VON DOHREN TAKES SECOND BIG DIAMOND NASCAR MODIFIED WIN OF 2003;
(TAKES ALL-TIME BIG D MODIFIED WIN LEAD & 2003 MODIFIED POINT LEAD)
Minersville, Pa - August 8 - Craig Von Dohren of Barto piloted the Devine Transport 70d to his second NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified win at Big Diamond Raceway on Friday night and vaulted himself into the lead in two major categories at the track. He is now the all-time leader in Modified feature wins at Big Diamond and he is also the track's 2003 NASCAR Modified point leader by a slim 8-point margin over Doug Hoffman (Allentown), who was an early drop-out Friday.
Gary Wagner, Jr. of Womelsdorf captured his first NASCAR Dodge ShorTrack Sportsman Modified win in the first 15-lap feature while Tom Brennan of Pottsville improved on his runner-up run in the first run to capture the second feature for his second win of the year. Dave Winslow of Fleetwood, with his 27X beyond repair from a crash last month, borrowed the 6Jjr. Mushroom Special roadrunner from Perry Valariano to capture the roadrunner 15-lap feature event.
Representatives from the Checkered Flag Fan Club joined the feature winners in the Pritz Dodge Winners' Circle on Kreiser Tremont Qwik Stop Night. Thirteen year-old Tim Wertman of Port Carbon completed the racing card by breaking his own Guinness Book World Record he set two weeks ago at Big Diamond by turning 27 laps on the 0.384 mile over riding a four-wheeled ATV on two side wheels. The record was 22 laps.
Craig Von Dohren captured a thrilling 25-lap Modified feature in the Bill Devine, Stauffer Construction #70D over Ray Swinehart (Bechtelsville), 21st place starter Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing), Billy Pauch (Frenchtown, NJ), defending track champion Keith Hoffman (Whitehall), Shawn Reimert (Oley), Terry Meitzler (Kutztown), Kyle Weiss (Hamburg), Kenny Brightbill (Sinking Spring) and Todd Biever (New York, NY).
Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) started on the pole in the 25-lap Modified main event but Bruce Williams (Mahanoy Plane) piloted his 901 Pub/ Frackville Coin #901 Modified into the lead on the opening lap. Bobby Gunther Walsh was fast in his Square 1/Service Electric modified and pressured Williams from second spot until lap 9 when Craig Von Dohren, who started 14th, made a bold out side move to go around Shawn Reimert and Walsh to take second. While Von Dohren pursued Williams, Ray Swinehart took second on lap 13 after starting 11th. One lap later Williams pushed wide in turn two and both Swinehart and Von Dohren moved to first and second, but before Swinehart could lead the lap Von Dohren charged under him coming off turn four to take command.
The thrilling race was not over. Swinehart was still to be heard from with his P.K. Moyer and Sons/Dames Chevrolet #33 as he got back under Von Dohren entering turn three on lap 16 to take the lead but an outside, turn 2 surge on lap 17 put Von Dohren back on top for the win. Doug Manmiller also caught some attention as he moved the gmiFIRST/The Works Restaurant 00 from 21st to 3rd on lap 14 as he overtook Bruce Williams only to have the steering lock, dropping him back to sixth on lap 18. A determined Manmiller, with Billy Pauch now on his back bumper charged right back to third by lap 20 but now was unable to challenge the lead duo.
Modified 10-lap heat winners were Bobby Gunther Walsh (3:06.49); Jeff Sechrist of Womelsdorf (3:09.95), and Doug Hoffman (3:10.92) with the consi win going to Kyle Weiss of Hamburg (3:05.62).
Tenth place feature finisher, Todd Biever, who has been returning weekly to his roots from his weekly job in New York City on Wall Street to Big Diamond to become a solid modified racer currently 16th in points, indicated tonight he has decided to retire from active competition to devote time to new family commitments. His brother Josh, who piloted the 14s in practice night action just over a week ago, will take over as the new driver on the 14s next week.
Gary Wagner, Jr. took the first 15-lap Sportsman feature with his Denny's Camaro Parts/ PROLINE Construction 47 over Tom Brennan, Donn Edgar (Lehighton), Billy Moyer, Jr. (Pine Grove), John Deatrich, Jr. (Palo Alto), Freddie Fisher (Reading), Jess Sterling (Lehighton), Lowell Snyder (Upper Black Eddy), Brad Force (Sellersville) and Brad Brightbill (Sinking Spring). Brennan won the second 15 in his Bricklayers Local 5/ Jack Rich Inc. 26 over Edgar, Sterling, Moyer, Andy Fayash, Jr. (Mary-D), Deatrich, Gary Wagner, Jr., Fisher, Luke Wagner (Grantville), and Force.
