 Over 170 race teams competed last weekend during Midvale Speedway’s Budweiser Fall Classic. During the beautiful weekend, eight divisions were in action including Late Models, Modifieds, Detroit Irons, Pure Stocks, Compacts, Street Stocks, Legends, and Figure 8’s.
In the Smokers Paradise Late Model division, 22 cars qualified on Saturday afternoon. Clinton’s Mike Miller set quick time with a fast paced 14.68. John Crumrine (14.69), Bob Gainer (14.71), Bear Schwartz (14.72), and Duane Dunn (14.74) completed the top five in a very close contest. During the Saturday night action, Bear Schwartz, in the New Image Homes #77 won the fast dash, while Don Harvey, Jr. in the Rittzman Muffler #12 won the fast heat. Rich Dessecker, driving the Budweiser #7 won the second heat and Kenny Stevens in the Route 39 Auto Salvage #21 won the final heat race. Rounding out the evening for Late Models was the ten lap Dash Of Champs. New Philadelphia’s Rich Dessecker picked up the $200 by holding of a strong challenge from Massillon’s Bob Sibila.
Track Champion Mark Striker, of Uhrichsville, set fast time in the Tolloti Pipe Modified division with a 14.81. Glen Jewell (15.00), Doug Meyer (15.02), Tim Allensworth (15.12), and Baldy Baker, Jr. (15.13) rounded out the top five. The Raco Transmission #8 of Tim Allensworth was victorious in the evening’s fast dash. In the two heats for the division, Mark Willision, in the White Performance #18, and the Downtown Ford #34 of Jeff Smith were victorious. In the eight car-ten lap Dash Of Champs, Mark Willison, of Minerva, beat a charging duo of Doug Meyer and Mark Striker for the $200 top prize.
Ron Burkholder, of Painesville, was quickest with a 15.51 in qualifications for the Street Stock/Sportsman invite. Roger Linard (15.73), Doug McMillen (15.88), Keith Elliott (15.92), and Don Atwell (15.92) rounded out the top five. New Philadelphia’s Doug McMillen won the fast dash, while Johnny Buckshot drove his Factory of Terror #00 truck to victory in the heat race.
Qualifying was extremely close in the Legend car division, as Norton’s Fred Davis bested the rest of the field with a 16.44. Tim Davis (16.47), Rick Riffle (16.47), Larry Young (16.62), and Dennis Knox (16.63) completed the top five competitors. In heat race action, Charlie Williams, who flipped earlier in the year at the speedway, drove to victory in the first heat. Jason Knox won the second heat.
Dover’s Kevin McClintock was the only driver of the weekend to break the track record, and he did so by turning a 15.74 in the Tusco Net Detroit Iron division. Following him in the rundown were Doug McMillen (15.92), Tim Gowins (15.94), Tim Skinner (16.03), and Joe Linard (16.05). The Red Line Racing Engine #23 won the fast dash, while the Uncle Primo’s #82 drove to victory in the first heat. Don Rufener, Jr. in the Wainright Auto Parts #7 won the second heat. Track Champion, Joe Linard, picked up the top prize in the Performance Race Fuels Dash Of Champs race by keeping Tim Gowins and Kevin McClintock in tow.
Track Champion, Jimmy Orr, of Dennison, set fast time in the Papa John’s Pure Stock division by turning an 18.15. Rick Elkins, Jr. (18.23), Al Street (18.24), Teddy Oliver (18.28), and Barney Gerber (18.29) rounded things out. The fast dash was won by the Canton Auto Salvage #73 of Al Street. Brian Wood in the Wood Motorsports #54 won the first heat, Rich Schweitzer of New Philadelphia won the second heat, and Chester McMasters in the Used Tire #81 picked up the third heat win. Teddy Oliver, in the Midas Auto Service #49, won the Dash Of Champs race as Ray Ewing followed.
