Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2024 Race Season |
 | August 12, 2017 |
 My Water Doctor and Akron Auto Auction presented Week #13 as the CRS Truck Series made a return trip after last week's rain shower ruined our plans. Kid's race car rides were at intermission and it was also "Driver's Choose Your Lane" night. There were some familiar faces that paid a visit to Finish Line Motor's Victory Lane, but for some of those familiar faces, it has been quite some time. Seventy five cars and trucks made the pull to "Thunder In The Valley". Skies were sunny and it was 75 degrees at race time.
The CRS Truck Series had an open date and were able to return with us a week later than planned. The Series, which is the former ARCA Truck Series, is now run by former driver Billy Strehle. The Series is headed in the right direction with the former driver at the helm. The #22 of Nick Nunamaker and the #05 of B.J. Wollerman started on the front row for the 30 lap Feature. Wollerman was able to take the top spot and the #04 of Bailey Delfoose jumped into second. At the drop of the green flag, the #32 of Brian Taylor made hard contact with the front straightaway wall, but was able to continue. The two trucks on the move were the #17/81 of Shawn Szep, who won last year's race, and the #24 of fastest qualifier Jeremy Wiggins. Szep, running the #17 in memory of Colton Bailey, infant son of Chris and Jessica Bailey, who passed away recently, was working the 2nd groove. By lap 4, Szep was out front and starting to pull away. Delfoose was able to take over second from Wollerman as Wiggins was working the high side behind him. The first caution waved on lap 7 for Taylor as the damage he had on the opening lap, caused the right front tire to go down. On the restart, Wiggins got into Wollerman, sending him around and the #24 to the tail. On lap 8 Delfoose, who was running second, pounded the front straightaway wall, bringing out another caution. With driver's being able to choose their lanes, Szep was the leader and now had Wiggins to his outside. After a four lap battle, Szep was able to hang on to the too spot and was beginning to distance himself from the field once again. On lap 14, the complexion of the race completely changed. The final caution flew for Taylor, as he cut another tire. Under caution, the leader Szep slowed and pulled to the infield with mechanical issues. That put former Late Model competitor Mike Smith in the #26 on the point with Wiggins to his outside. Wiggins was able to use the high side to his advantage and started to pull away. On lap 20, he had a 1.9 sec lead that increased to to 2.9 sec by lap 26. Wiggins would go on to claim his first win at Midvale Speedway in honor of his brother who is battling health issues. Following the Grafton OH driver in the Environmental Chambers & Oven, S&W Chassis, CRS, Rick's Speedway Performance & Mechanical sponsored #24 was Smith, Wollerman, Taylor and Mike Brooks.
The first feature to hit the speedway after Kid's got to ride in the cars at intermission was the Finish Line Motor's Mini Trucks for their 12 lapper. The #4 of Tim Scott and the #2T of Barney Gerber started on the front row. Scott was able to take the race lead early, until "Mr Smooth" Rich Schweitzer in the #84 showed up on lap 3. Schweitzer was able to take the lead via the outside lane. Colt Locker in the #118 worked his way to second on lap 5. Locker was doing everything he could to reel in Schweitzer on his sponsors night at Midvale. Locker was really good in turns one and two but not nearly as good in three and four. He needed Schweitzer to make a mistake, but they don't call him "Mr Smooth" for nothing. Schweitzer never let Locker get too close and would go on to pick up his 7th feature win of the season. Following the New Philadelphia OH driver in the Vanmeter Auto, Allen's Muffler, Federated Auto Parts, Alicia Manley MD sponsored #84 was Locker, Scott, Michael Varnes and Gerber.
