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| Sunday, April 19th |
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Ohio's Fun Place to Race!!
2026 Race Season |
 | June 18, 2011 |
 A 60% chance of rain had many thinking that racing was a slim possibility this past Saturday, June 18 at Midvale Speedway. The afternoon was cloudy but dry as practice went without a hitch. However, a huge batch of rain was lurking on radar and was heading for the 3/10-mile asphalt oval. Just after Stock Compact qualifying, raindrops started to fall and continued over the next hour. However, track owners Randy and Sue Smith talked things over with officials and decided to go ahead with the program, to try and finally beat Mother Nature. After the track was dry, the final four divisions ran group qualifying sessions to speed up the program. Many drivers approved of the group sessions and asked if they could become a regular thing. The racing program started just over an hour behind schedule and an exciting evening ensued.
The best car count of the night came in the track's premier division, the McIntosh Oil Company Late Models. Ron Jaberg, Jr. took the lead at the green in the division's 30-lap feature event, as polesitter Gene Molnar, Jr. dropped into the field. The first caution came out on lap seven for a Bryant Smith and Bob Schneider, Jr. accident. Smith continued, while Schneider's car wouldn't re-fire because of an electrical problem. The double file restart put Jaberg and Ron Kirkpatrick up front. That moved Sibila into the third spot and he immediately worked the bottom to get by Kirkpatrick on lap eight. As Kirkpatrick was caught in the high lane and dropping back, his car slid sideways out of turn two, collecting a couple of others. The race's second restart slated Sibila alongside Jaberg, and the Massillon, Ohio driver was able to take advantage of the second groove and race out front. His lead was short lived, though, as a caution a few laps later created a restart that gave Doug McMillen the outside lane. McMillen, who won on opening night, became the race's third leader. Behind him, top qualifier, Bubba Smith was making moves to mount a challenge. Smith took second at the halfway point and had 15 laps to make his move. Smith's #12 ride was a little quicker but could never get the run he needed to make it happen. He looked to the highside a few times to no avail. His best chance was on one run in turn two where McMillen's car came just slightly off the bottom. Smith looked low but couldn't get the bite he needed to pull alongside. At the checkered, it was New Philadelphia, Ohio driver Doug McMillen claiming his second McWin of the year. Following the Lee's Famous Recipe/Parkway Honda #54 were Smith who has the other two wins this year, Rich Dessecker who claimed his best finish this season, Jaberg with his third-fourth place finish, and Derek Grewell who started last to finish fifth. Rich Marcum, Molnar, Bob Eichel, Sibila, and Emerson Huffman were top ten finishers.
Bill Burkholder and Adam Stewart, drivers that moved from the Pure Stock division, brought the Summit Racing Economy Modified field to the green for the 25-lap feature. Stewart raced into the lead with 2010 Sport Stock Champion Randy Smart taking second. On lap three, the race runner-up made a Smart move to go out front and attempt to claim his first Modified feature win. Dave Dobbins, the division point leader entering Saturday's event, followed him into second and immediately began to challenge. Smart, whose car did not look stable lost the top spot to Dobbins on lap seven. Despite the ill-handling car, Smart kept trucking in the second spot until Scott Archer wrestled it away. At that point, Dobbins had built a sizable lead but the race was far from over. Over the final ten circuits, Archer cut about .2 of second off of the deficit each lap. With three to go, the Canton, Ohio driver had closed to the rear bumper and started to hassle the leader. On the final lap, Archer got a great chance on the bottom of turn two. He pulled alongside the left rear quarter panel before Dobbins got better grip and pulled away for his first career Midvale Speedway feature win. The Complete Onsite Restoration/New Image Landscapes #53 was followed by Archer, Smart, Stewart, and Alex Rosenberry. Kevin McClintock, Tom Garbrandt, Doug Higgins, Joe Ujcich, and Burkholder finished off the top ten. Archer set fast time.
The Midvale Speedway Pure Stock division has had some rough features during the course of the season but on this night, racing was pretty clean. Rob Scott assumed the point early, while two-time feature winner this season Brian Minard took over on lap four. Vince Martin and Teddy Oliver followed and started their battle as they joined Minard out front. Oliver, who had also claimed two features before Saturday, took second on lap seven and went to the outside shortly thereafter. On lap 13 as Oliver was inching forward, Minard drove a little deeper into turn one. The two rubbed some paint, Oliver spun and Minard was relegated to the tail for the restart. On a late restart, Martin lost the second spot to Todd Miller when he was caught in the outside groove and Oliver raced off with the win. Miller followed the Philchalmers.com/John Wissman Motorsports #49 with a strong second place finish, while Martin, Minard, and Scott were top five finishers. Oliver also set fast time.
Tye Kelly led the first couple of laps in the Outlaw Compact feature before division front-runner Kyle Grove quickly rained on everyone's parade and raced into the lead. Grove made all the right moves in the feature and easily claimed his second feature win of the year. Mike Swaney, turning some pretty impressive laps himself, came away with the second spot. Also following the Greg's Recovery/J.D. Byrider #3 were Blaine Salsberry with his best finish, Jesse Page, and Jeffrey Orr. Grove and Page won the heats, while Grove set fast time with a new track record.
The Stock Compact division is becoming a fun class to race in and watch. The drivers have really shown a good amount of respect for one another on the track. The June 18 feature lived up to the high expectations and a solid race was again had by all. Chris Bloom led the first lap, while second year driver Colton Cottis took it away on lap two. Cottis, who claimed his first career win a week ago, had Allen Clark, Ryan Shreffler, and Dan Buckey all behind him at different times during the race, but none were able to take the spot from the youngster. As the checkered waved, Cottis took his second feature win in three races. Following the Sherrodsville, Ohio driver in his Wilkin Body Shop/Double E Beef Jerky #128 were Buckey, Shreffler, Braden Swaney, and Teddy Oliver, Jr. Swaney set fast time.
