 A large crowd witnessed one of the best nights of racing this year at Midvale Speedway, this past Saturday night, July 20. All five regular divisions, plus a special visit from the MSA Super Modifieds competed on Downtown Ford/Eagle 107.5 night at the races.
15 Super Modifieds lined up for the start of the 30-lap feature event. Denny Fisher’s #81 started on the pole with Gary Griffith’s #29 alongside. As they brought the field in for the green, Fisher put his nose out front and was able beat Griffith back to the line by mere inches. As the middle of the pack crossed the stripe at the completion of lap one, trouble occurred as the top two point’s competitors Pat Shullick and Tim Jedrzejek along with Jon Henes and John Dirk all got tangled up on the frontstretch. Jedrzejek had to pit with minor damage, while it looked as though Dirk and Shullick were going to be done for the night. However, just before the field was ready for green, Shullick’s #49 came through the pits and back out onto the speedway.
Back to green flag race conditions, Fisher and Griffith pulled out to a couple of car lengths lead over third as the battled for the top spot. By the end of lap 3, Griffith was the new leader after he ducked under Fisher in turn three to complete the pass. Immediately, Griffith started putting distance between himself and the rest of the field. On lap 4, Randy Burch, a heat race winner, had taken third and by lap 9 he wrestled second from Fisher, as it was time to run down the leader with Jack Smith in tow.
At the midpoint of the race, the top three cars were running by themselves, single file. Behind them, last year’s Midvale winner, D.J. Shullick, Fisher, and Jedrzejek were competing for fourth, fifth, and sixth. Of course Jedrzejek was in the mix for the top five despite starting the lap one restart from the tail after pitting.
With 16 laps complete, the second and final caution flew for Pat Shullick when he spun in turn four. He was able to continue, but again he had to go to the back. The restart saw Griffith, Burch, Smith, D.J. Shullick, and Tim Jedrzejek as the top five, as it was getting to crunch time for the leg #5 victory.
Jedrzejek went to the outside of Shullick as soon as the green waved, but actually wasn’t able to make the pass until he ducked to the lowside four laps later. On lap 22, the veteran racer continued his move from the back with an inside lane pass of Smith for third. Next, it was Burch’s turn to succumb to Jedrzejek’s speed as he lost second on lap 24. When the five-to-go signal was displayed, Griffith had a ½ straightaway lead built up, but as the laps ticked down, it was clear to see the distance being cut by the runner-up. On the final circuit, Jedrzejek went to the highside in the first corner. While trying the last lap pass, his car slid a little high, and Griffith was able to hang on by a slight margin for his first win of 2002. Following the Sandusky, Ohio driver were Jedrzejek, Burch, Smith, and D.J. Shullick. Fisher, Chuck Jackson, Buzz Kormos, Don Johnson, and Jon Henes completed the top ten.
Tom Newman, Jr. and Mike Miller brought the 17-car Smokers Paradise Late Model field in for the green for their 25-lapper. Miller immediately jumped out front in his Allied Auto/Cornwell Tools #79 looking for a division-leading third feature win. Newman was able to stay close beind Miller throughout the stages of the race that only had one caution, but the rest of the field was strung out around the 3/10-mile oval like last week’s laundry. At the finish, it was Clinton, Ohio driver Mike Miller picking up his third win, while Newman, A.P. Ren, Marcus Malcuit, and Ryan Tedesco completed the top five. Farmer Smith, Darrel Dexter, Tom Garbrandt, Dave Sluka, and Tim Sibila completed the top ten. Garbrandt and Sluka won the heats, while Don Harvey, Jr. was once again the top qualifier.
14 Tolloti Pipe Modifieds again put on a pretty good 20-lap feature event. Jeff Smith took the lead on the start of the race and never looked back. Some of the best racing to watch was from Dusty Woodie who was moving through the field quickly. Woodie got all the way up to second at the finish but did not have enough time to get Smith, who had pulled away. Following the Downtown Ford/Schonauer Construction #34 were Woodie, Butch Erickson, Baldy Baker, Jr., and John Wilson. Glen Jewell, Mark Striker, Mark Willison, Randy Gray, and Mike Bowers completed the top ten. Mark Enos and Smith won the heats, while Striker was the top qualifier.
