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BIG DIAMOND WINS TO SWINEHART, HENDRICKS; BRIGHTBILL WINS CAREER 1ST;



HOLLAND, HABLETT, JENKINS, SCHULTZ DIVIDE THE STATION HOUSE RR 4 CRAZY 8s

Minersville, PA – August 4 – Ray Swinehart of Bechtelsville, PA, and Doug Hendricks of Auburn, PA, again displayed some second half strength at Big Diamond Raceway on Friday night, August 5, by taking the second wins in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds and Sportsman Modifieds in the last four weeks. Hendricks’s win came in the feature held over from July 1 but second generation star Brad Brightbill of Sinking Spring, PA took his first career Sportsman Modified win in the regularly scheduled feature on the card.

The roadrunners had four different winners in The Station House of Llewellyn Four Crazy-8s as Kevin Holland (Pine Grove) and Tom Hablett (Orwigsburg) were repeat winners and Tory Jenkins (Schuylkill Haven) and Dave Schultz (Forestville) took their 1st career wins.

After following race leader Meme DeSantis (Temple) and his Eastern Rigging #11 for 15 laps, Ray Swinehart took to the outside in turn three on lap 18 and took the lead for his second win of the year in the Guistwite Pools and Contracting / J&K Remodeling #29. Swinehart, who started eleventh, took the win over DeSantis, Jeff Strunk (Bethel), Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing), Doug Hoffman (Whitehall), Rick Laubach (Richlandtown), Duane Howard (Oley), Sean Merkel (Gilbertsville), Paul Kline (Reading), and John Willman (Birdsboro).

Bobby Gunther Walsh (Allentown) started on the pole for the 25-lap modified feature. Walsh pushed out well high in turn four as they were coming to complete lap one and the lead pack motored by with Josh Biever (Landingville) in front. DeSantis, who started fifth, followed Biever and went past him going down the backstretch to take charge on lap 2. Biever and Jason Andrews (Parryville) tangled while battling for second on the following laps and they collected Andy Burkhart (Temple), Justin Andrews (Parryville), Dave Dissinger (Mohrsville) and Shawn Fitzpatrick (Pottsville) in turn four while Jeff Sechrist (Wernersville), Ryan Watt, and Keith Hoffman (Whitehall) pitted either for damage from the incident or other mechanical problems. This moved Swinehart to second and he ran there until his pass for the lead on lap 18.

Duane Howard started 12th and was only five points behind point leader Doug Hoffman at the start of the race. Howard moved to third by lap three with Jeff Strunk and Doug Manmiller right with him. Doug Hoffman’s progress was slowed as he passed three cars on lap 6 to crack the top ten in eighth. Hoffman was no fourth up than sixth on lap 14 when Strunk went around Howard for third. Howard tried a bit to hard to regain third and on lap 16 while trying to catch Strunk, he spun the #367 360 degrees, continuing without causing a yellow but falling to eleventh. But Rick Laubach got by Hoffman on the same lap to keep him out of the top five.

Although Swinehart was the clear winner by a wide margin, the late racing for a top five finish was intense. Doug Manmiller edged his Classic Harley Davidson/Mid-Atlantic Vinyl/Douglas Young Builder 11D in front of Strunk to take third on lap 24, but Strunk battled back to regain the position at the checkered flag in Chad Sinon’s Will’s Equipment Painting/BGP Racing #88. Also Doug Hoffman made a last lap pass of Laubach to finish fifth in Dennis Eisenhard’s Kerry Hertzog Auto Sales/East Penn Podiatry #77 while his chief rival, Duane Howard could only climb back to seventh by race’s end in Norm Hansell’s Davis Insurance Group/Norm’s Save Station #357.

In the held-over Sportsman Modified 20, Doug Hendricks came from 7th starting spot in his Pioneer Pole Buildings 8JR to take the lead from Louie Mitchalk (Summit Hill) on lap 6 and take his second career win in 22 days. Brad Brightbill came from ninth starting spot to take second over Ray Masiado (Easton), Tom Brennan (Pottsville), and Gary Wagner, Jr. (Womelsdorf).

