WEISS IS 5TH DIFFERENT 2003 BIG DIAMOND MODIFIED WINNER IN 5 RACES
LAYTON IS STILL MAN TO BEAT WITH KARS/AOAS SPRINT CHALLENGE WIN
Minersville, PA - June 13 - Kyle Weiss of Hamburg piloted his Schaeffer's Harley Davidson 21K to his first NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified win of the season to become Big Diamond Raceway's fifth different modified winner in five 2003 races on Friday, June 13.
Chad Layton of Harrisburg topped a strong field of 358 and 360 sprint cars to take the KARS/AOAS Challenge Championship while Rodney Ulsh of Summit Station stopped Doug Hendricks' four-race win streak with the roadrunner feature win.
Billy Pauch, Jr. of Frenchtown, NJ started on the pole for the 25-lap Modified feature but Bobby Gunther Walsh of Allentown put his Square One into the lead at the drop of the green. Walsh opened up a lead while the sixteen year-old Pauch held off Rick Laubach (Richlandtown), Kyle Weiss (Hamburg) and Rick Schaffer (Woxall). A restart following a lap 8 caution saw Walsh choose the inside for the double file restart and Pauch stayed with his on the start and drew into the lead through turns one and two. The battle to retain the lead cost Walsh as the tight group behind came at him from both sides as he looked to regain his line and ping-pong him back to seventh. Laubach moved to second trailed by Weiss, Doug Manmiller (Wyomissing) and Schaffer completed the top five at the completion of lap 8.
On lap 10, while Pauch and Laubach battled for the lead, Kyle Weiss and Doug Manmiller swept under the duo in turns three and four to steal the top two spots. Restarts following yellows with 12 (two), 13 and 16 laps in saw Weiss select the outside and each time Manmiller would edge in from in turn one, only to see Weiss power through and off turn two to regain command. Through this period Rick Schaffer moved the Fran Auto Repair 73 into third. Keith Hoffman (Whitehall) dropped Laubach to fifth on lap 19 and on lap 20 Craig Von Dohren also looked to get by Laubach only to see the two tangle in turn three with Von Dohren spinning out.
The final restart went just as the previous four and it was a Harley-Davidson night as Weiss, in the Schaeffer's Harley 21K, held on to take the win over Manmiller, in the Classic Harley Davidson/GMI First 00. Rick Schaffer took third followed by defending champion Keith Hoffman, Rick Laubach, Meme DeSantis (Temple), current point leader Doug Hoffman (Allentown), Ray Swinehart (Bechtelsville), Kevin Hartnett (Perkasie) and Billy Pauch, Jr., who beat out his father for tenth.
Heat wins in the 37-car field went to Pauch, Jr., Keith Hoffman, Kenny Brightbill (Sinking Spring) and Weiss while consolation honors went to young Mike Gular (Harleysville) and sportsman modified point leader Craig Whitmoyer (Hamburg).
The KARS Doorways Unlimited/American Outlaw Action Sprint Series Challenge saw the best of these two Pennsylvania and North Carolina based organizations joined by Selinsgrove and United racing Club regulars, swelling the field to 49-cars. Rusty Pressley (Lewisberry) started on the pole for the 25-lap Championship but fellow URC regular, Cliff Brian (Ephrata) powered into the lead at the drop of the green. Dale Hammaker (Grantville) of KARS and Nate Snyder (Halifax) of Selinsgrove Speedway quickly powered their 358's from the second row into second and third respectively while former Big Diamond modified pilot, Larry Kelleher (Scranton) moved in behind Pressley for fifth. But lurking just out of the top five, when the race's first yellow flew for Jimmy Stitzel (Blandon) with three laps complete were URC's Curt Michael (Ocean View, DE), AOAS's Johnny Bridges (Cherryville, NC) and Chad Layton, who started 15th).
Nate Snyder showed his strength on the restart, taking second from Hammaker and then the lead from Brian on lap 6 with an outside power move. As they began lapping traffic on lap 8, Snyder, Hammaker, Brian, Layton and Michael were in a dogfight in the top five. Following the event's second yellow for a Brian Eichelberger (Etters) spin, Michael slipped back by Layton for fourth, only to motivate the pilot of the U1. Layton took fourth back on lap 12 and was third by the end of lap 13. Hammaker was next in his sights and Layton went by him on lap 16. The progress now was slowed as Snyder had begun lapping cars again.
Just as it looked like Snyder was handling traffic well and had a buffer of two or three cars between he and Layton, Chad made a huge charge on lap 20 in and out of traffic and eventually around Snyder in turn three on the outside. The event's third and final yellow flew for Judi Bates (Barto) but the restart failed to change the outcome.
Layton took still another Big Diamond limited sprint win, this one worth $1500, over his closest rival for the Selinsgrove point lead, Nate Snyder. Dale Hammaker finished third over Curt Michael and a late charging Tim Hogue (Melford, NJ) in the Tastycake 39, the highest finishing 360 sprinters and ironically, two URC regulars who competed earlier this season with AOAS and captured feature wins. Completing the top ten were Cliff Brian, Larry Kelleher, Brian Powell of New Jersey and two AOAS regulars, Adam Clarke (New Castle, Australia now racing out of Charlotte, NC) and Johnny Bridges. Heat winners were Rusty Pressley, Cliff Brian, Dale Hammaker and Nate Snyder while Josh Weller (Mertztown) and AOAS point leader Brice Wrenn (Lexington, SC) won the C and B Mains respectively after the two of them tangled in heat action while running in qualifying positions (5th and 4th respectively) and failing to qualify.
