In upwards of 55 drivers participated during the test and tune weekend, Saturday, April 5/6, at Midvale Speedway.
Saturday's practice event brought a strong field of 10 McIntosh Oil Late Model division drivers to shake down their cars. Defending Late Model point champion Ryan "crazylegs" Tedesco was fast right off the trailer. Mike Miller, with a newly clipped racer, adjusted on the setup until he started turning laps to his liking. Dusty Woodie had Late Model veteran Scott Baker helping him fine tune his sharp #44, while setup guru Jerry Massarelli was on hand lending his expertise to rookie John Sluka. The Smith brothers, Bubba donned in an outlaw body and Bryant a template, were hotlapping their Late Models before Bryant's goes to Swan's for its new sheetmetal. Two of the three Jaberg cars were there. Ron Jr. was turning some decent laps, while Greg Beule had some sort of mechanical issues. William Robinson and his team were improving on their times during the session as well. Doug McMillen, a surprise arrival since the temperature was under 60, still has some bugs to work out.
Ron Dague was the fastest of the Tusco Net Sport Stocks. Reports had the Tolloti Pipe #75 turning laps in the 15.20's and 30's. Kevin McClintock was close behind, while "Hot Rod" Chris Kail was pleased with improvements made to his car in the offseason. Virgil Ravenscroft, III completed several sessions before the engine expired. Fortunately, the Masontown, PA based team brought a backup motor to drop in for Sunday's practice session.
The Pure Stock field had a small gathering on Saturday afternoon. Notables included former champion Rich Schweitzer in a white, black, and orange racer, and Doug Higgins who has the same paint scheme as previous years, but a straightened frame and new body panels.
A number of Parkway Suzuki Compacts were in and out of the pits during the first of three pre-season tests. Some of the top notables included champion Kelly McNutt, top five contender Adam Mishler, division veteran John McNutt, and ever improving Brad Henry. Others were the Jay Hunt, Joe Konovsek, and Dan Konovsek race teams, Johnny Campbell, Kevin Renicker and Cliff Cox, Paul Stull, Felicia Myers, Jake Albright, and Rich Hess. The day also marked the anticpated debut of big league rookies Max McCartney and Chris Caldwell.
Sunday's practice had many drivers making a second appearance, while others were shaking down their cars for the first time. The final opportunity to test before the opener is Friday, April 11.
With the 2008-season opener coming up on Saturday, April 12, Midvale Speedway will hold its final Test & Tune session this coming Friday, April 11. Pit admission is $10, while grandstand admission is free.
Pit pads and memberships will be available for purchase this weekend. Costs will remain the same, as they have for the past several seasons. A variety of pit pads priced from $75 to $125 will be open for purchase. Drivers that reserved the spots last season will have first chance at them this year. Pit memberships will remain $30 and save the license holder $5 each week.
The season opener is set for Saturday, April 12th at 6:30. Late Models, Sport Stocks, Pure Stocks, Compacts, and Figure 8's will be in action. For more information, check out the website at midvalespeedway.com.
Some Races From The Video Vault...
Special Award Winners
2007 Late Model Most Improved #22 Ron Jaberg, Jr.
2007 Sport Stock Most Improved #24 Nick Grubbs
2007 Pure Stock Most Improved #55 Dick Aubihl
2007 Compact Most Improved #99 Michael Keefe
2007 Late Model Rookie Of The Year #25 Chris Grubbs
2007 Sport Stock Rookie Of The Year #53 Mike Hostetler
2007 Pure Stock Rookie Of The Year #50 D.J. Litten
2007 Compact R. O. T. Y. & Young Gun #6 Kyle Lawson
2007 Late Model Sportsman Of The Year #18 Mark Willison
2007 Sport Stock Sportsman Of The Year #1 Jerry McNealy
2007 Pure Stock Sportsman Of The Year #03 Sonny Ritch
2007 Compact Sportsman Of The Year #44 Jay Hunt
2007 Late Model Hard Luck Driver #53 Mike Miller
2007 Sport Stock Hard Luck Driver #17 Randy Smart
2007 Pure Stock Hard Luck Driver #35 John McNutt
2007 Compact Hard Luck Driver ##49 B & H Racing
2007 Late Model Best Appearing Car #24 John Ambrose
2007 Sport Stock Best Appearing Car #38 Kevin McClintock
2007 Pure Stock Best Appearing Car #80 Pat Moore
2007 Compact Best Appearing Car #36 Kelly McNutt
2007 Late Model Outstanding Pit Crew #70 Ryan Tedesco
2007 Sport Stock Outstanding Pit Crew #13 Ravenscroft Racing
2007 Pure Stock Outstanding Pit Crew #10 Tory Gibbs
2007 Compact Outstanding Pit Crew Animal Racing
2007 Late Model Most Popular Driver #70 Ryan Tedesco
2007 Sport Stock Most Popular Driver #75 Ron Dague
2007 Pure Stock Most Popular Driver #84 Rich Schweitzer
2007 Compact Most Popular Driver #36 Kelly McNutt
In the Advance Auto Parts Late Model division, New Philadelphia, Ohio driver Ryan Tedesco had a stellar season to claim the point title. Tedesco claimed 5 feature wins and set the fastest qualifying time numerous nights. Ron Jaberg, Jr., Mike Miller, Greg Beule, and Mark Willison were credited with top five finishes. The rest of the top ten were Bob Eichel, Doug McMillen, John Ambrose, Tom Garbrandt, and William Robinson.
Dover, Ohio driver Kevin McClintock claimed the 2007 championship title in the Tusco Net Sport Stock division. The veteran of the class was able to hold off strong challenges from Nick Grubbs, Ron Dague, Virgil Ravenscroft, III, and Randy Smart. Scott Archer, Jerry McNealy, Mike Hostetler, Chris Kail, and Bill Aubihl had formidable top ten finishes.
Chester McMasters, of Louisville, Ohio, will lead the Pure Stock division honorees as this year’s champ. Andy and Jimmy Orr combined to finish second, while Rich Schweitzer, Tory Gibbs, and Dick Aubihl completed the top five. Other drivers that will claim trophies and monetary awards are Keith Anderson, Doug Higgins, Doug Decker, Mike Phillips, Jr., and Pat Moore.
In the Parkway Suzuki Compact division, New Philadelphia, Ohio driver Kelly McNutt returned to racing this season and claimed another championship. Don Rufener, Jr., Brad Henry, Adam Mishler, and Jason Morgan had solid top five finishes. A.J. Diano, Tad Grove, Michael Keefe, Gabe Pringle, and Jay Hunt will be honored as top ten finishers.
For the first time in many years, the Figure 8 division competitors were honored at the banquet. Uhrichsville, Ohio’s Don Rufener, Jr. raced his way to the point title, while Lennie Orr, Ryan Kopp, Jaimie Huebner, Jr., and Otto Polilli finished off the top five. Kenny Jewell, Earl Scranton, Jesse Crabtree, Joe Elerick, and Breehl Racing were also given top ten trophies.
In upwards of 55 drivers participated during the test and tune weekend, Saturday, April 5/6, at Midvale Speedway.