Mitchalk took the lead front pole sitter Kevin Nolf (Nazareth) on the opening lap over Freddie Fisher (Sinking Spring) and Ray Masiado. Hendricks moved into the top five on lap three and on lap four he was third behind Mitchalk and Fisher. Hendricks passed Fisher on lap five and a lap later, he was in front.

Brad Brightbill moved steadily up from 9th starting spot to fifth by lap nine, fourth on lap 16, third on lap 17 and second on lap 19. Tom Brennan made similar progress from his 15th starting spot to take fourth on lap 17.

In the regularly scheduled Sportsman 20, Brightbill improved on his best career finish in the first feature to capture the first win of his young career in the Himmelmann Travel/IMI #19. He came from 14th starting spot to assume command on lap three when leader Ryan Grim (Laurys Station) spun and collected the remainder of the top seven cars. Brightbill was eighth and the first to avoid the melee. He then held off the strong Gary Wagner, Jr. for the win. Ray Woodall, Jr. (Pen Argyl), Kevin Nolf (Nazareth), and Rob Gibson (Schuylkill Haven) completed the top five.

Newcomer James Norris (Riegelsville) looked good in sharp his 13 Sportsman and he took the early lead from outside the front row. With one lap complete Tom Brennan, Craig Whitmoyer (Hamburg), Louie Mitchalk and Doug Hendricks got together in turn four with Whitmoyer rolling his 99 without injury or car damage. Ryan Grim (Laurys Station) regained in lead on the lap two restart followed by Mike Taylor (Milford, NJ) and Ryan Moyer (Schuylkill Haven). But, in a effort to close off the inside groove in turn two, Grim spin with contact from Taylor and the next five cars were collected in the seven car shunt including Ryan Moyer, Jordan Umbenhauer (Richland), Norris, Larry Lippencott (Riegelsville) and Ray Woodall, Jr. That put Brightbill in front and he was never headed.

After leading and eventually finishing seventh in the first Sportsman 20, Louie Mitchalk of Summit Hill went over another competitor’s wheel on the backstretch while racing for ninth with Larry Lippencott and Greg Weiland (Port Carbon) and flipped his 147 end over end several times before coming to rest in turn three. Although appearing to be one of the worst flips in the history of the track. Mitchalk was alert and asking officials about how wild the flip looked. He was transported to the Good Samaritan Hospital of Pottsville for observations based on his complaint of some back pain and a headache.

Andy Miller (Schuylkill Haven) ran second at this point but Tom Brennan moving back up through the field to third by lap 11. Brennan dove under Miller in turn three and Miller tried, too late, to close the door. Brennan got knocked through the infield but Miller eventually went around and stopped after Brennan got back on track and crossed the finish line in eighth, causing a yellow.

Kevin Holland took the first Station House Roadrunner Crazy 8 over Dave Schultz and Corey Sechrist (Wernersville). The second 8 went to Tom Hablett over Dave Miller (Pine Grove) and Kevin Beach (Llewellyn). Tory Jenkins took his first career win in the third over Jake Smulley (Phoenix Park) and Holland while Schultz won the nightcap over Elvin Brennan (Forestville) and Beach.

In the first RR 8, Joe Hendricks (Auburn) led the first seven laps but Kevin Holland dove under him in turns three and four on the final lap. Hendricks realized he left the door open and tried to recover only to do into four even deeper resulting in a spin out of the top ten. It was Holland’s third win of the year.

Tom Hablett found his 22 on the pole for the second race and he went wire-to-wire for his third overall win and second NASCAR Roadrunner win. Hablett had his hands full and Tory Jenkins. Elvin Brennan and Dave Miller were all over him. Jenkins looked like he was making his move off turn two in his first actual night of racing in the full bodied cars when he spun his 00 collecting Brennan and yielding the win the Hablett.

Jenkins finish put him on the pole for the third 8 and the young man took his first career win. Jenkins had participated in two or three of the Big Diamond practice nights in the #22X driven by Hablett and Mike Allar last year. Tonight the car was numbered 00 and Jenkins held off Jake Smulley in his 377 and Jason Sherman, substituting in the Phil Levering 39 after breaking his own 721.

