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Daily Press Releases
2/24/03
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WORLD DIRT RACING LEAGUE ANNOUNCES A 17-RACE POLYDOME SUPER SERIES 2002
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The season opens on Saturday, March 29, at Davenport, Iowa, Speedway
By Phil Roberts
World Dirt Racing League
Blue Springs, Mo. (Feb. 24, 2003) World Dirt Racing League, has announced
a 17-race 2003 schedule of events for its PolyDome Super Series, a
Midwest-based Late Model touring series.
The series, now beginning its second season, will open this season at
Davenport, Iowa, Speedway as it did last year, said Jim Wilson, of Blue
Springs, the series founder and director. The first race is Saturday, March
29.
The 2003 activities will conclude on Saturday, Oct. 11, at State Fair
Speedway, Sedalia, Mo., the only Missouri speedway on the schedule.
There will be five race dates in Iowa, three in both Nebraska and Wisconsin,
two in Kansas and one each in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota
in 2003.
The PolyDome Super Late Model drivers competed 12 times in their inaugural
season. There were 11 different winners with Kyle Berck of Marquette, Neb.,
taking the points crown.
Modifieds also were part of the series in 2002 and raced in seven events
with Dubuque, Iowa¹s Ron Barker taking the title. Although Modifieds will be
on the racing card at many of the 2003 dates, WDRL does not plan to sanction
them unless a sponsor can be found for them.
Prior to race time on March 29, the activities at the Mississippi Valley
Fairgrounds, home of the Davenport Speedway, will include a social gathering
at which awards will be presented to last season¹s top Super Late Model and
Modified competitors. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
the fairgrounds¹ Keppy 4-H Building, located about a block west of the
grandstand. At 1 p.m., the awards presentation will take place.
Both the meal and awards ceremony are open to anyone who wishes to attend,
including racing fans, and Wilson is hopeful some race cars to be on
display.
2003 POLYDOME SUPER SERIES SCHEDULE
Tentative and subject to change
Saturday, March 29
Davenport Speedway, Davenport, Iowa 40 Laps
Saturday, April 5
Crawford County Speedway, Denison, Iowa 50 Laps
Saturday, May 24
Adams County Speedway, Corning, Iowa 50 Laps
Sunday, May 25
Nebraska Raceway Park, Greenwood, Neb. 50 Laps
Wednesday, June 18
Steele County Fairgrounds, Owatonna, Minn. 50 Laps
Saturday, July 12
Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, S.D. 50 Laps
Saturday, July 19
Pump and Pantry Late Model Nationals Mid-Nebraska Speedway, Doniphan, Neb.
50 Laps
Monday, Aug. 4
Superior Speedway, Superior, Wis. 50 Laps
Tuesday, Aug 5
Grant County Speedway, Lancaster, Wis. 50 Laps
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie, Wis. 50 Laps
Thursday, Aug. 7
Freeport Raceway Park, Freeport, Ill. 50 Laps
Tuesday, Aug 19
Echo Valley Speedway, West Union, Iowa 50 Laps
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Davenport Speedway, Davenport, Iowa 40 Laps
Saturday, Sept. 27
Nebraska Raceway Park, Greenwood, Neb. 50 Laps
Friday, Oct. 3
Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan. 25 Laps
Saturday, Oct. 4
Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan. 50 Laps
Saturday, Oct. 11
State Fair Speedway, Sedalia, Mo. 50 Laps
HAGERSTOWN, MD - MARCH MADNESS AT THE HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY
Promoter Frank Plessinger has scheduled a full month of racing events at the
Hagerstown Speedway for the month of March. Drivers and fans are looking forward
to getting the 2003 season under way.
On Sunday, March 2nd , it will be the Grand Opening as the
Hagerstown Speedway begins its 56th season. The ITSI late models,
Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic late model sportsman and Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure
stocks will take to the speedway as they prepare for the long season ahead.
There will be qualifying and feature events for all three divisions.
The following Sunday, March 9th, the big block modifieds will join
the late models in a double header program with qualifying and feature events
for each division. The late models and modifieds will each have a 30-lap feature
paying $2,000 to the winner. In addition to the prize money, the feature winners
will also receive a guaranteed starting spot in the Octoberfest 350 on October
25-26. Each 100-lap feature in the Octoberfest will pay $10,000.
The three regular divisions return for another afternoon date on Sunday,
March 16th before the point battle starts under the lights in April.
The late models, late model sportsman and Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure stocks
will battle it out as the drivers fine tune their cars for a run at the track
championships.
