Midvale Speedway
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Rohrer Claims MERS Opener
May 26, 2007
<center>Rohrer Claims MERS Opener</center>Midvale Speedway was again home to 100+ cars this past Saturday, May 26. Joining the Main Event Racing Series for their season opener were Sport Stock, Pure Stock, and Compact competitors. Despite rain showers throughout the state of Ohio and rain before qualifying at the track, officials decided to go forward with the night’s program. Some entertaining action ensued as Midvale Speedway continues to look for its first repeat winner in the weekly divisions.

The main attraction of the evening was the 75-lap Main Event season opener presented by Miller Lite. In qualifying, Barberton, Ohio driver Don Harvey, Jr. set fast time with a 13.70. Gary Whipkey was second fast, Mike Miller third, Tim Ice fourth, Ryan Tedesco fifth, and Rich Rohrer sixth. After the session, Harvey pulled the six pill which put the Main Event all-time leading winner, Rich Rohrer, on the pole for the feature event.

As soon as the green dropped, Rohrer shot into the lead with a rocket start. Tedesco dropped in line and took a look to the inside in one and two during the first lap. In fact, Tedesco followed closely for a handful of laps before Rohrer was able to put some distance between himself and the race’s runner-up.

Drivers were clean and smooth during the first 20 laps, as the early stages went caution free. During those circuits, Rohrer and Tedesco, undoubtedly two of Midvale’s best drivers, were breaking away from the field while working through heavy traffic.

As the race approached the mid-stage, it was clear to see that, barring any problems, the race would come down to one of the top two. It was most notably the case when the race was closing in on the latter stages and Rohrer was approaching Ice, Whipkey, Harvey, and Miller while they were running third through sixth. Without a caution, Rohrer and Tedesco may have been the only two on the lead lap.

Nonetheless, a couple of late race cautions bunched the field up only to see Rohrer finish strong with Tedesco, Whipkey, Miller, Harvey, and Ice following him to the line on the lead lap. Also finishing in the top ten behind the Miller Genuine Draft/Esber Beverage #7 were Dino Long, Bobby Parsley, A.P. Ren, and Bear Schwartz.

The race saw just five caution flags for spins. Four were by drivers fighting some handling problems, while the most important yellow came out late in the race for a Harvey/Ice spin. Harvey had finally got a run to the inside of the ill-handling car, but a battle for real estate in turn three brought out one of the final yellows. All drivers were able to take their cars home relatively unscathed as they prepare for this coming Friday’s event at Kil-Kare Speedway in Xenia, Ohio.

In Tusco Net Sport Stock action, Canton, Ohio driver Scott Archer raced into the early lead with Blake Mackey settling into second. On the first circuit, Mackey looked briefly to the inside, but Archer was able to pull away as top qualifier Randy Smart worked toward the front. The Dover, Ohio driver was not to be denied. After a few laps of following Archer, Smart dove to the inside and cruised to his first career Sport Stock victory. Following the Kurt Garren, MD/Adam Myers Podiatry #17 were Archer, Mackey, Kevin McClintock, and Doug McMillen. Nick Grubbs, Gabe Pringle, Virgil Ravenscroft, III, Jimmy Orr, and Bill Weaver completed the top ten. Grubbs and Mackey were credited with heat wins, while Smart set fast time.

The Midvale Speedway Pure Stock competitors found passing to be tough in their 20-lap feature event. Todd Miller, looking for win #1 this season, started on the pole and held off a freight train of strong challengers. The list included Tory Gibbs, Rich Schweitzer, Chester McMasters, Mike Phillips, Jr., and Doug Decker. Despite the fastest cars in the field on the tail of the Sherrodsville, Ohio driver, the Todd Miller Excavating/Tolloti Pipe #77 raced to the victory. Gibbs, Schweitzer, McMasters, and Phillips were top five finishers. Rounding out the rest of the top ten were Decker, Pat Moore, Al Street, Andy Orr, and Lee McCreery. Schweitzer, Street, and Dick Aubihl claimed heat wins, while Decker set fast time.