Jeremy Becker (Forestville) started on the pole in the final 8-lapper but Dave Schultz got away on top from the second starting spot. Becker and newcomer “Insane Shane” Heckensweiler tangled causing a yellow on lap two putting Butch Solt (Lehighton) right on Schultz. Point Leader Kevin Beach took his shot at Schultz from laps 4 through 6. Elvin Brennan took second on lap 7 and he came off turn four beside Schultz on the outside as the leaders encountered Heckensweiler. Schultz went under Shane and Brennan had no where to go. Brennan actually pushed Heckensweiler across the line with all three cars finishing under a blanket.

Racing continues at Big Diamond Raceway this Tuesday night (Aug. 9) as Andrew Harpell brings his Race of Champions Dirt Tour back to Central Pennsylvania. The RoC big block modifieds will go in a 75-lap main event that will pit the Big Diamond legal modifieds against the best RoC stars of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania big block modified competitors. The same is true for the RoC Sportsman 40 with the Big D regulars taking on RoC’s best. Additionally the roadrunners will be on the card which will see racing starting at 7:30. For more information on this event promoted by Harpell, go to www.rocdirt.com.

Next Friday, August 12, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Roadrunners will be joined by the 600ccModifieds. Racing starts at 8 PM.

For information on Big Diamond call (570) 544-6434 or visit www.bigdiamondraceway.com.

BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY, MINERSVILLE, PA – August 5 – RESULT SUMMARIES
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS - 25-LAP FEATURE: 1. 29 Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville; 2. 11 Meme DeSantis, Temple; 3. 88 Jeff Strunk, Bethel; 4. 11D Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing: 5. 77 Doug Hoffman, Allentown; 6. 14 Rick Laubach, Richlandtown; 7. 357 Duane Howard, Oley; 8. 118 Sean Merkel, Gilbertsville; 9. 5 Paul Kline, Reading; 10. 64W John Willman, Birdsboro; 11. 102 Shawn Fitzpatrick; 12. 6Jr Ryan Watt; 13. 21T Jason Andrews; 14. 15 Dale Hartz; 15. Sq1 Bobby Gunther Walsh; #13 Bob Hall; 17. W9 Colt Harris; 18. 42 Jeff Sechrist; 19. 79 Amanda Spotts; 20. 24H Justin Andrews; 21. 7X Tommy Sheetz, Jr.; 22. 83B Josh Biever; 23. 123 Dave Dissinger; 24. 1 Keith Hoffman; 25. 87 Andy Burkhart.

8-lap Heats:
Heat 1: 1, 64W, Sq1, 6Jr, W9, 7X, 77, 14, 118.
Heat 2: 11D, 29, 42, 123, 83B, 24H, 5, 15.
Heat 3: 11, 357, 88, 102, 21T, 79, 13, 87.

NASCAR SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS
1st 20-LAP FEATURE (Rain-delayed from July 1): 1. 8JR Doug Hendricks, Auburn; 2. 19 Brad Brightbill, Shillington; 3. 43 Joe Masiado, Easton; 4. 26 Tom Brennan, Pottsville; 5. 47 Gary Wagner, Jr., Womelsdorf; 6. 99 Craig Whitmoyer, Hamburg; 7. 147 Louie Mitchalk, Summit Hill; 8. 19U Jordan Umbenhauer; 9. 145 Greg Weiland, Port Carbon; 10. 917 Jarrad Miller, Northampton; 11. 72 Ray Woodall, Jr., 12. 221 Rob Gibson; 13. 64 Andy Miller; 14. 17T Ryan Grim; 15. 8 Brad Force; 16. 515 Larry Lippencott; 17. 17R Kevin Nolf; 18. 144 Don Miller; 19. 93 Ryan Moyer; 20. 17 Billy Moyer, Jr.; 21. 2 Rich Stankiewicz; 22. 10 Lowell Snyder; 23. 95 Freddie Fisher; 24. 12V John Deatrich, Jr., 25. 39B Barry Lippencott; 26. KT3 Cory Renninger. Non-Qualifiers: 3 Luke Wagner; 15 Jason Hamilton; 27M Ken Eckert, Jr.; 59 Jason Kohler; 35 Ebby Ridge; 110 Bill Finneran; 113 Jeff Sterner; 30 Carl Felty; 61 John Leindecker; 13 James Norris; 2T Mike Taylor.

