VON DOHREN TAKES 4TH BIG D WIN IN STEVENSON MEM’L BEFORE RAIN;
DINATALE TAKES 1ST CAREER SPORTSMAN WIN, HOLLAND TOPS ROADRUNNERS
Minersville, PA – July 4 – Crag Von Dohren of Oley, PA celebrated the Independence Day holiday on Sunday night at Big Diamond Raceway with his fourth NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series win of the season at part of the 25th Annual Georgie Stevenson Memorial. The win in the first of two, 20-lap features was worth $1600 to Von Dohren and Bill Devine’s Stauffer Construction/Devine Transport 70d Racing Team.
Mario Dinatale of Bernville, PA did an outstanding job to take his first career Sportsman Modified feature win in his Wyotech/Subway #00 and Kevin Holland of Pine Grove, PA captured his fifth roadrunner feature victory of the year.
Fireworks followed the first set of features but rain arrived at the speedway with six laps in the books on the second 20-lap Modified feature forcing the remaining 14 laps of that event, along with the second sportsman 15-lap main event and the second roadrunner 12-lapper, to be postponed. These features will be added to future race dates to be announced later this week as careful consideration is required as make-up modified and sportsman features from the rain interrupted June 25th card have already been rescheduled over the coming three weeks.
The event Memorial was once again a major success in the support of the Georgie Stevenson Memorial Children’s Charities. A number of the behind the scenes supporters and workers for the charity were honored prior to the event by Chris Stevenson on behalf of the Stevenson Family including drivers Bobby Gunther Walsh and Freddie Fisher. Many of “Georgie’s Kids” that benefit from the charity were given pace car rides around the speedway. Nearly every driver in the pits, regulars and visitors alike, came through the stands and collected money to support the efforts of this charity to help children dealing with serious diseases and their families.
The event brought the largest contingent of race teams to Big Diamond of the 2004 season thus far. It clearly shows the competitors, although viewed a tough, hard-nosed warriors on the speedway, have soft hearts when it comes to helping others, particularly children, in need. Although they may be too distant from the track to be weekly regulars or have job conflicts on Friday evenings, they made the special effort on this Sunday to come out and support the Stevenson Memorial Charities.
Von Dohren took the modified feature but did not close much on point leader Doug Hoffman (Allentown) as he ran second. Invader Jeff Strunk (Bethel) was closing on the leaders and finished third ahead of Rick Laubach (Richlandtown), Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ), Billy Pauch (Frenchtown, PA), Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing), Keith Hoffman (Whitehall), Jason Andrews (Palmerton), and defending Sportsman champion, Craig Whitmoyer (Hamburg), who returned after an extended absence. Just as in Friday’s card, heat winners were both Hoffman brothers and Von Dohren. Jeff Strunk was the consolation winner.
Mario Dinatale took a very popular sportsman modified win over John Deartich, Jr. (Palo Alto), Brad Brightbill (Sinking Spring), Donn Edgar (Lehighton), Tom Brennan (Pottsville), Larry Lippencott (Riegelsville), Ray Woodall, Jr. (Stewartsville, NJ), Louie Mitchalk (Tamaqua), Greg Weiland (Port Carbon), Freddie Fisher (Womelsdorf). Qualifying Heat winners were Billy Moyer, Jr. (Pine Grove), Dave Dissinger (Mohrsville), Luke Wagner (Grantville), and Mitchalk while Randy Thomas (Lehighton) and newcomer Harry Landis (Nazareth) took the consolations.
Kevin Holland took the opening 12-lap roadrunner thriller over point leader Mike Allar (Orwigsburg), Jason Purcell (Pine Grove), Jake Smulley (Minersville) and Elvin Brennan (Pottsville). Marty Shappell (Pottsville), who finished fifth but was disqualified in post race tech, captured the lone heat win.
Rookie Justin Andrews (Parryville) started on the pole for the first Modified 20 and took the early lead with Randy Mohn (Fredericksburg) and Josh Biever (Schuylkill Haven) right on his tail. Biever and Billy Pauch, Jr. overtook Mohn before the yellow flew with five laps complete. On the restart Andrews lost the handle and spun as he was coming off turn four to complete lap six, while a multiple car tangle behind him in turn four also occurred collecting Rick Schaffer, Ray Swinehart, Kyle Weiss, Dale Hartz, Keith Hoffman, Jeff Sechrist, Roy Wiest, Bobby Gunther Walsh, and Tim Fitzpatrick. Friday night’s winner, Hoffman, pitted and was able to return, along with several others involved, but he was not a factor in the feature outcome.
Josh Biever assumed the restart lead but before he could officially lead a green flag lap, Billy Pauch, Jr. took the lead with an outside pass coming off turn two. The yellow flew one lap later and on that restart, Craig Von Dohren took the second spot as Biever slowed and pitted with a flag tire. Von Dohren, who started thirteenth, pressured Pauch and got by the third generation racing star with an outside move in turn three on lap eight. Doug Hoffman followed Von Dohren to take second on lap nine.