The following Sunday, March 23rd, the late models will share the
spotlight with the small block modifieds and the Modified Lites. The Sunday
afternoon triple header program will feature qualifying events for each division
plus 30-lap features paying $2,000-to-win for the late models and modifieds and
a 15-lap feature for the Lites. In addition to the prize money, the small block
feature winner will also receive a guaranteed starting spot in the Octoberfest
350.
Rounding out the month of March will be the show that every race fan has been
looking forward too, the DIRT Modified 100 lap event under the lights paying
$6,000 to the winner on Saturday, March 29th. Race time is 6 P.M.
with warm-ups at 5 P.M. The late models will be part of the doubleheader
program. Rain date is Sunday afternoon, March 30th at 1 P.M.
Race time for all Sunday afternoon programs is 1:30 P.M. with gates opening
two hours earlier. Warm-ups begin at 1:00 P.M.
For additional information, contact the Speedway Office at (301) 582-0640.
The Hagerstown Speedway is located near Interstates 70 & 81 on U.S. Route
40, six miles west of Hagerstown, MD.
HAGERSTOWN, MD - - -HAGERSTOWN STARTS 56th SEASON WITH GRAND OPENING
HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Speedway will open its 56th season
with the Grand Opening on Sunday afternoon, March 2rd, at 1:00 P.M.
The three division program will feature the ITSI late models, Hoosier Tires
Mid-Atlantic late model sportsman and Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure stocks. Gates
will open at 10 A.M. with warm-ups at 1:00 P.M.
The Grand Opening is the first program of the year for the all three
divisions. Sunday's program is an opportunity for the drivers to check out new
equipment and get their cars dialed in before the point races begin on April 5th.
"I am hoping that we can open next week," said Promoter Frank
Plessinger. "We are expecting over two inches of rain after the two foot
record snowfall last week. If the Conococheague River doesn’t overflow its
banks and the weatherman gives us dry weather next week, I think we will be able
to open."
A large field of cars is expected to fill the infield competition area as
drivers from other tracks will take the opportunity to dial their cars in to get
the jump on their local opposition. With the large bonus money on the line for
drivers who can win track championships in all three divisions at both
Hagerstown and Allegany County Speedways, many new drivers are expected to test
the half-mile clay oval.
The defending champions in all three divisions are expected to be back in
competition. Seven-time late model champion Nathan Durboraw, late model
sportsman driver Dave Rice Jr. and pure stock champion Hans Stamberg will be
looking to repeat last years performance.
Sunday's program will include qualifying and feature events for all three
divisions. Admission is only $9.00 with children under 12 FREE.
The Hagerstown Speedway is located on U.S. Route 40, six miles west of
Hagerstown, MD. Additional information can be obtained by calling the speedway
office at (301) 582-0640 or on the Internet at hagerstownspeedway.com.
RACE CARS AND FANS JAM RACE-A-RAMA AT VALLEY MALL
HAGERSTOWN, MD - Despite the record snowfall and heavy rains, race cars and
fans jammed the Valley Mall over the weekend as the Hagerstown Speedway
presented its18th Annual Race-A-Rama to kick off the 2003 season.
Fans packed the mall during the three day show to checkout the cars and talk to
the drivers who will be competing at the half-mile oval.
On Friday night, seven-year-old Miss Taylor Lynn Shawver of Hampstead was
selected to be Little Miss Hagerstown Speedway for 2003. Stephanie Nicole Price
of Hedgesville, WV was first runner-up and Moran Landis of Greencastle, PA
placed third.
Several awards were presented to the drivers on Friday night. Travis Beaver
of Rouserville, PA received the Best All Around Award for his late model
sportsman and Pete Weaver of Hagerstown received Best Display of the show for
his late model sportsman and son’s quarter-midget.
Awards were presented to the top three cars in each division. Dave Rice Jr.
of Greencastle, PA received the best appearing car in the late models with Devin
Friese of Mercersburg, PA and Marvin Winters of Mercersburg, PA next in voting.
Brian Miller of Hagerstown took top honors in the late model sportsman
division followed by Scott Daniels of McConnellsburg, PA and Scott Palmer of
Greencastle, PA.
Jim Snyder of Hagerstown was voted the best appearing car in the pure stock
division with Mike Warrenfeltz of Hagerstown runner-up. Mike Sanders of
Waynesboro, PA was third.
The Hagerstown Speedway would like to express their appreciation to the
drivers, car owners
and sponsors who helped to make the Race-A-Rama a success. Master of Ceremony
for the Awards Presentation was Bill Smith, voice of the Hagerstown Speedway.
