Past Press Releases & Results for May, 2000
- May 27, 2000
- Mercer rained out for third time
- May 20, 2000
- Blaney wins $4,000 in B.R.P. Modified Tour 2000 opener at Mercer
- May 13, 2000
- Hawley and Blaney record third Mercer Sprint and Modified wins
- May 6, 2000
- Fan favorited Hawley and Blaney highlight Mercer Sprint and Modified action
Fan favorites Hawley and Blaney highlight Mercer Sprint and Modified action
by Mike Leone
May 6, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The third night of racing was completed on a warm Saturday evening at Mercer Raceway Park. The following drivers posed in the Autobody Products, Inc. victory lane: Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Booher-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Jimmy Hawley won his second 410 Sprint Car win of the weekend (also won at Sharon Speedway on Friday night) in the first Bonus Buck Weekend earning a minimum $1,500 bonus. "I just can’t say enough about my crew," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driving following the 20-lap Axa Advisors Feature. "We weren’t that good in the heat race. They (crew) changed everything, and I just thank God that I’m fortunate enough to be here."
Arnie Kent took the early lead from the pole position, while Troy Preston fell into second. Gary Edwards joined the battle for the lead as he passed Jarod Larson for third on the first lap. The first three cars broke away until a spin by Brad Ellenberger brought out the caution with five laps completed. On the restart, Andy McKisson got high in turn one and took a nasty series of tumbles. McKisson was okay.
When racing resumed, Preston and Kent raced side-by-side on lap six, and on lap seven Preston took over the lead. Kevin Andrusky passed Larson, then moved by Edwards for third on lap eight. Meanwhile, Hawley was working his way to the front from his handicapped 12th starting spot. Hawley passed Edwards for fourth on lap 10, and two laps later cracked the top three with a pass of Andrusky while racing the lapped car of Randy Kriegisch.
Hawley reeled in Kent and Preston in traffic. On lap 16, Hawley drove under Kent going into turn one making the pass stick for second. The winning move came on lap 17 when Hawley blasted by Preston for the lead. Hawley pulled away to win by a straightaway for his second straight Mercer win in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII.
The race was on for positions two through sixth. Mike Lutz charged from the 11th starting spot to pass Andrusky, who had just passed Kent, for third on lap 18. One lap later, Lutz put a flyer on Preston coming out of turn four to finish second. Preston fell to third over another strong run by Andrusky, who gave Mercer County drivers a sweep of the top four spots. Edwards followed his fifth at Sharon with another fifth place finish. Kent, Larson, Jamie Smith, Tommy Burns, Jr., and Rob Eyler completed the top ten. Eden, New York’s Mike Woodring made his second straight appearance and finished 11th. Central Pa. regular, Josh Wells, made his first-ever Mercer appearance and was 19th. Winning the heats were Eyler, Burns, and Edwards over the 26-car field.
Lou Blaney won his second win taking the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature. "The race track was great," said the Hartford, Ohio legend. "You could run inside or outside. The inside was best for me tonight."
Rookie big-block driver, Carl Weatherby, came from third to pass Randy Myers and Don McKnight, another rookie big-block driver, on lap one for the lead. Fifth and eight-place starter, Kevin Bolland and Jeff Hoffman were on the move. Bolland passed Myers on lap two for second, while Hoffman followed passing Myers on the subsequent lap. Following a restart for a Rich Ferguson spin, Bolland moved into second taking Carl Murdick for the position on lap four. Hoffman again followed Bolland passing Murdick on the same lap for third.
After a spin by last week’s winner Andy Priest, Bolland took the lead from Weatherby on the restart. Tommy Kristyak, who started seventh, came out of nowhere to move into second on lap eight with a move on Weatherby. Three separate cautions on lap eight slowed action.
When action resumed, Hoffman continued his march to the front using the inside to drive by Weatherby for third on lap nine, and Kristyak for second on lap 10. Blaney, who started 11th, didn’t enter the picture until after the half-way point. Blaney disposed of Weatherby for fourth, then cracked the top three on lap 10 passing Kristyak. On lap 11, Hoffman slipped high allowing Blaney to take runner-up.
