Ohio's Fun Place to Race!! 2025 Race Season |
 | August 4, 2007 |
Great Action Shots Here
This past Saturday, August 4, Midvale Speedway hosted its second annual old-timers night and first annual Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony. Four divisions of action were on hand, while three officials and five drivers were inducted as the first class into the Midvale Speedway Hall Of Fame.
The special festivities were held at intermission. One-by-one, all of the old-timers were introduced to the fans in the stands. At the end, former owners/promoters Gene & Bob Tolloty were announced as the first members of the hall of fame. The other official was longtime flagman Eddie Warmack. Family members of each accepted the awards.
As for the five drivers, the first well deserved inductions went to two of the Midvale Speedway pioneers, Baldy Baker and Dean Mast. Both had many feature victories during the early years at Midvale as well as big event wins at other speedways’ special events. Family members accepted the awards.
Bill Bitticker, who raced at the speedway for over 50 years, also became a member of the speedway hall of fame. Bitticker was present along with his family, including his wife, who had not been to the speedway in 30 years.
The final two members that were honored were Midvale greats as well. Bud Middaugh and Tony Diano were drivers that called Midvale Speedway “home” for a number of years and claimed numerous wins. Both were in attendance with family members to celebrate their inductions.
20 Advance Auto Parts Late Models were pitside for Saturday’s events. Though mechanical problems arose for Midvale Speedway point contender Mark Willison and rookie Dave McAlicker, eighteen cars took the green for the 25-lap event. When the green dropped, Bob Eichel and Greg Beule took the field around the 3/10-mile oval. After three first lap cautions, the field was realigned and a complete restart was held for the fourth time. On this attempt, the field settled down enough to complete some laps. Beule jumped out into the early lead, while Eichel ran second. Mike Miller, Tom Garbrandt, John Ambrose, Jr., and Doug McMillen battled for spots while following. Eventually, Garbrandt got his car moving in the outside lane and battled past Miller and Eichel into the runner-up spot. Ambrose followed and the two set their sights on Beule. After a mid-race caution bunched up the field, Beule had his car get out from under him entering turn one. As he exited turn two, the veteran driver tried to steer out of a spin to keep himself in the lead but as he came down the banking contact was made with Garbrandt. Garbrandt had to pit to change a tire, while Beule was relegated to the tail. That gave the lead to Ambrose, who cruised to victory lane with his third feature victory this season. The American Thunder/1st Class Towing #24 was followed by Miller, Ryan Tedesco, Joel McKnight, and Bob Schneider, Jr. McKnight, who came across the stripe in fourth after a great run through the field, unfortunately had the position taken away after the race as it was found that he went to his trailer during a pit stop. During feature action, drivers that make a pit stop must do so in the designated area. That moved Eichel into the fifth spot. Beule, Randy Smart, John Sandquist, Justin Courtney, and Gary Hoopingarner were top ten finishers. Garbrandt, Schneider, Jr., and Paul Adkins were credited with heat race wins. Tedesco was the night’s fastest qualifier.
The start of the Tusco Net Sport Stock feature was intriguing to say the least. Kevin McClintock and Nick Grubbs, the top two point contenders, were on the front row. Fans would soon find out that neither could agree on how the race should be started. After several instances of rubbing paint and a handful of restarts, the race got underway with Grubbs taking the lead. Ron Dague followed in the outside lane to take the second spot but a lap two caution moved him back into third. After the next restart, Dague went again to the outside lane but entered turn one a little too hot and spun, relegating him to the tail. Dague, though would be heard from again. Just after picking up the fourth spot from Gabe Pringle, Dague dropped in line behind Grubbs, McClintock, and Glen Jewell. Grubbs, exiting the second turn, got hard on the binders causing a brake check. Dague, with the move of the night, ducked to the inside lane and shot by Jewell and McClintock to move into second. A couple of laps later, the veteran driver moved to the inside of Grubbs and raced by for the lead and his fifth feature win of the season. Following the Tolloti Pipe/Daggie’s Auto Service entry were Grubbs, Jewell, John Sluka, and Jerry McNealy. Brock Burcher, Chris Miller, Pringle, Kevin McClintock, and Dave Mooreland, Jr. finished off the top ten. McClintock won the heat race, but had a badly damaged racecar after a feature accident with Jewell. The latter set fast time.