Hagerstown will begin its 56th year of racing on Sunday, March 2rd
with the Grand Opening for the ITSI late models, Hoosier Tires Mid-Atlantic late
model sportsman and Ernie’s Salvage Yard pure stocks. Race time is 1:00 P.M.
For additional information, contact the speedway office at (301) 582-0640.
TAYLOR LYNN SHAWVER WINS LITTLE MISS HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY CONTEST
HAGERSTOWN, MD Seven-year-old Ms Taylor Lynn Shawver of Hampstead was the
star of the annual Little Miss Hagerstown Speedway Pageant at the 18th
Annual Race-A-Rama in the Valley Mall in Hagerstown on Friday, February 21st.
The daughter of Ben and Carol Shawver, Taylor is in the second grade at
Spring Garden Elementary School. In addition to auto racing, Danielle likes
cheerleading, gymnastics, swimming, drawing and playing with her friends after
school. Her favorite driver is her Uncle, Al Shawver Jr. Ms Shawver was the
first runner-up in the contest last year.
Ms Shawver was crowned the new Little Ms Hagerstown Speedway by the 2002
Little Ms Hagerstown Speedway, Danielle Wissinger, daughter of Scott and Denise
Wissinger of Hagerstown.
First runner-up was ten-year-old Stephanie Nicole Price of Hedgesville, WV,
daughter of Susan and Kevin Price Third place went to ten-year-old Moran Landis
of Greencastle, PA, daughter of Teai Landis.
The new Little Ms. Hagerstown Speedway will have a busy year ahead of her
representing the speedway
in Victory Lane. For additional information, contact the Hagerstown Speedway
at (301) 582-0640.
PLANS SET FOR MOTORSPORTS 2004 ATLANTIC CITY INDOOR RACE DATES ARE FIRM
Fort Washington, PA/ Trenton, NJ February 24 . . . The outdoor auto racing
season is getting the green flag in the Northeast this weekend and at the same
time two of the off season highlights are already in place.
Motorsports 2004, the 19th annual edition of the highly successful fan and racer
motorsports extravaganza will return to the huge Fort Washington, PA Expo
Center, January 16-18, 2004.
The 2003 edition of the popular show attracted more than 40,000 people.
"We wanted to put some of the rumors to rest. The show is not moving. We
have signed a multi-year agreement to continue the show at the Fort Washington,
PA Expo Center. There had been some consideration given to other venues but we
have decided that Fort Washington is the place we should be. Our2003 show was
the most successful in our 18 year history," said show organizer Len
Sammons. "The Expo Center is undergoing some renovations and there is even
talk of a Hilton Gardens hotel being built across from the Expo Center. There is
some exciting things being planned for the future."
At the same time Sammons also announced that he will present the second annual
Boardwalk Indoor Midget Auto Racing Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Sammons brought indoor auto racing back to the East Coast gambling paradise last
January for the first time since the early eighties. The event attracted more
than 100 racers and close to 7,000 fans.
The indoor auto racing events are tentatively planned for January 23 and 24th,
2004. All that needs to be done is sign the contracts at present.
Additional plans for the second annual three quarter midget race events will be
announced in the near future.
Motorsports 2004 will cover close to 300,000 square feet and offer just about
everything imaginable in motorsports.
Exhibitors are given the first opportunity to renew the exhibit spaces they had
for the 2003 show. Renewals must be in by April 15th. That is an easy date to
remember. Newcomers to the show can place their exhibit space orders prior to
the April 15th date and space will be awarded after the date according to the
date the order arrived in the show office.
"Each year the show space is sold out. We just like to give everyone plenty
of notice to get their space orders in so that they are not disappointed,"
said Sammons.
"The new show brochure, all in color, will be available the first week in
March."
The popular show, considered one of the most successful shows of its type in the
nation, offers a variety of marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and
entertainment opportunities. Primary sponsorship of the show is currently
available. Those interested in marketing through motorsports at Motorsports 2004
and beyond are invited to contact Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.,
215.752.7797 or 215.752.2392. There are opportunities for just about every
marketing budget.
For information on Motorsports 2004 and/or the Boardwalk Indoor Midget Racing
Events telephone 609.888.3618.
Clinton County Speedway Prepares for Season Pre-View at Mall Show
Lock Haven, PA – The Clinton County Speedway is preparing for the start
of the 2003 racing season with its annual Mall Show. Several drivers will have
their racecars on display at the Lycoming Mall in Muncy, PA from March 3rd
through March 8th for fans to view prior to the start of the upcoming
race season.
The season opener at the 1/3-mile clay oval will be on Friday May 2nd.
