DESANTIS GETS 1ST MODIFIED WIN; TAYLOR TAKES 1ST CAREER SPORTSMAN 1ST;
(MIKE MILLER, BUCKWALTER TAKE ARDC TWIN 20s; HABLETT TOP ROADRUNNERS)
Minersville, PA – August 26, 2005 – Meme DeSantis of Temple, PA powered the Eastern Rigging #11 with a brand new Ford engine to his first Big Diamond Raceway win of the season in the final NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified point feature of the year.
Mike Taylor of Milford, NJ was equally impressive as he took his first career feature win in his Mueller Chevrolet 2T Sportsman Modified while the first appearance of midgets in over 30-years at Big Diamond saw Mike Miller of Birdsboro, PA, and Steve Buckwalter of Royersford, PA, each take a 20-lap wingless ARDC feature win. Tom Hablett of Schuylkill Haven, PA took his fourth overall Roadrunner win of the year.
Doug Hoffman of Allentown, PA repeated as the Big Diamond NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified point champion with the Dennis Eisenhard/Klinger Motorsports 77 team while Tom Brennan of Pottsville, PA, did the same in the Sportsman Modifieds with his GMI First Mechanical 26. Kevin Beach of Llewellyn, PA, took his first Roadrunner point championship with his own Uncle Cones #17 team.
Meme DeSantis started fifth in the Modified 25-lap main event and looked like he would end up second as best as Sean Merkel (Gilbertsville) paced the field for the first 15 laps. DeSantis got by Merkel on lap 16 and then held off the hard charging Craig Von Dohren (Barto) to take his first win of the year. Von Dohren returned with the Devine Transport 70d to take second at the finish trailed by Jeff Strunk (Bethel), Duane Howard (Oley), Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing), Paul Kline (Reading), Doug Hoffman (Allentown), Jeff Sechrist (Wernersville), Kevin Hartnett (Perkasie), and Ryan Watt (Phoenixville).
In the first midget feature at Big Diamond Raceway since 1973, Mike Miller over took Carey Becker (Reading) on lap two and never looked back to take his first non-winged ARDC Midget feature win of the year. Although Miller led 19 of 20 laps the racing through the field was incredible with the stars going three and four wide at times. Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) came from 20th starting spot to finish right on Miller’s tail while Ray Bull (Bloomsburg), Ed Stimely, Jr. (McVeytown), and Hank Rogers, Jr. (Scot Run) completed the top five. Andy Martin (Gordonville) rolled his #7 over on lap 6 but came back and charged through the field to finish sixth followed by Steve Lenig (Selinsgrove), Michelle Miller (Temple), Eric Heydenreich (Bloomsburg) and modified regular Ryan Watt.
The second ARDC wingless 20 saw Steve Buckwalter charged from 13th starting spot to overtake Andy Martin, who led the first nine laps, to take the win over Martin, Ed Stimely, Jr., Billy Pauch, Jr. (who started 18th), Ray Bull, Mike Miller, Hank Rogers, Jr., Steve Lenig, Ryan Watt (who recorded three top tens in two divisions on the night), and Dave Shirk (Mohnton).
Since becoming a Big Diamond regular about a month ago, Mike Taylor has shown moments of greatness as he learned the speedway. This evening, Mike started on the pole and was pressured by fellow Milford, NJ driver Ebby Ridge early and then fellow rookie Joe Masiado (Easton) from lap three to the finish. Taylor took career win #1 over Masiado, closing 14th place starter Brad Brightbill (Shillington), Ridge, Ryan Moyer (Schuylkill Haven), Tom Brennan, Rich Stankiewicz (Laureldale), Craig Whitmoyer (Hamburg), Billy Moyer, Jr. (Pine Grove) and Brad Force (Sellersville).
Heat winners were Duane Howard, Sean Merkel and Meme DeSantis in the Modifieds and Mike Taylor, Rich Stankiewicz, and Luke Wagner (Grantville) in the Sportsman Modifieds Consolations were won by Ray Swinehart (Bechtelsville) in the Modifieds and Tim Apgar (Milford, NJ) in the Sportsman.