Twice Hoffman drew even with Von Dohren using an outside line but both times Von Dohren was able to hold off his challenge. Jeff Strunk, coming from 22nd starting spot, took third on lap 16 after a tight, four-lap battle with a strong Pauch, Jr., but was unable to challenge the top two in his first NASCAR Modified appearance at the track this season. Hoffman tried to make a last lap run at Von Dohren but Von Dohren held his line and Hoffman ended up with his front bumper against Von Dohren’s rear bumper as they crossed the finish line.
Mario Dinatale took the lead on the opening laps of the first sportsman modified 15 from pole sitter Louie Mitchalk and never looked back as the yellow only flew once after an aborted initial start. Mitchalk pressured Dinatale through lap 4 when that yellow flew from Randy Thomas on the back stretch. On the restart John Dietrich, Jr. (Palo Alto) took second and one lap later, second-generation star Brad Brightbill (Sinking Spring) took third. Although weekly front runners Donn Edgar (Lehighton), Tom Brennan (Pottsville) and Larry Lippencott (Riegelsville) took fourth through sixth by lap nine, they were unable to seriously threaten the top three.
Tom Hablett (Schuylkill Haven) took the lead on lap one of the Roadrunner 15, but Marty Shappell took the point on lap two. Kevin Holland, Jake Smulley, and Robbie Pyle (Downingtown) pressured the top two and Holland took the point with an inside pass down the backstretch on lap 6. Mike Allar and Jason Purcell also rushed to the front and took second and third on lap 9 but that was a far as they were able to advance.
On Weaknecht Sporting Goods Night on July 9 the Sportsman Modifieds will run their rain-delayed 20-lap feature from June 25 along with a full NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series card for the Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Roadrunners. Only drivers in attendance on June 25 will be eligible to compete in the already started first heat as well as the two remaining heats and the feature. The regularly card for the sportsman will be open to all drivers as usual.
The United Racing Club Sprints return to Big Diamond Raceway on July 16 on an 8 PM card with the NASCAR Modifieds and Roadrunners. Although not scheduled for their official fan club night at Big Diamond until July 30, representatives of the Checkered Flag Fan Club will be on hand to recognize the URC Sprint feature winner.
The rules for the limited late model show scheduled as part of the tracks 33rd anniversary special on July 30 have been determined. The Grandview Speedway and Silver Spring late model rules will be used as the standard with aluminum wheels okay and either Grandview or Silver Spring tires acceptable. Grandview cars will be able to run four-barrel carburetors and the minimum weight will be 2400 pounds for all cars. Further details will be announced as the event comes closer.
For more information on Big Diamond Raceway check out the Internet and the track’s official website, www.bigdiamondraceway.com or call the speedway office at (570) 544-6434.
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY, MINERSVILLE (FORESTVILLE), PA
RACE RESULTS, GEORGIE STEVENSON MEMORIAL SUN., JULY 4, 2004
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS - 1ST 20 LAP FEATURE: 1. 70D Craig Von Dohren, Oley, PA, 2. 77 Doug Hoffman, Allentown, PA, 3. 88 Jeff Strunk, Bethel, PA, 4. 14 Rick Laubach, Richlandtown, PA, 5. 15X Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ, 6. 114 Billy Pauch, Sr., Frenchtown, NJ, 7. OO Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA, 8. 1 Keith Hoffman, Whitehall, PA, 9. 21T Jason Andrews, Palmerton, PA, 10. 99W Craig Whitmoyer, Hamburg, PA, 11. 27 Ray Swinehart, 12. 64W John Willman, 13. 02 Greg Hummelhanz, 14. 901 Bruce Williams, 15. 15 Dale Hartz, 16. Sq1 Bobby Gunther Walsh, 17. 3x Ron Mawson, Jr., 18. 73 Rick Schaffer, 19. 24H Justin Andrews, 20. 42 Jeff Sechrist, 21. 21K Kyle Weiss, 22. 103 Shawn Fitzpatrick, 23. 88X Roy Wiest, 24. 178 John Durling, 25. 221 Ryan Beltz, 26. 83B Josh Biever, 27. 505 Randy Mohn, 28. 53 Mike Gular, 29. VR1 Tim Fitzpatrick. Non-Qualifiers: 87 Andy Burkhart, 85 Bobby Forsythe, 79 Amanda Spotts, 20 Jack Hartnett, 357 Meme DeSantis, 5 Paul Kline, 20T Ryan Taylor, 2 John Tshudy.