The weekly Friday night racing program will consist of Sprint Cars, Super
Stocks, Four-Cylinder Pro Stocks, Daredevils and 4-Cylinder Enduro cars.
Defending Sprint Car Champion Blane Heimbach of Selinsgrove will have his
Middleswarth Chips/Salem RV/Creasy Signs #12 on display. Heimbach captured his
first career Sprint Car Championship while also becoming the youngest sprint car
champion at the speedway at the age of 20.
Other drivers expected to have their racecars on display include: Chuck Roan
of Cogan Station with his #22R Sprint Car: Louis Belise of Mountoursville with
his #23 Daredevil; 2002 Super Stock Rookie of the Year, Jeremy Ohl of Jersey
Shore with his #5 car; Randy Mausteller of Bloomsburg with his #21 Sprint Car;
Len Stroud of Avis and his Pink Lady Racing #18 Late Model, Jeff Weaver of Lock
Haven and his #52 sprint car; Chuck Colegrove of Trout Run and his #2 Super
Stock, Kevin Van Amburg of Lock Haven with his new daredevil; Tim Boyles of
Montoursville and his #44 Super Stock; Cliff Berry of Trout Run with a new Super
Stock; Russ Clark with his Super Stock; and others.
For more speedway news and the latest updates, visit the website at www.clintoncountyracing.com
NEW
TONY HAMMETT PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE DEBUTS!
By
Jarrod Lehman
Woodruff,
SC --- Noted professional motorsports photographer Tony Hammett of Woodruff, SC
has debuted a new website devoted to his photography located at: http://www.tonyhammettphotos.com.
Hammett, a professional motorsports photographer for 16 years, is one of the
sport’s top photographers and his work has appeared in such publications as Dirt
Late Model Magazine, Muddslinger, Stock Car Racing, Circle Track, Flat Out
Illustrated, Short Track Racing Magazine, Southern Round Track Racing Magazine,
Late Model Racer Magazine, Trackside Magazine, Car and Driver, AMI Auto World
Weekly, Racing Milestones, National Dirt Digest, Racing News, Area Auto Racing
News, Hawkeye Racing News, Behind the Wheel, Fast Lane Racing News, RPM Racing
News, Goodyear Eagle Performance Report, Hav-A-Tampa and UDTRA Program, STARS
Yearbook and scores of race track programs.
Hammett
also spent time as the official photography of the Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA series and
has done work for the STARS/Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series.
Visitors
to the new website will find details on all of the services offered by Tony
Hammett Photography which encompasses more than auto racing.
Visitors
will also be entertained when they visit and view the many, many photos that
have posted on the website. New and old photos grace the website and visitors
are also offered a comprehensive links page, guest book, biography and much
more. Already a popular destination on the website is Hammett’s special
“Blast From The Past” pages.
Hammett
has been around auto racing for 36 years and is a knowledgeable historian as
well as a well-informed and trusted journalist. He also enjoys a reputation as
one of the sports’ more talented, well-respected and modest individuals. His
career, by his own admission, started humbly.
“I
guess the first time I ever attempted it was at East Alabama Motor Speedway in
1985 with a camera my brother had borrowed form his work place,” explained
Hammett. “I look back at that stuff now and wonder why I just didn't stop then
and find another hobby! It was worse than the rankest of amateurs could
produce, but I enjoyed it, so I started thinking of getting a camera.”
“My
brother came through once again and got me my first SLR outfit in 1986. I
started traveling further than the Carolina's and Georgia to shoot and watch
races. My schedule used to be just walk through the pits and shoot cars
and people and try to get into the infield (if they would let me) to shoot hot
laps. Then I would go up and watch everything after that.”
“I
did that for a while and got to ‘hang out’ with some very special people
that were photographers. I became very fond of the STARS series and went
to a lot of their shows. At any given race, I would be the ‘outsider’
hanging around people like W. H. Barney, Gary Shrey, Steve Crumbacker, Larry
Kave and later Eric Thompson and Greg Bauer. You cannot help but learn
from that caliber of shooters, and for some reason they all seemed to like me
and were forthcoming with advice, help and most of all, encouragement.
They convinced me that I was spending a lot of money and getting no return on it
and not sharing my photos with anyone, so they finally talked me into submitting
photos to publications.”
And
Hammett has never looked back.
Race
fans, drivers, owners, manufacturers, sponsors, promoters and others involved in
dirt track racing can find something to enjoy at Tony Hammett Photography’s
new website: www.tonyhammettphotos.com.
