Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2024 Race Season |
 | June 10, 2017 |
 Week #6 at Midvale Speedway is in the books - signed, sealed and delivered. Only one first time career winner emerged this week, although, two drivers that paid their first visit of the season, are no stranger to the winner's circle. Sixty five drivers signed into the 3/10 mile oval to take their shot on 99.9 WTUZ Night. It was a picturesque evening with sunny skies and 84 degrees at race time.
The first to take to the track was the JD Byrider Street Stock's for their 20 lap feature. Kyle Grove in the #31 and Colton Ritchey in the #21 led the field down for the start. Ritchey led lap 1 by about 6 feet but Grove prevailed off turn two of lap 2. Grove, driving the Tom Earley ride that won on opening night, was looking good up front. Mike Martin, last week's feature winner in the #11, was able to follow Grove up to 2nd. Bear Schwartz in the #77 and fastest qualifier Gabe Pringle in the #7 were on the charge behind the front three. On lap 5, Pringle put his piece in the outside lane and picked off Ritchey. A lap later disposed of Bear and a lap after that took care of Martin. Pringle would set his sights on Grove, who was four or five car lengths in front. To say there is a rivalry between Grove and Pringle would be an understatement. Both are good drivers who were looking to "walk the walk" after "talking the talk" on social media. It took Pringle a lap to close the gap to the #31 and another lap to get to the inside. Grove fought hard and clean in the outside lane for a couple of circuits, but Pringle was not to be denied on his sponsor's night at the races. The first caution flew on lap 13 as Larry Smith in the #44 and Martin got together in turn four. Smith would be forced to retire with a flat right front tire. On the restart Pringle kept the lead and Grove was shuffled to 4th after Martin and Ritchey got around. The final caution flew for the #66 of Curtis Collins and the #77 of Josh Moss who got hooked together off turn four on lap 16. Under the caution, officials noticed the right rear tire of Grove looked wet, so they sent him to the back straightaway to be checked. It was found that Grove had a rear-end issue and he was putting down gear oil, he was sent pit side, ending his night. Bringing the field down for the restart was the duo that Vegas has as the early favorites for the championship. A former Champion driving for a long time driver/owner who has had a ton of bad luck through the years and last year's Champion, who wanted to make his own mark on the sport and not live in his Dad's shadow. After a half lap battle, Pringle was able to scoot away for his second with of the season. This Division has traditionally been one of the most competitive and this year is much of the same. Pringle becomes the first repeat winner in the seasons first 6 weeks. Following the New Philadelphia OH driver in the 99.9 WTUZ / BIG Z Sports, Tim Bickford at Parkway, Ridgeway's KC's Car Care, Creative Floats, Keith's Cars, Lisa Hoy @ State Farm Insurance, No Contract Wireless, Dave's Towing sponsored #7 was Martin, Gary Hoopingarner, Ritchey and Bob Passwaters Jr.
The Summit Racing Economy Modified's pulled out for their 25 lap feature with Dan Harding in the #65 and Bill Shimko in the #13 starting on the front row. Harding popped out early as Shimko and Mike Bowers in the #02 battled for 2nd. The lone caution came out on lap 2 as the #13 of Shimko and the #0 of Lucas Ripley got together on the back straightaway. Ripley got airborne and received a lot of damage to the suspension of his ride, adding to the frustrations early on in 2017 for Lucas. Lee McCreery in the #2 and Todd Ripley in the #00 also had some damage but were able to continue, as was Shimko. On the restart, Bowers shot out like a rocket in the outside lane to the lead. Shawn Kaufman in the #10 was able to work his way to second and last week's feature winner Brandon Bailey in the #55 was up to third. Bowers, who has had issue after issue, bad break after bad break that has denied him a visit to victory lane the last several years, was up front. He even had a ball joint break in hot laps and could not find the right one to replace it, making the car tight in the corners. As the laps clicked away, Kaufman was looking for a way around but had a mirror full of "The Rooster" who wanted 2 in a row. Rooster tried high, he tried low, at one point may have felt like trying to go over the top of Kaufman until he finally made the pass with 3 laps to go. Bowers was out front, but handling was an issue. Rooster didnt have much time to set him up, it was "go time". He tried to get a run to the inside off the turns because Bowers pushed up in the center, but Bowers was able to fend off the challenges. Bowers, much to my suprise, picked up only his 2nd career feature win and 1st since April 2003. As well as he has ran at times, I can't believe it isn't more. Finishing the top 5 behind the Massillon OH driver in the Custom Car Center sponsored #02 was Rooster, Kaufman (who has to be the early candidate for most improved driver), Todd Ripley and Bill Westlake.
