Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2024 Race Season |
 | July 3, 2017 |
 The Main Event Racing Series made its annual return to Midvale Speedway over the 4th of July for the Freedom 100 presented by Smith's Auto Sales, Francis Engineering, Habco Tool & Development and Dean Mowls at Ferris Chevrolet. The Open Modified's were also on hand for the Freedom 40 to go along with the Street Stocks and Compact's. Due to rain hitting the Speedway on Monday after the Street Stock and Compact features, fans would have to wait until Tuesday for the balance of the program. Ninety Eight machines were on hand and they were cheered on by one of the largest audiences in Speedway history. Skies on Tuesday were sunny and it was 84 degrees at race time.
Alex Rosenberry in the #2 set fast time with a lap of 13.497 and rolled a 10 for the invert. That put Ryan Tedesco in the #701 and Gary Whipkey in the #59 on the front row for the Freedom 100. On the initial start, Glenn Gault Jr in the #32 experienced mechanical issues from his 11th starting position. The crew tried to fix the issue under caution, but he was forced to retire from the event. Tedesco was able to lead lap 1 before another caution flew a few moments later. On the restart, Whipkey took over the point despite a few more cautions that slowed the field. Once the field was able to settle down and get some green flag laps under their belts, the racing was good and fierce throughout the field. "The Rocket" Tyler Roahrig in the #24 started to work to the outside of Tedesco for the second and after a couple of laps, Tyler was able to take the position and pull his Dad J.R in the #25 with him to third. Another caution would fly on lap 11 as the #65 of Tim Ice spun and stopped as a result of a chain reaction stack up in turns three and four. Tyler would hang to the outside of Whipkey, a 5-time Series Champion, for a couple of circuits until Whipkey would prevail in the bottom lane. Jimmy Carter in the #98 and 3-time Series Champion Bud Perry in the #10, worked their way up to 4th and 5th respectively. As the leaders worked through the early stages of the event, Tyler started to take a look to the outside of Whipkey. Roahrig was able to get a good run into the corners but Whipkey had enough power off the turns to keep him at bay. Whipkey was using his experience to make his #59 just wide enough to stall out the runs from the #24. Finally, on lap 31, Tyler got the run he needed and got all the way along side the leader off of turn four. He was able to complete the pass off of turn two. J.R. Roahrig would try to follow his son around Whipkey but would make contact with the purple and white #59, sending him around and slowing the field under caution. J.R. would have to restart at the tail. Back under the green flag, Tyler was able to quickly move out front. Carter would move to the outside of Whipkey to take over second, but would pull off unexpectedly with a mechanical issue on lap 36. That opened up the top lane for Perry and he took over the second spot a lap later. Tyler would maintain about a second and a half lead over Perry as Whipkey would slide back and into the clutches of Nick Grodi in the #40. The next caution would wave just past the halfway mark on lap 59, as the #88 of Tony Urdiales stopped in turn four with a flat tire while running 5th. Under the caution, the field was put under the red flag while the medics from Smith Ambulance attended to a fan that was injured in the main grandstands. It was later reported that the fan was ok. Under the red, crews were able to bring water to their drivers on the hot July evening. A lap after the restart, Rosenberry cut a tire and spun in turn two while running 5th. A lap after the next restart, the worst and final incident of the race occurred on lap 62. The #88 of Urdiales and the #25 of J.R. Roahrig got together entering turn one. Urdiales ended up almost completely on top of Roahrig and the duo made hard contact with the turn one wall. Both drivers were ok after the hard hit. After a lengthy clean-up, Perry had one last shot at Tyler Roahrig. "The Rocket" would shoot out front and never look back. Perry would close a little bit in lapped traffic, but Roahrig would go on to pick up his second win in four days and his first win at Midvale Speedway. Completing the top 5 behind the Plymouth IN driver in the Schneider Auto Sales, Mobile Tech, Rocket Fabrication and Suspension, First Choice Auto Body sponsored #24 was Perry, Grodi, Whipkey and Rosenberry. Perry now has 4 second place finishes to go with his 3 wins, including both last year at Midvale. Grodi picked up his 3rd straight podium finish, after a pair of seconds in 2016.
