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By Gary Lileck
Forestville, PA – May 4, 2007 – During a lap eight caution flag period in the 358 Modified feature event, the grandstand and track lights went out at the Big Diamond Raceway. A newly installed transformer blew up, which caused the power outage. PPL was on the scene late Friday evening to replace the transformer.
A 15-lap Roadrunner feature had been completed. Tom Hablett (Schuylkill Haven) captured his third main event victory in four events on Murphy Jewelers/Relay for Life Night. Mike Nicholas (Lebanon) was leading the 358 Modified feature event with Craig Von Dohren (Oley) in pursuit.
Friday May 11 is Alpha Mills Night and a huge card of events will be on the schedule. The remaining 17 laps of the 358 Modified feature and the 20-lap Sportsman main event (both from May 4) will be the first order of business. A full card of 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Roadrunners, and Xcel 600 Modifieds will follow. Adult General Admission for this event remains at $12.
The 358 Modified main event on Friday began with a three car tangle in turns one and two. A complete restart found outside pole sitter, Mike Nicholas, showing the way. The second caution took place with six laps in the books. Craig Von Dohren started fourth on the restart and immediately maneuvered into the runner-up spot behind Nicholas on lap seven.
A four car incident brought out the caution after eight laps had been recorded. Von Dohren blasted past Nicholas for the temporary lead under green conditions. A couple of cars made contact in turn two, however, which brought out the caution before the lap could be scored. Nicholas remained the race leader. It was at this point when the racing gremlins settled in and brought darkness to the Big Diamond Raceway. Nicholas was the race leader followed by Von Dohren, Troy Wink (Mohrsville), Carroll Hine III (Boyertown) and Ryan Watt (Boyertown).
34 cars were trackside with a trio of heat victories going to Nicholas, Watt, and John Willman (Birdsboro). Split consolations were awarded to Greg Weiland (Port Carbon) and Keith Hoffman (Whitehall).
Defending track champion, Duane Howard struggled through a rough evening. Howard’s Troyer race car was involved in an opening lap heat race crash and towed from the scene. In a highly contested second consi, Howard was holding down a transfer spot until a last lap restart. Howard dropped to fourth, just one position shy of qualifying.
The Sportsman division had 33 cars present for the evening. Qualifying heat races were won by Codie Berk (Hamburg), Andrew Stout (Gouldsboro), and Joe Masiado (Easton). The B-Main went to James Morris (Riegelsville).
Katie Madenford, a student at the Williams Valley (PA) School, was honorary starter for the 15-lap Roadrunner main event. Katie had traveled to the speedway straight from her school’s prom, and still wearing the prom dress.
Sophomore Roadrunner racer Bud Vidal (Pottsville) led the opening four circuits before tenth starter Joe Hendricks (Auburn) took command. Hablett started from the fifteenth position and worked his way into third by lap six. On the seventh tour, Hablett executed a two-car sweep into the number one spot. Hablett pulled to a full straightaway advantage by race’s end.
Hablett currently holds three victories and an April 27th sixth place finish. The team experienced some motor problems during that show, and those troubles have apparently been solved.
Hendricks crossed the line in second and he was followed by a close battle for the third position. Veteran racer Dave Miller (Pine Grove) grabbed the position ahead of Rob Pyle (Downingtown) and previous week’s winner Eric Pinkerton (Tower City).
Friday May 4, 2007 Results
358 Modified Feature Running Order After 8-laps (Remainder to be completed on May 11): 1) #3-Mike Nicholas, 2) #1c-Craig Von Dohren, 3) #27-Troy Wink, 4) Carroll Hine III, 5) #6-Ryan Watt,6) #14-Rick Laubach, 7) #47-Gary Wagner Jr., 8) #126-Jeff Strunk, 9) #8-Doug Hendricks, 10) #91-John Willman, 11) #11-Meme DeSantis, 12) #00-Doug Manmiller, 13) #81-Terry Meitzler, 14) #118-Sean Merkel, 15) #44-Danny Erb, 16) #29-Kenny Eckert Jr., 17) #17-Ryan Grim, 18) #11D-Billy Pauch Jr., 19) #318-Jeff Sechrist, 20) #117-Kevin Hirthler, 21) #1450-Greg Weiland, 22) #S1-Bobby Gunther-Walsh. DNF: 23) #22-Steve Swinehart, 24) #1-Keith Hoffman. DNQ: Kurt Spotts, Corey Sechrist, Jamie Schwartz, Duane Howard, Matt James, Danny Nicholas, Jimmy Reppert, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Dale Hartz, Jason Hamilton.
Roadrunner Feature (15-laps): 1) #22-Tom Hablett, 2) #11x-Joe Hendricks, 3) #1-Dave Miller, 4) #93-Rob Pyle, 5) #37-Eric Pinkerton, 6) #17-Bud Vidal, 7) #16-Robert Derfler, 8) #29B-Ricky Bender, 9) #97-Jeremy Becker, 10) #66-Chris Holland, 11) #z71-Andy Zvorsky, 12) #11-Dan Strenkoski, 13) #555-Elvin Brennan III, 14) #101-Gary Renninger, 15) #201-Brian Johnson, 16) #8-Davey Nester. DNS: #450-Kevin Olenick.
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