 A record number of cars were in the pits for the Tusco Net season opener this past Saturday night, April 14, at Midvale Speedway. A large crowd saw 134 cars compete in qualifying, heats, and feature events in the five-division race program. Late Models, Modifieds, Detroit Irons, Pure Stocks, and Compacts battled for double points, and for the top two classes, increased purses, that will be in effect for the whole season. The night of racing saw what could be called “wreck-fest 2001” as very competitive fields went for the checkered.
Twenty-one Smokers Paradise Late Models were clocked for qualifications, with Don Harvey, Jr. setting quick time with a 14.87. Heat races, which were won by 2000 track champion, Farmer Smith, 2000 runner-up Tom Garbrandt, and racing veteran, Kenny Stevens, claimed three cars in accidents, Darrel Dexter, Tim Allensworth, and Rob Julian, so 18 cars lined up for the night’s main event. Keith Thomas and Garbrandt brought the quick field down for the green in the 25-lap feature, with Garbrandt taking control. However, two cars that were on the move, Marcus Malcuit and Harvey were in the top four by lap 5. On lap 7, Malcuit moved around Thomas for second and four laps later, ran down Garbrandt in a battle for first. By the halfway point, Malcuit shot by Garbrandt on the outside for the race lead. With Malcuit pulling out to a lengthy lead, Harvey passed Garbrandt for second on lap 20. However, a caution flag would put the Barberton driver back in third. With five to go, Harvey ducked back underneath, moved back into second, but fell short at the end. Malcuit crossed the stripe first in his Miller Lite/Dairy Queen #75 followed by Harvey, Garbrandt, Bob Sibila, and Mike Miller. Farmer Smith, Gary Hoopingarner, Kenny Stevens, Kenny Carroll, and Bear Schwartz rounded out the top ten.
The Tolloti Pipe Modifieds were next to run their first feature of the season. Mario Kelly and Dusty Woodie started alongside each other for the 20-lapper. Woodie took the lead from the get-go and would have to fend of several challenges throughout the event. On lap 5, the second and third place cars, Kelly and Glen Jewell made contact and caused the caution. This put John Wilson in the runner-up spot. He tried high and low to take the lead to no avail, and eventually was passed by Jewell who worked his way back up to the front. Jewell tried for the final two laps to get around Woodie, but it was the driver of the Coshocton Trucking/Roma’s Gift Gallery #44 crossing the stripe for his first Modified win at Midvale. Finishing in positions three thru five were Wilson, Kelly and ex-Late Model racer, Jeff Smith. Mark Enos, George Bowers, Jim McCune, Mike Buchanan, and Mark Striker completed the top ten. Tim Allensworth was top qualifier for the night, but was unable to compete in the feature after hurting his hand in a Late Model heat race. Striker won the heat race.
The 20-lap Tusco Net Detroit Iron feature event had the pole-sitter, Don Rufener, Jr., enjoying the early lead. However, the 2000 track champion for the class, Kevin McClintock, wasted little time in coming from row six in the 23-car field, to take the lead and make the statement that he may be the man to beat again in 2001. The Dover, Ohio driver, sponsored by Square Deal Auto Parts and Glass Lumber Company, crossed the line ahead of a hard-charging car of Doug McMillen, Rufener, Jimmy Orr, and Tim Skinner. Rounding out the top ten were Roger Butler, Bill Aubihl, Gabe Pringle, Jim Paris, and Waylon Orr. Picking up the heat race wins were Aubihl, Rufener, and Ron Lute. Dover’s Joe Linard was top qualifier, but fell out the feature with mechanical problems.
The best field of Papa John’s Pure Stocks, since the classes inception at the beginning of 2000, lined up for their 15 lap feature. Starting on the pole of the 21-car field was the winner of heat #2 Gary Penland, but he wouldn’t lead for long as a lot of hungry drivers were on the charge. Among them was Dan Rummes who took the lead and started to run away with the event, but later slowed and pulled pitside. This eventually paid dividends for the Cheap Tobacco/Spanky’s Too Carpet Outlet #69 of Bryan Aubihl, who went on the win the top prize. Following him at the finish were Shawn Harper, Mike Martin, John Leasure, and Brian Wood. Also finishing in the top ten were Scott Ollis, Larry Smith, Jim Shaw, Paul Parson, and Scott McRobie. Teddy Oliver was the night’s fast qualifier, and won the first heat, but fell out the feature with mechanical problems.
As usual, a large field of Canton Auto Salvage Compacts were on hand. This year, a group of youngsters mixed in with seasoned veterans comprised the 53-cars that qualified. Three features were held with the large number of cars and it was Greg Grove taking home the win in the first feature in his Wood Electric/Dave’s Towing #94. Following him across the line were Willie Grove, Jason Nealey, top qualifier Jason Shaw, and Rick Everett, Jr.
In the middle feature, lined up with cars that qualified mediocre earlier in the day, Jack Grove crossed the stripe first. The Dennison, Ohio driver sponsored by Hoopy’s Paint and Trip’s Excavating was followed by Rich Fox, Keith Anthony, Chris Flickinger, and Lennie Orr.