Point leader Craig Whitmoyer (Hamburg) had his drive to an apparent NASCAR Dodge ShorTrack Sportsman Modified point championship hit a major detour as his 99 was sidelined early in the first Sportsman feature with an apparent engine failure that also sidelined him from the second 15-lapper. He lost over 200 points to Billy Moyer, who now trails him by only 16 points, and Tom Brennan, who closed to 68 points despite missing the first Sportsman event this year while on the mend from an off-season broken leg.
Luke Wagner, Jr. started second to Andy Miller (Schuylkill Haven) in the opening Sportsman 15 as schedule #2 started, Dan Guinther (Allentown) was forced to scratch. Luke took the early lead with his Parmer Construction, Dodge-powered #3 while Gary Wagner, Jr. (no relation) took second when Miller had problems on lap 3. On the restart Gary got the advantage coming off the outside of turn two. Luke Wagner, who just completed major repairs to his 3 from a recent crash, ran a strong second until lap 11 when he went too low in turn two, clipping an inside tire marker and spinning out. Brennan, who started ninth, was now up to second but he needed to be more concerned with Donn Edgar's pressure as Gary Wagner drove like a veteran and captured the win.
The top eight were inverted from the first feature, the remaining finishers started straight-up behind them and the non-finishers joined the rear of the field and they went right back to green for the second 15. Lowell Snyder started on the pole but Jess Sterling put the Sterling Performance Engines 4 into the lead coming off turn two on lap 1. Snyder stayed with Sterling with John Deatrich, Jr. and Tom Brennan right behind until lap 5. As the yellow flew for Brad Force in turn four, the leaders checked up but Deatrich got into Snyder and both spun on the backstretch. As the incident was after the yellow was already out, this duo was permitted to retain their pre-tangle spots but hard-luck Snyder lost the rear bumper from his 10 in the incident and was not permitted to continue.
Brennan charged around Sterling on the restart and never looked back. Sterling retained second until fellow Lehighton racer, Donn Edgar, took the spot on lap 12 in the Ahner Furniture 30. Edgar, a fan favorite who has been forced to only part-time action at Big Diamond to support his young son's racing career, was strong again but again forced to finish one spot behind Brennan. Sterling and Bill Moyer swapped the second spot several times in the closing two laps until Sterling took the spot by the length of a bumper.
Eight-lap heat winners in the Sportsman-Modified 30-car field were Craig Whitmoyer (No Time), Luke Wagner (N/T) and Donn Edgar (N/T). Jess Sterling was the winner of the consolation which went untimed due to a single caution.
Dave Winslow took his first win of the year in the borrowed Mushroom Special over Marty Shappell (Pottsville), rookie Butch Solt (Lehighton), Elvin Brennan (Minersville, PA) and the racing state police officer Mike Allar (Orwigsburg). Division dominators, Point leader Rodney Ulsh and win leader Doug Hendricks, both of Auburn, had problems and were credited with 13th and 12th positions respectively in the final finishing order.
Butch Solt took the early lead in the Roadrunner 15-lap event. Kevin Holland (Pine Grove) and Doug Hendricks got together when Hendricks lost control with a blow tire with just one lap complete. Dave Winslow moved the Perry Valariano 6JR into the lead from his fourth starting spot on lap two in a wild battle with Solt, Marty Shappell, Kirby Schlappich (Temple) and Jake Smulley (Minersville). With Hendricks trying to run for positions while one lap down, point leader Rodney Ulsh tangled with Schlappich on lap five and his 5 was sidelined as well. Meanwhile Winslow showed he would have been hard for anyone to beat on this night as he captured the win and tried to scratch his way back up the championship point rankings after his championship hopes were dashed with his totaled 27X just over a month ago.
Six-lap heat winners were Kevin Holland (2:32.04) and Doug Hendricks (No Time).
Tim Wertman wound-up the racing card by giving fans an opportunity to witness history as he broke his own Guinness Book world record by riding his four-wheeled ATV on two side wheels for a full 27 laps topping his old record by nearly five full laps. Several hundred fans remained in the stands after midnight to witness this unique effort by thirteen year-old Tim, from Port Carbon. Tim will be returning to the speedway this week to further be honored by Big Diamond for his world record accomplishment.