Newcomerstown’s Randy Smart set quick time in the Compact division with an 18.75. John McNutt, also 18.75, Terry McNutt (18.87), Gabe Pringle (18.94), and Cody Kahler (19.01) finished the top five. At the end of the fast dash and the fast heat, it was the Dave’s Towing #08, of Gabe Pringle, picking up the wins. Shawn Smarsh in the Turner Trucking #24 won the second heat, Jimbo Roup in the McKenzie Construction #9 the third heat, Bobby Courtney in the Courtney Painting #59 won the fourth heat, and Lennie Orr in the Tusky Transmission #8 won the fifth heat. Randy Smart came all the way from the back in the Conner’s Corner Garage #100 to win the Dash Of Champs race.
On Sunday afternoon, the first feature for the fans was the 20-lap Street Stock Invitational. Johnny Buckshot and Brian Taylor made up the first row and brought the field in for the green flag. Buckshot led for a couple of paces, but Jimmy Orr, a track regular, was on the move. Orr took over the top spot in the Dalton Trucking/Hanoverton Pro Hardware #88 and started to pull slightly away from the rest of the field. Moving into second was Painesville’s Dave Clark. After Clark caught Orr, the two battled side-by-side for several laps for the lead, in delight of the fans. While the two battle and rubbed paint, top qualifier, Ron Burkholder had moved into third and was closing quickly on the top two. After some more slight contact between the top two, Burkholder dashed to the outside lane, took Clark for second, and a couple of laps later, found himself out front and on his way to victory. Following the Integrity Homes/Buckeye Construction beautiful #33 were Orr, Clark, Roger Linard, and Don Atwell. Rounding out the top ten were Buckshot, Taylor, Keith Elliott, Doug McMillen, and Scott Ramey who suffered motor problems all weekend.
The next race was the 30-lap Legend car feature. 17 cars took the green flag, and Jason Knox a heat winner led the field in the early-going. However, as expected, top Legends competitors Rick Riffle, Larry Young, and Fred Davis were moving up fast. Riffle eventually found himself in a sizable lead over the rest of the field. Larry Young was in second until Tim Davis, who was trying to clean sweep Midvale this season, started making his moves and was into second and closing in quickly with five to go. At the stripe, Rick Riffle picked up the win, while Davis finished a close second. Young came home third, Fred Davis fourth, and Dennis Knox fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Jason Knox, Randy Burns, Charlie Williams, Tom Spisak, and Bill Richards.
The Tolloti Pipe Modified 40-lapper was next on the card, as 16 cars entered the track for the $1,000 top prize. Mark Willison, who was the top driver the night before by winning a heat and the Dash Of Champs, started on the pole with John Wilson alongside. When the green flew, Willison darted out front with Wilson hanging onto second. Racing was fun to watch in the middle of the pack, close to the race’s midpoint, as Tim Allensworth, Baldy Baker, Jr., Mark Striker, Rick Sibila, and Doug Meyer were all trading positions, looking for a way to the front. Allensworth eventually got by Wilson for second, but was fighting loose conditions on long green flag runs. Allensworth never had enough to run down the White Performance #18 of Willison, who wrapped up a near-perfect weekend by winning every race he was in. Following him were Allensworth, Wilson, Striker, and Baker. Glen Jewell, Doug Meyer, Rick Sibila, Mark Enos, and Jeff Christy completed the top ten.
After the first three features went basically without a hitch, the Smokers Paradise Late Models entered the track for their 50-lapper. The race would turn out to be a nightmare, as the race left many cars tore up and drivers angry. Rich Dessecker started on the pole of the event, with Tom Garbrandt alongside. When the green was waved, Dessecker pulled out front with Sibila taking second and Garbrandt dropping to third. Within the first ten laps, a restart accident took out the cars of Bear Schwartz, Bob Gainer, Duane Dunn, and John Crumrine. All were done for the afternoon. During a yellow period, the second place car of Bob Sibila had bad luck strike and pulled pitside with mechanical problems. That moved Garbrandt back into second and he didn’t wait long for his move on Dessecker. As the Uhrichsville driver worked the outside lane, Dessecker was able to hold him off on the first attempt, but later the move looked like it was about to payoff when the top two cars, racing for the lead for several laps, got together and Garbrandt spun. Both were sent to the back. That handed the lead over to Barberton’s Don Harvey, who won the fast heat, the night before. During the race’s second half, Harvey and Ryan Tedesco were running fairly close one-two with Mike Miller’s #79 sputtering in third. Fans were keeping their eyes locked on battles back in the field, as Dessecker and Garbrandt were working their way through the field to admirable finishes. At the end, the D&S Transport/Nemith Performance #12 of Don Harvey picked up his first win of 2002 by holding off Tedesco, Miller, Tom Newman, and Dessecker. Ed Middaugh, Garbrandt, Paul Miller, Jr., John Miller, and John Tantarelli, Jr. finished off the top ten.
