 The weather was beautiful and the racing action was hot this past Saturday night, June 1, at Midvale Speedway. 148 cars competed in five divisions of racing action, which ended with only one repeat winner in 9 feature races.
Duane Dunn and Ryan Tedesco made up the first row for the 25-lap Smokers Paradise Late Model feature. On the start, the cars were even as they were getting ready to complete lap one. However, a caution caused a complete restart. When the green flew again, Tedesco was ready and used the outside lane to lead the field around the 3/10-mile asphalt oval. Later on, a caution was caused when the race’s second and third place runners, Dunn and Mike Miller, made contact sending Dunn spinning. Both went to the tail. That gave the runner-up spot to Tom Newman, Jr., who was coming off of one of his best runs in the 100-lapper last Sunday. Newman was glued right to the rear bumper of Tedesco throughout the mid-portion of the race, but could not ruffle Tedesco’s feathers. The car on the move was that of top qualifier, Steve Gilland. Gilland has tried all season long to make his car work in the outside lane, and he finally accomplished it on Saturday night. Starting eighth, the New Philadelphia driver worked to, not only get into the top five, but to get up to third by the end. At the stripe, the Marathon Manufacturing #1 of Ryan Tedesco was the winner with Newman a strong second, while Gilland, A.P. Ren, and Don Harvey rounded out the top five. Rich Dessecker, Miller, Dave Sluka, Dunn, and Kenny Stevens rounded out the top ten. Miller and Rob Julian won the heats.
In another exciting feature, the Tolloti Pipe Modifieds graced the track. On the front row was a father and son combo, Mike Bowers the son on the inside and George Bowers the father on the outside. The cars flying to the front, however, were John Wilson and Jeff Smith. Wilson took the lead after a caution flag, and looked to be on his way to his first feature win, but as he was pulling away from top qualifier Mark Striker, he went under his qualifying time and had to go to the tail. That handed the lead to Striker, who had come through the field from his last row starting spot. Striker easily stayed out front and went on to the win in the McBride’s Auto/Snap On Tools #77. Smith, Dan Shannon, Jim McCune, and Wilson completed the top five. Mark Enos, Mike Bowers, George Bowers, Bill Westlake, and Glen Jewell completed the top ten. Enos won the heat.
In the always competitive Tusco Net Detroit Iron feature, Bill Aubihl and Tim Gowins started up front. Aubihl took the lead from his pole position, and had 20-laps to try to stay in that spot, but several cars were charging quickly. Doug McMillen, who started seventh and Keith Thomas, who started ninth were in the top few cars not long after the start. Thomas wasted no time in getting to the front as he made a couple of daring moves to get to the top. At the end it was the Hilltop Equipment/D&B Machine #34 of Thomas winning his first feature this year. McMillen had another strong runner-up finish, while Will Walker, Kevin McClintock, and Joe Linard completed the top five. Aubihl, Travis Page, Dan Gasser, Don Rufener, Jr., and Mario Kelly rounded out the top ten. McMillen, Gasser, and Mike Royer won the heats, while McClintock turned the fastest time.
In the first of two Papa John’s Pure Stock features, Rich Schweitzer and Paul Parson led the field down to the 15-lap feature event start. Schweitzer took the lead, while filling in for regular driver Barney Gerber, and held it through much of the event. However, Rick Elkins, Jr., in his second week of Pure Stock racing, took the lead in the sharp looking #53. Elkins, sponsored by L.G. Machine and Passmore’s Greenhouse, picked up the win with Jimmy Orr, Schweitzer, Parson, and Jim Shaw in tow. Finishing in positions six through ten were Norm Stutler, Curtis Collins, Al Street, John Leasure, and Brian Wood.
In the second Pure Stock feature, Chester McMaster won by an eyelash over Joe Oliver, who tried a last lap bonsai move. Dan Rummes, Scott Ollis, and Brian Oliver finished off the top five. Scott McRobie, Shane Ball, Tom Craw, Blaine Partee, and Tom Feller, Jr. finished off the top ten. Collins, Rummes, and Partee won the heats, while Mike Daugherty was the top qualifier.
In the Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectibles Compact division four features were held. In the fast one, John McNutt picked up the win in his Clum Tire/Powell Roofing & Slate #35. Following McNutt were Josh Grove, Phil Veno, Willie Grove, and Bill Coburn. Cody Kahler, Terry Colletti, Kelly McNutt, Jim Keller, Jr., and Justin Courtney rounded out the top ten.
In the second feature, David Breehl crossed the line in first, but the car was found with too much camber so the win went to Dale Beatty. Jim Poole, Shawn Smarsh, Bryce Scott, and Russell Grandison rounded out the top five. Finishing in positions six through ten were Jason Morgan, Randy Smart, Josh Feister, Phil Wade, and Rocky Moore.
In the third feature, William Scott crossed the line first with Jason Anthony on his rear. Otto Polilli, Bruce Gibson, and John Wissman completed the top five. In the fourth feature, it was Ray Hoover picking up the win, becoming the only repeat winner of the night. Shawna Myers, Ben Gibson, Anthony Coburn, and John Jacobs completed the top five. Heat races were won by John McNutt, Morgan, Beatty, Hoover, and Billy Hilliker, while the top qualifier was Bubba Smith.
20 cars competed in the spectator drags at intermission. The final two cars were Russ Moore, Jr., and David McClintock. The ‘89 Corvette of McClintock started on the outside and the Monte Carlo of Moore on the inside. The Vette was leading going into turn three with a side-by-side race, but as he gave it some gas, the car spun out allowing Moore to get by for the win.
