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| Monday, April 20th |
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Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2026 Race Season |
 | July 26, 2008 |
 The American Modified Series rolled into town this past Saturday, July 26th at Midvale Speedway. Sport Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Compacts also raced during an evening that saw great racing action.
During the AMS qualifying session, third generation driver Nick Diano bested the field of Modifieds with a 14.59 to set fast time. Bud Perry 14.79, Greg Stapleton 14.85, Chad Poole 14.87, and Doug Meyer 14.89 rounded out the top five. Diano rolled the dice for a “3” invert, locking himself into the third starting position for the Texas Roadhouse 50.
When the green dropped on the starting field, polesitter Stapleton raced into the early lead, while Perry fought hard in the outside lane. Eventually, Perry dropped to third, as Perry raced into second. The laps were clicking off in a hurry, as Stapleton, Diano, and Perry ran bumper-to-bumper out front. With 26 complete and no cautions, Diano nosed to the inside of Stapleton coming out of turn two. Going into three, Stapleton tried to close the door and the two made contact. Stapleton went high going into four, while Diano slid sideways through the grass to make the pass. Perry moved into the second spot with Stapleton holding onto third. Two laps after the lead change, the only caution of the race came out for large raindrops. The drivers were sent pitside, and after a very small track drying session, brought back out for the final 21 laps. Picking up where they left off, the drivers ran a very clean race and finished the event without a caution. Making his first career start at Midvale Speedway, the young Diano raced his way across the stripe victorious in the Texas Roadhouse 50 lapper. Perry, Stapleton, Chad Poole, and Doug Meyer completed the top five. The rest of the top ten were dash winner Mike Carroll, Brad Yelton, Steve Foster, Rob Yelton, and Herb Newman.
Despite low car counts this season, the Tusco Net Sport Stock division continues to put on some of the best races. Jerry McNealy and Blake Mackey started on the front row for the 20-lap main, with Mackey taking the lead for lap one. Going into turn four on lap number two, though, Mackey’s car developed a wheel hop and McNealy shot back to the inside. The two raced side-by-side for a number of laps before Mackey settled into second. On lap number seven, top qualifier Ron Dague joined the lead battle. Dague and Mackey made contact in the third and fourth turns, ripping the right front fender from the #7. Caution came out for the first time, Mackey was sent to the tail and the race was restarted. It was on this restart that Kevin McClintock, who was moving up, and McNealy got together. McNealy spun in turn four, bringing out caution number two. McClintock was sent to the tail for the restart. Dague took over the lead moments later, but that was short lived as a ball joint broke under the next caution. Randy Smart, who made his racing return Saturday night, was given the lead with ten laps left. First it was Scott Archer to challenge with Mackey back to third. On the move, though, was McClintock. The veteran driver placed his car in the outside lane and worked alongside Smart trying to wrestle the lead away. After a four lap battle, McClintock raced into the lead and on to his third feature win. The Broadrun Cheesehouse/Blick Tool & Die #38 was followed by Smart, Archer, Mackey, and Chris Miller. Mackey claimed the heat race win.
Doug Higgins led the early circuits in the Midvale Speedway Pure Stock feature. With a sizable advantage, though, Higgins was clocked under his qualifying time and was eliminated from the action on lap five. Rookie driver Phil Bunton, Jr. assumed the lead for the next three laps before the night’s second fast qualifier Rich Schweitzer raced by and into the top spot. The Midvale Speedway veteran had finished close to a win on a number of occasions this season, but July 26th was his night, racing his car under the checkered first. Following the New Philadelphia, Ohio driver were Teddy Oliver, Todd Miller, Dick Aubihl, and Bob Passwaters, Sr. The rest of the top ten were Brian Minard, Pat Moore, Tory Gibbs, Bunton, and Tad Grove. Grove and Higgins won the heats, while Gibbs set fast time.
Felicia Myers and Kyle Rector were the front row starters for the Parkway Suzuki fast Compact feature. Myers raced into the lead with fifth place starter and point leader, Don Rufener, Jr. moving into second in the early going. Rufener moved into the outside lane and work hard trying to get around to extend his point lead. On lap eleven, though, Rufener decided the inside lane would be the way to go, dropped to the bottom and made the pass of Myers to go on to a decisive victory. The Animal Racing/Dale Royer sponsored #47 was followed by Myers, A.J. Diano, Cliff Cox, and Rector. Kelly McNutt, Derek Grewell, Ron Myers, Jason Morgan, and Tad Grove were top ten finishers.
Kyle Lawson led the first several laps of the second Compact feature before mid pack starter Earl Scranton used the high lane to move out front. The Fresno, Ohio driver bested a field of 19 cars and held off top five finishers, Jake Albright, Jesse Page, Tammy Rufener, and Lawson. The rest of the top ten were Pat Carnes, Ronald Bunton, Billy Nicholas, Kenny Jewell, and Chris Bloom.
Rector, Morgan, Albright, and Bloom won the heats, while Rich Dunlap was top qualifier.