The South Philly Pizza Compact fast 15 lap feature was suppose to have Larry Ennis Jr in the #20 and Billy Hilliker in the #27H leading the field to the stripe. Ennis had an issue while lined up and waiting for the Modified victory lane celebration to finish up and was unable to make the start. That moved Hilliker to the pole and the #99 of Ryan Shreffler to his outside. Shreffler would lead lap 1 by inches as Kyle Finlayson in the #15 was high, wide and handsome with a three wide move around mid pack. Hilliker would wrestle away the top spot on lap 2 as Justin Courtney, substituting for Clayton Oliver in the #19, went three wide up the middle to second. The first caution came out on lap 3 as Brent Shreffler in the #24 got into the #38 of Brandon France. Shreffler was sent to the tail, but would be heard from later on. Courtney, who was pulling double duty and was the fastest qualifier in his Modified, shot to the lead via the outside lane. The #36 of Jeffery Orr and the #27 of Britt Vanmeter were dicing their way to the front. Orr popped to the outside of Courtney on lap 5. The two stayed side by side until suddenly, the #19 slowed off turn 2 and was forced to the infield with an apparent engine issue. Just after Courtney lost power, Zack Cogar in the #58 looped Hilliker in turn two, bringing out the final caution on lap 9. Vanmeter nailed the restart and took over the point with Orr in tow. I told you earlier that Brent would be heard from later and he was now back in the mix with Vanmeter, Orr and Finlayson for the win. Just after the white flag waved, Orr shot to the outside in turn 1, setting up a drag race. The two drivers packed their machines into turn three, dead even. Clean, hard, final corner of the final lap racing between the lead duo resulted in Vanmeter, who is the points leader, taking his first win of the year by a nose. Following the Cuyahoga Falls OH driver in the Outlaw Vinyls, Cater 4 U, Finlayson Towing and Anything Automotive sponsored #27 was Orr, Brent, Finlayson and France.
The McIntosh Oil Company Late Model 30 lap feature had Casey Smith in the #38 and Mack Gribble in the #45 bringing the field to Chief Starter Terry Colletti's green flag. Smith got squirrelly off turn four, collecting Gribble. Smith hit the outside wall and Gribble spun to the infield. Everyone else did a tremendous job getting slowed down and avoiding everyone in front of them. A couple guys received some minor cosmetic damage, only Smith was unable to continue. Ryan Tedesco in the #701 was able to take the lead on the re-try, with Alex Rosenberry in the #2 in second. Rosenberry was looking to pick up his 3rd win in 4 weeks but was gonna have to figure out a way to get around one of Midvale's all time best. The yellow flag flew for the second time on lap 5 as the Francis machine lost a motor in turn three. The Francis Engineering, Habco Tool and Development team had a rough week #6. After a lengthy clean-up, Rosenberry used those four new shoes he purchased to get around Tedesco on the restart. Ryan wasnt going to let Alex run away and hide, but it was apparent that he was going to need a mistake from Alex if he wanted to pick up his second win of the season. A final caution for debris on lap 21 slowed the field briefly, but didnt change the outcome. Rosenberry left Tedesco to fall into the clutches of the brothers Smith in the #1 and #12 and Tom Stankiewicz in the #42. Rosenberry would pick up his 3rd win in another impressive drive. This Tedesco/Rosenberry/Smith Brother's/Stankiewicz battle the rest of the way is going to be fun to watch, with a few added players in the mix here and there. Rounding out the top 5 behind the New Philadelphia OH driver in the Rosenberry Towing, Flite Test, DLP Commercial Maintenance and McIntosh Oil Company sponsored #2 was points leader Tedesco, Bryant, Bubba and Stankiewicz.