-Prepared
by Lehman Motorsports Services
BEDFORD SPEEDWAY PREPARES FOR APRIL OPENER
January 27, 2003
(Bedford, Pa) As area race teams prepare for the upcoming 2003 racing
season, The Bedford Speedway, under the promotion of D.K.M. Racing,
plans to build on the success of the 2002 season.
The excitement starts with a practice night on Friday, April 4th. The
weekly Friday night racing season begins on April 11th, with Super Late
Model, Limited Late Model, Street Stock, and Cruiser/Hobby divisions
circling the big Bedford 5/8 mile oval.
The 700 horsepower Super Late Models will once again be the headline
division and leading the way will be the 2002 Bedford Speedway and
M.A.C.S. champion Jack Pencil, of Bedford. Those expected to return to
challenge Pencil include last years feature winners Scott Haus of
Hamburg, Dave Kepner of Port Royal, Scott Rhodes of Somerset, Eric
Zembower of Bedford and Shane Beegle of Everett. Veteran drivers Rodney
Sweitzer of Stoystown, Larry Wright of Claysburg and Hesstons Rick
Singleton are also expected to return, along with a host of talented
area drivers.
The 2003 Super Late Model rookie class will include two drivers from
well known Bedford County racing families. Chuck LaSalle from Breezewood
in the #37 and Andy Martz from Bedford in the famous Martz Chassis #M1.
LaSalle has been a fixture at Bedford and other area speedways since
1978, and had accumulated many feature wins in various racing divisions
in his 25-year career. Martz has moved up from the Econo-Modified and
Limited Late Model divisions, and is the son of noted chassis builder
and driver, Gary Martz. The elder Martz notched 50 Super Late Model wins
from 1972 until his retirement in 1982.
Special events for the Super Late Models include the Bob Sweitzer
Memorial on May 9th, a 35 lap Memorial Day Championship on May 23rd and
the Labor Day 55 Lap Classic on August 31st. The Renegade Dirt Car
Series returns after a one year absence with a $7,000.00 to win 4th of
July Firecraker Special.
The popular Central Pennsylvania 410 Winged Super Sprints led by
Mifflintowns, Keith Kauffman, will invade the Bedford Speedway on
Tuesday night, June 10th with the annual Pa Posse Invitational.
Kauffmans performance in last years event, which will go down as one
of the best comebacks in Bedford history, should insure a standing room
only crowd. Those drivers expected to challenge Kauffman include Fred
Rahmer, Todd Hestor, Lance Dewease, Mike Wagner, Dan Shetler and others
from both central and western Pennsylvania.
Special events for the Limiteds, Street Stocks and Cruisers will dot the
schedule throughout the year.
The Limited Late Model division appears to have gained the most drivers
and cars for the new year. Street Stock Champion Brian Duffy of Bedford
will be a contender for the Limited Rookie of the Year title. Other new
rookie Limited drivers will include Stoystowns Craig Perigo and New
Enterprise veteran driver Jim Leidy.
Other events will include the annual Bedford County Fair Stock Car
Championships in August, the Walt Aikey Memorial race, the second annual
Bedford SpeedwayLegends night plus Kids bike races and Kids Race Car
Ride Night.
Three new special events for 2002 include Mechanics Night, 70s Night
and the return after a 21-year absence, Ladies Powder Puff races.
70s Night will feature the return of some of the famous drivers from
the 1970s era for a special match race.
Track crews will continue track surface improvements as weather permits
and new concession stands will be completed before opening day. General
admission will remain at $8.00 for regular 4 division show, and the
website has been improved to provide a wide variety of facts and
information.
Any questions can be addressed by calling the speedway office at
814-623-0500 or via the web at www.bedfordspeedway.com
Mercer Raceway Park crowns Preston, Doran, Young, Hooks, & Bauer
champions
at 2002 Awards Banquet
By Mike Leone
February 22, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yankee Lake, OH.Mercer Raceway Park celebrated the 2002 season in grand
style Saturday night, February 22, as the Yankee Lake Ballroom near
Brookfield, Ohio played host to the annual awards banquet and dinner. Over
400 people filled the hall honoring the drivers and remembering the memories
of the past season.
The top ten drivers in each of the five divisions received their point fund
monies and plaques. The following 2002 track champions also received an
engraved Mercer Raceway Park championship watch compliments of Kidd's
Jewelry in Greenville, Pa., an embroidered leather jacket, and hat: Troy
Preston-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tim Doran-Big-Block
Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds,
Shaun Hooks-Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars, and Todd Bauer-Gardner Competition
Engines 360 Sprint Cars.
For the
fourth consecutive year, Mercer Raceway Park continued
its tradition of honoring special achievements at its banquet. Seven of
those awards were once again given out Saturday night.