In the Trails End Sports Compact fast feature, Tammy Rufener and Joe Konovsek started on the front row. However, when the green waved, Adam Mishler made the move of the night by instantly dropping the hammer and passing the front row starters by turn one. Later, Kelly McNutt, normally top qualifier, took over the second spot, while Don Rufener, Jr., A.J. Diano, and John McNutt completed the stellar top five. Tad Grove, Tammy Rufener, Brad Henry, Jason Morgan, and David Breehl were the rest of the top ten behind the Ember Complete Car/Ice Oil Company #65.

Michael Keefe claimed his first feature win of the 2007-season in his brand new Mark’s Model World and Slot Car Racing #99. It was just the second night for his new Chevy Cavalier after handing the keys to his old Beretta to his father. Joe Fitch crossed the stripe in second, while Jesse Page, Kenny Ford, and Mark Willison, Jr., rounded out the top five. Rusty Rouse, Jr., Ryan Kopp, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Nate Baker, and Kyle Lawson were top ten finishers.

Howard Bartholow picked up his first win driving the purple and white #115 to victory lane. The elated driver was followed by Larry Ennis, Richard Duvall, Dan Konovsek, and Paul Stull. Tim Rodgers, Mike Keefe, Jason Carmen, Joe Elerick, and Doug Milburn rounded out the all important top ten.

Compact preliminary event wins went to A.J. Diano, Johnny Campbell, Michael Keefe, Pat Moore, and Mike Belknap. John McNutt set fast time behind the wheel of Cliff Cox’s #8.

The Figure 8 division continues to grow, as six drivers took the green flag this past Saturday night. The big question was, and still is, who will be the first to beat Don Rufener, Jr. in the race that features an intersection. Rufener started last on this night, but it didn’t matter as the Uhrichsville, Ohio veteran raced to the front early. Followed closely by Joey Adams in the Chuck Breehl owned #49, Rufener was only seriously challenged once in the race. Adams actually drew alongside on the final lap while Rufener was working slower traffic. His run was for naught though, as the Animal Racing/Auto Zone #47 picked up his third Figure 8 feature win in three tries. Adams finished second, Joe Elerick third, Ryan Kopp fourth, and Tim Rodgers fifth. Chris Bloom dropped out early in the event.

Midvale Speedway officials would like to thank the numerous teams and drivers for their help during the track drying process. Also helping make the night a success were the night’s sponsors, Miller Lite, Federated Auto Parts, C & K Auto Service, and Zoar Air Design.

Racing action will continue this coming Saturday, June 2 with racing for Late Models, Sport Stocks, Pure Stocks, Compacts, and Mini-Stocks. At intermission, Spectator Drags will be held for the first time this season. Pit gates open at 2:45, hotlaps begin at 3:15, qualifying starts at 4:30, and racing action will begin at 6:30. Admission is regular at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62+, $6 for kids 6-15, and children five and under are free. For more information, check us out on the web at midvalespeedway.com.

