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LYNCH'S 1ST WIN WORTH $3,000 IN WESTERN PA SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP AT MERCER; SMOKER IS TOP MOD WINNER WITH 4; MARTZ'S A STOCK WINNER IN FIRST VISIT; KRUMMERT MAKES IT TWO-IN-A-ROW IN MOD LITES; FORD WINS MINIS IN FIRST EVER APPEARANCE
By Mike Leone
September 8, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA.Despite a 70% chance of thunderstorms once again and rain all over western Pennsylvania and Ohio and lightning lighting up the sky for much of the night, Mercer Raceway Park somehow remained rain-free and completed the 14th straight program on Saturday night on the 19th annual Western PA Sprint Championship presented by Armstrong as the following drivers celebrated in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane: Ed Lynch, Jr.-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Gary Smoker-American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Rusty Martz-Tire Express-Stocks Cars, Garrett Krummert-Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and John Force-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
When Ed Lynch, Jr. starts on the pole it's generally lights out, but that was far from the case Saturday Night. In just his second start of the season, Lynch faded to third before coming back to the lead and then held off track champion Rod George amidst lapped traffic to capture the 19th annual Western PA Sprint Championship presented by Armstrong. Lynch's first Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint win of the season was worth $3,000 in the 30-lap event.
"No he (Holben) was really good and Eyler showed us how really good he was," explained the Apollo, Pa. veteran when asked about Holben jumping out to the early lead. "My car was a little too tight at the beginning. I think I was set up for a 50 lapper. I just had to be patient and watch those guys. Rob was driving away and Holben was getting around there really good. I think I was running for second. Lapped traffic was hurting me; I don't know what it was doing for Rod (George). Sometimes second is a little better. I was being a little cautious, but that's what it's all about and you got to get through it all."
Charlie Holben surprised everyone probably including himself when he overtook Lynch at the start of the event for the lead. Holben actually opened up a lead the first two laps before Lynch closed back in on lap three. Sixth starter Tom Quarterson and eighth starter Brian Ellenberger passed Todd Bauer for fourth and fifth on laps two and four respectively. Lynch got alongside Holben in turn one on lap six just before the event's first caution for Butch Beasley.
When racing resumed, last year's winner Ellenberger looked strong getting past Quarterson for fourth. Ellenberger made a bold move on Rob Eyler to briefly take third, but lost his momentum in turn four allowing Eyler to hold on to the spot. George, who started 10th, became a contender on lap seven when he moved into the top five. Eyler was all over Lynch looking for a way by on lap nine before Ellenberger' s night came to end when something apparently broke on his mount sending him spinning and bringing out the caution with nine laps completed.
George was now up to fourth for the restart and when racing resumed joined Holben, Lynch, and Eyler as the foursome pulled away from the pack. Eyler powered past Lynch around the topside of the speedway for second on lap 10 then used a similar move off turn two to take the top spot away from Holben on lap 12. Eyler's lead was short-lived though as on lap 14 a wheel broke in turn three sending him upside down in turn four. Eyler was okay, but done for the night.
Holben was handed the lead back for the restart, but when racing resumed Lynch used an identical move as Eyler performed on Holben to take the lead off turn two. George restarted third and grabbed second from Holben on lap 15 when he raced past him off the outside of turn four. A battle ensued for third on lap 19 with Holben trying to hold off Arnie Kent and Bob Felmlee. Back up front, George closed in on Lynch in lapped traffic on lap 20, but Lynch maintained an advantage. Kent overtook third from Holben on lap 23 driving to the outside off turn two.
Lynch was back in traffic on lap 27 giving George one more shot as he closed right in on the tail tank of the leader. Lynch though made the right moves as he became the ninth different winner of the season in the Ed Lynch, Sr.-owned, Commercial Truck & Trailer/Indy Recycling/Howard Concrete & Pumping-sponsored J&J, Kistler-powered #2L. The victory was Lynch's 13th of his career at Mercer, but first since winning the event on June 4, 2005 when he topped George in that one as well. Lynch now has 13 wins overall in the 2007 season.
"That's dirt track racing at its finest," added Lynch in victory lane. "You never know what to expect. You have to setup your car different. Everyone has a guessing game to be fast to put on a nice show for the fans. Frank (Benic) and his crew did a nice job on the track and Vicki (Emig) a good job on the show."
