Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2024 Race Season |
 | July 15, 2017 |
Week #10 was an incredible night of racing to say the least. Not only did the Must See Sprint Cars put on a spectacular show, but our 4 weekly Divisions put on a tremendous show themselves. I cant use enough adjectives to describe the racing that took place on Saturday Night. Sixty two machines made the pull to the 3/10 mile oval. It was 79 degrees and sunny at race time.
Fifteen Must See Sprint Cars from four different states and two different countries came to Midvale Speedway as Sprint Cars invaded for the first time in over 16 years. Brian Gerster in the #50 set fast time with a 12.4 sec lap and rolled a 6 for the invert. That put pole sitter Bronzie Lawson IV in the 4B and Anthony McCune in the #8 on the front row to start the Buckeye State Shootout 40 lap feature. As the field screamed off of turn four to take the green flag, Anthony was able to take the race lead and pull his Uncle Jimmy McCune in the #88 with him to second. Jimmy is the back to back defending series Champion and the series all time wins leader. As the leaders clicked off lightning fast 12.9 sec laps, they caught the back of the field on lap 6. That allowed Jimmy to start to out pressure on his 19 year old Nephew. Anthony and Jimmy would do a masterful job in lapped traffic, darting inside and out, high and low with needle point precision. On lap 8, Jimmy got a great run to the outside of Anthony heading off turn two and pulled along side into turn three. The veteran was able to wrestle the lead away off of turn four and set his sites towards the record books. The first and only caution flew on lap 12 as the pole sitter had something break off turn four and spun to the infield. Not only was that the only caution, but Lawson was the only machine that would retire on the night. The front four machines, both McCune's along with Ryan Gillenwater in the #45 and fastest qualifier Brian Gerster in the #50 were clear of lapped traffic for the restart. There were two lapped machines in between Gerster and Sprint Car Hall of Famer Jeff Bloom in the #26, who was running 5th. Jacques Roos in the #Y0 was competing for the first time at Midvale Speedway, all the way from Vereeniging South Africa. Roos, long time friends with the McCune family, was stuck in traffic in the 7th spot after winning heat race #2 earlier. Just in front of Roos was the #9S of Charlie Schultz, a Super Modified and Late Model winner at Midvale Speedway, but is fairly new to the 410 Asphalt Sprint Cars. After the restart, the trio of Bloom, Schultz and Roos were able to quickly dispose of the lapped machines and that put the front 7 cars all in a line, nose to tail, with Jimmy leading. As the laps quickly clicked off the board, Jimmy started to scoot away from Anthony. As the leaders encountered lapped traffic again, the racing became fierce. In and out of traffic, all while trying to dice for position. Jimmy was ripping off 12.7 sec laps until about lap 28. That's when the handling started to go away. That allowed Anthony, Gillenwater and Gerster to reel in the leader. As the field got the "5 to go" signal from the starters stand, Anthony was all over Uncle Jimmy. The front four were nose to tail and one mistake could have changed the whole complexion of the event. But "The Bulldog" was up to the task. He held off the field to pick up his record setting 4th win in the first 5 races and 20th of his career in the Series. In Finish Line Motor's victory lane, the right front tire of Jimmy's #88 could be heard "hissing". By the time the winner's interview was completed, the tire was completely flat, showing the reason why the handling was going away late in the going. Completing the rundown behind the Toledo OH driver in the #88 was Nephew Anthony, Gillenwater, Gerster and Bloom. Roos, the South African, would come away with a strong 6th place run in his first career start with the series.