After the features, an extensive tech process took place in the Economy Modified and Pure Stock divisions. Cams, carbs, and more were checked for legality on all of the competitors cars and all were passed, pleasing race officials.
It's hard to believe but the 2011 Mid-Season Championships are already upon us. They will be held this coming Saturday, June 25. Late Models, Economy Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Outlaw Compacts, Stock Compacts, and Figure 8's will be running for double points, large trophies, and bragging rights.
Pit gates open at 2:00, hotlaps and grandstands at 3:00, qualifying at 4:45, and racing action at 6:30. Grandstand admission is just $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 62+, $8 for kids 6-15, and children 5 and under are free. Pit admission is $25 for members and $30 for non-members.
Also mark your calendar for the return of the Main Event Racing Series Late Models coming Friday, July 1 in the running of the Downtown Ford 100. Economy Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Outlaw Compacts, and Stock Compacts will also race.
More info available at www.midvalespeedway.com.
Results For Midvale Speedway
McIntosh Oil Company Late Models
Top Qualifier - Bubba Smith 14.424
Feature - Doug McMillen, Bubba Smith, Rich Dessecker, Ron Jaberg, Jr., Derek Grewell, Rich Marcum, Gene Molnar, Jr., Bob Eichel, Rick Sibila, Emerson Huffman, Bryant Smith, Ron Kirkpatrick, Tom Stankiewicz, Bob Schneider, Jr.
Summit Racing Economy Modifieds
Top Qualifier - Scott Archer 14.889
Feature - Dave Dobbins, Scott Archer, Randy Smart, Adam Stewart, Alex Rosenberry, Kevin McClintock, Tom Garbrandt, Doug Higgins, Joe Ujcich, Bill Burkholder
Midvale Speedway Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier - Teddy Oliver 16.836 NTR
Feature - Teddy Oliver, Todd Miller, Vince Martin, Brian Minard, Rob Scott, Don Boron, Jr., Corey Evey, Noah Osborne, TJ Barker, Tom Earley
Midvale Speedway Outlaw Compacts
Top Qualifier - Kyle Grove 17.480 NTR
Heat #1 - Kyle Grove, Jeffrey Orr, Jake Albright, Mike Swaney
Heat #2 - Jesse Page, Tye Kelly, Earl Scranton, Rusty Rouse
Feature - Kyle Grove, Mike Swaney, Blaine Salsberry, Jesse Page, Jeffrey Orr, Tye Kelly, Rusty Rouse, Jake Albright, Earl Scranton
Midvale Speedway Stock Compacts
Top Qualifier - Braden Swaney 18.896
Heat #1 - Teddy Oliver, Jr., Braden Swaney, Ryan Shreffler, Dan Buckey
Heat #2 - Colton Cottis, Chris Bloom, Allen Clark, Howard Bartholow, Gary Murray
Feature - Colton Cottis, Dan Buckey, Ryan Shreffler, Braden Swaney, Teddy Oliver, Jr., Brad McClain, Chris Bloom, Howard Bartholow, Kohlten Bryan, Gary Murray, Allen Clark
Written by: Adam Mackey |
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06/18/2011 Race
Late Models Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | McMillen, Doug |
| 2. | Smith, Bubba |
| 3. | Dessecker, Rich |
| 4. | Jaberg, Jr., Ron |
| 5. | Grewell, Derek |
| 6. | Marcum, Rich |
| 7. | Molnar, Jr., Gene |
| 8. | Eichel, Bob |
| 9. | Sibila, Rick |
| 10. | Huffman, Emerson |
| More |
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06/18/2011 Race
Economy Modifieds Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Dobbins, Dave |
| 2. | Archer, Scott |
| 3. | Smart, Randy |
| 4. | Stewart, Adam |
| 5. | Rosenberry, Alex |
| 6. | McClintock, Kevin |
| 7. | Garbrandt, Tom |
| 8. | Higgins, Doug |
| 9. | Ujcich, Joe |
| 10. | Burkholder, Bill |
| More |
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06/18/2011 Race
Pure Stocks Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Oliver, Teddy |
| 2. | Linard, Joe |
| 3. | Martin, Mike |
| 4. | Minard, Brian |
| 5. | Scott, Rob |
| 6. | Boron, Jr., Don |
| 7. | Evey, Corey |
| 8. | Osborne, Noah |
| 9. | Barker, TJ |
| 10. | Earley, Tom |
| More |
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06/18/2011 Race
Outlaw Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Grove, Kyle |
| 2. | Swaney, Mike |
| 3. | Salsberry, Blaine |
| 4. | Page, Jesse |
| 5. | Orr, Jeffrey |
| 6. | Kelly, Tye |
| 7. | Rouse, Rusty |
| 8. | Albright, Jake |
| 9. | Stull, Paul |
| 10. | McNutt, John |
| More |
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06/18/2011 Race
Stock Compacts Listings |
| Finish Pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Cottis, Colton |
| 2. | Buckey, Dan |
| 3. | Shreffler, Ryan |
| 4. | Swaney, Braden |
| 5. | Racing, Andrews |
| 6. | McClain, Brad |
| 7. | Bloom, Chris |
| 8. | Bartholow, Howard |
| 9. | Bryan, Kohlten |
| 10. | Murray, Gary |
| More |
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