The second rainfall, this one more substantial, hit the racetrack right before the Figure 8 feature was ready to take the green. The drivers elected not to start the event and wait until the August 9 date for their next race.
Racing will continue this coming Saturday, August 2nd with the third annual Midvale Speedway Old-Timers night. It will also mark year number two for the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremonies. Last year, officials Gene and Bob Tolloty and Eddie Warmack were inducted as well as drivers Bill Bitticker, Tony Diano, Bud Middaugh, Dean Mast, and Baldy Baker. Find out who will be this year’s inductees at intermission this coming Saturday night.
The great field of McIntosh Oil Company Late Models will be back in action with the Tusco Net Sport Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Parkway Suzuki Compacts rounding out the evening’s card.
Admission prices will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62+, $6 for kids 6-15, and children five and under are free. Pit admission is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.
Pit gates open at 2:30, practice and grandstands at 3:00, qualifying at 4:30, and racing at 6:30.
More information may be found at www.midvalespeedway.com.
Results For Midvale Speedway
American Modified Series
Top Qualifier – Nick Diano 14.59
Fast Dash – Mike Carroll, Chad Poole, Doug Meyer, Nick Diano, Bud Perry, Greg Stapleton
Feature – Nick Diano, Bud Perry, Greg Stapleton, Chad Poole, Doug Meyer, Mike Carroll, Brad Yelton, Steve Foster, Rob Yelton, Herb Newman, Ed Nelson, Scott Marino
Tusco Net Sport Stocks
Top Qualifier – Ron Dague 15.23
Heat – Blake Mackey, Kevin McClintock, Ron Dague, Scott Archer, Randy Smart
Feature – Kevin McClintock, Randy Smart, Scott Archer, Blake Mackey, Chris Miller, Jerry McNealy, Ron Dague, David Breehl
Midvale Speedway Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Tory Gibbs 16.62
Heat #1 – Tad Grove, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Rich Schweitzer, Dick Aubihl, Tory Gibbs
Heat #2 – Doug Higgins, Phil Bunton, Jr., Brian Minard, Lee McCreery, Brett Lalonde
Feature – Rich Schweitzer, Teddy Oliver, Todd Miller, Dick Aubihl, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Brian Minard, Pat Moore, Tory Gibbs, Phil Bunton, Jr., Tad Grove, Doug Higgins, Lee McCreery, Brett Lalonde
Parkway Suzuki Compacts
Top Qualifier – Rich Dunlap 18.08
Heat #1 – Kyle Rector, Johnny Campbell, A.J. Diano, Don Rufener, Jr., Kelly McNutt
Heat #2 – Jason Morgan, Tim Westerfield, Jr., Derek Grewell, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Rich Hess
Heat #3 – Jake Albright, Earl Scranton, Jesse Page, Tammy Rufener, Isaac Ferrebee
Heat #4 – Chris Bloom, Kenny Jewell, Pat Carnes, Kyle Lawson, Tim Frederick
Feature #1 – Don Rufener, Jr., Felicia Myers, A.J. Diano, Cliff Cox, Kyle Rector, Kelly McNutt, Derek Grewell, Ron Myers, Jason Morgan, Tad Grove, Tim Westerfield, Jr., Tom Barrett, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Jeffrey Orr, Johnny Campbell, Rich Dunlap, Rich Hess
Feature #2 – Earl Scranton, Jake Albright, Jesse Page, Tammy Rufener, Kyle Lawson, Pat Carnes, Ronald Bunton, Billy Nicholas, Kenny Jewell, Chris Bloom, Tim Frederick, Taylor Moore, Isaac Ferrebee, Kenny Griffith, Joe Slentz, Joe Tedesco, Larry Ennis, Kyle Grewell
Written by: Adam Mackey |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 50 | 84 | Rich Schweitzer |
| 2 | 48 | 49 | Teddy Oliver |
| 3 | 46 | 77 | Todd Miller |
| 4 | 44 | 55 | Dick Aubihl |
| 5 | 42 | 75 | Bob Passwaters, Sr. |
| 6 | 40 | 51 | Brian Minard |
| 7 | 38 | 80 | Pat Moore |
| 8 | 36 | 10 | Tory Gibbs |
| 9 | 34 | 79 | Phil Bunton, Jr. |
| 10 | 32 | 3 | Tad Grove |
| 11 | 30 | 13 | Doug Higgins |
| 12 | 28 | 2 | Lee McCreery |
| 13 | 26 | 48 | Brian Oliver |
| DNS | 0 | 34 | Luther Chambers |
| DNS | 0 | 95 | Ronald Bunton |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 8 | 3 | Tad Grove |
| 2 | 7 | 75 | Bob Passwaters, Sr. |
| 3 | 6 | 84 | Rich Schweitzer |