Results For Midvale Speedway


MERS 75 Presented By Miller Lite
Feature - Rich Rohrer, Ryan Tedesco, Gary Whipkey, Mike Miller, Don Harvey, Jr., Tim Ice, Dino Long, Bobby Parsley, A.P. Ren, Bear Schwartz, Dean Fusco, John Flynn, Gene Molnar, Bob Gainer, Burgess White, Don Mahaffey, Jr., Bob Kieran, Bill Burba
Tusco Net Sport Stocks
Top Qualifier – Randy Smart
Heat #1 – Nick Grubbs, Randy Smart, Bill Weaver, Doug McMillen, Ron Dague
Heat #2 – Blake Mackey, Virgil Ravenscroft, III, Brock Burcher, Scott Archer, Gabe Pringle
Feature – Randy Smart, Scott Archer, Blake Mackey, Kevin McClintock, Doug McMillen, Nick Grubbs, Gabe Pringle, Virgil Ravenscroft, III, Jimmy Orr, Bill Weaver, Anthony Milano, Brock Burcher, Ron Dague
Midvale Speedway Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Doug Decker
Heat #1 – Rich Schweitzer, Pat Moore, Tory Gibbs, Chester McMasters, Mike Phillips, Jr.
Heat #2 – Al Street, Lee McCreery, Todd Miller, Andy Orr, Teddy Oliver
Heat #3 – Dick Aubihl, Chris Smith, Sonny Ritch, Tim Oliver, D.J. Litten
Feature – Todd Miller, Tory Gibbs, Rich Schweitzer, Chester McMasters, Mike Phillips, Jr., Doug Decker, Pat Moore, Al Street, Andy Orr, Lee McCreery, Dick Aubihl, Chris Smith, Tim Oliver, D.J. Litten, Corey Ross, Sonny Ritch
Trails End Sports Compacts
Top Qualifier – John McNutt
Heat #1 – A.J. Diano, Tad Grove, Brad Henry, Kelly McNutt, Don Rufener, Jr.
Heat #2 – Johnny Campbell, Jason Morgan, Chris Bloom, Jason Grewell, Earl Scranton
Heat #3 – Michael Keefe, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Justin Renicker, Joe Fitch, Kenny Ford
Heat #4 – Pat Moore, Richard Duvall, Larry Ennis, Rich Dunlap, Rusty Rouse, Jr.
Heat #5 – Mike Belknap, Tim Rodgers, Howard Bartholow, Jason Carmen, Paul Stull
Feature #1 – Adam Mishler, Kelly McNutt, Don Rufener, Jr., A.J. Diano, John McNutt, Tad Grove, Tammy Rufener, Brad Henry, Jason Morgan, David Breehl, Jason Grewell, Joe Konovsek, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Johnny Campbell, Tom Barrett, Chris Bloom
Feature #2 – Michael Keefe, Joe Fitch, Jesse Page, Kenny Ford, Mark Willison, Jr., Rusty Rouse, Jr., Ryan Kopp, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Nate Baker, Kyle Lawson, Earl Scranton, Justin Renicker, Pat Carnes
Feature #3 – Howard Bartholow, Larry Ennis, Richard Duvall, Dan Konovsek, Paul Stull, Tim Rodgers, Mike Keefe, Jason Carmen, Joe Elerick, Doug Milburn, Rich Dunlap, Mike Belknap, Pat Moore, Perk Pyle, Robbie Patterson
Figure 8’s
Feature – Don Rufener, Jr., Joey Adams, Joe Elerick, Ryan Kopp, Tim Rodgers, Chris Bloom

Written by: Adam Mackey

Driver Results
Pure Stocks
Feature
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
120077Todd Miller
219010Tory Gibbs
318084Rich Schweitzer
417081Chester McMasters
516011Mike Phillips, Jr.
615064Doug Decker
714080Pat Moore
813073Al Street
912028Jimmy Orr
1011032Keith Anderson
1110055Dick Aubihl
129033Chris Smith
13808Tim Oliver
147050D.J. Litten
156090Corey Ross
1650O3Sonny Ritch
DNS017Jason Anthony
DNS013Doug Higgins
DNS049Teddy Oliver
 
Heat #1
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14084Rich Schweitzer
23080Pat Moore
32010Tory Gibbs
41081Chester McMasters
5011Mike Phillips, Jr.
 
Heat #2
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14073Al Street
23032Keith Anderson
32077Todd Miller
41028Jimmy Orr
5049Teddy Oliver
 
Heat #3
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14055Dick Aubihl
23033Chris Smith
320O3Sonny Ritch
4108Tim Oliver
5050D.J. Litten
 
Sport Stocks
Feature
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
120017Randy Smart
219028Scott Archer
31807Blake Mackey
417038Kevin McClintock
516054Doug McMillen
615024Nick Grubbs
71408Gabe Pringle
813013Virgil Ravenscroft, III
912053Mike Hostetler
1011094Bill Weaver
1110033Anthony Milano
1290O7Brock Burcher
138075Ron Dague
 
Heat #1
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14024Nick Grubbs
23017Randy Smart
32094Bill Weaver
41054Doug McMillen
5075Ron Dague
 