Another solid field of Midvale Speedway Pure Stocks made way for an exciting 20-lap feature. Dan Hall beat Tory Gibbs to the stripe on the finish of lap one. Making quick work of the top two, though, was Teddy Oliver. Oliver, a driver who has had terrible luck during the 2007 campaign, took over the lead and was looking for his first feature win of the year. However, Mike Phillips, Jr. was back in action and was on the move in the outside groove. Oliver, meanwhile, also had to protect the bottom as Rich Schweitzer and Doug Decker followed closely. Eventually, after a several lap battle, slight contact ensued in turn two and Phillips raced out front, while Oliver lost second to Schweitzer. At the checkered, the Ridge Pump/Mushrush Utilities #11 of Phillips was followed by Schweitzer, Oliver, Decker, and Gibbs. Chester McMasters, Dick Aubihl, Dan Hall, Jason Anthony, and Sonny Ritch were top ten finishers. Oliver and Aubihl won the heats, while Schweitzer set fast time.
In the Parkway Suzuki Compact fast feature, Jason Morgan and Michael Keefe brought a stout field of cars in for the green flag. Morgan, via the inside lane took the lead during the first circuit. Behind him, Adam Mishler raced to the inside of Keefe to make it a three car battle. Moments after Mishler took second away from Keefe, the right rear broke off of his racer and ended his night in a wild ride. Once back to green, Morgan easily handled the field for the rest of the race. Keefe, despite an accident in the middle of the race with Tammy Rufener, was able to cross the stripe in second, Brad Henry came home third, Don Rufener, Jr. finished fourth, and Kelly McNutt wound up in the fifth spot. The rest of the top ten were top qualifier A.J. Diano, Joe Konovsek, Justin Renicker, Jay Hunt, and Tammy Rufener.
Chris Bloom avoided any bad luck to win his first feature in 2007. The Uhrichsville, Ohio driver celebrated in victory lane with his large fan club donning their new camouflage team shirts. Also credited with top fives were Bob Passwaters, Sr., James Domer, Bob Passwaters, Jr., and Rusty Rouse, Jr. The rest of the top ten were Larry Ennis, Doug Milburn, Jill Harshey, Jason Grewell, and Justin Vanfossen.
Dan Konovsek, running his first full season in the Compact division, claimed his first feature win in the front wheel drive C Feature. The Canton, Ohio driver was followed by Rich Dunlap, Kyle Lawson, Pat Carnes, and Ryan Kopp. Other top ten finishers were Jeffrey Orr, Billy Nicholas, Phil Bunton, Jr., Tim Frederick, and Jesse Crabtree.
Michael Keefe, Jason Morgan, Randy Hahn, and Dan Konovsek were the heat race winners. A.J. Diano set Compact fast time.
Racing will continue this coming Saturday, August 11 with Spectator Drags and Figure 8’s on the ticket. Late Models, Sport Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Compacts will also race. Qualifying will start at 4:30, while racing will begin at 6:30.
