 Great weather finally returned to Tuscarawas County for the running of the Main Event 100 at Midvale Speedway. 130 total cars were in the pits for racing action in the Super Late Models, Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Compacts.
Gary Whipkey set fast time in his Carter Lumber/Lenny's Collision #59 with a 13.89 for the Main Event Racing Series. Don Harvey, Jr. was officially listed as second, although he turned the same fast lap, Marcus Malcuit was third, Ryan Tedesco was fourth, and Bear Schwartz qualified fifth.
The number seven pill was drawn and that put A.P. Ren and Dino Long on the front row. It took five restarts to finally get a lap in. When the first lap was finally complete, Tedesco had taken the lead, while Ren dropped to second.
Good racing was tough to come by, as drivers towards the back of the field were causing caution-after-caution. There were, however, some impressive runs by drivers in the field. Rich Rohrer, who started ninth, moved his way up through the field early by using the outside lane. Later in the race, he was able to take second from A.P. Ren by using the inside lane on the backstretch.
The most impressive run of the night may have come from first time Midvale competitor and USAR Procup regular, Bobby Gill. The Dalton, GA driver came from his twelfth starting spot to move into the top five. Close to the halfway point, Gill took fourth from Ernie Shook, who was filling in for Tim Ice, but later lost the spot to John Vallo.
Over the final circuits of the race, Rohrer’s #7 was glued to the rear bumper of Tedesco’s #70, making slight contact a couple of times in a battle for the position. However, Tedesco never made a mistake to open up the bottom lane and went on for the victory. Following the Hog Heaven/Marathon Manufacturing #70 were Rohrer, Harvey, Vallo, and Gill. Rounding out the top ten were Marcus Malcuit, Rick Groetsch, Mike Miller, Bob Gainer, and Jeremie Wiggins.
For Tedesco, it was his second win of the year, both coming at Midvale. Rohrer and Tedesco are now first and second in points, respectively. The MERS now will take on a double-header weekend with racing at Toledo on Sunday and at Mansfield on Monday.
In the Tusco Net Pro Stock division, a huge wreck during the race’s middlestage, took half of the field out of contention. Greg Mazzoleni’s #19 spun while running in the second spot, and other drivers were unable to take evasive action. Unable to continue were Keith Thomas, John Tantarelli, Jr., Gabe Pringle, Will Walker, Jamie Warner, Calvin Collins, and Kurt Waller. Collins car had the whole roof removed during the wreck, but was able to walk away unhurt. Back to green flag racing, Bill Aubihl was out front looking for his second win of the season. With Bill Hilliker, Don Rufener, Jr., and Doug McMillen closing, Aubihl had just enough to stay ahead for the victory. Following the Best Wireline #31 were Hilliker, Rufener, McMillen, and Waylon Orr. Tim Skinner, Mazzoleni, Roger Butler, Dan Gasser, and Thomas completed the top ten. McMillen and Collins won heats, while Skinner set fast time.
Mark Willison started on the outside of the first row and held off Mark Enos and Mark Striker for the duration of the 20-lap Tolloti Pipe Modified feature event. Following the three “Mark’s” were Ron McBride, and Glen Jewell. Randy Gray, Dusty Woodie, Jeff Smith, John Wilson, and Tim Allensworth completed the top ten. McBride and Willison won the heats, while Jewell set fast time.
In the Papa John’s Pure Stock fast feature, Doug Decker, making his first start of 2003, was the early leader. However, Decker was forced pitside as his #64 broke out of his qualifying time. That handed the lead to Blake Mackey, who had just won his first career race moments earlier in the night’s heat. Mackey, Schweitzer, and Bubba Smith pulled away from the field, as they battled for the spot. On the final lap, Schweitzer had an excellent run, pulling alongside and leading lap fourteen. However, at the stripe of the checkered flag, Mackey inched ahead of Schweitzer for the victory. Following the Tusco Net/Square Deal Auto Parts entry were Schweitzer, Smith, Justin Courtney, and Adam Stewart. Rick Elkins, Jr., Al Street, D.J. Radanovich, John Leasure, and Chris Miller completed the top ten.
In the second feature, Justin Lawson crossed the line in first with Tom Feller, Jr. in second as they battled in another close finish. However, in post race inspection, both cars were disqualified and Dick Aubihl became the winner. Following the DA Construction/Rt. 39 Auto Salvage #47 in the rundown were Ray Van Lehn, Chuck Sampson, Shawanna Myers, and Curtis Collins. Mackey, Collins, and Myers won the heats, while Street was the fastest in time trials.
In the Compact fast feature, Greg Grove was victorious in his J.D. Byrider #3. Terry Colletti, Jeff Lanzer, Josh Grove, and David Breehl completed the top five. Finishing in positions six through ten were Kelly McNutt, Jason Morgan, John McNutt, Jason Grewell, and Russell Grandison.