2nd 20-LAP FEATURE - RAIN DELAYED
Heat 1: 1 K. Hoffman, 21T Ja. Andrews, 99W Sechrist, 27 R. Swinehart, VR1 T. Fitzpatrick, 88X Wiest, 3X Mawson, 02 Hummelhanz, 21K Weiss, 87 Burkhart, 88 J. Strunk. (no Time)… Heat 2: 77 D. Hoffman, 505 Mohn, 24H Ju. Andrews, 901 Williams, 114 Pauch, 14 Laubach, 15 Hartz, 53 Gular, 5 Kline, 102 S. Fitzpatrick, 85 Forsythe, 79 Spotts. 10-lap Time: 3:10.010… Heat 3: 70D Von Dohren, 83B Biever, 73 Schaffer, 15X Pauch Jr., OO Manmiller, 64W Willman, 178 Durling, 20T Taylor, 20 J. Hartnett, 2 Tshudy, 357 DeSantis, 221 Beltz. 10-lap Time: 3:05.455… Guaranteed Starter: Sq1 Walsh... Consolation: 88 J. Strunk, 21K, 53, 3X, 102, 221, 02, 87, 85, 79, 20, 257, 5, 20T, 2. (No Time).
NASCAR DODGE SHORTRACK SERIES SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS - 1st 15-LAP FEATURE - 1. 00 Mario Dinatale, Bernville, PA, 2. 12v John Deartich, Jr., Palo Alto, PA, 3. 19 Brad Brightbill, Sinking Spring, PA, 4. 30 Donn Edgar, Lehighton, PA, 5. 26 Tom Brennan, Pottsville, PA, 6. 515 Larry Lippencott, Riegelsville, PA, 7. 72 Ray Woodall, Jr., Stewartsville, NJ, 8. 147 Louie Mitchalk, Tamaqua, PA, 9. 5 Greg Weiland, Port Carbon, PA, 10. 95 Freddie Fisher, Womelsdorf, PA, 11. 8JR Doug Hendricks, 12. 8 Brad Force, 13, 8T Rich Scagliotta, 14. 31 Harry Landis, 15. 19X Brent Boyer, 16. 3 Luke Wagner, 17. 17 Billy Moyer, Jr., 18. 10 Lowell Snyder, 19. 93 Ryan Moyer, 20. 69 Dave Dissinger, 21. 19U Jordan Umbenhauer, 22. 47 Gary Wagner, 23. 4 Jesse Sterling, 24. 39 Tom Cremer, 25. 15 Jason Hamilton, 26. 23B Steve Zimmerman, 27. 24 Randy Thomas. Non-Qualifiers: 59 Jason Kohler, 17T Ryan Grim, 35 Ebby Ridge, 64 Andy Miller, 97 Dan Guinther, 28S Tom Solderich, 157 Andy Fayash, Jr., 17R Kevin Nolf, KT3 Cory Renninger, 11 Mike Stankiewicz, 74 Pete Marburger, 221 Keith Owens, 39J Jeff Geake, 926 Darren Dreher, B26 John Bush, X Robert Grassic, 73 Darrell Herman.
2nd 15-LAP FEATURE - RAIN DELAYED
Heat 1: 17 B. Moyer, 30 Edgar, 12V Deatrich, 15 Hamilton, 23B Zimmerman, 24 Thomas, 19U J. Umbenhauer, 8 Force, 926 Dreher, KT3 Renninger, X Grassic. 10-lap Time: 3:12.250… Heat 2: 69 Dissinger, 26 Brennan, 19 Brightbill, 19X Boyer, 39 Cremer, 59 Kohler, 35 Ridge, 221 Owens, 110 Finneran, 97 Guinther, 157 Fayash (No Time)… Heat 3: 3 L. Wagner, 00 Dinatale, 8 Force, 5 Weiland, 4 Sterling, 8JR Hendricks, 31 Landis, 39J Geake, 17T Grim, 11 Stankiewicz, 73 Herman. (No Time)… Heat 4: 147 Mitchalk, 72 Woodall, 515 Lippencott, 10 Snyder, 93 R. Moyer, 64 Miller, 28S Solderich, 17R Nolf, 47 G. Wagner, B26 Bush, 74 Marburger. (No Time)… Consi 1: 24 Thomas, 19u, 8T, 59, 35, 97, 157, KY3, 110, 221, 926, X. (No Time)… Consi 2: 31 Landis, 8JR, 47, 17T, 64, 28S, 17R, 11, 74, 39J, B26, 73. (No Time).
NASCAR ROADRUNNERS - 1st 12 LAP FEATURE - 1. 66 Kevin Holland, Pine Grove, PA, 2. Big1 Mike Allar, Orwigsburg, PA, 3. 35 Jason Purcell, Pine Grove, PA, 4. 4 Jake Smulley, Minersville, PA, 5. 555 Elvin Brennan, Minersville, PA, 6. 3 Dean Ulsh, 7. 39S Butch Solt, 8. 17 Kevin Beach, 9. 22 Tom Hablett, 10. 39 Robbie Pyle, 11. 31 Robbie Laudeman, 12. 721 Jason Shuman, 13. 117 Marty Shappell (DQ).
2nd 12 LAP FEATURE - RAIN DELAYED
HEAT: 117, 39, 555, 22, 39s, 66, 17, 3, 35, 4, Big1, 31, 721.