"The Codeman" Cody Jaberg in the #22 and Jonathan Reitter in the #28 brought the field to Chief Starter Terry Colletti's green flag in the 30 lap McIntosh Oil Company Late Model feature. Reitter jumped out to the race lead, followed by Bryant Smith in the #1, Jaberg and Bubba Smith in the #12. On lap 2, Bubba took over 3rd and Alex Rosenberry in the #2 moved up to 4th. Ryan Tedesco in the #701 was boxed in over the first five circuits, but was trying to rebound behind point leader and fastest qualifier Tom Stankiewicz in the #42. The five guys battling for the championship were running 2nd thru 6th behind Reitter who was starting to pull away. Reitter, who has been plagued with engine issues that kept him out of the 2016 campaign and most of 2017, was again hit with issues in his return a few weeks ago. Everything was looking good for the "Mountain State Missile", as he was able to hold a 1.9 sec advantage on Bryant. That was until Jaberg spun on the back straightaway on lap 20. The first and only caution would jumble things up with drivers being able to choose their lanes. Reitter chose the outside lane, putting Bryant on the inside. Bubba, Rosenberry and Stankiewicz all chose the bottom lanes, so Tedesco went from 6th up to 4th behind Reitter by choosing the outside. On the restart, Reitter was able to keep the top spot as Bryant got shuffled back. Bubba, Tedesco and Rosenberry would argue over second as Reitter continued to lead. The racing was as good as it gets up front as the top 5 went at it over the final ten laps. Reitter may not have had the best car, but he had a little help from his grandfather who was watching down on him. Reitter would hang on for his first trip to an emotional Finish Line Motor's Victory Lane in a couple of years. Completing the top 5 behind the Weirton WVA driver in the Your Auto Connection and Freeman's Race Engines sponsored #28 was Tedesco, Bubba, Stankiewicz and Rosenberry.
Justin Courtney in the #19 and Jason Grewell in the #99 brought the field down for the start of the Summit Racing Economy Modified 25 lap feature. Courtney and Grewell made some contact going into turn one that killed the momentum of Grewell, dropping him back several spots. Courtney raced out front in the #19 that was acquired by Clayton Oliver a few weeks ago. Lee McCreery in the #2 was running second with Lucas Ripley in the #0 and Todd Ripley in the #00 close behind. On lap 4 Kevin McClintock took to the outside lane and started to work on the father/son duo. It took several laps of great, clean racing, but McClintock was able to get by Todd first, then Lucas, to put himself along side McCreery for second behind Courtney. On lap 14, Doug McMillen in the #54 spun to the infield after contact with the point leader and fastest qualifier Brandon Bailey in the #55. There were really no changes to the lineup after drivers chose their lanes for the restart, other than McClintock choosing to restart 4th in the outside lane instead of 3rd on the inside. McCreery was able to take the lead away from Courtney on the restart and that pulled McClintock with him. The final caution flew on lap 18 as Lucas spun in turn four. That put McClintock to the outside of McCreery for the restart. A fierce seven lap battle ensued between the top three. They traded the lead several times as Todd would stick his nose in the mix several times. They would put on a great show for the fans as McCreery was able to hang on for his first win of the season. Following the New Philadelphia OH driver in the M&D Designs, Riddle Trucking, Marcellus Energy Services, J&S Mowing, McCombs Market and R&R Carb Service sponsored #2 was McClintock, Todd, Courtney and McMillen.
The South Philly Pizza Compact's were up next for their 15 lap Fast Feature. The #3K of Eugene Kopp Jr and the #19 of Clayton Oliver would bring the field down for the start. Oliver would take the top spot, bringing the #27 of Britt Vanmeter with him. On lap 2, Brent Shreffler in the #24 broke something in the right rear and lost his wheel, sending him pin-wheeling on the front straightaway. The biggest gainer on the choosing of lanes was Bart Busby in the #36, who moved from 4th to 3rd. Busby, a veteran of a couple different Divisions at Midvale Speedway, hasnt been in a race car in 19 years, until he got the call to fill in for Dan Buckey a few weeks ago and now Jeffrey Orr, who is spending time with his wife and new daughter. On the restart, Oliver again jumped out to the lead as Vanmeter got loose and dropped a few spots. That opened up the top for Busby who was able to wrestle the lead away from Oliver on lap 8. Brandon France in the #38 moved up to battle with Kyle Finlayson in the #15 for 3rd behind the front two. The final caution flew on lap 12 as Kopp Jr had something go a-miss in turn one and put down some fluid. Behind Busby, Oliver and France both chose the inside and Finlayson gained a few spots by taking the top. After the restart, Busby was able to use his experience from the past to pick up the victory, his first in 2 decades. Following the Bowerston OH driver in the Keith's Cars, Mid-Vid Racing Videos, Buckey Mowing, Damsel In Defense by Alicia Allison sponsored #36 was Finlayson, Oliver, France and Zack Cogar.