The Summit Racing Economy Modified's hit the speedway first for their 25 lap feature with the #37 of Cristian Bailey and the #10 of Shawn Kaufman bringing the field to Chief Starter Terry Colletti's green flag. After a hard fought battle for the top spot, Kaufman would clear Cristian and take the lead on lap 2. The #99 of Jason Grewell took to the high side for a 3-wide move on Cristian and Mike Bowers in the #02 in turn three on lap 4, but was caught in the marbles and slipped from 4th back to about 7th or 8th. Bowers was able to make his way around Bailey on the outside and in to second. The machine on the move was Kevin McClintock in the #38. McClintock methodically worked his way to 3rd on lap 10 from the 7th starting position. McClintock worked to the outside a number of times on Bowers and was finally able to get around on lap 14. "The Rooster" Brandon Bailey was able to follow McClintock to 3rd a couple laps later. Kaufman, who is the early season favorite for most improved driver in the Division, was looking to pick up his first career win. McClintock started to apply the heat, waiting on Kaufman to make a mistake. On lap 18, McClintock seen the opening he was looking for coming off turn four. McClintock dove to the inside but going into turn one, the duo made contact, spinning Kaufman around. Lee McCreery in the #2 tried to avoid the spinning Kaufman and made contact with the outside wall. After looking at the replay, it was determined that McClintock was not in far enough when the two made contact and he was sent to the tail. That put Rooster on the outside of Kaufman for the restart. Rooster has 4 wins on the season and Kaufman needed the restart of his life to hold him off. Kaufman got a good one, but Rooster was just too strong in the second groove. Kaufman would stay right on the rear decklid of the #55. Coming to complete lap 23, Kaufman took a shot into turn three. The two made some contact, but both continued on. Rooster would continued his dream season, picking another victory. Following the Leesville OH driver in the Scio Car Wash, Vaughans Pub & Grille, Dover Hydraulics sponsored #55 was Kaufman, Bowers, McClintock and Grewell who both made a nice charge back into the top 5.
Mike Martin in the #11 and Gary Hoopingarner in the #1 led the JD Byrider Street Stock's down for the start of their 20 lapper. Martin and Hoopy would duke it out for the top spot until Martin was finally able to clear him on lap 3. Larry Smith in the #44 and fastest qualifier Gabe Pringle in the #7 were slotted in the 3rd and 4th spots. Pringle went to the high side and was able to get around Smith on lap 6. The front four were really going at it. Martin and Smith on the bottom, Hoopy and Pringle on the top, trading positions constantly. On lap 8, Hoopy closed the door on Pringle, who had a run to his outside, that allowed Smith to get a run back to the inside of Pringle. The chain reaction cause the #7 and #44 to make contact, spinning Pringle, sending Smith to the tail. On the restart, Hoopingarner shot out of a cannon and into the lead. Pringle would work to the outside of Martin with Tom Earley in the #3 and Kyle Grove in the #31 right there, ready to strike. On lap 15, Pringle was all over Hoopingarner. Looking high, looking low, waiting for the opening he needed. Then on lap 17, Pringle blew a right front tire and pounded the turn four wall. That set up a final restart with Hoopingarner and Martin. Hoopy was able to nail it again, to go on and pick up his first victory in a couple of seasons in another great race in this Division. Following the Perry OH driver in the Express Service, Hoopz Auto Body, Arch-A-Motive sponsored #1 was Earley, Martin, Jeremiah Hartline and Grove.
The fast 15 lap South Philly Pizza Compact feature took to the speedway with Blaine Salsberry in the #4 and Britt Vanmeter in the #27 leading the field down for the start. Salsberry jumped out to the race lead with Vanmeter, Zack Cogar in the #58, Larry Ennis Jr in the #20 and Jeffrey Orr in the #36 all locked in a wad up front. You just never know how these Compact features are going to go, but you can rest assure, it will be exciting. Orr was able to move up to 3rd on lap 2 as the #24 of Brent Shreffler moved to 4th. Soon after, Shreffler went to the inside of Orr as he was looking for a way around Vanmeter. Shreffler would get into the back of Vanmeter and that would cost all 3 of them some momentum, especially Orr. Salsberry was able to stretch out just a few car lengths while Orr started to work back on Shreffler. On lap 9, Orr would get by Shreffler first, then Vanmeter and then Salsberry, all in the high lane and all in 1 lap. The #36 was glued to the outside groove. Orr would pull away from Salsberry and Shreffler as they battled for second. On the final lap, Salsberry slowed with an apparent mechanical issue, costing him a podium. But, this night belonged to Orr, who said he desperately wanted to win before his daughter was born later this summer. Well, she now has a shiny new trophy in the nursery to come home to. Rounding out the top 5 behind the New Philadelphia OH driver in the Keith's Cars, Mid-Vid Racing Videos, Buckey Mowing and Damsel In Defense by Alicia Allison sponsored #36 was Shreffler, Vanmeter, Fastest Qualifier Kyle Rector and Brandon France.