The winning move came on lap 13 when the veteran Blaney passed Bolland coming off turn two. Blaney pulled away to win by a 1/2-straightaway in the Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10. Blaney has finished no worse than second in any heat or feature this season. A good battle ensued for positions two through four. Hoffman got by Bolland for second off turn four also on lap 13, and Kristyak would come in third after also getting around Bolland on lap 18. Bolland fell to fourth at the checkers followed by Weatherby’s first career big-block top five. Completing the top ten were Jim Rasey, Rob Kristyak, Priest, J.R. McGinley, and Dick Rankin. Heat victors were Bolland, Murdick, and Rodney Beltz over the 24-car field.
Lou Gentile won his second 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature of the season. Gentile started his charge to the front from ninth. The Youngstown, Ohio driver moved into third passing Jim Bickel on lap five, and took runner-up from Randy Ferguson on lap six. Harold Michaels led the first six laps. Gentile caught Michaels and the two made contact in turn one, but Gentile came through as the leader. Gentile went on for his ninth win in the past 13 six-cylinder races dating back to last season in the Emig #1. Ferguson, Kenny Hardy, and Conny Allen all got by Michaels, who dropped to fifth with a flat tire. Ferguson and Hardy were heat race winners.
Following a win last Sunday at Sportsman’s Speedway, Steve Young jumped back into the J.R. Greer #11t Sportsman Modified and made it two-for-two. Scott Kay led the first seven laps, before Gary Smoker took control on lap eight. Smoker’s lead would only last one lap as Young took over for good on lap nine and never looked back in the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Feature. It was the Grove City driver’s first Mercer Sportsman Modified win since September 6, 1997 the year he was champion. Dean Pearson, who finished second to Young at Sportsman’s, passed Smoker on lap 12 to finish second to Young again. Smoker got high on the final lap allowing Tom Mattocks, who started 13th, to take third dropping Smoker to fourth ahead of Rick Hall. Hall, Smoker, and Pearson nabbed heat wins over the 28-car field. Brian Sadler won the B main.
Brian Booher of Sandy Lake, Pa. recorded his first 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature win of the season. Jim Brunson looked good early on coming from fourth to take the lead on lap two from Andy Buckley. Booher raced into second on lap eight passing Gary Miller, Jr. Brunson continued to lead up until two separate cautions with eight laps completed. The restart cost Brunson of a chance at his first career win. When racing resumed, Brunson got a little high allowing Booher and Brian Miller to take the top two spots. Booher survived another restart to win his fourth career race in his Stake Specialties #2B. Point leader Miller was second. Albert Hays passed Brunson for third on lap 14 for his best finish of the season. Brunson fell to fourth holding off Matt Lux. Scoring heat wins were Dan Lewis, Booher, and Miller over the 27-car field. John Reiser won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Mike Lutz 3. Troy Preston 4. Kevin Andrusky 5. Gary Edwards 6. Arnie Kent 7. Jarod Larson 8. Jamie Smith 9. Tommy Burns, Jr. 10. Rob Eyler 11. Mike Woodring 12. Jamie McKinney 13. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 14. Jason Jacoby 15. Gary McCollum 16. Doug Kekich 17. Gary Kriess, Jr. 18. Brad Ellenberger 19. Josh Wells 20. Goob Schuller 21. Randy Kriegisch 22. Randy Johnson 23. Craig Rankin 24. Andy McKisson 25. Dave Wagner 26. Scott Bonnell-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Jeff Hoffman 3. Tommy Kristyak 4. Kevin Bolland 5. Carl Weatherby 6. Jim Rasey 7. Rob Kristyak 8. Andy Priest 9. J.R. McGinley 10. Dick Rankin 11. Rob Curtis 12. Rick Hall 13. Rodney Beltz 14. Dave Harbaugh 15. Jerry Bickel 16. Mark Sevin 17. Steve Barr 18. Randy Myers 19. Dean Pearson 20. Carl Murdick 21. Don McKnight 22. Rich Ferguson 23. George Davis-DNS 24. Bob Dorman-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Randy Ferguson 3. Kenny Hardy 4. Conny Allen 5. Harold Michaels 6. Bill Adams 7. Frank Guidace 8. Rick Kress 9. Mark McEwen 10. Jim Bickel 11. Dustin Kress 12. Jim Reagle-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Dean Pearson 3. Tom Mattocks 4. Gary Smoker 5. Rick Hall 6. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 7. Rick Ryder 8. Andy Paden 9. Gary Bollinger 10. Chanda Reitz 11. Buck Buchanan 12. Kevin Latshaw 13. Doug Updyke 14. Greg Unrue 15. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 16. Brian Sadler 17. Bill Thompson 18. Mike Kelley 19. Randy Rodemoyer 20. Scott Kay 21. Barry Bulfone 22. Dave Schrader 23. Darrell Combs 24. Mike Mathieson 25. Bob Young-DNS DNQ-Bill Baptiste, Andy Priest.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. BRIAN BOOHER 2. Brian Miller 3. Albert Hays 4. Jim Brunson 5. Matt Lux 6. Dave Ferringer 7. John Reiser 8. Willie Aley 9. Rusty Moore 10. Rick Anthony 11. Jeff Kravec 12. Todd Titus 13. Gary Miller, Jr. 14. Terry Kroner 15. Mike Aley 16. Ray Bailey 17. Ed Hays 18. Mike Zuschlag 19. Kevin Thompson 20. Leigh Wheeler 21. Dan Lewis 22. Gary Robinson 23. Tommy Dembowski 24. Andy Buckley DNQ-Adam Aley, Dan Fedorchak, Chuck Kerr.
Hawley and Blaney record third Mercer Sprint and Modified wins
by Mike Leone
May 13, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The fourth program of 2000 was completed on Saturday evening at Mercer Raceway Park on "Dave Blaney Night," which was presented by the McElwain Family of Dealerships of Ellwood City, Pa. Standing in the Autobody Products, Inc. victory lane were Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Jimmy Hawley made it three-in-a-row in the 410 Sprint Cars despite losing his brakes late in the event. "This is just too exciting," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driver following the 20-lap Axa Advisors-sponsored event. "I got lucky. I thought I was going to lose it a couple times. (Arnie) Kent and (Troy) Preston were real good, and I lost my brakes the last five laps. I’m just glad to be here."
Kent assumed the early lead from the outside pole, while Preston passed Jarod Larson and pole sitter, Gary McCollum, on the opening lap. Preston and Kent began to distance themselves as Preston ran low and Kent stayed high battling for the lead. With six laps completed, the first caution was displayed for Mike Lutz, Jamie Smith, Doug Kekich, and Brad Ellenberger, who tangled in turn four. All would continue except Smith, who was done for the night.
When racing resumed, Gary Edwards and Hawley were on the move. Edwards got around Larson and McCollum for third on lap seven. On lap eight, Hawley made a nice move coming off turn two to pass both Larson and McCollum on the backstretch for fourth. The race was slowed for the second time when Randy Johnson landed on his side bringing out the red with nine laps completed. He would continue.
When green replaced yellow, Hawley showed his power by driving around Edwards for third on lap 10. Hawley got sideways on lap 12 allowing Edwards to get back by. Preston took over the lead with a pass of Kent in turn two on lap 13, while Hawley got back around Edwards for third.
Preston caught the back-markers on lap 16, and lapped traffic ended up deciding the race. Preston struggled getting around Chris Matthews and Johnson, allowing Kent and Hawley to close in. Meanwhile, Hawley passed Kent for runner-up on the 17th circuit. On lap later, Hawley made the winning move clearing both Preston and the slower cars of Matthews and Johnson. Hawley drove off for his sixth overall win of 2000 in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII. Preston held off Kent for second. Edwards was fourth over All Star regular Brian Ellenberger, who started 12th. Completing the top 10 were Kevin Andrusky, Lutz, Larson, Rob Eyler, and Tommy Burns, Jr. Winning the heats were Burns, Gary Kriess, Jr., and Hawley over the 21-car field.
While Dave Blaney was meeting all of his fans, father Lou put on a thrilling drive to win his third 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature to the delight of the packed grandstands in a car built by Dave. "This was a nice night and a good night for the fans," said the Hartford, Ohio legend. "I ticked (Tommy) Kristyak off and he ticked me off, but it turned out okay."