In Tusco Net Detroit Iron action, Dover, Ohio driver Roger Linard was the standout driver in the 20-lap main event. Linard qualified third, which put him towards the back for the start of the race, but from the early stages on, it was easy to see, he had the car to beat as he quickly used the outside lane to move through the field and take the lead. Following the New Image Homes/Boulevard Lanes #2 were Tim Gowins, Joe Linard, Bill Aubihl, and Doug McMillen. Rounding out the top ten were Keith Thomas, Lee McCreery, Don Rufener, Jr., Tim Skinner, and Calvin Collins. Roger Butler and Aubihl won the heats, while Thomas was the top qualifier.
Brian Oliver, of Canton, Ohio started on the front row of the 15-lap Pure Stock A-feature, and was able to hang on for his first win. Following the Midas Auto Service #48 were Mike Martin, Jim Shaw, Teddy Oliver, and D.J. Radanovich. Barney Gerber, Shane Ball, Greg Mazzoleni, Brian Wood, and Rick Elkins, Jr. completed the top ten.
In the second Papa John’s Pure Stock feature, Chester McMasters picked up the win. Douglas Higgins, Mike Daugherty, Chris Miller and Blake Mackey completed the top five. Finishing in positions six through ten were Carl Cordia, Tom Feller, Jr., John Ferrell, Chuckie Oliver, and Tom Craw. Mazzoleni, Joe Oliver, and Bob Oliver won the heats, while Radanovich was the top qualifier.
Bubba Smith continued his hot run in the Compact division by winning his fourth feature of the year. Jason Nealey drove Terry Colletti’s #27 to a runner-up finish, while Justin Courtney, Rich Fox, and Greg Grove completed the top five. Randy Smart, Steve Oxier, Phil Veno, Randy Hahn, and Brian Oliver finished off the top ten.
Jason Morgan won the second Compact feature. Dale Beatty, Joe Ujcich, Ray Scott, and Jamie Leslie rounded out the five. Greg Mazzoleni, Bill Mercier, Dougie Cross, Tammy Rufener, and Jason Grewell finished in the top ten.
Shawn Smarsh picked up the win in the third Compact feature. He was followed by Tye Kelly, Bruce Gibson, Eric Feister, and Mike Phillips, Jr. rounded out the top five.
The fourth feature in the Compact division was won by John Drescher. Jason Anthony, Brian Stuhldreher, Charles Ritch, and James Perrenoud completed the top five.
This coming Saturday night, July 27, all five divisions will be in action. At intermission, cars will be brought onto the track so that the kids in attendance can take a racecar ride around the speedway. Qualifying will be from 3:50-5:50, and racing will start at 6:30.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Midwest Supermodifieds
Heats – Gary Griffith, Randy Burch
Feature(Top 10) – Gary Griffith, Tim Jedrzejek, Randy Burch, Jack Smith, D.J. Shullick, Denny Fisher, Chuck Jackson, Buzz Kormos, Don Johnson, John Henes
Smokers Paradise Late Models
Top Qualifier – Don Harvey 14.88
Heat #1 – Tom Garbrandt, Mike Miller, Tom Newman, Jr., Marcus Malcuit, Duane Dunn
Heat #2 – Dave Sluka, Darrel Dexter, Bob Gainer, Kenny Stevens, Richard Marcum
Feature – Mike Miller, Tom Newman, Jr., A.P. Ren, Marcus Malcuit, Ryan Tedesco, Farmer Smith, Darrel Dexter, Tom Garbrandt, Dave Sluka, Tim Sibila, Bob Gainer, Kenny Stevens, Richard Marcum, Duane Dunn, Don Harvey, Bob Eichel, Ron Jaberg, Jr.