Admission prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for kids 6-15 and children 5 and under are free. For more information go to midvalespeedway.com.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Advance Auto Parts Late Models
Top Qualifier – Ryan Tedesco 14.67
Heat #1 – Tom Garbrandt, Joel McKnight, Doug McMillen, John Ambrose, Jr., Ryan Tedesco
Heat #2 – Bob Schneider, Jr., Randy Smart, Mike Miller, Bob Eichel, Greg Beule
Heat #3 – Paul Adkins, Doug Ehret, William Robinson, Justin Courtney, Gary Hoopingarner
Feature – John Ambrose, Jr., Mike Miller, Ryan Tedesco, Bob Schneider, Jr., Bob Eichel, Greg Beule, Randy Smart, John Sandquist, Justin Courtney, Gary Hoopingarner, Paul Adkins, Tom Garbrandt, Chris Grubbs, Doug McMillen, William Robinson, Doug Ehret, Dan Stemple, Joel McKnight
Tusco Net Sport Stocks
Top Qualifier – Glen Jewell 15.64
Heat – Kevin McClintock, Nick Grubbs, Ron Dague, John Sluka, Brock Burcher
Feature – Ron Dague, Nick Grubbs, Glen Jewell, John Sluka, Jerry McNealy, Brock Burcher, Chris Miller, Gabe Pringle, Kevin McClintock, Dave Mooreland, Jr., Chris Kail
Midvale Speedway Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Rich Schweitzer 17.04
Heat #1 – Teddy Oliver, Andy Orr, Rich Schweitzer, Chuck Sampson, Keith Anderson
Heat #2 – Dick Aubihl, Tory Gibbs, Josh Anders, Pat Moore, Jason Anthony
Feature – Mike Phillips, Jr., Rich Schweitzer, Teddy Oliver, Doug Decker, Tory Gibbs, Chester McMasters, Dick Aubihl, Dan Hall, Jason Anthony, Sonny Ritch, Chuck Sampson, Josh Anders, Pat Moore, Doug Higgins, John McNutt, Andy Orr
Parkway Suzuki Compacts
Top Qualifier – A.J. Diano 18.19
Heat #1 – Michael Keefe, Adam Mishler, Joe Konovsek, A.J. Diano, Tammy Rufener
Heat #2 – Jason Morgan, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Chris Bloom, Larry Ennis, Jill Harshey
Heat #3 – Randy Hahn, Rich Dunlap, Bubba Smith, Doug Milburn, Pat Carnes
Heat #4 – Dan Konovsek, Billy Nicholas, Tim Frederick, Jaimie Huebner, Perk Pyle
Feature #1 – Jason Morgan, Michael Keefe, Brad Henry, Don Rufener, Jr., Kelly McNutt, A.J. Diano, Joe Konovsek, Justin Renicker, Jay Hunt, Tammy Rufener, Adam Mishler, Jesse Page
Feature #2 – Chris Bloom, Bob Passwaters, Sr., James Domer, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Rusty Rouse, Jr., Larry Ennis, Doug Milburn, Jill Harshey, Jason Grewell, Justin Vanfossen, Felicia Myers, Randy Hahn, Pat Moore, Kenny Ford
Feature #3 – Dan Konovsek, Rich Dunlap, Kyle Lawson, Pat Carnes, Ryan Kopp, Jeffrey Orr, Billy Nicholas, Phil Bunton, Jr., Tim Frederick, Jesse Crabtree, Jaimie Huebner, Kenny Jewell, Paul Stull, Bubba Smith, Gary Gibson, Perk Pyle
Hall Of Fame Inductees (1st Class)
Officials – Gene Tolloty (Founder & Promoter), Bob Tolloty (Promoter), Eddie Warmack (Flagman)
Drivers – Baldy Baker, Dean Mast, Bill Bitticker, Bud Middaugh, Tony Diano
Written by: Adam Mackey |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 200 | 24 | John Ambrose |
2 | 190 | 53 | Mike Miller |
3 | 180 | 70 | Ryan Tedesco |
4 | 170 | 17 | Bob Schneider, Jr. |
5 | 160 | 69 | Bob Eichel |
6 | 150 | 21 | Greg Beule |
7 | 140 | 22 | Ron Jaberg, Jr. |
