson, and Riggs.
Steve Young of Grove City, Pa. won his second 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. Young started 11th and moved up to second on lap nine when an accident took out Randy Rodemoyer, Curt Matthews, and Rick Ryder, who were running second through fourth. Andy Priest set the pace for the first nine laps, but Young was able to drive by for the lead on lap 10 and never looked back. Young’s 10th career Sportsman Modified win came aboard the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored #11t. Priest and 10th starter, Bill Adams, battled the entire second-half of the event with Priest edging Adams at the finish for second. Rick Hall and Al Priester recorded their first top fives in fourth and fifth respectively. John Buchanan, Young, and Priest won the heats over the 27-car field.
Andy Buckley of Stoneboro, Pa. became the seventh different winner in seven races by scoring the win in the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car main. Qualifying for his first feature of the season, Jim Miller set the pace for the first six laps. Fifth starter, Gary Norman, and eighth starter, Ron Iorio, took over the first and second spots on lap seven. Gary Robinson dropped Miller back another spot on lap nine taking third.
On lap 10, Buckley, who started 10th, passed Robinson for third then raced three-wide for the lead with Norman and Iorio. Buckley nosed ahead to lead the 10th circuit with Iorio, Norman, and Robinson a close second through fourth. Buckley would survive four restarts to hold off Iorio for his first win since back-to-back wins on July 24 and August 7, 1999. Buckley’s third career Mercer win came in his #965. Robinson passed Norman on lap 12 to finish third and kept his string of seven top fives in seven races intact. Mike Aley was fifth after starting 17th. Picking heat wins over the 39-car field were Norman, Bill Hanna, Buckley, and Terry Kroner. Aley and Gary Miller, Jr. won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. TOM QUARTERSON 2. Troy Preston 3. Gary Kriess, Jr. 4. Mike Woodring 5. Jason Jacoby 6. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 7. Brad Ellenberger 8. Mike Kekich 9. Brian Woodhall 10. Arnie Kent 11. Brad Hastings 12. Nathan Hines 13. Dave Wagner 14. Mark Imler 15. Jody Keegan 16. Gregg McCandless 17. Aaron Shaffer 18. Tony Stebel, Jr. 19. Tim Hunter 20. Butch Beasley 21. Mike Shearer 22. Tommy Burns, Jr. 23. Ricky Ferkel 24. Rob Eyler 25. Gary McCollum 26. John Toth III 27. Randy Kriegisch-DNS 28. Marshall Whitsel, Jr.-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. LONNY RIGGS 2. Frank Guidace 3. Dean Pearson 4. Steve Young 5. Lou Blaney 6. Don McKnight 7. Rodney Beltz 8. Adam Siegel 9. Les Myers 10. Scott Gurdak 11. Rick Hall 12. Rob Curtis 13. Dave Schrader 14. Carl Murdick 15. Mark Sevin 16. Rick Kress 17. Joe Crawford 18. Bob Dorman 19. Nick Ritchey 20. Randy Ferguson 21. Chetter Johnson, Jr. 22. Rich Ferguson 23. Lee Miller 24. Tim Doran-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Andy Priest 3. Bill Adams 4. Rick Hall 5. Al Priester 6. John Buchanan 7. Gary Bollinger 8. Andy Paden 9. Greg Unrue 10. Fred Sasse 11. Curt Matthews 12. D.J. Schrader 13. Barry Bulfone 14. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 15. Dave Cogswell 16. Bill Baptiste 17. Jay Priest 18. Morgan Sasse 19. Jerry Schaffer 20. John Jones 21. Chanda Reitz 22. Brad Watson 23. Rick Ryder 24. Randy Rodemoyer 25. Buck Buchanan 26. Les Myers-DNS 27. Allen Ferry-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. ANDY BUCKLEY 2. Ron Iorio 3. Gary Robinson 4. Gary Norman 5. Mike Aley 6. Shaun Hooks 7. Willie Aley 8. Greg Beach 9. Andy Thompson 10. Dave Ferringer 11. Todd Titus 12. Bill Hanna 13. Rick Anthony 14. Terry Kroner 15. Duane Grinnell 16. Dan Fedorchak 17. Gary Miller, Jr. 18. Lonnie O’Brien 19. Ed Hays 20. Rick Norco 21. Kevin Thompson 22. Keith Nagy 23. Jeff Kravec 24. Jim Miller DNQ-Mark Felicetty, Mike Turner, Erick Cwynar, Ray Bailey, Jr., Adam Aley, Don Greenlee, Phil Kaufman, Jim Green, Brian Miller, Tony Bruno, Lynn Hostetler, Rusty Moore, Bob Hays, Mark Showers, William George, Sr.
