 A super field of 140+ cars was in the pits this past Saturday, August 31, for the Season Championships at Midvale Speedway. Late Models, Modifieds, Detroit Irons, Pure Stocks, and Compacts all battled, in the final night that points are distributed, this season.
Coming into the night, Mike Miller, last year’s track champion, still had a mathematical chance to take the track championship in the Smokers Paradise Late Model division. After qualifying, Miller cut into the lead, as he was top qualifier. In the fast heat, however, Ryan Tedesco, got all of those points back when he held of Tom Garbrandt in a close finish, for the victory. When the cars pulled out for the 25-lap feature event, Tedesco had the better starting spot – fourth, while Miller pulled out tenth. Early on, Miller was flying through the field, but Tedesco, followed by Garbrandt were already out front. By halfway, Miller had moved into third and had run down the lead duo. Miller, who looked to have the fastest car, just could not quite make the move around Tedesco and Garbrandt who were running ahead. Several times, Garbrandt stuck his nose to the lowside of Tedesco, but could never get the run he needed. At the finish, it was the Marathon Manufacturing #1 of Tedesco, followed closely by Garbrandt, Miller, Rich Dessecker, and Duane Dunn. Finishing in the top ten were Tom Newman, Jr., Bear Schwartz, Kenny Stevens, A.P. Ren, and Mike Enos. Tedesco and John Miller won the heats, while Mike Miller was the top qualifier. Congratulations to New Philadelphia, OH driver, Ryan Tedesco, on his 2002 track championship.
All season long, the Tolloti Pipe Modified division has been one of the most competitive classes. Despite only starting between 14 and 16 cars most weeks, seemingly half of the field could be the winner on any given night. Coming into the final night of points, Mark Striker held the point’s lead over Glen Jewell. In qualifying, Striker helped pad his lead with the top qualifying effort. In the heat, however, Jewell closed back to within some 120 points and needed to finish 12 or 13 spots ahead of Striker in the feature to win the championship. Things were not meant to be for Jewell, as Striker dodged several bullets in the opening couple of laps that were marred by cautions. With only a few laps in, a couple of cars dropped out, wrapping up the title for Striker. Right from the get-go, John Wilson took the lead in his white and green #33. Wilson had a large half track lead built up, but racing was furious in the battle for second. Mark Enos, Jeff Walker, Glen Jewell, Baldy Baker Jr., among others, were contesting for the spot in about five rows of double wide. Several times, cars touched and it looked like there would end up being a caution, but no one ever spun. Just past the halfway point, Wilson’s mount started smoking, but still kept running well. With less than ten to go, Wilson got what he didn’t want – a caution. That changed his lead of a half track to bumper-to-bumper, just like that. As the laps wound down, however, Wilson’s Tolloti Pipe/Brewster Cheese #33 would prove to be strong enough for his first win of 2002. Following him to the line were Walker, Striker, Mark Willison, and Dusty Woodie. Rounding out the top ten were Jewell, Baker, Jeff Christy, Jim McCune, and Jeff Smith. Jewell and Smith won heats, while Striker was the top qualifier. Great sportsmanship was shown after the race, as Jewell, Striker, and Wilson all celebrated with each other on the frontstretch. Kudos to Uhrichsville, OH driver Mark Striker on his first track championship win.
Kevin McClintock led the Tusco Net Detroit Iron points for much of 2002 before motor problems gave, fellow front runner, Joe Linard the lead just a couple of weeks ago. In qualifying, McClintock turned the quickest time to gain him 25 points on the leader. In the heat race he picked up another 10, by finishing fourth. When the feature came around, McClintock would need to finish 14 spots ahead of Linard to win the title. Rich Stalnaker led early on in the 20-lap feature, but Dan Gasser took over for several laps. Back in the field, Doug McMillen was flying to the front, and eventually took over the lead and had Tim Skinner, McClintock, and Linard following. Early on, Linard wrapped up the championship as several cars fell out of the event. McClintock, quickest in qualifying, was also one of the quickest in the feature, but could not get around Skinner to challenge McMillen for the lead. At the finish, it was Doug McMillen taking the Season Championship trophy. Following the Haas Body Shop/South Philly Pizza #54 were Skinner, McClintock, Linard, and Bill Hilliker. Waylon Orr, Calvin Collins, Jamie Warner, Dan Gasser, and Stalnaker completed the top ten. McMillen and Murray won the heats, while McClintock was the top qualifier. Congratulations to Dover, OH’s Joe Linard on his back-to-back Detroit Iron championship titles.