Todd Ripley set fast time in the #00 with a 14.474 second lap. The starting lineup was determined by finishing order of the heat races. The two heat races consisted of The top 16 machines locked into the show through qualifying. The Freedom 40 for the Open Modified's had the #10 of Nathan Embree and the #82 of Rick Sibla on the front row. At the drop of the green flag from Chief Starter Terry Colletti, row two starters Doug Meyer in the #31 and Jeff Amsdell in the #02 got together coming off turn four, stacking up the field slightly. Everyone was able to continue and Sibla would lead lap 1 as Embree fought in the outside lane. The first caution flew on lap 2 for the #2 of Lee McCreery on the back straightaway. After another quick caution on lap 3, Sibla and Embree fought tooth and nail for the top spot. The battle lasted for the better part of four laps as neither driver wanted to give in. Sibla, a former Late Model Champion at Midvale and Embree, who is trying to make his mark in the big motor Mod's. The veteran would slip just a little bit off turn four coming to complete lap 8. That allowed Embree to get around in the high lane, clearing Sibla into turn one. Embree would start to put the hammer down once he got out front. He had a 3 second lead by the time Meyer made the move around Sibla for second at the halfway mark. If the race stayed green, it was going to take some incredibly fast laps by Meyer to catch him. But that didn't happen. The caution Meyer wanted and the caution Embree didn't need, came out on lap 22 as Mike Lawson in the #53 stopped in turn one. It only took two laps after the restart for Meyer, who won the Open Mod show last October, to clear Embree for the lead. On lap 26, Brad Copen in the #20 and "The Rooster" Brandon Bailey in the #55 we're both able to get around Sibla for 3rd and 4th. The final caution waved on lap 27 as the #1 of Jesse Adams and Chad Lemmerman in the #31 made contact in turn four. The question was, could Embree get a good enough restart to out fox one of the best Modified drivers in the Midwest? Embree got a good restart, but it wasn't enough. Meyer would power through on the bottom and would inch away over the final ten circuits to pick up his second victory in a row at Midvale. The Meyer family welcomed their second child last week, daughter Kelsey, with a trip to Finish Line Motor's Victory Lane. Following the Canton OH driver in the All Parts Auto Care, McIntosh Oil Company sponsored #31 was Embree, Copen, Bailey and Todd Ripley. Lee McCreery would battle back to be the highest finishing Crate Engine, collecting the bonus. Shawn Kaufman and Cory Beatty also picked up the extra payout by finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, out of the Crates.
The second South Philly Pizza Compact feature was the final race of the program and it was a good one. Jason Shaw in the #1 and Sheldon Sommers in the #3 brought the field to green. Shaw would jump out front as the #54 of Kyle Lawson, who won a couple weeks ago, took over second. The first caution waved on lap 5 as the #2 of Scott Kitchen got into Mike Swaney in the #57 in turn two. On the restart, Swaney closed the door on Jesse James in the #88, bringing out the races final yellow. As the race got back underway, Shaw and Lawson would dual for the lead. It looked as though Shaw had the quicker car, but the handling started to go away. With a slight bump and run move, Lawson was able to move past and hold off a charging #0 of Allen Clark and James over the final 5 laps to pick up the win. Rounding out the top 5 behind the Minerva OH driver in the LAAD Painting sponsored #54 was Clark, James, Shaw and Justin VanFossen.