| 4 | 5 | 55 | Dick Aubihl |
| 5 | 4 | 10 | Tory Gibbs |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 5 | 13 | Doug Higgins |
| 2 | 4 | 79 | Phil Bunton, Jr. |
| 3 | 3 | 51 | Brian Minard |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | Lee McCreery |
| 5 | 1 | 48 | Brian Oliver |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 50 | 38 | Kevin McClintock |
| 2 | 48 | 17 | Randy Smart |
| 3 | 46 | 28 | Scott Archer |
| 4 | 44 | 7 | Blake Mackey |
| 5 | 42 | 70 | Chris Miller |
| 6 | 40 | 1 | Jerry McNealy |
| 7 | 38 | 75 | Ron Dague |
| 8 | 36 | 49 | Rich Dessecker |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 8 | 7 | Blake Mackey |
| 2 | 7 | 38 | Kevin McClintock |
| 3 | 6 | 75 | Ron Dague |
| 4 | 5 | 28 | Scott Archer |
| 5 | 4 | 17 | Randy Smart |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 50 | 47 | Don Rufener, Jr. |
| 2 | 48 | 4 | Ron Myers |
| 3 | 46 | O9 | A.J. Diano |
| 4 | 44 | 70 | Cliff Cox |
| 5 | 42 | 22 | Kyle Rector |
| 6 | 40 | 36 | Kelly McNutt |
| 7 | 38 | 149 | Derek Grewell |
| 8 | 36 | 33 | Jay Hunt |
| 9 | 34 | 2 | Jason Morgan |
| 10 | 32 | 3 | Kyle Grove |
| 11 | 30 | OO | Tim Westerfield, Jr. |
| 12 | 28 | 157 | Tom Barrett |
| 13 | 26 | 74 | Bob Passwaters, Jr. |
| 14 | 24 | 8 | Jeffrey Orr |
| 15 | 22 | 27 | Johnny Campbell |
| 16 | 20 | 17 | Rich Dunlap |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | Rich Hess |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 36 | O3 | Earl Scranton |
| 2 | 34 | 10 | Jake Albright |
| 3 | 32 | O2 | Jesse Page |
| 4 | 30 | 7 | Tammy Rufener |
| 5 | 28 | O6 | Mike Lawson |
| 6 | 26 | 79 | Pat Carnes |
| 7 | 24 | 81 | Chasity Crawford |
| 8 | 22 | 132 | Billy Nicholas |
| 9 | 20 | 76 | Kenny Jewell |
| 10 | 18 | O5 | Paul Stull |
| 11 | 16 | 41 | Tim Frederick |
| 12 | 14 | 80 | Taylor Moore |
| 13 | 12 | 91 | Isaac Ferrebee |
| 14 | 10 | 96 | Kenny Griffith |
| 15 | 8 | 46 | Joe Slentz |
| 16 | 6 | 5 | Max McCartney |
| 17 | 4 | 20 | Larry Ennis |
| 18 | 2 | 101 | Kyle Grewell |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 8 | 22 | Kyle Rector |
| 2 | 7 | 27 | Johnny Campbell |
| 3 | 6 | O9 | A.J. Diano |
| 4 | 5 | 47 | Don Rufener, Jr. |
| 5 | 4 | 36 | Kelly McNutt |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 5 | 2 | Jason Morgan |
| 2 | 4 | OO | Tim Westerfield, Jr. |
| 3 | 3 | 149 | Derek Grewell |
| 4 | 2 | 74 | Bob Passwaters, Jr. |
| 5 | 1 | 19 | Rich Hess |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 5 | 10 | Jake Albright |
| 2 | 4 | O3 | Earl Scranton |
| 3 | 3 | O2 | Jesse Page |
| 4 | 2 | 7 | Tammy Rufener |
| 5 | 1 | 91 | Isaac Ferrebee |
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| Finished Position | Points Earned | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 5 | O5 | Paul Stull |
| 2 | 4 | 76 | Kenny Jewell |
| 3 | 3 | 79 | Pat Carnes |
| 4 | 2 | O6 | Mike Lawson |
| 5 | 1 | 41 | Tim Frederick |
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| Top |
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07/26/2008 Race
Pure Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Schweitzer, Rich |
| 2. | Oliver, Teddy |
| 3. | Miller, Todd |
| 4. | Aubihl, Dick |
| 5. | Passwaters, Sr., Bob |
| 6. | Minard, Brian |
| 7. | Moore, Pat |
| 8. | Gibbs, Tory |
| 9. | Bunton, Jr., Phil |
| 10. | Grove, Tad |
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07/26/2008 Race
Sport Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | McClintock, Kevin |
| 2. | Smart, Randy |
| 3. | Archer, Scott |
| 4. | Mackey, Blake |
| 5. | Miller, Chris |
| 6. | McNealy, Jerry |
| 7. | Dague, Ron |
| 8. | Dessecker, Rich |
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07/26/2008 Race
Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Rufener, Jr., Don |
| 2. | Myers, Ron |
| 3. | Diano, A.J. |
| 4. | Cox, Cliff |
| 5. | Rector, Kyle |
| 6. | McNutt, Kelly |
| 7. | Grewell, Derek |
| 8. | Hunt, Jay |
| 9. | Morgan, Jason |
| 10. | Grove, Kyle |
| More |
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