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Hawley and Myers repeat in Sprints and Modifieds at Mercer
By Mike Leone
June 16, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway Park completed its eighth night of the 2001 campaign on Saturday night. The following drivers recorded wins and met the fans in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane: Jimmy Hawley-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Les Myers-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Shaun Hooks-Butterfield’s Pub Stocks.
It was Jr. Fan Night at track as the Nickelodeon "Rugrats" of Tommy, Chuckie, and Angelica made an appearance. The Aut Mori Grotto Clowns entertained the kids. It was McElwain "Meet Your Hero" Night for the Sportsman Modified division as those drivers signed autographs. The first 500 kids received free treat bags and a color autograph card. Kids also competed in the first bike race night.
Jimmy Hawley put on a driving clinic coming from ninth on a wet and heavy surface to win the non-stop 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. "The car was pretty fast at the beginning," stated the West Middlesex, Pa. driver. "I was playing it a little cautious to let everyone get strung out, but once I found where I wanted to be up top, it really stuck and worked pretty good."
Tommy Burns, Jr. raced into the lead from the pole position over Rob Eyler, while Jarod Larson passed Dave Wagner for third. By lap three, Burns and Eyler broke away from the pack and began to battle for the lead. Coming off turn four on lap five, Eyler and Burns split the lapped car of Butch Beasley making it three-wide. Burns and Beasley made contact giving the lead to Eyler.
By lap nine, Eyler, who was leading last week’s feature before flipping after making contact with a lapped car, opened up a straightaway lead on Burns. Although a half-lap behind Eyler and Burns, a great five-car battle ensued for third between Larson, Troy Preston, Jason Jacoby, Hawley, and Tom Quarterson on lap 12. Preston passed Larson for third on lap 12, before Hawley raced around both Jacoby, Larson, and Preston for third on the top side of lap 13.
With six laps to go, Burns began to close on the slowing Eyler, while Hawley rim-ridded the top-side of the track making up a half-lap deficit as he closed on both. Lap 17 saw Burns, Hawley, and Jacoby all got by Eyler before he dropped out of the event. On lap 19, with the lapped traffic ahead, Burns went low while Hawley and Jacoby drove by on the top for first and second with the white flag waving. Jacoby was on Hawley’s bumper in turn one, but Hawley was able to hold on for his second win and 23rd of his career at Mercer. The win came aboard the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned, Mihalchak Motorsports #cIII. The race was non-stop in 5:16.87.
Jacoby and Burns recorded their best finishes of the year in second and third. Point leader Quarterson came from 12th to place fourth ahead of Arnie Kent. Sixth through tenth were Preston, Larson, Gary Kriess, Jr., Wagner, and Skip Dougherty. Heat winners were Kriess and Kent.
Les Myers came out on top of the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature for his second win. "I got a little nervous," said the Reno, Pa. winner. "The car didn’t feel good in hot laps or the heat race so I changed a bunch of stuff everywhere. It must have been the right things because it came out good."
Rob Curtis took the lead from pole-sitter Nick Ritchey at the start. Joe Crawford passed Rob Kristyak on the opening lap then got by Ritchey for second on lap two. Myers started from the seventh hole and worked by Scott Gurdak and Ritchey to take over third on lap five. Three cautions slowed action with five laps completed.