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Mark Striker 14.94
Heat #1 – Mark Enos, Dusty Woodie, Mark Striker, Randy Gray, John Wilson
Heat #2 – Jeff Smith, Mark Willison, Butch Erickson, Jeff Christy, Mike Bowers
Feature – Jeff Smith, Dusty Woodie, Butch Erickson, Baldy Baker, Jr., John Wilson, Glen Jewell, Mark Striker, Mark Willison, Randy Gray, Mike Bowers, Jim McCune, Jeff Christy, Mark Enos, George Bowers
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Keith Thomas 16.05
Heat #1 – Roger Butler, Don Rufener, Jr., Tim Gowins, Doug McMillen, Keith Thomas
Heat #2 – Bill Aubihl, Sonny Arkenburgh, Calvin Collins, Mike Royer, Ron Carothers
Feature – Roger Linard, Tim Gowins, Joe Linard, Bill Aubihl, Doug McMillen, Keith Thomas, Lee McCreery, Don Rufener, Jr., Tim Skinner, Calvin Collins, Rich Stalnaker, Joe Sanford, Jr., Mike Royer, Sonny Arkenburgh, Ron Carothers, Roger Butler, Paul Murray, Dan Gasser, Dave McMillen, Kevin McClintock
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – D.J. Radanovich 18.23
Heat #1 – Greg Mazzoleni, John Leasure, Brian Wood, Ron Myers, Al Street
Heat #2 – Joe Oliver, Chester McMasters, Matt Wallick, Mike Martin, Rick Hoffman
Heat #3 – Bob Oliver, Mike Daugherty, Blake Mackey, Tom Craw, Tom Feller, Jr.
Feature #1 – Brian Oliver, Mike Martin, Jim Shaw, Teddy Oliver, D.J. Radanovich, Barney Gerber, Shane Ball, Greg Mazzoleni, Brian Wood, Rick Elkins, Jr., John Leasure, Paul Parson, Joe Oliver, Rick Hoffman, Matt Wallick, Ron Myers, Norm Stutler, Al Street
Feature #2 – Chester McMasters, Douglas Higgins, Mike Daugherty, Chris Miller, Blake Mackey, Carl Cordia, Tom Feller, Jr., John Ferrell, Chuckie Oliver, Tom Craw, Bob Oliver
Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectibles Compacts
Top Qualifier – Gabe Pringle 19.05
Heat #1 – Bubba Smith, Steve Oxier, Justin Courtney, Gabe Pringle, Randy Smart
Heat #2 – Robert Mizer, Brian Oliver, Dale Beatty, Jason Morgan
Heat #3 – Jack Grove, Joe Ujcich, Shawna Myers, Mike Phillips, Jr., Jamie Leslie
Heat #4 – Shawn Smarsh, Larry Riggle, Lennie Orr, Tye Kelly, John Wissman
Heat #5 – Jason Anthony, John Drescher, Charles Ritch, Shawn Royer, Tom Barrett
Feature #1 – Bubba Smith, Jason Nealey, Justin Courtney, Rich Fox, Greg Grove, Randy Smart, Steve Oxier, Phil Veno, Randy Hahn, Brian Oliver, Gabe Pringle, Bryce Scott, Cody Kahler
Feature #2 – Jason Morgan, Dale Beatty, Joe Ujcich, Ray Scott, Jamie Leslie, Greg Mazzoleni, Bill Mercier, Dougie Cross, Tammy Rufener, Jason Grewell, Ray Van Lehn, John Baker, Bob Passwaters, Jr., David Breehl, Robert Mizer
Feature #3 – Shawn Smarsh, Tye Kelly, Bruce Gibson, Eric Feister, Mike Phillips, Jr., Shawna Myers, John Wissman, Adam Mishler, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Lennie Orr, Bobby Courtney, Larry Riggle, Jack Grove
Feature #4 – John Drescher, Jason Anthony, Brian Stuhldreher, Charles Ritch, James Perrenoud, Tom Barrett, Dale Nealey, Amy Cordia, Robert Bower, Jerry Kimble, Justin Lawson, Shawn Royer
Written by: Adam Mackey |