Heat #2
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
1407Blake Mackey
23013Virgil Ravenscroft, III
320O7Brock Burcher
41028Scott Archer
508Gabe Pringle
 
Compacts
Feature #1
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
120065Adam Mishler
219036Kelly McNutt
318047Don Rufener, Jr.
4170O9A.J. Diano
51608Cliff Cox
61503Tad Grove
71407Tammy Rufener
813087Brad Henry
91202Jason Morgan
1011049Gabe Pringle
11100101Jason Grewell
1290133Joe Konovsek
138074Bob Passwaters, Jr.
147027Johnny Campbell
1560157Tom Barrett
1650151Chris Bloom
 
Feature #2
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
115099Michael Keefe
214051Joe Fitch
3130O2Jesse Page
412067Kenny Ford
511018Mark Willison, Jr.
6100O8Rusty Rouse, Jr.
79052Ryan Kopp
88077Bob Passwaters, Sr.
97060Nate Baker
10606Kyle Lawson
1150O3Earl Scranton
1240175Justin Renicker
133079Pat Carnes
DNS0127Jim Campbell
DNS041Tim Frederick
 
Feature #3
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
1100115Howard Bartholow
29020Larry Ennis
38024Richard Duvall
47033Dan Konovsek
560O5Paul Stull
6501Tim Rodgers
74093Mike Keefe
830O1Jason Carmen
92015Joe Elerick
101026Doug Milburn
11517Rich Dunlap
125149Breehl Racing
13580Pat Moore
145119Perk Pyle
15584Robbie Patterson
 
Heat #1
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
140O9A.J. Diano
2303Tad Grove
32087Brad Henry
41036Kelly McNutt
5047Don Rufener, Jr.
 
Heat #2
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14027Johnny Campbell
2302Jason Morgan
320151Chris Bloom
410101Jason Grewell
50O3Earl Scranton
 
Heat #3
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14099Michael Keefe
23077Bob Passwaters, Sr.
320175Justin Renicker
41051Joe Fitch
5067Kenny Ford
 
Heat #4
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
14080Pat Moore
23024Richard Duvall
32020Larry Ennis
41017Rich Dunlap
50O8Rusty Rouse, Jr.
 
Heat #5
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
140149Breehl Racing
2301Tim Rodgers
320115Howard Bartholow
410O1Jason Carmen
50O5Paul Stull
 
Figure 8
Feature
Finished PositionPoints EarnedCar No.Driver
120047Don Rufener, Jr.
2190149Joey Adams
318015Joe Elerick
417084Ryan Kopp
51601Tim Rodgers
6150151Chris Bloom
 
Top
05/26/2007 Race
Pure Stocks Listings
Finish Pos.Driver
1.Miller, Todd
2.Gibbs, Tory
3.Schweitzer, Rich
4.McMasters, Chester
5.Phillips, Jr., Mike
6.Decker, Doug
7.Moore, Pat
8.Street, Al
9.Orr, Jimmy
10.Anderson, Keith
More
 
05/26/2007 Race
Sport Stocks Listings
Finish Pos.Driver
1.Smart, Randy
2.Archer, Scott
3.Mackey, Blake
4.McClintock, Kevin
5.McMillen, Doug
6.Grubbs, Nick
7.Pringle, Gabe
8.Ravenscroft, III, Virgil
9.Hostetler, Mike
10.Weaver, Bill
More
 
05/26/2007 Race
Compacts Listings
Finish Pos.Driver
1.Mishler, Adam
2.McNutt, Kelly
3.Rufener, Jr., Don
4.Diano, A.J.
5.Cox, Cliff
6.Grove, Tad
7.Rufener, Tammy
8.Henry, Brad
9.Morgan, Jason
10.Pringle, Gabe
More
 
05/26/2007 Race
Figure 8 Listings
Finish Pos.Driver
1.Rufener, Jr., Don
2.Adams, Joey
3.Elerick, Joe
4.Kopp, Ryan
5.Rodgers, Tim
6.Bloom, Chris