8 | 130 | 66 | John Sandquist, Sr. |
9 | 120 | 4 | Justin Courtney |
10 | 110 | 48 | Paul Slentz |
11 | 100 | 125 | Paul Adkins |
12 | 90 | 64 | Tom Garbrandt |
13 | 80 | 25 | Chris Grubbs |
14 | 70 | 54 | Doug McMillen |
15 | 60 | 14 | William Robinson |
16 | 50 | 1 | Doug Ehret |
17 | 40 | 30 | Dan Stemple |
18 | 30 | 8 | Joel McKnight |
DNS | 0 | 47 | Dave McAlicker |
DNS | 0 | 18 | Mark Willison |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 64 | Tom Garbrandt |
2 | 30 | 8 | Joel McKnight |
3 | 20 | 54 | Doug McMillen |
4 | 10 | 24 | John Ambrose |
5 | 0 | 70 | Ryan Tedesco |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 17 | Bob Schneider, Jr. |
2 | 30 | 22 | Ron Jaberg, Jr. |
3 | 20 | 53 | Mike Miller |
4 | 10 | 69 | Bob Eichel |
5 | 0 | 21 | Greg Beule |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 125 | Paul Adkins |
2 | 30 | 1 | Doug Ehret |
3 | 20 | 14 | William Robinson |
4 | 0 | 48 | Paul Slentz |
4 | 10 | 4 | Justin Courtney |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 200 | 11 | Mike Phillips, Jr. |
2 | 190 | 84 | Rich Schweitzer |
3 | 180 | 49 | Teddy Oliver |
4 | 170 | 64 | Doug Decker |
5 | 160 | 10 | Tory Gibbs |
6 | 150 | 81 | Chester McMasters |
7 | 140 | 55 | Dick Aubihl |
8 | 130 | 42 | Dan Hall |
9 | 120 | 17 | Jason Anthony |
10 | 110 | O3 | Sonny Ritch |
11 | 100 | 5 | Chuck Sampson |
12 | 90 | 18 | Josh Anders |
13 | 80 | 80 | Pat Moore |
14 | 70 | 13 | Doug Higgins |
15 | 60 | 35 | John McNutt |
16 | 50 | 28 | Jimmy Orr |
DNS | 0 | 32 | Keith Anderson |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 49 | Teddy Oliver |
2 | 30 | 28 | Jimmy Orr |
3 | 20 | 84 | Rich Schweitzer |
4 | 10 | 5 | Chuck Sampson |
5 | 0 | 32 | Keith Anderson |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 55 | Dick Aubihl |
2 | 30 | 10 | Tory Gibbs |
3 | 20 | 18 | Josh Anders |
4 | 10 | 80 | Pat Moore |
5 | 0 | 17 | Jason Anthony |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 200 | 75 | Ron Dague |
2 | 190 | 24 | Nick Grubbs |
3 | 180 | 13 | Virgil Ravenscroft, III |
4 | 170 | 21 | John Sluka |
5 | 160 | 1 | Jerry McNealy |
6 | 150 | O7 | Brock Burcher |
7 | 140 | 70 | Chris Miller |
8 | 130 | 8 | Gabe Pringle |
9 | 120 | 38 | Kevin McClintock |
10 | 110 | O3 | Dave Mooreland, Jr. |
11 | 100 | 10 | Chris Kail |
DNS | 0 | 17 | Randy Smart |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 38 | Kevin McClintock |
2 | 30 | 24 | Nick Grubbs |
3 | 20 | 75 | Ron Dague |
4 | 10 | 21 | John Sluka |
5 | 0 | O7 | Brock Burcher |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 200 | 2 | Jason Morgan |
2 | 190 | 99 | Michael Keefe |
3 | 180 | 87 | Brad Henry |
4 | 170 | 47 | Don Rufener, Jr. |
5 | 160 | 36 | Kelly McNutt |
6 | 150 | O9 | A.J. Diano |
7 | 140 | 133 | Joe Konovsek |
8 | 130 | 8 | Cliff Cox |
9 | 120 | 44 | Jay Hunt |
10 | 110 | 7 | Tammy Rufener |
11 | 100 | 65 | Adam Mishler |
12 | 90 | O2 | Jesse Page |
DNS | 0 | 27 | Johnny Campbell |
DNS | 0 | 3 | Tad Grove |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 150 | 151 | Chris Bloom |
2 | 140 | 77 | Bob Passwaters, Sr. |
3 | 130 | 191 | James Domer |
