VON DOHREN OPENS BIG WEEKEND AT BIG DIAMOND WITH MODIFIED WIN;
WEILAND REPEATS IN SPORTSMAN, BRENNAN TOPS ROADRUNNERS
Minersville, PA – May 28 – Craig Von Dohren of Barto, PA had nothing but tough breaks and bad luck thus far this season at Big Diamond Raceway but he turned things around in a big way Friday night by capturing the $2000 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified 25-lap feature at Big Diamond. It was Craig’s first win of 2004 in the Bill Devine-owned, Stauffer Construction/Devine Transport TEO 70D, but it was also his Big Diamond leading 49th career modified win.
Greg Weiland of Port Carbon, PA proved his first career win last month was not a fluke by take his second 20-lap NASCAR ShorTrack Sportsman Modified feature win while Elvin Brennan of Forestville, PA got back on track and took his first NASCAR Roadrunner 15-lap feature event of the year.
Following Craig Von Dohren across the line at the finish of the Modified 25 were Doug Hoffman (Allentown), Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing), Billy Pauch (Frenchtown, NJ), Meme DeSantis (Temple), Ray Swinehart (Bechtelsville), Paul Kline (Reading), Rick Schaffer (Woxall), Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) and Keith Hoffman (Whitehall). Heat winners were Doug Hoffman, Manmiller and Von Dohren while Ryan Beltz (Schwenksville) won the consolation.
Before a lap could be completed in the modified main event there were two yellows, the second finding Doug Hoffman facing the wrong way coming off turn two when the pack cleared sending the three-time winner and point leader to the rear of the 28-car field. When they did get to racing, Randy Mohn (Jonestown) took the early lead. Mohn held of Tim Fitzpatrick (Branchdale) and Jeff Sechrist (Womelsdorf) until a restart with four laps complete when Fitzpatrick went around the outside of Mohn to take the lead. Craig Von Dohren, who started ninth, had overtaken Sechrist for third on lap four and on the restart made a bold move, almost passing both Mohn and Fitzpatrick on the inside of a three wide charge. Von Dohren did get second and on lap six he slid under Fitzpatrick off turn four to take the lead.
Mohn began to fade and shortly thereafter, Fitzpatrick did the same as the higher point men began their onslaught. Kyle Weiss (Hamburg) took second on lap 11 and one lap later Doug Manmiller, Billy Pauch, Meme DeSantis and the resurging Doug Hoffman got by Fitzpatrick. Manmiller then forged by Weiss for second on lap 14 and Billy Pauch followed one lap later to take third. Doug Hoffman was on the move passing DeSantis on lap 13 for fifth, just after restarts shifted to single file in nature, and Weiss on lap 16 for fourth. The yellow flew with 17 complete as Keith Hoffman and Weiss tangled sending both to the rear.
Doug Hoffman was using the outside for his charge back through the field and used that move to overtake Billy Pauch on lap 18. He repeated that move to get by Manmiller on lap 20. But Hoffman and Dennis Eisenhard’s B&I Auto Supply / Craft Oil 77 was unable to keep pace with the fleet Von Dohren on this night. Keith Hoffman’s charge was a show in itself as he moved from the rear on lap 17 to a tenth place finish at the end of the 25 lap main with the help of only one yellow to close the field.
In the Sportsman Modified 20, following Greg Weiland and his D&W Speed and Custom / Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson / Detweiler Towing Bicknell 5 across the finish line were Andy Fayash, Jr. (Mary-D), Jesse Sterling (Lehighton), Ryan Moyer (Schuylkill Haven), Dave Dissinger (Mohrsville), Luke Wagner (Grantville), Donn Edgar (Lehighton), Billy Moyer (Pine Grove), Gary Wagner, Jr. (Womelsdorf) and Brad Brightbill (Sinking Spring). Sterling, Fayash and Ryan Moyer were the 10-lap heat winners with Brightbill capturing the consi.