Bubba Smith in the #11 started on the pole of the JD Byrider Street Stock 20 lap Feature after fastest qualifier Gabe Pringle in the #7 rolled a "7" after qualifying. Bubba, filling in for Mike Martin, would have the #21 of Colton Ritchey along side. After a lap and a half battle, Bubba would clear Ritchey into turn three to take the top spot. The car on the move was the #44 of the birthday boy, Larry Smith. Smith was using the high lane to run down the leaders. Smith raced several laps to the outside of Ritchey until Smith spun in turn four of lap 6. After looking at the replay, it appeared as though Smith spun on his own, so he was sent to the tail, though he would rebound for a top 5 finish. Nobody took any chances on choosing their own lane so that kept Bubba and Ritchey on the front row. On the restart, Kyle Grove in the #31E was able to get to the inside of Ritchey to take over second, bringing Pringle with him to 3rd. After a couple cautions in the middle of the event, Smith again was on the move as he was able to get around Gary Hoopingarner in the #1 and Bear Schwartz in the #77B. Everyone maintained status quo behind Bubba as he fought an ill handling car. Time and time again, Grove looked for a way around but was unable to make anything work. Bubba was able to hang on for his first Street Stock win in several years. Completing the top 5 behind the North Canton OH driver in the State Farm Insurance, GMC Heating and Cooling, Country Mart, Canton Auto Sales, Advanced Auto Parts sponsored #11 was Grove, Pringle, Smith and Hoopingarner. In post race tech, Grove and Pringle were disqualified, giving top 5 finished to Ritchey and Bob Passwaters Jr.
The final feature of week #13 was the second South Philly Compact 15 lap Feature. The #41 of Toby Cook and the #20 of Larry Ennis Jr brought the field to the stripe. Cook was able to take the lead with Marcus Cox in the #169 coming to second. On lap 2, the #175 of Justin Rennicker appeared to get onto the rumble strips before making contact with Cox, bringing out the caution. Nobody chose to change things up for the restart and Cook again took control. The #0 of Allen Clark and the #61 of Justin VanFossen were putting heavy pressure on the leader. VanFossen made a 3-wide move to the bottom to take over the lead down the back straightaway on lap 6. The second and final caution flew on lap 7 as Cook got into the back of VanFossen, spinning him around. On the restart, Clark and Rennicker took several shots at VanFossen, but were unable to get around. VanFossen would go on to pick up his 3rd feature win of the season. Following the Tusky OH driver in the Owens Heating and Cooling sponsored #61 was Rennicker, Mike McDonald, Clark and Tyler Nign.
This Saturday Night Aug 19th Ferris Chevrolet presents Frisbee Race #2 with all 5 Regular Divisions. Also, a couple drifters from Club Loose will be on hand at intermission to put on a demonstration, they race on Sun the 20th at Midvale Speedway.
**NOTE: The McDonald's Cruise-In was moved to the 26th with the Kid's Gold Rush**
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CRS Truck Series
Fast Time: Jeremy Wiggins 14.590
Heat: B.J. Wollerman, Shawn Szep, Bailey Delfoose, Jeremy Wiggins, Mike Brooks, Mike Smith, Brian Taylor, Josh Cahill, Nick Nunamaker
30 lap Feature: Wiggins, Smith, Wollerman, Taylor, Brooks, Nunamaker, Szep, Delfoose, Cahill
McIntosh Oil Company Late Model's
Fast Time: Tom Stankiewicz 13.910