Carl Murdick came from third to lead the opening lap passing Dean Pearson. Following a lap two restart, Pearson retook the lead. Kristyak was on the move from his eighth starting spot. On lap eight, Kristyak passed Carl Weatherby and Murdick to take over second. One lap later, Blaney did the same moving into third.
Following a caution, Kristyak took the lead from Pearson at the half-way mark. After another caution, Pearson gave up second to Blaney on lap 11. Kristyak and Blaney immediately pulled away and set up a wild finish. The two battled using every part of the race track. On lap 17, the two ran side-by-side with Blaney getting by for the lead coming off turn four. Just as Blaney took the lead, Lonny Riggs brought out the eighth caution. Under the caution, Blaney’s left front tire began losing air.
When racing resumed, Blaney was still able to pull away for his third Mercer win of the year and sixth overall in the Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10. Kristyak was second over Pearson’s best finish in third. Jeremiah Shingledecker recorded his career best big-block finish in fourth over 16th starter, Jerry Bickel. Rounding out the top 10 were 21st starter Rob Curtis, Rick Hall, Brian Swartzlander, rookie Lee Miller, and Weatherby. Scoring heat victories were Scott Gurdak, Pearson, and Murdick over the 25-car field.
Like Hawley and Blaney, Lou Gentile recorded his third win in four tries in the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. The Youngstown, Ohio driver came from 10th to take third from Frank Guidace on lap two, then moved into runner-up on lap three passing Jim Bickel. The winning pass came on lap six when Gentile drove by race-long leader Harold Michaels. Gentile then drove off for the win in the Emig #1 as his winnings were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Both Michaels and Bickel dropped from the event allowing Randy Ferguson, who started sixth, to take second over eighth starter, Kenny Hardy. Conny Allen placed fourth ahead of Guidace. Michaels won the heat.
Andy Priest became the fourth different 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified winner in four races. Priest started sixth and was in second on lap one. The New Castle driver took over for good on lap two passing rookie Doug Updyke. Priest would survive six cautions to claim his 13th career Mercer Sportsman Modified win in the MPR Lumber/Griffin -sponsored, Ted Hull-owned #41. It was also his second straight Sportsman Modified win after winning at Sportsman’s Speedway last Sunday. Point leader, Rick Hall, came from 10th to finish second. Randy Rodemoyer, who started 13th, recorded a career best finish in third ahead of 17th starter, Gary Bollinger, and 14th starter, Chanda Reitz. Heat victors were Gary Smoker, Dean Pearson, and Tom Mattocks over the 26-car field.
Dave Ferringer decided to make Mercer a regular stop in 2000 and it’s paying off. The Cochranton, Pa. driver chalked up his second 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car win. Ferringer started ninth and raced into third on lap nine passing Leigh Wheeler. He then got by Jim Brunson for second on lap 11. It appeared Andy Buckley was going to put all of his bad luck behind in 2000 as he led the first 11 laps, but dropped from the event under caution giving the lead to Ferringer on lap 12. Ferringer was able to hold off 11th starter and point leader, Brian Miller, for the win in the Maloney Tool & Mold #02. Brunson held off Brian Booher for third. Gary Robinson was fifth. Taking the heats were Willie Aley, Wheeler, and Miller over the 26-car field.