Also youngsters, who may aspire to some day challenge Tim's record, were in action in Big Wheel races at intermission. Gena Williams of Girardville was the winner in the under 5 year-old group. Chris Moser of Ashland topped the 5 to 7 year-old racers with his super big wheel while Brett Kveragas of Grantville was third but the top finisher with a normal big wheel. Austin Schultz of Llewellyn took the 8 and over honors.
Racing continues this week at Big Diamond Raceway for the NASCAR Dodge Series Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Roadrunners. The Sportsman will again go in two 15-lap features run in the same back-to-back, no pit break format that was used this week. Gates open at 6 PM with the first heat at 8 PM.
The sportsman modified 95 of Freddie Fisher will be on display as part of Fisher 95/ Hoover Chevrolet Racing's Fan Appreciation Night. The first fans to stop by the 95 in the spectator area will receive free Hoover Chevrolet Racing Tee-Shirts (over 225 in sizes L, XL and XXL), key chains and Fisher 95 Racing promotional photo cards. Bring your Sharpie pens and cameras as Freddie will also be on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the car and/or fans until they need to take the car to the pits for hot laps around 7:30. Later in the evening Hoover Chevy racing hats and Fisher 95 racing hats will be given away to lucky number holders and the team also hopes to have a new shipment of their attractive racing shirts for purchase as well.
For information on the racing at Big Diamond including coming events or race night weather status, call (570) 544-6434 or the track website, www.bigdiamondraceway.com. If you are interested in getting detailed weather reports, you may obtain hour-by-hour weather forecasts for Big Diamond on www.weather.com or an unbelievably detailed forecast (to the exact hour and amount of possible rain) at www.accuweather.com. Just punch in the zip code (17954) or "Minersville, PA" and click on "Hourly Forecast".
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY RESULT SUMMARY - AUG. 8, 2003
CHECKERED FLAG FAN CLUB NIGHT & KREISER TREMONT QWIK STOP NIGHT
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIED 25-LAP FEATURE: 1. 70D Craig Von Dohren, Barto, PA; 2. 33 Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA; 3. 00 Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA; 4. 114 Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, NJ; 5. 1 Keith Hoffman, Whitehall, PA; 6. 55 Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA; 7. 14 Terry Meitzler, Kutzown, PA; 8. XB9 Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA; 9. 19 Kenny Brightbill, Sinking Spring, PA; 10. 14s Todd Biever, New York, NY; 11. 27 Bob Ebersole; 12. 72 Jeff Ebersole; 13. 21T Jason Andrews; 14. 42 Jeff Sechrist; 15. 15X Billy Pauch, Jr., 16. Sq1 Bobby Gunther Walsh; 17. 002 Ed Scott; 18. 16 Rick Laubach; 19. 901 Bruce Williams; 20. 5 Paul Kline; 21. 3X Ron Mawson, Jr.; 22. 102X Shawn Fitzpatrick; 23. 456 Meme DeSantis; 24. 6Jr Kevin Hartnett; 25. 11 Keith Brightbill; 26. 77 Doug Hoffman; 27. 73 Rick Schaffer; 28. 15 Dale Hartz. LAP LEADERS: 901 Williams (1-13), 70d Von Dohren (14-15, 17-25), 33 Swinehart (16).
10-LAP HEATS: Heat 1: Sq1 Walsh, 72 J. Ebersole, 14 Meitzler, 14S T. Biever, 70d Von Dohren, 73 R. Schaffer, 21T Andrews, 15 Hartz, 118 Sean Merkel, 27 B. Ebersole… 3:06.49. Heat 2: 42 Sechrist, 33 Swinehart, 5 Kline, 15X Pauch, Jr., 114 Pauch, 1 K. Hoffman, 456 DeSantis, 19 Ken Brightbill, 002 Scott, 3X Mawson. 3:09.95… Heat 3: 77 D. Hoffman, 901 Williams, 16 Laubach, 102X S. Fitzpatrick, 55 Reimert, 6JR K. Hartnett, 00 Manmiller, XB9 Weiss, 11 Keith Brightbill, 82 Tom Benner. 3:10.92… 10-Lap Consolation: XB9 Weiss, 19 Ken Brightbill, 15 Hartz, 11 Keith Brightbill, 002 Scott, 27 B. Ebersole, 3X Mawson, 82 Benner, 118 Merkel. 3:05.62.