A 35-lapper was held for the Tusco Net Detroit Iron division. Jamie Warner and Don Rufener, Jr. started up front, but Jamie Warner led many of the early laps, with Denver Carte in second. During the early stages, the good run by Carte came to an end with a blown motor. Many good races were taking place throughout the field as the quicker qualifiers were trying to move forward. Tim Skinner, Doug McMillen, and Kevin McClintock were all racing to the front, but Skinner was able to take the top spot. Towards the end, Roger Butler who was having a great run in second and Doug McMillen in third, got together in turn four and both spun, ending their good runs. Skinner, in the Red Line Racing Engines #23 went on to the victory. Following the Carrollton driver were Bill Aubihl, who came from the back after he was involved in an earlier accident, Jamie Warner, Bill Hilliker, and Will Walker completed the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Tony Newman, Matt Heiss, Sonny Arkenburgh, Roger Butler, and Doug McMillen.
Brian Oliver and Rich Schweitzer made up the front row for the 25-lap Papa John’s Pure Stock feature. Schweiter, having only a handful of starts this season moved into the lead driving a car built with the help of his wife, his dad, and fellow competitor Barney Gerber. Oliver dropped into the second slot. Moving up during the race were Rick Elkins, Jr., Brian Wood, and Barney Gerber. A late yellow helped Elkins move right on the tail of Schweitzer for a last chance effort. However, the New Philadelphia driver proved to have just enough to hold off Elkins for his first victory of the season. Wood, Gerber, and Bob Parson rounded out the top five. Completing the top ten were Joe Oliver, Paul Parson, Justin Courtney the last chance race winner, Randy Cecil, and Dick Aubihl.
Bryce Scott and Jack Grove made up the first row for the fast Compact feature. The two drivers rubbed paint as they raced to lead the field around the 3/10-mile asphalt oval. Behind them, Gabe Pringle and Bubba Smith were making quick work of the field on competitors. Pringle eventually took the lead, with Smith trying to the outside. Several times, while out front, the duo made contact, as it looked as though the top two were going to wreck. Behind them, top qualifier, Randy Smart was darting through the field. Smart closed in right behind them and was able to get around as Smith dropped to fourth. Terry McNutt, making his first start of the year, performed real well with his run through the field, and was mixing it up with the leaders as well. At the end, Smart was able to get around Pringle for the win. Following the Mariano’s Subs #100 were Pringle, McNutt, Smith, and John McNutt. The rest of the top ten were Randy Hahn, Bryce Scott, Jason Morgan, Phil Veno, and Cody Kahler.
In the second feature event, Rob Brown and Jimbo Roup made up the first row. Roup, of Barnhill took over the lead and stretched it over the rest of the field until Shawn Smarsh took over second. Smarsh closed on the leader and looked high and low several times, but Roup kept it right on the bottom. On the final circuit, Roup slipped up coming off of two, Smarsh went low, and the two made contact as Roup closed the door. Roup’s #9 went sideways, nearly spinning, but he regrouped and went across the stripe in first for his first career feature win. Following the McKenzie Construction/Pizza Rack #9 were Smarsh, Brown, David Breehl, and Terry Colletti. Rounding out the top ten were Dougie Cross, Bo Hays, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Tammy Rufener, and Jamie Leslie.
Jason Grewell, of Dover, picked up his first win in the third Compact feature. Following the rookie driver were William Scott, James Riehl, Phil Wade, and Bob Passwaters, Sr. Completing the top ten were Ben Gibson, John Baker, Jill Harshey, Shawn Royer, and Rocky Nails.
Winning the final feature was Bruce Gibson. The Dug Out #32 was chased to the stripe by Tom Barrett, Gene Morgan, Joe Tedesco, and Kenny Jewell. James Perrenoud, Violet McMasters, Eric Sell, Angie Wheeler, and Lennie Orr rounded out the top ten.