The Finish Line Motor's Mini Truck's were up next for their 12 lapper. Michael Varnes in the #95 and "Mr Smooth" Rich Schweitzer in the #84 led the field down for the start. Last week's feature winner Barney Gerber in the #2T was not wasting any time with a three wide move up the middle to the race lead. Schweitzer would drop into second and "Super-sub" Bill Aubihl was 3rd in the #118. On lap 4, Aubihl got a run to the inside of Schweitzer into turn three, the two made contact and Schweitzer spun, bringing out the races only caution. After looking at the replay, Aubihl was up to the door of the #84, so he was given his spot back and Schweitzer was sent to the tail. Gerber was still the leader on the bottom but Aubihl was working that second groove like it was his full-time job. Lap after lap he would get all the way along side and lap after lap Gerber would pack it into the corner to keep the lead. The problem for Gerber was, everytime he got deep into the corners, he started pushing and heating up those front tires. Each corner he would push up a little bit more and a little bit more until the patient Aubihl made his move. With just over two and a half laps to go, Aubihl dove to the inside off turn two and got to the inside of Gerber. Gerber was able to hold on, but a lap later Aubihl made the exact same move and there was nothing Gerber could do. Aubihl, competing for the 3rd time this season as a substitute, has picked up 2 feature wins. Following the Dover OH driver in My Water Doctor, Townhouse Drive Thru, GM Electric, RV Parts Express, Team B.B.D and Drunken Uncle Bar and Grille sponsored #118 was Gerber, Schweitzer, Varnes and Tim Frederick.
The final race of week #6 was the second South Philly Pizza Compact 15 lap feature. The #41 of Scott Espenchied and the #30 of Korey Herron started on the front row. "Little Animal" Tyler Eichel in the #4E made a great move on the opening lap to take the race lead. Eichel, who won his first career preliminary race with a heat race win, was looking for more. Herron would battle back on lap 2 and retake the top spot into turn three. Alex Striejewske in the #21A was on the move, the rookie driver started 4th and was now second. Herron kept his machine way out towards the wall trying to maintain momentum, but that left the bottom open for Striejewske. The first time was close, the second time was closer and the third time Striejewske tried to make the inside move into turn three finally paid off. Tyler Nign in the #55 and the #18 of Tim Frederick were having a heck of a battle with Herron while Striejewske started to pull away. The youngster went on to pick up up his first career feature win, adding his name along side his sister's as a feature winner in the compact division as a teenager. Following the Louisville OH driver in the Senor Panchos, M&D Designs, M&M Tire, Canton Auto Salvage and Marske Racing Sponsored #21A was Nign, Frederick, Herron and Marcus Cox.
The Midvale Karting Series was on hand with their 50cc class for a 10 lap feature.
The Karting Series runs every other Sunday at the track and features many different Classes, age groups and track configurations. Make sure you check them out on Facebook or online, they race again on Sunday June 18th and they start about 1230 in the afternoon. The #18 of Kash Roth took the win over the #XX of Greyson Muldovan and the #701 of Evan Tedesco.
Thank you to 99.9 WTUZ and BIG Z Sports for sponsoring week #6, be sure to listen to Z Country for all the best Country Music, Local News and Sports!! Check out BIG Z Sports weekly podcast with Joe Geckler and Chris Kail, as well as, Midvale Speedway's Road to Victory Lane presented by Racer8 Performance.
Thank you to the Midvale Karting series, all the drivers and teams, the track crew and official's, FANS and Mother Nature for another exciting week at "Thunder In The Valley".
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Saturday night June 17th is Keuster Implement Autograph Night with all 5 Divisions in action. Wear your favorite racing gear and be sure to bring something for the driver's to sign and a small bag as the driver's and teams usually have candy and goodies!!!
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McIntosh Oil Company Late Model's
Fast Time: Tom Stankiewicz 13.842
Heat 1: Ryan Tedesco, Alex Rosenberry, Tom Stankiewicz, Bryant Smith, Bubba Smith, Mack Gribble
Heat 2: Cody Jaberg, Bob Eichel, Albert Francis, Casey Smith, Gage Jaberg
Feature: Rosenberry, Tedesco, Bryant, Bubba, Stankiewicz, Cody, Phillip Cox, Gage, Gribble, Francis, Casey.