In Papa John’s Pure Stock qualifying, point’s leader, Jimmy Orr was third quick to give him enough points to wrap up the track championship. In the 15-lap A-feature, Barney Gerber, in the Depression Gold Company/Sugarcreek Industries #2T, did his part in the championship chase, as he was second in point’s coming in. Gerber got out front early and held on all the way to the finish for the Season Championship win. Rick Elkins, Jr., Norm Stutler, Al Street, and Shane Billiter completed the top five, after third-place competitor, Anthony Bissett was dq’ed in post-race tech. Completing the top ten were Joe Oliver, Brian Oliver, D.J. Radanovich, Bob Parson, and John Ferrell.
In the second Pure Stock feature, Bryan Aubihl picked up a win for the second week in a row. Following him were John Leasure, Mike Martin, Paul Parson, and Jim Shaw. Finishing out the top ten were Blake Mackey, Chris Miller, Dan Moore, Curtis Collins, and Douglas Higgins. Winning heats were Gerber, Aubihl, and Collins. The top qualifier was Teddy Oliver. Job well done by both Greg Mazzoleni and Jimmy Orr on the track championship title.
The closest point’s battle entering the night was in the Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectible Compact divison. Before qualifying, Greg Grove held a 40 point lead over nephew, Josh Grove in the top two spots. After qualifications, the lead was down to a mere 5 points. Greg was not about to lose, however, as he drove to a victory in the first heat, and backed that up with a convincing feature win in the A-Main. David Breehl, Kelly McNutt, John McNutt, and Justin Courtney rounded out the top five, while Randy Smart, Josh Grove, Gabe Pringle, Cody Kahler, and Shawn Smarsh finished off the top ten. Billy Stutler crossed the stripe in third, but refused a teardown.
Randy Hahn won the second feature for the Compacts. Hahn beat Otto Polilli, Jim Poole, Jamie Leslie, and Phil Veno back to the line. Rounding out the top ten were William Scott, Dale Beatty, Eric Feister, Tye Kelly, and John Drescher.
The third feature was won by Bruce Gibson. Ben Gibson, Jason Grewell, Bill Harshey, and Charles Ritch finished the top five. Winning heats were Grove, Hahn, Polilli, Jason Anthony, and Tom Barrett. The top qualifier was Pringle. Congrats to Greg Grove on his first track championship.