Kent trailed George home in third. Last year's champion Bob Felmlee was able to get around Holben on the last lap to finish fourth dropping Holben to fifth after a fine run. Completing the top 10 were Bauer, Danny Holtgraver, Scott Bonnell, Gale Ruth, Jr., and Andy McKisson. Heat winners over the season-high 23-car field were Quarterson, Ellenberger, and Felmlee.
Gary Smoker put on one of his best performances of the season charging from the 11th starting spot and overtaking Rodney Beltz in the closing laps to become the top Modified winner of the season with his fourth victory in the 20-lap $800 to-win American/Racer Lias Tire Modified feature. "I really don't know, I assumed he (Beltz) was leading when I got up there," described the Mercer, Pa. driver when asked about at what point did he realize he could pull the win off. "I've got to thank my Lord Jesus Christ; he drives that car. I just sit in there and steer. He's amazing. I have to thank my brother Dave Smoker and his partner Dave Jenkins, who own the car and all my sponsors. It's just a great car."
After a spin by Ryan Haney on the start of the event, the race went non-stop. Beltz drew the number one pill and raced into the early lead with Steve Barr trailing. Lonny Riggs went from sixth to third on the restart. Brad Rapp and Riggs battled hard side-by-side and the two made contact on lap five with Rapp getting by for third. Smoker and Frank Guidace then overtook Riggs for fourth and fifth respectively on lap nine.
Smoker passed Rapp for third on lap 12 and then inherited second from Barr on lap 13 when his super run came to an end when he exited the event. Running the cushion, Smoker reeled in Beltz, who was running the bottom, and had the leader in sight on lap 16. On lap 18, Beltz slipped off the bottom in turn four allowing Smoker to dive past for the lead. Smoker led the final three laps for his 13th career win in the division and 41st of his career overall at Mercer in the D&D Racing-owned, Kristyak's Service Plaza/MBMR Inc./High Reach/Omac Inc.-sponsored #516. Beltz held on to second over a fast-closing Rapp and Guidace. Riggs was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Krummert, Mark Frankhouser, Matt Reeher, Dave Cogswell, and Greg Davis. Smoker and Beltz were heat winners.
Making his first appearance of the season in a tune-up for the Little Guy Nationals, Thunder Mountain Speedway Champion Rusty Martz led all 20 laps of the Tire Express Stock Car feature for the $500 win. "I wanted to get one under my belt not just to win, but to get a feel for the track," stated the Brookville, Pa. winner when asked about his appearance. "I was here last year, but this is an all-together new car. I have to thank all my fans, family, and wife for supporting me and following me wherever I go."
Martz was pretty much the only car that didn't suffer a misfortunate in the caution-filled event and was never challenged in his Cypress Gift Shop/St. Marys Chevrolet/Brocious Lumber/Coleman Cabinets/D&I Trucking/Mark' s Auto-sponsored #16M. Andy Buckley suffered a flat tire on lap five. Another caution allowed him to make it back on the track on the lead lap and he came back through the pack to finish second. Tim Deutsch was involved in an accident on lap seven, but he fought his way back through to claim a season best third. Jamie Barber crossed the finish line in fourth, but was found illegal in post-race tech moving Russ Byler, who was also involved in the lap seven accident, to fourth. Track champion Brian Booher was fifth in an ill-handling car. Martz and Rod Laskey won the heat races.
Garrett Krummert has raced full-size Modifieds for five years without scoring a win. The New Castle, Pa. driver picked up the ride in the second Levi Spinneweber Mod Lite at the end of July and now has three straight wins in just six starts on the circuit. Krummert won for the second straight time at Mercer winning both $300 events in the 15-lap Big Daddy's Speed Center feature and also has a win at Sportsman's Speedway.
Angie Grzelak took over the lead from 15-year-old Bud Watson at the start of the event. Krummert started the feature in eighth and wasn't even in the top five until passing Kotie Kirkbride on lap seven and then moved into fourth on lap eight past Doug Stanley. A caution for a spin by George Englert with eight laps completed may have been the difference in the event. On the restart, Krummert went from fourth into the lead past Grzelak. Once in front, Krummert stretched out to a big lead and cruised to the victory in the Geihl Garage Doors/E&E Developers/Cabinet Connection-sponsore d #21s. Grzelak, Levi Spinneweber, and Watson recorded their career best finishes in second through fourth. Englert came back to finish fifth. Topping the heats were Stanley and Spinneweber.