When racing resumed, Crawford got a big a run off the outside of turn four to pass Curtis with contact to lead lap six. Myers also edged ahead of Curtis for second. Myers’ winning pass came on the eighth circuit when he nosed ahead of Crawford at the start-finish line for the lead.
Lou Blaney was on the charge from his 10th starting spot. He passed Frank Guidace and Curtis for third on lap nine. Laps 14-16 saw Blaney and Crawford go at it side-by-side with Blaney taking runner-up on lap 16.
Blaney was all over Myers in the last three laps, but Myers was able to hold on for his 13th career Mercer win in his Details by Doug/McCarty Vynal Graphics-sponsored #x3. "This feels good," said Myers from victory lane. "We sure needed this. We’ve broke a lot of parts the last few weeks and this will help us out."
Tim Doran may have had the fastest car in the closing laps. Doran, who started 13th, passed Curtis for fourth on lap 15 then got by Crawford for third on lap 16. Doran closed on Blaney and Myers, but run out of laps. Curtis’ fourth was his best ever finish in a big-block at Mercer. Jeff Schaffer came from twelfth to finish fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Lonny Riggs, Crawford, Don McKnight, Dean Pearson, and Carl Murdick, who missed the heat races and had to start 25th. Winning the heats over the 26-car field were Blaney, Schaffer, and Crawford.
Andy Priest held off Steve Young to win his third 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature. The New Castle, Pa. driver started from fourth and passed Jerry Schaffer and Randy Rodemoyer on the opening lap for second. Allen Ferry led the first seven circuits holding off Priest, but Priest was finally able to get by on the eighth go-around. Ferry dropped from the event under caution with nine laps completed just after Young had passed Rick Hall and Rodemoyer for third.
Young, who started 11th, was all over Priest the rest of the way. Coming down for the white flag, Young put a slide job on Priest in turn four through lapped traffic to lead lap 19. Priest stayed on it and got back by Young in turn one in traffic for the lead and his 22nd career sportsman win in the Ted Hull-owned, M.P.R. Lumber/Griffin-Bossard Chevrolet-sponsored #41. Hall was third over Bill Adams and Rodemoyer. Heat victors over the 28-car field were Curt Matthews, Ferry, and Young. D.J. Schrader won the B main.
Shaun Hooks became the eighth different winner in eight races by capturing his first career 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature win. Brian Miller passed Terry Kroner and Andy Thompson for the lead on lap one. Rick Norco disposed of Russ Kapalin, Kroner, and Thompson to take second on lap three. Hooks meanwhile started the event from seventh and entered the picture on lap five taking third from Thompson. Miller, Norco, and Hooks broke away from the pack at the halfway mark as Hooks got under Norco to make the pass for runner-up on lap eight. On lap 11, Hooks drove to the outside and by Miller in turn four for the lead. The New Castle, Pa. driver went on for the non-stop win timed in 5:14.88 in his Benny Lombardo Auto Repair/Plotts Transmission-sponsored #65. Behind Hooks, Miller, and Norco were Gary Miller, Jr., who came from 14th, and Jim Brunson, who recorded his best finish of the year. Winning the heats over the 38-car field were new point leader Andy Buckley, Norco, Brian Miller, and Willie Aley. Bill Hanna and Greg Beach won the B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Jason Jacoby 3. Tommy Burns, Jr. 4. Tom Quarterson 5. Arnie Kent 6. Troy Preston 7. Jarod Larson 8. Gary Kriess, Jr. 9. Dave Wagner 10. Skip Dougherty 11. Brian Woodhall 12. Nathan Hines 13. Mike Kaminski 14. Rob Eyler 15. Kevin Schaeffer 