The Finish Line Motor's Mini Truck's took to the speedway with Derek Cordia in the #72 and Rich Schweitzer in the #84 on the front row. Schweitzer quickly rocketed out front and it was a good thing he did. Cordia pushed way up the track in turn one and got into the #95 of Michael Varnes. The two stayed stuck together, for the most part because Cordia never lifted, figuring 8 wheels are better than 4. As they came off turn two, Varnes had no choice but to either turn left or he was going to be body slammed into the outside wall. When Varnes turned left and Cordia still didn't lift, it sent the #95 towards the infield. That may have been the best thing, if Colt Locker in the #118 wasn't there. Varnes clipped the right rear of Locker and sent him helicoptering in the air. Thankfully, Locker came to rest on all 4 wheels and both drivers were ok. Cordia was sent pit side for rough driving. That put Barney Gerber in the #2T to Schweitzer's outside for the second attempt at the start. Much to everyone's surprise, Gerber sling shot past Schweitzer into turn one. Schweitzer got all out of shape off turn two as Gerber pulled out to a 5 or 6 truck advantage. Schweitzer quickly ran down Gerber, but Barney would not give up without a fight. The #2T had a little push off the corners which opened up the bottom. But each time, Gerber would close the door. That was until Schweitzer decided to go to the outside. "Mr Smooth" would go high and just as Gerber pushed up, he cut to the bottom and took over the top spot with a gorgeous crossover move. Schweitzer would lead the final 5 laps to pick up another feature win. Following the New Philadelphia OH driver in the VanMeter's Auto Repair, Federated Auto Parts, Allen's Muffler and Alicia Manley MD sponsored #84 was Gerber, Tim Scott, Tim Frederick and Locker.
The final race of the evening was the second South Philly Pizza Compact 15 lap feature. Korey Herron in the #41 and Kyle Lawson in the #54 led the field to the stripe. Lawson jumped out to the early lead until Mike McDonald in the #16m arrived on the scene. Tim Frederick in the #18 and Chad Smith in the #1 were having a good battle for 3rd as Herron dropped back quickly. On lap 4, McDonald finally cleared Lawson for the lead. On lap 6, Jesse James in the #88 got high off turn four and made slight contact with the outside wall. After she scrapped the wall, she came off the wall and started quickly down the track. That's where Tyler Nign in the #55 was. The two made hard contact, but both were ok. Nign was in the wrong place at the wrong time for the second week inns row. Lawson got a good restart and led lap 7 by inches until McDonald wrestled the lead back. The good news for McDonald was, his car was flying. The bad news was, he ran 2 laps under his qualifying time, bringing out the caution and sending him to the tail. On the restart, Frederick went to the high side and was able to hold off Lawson, Wes Ennis in the #57 and "Little Animal" Tyler Eichel in the #4E for his second win in a row in the second feature. Following the Sherrodsville OH driver in the Your Pizza Shop, Sensel-Finnicum sponsored #18 was Ennis, Lawson, Eichel and Alex Striejewske.
Another spectacular night in 2017 is in the books and we can't THANK The Must See Sprint Car Series Official's, Team's and Driver's enough for making the trip to Midvale. They are a first class Series with first class team's competing in it. We hope this was the first race of many with us.
Another special THANK YOU to John Heavilin and Pat Beckley who were there training our infield crew and providing safety. Between them, Smith Ambulance, Chief Woolf and the Midvale Fire Department, the driver's were in great hands. THANK YOU ALL!!!
This Saturday Night July 22, Com Doc presents Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night with all 5 regular Divisions in action. If you are a PCTC Member, you will receive free admission upon showing your membership card.