Racing action will continue this coming Saturday, September 7 with all five regular divisions in action. Also, joining the card will be the Dale’s Heating & Cooling Figure 8’, Pure Stock and Compact powder puff races, and a Kid’s Gold Rush at intermission. Admission is regular at 9.95 for adults 8.95 for seniors, and 6.00 for kids. Racing will start at 6:30.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Smokers Paradise Late Models
Top Qualifier – Mike Miller 14.80
Heat #1 – Ryan Tedesco, Tom Garbrandt, Tom Newman, Jr., Duane Dunn, Bob Eichel
Heat #2 – John Miller, Kenny Stevens, Richard Marcum, Mike Enos, Darrel Dexter
Feature – Ryan Tedesco, Tom Garbrandt, Mike Miller, Rich Dessecker, Duane Dunn, Tom Newman, Jr., Bear Schwartz, Kenny Stevens, A.P. Ren, Mike Enos, Darrel Dexter, Bob Eichel, John Miller, Richard Marcum
Points Champion – Ryan Tedesco
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Mark Willison 14.90
Heat #1 – Glen Jewell, Mark Willison, Baldy Baker, Jr., Mark Enos, Dusty Woodie
Heat #2 – Jeff Smith, Jim McCune, Mike Bowers, Randy Gray, Jeff Christy
Feature – John Wilson, Jeff Walker, Mark Striker, Mark Willison, Dusty Woodie, Glen Jewell, Baldy Baker, Jr., Jeff Christy, Jim McCune, Jeff Smith, Mike Bowers, Mark Enos, George Bowers, Randy Gray
Points Champion – Mark Striker
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Kevin McClintock 16.02
Heat #1 – Doug McMillen, Waylon Orr, Tim Skinner, Kevin McClintock, Tim Gowins
Heat #2 – Paul Murray, Don Rufener, Jr., Jamie Warner, Sonny Arkenburgh, Mike Royer
Feature – Doug McMillen, Tim Skinner, Kevin McClintock, Joe Linard, Bill Hilliker, Waylon Orr, Calvin Collins, Jamie Warner, Dan Gasser, Rich Stalnaker, Ron Carothers, Mike Royer, Tim Gowins, Don Rufener, Jr., Randy Doolin, Paul Murray
Points Champion – Joe Linard
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Teddy Oliver 18.12
Heat #1 – Barney Gerber, Bob Parson, Jimmy Orr, Chester McMasters, Teddy Oliver
Heat #2 – Bryan Aubihl, Paul Parson, Joe Oliver, Ron Myers
Heat #3 – Curtis Collins, Mike Martin, Shane Ball, Dan Moore, Jason Garrett
Feature #1 – Barney Gerber, Rick Elkins, Jr., Norm Stutler, Al Street, Shane Billiter, Joe Oliver, Brian Oliver, D.J. Radanovich, Bob Parson, John Ferrell, Ron Myers, Chester McMasters, Jimmy Orr, Teddy Oliver
Feature #2 – Bryan Aubihl, John Leasure, Mike Martin, Paul Parson, Jim Shaw, Blake Mackey, Chris Miller, Dan Moore, Curtis Collins, Douglas Higgins, Jason Garrett, Tom Craw, Shane Ball, Tom Wilson
Points Champion – Jimmy Orr/Greg Mazzoleni
Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectibles Compacts
Top Qualifier – Gabe Pringle 19.00
Heat #1 – Greg Grove, David Breehl, Randy Smart, Gabe Pringle, Kelly McNutt
Heat #2 – Randy Hahn, Bubba Smith, Bryce Scott, Phil Veno, Dougie Cross
Heat #3 – Otto Polilli, Dale Beatty, John Drescher, Eric Feister, Jim Poole
Heat #4 – Jason Anthony, Jason Grewell, Ben Gibson, John Baker, Bob Passwaters, Jr.
Heat #5 – Tom Barrett, Shawn Royer, Jill Harshey, Charles Ritch, Bill Harshey
Feature #1 – Greg Grove, David Breehl, Kelly McNutt, John McNutt, Justin Courtney, Randy Smart, Josh Grove, Gabe Pringle, Cody Kahler, Jason Morgan, Shawn Smarsh, Jimbo Roup, Dougie Cross, Bubba Smith, Bryce Scott, Don Rufener, Jr., Russell Grandison, Willie Grove, Bob Passwaters, Sr.
Feature #2 – Randy Hahn, Otto Polilli, Jim Poole, Jamie Leslie, Phil Veno, William Scott, Dale Beatty, Eric Feister, Tye Kelly, John Drescher, Angie Wheeler, Jerry Kimble, Jason Anthony, Rocky Moore, Jack Grove, Terry Colletti, Joe Ujcich, Shawna Myers, Brian Oliver
Feature #3 – Bruce Gibson, Ben Gibson, Jason Grewell, Bill Harshey, Charles Ritch, Adam Mishler, Bob Passwaters, Jr., George Veno, Justin Lawson, Gary Musick, Shawn Royer, Tom Barrett, Eric Sell, Kenny Jewell, Jill Harshey, John Baker, David Rainsberger
Points Champion – Greg Grove
Written by: Adam Mackey |