16. Butch Beasley 17. Gregg McCandless-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. LES MYERS 2. Lou Blaney 3. Tim Doran 4. Rob Curtis 5. Jeff Schaffer 6. Lonny Riggs 7. Joe Crawford 8. Don McKnight 9. Dean Pearson 10. Carl Murdick 11. Nick Ritchey 12. Chetter Johnson 13. Frank Guidace 14. Rob Kristyak 15. Steve Young 16. Adam Siegel 17. Bob Dorman 18. Rodney Beltz 19. Kevin Bolland 20. Rick Kress 21. John Braymer 22. Rich Ferguson 23. Guy Griffin 24. Scott Gurdak 25. Rick Hall 26. Ed Alcorn-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Steve Young 3. Rick Hall 4. Bill Adams 5. Randy Rodemoyer 6. Curt Matthews 7. D.J. Schrader 8. Les Myers 9. Gary Bollinger 10. Fred Sasse 11. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 12. Jerry Schaffer 13. Chanda Reitz 14. Dave Cogswell 15. Zack Moran 16. Bill Baptiste 17. Andy Paden 18. Jay Priest 19. Brad Watson 20. Allen Ferry 21. Al Priester 22. Rick Ryder 23. John Buchanan 24. Buck Buchanan DNQ-Leroy Johnson, Jr., John Jones, Morgan Sasse, Barry Bulfone.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. SHAUN HOOKS 2. Brian Miller 3. Rick Norco 4. Gary Miller, Jr. 5. Jim Brunson 6. Andy Thompson 7. Andy Buckley 8. Terry Kroner 9. Russ Kapalin 10. Bobby Whitling 11. Bill Hanna 12. Gary Norman 13. Mike Work 14. Dave Ferringer 15. Jim Miller 16. Mike Aley 17. Todd Titus 18. Rick Anthony 19. Greg Beach 20. Jeff Kravec 21. Duane Grinnell 22. Ed Hays 23. Dave Lewis, Sr. 24. Willie Aley DNQ-Phil Kaufman, Ray Bailey, Jr., Bob Garris, Erick Cwynar, Mark Covert, Tim Zuschlag, Dan Fedorchak, Gary Robinson, Lonnie O’Brien, Jarrot Moore, William George, Sr., Keith Nagy, Robert Caszatt, Jr., Adam Aley.
Tim Dietz awarded first ever ARDC vs. NAMARS Midget Car Clash Event; Fog claims other features
By Mike Leone
June 23, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway fought Mother Nature’s elements all day long on Saturday. Rain showers through mid-afternoon delayed the start and fog claimed the final checker of the night with 28 of the scheduled 40 laps of the Midget Car feature completed and cancelled the Non-Winged Sprint Car and Stock Car features. "Wingless- The Return" was sponsored by Chevron East.
Tim Dietz was declared winner of the inaugural Northern States Midget Classic, an ARDC vs. NAMARS clash event, after 28 laps. Dietz was the beneficiary of leader Teddy Beach’s flat tire and the fog that rolled in under red flag conditions. "You can’t do anything about Mother Nature," said the exhausted York, Pa. driver. "I’m glad it ended. I don’t know if I could of held on for any more laps. I know I was out in front, but I’m beat!"
Dietz set the pace for the first four laps before local driver, Travis Miniea of Sharon, Pa., and seventh starter, Ray Bull, took over the top two spots. Miniea’s lead lasted for only a lap when he looped his mount in turn four handing the lead to Bull with Dietz in second and Beach to third.
Beach passed Dietz for second on lap eight then ran down leader Bull. The 17-year-old youngster made a nice move on lap 11 coming off turn four on the inside to take over the lead from Bull. Dietz re-passed Bull for second on lap 17 at the start-finish line in what would turn out to be the winning move.
On lap 27, Beach’s fine run ended with a flat tire giving the lead back to Dietz, who led the next two laps before fogged checkered the event with 28 laps of the scheduled 40 in the record books. The win was worth $2,000 for Dietz and car owner Roger McKeehan. Dietz gave McKeehan his second straight Mercer win after Mark Freeland won the ARDC event last season. "I want to thank my car owner Roger McKeehan for giving me equipment to have. That’s why were fast. He has good stuff and he knows what it takes to win."