The final race of the season was the Dale’s Heating & Cooling Figure 8 feature. Shawn Smarsh, in the James Riehl #170 led for the early going, but Bo Hays, a Painesville regular was coming to the front. At the midpoint, Hays was out front, just barely avoiding accidents at the intersection to hang on to the win. The Bo’s Auto Detailing/Steve’s Elite Audio #95 was followed by Smarsh, Jason Morgan, and Rob Brown.
Thanks to everyone who attended the 2002-Budweiser Fall Classic, to make it a success. Stay posted on www.midvalespeedway.com for updates during the winter months for the 2003 season.
Results For Midvale Speedway
Smokers Paradise Late Models
Top Qualifier – Mike Miller 14.68
Dash – Bear Schwartz, John Crumrine, Mike Miller, Bob Gainer
Heat #1 – Don Harvey, Jr., Paul Miller, Jr., Timber Mazanec, Duane Dunn, Mike Miller
Heat #2 – Rich Dessecker, Bob Sibila, Ed Middaugh, Ryan Tedesco, Tim Sibila
Heat #3 – Kenny Stevens, Randy Gray, John Miller, Bob Eichel, Tom Newman, Jr.
Dash Of Champions – Rich Dessecker, Bob Sibila, Tom Garbrandt, John Crumrine
Feature – Don Harvey, Jr., Ryan Tedesco, Mike Miller, Tom Newman, Jr., Rich Dessecker, Ed Middaugh, Tom Garbrandt, Paul Miller, Jr., John Miller, John Tantarelli, Jr., Bob Eichel, Kenny Stevens, Randy Gray, Timber Mazanec, Darrel Dexter, Mike Enos, Bob Sibila, Tim Sibila, John Crumrine, Duane Dunn, Bob Gainer, Bear Schwartz
Tolloti Pipe Modifieds
Top Qualifier – Mark Striker 14.81
Dash – Tim Allensworth, Doug Meyer, Mark Striker, Glen Jewell
Heat #1 – Mark Willison, Baldy Baker, Jr., Mark Striker, Doug Meyer, Mark Enos
Heat #2 – Jeff Smith, Jeff Christy, Mike Bowers, K.C. Lehner, George Bowers
Dash Of Champions – Mark Willison, Doug Meyer, Mark Striker, John White, Jeff Smith
Feature – Mark Willison, Tim Allensworth, John Wilson, Mark Striker, Baldy Baker, Jr., Glen Jewell, Doug Meyer, Rick Sibila, Mark Enos, Jeff Christy, Mike Bowers, Jeff Smith, John White, K.C. Lehner, George Bowers, Jim McCune
Street Stock Invitational
Top Qualifier – Ron Burkholder 15.51
Dash – Doug McMillen, Ron Burkholder, Keith Elliott, Roger Linard
Heat – Johnny Buckshot, Brian Taylor, Dave Clark, Roger Linard, Ron Burkholder
Feature – Ron Burkholder, Jimmy Orr, Dave Clark, Roger Linard, Don Atwell, Johnny Buckshot, Brian Taylor, Keith Elliott, Doug McMillen
Tusco Net Detroit Irons
Top Qualifier – Kevin McClintock 15.74
Dash – Tim Skinner, Doug McMillen, Kevin McClintock, Tim Gowins
Heat #1 – Joe Linard, Randy Doolin, Roger Butler, Tim Gowins, Bill Hilliker
Heat #2 – Don Rufener, Jr., Mark Thomas, Sonny Arkenburgh, Rich Kirkpatrick, Matt Heiss
Dash Of Champions – Joe Linard, Tim Gowins, Kevin McClintock, Denver Carte, Tony Newman
Feature – Tim Skinner, Bill Aubihl, Jamie Warner, Bill Hilliker, Will Walker, Tony Newman, Matt Heiss, Sonny Arkenburgh, Roger Butler, Doug McMillen, Rich Kirkpatrick, Kevin McClintock, Rob Petrus, Randy Doolin, Joe Linard, Denver Carte, Mark Thomas, Jim Albright, Tim Gowins
Legends
Top Qualifier – Fred Davis 16.44
Heat #1 – Charlie Williams, Tim Davis, Randy Burns, Fred Davis, Larry Young
Heat #2 – Jason Knox, Bill Richards, Mark Wills, Duane Lorens, John Burns, Jr.