Don Rufener, Jr. won the second feature as he was able to hold off a charging Tom Barrett, Jack Grove, Bruce Gibson, and Josh Irwin.
The third feature victor was another first time winner, as Adam Mishler topped the field. Kenny Jewell, John Wissman, Kenny Ford, and Mickey Green finished off the top five.
Racing will continue this Saturday, August 30, as the Season Championships will be held. All five divisions will be in action. Racing starts at 6:30 and admission is regular.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Main Event Racing Series
Top Qualifier – Gary Whipkey 13.89
Super Late Model 100 – Ryan Tedesco, Rich Rohrer, Don Harvey, Jr., John Vallo, Bobby Gill, Marcus Malcuit, Rick Groetsch, Mike Miller, Bob Gainer, Jeremie Wiggins, Joel McKnight, Phil Pete, Dan Fults, A.P. Ren, Cord Ehrhart, Rob Patrick, Ernie Shook, Todd Ripley, Duane Dunn, Don Mahaffey, Jr., Dino Long, Gary Whipkey, Bear Schwartz, Steve Tabor
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Dusty Woodie 14.75
Heat #1 – Ron McBride, Randy Gray, Mark Striker, Tim Allensworth, Dusty Woodie
Heat #2 – Mark Willison, George Bowers, Jim McCune, Butch Erickson, Mark Enos
Feature – Mark Willison, Mark Enos, Mark Striker, Ron McBride, Glen Jewell, Randy Gray, Dusty Woodie, Jeff Smith, John Wilson, Tim Allensworth, Jim McCune, Butch Erickson, George Bowers
Tusco Net Pro Stocks
Top Qualifier – Tim Skinner 15.84
Heat #1 – Doug McMillen, Keith Thomas, Bill Hilliker, Kevin McClintock, John Tantarelli, Jr.
Heat #2 – Calvin Collins, Jamie Warner, Kurt Waller, Roger Butler, Don Rufener, Jr.
Feature – Bill Aubihl, Bill Hilliker, Don Rufener, Jr., Doug McMillen, Waylon Orr, Tim Skinner, Greg Mazzoleni, Roger Butler, Dan Gasser, Keith Thomas, John Tantarelli, Jr., Gabe Pringle, Will Walker, Jamie Warner, Calvin Collins, Kurt Waller, Frank Heater, Kevin McClintock
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Al Street 17.79
Heat #1 – Blake Mackey, Bubba Smith, Barney Gerber, Rich Schweitzer, Justin Courtney
Heat #2 – Curtis Collins, Bryce Scott, Doug Decker, Joe Oliver, Brian Wood
Heat #3 – Shawanna Myers, Chuck Sampson, Dick Aubihl, Lennie Lemo
Feature #1 – Blake Mackey, Rich Schweitzer, Bubba Smith, Justin Courtney, Adam Stewart, Rick Elkins, Jr., Al Street, D.J. Radanovich, John Leasure, Chris Miller, Norm Stutler, Barney Gerber, Brian Wood, Larry Smith, Doug Decker
Feature #2 – Dick Aubihl, Ray Van Lehn, Chuck Sampson, Shawanna Myers, Curtis Collins, Douglas Higgins, Chester McMasters, Lennie Lemo
Fireproofcar.com Compacts
Top Qualifier – Kelly McNutt 18.31
Heat #1 – Greg Grove, Terry Colletti, Randy Smart, Josh Grove, Kelly McNutt
Heat #2 – Russell Grandison, Jason Grewell, Jack Grove, Jamie Leslie, Jason Morgan
Heat #3 – Dougie Cross, Tom Barrett, Phil Veno, Don Rufener, Jr., J.T. Turner
Heat #4 – Josh Irwin, Kenny Jewell, Ben Gibson, Adam Mishler, Bruce Gibson
Heat #5 – Eric Sell, John Wissman, Kyle Grewell, Charles Ritch, Earl Scranton
Feature #1 – Greg Grove, Terry Colletti, Josh Grove, David Breehl, Kelly McNutt, Jason Morgan, John McNutt, Jason Grewell, Russell Grandison, Randy Smart, John Nealey, Jamie Leslie, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Lennie Orr, Dale Beatty
Feature #2 – Don Rufener, Jr., Tom Barrett, Jack Grove, Bruce Gibson, Josh Irwin, Bob Passwaters, Sr., J.T. Turner, Tye Kelly, Brian Oliver, Kevin Rector, Phil Veno, Dougie Cross, Jim Poole, Jr.
Feature #3 – Adam Mishler, Kenny Jewell, John Wissman, Kenny Ford, Mickey Green, Jesse Page, Chris Grubbs, Steve Cooper, Charles Ritch, Earl Scranton, Ben Gibson, Paul Stull, Kyle Grewell, Charlie Lanzer, Eric Sell
Written by: Adam Mackey |