"It’s a shame that it rained today and delayed us," said the happy Dietz. "I’m just glad that the fans stayed out and watched us. These are real race fans!"
Bull was second over Matt Sandy, Chris Coers, and Shane Hollingsworth. Sixth through tenth were Miniea, Ed Stimely, Jr., Marc Dailey, Critter Malone, and Bryan Kobylarz. Heat winners over the 33-car field were Dietz, Bull, Dailey, and Miniea. Kobylarz won the B main.
A field of 23 Luxaire Heating & Cooling Non-Winged Sprint Cars were scheduled to start the 30-lap $2,000 to-win feature. With the wings returning for the rest of the season and the night considered completed because all of the preliminaries were completed the decision was mutual to split the $10,065 among the 23 drivers with each receiving $437.60. Heat winners were Tom Quarterson, Jamie Smith, and Mark Cassella. Drivers will receive points for the heats plus 10 show-up points.
The Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars will make-up their 20-lap $400 to-win feature at a date to be announced. Heat winners for the 38-car field were Willie Aley, Andy Buckley, Ron Iorio, and Terry Kroner. Winning the two B mains were Keith Nagy and Brian Miller.
NAMARS vs. ARDC Midget Car Clash (28 laps): 1. TIM DIETZ ($2,000) 2. Ray Bull 3. Matt Sandy 4. Chris Coers 5. Shane Hollingsworth 6. Travis Miniea 7. Ed Stimely, Jr. 8. Marc Dailey 9. Critter Malone 10. Bryan Kobylarz 11. Randy Maustellar 12. Doug Cross 13. Gary Halteman 14. Rod Clary 15. Mark Wakefoose 16. Steve Craig 17. Lew Blair 18. Teddy Beach 19. Rick Vaughn 20. Kathy Kurtz 21. Aaron Pierce 22. Brad Kuhn 23. Mark Freeland 24. Jim Jackson DNQ-Jerry Kobza, Walt Stearly, Fred Schell, Chris Morway, Brian Suchy, Shawn Burke, Duane Maustellar, Buddy Baker, P.J. Pavlick.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Non-Winged Sprints:
Heat #1: Tom Quarterson, Jimmy Hawley, Arnie Kent, Tommy Burns, Jr., Gary Edwards, Scott Priester, John Toth III, Mel Straley.
Heat #2: Jamie Smith, Scott Bonnell, Gary Kriess, Jr., Aaron Shaffer, Brian Woodhall, Charlie Cornelius, Brian Hartzell, Steve Belin.
Heat #3: Mark Cassella, Paul White, Jr., Skip Dougherty, Lou Blaney, Critter Malone, Jason Jacoby, Brent Matus.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars:
Heat #1: Willie Aley, Bob Sloss, Gary Robinson, Mike Aley, Phil Kaufman, Lonnie O’Brien, Jeff Kravec, Duane Grinnell, Tom Miller, Greg Beach.
Heat #2: Andy Buckley, Shaun Hooks, Bill Hanna, Dave Ferringer, Keith Nagy, Mark Felicetty, Don Greenlee, Bob Garris, Andy Thompson, Erick Cwynar.
Heat #3: Ron Iorio, Gary Miller, Jr., Rick Norco, Rick Anthony, Brian Miller, Dan Fedorchak, Tim Zuschlag, Ed Hays, Jarrot Moore.
Heat #4: Terry Kroner, Bobby Whitling, Jim Miller, Gary Norman, William George, Sr., Bob Hays, Ray Bailey, Jr., Robert Caszatt, Jr., Adam Aley.
B main #1: Nagy, Kaufman, O’Brien, Thompson, Kravec, Felicetty, Grinnell, Garris, Cwynar, Greenlee, T. Miller, Beach.
B main #2: B. Miller, Fedorchak, George, Zuschlag, B. Hays, Bailey, A. Aley, E. Hays, Caszatt, Moore.