Andy Fayash started outside on the front row and took the early lead over rookie pole sitter, Jordan Umbenhauer (Richland). Ryan Moyer quickly moved from fifth to second on the opening lap followed by Jesse Sterling, who started eighth. Sterling got by Moyer on lap 3 but all eyes were on Fayash who, looked like a shoe-in for the win. Fayash did not run away and hide but appeared to have things with Sterling and Moyer under control. But the unknown factor was Greg Weiland who surprised many with his first career win earlier this year after having trouble qualifying before this season.
Weiland started twelfth but was seventh by the time two laps were completed. He methodically worked his was past Andy Miller (Schuylkill Haven), Umbenhauer, Dave Dissinger and Moyer to get to third by lap eight. Five laps later he took second from Sterling and closed on Fayash. Weiland dove low coming off four to pull beside Fayash as they completed lap 17 and completed the pass coming off turn two to lead the final three laps for the win.
Elvin Brennan put his Wentz Landscaping / Murphy Fabrication / Ken’s Tire 555 into the Hoover Chevrolet winner’s circle in the roadrunner main event beating out Dean Ulsh (Pine Grove), Derek Bender (Tremont), Mike Allar (Orwigsburg) and Marty Shappell (Pottsville). Shappell also captured the heat event.
Rookie Tom Hablett (Orwigsburg) paced the 15-lap roadrunner feature field and held off serious challenges from Derek Bender and Marty Shappell to lead the opening five laps. Brennan, who started third and dropped a spot on the opening laps, charged back to take second on lap five and one lap later he was in front. Brennan, who has not had a stellar season thus far, appeared to be back in 2003 form as he held off Dean Ulsh, who took second on lap 7, to take his first win of the year.
Big Diamond Raceway returns to action this Sunday evening at 7PM with the biggest event of the season thus far, the Modified Triple-20’s. The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds will compete in three, 20-lap feature events, each paying $1500 to win, The Sportsman Modifieds and Roadrunners will also be on the 7 PM card. And rounding out the program will be Powder Puff features for all three of the weekly Big Diamond Raceway divisions. Gates open at 4:30 PM and adult admission to the spectator area is $20.
On the strength of his third place finish, and the fact that Craig Von Dohren and Doug Hoffman have already earned qualifying spots for Sunday’s Triple-20s, Doug Manmiller captured the final guaranteed starting spot for the historic event.
Keith Hoffman and Meme DeSantis are also guaranteed but Meme may not be in the field as he does not have an engine for his 99. The engine he has been running was borrowed through Friday night while he waits for a new Ford power plant. Already having a qualifying spot means he as well as both Hoffmans, Manmiller and Von Dohren need not qualify and will be part of the group of drivers handicapped for their starting spots in the first 20. If the do at least start each feature, they are guaranteed to go home with at least $420.
RACE RESULT SUMMARY - FRIDAY NIGHT, May 28, 2004
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS - 25-LAP FEATURE – 1. 70d Craig Von Dohren; 2. 77 Doug Hoffman; 3. 00 Doug Manmiller; 4. 114 Billy Pauch; 5. 99 Meme DeSantis; 6. 33 Ray Swinehart; 7. 5 Paul Kline; 8. 73 Rick Schaffer; 9. 15X Billy Pauch, Jr.; 10. 1 Keith Hoffman; 11. 102 Shawn Fitzpatrick; 12. 505 Randy Mohn; 13. 42 Jeff Sechrist; 14. 83B Josh Biever; 15. 24H Justin Andrews; 16. 21K Kyle Weiss; 17. 100 Tom Pompei; 18. Sq1 Bobby Gunther Walsh; 19. VR1 Tim Fitzpatrick; 20. 15 Dale Hartz; 21. 221 Ryan Beltz; 22. 6Jr Kevin Hartnett; 23. 11 Keith Brightbill; 24. 7X Tommy Sheetz, Jr.; 25. 14 Rick Laubach; 26. 88X Roy Wiest; 27. 3X Ron Mawson, Jr., 28. 6 Dale Roth. Non-Qualifiers: 57 Andy Burkhart; 64W John Willman; 901 Bruce Williams; 21T Jason Andrews. Lap Leaders: Randy Mohn, Jonestown (1-4), VR1 Tim Fitzpatrick, Branchdale (5), Craig Von Dohren (6-25).