Notes...Despite periods of light rain throughout the morning and afternoon, the skies cleared after 3 p.m. allowing for a beautiful evening. A big crowd turned out to meet Dave Blaney, which was sponsored by the McElwain Family of Dealerships. Blaney signed autographs for over two hours, then met with various media outlets including the Youngstown, Ohio television stations. Blaney had his two-seater sprint on hand and three winners got rides with Blaney as all money went to "The Race Against Drugs". Blaney stuck around after the races to give more rides. Around 50 people participated in Sunday’s inaugural Dave Blaney Outlaw Driving Experience between the driving and ride-along program.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Troy Preston 3. Arnie Kent 4. Gary Edwards 5. Brian Ellenberger 6. Kevin Andrusky 7. Mike Lutz 8. Jarod Larson 9. Rob Eyler 10. Tommy Burns, Jr. 11. Gray Kriess, Jr. 12. Jamie McKinney 13. Gary McCollum 14. Jason Jacoby 15. Brad Ellenberger 16. Doug Kekich 17. Chris Matthews 18. Randy Johnson 19. Dave Wagner 20. Randy Kriegisch 21. Jamie Smith.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Tommy Kristyak 3. Dean Pearson 4. Jeremiah Shingledecker 5. Jerry Bickel 6. Rob Curtis 7. Rick Hall 8. Brian Swartzlander 9. Lee Miller 10. Carl Weatherby 11. Lonny Riggs 12. Scott Gurdak 13. Carl Murdick 14. John Braymer 15. Bob Dorman 16. J.R. McGinley 17. Dick Rankin 18. Andy Priest 19. Rob Kristyak 20. Mark Sevin 21. Steve Young 22. Don McKnight 23. Les Myers 24. Rodney Beltz-DNS 25. Tim Doran-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Randy Ferguson 3. Kenny Hardy 4. Conny Allen 5. Frank Guidace 6. Bill Adams 7. Mark Welsh 8. Rick Kress 9. Harold Michaels 10. Jim Bickel 11. Dustin Kress.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Rick Hall 3. Randy Rodemoyer 4. Gary Bollinger 5. Chanda Reitz 6. Rick Ryder 7. J.R. Greer 8. Fred Sasse 9. Jason Longwell 10. Buck Buchanan 11. Mike Mathieson 12. Kevin Latshaw 13. Barry Bulfone 14. Gary Smoker 15. Allen Ferry 16. Bill Baptiste 17. Andy Paden 18. Tom Mattocks 19. Dean Pearson 20. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 21. Mike Kelley 22. Scott Kay 23. Doug Updyke 24. Bill Thompson 25. John Buchanan 26. Greg Unrue (Jr)-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Brian Miller 3. Jim Brunson 4. Brian Booher 5. Gary Robinson 6. Mike Aley 7. Bill Banick, Jr. 8. Terry Kroner 9. Willie Aley 10. Ed Hays 11. Rick Anthony 12. Kevin Thompson 13. Dan Fedorchak 14. Adam Aley 15. J.R. Zeigler 16. Bob Kitchen 17. Ed Hays 18. Jesse Umstead 19. Andy Buckley 20. Bill Schall, Jr. 21. Leigh Wheeler 22. Tim Zuschlag 23. Todd Titus 24. John Reiser-DNS 25. Ray Bailey-DNS 26. Jeff Kravec-DNS.
Blaney wins $4,000 in B.R.P. Modified Tour 2000 opener at Mercer
by Mike Leone
May 20, 2000
Mercer (PA)...On Bill Emig Memorial Night, Mercer Raceway Park completed its fifth show of 2000 on Saturday evening. Standing in the Autobody Products Inc. victory lane were Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Jim Frontz-E-Mods, and Brian Booher-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. Ryan Boyd won the first Demo Derby of the season.
After pitting early on, Lou Blaney came from the tail of the field to win the $4,000 to-win 50-lap opener for the B.R.P. Big-Block Modified Tour 2000 by American Racer on Bill Emig Memorial Night. "This is a nice one to win. Bill Emig was a nice person," said the Hartford, Ohio legend. "After the early incident, I’m just glad to be here in one piece."
Last year’s Bill Emig Memorial winner, Tommy Kristyak, looked strong early on racing into the lead on the opening lap, while Kevin Bolland followed passing George Hobaugh. Bolland used the outside to pass Kristyak coming off turn four for the lead on lap five. But two laps later, Bolland pitted with a flat tire moving Kristyak back to the lead, Hobaugh to second, and Tim Doran third.
At this point, it appeared Doran had the fastest car. Doran raced by Hobaugh for second on lap nine and ran down Kristyak. Kristyak and Doran began to distance themselves from the field. Another driver on the move was Jeff Schaffer, who was making his season debut. Schaffer, who started sixth, passed Hobaugh for third on the 18th lap.
Blaney was making his way back through the field. He passed Hobaugh to crack the top five, then disposed of Carl Weatherby on lap 26 for fourth. Doran began to apply heavy pressure to Kristyak as the two raced side-by-side on numerous occasions. On lap 29, Doran made a bold move sticking his #12 on the outside in turns three and four only to loop his mount with a flat tire. This moved Schaffer to runner-up and Blaney to third.