In the third and final feature event for the 4-cylinder class, Brian Oliver was the victor in his Danny’s Auto Parts/Tappan R.V. #34. Oliver was able to fend off challenges from Adam Stewart, Bruce Gibson, Larry Bennington, and Gary Murray as they rounded out the top five. Terry Colletti, Greg Grove, Chad Squires, Stewart, and Oliver won the evening’s heat races.
Due to the great car count that Midvale Speedway will be seeing throughout the 2001 season, qualifying will now be moved from 4:30 to 4:00 for the remainder of the season, so that the evening’s races can be started at the posted time of 6:30. This Saturday’s racing will again feature all five regular divisions with a special visit from the Legend cars. Grandstand admission will not be raised.
Results For Midvale
Smokers Paradise Late Models
Top Qualifier – Don Harvey, Jr.
Heat #1 – Farmer Smith, Marcus Malcuit, Don Harvey, Jr., Kenny Carroll, Tom Newman, Jr.
Heat #2 – Tom Garbrandt, Gary Hoopingarner, Keith Thomas, Tim Allensworth, Bob Eichel
Heat #3 – Kenny Stevens, Tim Sibila, Paul Sibila, Duane Dunn, Greg Parson
Feature – Marcus Malcuit, Don Harvey, Jr., Tom Garbrandt, Bob Sibila, Mike Miller, Farmer Smith, Gary Hoopingarner, Kenny Stevens, Kenny Carroll, Bear Schwartz, Tom Newman, Jr., Paul Sibila, Duane Dunn, Tim Sibila, Keith Thomas, Ron Jaberg, Jr., Greg Parson, Bob Eichel
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Tim Allensworth
Heat – Mark Striker, Glen Jewell, Dusty Woodie, Mark Enos, Jim McCune
Feature – Dusty Woodie, Glen Jewell, John Wilson, Mario Kelly, Jeff Smith, Mark Enos, George Bowers, Jim McCune, Mike Buchanan, Mark Striker
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Joe Linard
Heat #1 – Bill Aubihl, Todd Miller, Jim Paris, Doug McMillen, Roger Butler
Heat #2 – Don Rufener, Jr., Tammy Randolph, Gabe Pringle, Paul Murray, Tim Skinner
Heat #3 – Ron Lute, Doug Walker, Rich Stalnaker, Bernie Anderson, Tony Newman
Feature – Kevin McClintock, Doug McMillen, Don Rufener, Jr., Jimmy Orr, Tim Skinner, Roger Butler, Bill Aubihl, Gabe Pringle, Jim Paris, Waylon Orr, Shane Billiter, Doug Walker, Dave McMillen, Rich Stalnaker, Dan Gasser, Joe Linard, Ron Lute, Tony Newman, Dave Jordan, Paul Murray, Todd Miller, Tim Gowins, Tammy Randolph
Papa John’s Pizza Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Teddy Oliver
Heat #1 – Teddy Oliver, Mike Martin, John Leasure, Scott Ollis, Brian Wood
Heat #2 – Gary Penland, Bob Oliver, Paul Parson, Vince Martin, Chester McMasters
Feature – Bryan Aubihl, Shawn Harper, Mike Martin, John Leasure, Brian Wood, Scott Ollis, Larry Smith, Jim Shaw, Paul Parson, Scott McRobie, Bob Oliver, Barney Gerber, Chester McMasters, Joe Oliver, Vince Martin, Luther Paywalt, Dan Rummes, Tammy Rufener, Gary Penland, Jeff Anthony, Teddy Oliver
Canton Auto Salvage Compacts
Top Qualifier – Jason Shaw
Heat #1 – Terry Colletti, Jim Keller, Jr., Rick Elkins, Jr., Kelly McNutt, Jason Shaw
Heat #2 – Greg Grove, Terry McNutt, Willie Grove, Rick Everett, Jr., Robert Mizer
Heat #3 – Chad Squires, Buzz Bender, Jack Grove, Aaron Fonte, Rich Fox
Heat #4 – Adam Stewart, Blaine Partee, Shawn Royer, Ben Pearch, Jim Poole
Heat #5 – Brian Oliver, Phil Veno, Gary Murray, Jimbo Roup, Dan Gray
Feature #1 – Greg Grove, Willie Grove, Jason Nealey, Jason Shaw, Rick Everett, Jr., Rocky DeLuca, Billy Stutler, Bubba Smith, Rick Elkins, Jr., Terry Colletti, Kelly McNutt, Jason Morgan, Robert Mizer, Jim Keller, Jr., Nick Swaney, Terry McNutt, Garry Lute
Feature #2 – Jack Grove, Rich Fox, Keith Anthony, Chris Flickinger, Lennie Orr, John McNutt, Josh Grove, Jason Anthony, Al Street, Jim Poole, Vic Paul, Chad Squires, Aaron Fonte, Joe Sickels, Kevin Rennicker, Ben Pearch
Feature #3 – Brian Oliver, Adam Stewart, Bruce Gibson, Larry Bennington, Gary Murray, Shawn Royer, Ricky Beamer, Ben Gibson, Robert Nealey, Dale Beatty, Jimbo Roup, Dan Gray, Phil Veno, Lou Francis, Blaine Partee
Written by: Adam Mackey |