4 | 120 | 74 | Bob Passwaters, Jr. |
5 | 110 | O8 | Rusty Rouse, Jr. |
6 | 100 | 20 | Larry Ennis |
7 | 90 | 127 | Jim Campbell |
8 | 80 | 86 | Jill Harshey |
9 | 70 | 101 | Jason Grewell |
10 | 60 | 156 | Justin Vanfossen |
11 | 50 | 144 | Felicia Myers |
12 | 40 | 175 | Justin Renicker |
13 | 30 | 80 | Pat Moore |
14 | 20 | 67 | Kenny Ford |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 100 | 33 | Dan Konovsek |
2 | 90 | 17 | Rich Dunlap |
3 | 80 | 6 | Kyle Lawson |
4 | 70 | 79 | Pat Carnes |
5 | 60 | 52 | Ryan Kopp |
6 | 50 | 21 | Jeffrey Orr |
7 | 40 | 132 | Billy Nicholas |
8 | 30 | 91 | Phil Bunton, Jr. |
9 | 20 | 41 | Tim Frederick |
10 | 10 | 176 | Jesse Crabtree |
11 | 5 | 58 | Jaimie Huebner |
12 | 5 | 76 | Kenny Jewell |
13 | 5 | O5 | Paul Stull |
14 | 5 | 12 | Bubba Smith |
15 | 5 | 83 | Gary Gibson |
16 | 5 | 119 | Perk Pyle |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 99 | Michael Keefe |
2 | 30 | 65 | Adam Mishler |
3 | 20 | 133 | Joe Konovsek |
4 | 10 | O9 | A.J. Diano |
5 | 0 | 7 | Tammy Rufener |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 2 | Jason Morgan |
2 | 30 | 74 | Bob Passwaters, Jr. |
3 | 20 | 151 | Chris Bloom |
4 | 10 | 20 | Larry Ennis |
5 | 0 | 86 | Jill Harshey |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 175 | Justin Renicker |
2 | 30 | 17 | Rich Dunlap |
3 | 20 | 12 | Bubba Smith |
4 | 10 | 127 | Jim Campbell |
5 | 0 | 79 | Pat Carnes |
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Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
1 | 40 | 33 | Dan Konovsek |
2 | 30 | 132 | Billy Nicholas |
3 | 20 | 41 | Tim Frederick |
4 | 10 | 58 | Jaimie Huebner |
5 | 0 | 119 | Perk Pyle |
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Top |
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08/04/2007 Race Late Models Listings |
Finish Pos. | Driver |
1. | Ambrose, John |
2. | Miller, Mike |
3. | Tedesco, Ryan |
4. | Schneider, Jr., Bob |
5. | Eichel, Bob |
6. | Beule, Greg |
7. | Jaberg, Jr., Ron |
8. | Sandquist, Sr., John |
9. | Courtney, Justin |
10. | Slentz, Paul |
More |
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08/04/2007 Race Pure Stocks Listings |
Finish Pos. | Driver |
1. | Phillips, Jr., Mike |
2. | Schweitzer, Rich |
3. | Oliver, Teddy |
4. | Decker, Doug |
5. | Gibbs, Tory |
6. | McMasters, Chester |
7. | Aubihl, Dick |
8. | Hall, Dan |
9. | Anthony, Jason |
10. | Ritch, Sonny |
More |
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08/04/2007 Race Sport Stocks Listings |
Finish Pos. | Driver |
1. | Dague, Ron |
2. | Grubbs, Nick |
3. | Ravenscroft, III, Virgil |
4. | Sluka, John |
5. | McNealy, Jerry |
6. | Burcher, Brock |
7. | Miller, Chris |
8. | Pringle, Gabe |
9. | McClintock, Kevin |
10. | Mooreland, Jr., Dave |
More |
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08/04/2007 Race Compacts Listings |
Finish Pos. | Driver |
1. | Morgan, Jason |
2. | Keefe, Michael |
3. | Henry, Brad |
4. | Rufener, Jr., Don |
5. | McNutt, Kelly |
6. | Diano, A.J. |
7. | Konovsek, Joe |
8. | Cox, Cliff |
9. | Hunt, Jay |
10. | Rufener, Tammy |
More |
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