On Monday night, the JD Byrider Street Stocks kicked off feature action with their 20 lapper. Kenny Feister Jr in the #13 and Bob Passwaters Sr in the #75 led the field to the stripe. Feister Jr had a slight advantage off turn two as the Passwaters Sr machine appeared to slip a little bit in the high lane. As Passwaters Sr slipped, the #74 of Bob Passwaters Jr checked up, causing Larry Smith in the #44 to get into Jr. Jr was forced into Sr, spinning Sr right in front of the field. As cars scattered, Kyle Grove in the #3 had no where to go and clobbered the Passwaters Sr machine. Passwaters Jr slid to the infield and made heavy contact with the yuke tire in the infield. Mike Martin in the #11 and Bear Schwartz in the #77B all received damage. Passwaters Jr, Schwartz and Grove were done for the night. Once they finally got going, Feister Jr took the lead as Colton Ritchey in the #21 ran second. Jeremiah Hartline in the #77 and the #2 of Rick Pereces battled for 3rd and Ryan Tedesco in the #7G was 3-wide behind them. On lap 3, Pereces got to the outside of Ritchey for second and was able to take over the spot after a couple lap battle. Just as Tom Earley in the #31E got around Ritchey for 3rd, the caution flew for Bill Aubihl in the #31 on lap 8. That put the veteran Pereces to the outside of the youngster Feister Jr for the restart. Pereces was able to clear the #13 off of turn four a lap before the halfway mark. On lap 10, Smith and Earley were able to move past the #13 to take over 2nd and 3rd. On lap 11, Tedesco and Gary Hoopingarner in the #1 were battling for 4th when the final caution flew on lap 12 for debris in turn three. Pereces got a great restart, as did Hoopingarner. As Hoopy fought with Smith for second, Pereces was able to pull away and take home the win. Following the Sarchoine Chevrolet, Schumann Towing and Carlton Harley Davidson sponsored #2 was Smith, Hoopingarner, Earley and Tedesco.
The South Philly Pizza Compact fast 15 lap feature was the final race completed on Monday Night. Tyler Nign in the #55 and Mike McDonald in the #16 started up front. McDonald was able to take over the race lead as the field got to turn three on the opening circuit. On the second lap, the #38 of Brandon France and Nign got together in turn 3, causing the races first stoppage. Nign was charged with the caution and the #24 of Brent Shreffler would restart on the outside of McDonald on the front row. Shreffler and McDonald would trade the lead several times over the next 5 laps. They raced hard and clean as they were both looking for their first career fast feature wins. Britt Vanmeter in the #27 made a 3-wide move to climb to 4th behind Dan Buckey in the #69. Shreffler was able to finally clear McDonald on lap 8 and once he got out front, began to pull away. Vanmeter moved to 3rd just prior to the final caution on lap 10. On the final restart, Shreffler marched out front and brought Vanmeter with him to second. As the final laps clicked away, Kyle Finlayson in the #15 and Jeffrey Orr in the #36 charged into the top 5. But tonight would belong to Shreffler who finally picked up that first feature win after so many heart breaks. Finishing out the order behind the New Philadelphia OH driver in the Finlayson Towing, Finlayson Trucking, AT2, Stock Boarding Kennels and Outlaw Vinyl Graphics sponsored #24 was Vanmeter, Finlayson, Orr and McDonald.
All of us at Midvale Speedway would like to THANK all the Driver's, Team's, Track Workers, Official's, Sponsor's, Speed51.com and especially the FANS for sticking with us despite the rain on Monday Night. Thank you to all of the lap sponsors for the Freedom 100 as well. I have been coming to Midvale Speedway for over 30 years, that is the biggest crowd I have ever seen!!! It was incredible!!!!
We would also like to send a special Thank You to Bill and Sue Schwark for all their hard work and effort in getting the word out to all the teams about The Freedom 100 and Freedom 40!!!
Saturday night July 8th is Christmas in July Night and Kid's Bicycle Give-Away presented by Federated Auto Parts and VanMeter Auto Repair. If you would like to donate a bicycle, money towards a bicycle or another prize, please contact us. We need things to give away to our wonderful fans to help show our appreciation for 64 years of loyalty. If you want to be eligible for a prize or a bicycle, please be there before 630. The bicycle's will be given away by age group's.
All 5 Divisions will be on hand with Racing Action taking the Green Flag at 630. The give-away's will take place during the heat races and is a good way to advertise your buisness.