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Eyler and Doran end bad luck with first Mercer Sprint and Modified wins
By Mike Leone
June 30, 2001
Mercer (PA)...For the second consecutive Saturday night, Mother Nature threw all she had at Mercer Raceway Park. Despite three rain showers and thunderstorms all around, the entire program was run off in three hours after nearly a two hour delay. Picking up wins and celebrating in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane were Rob Eyler-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tim Doran-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. Pizza Joe’s and Walt’s of Mercer Plaza sponsored the fireworks display that followed the races. For the second consecutive year, all veterans of war were admitted free.
After leading numerous features over the past two seasons only to either crash, have mechanical problems, or finish second, Rob Eyler finally scored his first ever Mercer win in the non-stop 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. "We just couldn’t get it together, but tonight it worked and it feels good," said the jubilant Franklin, Pa. racer. "I was just waiting for something to break and was just hoping I didn’t screw up tonight. I’m happy the way it turned out."
Eyler quickly raced into the lead at the start with Tommy Burns, Jr. and Troy Preston in tow. By lap eight action really heated up. Preston raced by Burns for second, while Tom Quarterson blew around Jimmy Hawley and Jack Sodeman, Jr. to crack the top five. Quarterson and Hawley both disposed of Mike Kekich for fourth and fifth respectively on lap 11.
Eyler continued to lead by a straightaway over Preston. Quarterson moved into third on lap 14 when he got around Burns and immediately closed on Preston. Lap 16 saw Quarterson pass Preston in turn two for runner-up. Two laps later, Hawley dropped Preston back another spot on the backstretch.
But out in front it was all Eyler, who drove on for the non-stop win timed in 5:05.70 in his Bahama Breeze Tanning/Griffin Excavating-sponsored #5. Point leader Quarterson was second after starting 11th. Third through fifth were Hawley, Preston, and Burns. Completing the top 10 were Mike Kekich, Arnie Kent, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Jason Jacoby, and Gary Kriess, Jr. Heat winners were Kekich and Kriess.
Tim Doran raced from the 21st starting spot to collect his first 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature win of the year. "I screwed up really bad in the heat race," revealed the New Castle, Pa. driver. "I thought the race was over and I pulled in. If I didn’t win tonight, I was really going to hear it from my dad. We were either going to win or wreck it."
From the pole position, J.R. McGinley jumped out in front and led the first nine laps. Adam Siegel passed Chetter Johnson for second on lap three then took over the point from McGinley on lap 10. McGinley and Carl Murdick then got together bringing out the caution with 13 laps completed.
The restart order saw Siegel ahead of Rob Curtis, Doran, Lonny Riggs, and Johnson. Doran edged Curtis for second at the start-finish line of lap 14. On lap 18, Doran made the winning move driving around Siegel in turn two. Curtis got sideways on lap 19 allowing Riggs and Jeff Schaffer by for third and fourth. Then Rob Kristyak, Don McKnight, Rodney Beltz, Les Myers, and Murdick tangled bringing out the final caution with 19 laps completed.
When racing was set to resume, Siegel came to a rest moving Riggs up to second and Schaffer to third. Doran though was able to hold on for the final lap to record his first win since June 3, 2000 in his Richard Smith Construction/Mitchelltree Bros. Logging & Lumber-sponsored #12. "Billy Pauch has helped me out with this Pauch Tobias," said the happy victor following his 12th career Mercer win. "We’ve been fast other nights, but I either wrecked it or had mechanical problems."
Riggs, who started 10th, held off 26th place starter Jeff Schaffer for second. Point leader Dean Pearson was fourth over a career best Mercer finish by Johnson. Rounding out the top 10 were Curtis, Dave Murdick, Steve Young, Frank Guidace, and Lou Gentile. Heat victors over the 28-car field were Carl Murdick, Riggs, and Myers.