Feature – Rick Riffle, Tim Davis, Larry Young, Fred Davis, Dennis Knox, Jason Knox, Randy Burns, Charlie Williams, Tom Spisak, Bill Richards, Roy Brooks, Cale Swann, Derek Crasi, Mark Wills, John Burns, Jr., Duane Lorens, Frank Williams
Papa John’s Pure Stocks
Top Qualifier – Jimmy Orr 18.15
Dash – Al Street, Jimmy Orr, Rick Elkins, Jr., Teddy Oliver
Heat #1 – Brian Wood, D.J. Radanovich, Teddy Oliver, Al Street, Rick Elkins, Jr.
Heat #2 – Rich Schweitzer, Brian Oliver, Bob Parson, Paul Parson, Dick Aubihl
Heat #3 – Chester McMasters, Randy Cecil, Chris Miller, Brian Cunningham, Jim DiBona
Dash Of Champions – Teddy Oliver, Ray Ewing, Jimmy Orr, John Leasure, Barney Gerber
Last Chance – Justin Courtney, Dick Aubihl, Anthony Bissett, Douglas Higgins, Jim DiBona, Randy Cecil, Jason Anthony, Bill Weaver, Chris Miller, Dan Moore, Chester McMasters, Brian Cunningham
Feature – Rich Schweitzer, Rick Elkins, Jr., Brian Wood, Barney Gerber, Bob Parson, Joe Oliver, Paul Parson, Justin Courtney, Randy Cecil, Dick Aubihl, Douglas Higgins, Chris Miller, Brian Oliver, Al Street, Shawna Myers, D.J. Radanovich, John Leasure, Ray Ewing, Jim DiBona, Ryan Kirkpatrick, Anthony Bissett, Teddy Oliver, Jimmy Orr, Jason Anthony
Galigher Motorsports Racing Collectibles Compacts
Top Qualifier – Randy Smart 18.75
Dash – Gabe Pringle, Terry McNutt, Randy Smart, John McNutt
Heat #1 – Gabe Pringle, Bryce Scott, Jack Grove, Terry McNutt, Randy Smart
Heat #2 – Shawn Smarsh, Greg Grove, David Breehl, Justin Courtney, Randy Hahn
Heat #3 – Jimbo Roup, Rocky Nails, Tye Kelly, Otto Polilli, Jamie Leslie
Heat #4 – Bobby Courtney, Jason Grewell, Kenny Jewell, James Riehl, John Baker
Heat #5 – Lennie Orr, Bruce Gibson, Gene Morgan, Eric Sell, Charles Ritch
Dash Of Champions – Randy Smart, Bubba Smith, Josh Grove, Greg Grove, Rob Brown
Feature #1 – Randy Smart, Gabe Pringle, Terry McNutt, Bubba Smith, John McNutt, Randy Hahn, Bryce Scott, Jason Morgan, Phil Veno, Cody Kahler, Russell Grandison, Jason Shaw, Justin Courtney, Jack Grove
Feature #2 – Jimbo Roup, Shawn Smarsh, Rob Brown, David Breehl, Terry Colletti, Dougie Cross, Bo Hays, Bob Passwaters, Jr., Tammy Rufener, Jamie Leslie, Tye Kelly, Sean Scott, Greg Grove
Feature #3 – Jason Grewell, William Scott, James Riehl, Phil Wade, Bob Passwaters, Sr., Ben Gibson, John Baker, Jill Harshey, Shawn Royer, Rocky Nails, Eric Feister, Bobby Courtney, Ron Myers, Jim Poole, George Veno
Feature #4 – Bruce Gibson, Tom Barrett, Gene Morgan, Joe Tedesco, Kenny Jewell, James Perrenoud, Violet McMasters, Eric Sell, Angie Wheeler, Lennie Orr, Jaimie Huebner
Dale’s Heating & Cooling Figure 8’s
Feature – Bo Hays, Shawn Smarsh, Jason Morgan, Rob Brown
Written by: Adam Mackey |