2nd 20-LAP FEATURE: 1. 19 Brad Brightbill, Shillington; 2. 47 Gary Wagner, Jr., Womelsdorf; 3. 72 Ray Woodall, Jr., Pen Argyl; 4. 17R Kevin Nolf, Nazareth; 5. 221 Rob Gibson, Schuylkill Haven; 6. 8 Brad Force, Sellersville; 7. 26 Tom Brennan, Pottsville; 8. 17 Billy Moyer, Jr., Pine Grove; 9. 8JR Doug Hendricks, Orwigsburg; 10. 144 Don Miller, Northampton; 11. 64 Andy Miller, 12. 145 Greg Weiland; 13. 43 Ray Masiado; 14. 147 Louie Mitchalk; 15. 515 Larry Lippencott; 16. 99 Craig Whitmoyer; 17. KT3 Cory Renninger; 18. 2 Rick Stankiewicz; 19. 93 Ryan Moyer; 20. 917 Jarrad Miller; 21. 10 Lowell Snyder; 22. 17T Ryan Grim; 23. 2T Mike Taylor; 24. 19U Jordan Umbenhauer; 25. 13 James Norris; 26. 39B Barry Lippencott. Non-Qualifiers: 95 Freddie Fisher; 27M Ken Eckert, Jr.; 12V John Deatrich, Jr.

8-lap Heats
Heat 1:99, 13, 17T, 26, 93, 147, 17, 917, 10, 43.
Heat 2; 19U, 19, 8, 2T, 221, 114, 8Jr, 95, 27M, 12V.
Heat 3: 64, 2, 515, 47, 72, 145, 17R, 39B, KT3.

NASCAR ROADRUNNERS - THE STATION HOUSE ROADRUNNER FOUR CRAZY-8s
8-LAP FEATURE #1: 1. 66 Kevin Holland; 2. 5 Dave Schultz; 3. 20 Corey Sechrist; 4. 550 Ryan Olenick; 5. 1 Dave Miller; 6. 00 Tory Jenkins; 7. 712 Jeremy Becker; 8. 4 Jake Smulley; 9. 17 Kevin Beach; 10. 39 Phil Levering; 11. 8S Butch Solt; 12. 7T7 Andy Fayash, III; 13. 555 Elvin Brennan; 14. 22 Tom Brennan; 15. 11X Joe Hendricks; 16. 37 Eric Pinkerton; 17. 117 Marty Shappell; 18. 23 Shane Heckensweiler; 19. 721 Jason Sherman; 20. 1T Jim Hobbs.

8-LAP FEATURE #2: 1. 22 Tom Hablett; 2. 1 Miller; 3. 17 Beach; 4. 20 Sechrist; 5. 712 Becker; 6. 8s Solt; 7. 377 Jake Smulley; 8. 39 Jason Sherman; 9. 00 Jenkins; 10. 555 Brennan; 11. 66 Holland; 12. 550 Olenick; 13. 5 Schultz; 14. 117 Shappell; 15. 7T7 Fayash; 16. 1T Hobbs; 17. 11x Hendricks; 18. 37 Pinkerton; 19. 23 Heckensweiler; 20. -721- Phil Levering.

8-LAP FEATURE #3: 1. 00 Tory Jenkins; 2. 377 Smulley; 3. 66 Holland; 4. 1 Miller; 5. 22 Hablett; 6. 17 Beach; 7. 555 Brennan; 8. 39 Sherman; 9. 8s Solt; 10. 20 Sechrist; 11. 5 Schutz; 12. 712 Becker; 13. 23 Heckensweiler; 14. 7T7 Fayash; 15. 550 Olenick; 16. 117 Shappell; 17. 1T Hobbs; 18. 11x Hendricks; 19. 37 Pinkerton, 20. -721- Phil Levering.

8-LAP FEATURE #4: 1. 5 Dave Schultz; 2. 555 Brennan; 3. 17 Beach; 4. 66 Holland; 5. 22 Hablett; 6. 8S Solt; 7. 20 Sechrist; 8. 37 Pinkerton; 9. 1 Miller; 10. 712 Becker; 11. 39 Sherman; 12. 00 Jenkins; 13. 23 Hechensweiler; 14. 7T7 Fayash; 15. 550 Olenick; 16. 117 Shappell; 17. 1T Hobbs; 18. 11x Hendricks; 19. 37 Pinkerton; 20. -721- Levering.