 Nearly 100 cars were in action despite weeklong rains and a less than great forecast this past Saturday night, May 26, at Midvale Speedway. Late Models and Modifieds had the night off, but Detroit Iron, Pure Stock, and Compact drivers put on a nice show for the fans on Mid-Vid Video/Bailey’s Photo Service Fan Appreciation Night.
Don Rufener, Jr., and Dave Jordan brought the 20-car field of Tusco Net Detroit Irons down for the green in their 20-lapper. The long-time Detroit Iron veteran, Rufener, jumped out front to lead some laps in the early going, but third year driver Tim Skinner was on the move. Skinner led near the halfway point, before last year’s track champion, and three time feature winner this season, Kevin McClintock took over. McClintock held the top spot the rest of the way to the checkered flag, although Joe Linard closed in and challenged at the finish. Following the J & T Auto Body/Blick Tool and Die #38 across the stripe were Linard, Skinner, Todd Miller, and Rufener. Jimmy Orr, Roger Butler, Paul Murray, Sean Maione, and Dan Gasser completed the top ten. Bill Aubihl won the fast four dash, while Rufener and Tammy Randolph won heats. Doug McMillen picked up the Australian Pursuit win.
Rookie Adam Ridgway led in the early going for the 15-lap Papa John’s Pure Stock main event. However, two-time feature winner, Bryan Aubihl took over and stretched his lead to half of a straightaway. Nearing the halfway point and with a big lead, it looked as though Aubihl had the field wrapped around his finger, but it was not to be, as the #69 spun by himself in turn three. After a couple of more lead changes, New Philadelphia’s Rich Schweitzer had the lead and clinched the top prize. Schweitzer, who was filling in for Barney Gerber in the Swiss Auto Mart/Depression Gold Company #2T, was followed to the line by John Leasure, Larry Smith, Mike Martin, and Teddy Oliver. Brian Wood, Ridgway, Sonny Arkenburgh, Shawn Harper, and Joe Oliver rounded out the top ten. Schweitzer won the dash, while Aubihl and Harper won the heat race events. Smith took the trophy in the 10-lap Pursuit.
For the first time this season, the Canton Auto Salvage Compact features were run the reverse way around the 3/10-mile oval. In the fast feature, Lennie Orr picked up win #1 in his new car by holding off Jim Jaberg, Greg Mazzoleni, Billy Stutler, and Jack Grove. Orr is sponsored by Wainright Auto Parts and McComb’s Market.
In the second feature, Greg Wilson, who was filling in for Jason Anthony, finished in style by winning in the World Import Automotive/Detroit Diesel #6. Willie Grove, Terry McNutt, Jim Keller, Jr., and Rick Elkins, Jr. completed the top five.
Jason Morgan, driving the Johnny Broad Enterprises/Gatsby’s Pub auto, picked up the win in the third Compact feature. Kevin Rennicker, Violet McMasters, Shawn Smarsh, and Kelly McNutt finished in positions two through five.
Compact preliminaries were won by Jason Nealey (Dash), Terry Colletti, Rick Elkins, Jr., Jim Keller, Jr., Kelly McNutt, Jason Morgan (Heats), and Greg Mazzoleni (Pursuit).
Canton’s Eileen Julian took home the checkers in the Compact Powder Puff race, after making a slick move around Linda Morgan, while in lapped traffic. Morgan, Sue Smith, Christy Finlayson, and Carol Morrow rounded out the top five in the twenty car field.
In the Pure Stock Powder Puff race, Rhonda Harper’s last lap charge of Rietta McMasters, fell short by less than a car-length at the line. Following McMasters and Harper was Jessica Smith.
The Dale’s Heating and Cooling Figure 8’s rounded out the night’s racing program. Jason Morgan, who earlier won a heat and feature in the #2 car, drove the #68 to the victory in the wild event. Brian Oliver, Chad Squires, Mike Hammerling, and Otto Polilli completed the top five.
The Saturday night of racing is just part of what fans will see at Midvale Speedway this weekend. On Monday, May 28, a 100-lapper will be held for the Smokers Paradise Late Models. Modifieds, Detroit Irons, Pure Stocks, and Compacts will also be in action. Qualifying starts at 2, with racing to begin around 4.