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Must See Sprint Cars
Heat 1: Jerry Caryer, Rick Holley, Bronzie Lawson III, Todd McQuillen, Adam Biltz
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Heat 2: Jacques Roos, Joe Speakman, Charlie Schultz, Bronzie Lawson IV, Tom Jewell
Heat 3: Ryan Gillenwater, Jimmy McCune, Brian Gerster, Anthony McCune, Jeff Bloom
Buckeye State Shootout 40: Jimmy McCune, Anthony McCune, Gillenwater, Gerster, Bloom, Roos, Schultz, Jewell, Caryer, Speakman, Lawson III, Holley, McQuillen, Biltz, Lawson IV
Summit Racing Economy Modified's
Fast Time: Brandon Bailey 14.877
Heat 1: Jason Grewell, Kevin McClintock, Brandon Bailey, Dan Harding, Bryce Allensworth
Heat 2: Shawn Kaufman, Mike Bowers, Mark Willison Jr, Cristian Bailey, Jeff Lindstorm
Feature: Brandon, Kaufman, Bowers, McClintock, Grewell, Allensworth, Willison Jr, Bill Westlake, Cristian, Trey Williams, Harding
JD Byrider Street Stock's
Fast Time: Gabe Pringle 16.104
Heat: Gabe Pringle, Mike Martin, Gary Hoopingarner, Jeremiah Hartline, Tom Earley, Kyle Grove, Mark Grisby
Feature: Hoopingarner, Earley, Martin, Hartline, Grove, Smith, Pringle
Finish Line Motor's Mini Truck's
Fast Time: Colt Locker 16.360
Heat: Colt Locker, Rich Schweitzer, Michael Varnes, Barney Gerber, Tim Scott, Derek Cordia
Feature: Schweitzer, Gerber, Scott, Tim Frederick, Locker, Varnes
South Philly Pizza Compact's
Fast Time: Kyle Rector 17.398
Heat 1: Britt Vanmeter, Brandon France, Kyle Finlayson, Brent Shreffler, Zack Cogar, Kyle Rector, Larry Ennis Jr, Jeffrey Orr
Heat 2: Tim Frederick, Blaine Salsberry, Tyler Nign, Bart Busby, Mike Swaney, Jeremy Ross, Josh Beall, Jesse James
Heat 3: Mike McDonald, Kyle Lawson, Korey Herron, Tyler Eichel, Chad Smith, Alex Striejewske
Fast Feature: Orr, Shreffler, Vanmeter, Rector, France, Cogar, Ross, Busby, Beall, Salsberry, Finlayson, Ennis Jr
Second Feature: Frederick, Wes Ennis, Lawson, Eichel, Striejewske, McDonald, Smith, Herron, Nign, James
Spectator Drags: Robert Hunter
Written by: Chris Kail |
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07/15/2017 Race
Economy Modifieds Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Bailey, Brandon |
| 2. | Kauffman, Shawn |
| 3. | Bowers, Mike |
| 4. | McClintock, Kevin |
| 5. | Grewell, Jason |
| 6. | Beatty, Cory |
| 7. | Willison Jr, Mark |
| 8. | Lindstorm, Jeff |
| 9. | Bailey, Cristian |
| 10. | Williams, Trey |
| More |
07/15/2017 Race
Street Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Hoopingarner, Gary |
| 2. | Grove, Kyle |
| 3. | Martin, Mike |
| 4. | Moss, Josh |
| 5. | Earley, Tom |
| 6. | Smith, Larry |
| 7. | Pringle, Gabe |
| More |
07/15/2017 Race
Mini Truck Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Schweitzer, Rich |
| 2. | Gerber, Barney |
| 3. | Scott, Tim |
| 4. | Frederick, Tim |
| 5. | Locker, Colt |
| 6. | Varnes, Michael |
| More |
07/15/2017 Race
Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Orr, Jeffery |
| 2. | Shreffler, Brent |
| 3. | Vanmeter, Britt |
| 4. | Rector, Kyle |
| 5. | France, Brandon |
| 6. | Cogar, Zack |
| 7. | Ross, Jeremy |
| 8. | Buckey, Dan |
| 9. | Beall, Josh |
| 10. | Salsberry, Blaine |
| More |
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