Heat 1: 77 D. Hoffman, 33 Swinehart, 14 Laubach, 21K Weiss, 7X Sheetz, 11 K. Brightbill, 6Jr Hartnett, 3X Mawson, 15 Hartz, 102 S. Fitzpatrick, 24H Ju. Andrews. No Time.
Heat 2: 00 Manmiller, 114 Pauch, VR1 T. Fitzpatrick, 99 DeSantis, 100 Pompei, 88X Wiest, 6 Roth, 221 Beltz, Sq1 Walsh, 57 Burkhart, 901 Williams. No Time.
Heat 3: 70D Von Dohren, 505 Mohn, 42 Sechrist, 1 K. Hoffman, 15X Pauch, Jr., 5 Kline, 73 Schaffer, 21T Ja. Andrews, 83B Biever, 64W Willman. 10-lap Time: 3:06.015.
Consi: 221, 102, 3x, 83B, Sq1, 15, 24H, 57, 64W, 901, 21T. No Time.
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NASCAR SHORTRACK SERIES SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS - 20-LAP FEATURE - 1. 5 Greg Weiland, 2. 157 Andy Fayash, Jr., 3. 4 Jesse Sterling, 4. 93 Ryan Moyer, 5. 69 Dave Dissinger, 6. 3 Luke Wagner, 7. 30 Donn Edgar, 17 Billy Moyer, 9. 47 Gary Wagner, Jr., 10. 19X Brad Brightbill, 11. 64 Andy Miller, 12. 2 Art Liedl, Jr., 13. 26 Tom Brennan, 14. 515 Larry Lippencott, 15. 97 Dan Guinther, 16. 8Jr Doug Hendricks, 17. 8 Brad Force, 18. 19U Jordan Umbenhauer, 19. 926 Darren Dreher, 20. 00 Mario Dinatale, 21. 12V John Deatrich, Jr., 22. 09 Jim Payne, 23. 95 Fred Fisher, 24.35 Ebby Ridge. Non-Qualifiers: 23B Steve Zimmerman, 12 Carl Lieber, KT3 Ken Renninger, 59 Jason Kohler, 17T Ryan Grim. Leaders: 157 Andy Fayash (1-17), Weiland (18-20).
Heat 1: 4 Sterling, 8Jr. Hendricks, 69 Dissinger, 26 Brennan, 5 Weiland, 2 Liedl, 12V Deatrich, 17T Grim, 12 Lieber, 59 Kohler. 10-lap Time: 3:13.922.
Heat 2: 157 Fayash, 95 Fisher, 64 Miller, 3 L.Wagner, 30 Edgar, 35 Ridge, 19X B.Brightbill, 8 Force, KT3 Renninger, 23B Zimmerman. 10-lap Time: 3:13.651.
Heat 3: 93 R. Moyer, 47 G. Wagner, 17 B. Moyer, 19U Umbenhauer, 97 Guinther, 515 Lippencott, 00 Dinatale, 926 Dreher, 09 Payne. No Time.
Consolation: 19X, 12V, 8, 926, 00, 09, 23B, 12, KT3, 59, 17T. No Time.
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NASCAR ROADRUNNERS - 15-LAP FEATURE - 1. 555 Elvin Brennan, 2. 3 Dean Ulsh, 3. 19w Derek Bender, 4. Big1 Mike Allar, 5. 117 Marty Shappell, 6. 35 Jason Purcell, 7. 66Kevin Holland, 8. 39 Rob Pyle, 9. 4 Jake Smulley, 10. 22 Tom Hablett, 11. 17 Kevin Beach, 12. 39S Butch Solt, 13. 23 Dave Kamp. Leaders: 22 Tom Hablett, Orwigsburg (1-5), Brennan (6-15). Heat: 117, 555, 19w, 35, 22, 66, 3, 17, Big1, 39, 4, 39s, 23.