The
"Legacy" Award honors and remembers the late Bill Emig.
Sitting in the grandstands in the early 1980s, Bill Emig had his eye on
another young talent. At the time, Alan Dellinger campaigned his own
street
stock and Bill not only enjoyed watching him masterfully defeat the
competition, he enjoyed the fact that he did it in a Chrysler product.
Although Dellinger and Emig never got the opportunity to race together,
ironically 20 years later on the Bill Emig Memorial, Dellinger would win his
first career big-block modified race in just his third start. Months
later,
he debuted a brand new late model and raced to victory to become the first
driver in the history to win in four different divisions at what is now Bill
's legacy- Mercer Raceway Park. Dellinger is also Mercer's all-time stock
car and e-mod winner.
Living legends are those that will forever be held in high respect by those
that enjoyed their excellence. The record books show that Vic George
accumulated 29 modified victories dating back to 1968 (ranked fourth) and
five modified track championships throughout the 70s along with two second
place finishes in 1971 & 1973. Domination best describes this
competitor
over that eight-year period! With over 20 family members and friends on
hand, George was presented the fourth "Living Legend" Award as the
famous
King Bros. #65 was rolled out from behind the curtain.
The "Horizon" Award was put in place to recognize drivers whose
careers
shine as brightly as the horizon. Although Chad Reitz had success in the
past, the 2002 season will be one he longs remembers- as it was his first
season in a full-sized race car. Three feature wins, 13 top 10s in 17
starts, and a second place in points were accomplishments that any driver
would like to lay claim to. Additional highlights included his biggest
career win at Tri-City Speedway's Mod Madness and a near win in the Little
Guy Nationals- the region's most prestigious 358 modified race. There is
little doubt this youngster will be a force to be reckoned with in the years
to come.
The
"Majestic" Award honors those that have made grand, noble,
and dignified gestures on behalf of Mercer Raceway Park and in general.
Two-for-one best describes Bill Beck. Every speedway needs an experienced
welder to patch and repair their race cars after unfortunate circumstances
and as we know, life also can create situations that require special care
and attention. Beck has done his best to quickly repair race cars, and has
been there to understand people's most trying moments- both on and off the
speedway. How fortunate we are to have access to both mechanical and
spiritual guidance within the realms of the sport we all love so much.
Bill
Beck is a true example of the intent of this meaningful award and we are
extremely lucky to know that he graces our presence at Mercer Raceway Park
each and every Saturday night.
Three
Outstanding Achievement Awards were handed out. BRW
Racing Team #55 claimed the first, as driver Ralph Spithaler, Jr. set fast
time over a 47-car field on the URC 360 Summer Nationals, won his heat, and
had a top five run going until a broken front wing mount. The second was
awarded to Carl Murdick for 13 straight seasons in the top 10 of the
big-block points along with a multitude of additional top 10 rankings
including 35 years ago in 1967. The final outstanding achievement went to
modified driver Rick Kress for his continued support of Mercer Raceway Park,
which included perfect attendance over the past four seasons.
Veteran driver Troy Preston celebrated his first ever track championship by
picking up the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car crown. The West
Middlesex, Pa. driver was a model of consistency with 2 feature wins, a
division-high 8 heat race wins, 11 top 5s, and a near-perfect 14 top 10s in
15 starts. Preston drove the Preston America, Inc.-owned, Chevron
East/McClung Auto Body/Flynn's Tire Group/Barris Supply/Jones
Performance/Hine Racing Equipment/Lias-American Racer Tires-sponsored #1P to
the Mr. Gasket Contingency Connection Championship as well and earned over
$4,000 in product and prizes.
Rob Eyler's runner-up in points was a career best despite no wins. Jimmy
Hawley's five wins were a division-high and helped him to a third place in
points. Arnie Kent now has six straight seasons in the top four in points
and added a victory to his totals. Kevin Andrusky completed the top five
with a win after sitting out the majority of 2001 with a back injury. Todd
Bauer and Dave Wagner cracked the top 10 in points for the first time
finishing sixth and seventh respectively. Gary Kriess, Jr. returned to the
top 10 for the second straight year and added his second career Mercer win.
Jamie Smith was ninth with two wins and Pup Nystrom's first season at Mercer
was good enough for tenth. Others winners not finishing in the top 10 in
points were Brian Woodhall, Ed Lynch, Jr., Rod George, and Shane Stewart.
Tim Doran captured his first Mercer track title by edging Bob Dorman and
Rick Hall after a season-long battle in the Big-Block Modified division.