Steve Young evened Andy Priest for the top win mark this year at the track by winning his third 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature win. The Grove City, Pa. driver started 12th and passed Randy Rodemoyer for third on lap five then used the inside line to get by Rick Ryder for second one lap later. Allen Ferry set the pace for the first six laps before Young made his winning move on the inside groove of the seventh circuit. Once in front, Young was never threatened in the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored #11t. John Buchanan, who started ninth, passed both Andy Priest and Ferry to on lap 11 to place second. Priest was third over Rodemoyer and Ryder. Winning the heats over the 23-car field were Buchanan and D.J. Schrader.
Dave Ferringer made it nine different winners in nine races by capturing the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature. The Cochranton, Pa. driver took the helm on the opening lap when he passed Phil Kaufman and Lonnie O’Brien. Bill Hanna would be Ferringer’s only real threat in the race, which saw only one caution. Hanna passed Kaufman for third on lap three then got around Brian Miller on lap six to take second. Hanna remained in striking distance throughout the event and was right on Ferringer on the last lap, but Ferringer was able to hold on for his fifth career Mercer win. Ferringer’s win followed his Friday night win at Sharon Speedway in his Lowery Auto Body/Maloney Tool & Mold-sponsored #02. Ron Iorio had a strong run coming from 11th to place third. Point leader Andy Buckley was fourth ahead of Miller. Taking heat wins over the 39-car field were Miller, Mike Aley, Hanna, and Shaun Hooks. Gary Norman and Tony Bruno won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. ROB EYLER 2. Tom Quarterson 3. Jimmy Hawley 4. Troy Preston 5. Tommy Burns, Jr. 6. Mike Kekich 7. Arnie Kent 8. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 9. Jason Jacoby 10. Gary Kriess, Jr. 11. Andy Priest 12. Nathan Hines 13. Gary Edwards 14. Gregg McCandless 15. Gary McCollum 16. Michael Markey 17. Brian Woodhall 18. Buddy Cochran 19. Butch Beasley.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TIM DORAN 2. Lonny Riggs 3. Jeff Schaffer 4. Dean Pearson 5. Chetter Johnson 6. Rob Curtis 7. Dave Murdick 8. Steve Young 9. Frank Guidace 10. Lou Gentile 11. Red Fordyce 12. Don McKnight 13. Les Myers 14. Rodney Beltz 15. Carl Murdick 16. Rob Kristyak 17. Nick Ritchey 18. Mark Sevin 19. J.R. McGinley 20. Bob Dorman 21. Jeff Hoffman 22. Lee Miller 23. Joe Crawford 24. Lou Blaney 25. Rick Kress 26. Adam Siegel 27. Guy Griffin-DNS 28. Dana Gearhart-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. John Buchanan 3. Andy Priest 4. Randy Rodemoyer 5. Rick Ryder 6. Curt Matthews 7. Bill Adams 8. Rick Hall 9. Chanda Reitz 10. Greg Unrue 11. Dave Cogswell 12. Al Priester 13. Bill Baptiste 14. Morgan Sasse 15. John Jones 16. Allen Ferry 17. Andy Paden 18. Jerry Schaffer 19. Gary Bollinger 20. D.J. Schrader 21. Brad Watson 22. Buck Buchanan 23. Leroy Johnson, Jr.-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Bill Hanna 3. Ron Iorio 4. Andy Buckley 5. Brian Miller 6. Shaun Hooks 7. Willie Aley 8. Rick Norco 9. Gary Norman 10. Greg Beach 11. Jim Brunson 12. Gary Robinson 13. Bob Sloss 14. Mike Aley 15. Jarrot Moore 16. Phil Kaufman 17. Tony Bruno 18. Lonnie O’Brien 19. Dan Fedorchak 20. Keith Nagy 21. Mark Felicetty 22. Terry Kroner 23. Erick Cwynar 24. Jim Miller DNQ-Rick Anthony, Adam Reseigh, Jeff Kravec, Ray Bailey, Jr., Tim Zuschlag, Adam Aley, Ed Hays, Bob Hays, William George, Sr., Steve Guthrie, Bill Kirschner, Robert Caszatt, Jr., Andy Thompson, Duane Grinnell, Tim Deutsch.