Again, thanks to all the drivers for an excellent night of racing action. This coming Saturday, June 8, will be a can’t miss event. All five regular divisions will be on hand + the Dale’s Heating & Cooling Figure 8’s. At intermission, the kid’s bike races will be held for children ages 6-16. Also, long time Winston Cup driver Lake Speed will be on hand to sign autographs from 5:30-6:30, and compete against the drivers of our Late Model division. Qualifying is 3:50-5:50 and racing is at 6:30.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Smokers Paradise Late Models
Top Qualifier – Steve Gilland 14.71
Heat #1 – Mike Miller, Ryan Tedesco, Tom Newman, Jr., Duane Dunn, A.P. Ren
Heat #2 – Rob Julian, Darrel Dexter, Tom Garbrandt, Bob Eichel, Rich Marcum
Feature – Ryan Tedesco, Tom Newman, Jr., Steve Gilland, A.P. Ren, Don Harvey, Rich Dessecker, Mike Miller, Dave Sluka, Duane Dunn, Kenny Stevens, Bob Eichel, Rob Julian, Tom Garbrandt, Ron Jaberg, Jr., Richard Marcum, Darrel Dexter
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Mark Striker 14.88
Heat – Mark Enos, Jim McCune, George Bowers, Mark Striker, Jeff Smith
Feature – Mark Striker, Jeff Smith, Dan Shannon, Jim McCune, John Wilson, Mark Enos, Mike Bowers, George Bowers, Bill Westlake, Glen Jewell
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Kevin McClintock 15.99
Heat #1 – Doug McMillen, Keith Thomas, Tim Skinner, Roger Linard, Will Walker
Heat #2 – Dan Gasser, Travis Devore, Bill Aubihl, Mario Kelly, Tim Gowins
Heat #3 – Mike Royer, Travis Page, Rich Stalnaker, Joe Sanford, Jr., Sonny Arkenburgh
Feature – Keith Thomas, Doug McMillen, Will Walker, Kevin McClintock, Joe Linard, Bill Aubihl, Travis Page, Dan Gasser, Don Rufener, Jr., Mario Kelly, Mike Royer, Joe Sanford, Jr., Waylon Orr, Sonny Arkenburgh, Tim Gowins, Randy Doolin, Dave McMillen, Travis Devore, Gary Holderbaum, Roger Linard, Ron Lute, Tim Skinner, Rich Stalnaker
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Mike Daugherty 18.22
Heat #1 – Curtis Collins, Rick Elkins, Jr., Norm Stutler, Bryan Aubihl, Jimmy Orr
Heat #2 – Dan Rummes, Chester McMasters, Brian Oliver, Mike Martin, Joe Oliver
Heat #3 – Blaine Partee, Scott McRobie, Dave Moreland, Jr., Scott Ollis, Tom Craw
Feature #1 – Rick Elkins, Jr., Jimmy Orr, Rich Schweitzer, Paul Parson, Eddie McLean, Norm Stutler, Curtis Collins, Al Street, John Leasure, Brian Wood, Teddy Oliver, Rick Hoffman, Bryan Aubihl, Mike Daugherty, Mike Martin
Feature #2 – Chester McMasters, Joe Oliver, Dan Rummes, Scott Ollis, Brian Oliver, Scott McRobie, Shane Ball, Tom Craw, Blaine Partee, Tom Feller, Jr., Bob Oliver, Dave Moreland, Jr., Dan Moore, Chris Miller, Carl Cordia
Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectibles Compacts
Top Qualifier – Bubba Smith 18.96
Heat #1 – John McNutt, Willie Grove, Randy Hahn, Josh Grove, Jim Keller, Jr.
Heat #2 – Jason Morgan, Jim Poole, Joe Ujcich, Shawn Smarsh, Bob Passwaters
Heat #3 – Dale Beatty, Vic Paul, William Scott, Tye Kelly
Heat #4 – Ray Hoover, John Drescher, Bobby Courtney, Jason Anthony, Otto Polilli
Heat #5 – Billy Hilliker, John Jacobs, Charles Ritch, Dwight Brodzinski, Robert Bower
Feature #1 – John McNutt, Josh Grove, Phil Veno, Willie Grove, Bill Coburn, Cody Kahler, Terry Colletti, Kelly McNutt, Jim Keller, Jr., Justin Courtney, Gabe Pringle, Bubba Smith, Billy Stutler, Randy Hahn, Ron Myers, Ray Scott, Greg Grove, Jimbo Roup
Feature #2 – Dale Beatty, Jim Poole, Shawn Smarsh, Bryce Scott, Russell Grandison, Jason Morgan, Randy Smart, Josh Feister, Phil Wade, Rocky Moore, Gary Murray, Tye Kelly, Bob Passwaters, Joe Ujcich, Jack Grove
Feature #3 – William Scott, Jason Anthony, Otto Polilli, Bruce Gibson, John Wissman, Bill Mercier, John Drescher, Tom Barrett, Dale Nealey, John Nealey, Ray Van Lehn, Jill Harshey, Vic Paul, Shawn Royer, Tammy Rufener, Bill Harshey, Bobby Courtney
Feature #4 – Ray Hoover, Shawna Myers, Ben Gibson, Anthony Coburn, John Jacobs, Robert Nealey, Dwight Brodzinski, Craig Rudolph, James Perrenoud, Robert Bower, Car #28, Charles Ritch, Billy Hilliker
Written by: Adam Mackey |