Doran's Richard Smith Construction-sponsored #12 was stout all year and led
the division with 5 feature wins, 6 heat races wins, 1 B main win, 11 top 5s
to go along with 13 top 10s. The New Castle, Pa. driver became the seventh
different big-block champion in nine years since the track reopened in 1994.
Dorman had his best career season by picking up two wins and came up just 11
points shy of the title in relatively his first full season in the big
blocks. Hall (1 win) and Jeff Schaffer were both very consistent finishing
in third and fourth respectively and both tied a division-high with 14 top
10s. Dean Pearson recorded his third straight season of top five point
finishes. Rounding out the top 10 with wins in parentheses were Tommy
Kristyak (4), Rodney Beltz (1), Frank Guidace, Carl Murdick, and Les Myers
(1). Other victors not in the top 10 included Alan Dellinger (2), Ron
Smoker (2), and Lonny Riggs.
Steve Young made it back-to-back titles and three for his career by taking
the New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified crown. The Grove City,
Pa. driver piloted the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored
#11t to a track-high 6 feature wins to go along with 8 heat race wins and 11
top 5s. Young and Greer are leaving the sealed-engine division as Young
will return to the big-block division after a one-year absence.
Chad Reitz was second with three wins and is primed for a run at the 2003
title. Bill Adams had his best career season by winning his first race in
20 years and went on to add three more victories to finish third in points.
Andy Paden's fourth place was his highest career placing as the teenage
driver has finished in the top eight in points each of the last three
seasons. Adams and Paden tied for a division-high with 14 top 10s.
Jerry
Schaffer completed the top five with his first career sportsman win and led
the points for four weeks in June and July. Sixth through tenth with wins
in parentheses were Rick Hall, Randy Rodemoyer, Ron Eperthener, Jr., Gary
Smoker (1), and Les Myers (2), who was the only driver to win in both
modified classes.
Shaun Hooks topped last season's runner-up and outstanding first year at
Mercer by winning his first ever championship. The New Castle, Pa. driver
squeaked out the Butterfield's Pub Stock Car crown by just two points over
Bobby Whitling as only 31 points separated the top four cars. Hooks
piloted
his own #65 sponsored by Benny Lombardo Auto Repair, Plotts Transmissions,
and M&D Paving to 2 feature wins, 5 heat wins, 12 top 5s, and 14 top 10s.
Despite missing one point night, Whitling just missed out on the title and
added two victories along with a track-high 15 top 10s. Gary Norman and
Andy Buckley were a close third and fourth respectively, had a chance at the
title on the final night of points, and tied a division-high with four wins
each. Doug Iorio's first season at Mercer included his first win and a
fifth in points. Completing the top 10 with wins in parentheses were Terry
Kroner, Kevin Thompson, Rusty Moore (1), Rick Anthony, and Ron Iorio (2).
Other winners not finishing in the top 10 included Gary Miller, Jr. (2),
Brian Miller, Mike Mathieson, Dan Lewis, and Tony Hersh.
Capturing the inaugural crown of the new Gardner Competition Engines
"Pegasus" 360 Sprint Car Series was Todd Bauer. In his first
full season at
Mercer, the Clarion, Pa. resident drove the Kriebel Gas-sponsored #45 to his
first career track championship and was the highest finishing 360 with the
410s on three occasions. Pup Nystrom made the two-hour tow every week and
finished second with one top 360 placing. Chris Matthews was third with
three top 360 showings. Brian Hartzell was fourth and Staple Nash rounded
out the first five with three top 360 showings. Rounding out the top 10
were Paul Kish, Paul Kapuchuck, Arnie Kent with three top 360 showings, Jeff
Banyas, and Scott Bonnell, who had a win and one top 360 placing. Other
winners included Mike Woodring and Chris Coyle.
Track announcer Mike Dutko emceed the event and thanked the sponsors,
employees, press, drivers, owners, and all of the fans for making 2002
another success. Bob Dorman and Mike Mathieson received special plaques to
recognize their first career wins. Kudos went out to the 18 cars with
perfect attendance as they received a framed certificate to recognize their
dedication to the speedway in 2002. An additional 23 drivers were
recognized for attending the banquet and supporting Mercer Raceway Park.
Keith Shilling was recognized with a guardian angel plaque for his
"textbook
save" on Frank Hall as quoted from UMPC Horizon newsletter. Shilling,
the
track's co-safety coordinator and co-owner of Life Force Ambulance,
revived
Frank Hall after he went down in the grandstands with no heartbeat or pulse
on the night of July 20. Hall was back at the speedway weeks later.