The 3rd Annual Hoover Chevrolet/GM Performance Parts Sportsman 50 on Friday, September 2. A first prize of $2,000 awaits the winner in the event sponsored by Hoover Chevrolet located in Werrnersville, PA at 50 East Penn Avenue (Route 422) just west of Reading and an authorized local GM Performance Parts dealer
The Hoover Chevrolet Sportsman 50 kicks off a big weekend of speed at Big Diamond as the Coal Cracker Modified Championship 100 will be run of the eve of Labor Day, Sunday, September 4. The roadrunners will be in action on both nights with the Sunday event culminating with the Roadrunner Coal Cracker 20. The 26th annual edition of the Coal Cracker 100 will be run on Sunday evening, September 4, at 7:30 PM with Labor Day Monday set at the rain date with a 6PM start. $10,000 will await the feature winner with all CC starters earning a minimum of $325.
Entries are required for both the Hoover Sportsman Modified 50 and the Coal Cracker 100. In the Sportsman 50 carries a $25 entry fee. For the Coal Cracker 100 NASCAR licensed drivers will get a discounted rate of $40 per car while non-members will pay the full $50 entry fee per car. The entry fee does not include a pit pass.
For more information on Big Diamond Raceway, go to www.bigdiamondraceway.com or call (570) 544-6434.
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY, Minersville, PA - RACE RESULTS – Aug. 26, 2005
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS
25-LAP FEATURE, $2000 TO WIN - 1. 11 Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA; 2. 70D Craig Von Dohren, Barto, PA; 3. 88 Jeff Strunk, Bethel, PA; 4. 357 Duane Howard, Oley, PA; 5. 11D Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA; 6. 5 Paul Kline, Reading, PA; 7. 77 Doug Hoffman, Allentown, PA; 8. 42 Jeff Sechrist, Wernersville, PA; 9. 15 Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, PA; 10. 6JR Ryan Watt, Phoenixville, PA; 11. 64W John Willman; 12. W9 Colt Harris; 13. 87 Andy Burkhart; 14. 72 Jeff Ebersole; 15. 79 Amanda Spotts; 16. 24H Justin Andrews; 17. 118 Sean Merkel; 18. 102 Shawn Fitzpatrick; 19. 14 Rick Laubach; 20. 29 Ray Swinehart; 21. 808 Dennis Horvath; 22. 1 Keith Hoffman; 23. Sq1 Bobby Gunther Walsh; 24. 69 Dave Dissinger; 25. 114 Doug Hendricks.
Non-Qualifiers: 41C Brian Conrad; 09 Smokey Warren; 27M Ken Eckert, Jr.; 39 Todd Smith; 7X Tommy Sheetz, Jr.
LAP LEADERS: 118 Merkel (1-15); 11 DeSantis (16-25).
Heat 1: 357, 64w, 11D, 102, 6JR, SQ1, 41C, 39, 7X.
Heat 2: 118, 42, 77, 88, 14, 87, 114, 72, 27M, 808.
Heat 3: 11, 5, 70D, 1, 15, 69, W9, 24H, 79, 09, 29.
Consi: 29, 114, 24H, 72, 808, W9, 79, 41c, 09, 27M, 39, 7x.
ARDC WINGLESS MIDGETS
1ST 20-LAP FEATURE - 1. 1 Mike Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 2. 49 Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 3. 22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 4. 6 Ed Stimely, Jr., McVeytown, PA; 5. 25 Hank Rogers, Jr., Scot Run, PA; 6. 7 Andy Martin; 7. 9L Steve Lenig; 8. 4 Michelle Miller; 9. 84 Eric Heydenreich; 10. 75 Ryan Watt; 11. 20 Carey Becker; 12. 99 Scott Zipp; 13. 55 Steve Craig; 14. 33 Lew Blair; 15. 72 Kathy Kurtz; 16. 00 Mike Dicely; 17. 5 Steve Buckwalter; 18. 18 Don Trent, 19. 3 Tracy Miller; 20. 2 Dave Shirk; 21. 38G Bobby Goerner; 22. 48 Bill Case, Jr. Lap Leaders: 20 Carey Becker, Reading (1), 1 Mike Miller (2-20).