Results For Midvale
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Joe Linard
Fast Dash – Bill Aubihl, Joe Linard, Kevin McClintock, Todd Miller
Heat #1 – Don Rufener, Jr., Bill Aubihl, Waylon Orr, Tim Skinner, Joe Linard
Heat #2 – Tammy Randolph, Paul Murray, Terry Roudebush, Roger Butler, Sean Maione
Pursuit – Doug McMillen, Kevin McClintock, Todd Miller, Don Rufener, Jr., Joe Linard
Feature – Kevin McClintock, Joe Linard, Tim Skinner, Todd Miller, Don Rufener, Jr., Jimmy Orr, Roger Butler, Paul Murray, Sean Maione, Dan Gasser, Mike Royer, Doug McMillen, Bill Aubihl, Dave Jordan, Waylon Orr, Tammy Randolph, Dave McMillen
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Chester McMasters
Fast Dash – Rich Schweitzer, Brian Wood, Mike Martin, Chester McMasters
Heat #1 – Bryan Aubihl, Rich Schweitzer, Larry Smith, John Leasure, Mike Martin
Heat #2 – Shawn Harper, Adam Ridgway, Tammy Rufener, Gary Penland, Jeff Anthony
Pursuit – Larry Smith, Joe Oliver, John Leasure, Chester McMasters, Mike Martin
Feature – Rich Schweitzer, John Leasure, Larry Smith, Mike Martin, Teddy Oliver, Brian Wood, Adam Ridgway, Sonny Arkenburgh, Shawn Harper, Joe Oliver, Jim Shaw, Gary Penland, Chester McMasters, Tammy Rufener, Jason Anthony, Bryan Aubihl, Jeff Anthony, Matt Wallick
Canton Auto Salvage Compacts
Top Qualifier – Jason Nealey
Fast Dash – Jason Nealey, Jason Shaw, Josh Grove, Brian Oliver
Heat #1 – Terry Colletti, Bubba Smith, Jason Shaw, Josh Grove, Otto Polilli
Heat #2 – Rick Elkins, Jr., Chuck Elkins, Lennie Orr, Jack Grove, Rich Fox
Heat #3 – Jim Keller, Jr., Willie Grove, John McNutt, Al Street, Rick Elkins, Sr.
Heat #4 – Kelly McNutt, Terry McNutt, Lewis Powell, Rick Everett, Jr., Dale Beatty
Heat #5 – Jason Morgan, Justin Courtney, John Wissman, Russell Grandison, Nick Dennison
Pursuit – Greg Mazzoleni, Bubba Smith, Jason Nealey, Rich Fox, Terry Colletti
Feature #1 – Lennie Orr, Jim Jaberg, Greg Mazzoleni, Billy Stutler, Jack Grove, Rich Fox, Gene Morgan, Josh Grove, Cody Kahler, Robert Mizer, Terry Colletti, Jason Nealey, Jason Shaw, Brian Oliver, Otto Polilli, Bubba Smith, Chuck Elkins
Feature #2 – Greg Wilson, Willie Grove, Terry McNutt, Jim Keller, Jr., Rick Elkins, Jr., Randy Hahn, Rick Elkins, Sr., Al Street, Rick Everett, Jr., Jim Poole, Jimbo Roup, Lewis Powell, Chad Squires, Garry Lute, John McNutt, Greg Grove, Gary Gibson
Feature #3 – Jason Morgan, Kevin Rennicker, Violet McMasters, Shawn Smarsh, Kelly McNutt, Kelly Wissman, Adam Stewart, Gary Murray, Nick Dennison, John Wissman, Russell Grandison, Dale Beatty, Ben Gibson, Justin Courtney
Dale’s Heating & Cooling Figure 8’s
Feature – Jason Morgan, Brian Oliver, Chad Squires, Shawn Smarsh, Otto Polilli
Compact Powder Puff
Feature – Eileen Julian, Linda Morgan, Sue Smith, Christy Finlayson, Carol Morrow
Pure Stock Powder Puff
Feature – Rietta McMasters, Rhonda Harper, Jessica Smith
Written by: Adam Mackey |