NASCAR DODGE SHORTRACK SERIES SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS - 1st 15-LAP FEATURE: 1. 47 Gary Wagner, Jr., Womelsdorf; 2. 26 Tom Brennan, Pottsville; 3. 30 Donn Edgar, Lehighton; 4. 17 Billy Moyer, Jr., Pine Grove; 5. 12V John Deatrich, Jr., Palo Alto; 6. 95 Freddie Fisher, Reading; 7. 4 Jesse Sterling, Lehighton; 8. 10 Lowell Snyder, Upper Black Eddy; 9. 8 Brad Force, Sellersville; 10. 19X Brad Brightbill, Sinking Spring; 11. 93 Ryan Moyer; 12. 5 Greg Weiland; 13. 72 Ray Woodall; 14. 24 Randy Thomas; 15. 926 Darren Dreher; 16. 35 Lance Hoch; 17. 3 Luke Wagner; 18. 12 Carl Lieber (in as alternated for scratched 97 Dan Guinther); 19. 09 Jim Payne; 20. 19 Brent Boyer; 21. 157 Andy Fayash, Jr.; 22. 515 Larry Lippencott; 23. 64 Andy Miller; 24. 99 Craig Whitmoyer. DNS - 97 Guinther.
2nd 15-LAP FEATURE: 1. 26 Brennan; 2. 30 Edgar; 3. 4 Sterling; 4. 17 B. Moyer; 5. 157 Fayash, Mary-D; 6. 12V Deatrich; 7. 47 G. Wagner; 8. 95 Fisher; 9. 3 L. Wagner, Grantville; 10. 8 Force; 11. 5 Weiland; 12. 09 Payne; 13. 64 Miller; 14. 72 Woodall; 15. 12 Lieber; 16. 93 R. Moyer; 17. 35 Hoch; 18. 19X B. Brightbill; 19. 926 Dreher; 20. 10 Snyder; 21. 19 Boyer; 22. 24 Thomas. Did Not Start - 515 Lippencott, 99 Whitmoyer. Eligible Alternates Did Not Show: 23B Steve Zimmerman, 30T Tommy Sheetz, Jr.
8-Lap HEATS - Heat 1: 99 Whitmoyer, 64 Miller, 93 R. Moyer, 10 Snyder, 95 Fisher, 515 Lippencott, 5 Weiland, 23B Zimmerman, 09 Payne, 30T Sheetz. No Time… Heat 2: 3 L. Wagner, 47 G. Wagner, 17 B. Moyer, 12V Deatrich, 72 Woodall, 926 Dreher, 12 Lieber, 4 Sterling, 101 Louie Mitchalk, 61 John Leindecker. No Time… Heat 3: 30 Edgar, 97 Guinther, 26 Brennan, 19X B. Brightbill, 157 Fayash, 8 Force, 35 Hoch, 24 Thomas, 11X Rick Hendricks, 19 Boyer. No Time… 8-Lap CONSOLATION: 4 Sterling, 19 Boyer, 35 Hoch, 5 Weiland, 24 Thomas, 09 Payne, 12 Lieber, 23B Zimmerman, 30T Sheetz, 101 Mitchalk (DNF), 11X R. Hendricks (DNF), 61 Leindecker (DNF). (No Time)
NASCAR ROADRUNNERS 15-LAP FEATURE: 1. 6JR Dave Winslow, Fleetwood; 2. 117 Marty Shappell, Pottsville; 3. 39S Butch Solt, Lehighton; 4. 555 Elvin Brennan, Minersville; 5. 22 Mike Allar, Orwigsburg; 6. 19W Derek Bender; 7. 4 Jake Smulley; 8. Big1 Jason Neidlinger; 9. 66 Kevin Holland; 10. 77X Kirby Schlappich; 11. 17 Kevin Beach; 12. 8 Doug Hendricks, 13. 5 Rodney Ulsh; 14. 31 Robbie Laudeman, 15. 8M Ken Eckert, Jr. (DNS).
6-lap Heats - Heat 1: 66 Holland, 117, 6Jr, 5, 17, 22, 19W, Big1. Time: 2:32.04… Heat 2: 8 D. Hendricks, 39S, 555, 31, 4, 77x, 8M. No Time.