Following the restart for the Doran spin, Schaffer took the lead from Kristyak on lap 29. Blaney drove around Kristyak for second coming off turn two on lap 40. Meanwhile, Schaffer had opened up a decent lead as it appeared he was on his way for an upset win. With smoke trailing from Schaffer’s car, Blaney began to really close the gap with less than five laps to go. Two separate cautions, one for a Kevin Hoffman spin and another for Dick Rankin and Jeremiah Shingledecker, slowed action with 47 laps completed. It was the first caution in 19 laps.
When action resumed, Blaney got by Schaffer coming off turn two on the outside. It was a heartbreaking defeat as Schaffer then dropped out with a flat tire. Blaney led the final three laps for his third straight win and fourth win in five Mercer races this season in the Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10.
Kristyak was second for the second straight week and kept his perfect streak of top fives alive. Bolland raced back through the field after a flat tire to take third. Rodney Beltz was fourth over Chris Schiffer. Sixth through tenth were Lonny Riggs, Bill Dorman, Kevin Hoffman, Brian Fink, and Rick Hall. Heat winners over the season-high 36-car field were Hobaugh, Les Myers, Doran, and Schaffer. Big-Block Modified rookies, Jeremiah Shingledecker and Carl Weatherby, qualified for the big show winning the B mains.
Jim Frontz of Cambridge Springs, Pa. won the first appearance of the E-Mods in the 20-lap feature. Frontz started eighth as Bob McCann started from the pole and took the early lead. On lap six, third-place Shawn Domhoff dropped from the event moving Frontz to third. Frontz then got around Bobby Powell for second on lap 16 and ran down McCann. On the last lap, Frontz caught McCann and when McCann got sideways coming off turn four, Frontz slipped under to win by less than a car-length. It was Frontz’s first career win in eight years of trying and was worth $500 for the Maloney Tool & Mold-sponsored, Scott Bidwell-owned #94.3. Frontz became the sixth different E-Mod winner in the seven races ever held at Mercer. Dale Fuller, who started 11th, passed Powell on lap 19 for third dropping Powell to fourth over 21st starter, Jeff Haefke. Scott Stiffler, Powell, and Russ Dunn won the heats over the 28-car field. Jeff Rudrick won the B main.
Brian Booher of Sandy Lake, Pa. won his second of the year in the $500 to-win 20-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature. Gary Robinson passed Jim Davis on lap three for the lead. Booher moved into second on lap nine taking the spot from Davis. Following the restart for Dwight Boice’s spin, Booher made the winning move taking the lead from Robinson. Booher held on for his fifth career win in his Stake Specialties #2B. Robinson and Leigh Wheeler made contact on lap 18 allowing Davis to get back to second at the finish in his Mercer season debut. Point leader Brian Miller raced from 15th to place third to keep his perfect streak of top threes alive. Robinson held on to fourth with a tire going down. Boice came back from the early spin to record a fifth in his season debut. Winning the heats over the 29-car field were Robinson, Willie Aley, and Rusty Moore. Terry Kroner won the B main.
Notes...The 36-car big-block field were on American Racer MCMOD tires by Fred Woodward of Lias Tire...$10,000 went into the B.R.P. Modified Tour 2000 point fund thanks to American Racer with $4,000 going to the champion and $500 for 20th...New big blocks were George Hobaugh, Tim Engles, Steve Solari, Brian Fink, Kevin Hoffman, Jeff Schaffer, Mike Sutton, Jason Engles, and New York’s Rick Hoctor...Frank Guidace was credited with 17th in the feature after finishing second in the first B main with a six-cylinder. Guidace paced the field in a parade lap in memory of the late Bill Emig...Randy Myers and Kevin Hoffman received Tour provisionals...Rob Kristyak and Carl Murdick received Mercer provisionals as the top two point cars failing to make the feature. Murdick scratched allowing Jim Rasey to make the feature...$100 Half-way bonuses went to Tommy Kristyak, who led the lap, and Lonny Riggs, who was the last running car on the lead lap, compliments of Les Myers and Kromer Kraft...Les Myers was driving the Jeff Hoffman #00 back-up car as Hoffman was competing in the USNA opener in Syracuse...Also missing from the field were Tour regulars Andy Priest, Brian Swartzlander, and Jim Weller, who were also in Syracuse...Light drizzle and mist fell throughout the day and evening and temps were only in the low 50s, but the racing was completed nonetheless...The next B.R.P. Modified Tour 2000 event will be June 16 at the Lernerville Speedway...The 50-lap event was the highest paying big-block race in the history of Mercer Raceway Park and served as a tune-up for the 200-lap USNA event on July 16...The E-Mods will next appear on October 21 for the $1,000 to-win inaugural Little Guy Nationals on October 21.