Summit Racing Economy Modified's
Fast Time: Justin Courtney 14.885
Heat 1: Lucas Ripley, Todd Ripley, Shawn Kaufman, Brandon Bailey, Justin Courtney, Kevin McClintock, Bill Westlake, Lee McCreery
Heat 2: Trey Williams, Dan Harding, Bill Shimko, Laney Striejewske, Andrew Fishburn, Mike Bowers
Feature: Bowers, Bailey, Kaufman, Todd, Westlake, McClintock, Courtney, Shimko, Fishburn, Harding, Williams, Cristian Bailey, Striejewske, McCreery, Lucas
JD Byrider Street Stock's
Fast Time: Gabe Pringle 15.893
Heat 1: Colton Ritchey, Gabe Pringle, Gary Hoopingarner, Larry Smith, Bear Schwartz, Mike Martin
Heat 2: Josh Moss, Kyle Grove, Curtis Collins, Bob Passwaters Sr, Bob Passwaters Jr
Feature: Pringle, Martin, Hoopingarner, Ritchey, Passwaters Jr, Passwaters Sr, Collins, Moss, Schwartz, Grove, Smith
Finish Line Motor's Mini Truck's
Fast Time: Barney Gerber 16.698
Heat: Rich Schweitzer, Bill Aubihl, Barney Gerber, Michael Varnes, Tim Frederick, Roger Bausher
Feature: Aubihl, Gerber, Schweitzer, Varnes, Frederick, Bausher
South Philly Pizza Compact's
Fast Time: Britt Vanmeter 17.589
Heat 1: Kyle Rector, Brent Shreffler, Brandon France, Jeffery Orr, Zack Cogar, Justin Courtney, Kyle Finlayson, Britt Vanmeter, Ryan Shreffler
Heat 2: Larry Ennis Jr, Billy Hilliker, Mike McDonald, Jeremy Ross, Tim Frederick, Tyler Nign, Trevor Kohl
Heat 3: Tyler Eichel, Marcus Cox, Alex Striejewske, Scott Espenchied, Chad Smith
Fast Feature: Vanmeter, Orr, Brent, Finlayson, France, Rector, Hilliker, Ross, McDonald, Cogar, Ryan, Courtney, Ennis Jr
Second Feature: Striejewske, Nign, Frederick, Herron, Cox, Eichel, Smith, Kohl
50cc Karts: Kash Roth, Greyson Muldovan, Evan Tedesco
Spectator Drags: Josh Huff
Location:
Midvale Speedway
3825 W State St.
Midvale, OH, 44653
Located 4 miles South of New Philadelphia, Ohio
Off I-77 on State Route 250 in Midvale, Ohio 44653
Stay Updated on Midvale Info:
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E-Blast, Join speedwaymidvale@gmail.com
(Website) www.midvalespeedway.com
(Facebook) www.facebook.com/midvalespeedway
(Twitter) @Speedwaymidvale
Written by: Chris Kail |
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06/10/2017 Race
Late Models Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Rosenberry, Alex |
| 2. | Tedesco, Ryan |
| 3. | Smith, Bryant |
| 4. | Smith, Bubba |
| 5. | Stankiewicz, Tom |
| 6. | Jaberg, Cody |
| 7. | Eichel, Bob |
| 8. | Jaberg, Gage |
| 9. | Racing, Slentz |
| 10. | Frances, Albert |
| More |
06/10/2017 Race
Economy Modifieds Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Bowers, Mike |
| 2. | Bailey, Brandon |
| 3. | Kauffman, Shawn |
| 4. | Ripley, Todd |
| 5. | Lindstorm, Jeff |
| 6. | McClintock, Kevin |
| 7. | Courtney, Justin |
| 8. | Shimko, Bill |
| 9. | Fishburn, Andrew |
| 10. | Harding, Dan |
| More |
06/10/2017 Race
Street Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Pringle, Gabe |
| 2. | Martin, Mike |
| 3. | Hoopingarner, Gary |
| 4. | Ritchey, Colton |
| 5. | Passwater Jr, Bob |
| 6. | Passwater Sr, Bob |
| 7. | Collins, Curtis |
| 8. | Moss, Josh |
| 9. | Schwartz, Bear |
| 10. | Earley, Tom |
| More |
06/10/2017 Race
Mini Truck Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Locker, Colt |
| 2. | Gerber, Barney |
| 3. | Schweitzer, Rich |
| 4. | Varnes, Michael |
| 5. | Frederick, Tim |
| 6. | Bausher, Roger |
| More |
06/10/2017 Race
Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Vanmeter, Britt |
| 2. | Orr, Jeffery |
| 3. | Shreffler, Brent |
| 4. | Finlayson, Kyle |
| 5. | France, Brandon |
| 6. | Buckey, Dan |
| 7. | Hilliker, Billy |
| 8. | Ross, Jeremy |
| 9. | McDonald, Mike |
| 10. | Cogar, Zack |
| More |
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