John Ford of Kittanning, Pa. made his first ever appearance and made the tow worthwhile as he captured the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. Ford started all the way back in 11th, but made his way up to second on lap four taking the position from Wally Stearns. One lap later, Ford overtook Mike Anderson (Jr.) and cruised to the victory to become the eighth different winner of the season. The event's only stoppage came when Steve Polkabla laid his car on its side in turn four on lap seven. Ford's win came in his Ford's Flower's-sponsored #34. Anderson held on to second to capture the inaugural championship. Dillon Barr and Mike Mathieson were fourth and fifth. Ford and Mathieson were heat winners. A total of 31 different cars have now competed in the new division.
Western PA Sprint Championship Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars: 1. ED LYNCH, JR. ($3,000) 2. Rod George 3. Arnie Kent 4. Bob Felmlee 5. Charlie Holben 6. Todd Bauer 7. Danny Holtgraver 8. Scott Bonnell 9. Gale Ruth, Jr. 10. Andy McKisson 11. Aaron Shaffer 12. Chris Shuttleworth 13. Brent Matus 14. Paul Kish 15. Mike Lutz 16. Brian Steinman 17. Joe Butera 18. Rob Eyler 19. Brian Ellenberger 20. Tom Quarterson 21. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 22. Butch Beasley 23. Robert VanTassel.
American Racer/Lias Tire (358) Modifieds: 1. GARY SMOKER ($800) 2. Rodney Beltz 3. Brad Rapp 4. Frank Guidace 5. Lonny Riggs 6. Garrett Krummert 7. Mark Frankhouser 8. Matt Reeher 9. Dave Cogswell 10. Greg Davis 11. Jr. Baker 12. Dillon McElrath 13. Ryan Haney 14. Steve Barr 15. Kevin Green 16. Eric Gabany-DNS.
Tire Express Stock Cars: 1. RUSTY MARTZ ($500) 2. Andy Buckley 3. Tim Deutsch 4. Russ Byler 5. Brian Booher 6. Gary Robinson 7. Chris Haines 8. Mike Dobrick 9. Shaun Hooks 10. Cory Webb 11. Terry Wheeler 12. Brandon Johnston 13. Bill Myers 14. Paul Reiser 15. Rod Laskey 16. Jamie Barber-DSQ.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites: 1. GARRETT KRUMMERT ($300) 2. Angie Grzelak 3. Levi Spinneweber 4. Bud Watson 5. George Englert 6. Kotie Kirkbride 7. Doug Stanley 8. Bill Stivason 9. Wilbur Juillerat 10. Matt Snow.
M&D Paving Mini Stocks: 1. JOHN FORD ($60) 2. Mike Anderson (Jr.) 3. Dillon Barr 4. Mike Mathieson 5. Sam Kloos 6. Pete Wearing 7. Scott Gilliland 8. Rudolph Troples 9. Jordan Ehrenberg 10. David Smail 11. Wally Stearns 12. Mike McConnell 13. Steve Polkabla 14. Dan Nagy-DSQ 15. Leland Haylett-DNS.
Upcoming Events:
9/15 USA-East Regional Finals. Semi Trucks, RWYB Trucks, 4x4 Diesel Trucks, 4x4 Gas Trucks, Limited Pro Stock Tractors, & Super Farm Tractors. Pulling begins at 6:30 p.m. Rain date 9/16 at 2 PM.
9/22 No racing
9/28 8th annual "Little Guy Nationals" Night 1. Stocks ($1,000), Micro Sprints ($750), STAR's Mod Lites ($500), Mini Stock ($150) plus the July 4 T3 All-Star Mod make-up ($1,500). Racing at 7 p.m.
9/29 8th annual "Little Guy Nationals" Night 2. T3 All-Star Mods ($2,000), Stocks ($2,000 A, $300 B, & $200 C), Mod Lites ($1,000), plus Northeast Stock Championship ($1,000) and a Demo Derby ($500). Racing at 4 p.m. Rain date 9/30 at 2 p.m.
Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypa rk.com for the latest.
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