B.R.P. Big-Block Modified Tour 2000 Feature Finish (money won in parentheses): 1. LOU BLANEY ($4,000) 2. Tommy Kristyak ($2,100) 3. Kevin Bolland ($1,000) 4. Rodney Beltz ($650) 5. Chris Schiffer ($500) 6. Lonny Riggs ($550) 7. Bill Dorman ($400) 8. Kevin Hoffman ($350) 9. Brian Fink ($300) 10. Rick Hall ($275) 11. Jerry Bickel ($250) 12. Jeremiah Shingledecker ($240) 13. Randy Myers ($230) 14. Jeff Schaffer ($225) 15. Dick Rankin ($225) 16. Rob Kristyak ($225) 17. Les Myers ($225) 18. Frank Guidace ($225) 19. Carl Weatherby ($225) 20. Jim Rasey ($225) 21. Tim Doran ($225) 22. George Hobaugh ($225) 23. Gary Risch, Jr. ($225) 24. Mike Sutton ($225) DNQ-Tim Engles ($100), Carl Murdick ($100), Jason Engles ($100), Steve Solari ($100), Greg Davis ($100), Lee Miller ($100), George Davis ($100), Steve Barr ($100), Rich Ferguson ($100), Rick Hoctor ($100), Scott Gurdak ($100), Cal Hull ($100).
E-Mod Feature Finish: 1. JIM FRONTZ 2. Bob McCann 3. Dale Fuller 4. Bobby Powell 5. Jeff Haefke 6. Scott Jones 7. Chuck Kennedy 8. Russ Dunn 9. Jeff Covelli 10. J.R. Mechling 11. Tim Henrich 12. Chuck Schell 13. Herm Myers 14. Chuck List, Sr. 15. Mike Anderson 16. Jim Abbott 17. Steve Haefke 18. Scott Stiffler 19. Arlan Coy 20. Scott Weaver 21. Jeff Sharp 22. Shawn Domhoff 23. Jeff Rudrick 24. Bill Hanna 25. David Strickler-DNS DNQ-Shawn Shingledecker, Bootie Petsko, Terry Yoder.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. BRIAN BOOHER 2. Jim Davis 3. Brian Miller 4. Gary Robinson 5. Dwight Boice 6. Mike Aley 7. Willie Aley 8. Rick Anthony 9. Bill Banick, Jr. 10. Jeff Kravec 11. Dan Fedorchak 12. Gary Miller, Jr. 13. Leigh Wheeler 14. Andy Buckley 15. Glenn Pupino 16. Michael Turner 17. Terry Kroner 18. John Reiser 19. Kevin Thompson 20. Albert Hays 21. Rusty Moore 22. Matt Lux 23. Dave Ferringer 24. Ed Hays DNQ-Ray Bailey, Adam Aley, Bill Schall, Jr., Jim Miller, Todd Titus.
Mercer rained out for the third time
by Mike Leone
May 27, 200
Mercer (PA)...Racing action was cancelled by rain at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday night for the third time this season. Coming up this Saturday will be a regular show of Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. It will be the second Bonus Buck Weekend between Sharon, Mercer, and Tri-City for the 410 Sprint Cars, Big-Block Modifieds, and Stock Cars. It will also be junior fan night featuring the Aut Mori Grotto Clown and Stock Car driver autographs. Gates open at 4:30 with racing at 6:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are on sale for the opener of the 8th Annual Western PA All Star Sprint Speedweek, which will kick off at Mercer on Wednesday, June 7. Adult tickets are $20, students 6-15 are $5, and children five and under are free. Advance ticket holders will be allowed to enter the track one-half hour before general admission tickets go on sale for choice seating. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or check out www.mercerracewaypark.com.
.