2ND 20-LAP FEATURE - 1. 5 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 2. 7 Andy Martin, Gordonville, PA; 3. 6 Ed Stimely, Jr., McVeytown, PA; 4. 49 Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 5. 22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 6. 1 Mike Miller; 7. 25 Hank Rogers, Jr.; 8. 9L Steve Lenig; 9. 75 Ryan Watt; 10. 2 Dave Shirk; 11. 20 Carey Becker; 12. 84 Eric Heydenreich; 13. 00 Mike Dicely; 14. 99 Scott Zipp; 15. 33 Lew Blair; 16. 72 Kathy Kurtz; 17. 38G Bobby Goerner; 18. 3 Tracy Miller; 19. 4 Michelle Miller; 20. 48 Bill Case, Jr.; 21. 18 Don Trent; 22. 55 Steve Craig. Lap Leaders: 7 Andy Martin (1-9), 5 Steve Buckwalter (10-20).
NASCAR SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS
20-LAP FEATURE, $600 TO WIN - 1. 2T Mike Taylor, Milford, NJ; 2. 43 Joe Masiado, Easton, PA; 3. 19 Brad Brightbill, Shillington, PA; 4. 35 Ebby Ridge, Milford, NJ; 5. 93 Ryan Moyer, Schuylkill Haven, PA; 6. 26 Tom Brennan, Pottsville, PA; 7. 2 Rich Stankiewicz, Laureldale, PA; 8. 99 Craig Whitmoyer, Hamburg, PA; 9. 17 Billy Moyer, Jr., Pine Grove, PA; 10. 8 Brad Force, Sellersville, PA; 11. 3 Luke Wagner; 12. 64 Andy Miller; 13. 917 Jarrad Miller; 14. 72 Ray Woodall, Jr.; 15. 144 Don Miller; 16. 17R Kevin Nolf; 17. 221 Rob Gibson; 18. 19U Jordan Umbenhauer; 19. 10 Lowell Snyder; 20. 47 Gary Wagner, Jr.; 21. KT3 Ken Renninger; 22. 8Jr Doug Hendricks; 23. 98 Tim Apgar; 24. 145 Greg Weiland; 25. 95 Freddie Fisher. Non-Qualifiers: 56 Shawn Heistand; 74 Pete Marburger; 73 Darrel Herman; 13 James Norris; 59 Jason Kohler; 71 Chris James; 157 Louie Mitchalk; 25 Ray Deemer; 515 Larry Lippencott. Feature Lap Leaders: Taylor led 1 – 20.
Heat 1: 2T, 93, KT3, 47, 35, 917, 98, 17, 145, 59, 73, 157.
Heat 2: 2, 19, 64, 26, 8Jr, 10, 13, 72, 95, 221, 56.
Heat 3: 3, 43, 8, 99, 19, 144, 17R, 25, 74, 71, 515.
Consi: 98, 17, 17R, 72, 145, 221, 95, 56, 74, 73, 13, 59, 71, 157, 25, 515.
NASCAR ROADRUNNERS
15-LAP FEATURE - $100 TO WIN - 1. 22 Tom Hablett, Schuylkill Haven, PA; 2. 555 Elvin Brennan, Forestville, PA; 3. 66 Kevin Holland, Pine Grove, PA; 4. 37 Eric Pinkerton, Tower City, PA; 5. 1 Dave Miller, Pine Grove, PA; 6. 17 Kevin Beach; 7. 5 Dave Schultz; 8. 8s Butch Solt; 9. 550 Ryan Olenick; 10. 11X Joey Hendricks; 11. 721 Jason Sherman; 12. 4 Jake Smulley; 13. 20 Corey Sechrist; 14. 712 Jeremy Becker; 15. 7T7 Andy Fayash, III. Lap Leaders: 37 Eric Pinkerton (1-10); 22 Tom Hablett (11-15).