Heat 1: Ryan Tedesco, Alex Rosenberry, Tom Stankiewicz, Bryant Smith, Bubba Smith, Jonathan Reitter
Heat 2: Gage Jaberg, Cody Jaberg, Dave Martin, Phillip Cox, Mack Gribble
Feature: Reitter, Tedesco, Bubba, Stankiewicz, Rosenberry, Gage, Cody, Bryant, Cox, Martin, Gribble
Summit Racing Economy Modified's
Fast Time: Brandon Bailey 14.680
Heat 1: Lucas Ripley, Todd Ripley, Jeff Dunfee III, Kevin McClintock, Doug McMillen, Brandon Bailey, Bill Westlake
Heat 2: Mike Bowers, Shawn Kauffman, Jason Grewell, Justin Courtney, Bill Shimko, Corey Beatty, Cristian Bailey
Feature: Lee McCreery, McClintock, Todd, Courtney, McMillen, Dunfee III, Brandon, Grewell, Bowers, Lucas, Kauffman, Shimko, Cristian
JD Byrider Street Stock's
Fast Time: Larry Smith 16.046
Heat 1: Bear Schwartz, Colton Ritchey, Larry Smith, Curtis Collins
Heat 2: Jeremiah Hartline, Gary Hoopingarner, Bubba Smith, Tom Earley, Kenny Feister Jr, Bob Passwaters Jr
Feature: Bubba, Larry, Hoopingarner, Ritchey, Passwaters Jr, Hartline, Feister Jr, Earley, Schwartz, Collins
Finish Line Motor's Mini Trucks
Fast Time: Colt Locker 16.330
Heat: Colt Locker, Rich Schweitzer, Michael Varnes, Tim Scott, Barney Gerber, Tim Frederick, Roger Bowsher
Feature: Schweitzer, Locker, Scott, Varnes, Gerber, Frederick
South Philly Pizza Compact's
Fast Time: Dan Buckey 17.301
Heat 1: Clayton Oliver, Britt Vanmeter, Brandon France, Kyle Finlayson, Bart Busby, Brent Shreffler, Zack Cogar, Dan Buckey, Bobby Gainer
Heat 2: Justin VanFossen, Mike McDonald, Josh Beall, Trevor Kohl, Tim Frederick, Jeremy Ross, Jesse James, Eugene Kopp Jr
Heat 3: Marcus Cox, Tyler Nign, Allen Clark, Justin Rennicker, Tyler Eichel, Toby Cook, Chris Atkins, Larry Ennis Jr, Chad Wise
Fast Feature: Busby, Finlayson, Oliver, France, Cogar, Vanmeter, Frederick, Beall, Kohl, Gainer, Buckey, Kopp Jr, Shreffler
2nd Feature: VanFossen, Rennicker, McDonald, Clark, Nign, Ross, James, Cox, Ennis Jr, Cook, Eichel
Written by: Chris Kail |
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08/12/2017 Race
Late Models Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Reitter, Jonathan |
| 2. | Tedesco, Ryan |
| 3. | Smith, Bubba |
| 4. | Stankiewicz, Tom |
| 5. | Rosenberry, Alex |
| 6. | Jaberg, Gage |
| 7. | Jaberg, Cody |
| 8. | Smith, Bryant |
| 9. | Eichel, Bob |
| 10. | Martin, Dave |
| More |
08/12/2017 Race
Economy Modifieds Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | McCreery, Lee |
| 2. | McClintock, Kevin |
| 3. | Ripley, Todd |
| 4. | Oliver, Clayton |
| 5. | McMillen, Doug |
| 6. | Dunfee III, Jeff |
| 7. | Bailey, Brandon |
| 8. | Grewell, Jason |
| 9. | Bowers, Mike |
| 10. | Ripley, Lucas |
| More |
08/12/2017 Race
Street Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Martin, Mike |
| 2. | Smith, Larry |
| 3. | Hoopingarner, Gary |
| 4. | Ritchey, Colton |
| 5. | Passwater Jr, Bob |
| 6. | Moss, Josh |
| 7. | Feister, Kenny |
| 8. | Grove, Kyle |
| 9. | Schwartz, Bear |
| 10. | Collins, Curtis |
| More |
08/12/2017 Race
Mini Truck Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Schweitzer, Rich |
| 2. | Locker, Colt |
| 3. | Scott, Tim |
| 4. | Varnes, Michael |
| 5. | Gerber, Barney |
| 6. | Frederick, Tim |
| More |
08/12/2017 Race
Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Orr, Jeffery |
| 2. | Finlayson, Kyle |
| 3. | Oliver, Clayton |
| 4. | France, Brandon |
| 5. | Cogar, Zack |
| 6. | Vanmeter, Britt |
| 7. | Frederick, Tim |
| 8. | Beall, Josh |
| 9. | Kohl, Trevor |
| 10. | Gainer, Bobby |
| More |
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