Frank Benic and Wayne Sheets were awarded engraved pocket watches from Kidd'
s Jewelry for their outstanding job on preparing a racey track surface
throughout the entire 2002 season. Four other members of the track and
maintenance crew received engraved watches including Tom Rains, Jim Beers,
Bill Hunter, Lou Gentile, and Ken Turner.
The New Bedford and Volant Lions were thanked for their help all season long
in conducting a "legal" benefit raffle, which contributed to the point
fund.
Special thanks also went out to the Mercer East End and Pine Township Fire
Departments and the wrecker services of Major's and Mesaros. The 2003
season was previewed with many upcoming special events. The band,
"Last
Call," closed out the banquet with live music for everyone's dancing and
listening pleasures.
The complete
schedule will be released by March 1. Watch for
upcoming press releases on the fourth annual Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt
Track
Race Car Show" at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio March 5-9, the
inaugural "Thunder in the Park" Steel Valley Motorsports Gala at the
Ross
Park Mall in Pittsburgh, and the upcoming 2003 season. For the latest
information, check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com.
You can
reach the office daily at 724-964-9300.
Final Top 10 in Points from 2002 at Mercer Raceway Park:
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. TROY PRESTON (West Middlesex, Pa.)
518 2. Rob Eyler (Franklin, Pa.) 457 3. Jimmy Hawley (West
Middlesex, Pa.)
401 4. Arnie Kent (New Castle, Pa.) 375 5. Kevin Andrusky
(Hermitage, Pa.)
348 6. Todd Bauer (Clarion, Pa.) 323 7. Dave Wagner (New Castle,
Pa.) 307
8. Gary Kriess, Jr. (Butler, Pa.) 291 9. Jamie Smith (Sewickley, Pa.) 273
10. Pup Nystrom (Kane, Pa.) 266.
Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TIM DORAN (New Castle, Pa.) 546 2. Bob Dorman
(Stockton, Ny.) 535 3. Rick Hall (Grove City, Pa.) 534 4. Jeff
Schaffer
(Fombell, Pa.) 511 5. Dean Pearson (Harrisville, Pa.) 483 6. Tommy
Kristyak (Stoneboro, Pa.) 474 7. Rodney Beltz (Ellwood City, Pa.) 470
8.
Frank Guidace (Mercer, Pa.) 414 9. Carl Murdick (Butler, Pa.) 390
10. Les
Myers (Reno, Pa.) 378.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG (Grove City,
Pa.) 547 2. Chad Reitz (Franklin, Pa.) 514 3. Bill Adams (Hermitage,
Pa.)
506 4. Andy Paden (Greenville, Pa.) 503 5. Jerry Schaffer (Ellwood
City,
Pa.) 464 6. Rick Hall (Grove City, Pa.) 449 7. Randy Rodemoyer
(Mercer,
Pa.) 405 8. Ron Eperthener, Jr. (Grove City, Pa.) 396 9. Gary Smoker
(Mercer, Pa.) 375 10. Les Myers (Reno, Pa.) 355.
Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars: 1. SHAUN HOOKS (New Castle, Pa.) 550 2.
Bobby
Whitling (Franklin, Pa.) 548 3. Gary Norman (New Castle, Pa.) 539 4.
Andy
Buckley (Stoneboro, Pa.) 529 5. Doug Iorio (New Castle, Pa.) 464 6.
Terry
Kroner (Portersville, Pa.) 455 7. Kevin Thompson (Polk, Pa.) 439 8.
Rusty
Moore (New Castle, Pa.) 421 9. Rick Anthony (Cochranton, Pa.) 401
10. Ron
Iorio (Kennerdell, Pa.) 398.
Gardner Competition Engines 360 Sprint Cars: 1. TODD BAUER (Clarion, Pa.)
634 2. Pup Nystrom (Kane, Pa.) 545 3. Chris Matthews (Kennerdell,
Pa.) 481
4. Brian Hartzell (Oil City, Pa.) 367 5. Staple Nash (Newbury, Oh.) 350
6.
Paul Kish (Poland, Oh.) 346 7. Paul Kapuchuck (New Castle, Pa.) 317
8.
Arnie Kent (New Castle, Pa.) 225 9. Jeff Banyas (North Olmsted, Oh.) 217
10. Scott Bonnell (Fairview, Pa.) 200.
Mercer Raceway Park is located 3 miles north of I-80, exit 15. The
track
is 0.5 miles north of SR 258 on US 19, then 0.2 miles east on Fairground
Road in Findley Township. The office number is 724-964-9300.
Fax to
724-964-0604. The race track phone number is 724-662-1310. Our web
site is
www.mercerracewaypark.com.
E-mail to webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com
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