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Main Event Racing Series
Fast Time: Alex Rosenberry 13.497
Freedom 100: Tyler Roahrig, Bud Perry, Nick Grodi, Gary Whipkey, Alex Rosenberry, Billy Roberts, Mike Mazzagatti, Ryan Tedesco, J.R. Roahrig, Tony Urdiales, Tim Ice, Jimmy Carter, Rich Rohrer, Jeff Taylor, RJ White, Albert Francis, Mack Gribble, Bob Gainer, Nick Chmara, Casey Smith, Glenn Gault Jr
Open Modified's
Fast Time: Todd Ripley 14.474
Heat 1: Nathan Embree, Jeff Amsdell, Craig Phillips, Brad Copen, Brandon Bailey, Chad Lemmerman, Lucas Ripley, Dave Dobbins
Heat 2: Rick Sibla, Doug Meyer, Todd Ripley, Preston Walker, Jesse Adams, Sam Bigham, Mike Lawson, Tyler Schullick (DNS)
Consi (top 10 transfer): Spencer Stineman, Norm Taylor, Shawn Kauffman, Lee McCreery, Mark Bott, Cody Kaylee, Zack Miller, Jeremy Wiggins, Jamie Womack, Cory Beatty, Marty Powers, Brady McLean, Justin Courtney, Trey Williams, Scott Archer
Freedom 40: Meyer, Embree, Copen, Bailey, Todd, Dobbins, Sibla, Stineman, Amsdell, Miller, Taylor, Wiggins, Bott, McCreery, Lemmerman, Adams, Phillips, Lucas, Lawson, Kaufman, Womack, Beatty, Kahler, Bigham (Schullick and Walker unable to start)
JD Byrider Street Stock's
Fast Time: Gabe Pringle
20 lap feature: Rick Pereces, Larry Smith, Gary Hoopingarner, Tom Earley, Ryan Tedesco, Gabe Pringle, Bill Aubihl, Colton Ritchey, Jeremiah Hartline, Bob Passwaters Sr, Mike Martin, Kenny Feister Jr, Bob Passwaters Jr, Bear Schwartz, Kyle Grove, Tim Lynn
South Philly Pizza Compact's
Fast Time: Jeffrey Orr
15 lap Fast Feature: Brent Shreffler, Britt Vanmeter, Kyle Finlayson, Jeffrey Orr, Mike McDonald, Dan Buckey, Zack Cogar, Kyle Rector, Brandon France, Josh Feister, Larry Ennis Jr, Josh Beall, Tim Frederick, Blaine Salsberry, Travis Riddle, Bobby Gainer
15 Lap 2nd Feature: Kyle Lawson, Allen Clark, Jesse James, Jason Shaw, Justin VanFossen, Sheldon Sommers, Scott Kitchen, Toby Cook, Alex Striejewske, Scott Espenchied, Tyler Eichel, Andrea Bishop, Eric Brokaw, Chad Smith, Mike Swaney, Marcus Cox
(Thank You Alex Rosenberry for the Drone Shots and Patrick Hahe of Speed51)
Written by: Chris Kail |
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07/03/2017 Race
Street Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Pereces, Rick |
| 2. | Smith, Larry |
| 3. | Hoopingarner, Gary |
| 4. | Earley, Tom |
| 5. | Tedesco, Ryan |
| 6. | Pringle, Gabe |
| 7. | Aubihl, Bill |
| 8. | Ritchey, Colton |
| 9. | Moss, Josh |
| 10. | Passwater Sr, Bob |
| More |
07/03/2017 Race
Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Shreffler, Brent |
| 2. | Vanmeter, Britt |
| 3. | Finlayson, Kyle |
| 4. | Orr, Jeffery |
| 5. | McDonald, Mike |
| 6. | Buckey, Dan |
| 7. | Cogar, Zack |
| 8. | Rector, Kyle |
| 9. | France, Brandon |
| 10. | Feister, Josh |
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