Ephrata's Bill Brian started last in 11-car C-Main and finished second to transfer to start last (18th) in the B-Main. In the B-Main he took fourth on the final lap to qualify to start last (24th) in the A-Main. He finished 13th in the A to earn the unofficial hard charger and triskaidekaphobia awards in his #13 for the Friday the 13th evening of racing.
Doug Hendricks' dominance may have led to the end of his winning streak at four this week in the roadrunners. Hendrick (Auburn) chose not to participate in his heat, leaving to start dead last, seventeenth in the 15-lap feature. Ken Eckert, Jr. (Minersville) took the early lead from pole sitting rookie, Butch Solt, in the feature. Another rookie, Jake Smulley (Forestville) took second on lap two but sophomore competitor, Kevin Holland (Pine Grove) moved from 13th to second on lap three as Rodney Ulsh and Dave Winslow (Fleetwood) completed the top five after starting 15th and 14th respectively. Ulsh took second on lap 6 from Holland and Smulley fell out of the top five as Hendricks moved to fifth. Winslow had big problems with his 27X on lap seven stopping in turn three. Eckert had problems on the restart and Ulsh took over while Eckert fell to fifth. Holland, Hendricks, Smulley and Marty Shappell (Pottsville) now trailed Ulsh but on lap 10 Hendricks and Smulley got together and spun.
Ulsh went on to get his first win of the year over Shappell, Hendricks, Holland, and Phil Levering of Parkersburg. Heat winners were Shappell and Ken Eckert, Jr.
The big events just keep on coming at Big Diamond Raceway. This Wednesday, June 18, for the first time in history the Super DIRT Week Advance Auto Parts Modified Series visits Big Diamond Raceway for the Down, Dirty and Wild 100. Gates open at 5PM and race time is set for 7:30PM. General admission is $20 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 11 and those under six are free. Pit admission is $25 and no membership is required.
On Friday, June 20, it would seem that things would get back to normal with a solid weekly card of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modifieds, ShorTrack Series Sportsman Modifieds and Roadrunners, but that is not the case. The kids get a chance to come down on the front stretch and compete in the 1st Big Wheel Races ever at Big Diamond. Age groups will be 4 and under, 5 to 7, and 8 and over. The big wheels may not be modified. The big wheels can be decorated, numbered or lettered but the standard wheels and pedal configuration may not be modified. Also the big wheels must be ridden in the normal fashion. Gates will open at 6 PM, with racing at 8 o'clock; The Big Wheel Races will take place at intermission.
For information on Big Diamond Raceway contact the track at (570) 544-6434 or check the track's website, www.bigdiamondraceway.com.
BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY RACE RESULT SUMMARY Date: 6-13-03
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES MODIFIEDS (37 Cars)
25-LAP FEATURE - $ 2000 TO WIN - 1. 21K Kyle Weiss, Hamburg, PA; 2. 00 Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, PA; 3. 73 Rick Schaffer, Woxall, PA; 4. 1 Keith Hoffman, Whitehall, PA; 5. 16 Rick Laubach, Richlandtown, PA; 6. 357 Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA; 7. 77 Doug Hoffman, Allentown, PA; 8. 33 Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA; 9. 6jr Kevin Hartnett, Perkasie, PA; 10. 15X Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 11. 114 Billy Pauch; 12. 55 Shawn Reimert, 13. 901 Bruce Williams; 14. 44 Gary Hager; 15. 21T Jason Andrews; 16. 53 Mike Gular; 17. 102 Shawn Fitzpatrick; 18. 15 Dale Hartz; 19. 3 Luke Wagner; 20. Sq.1 Bobby Gunther Walsh; 21. 70d Craig Von Dohren; 22. 14S Todd Biever; 23. 14 Terry Meitzler; 24. 72 Jeff Ebersole; 25. 5 Paul Kline; 26. 42 Jeff Sechrist; 27. 19 Kenny Brightbill, 28. Craig Whitmoyer. LAP LEADERS: Walsh (1-7), Pauch, Jr. (8-9), Weiss (10-25).
10-LAPS QUALIFYING HEATS (5 Qualify, 4 Handicapped in Main) - Heat 1: 15X Pauch, Jr. (3:06.34); 00 Manmiller, 70D Von Dohren, 357 DeSantis, 15 Hartz, 53 Gular, 102 S. Fitzpatrick, 14S Biever, 3 Wagner… Heat 2: 1 K. Hoffman (No Time); Sq.1 Walsh, 73 R. Schaffer, 901 Williams, 42 Sechrist, 95 Fred Fisher, 512 Keith Fleming, 118 Sean Merkel, 16K Kyle Strickler, 1F Fran Purcell, Jr… Heat 3: 19 Ken Brightbill (No Time); 16 Laubach, 6Jr. K. Hartnett, 33 Swinehart, 21T Andrews, 99 Whitmoyer, 5 Kline, 14 Meitzler, KB1 John Willman… Heat 4: 21K Weiss (No Time); 77 D. Hoffman, 114 Pauch, 72 J. Ebersole, 55 Reimert, 44 Hager, 19X Brent Boyer, 517 Larry Solomon, 002 Ed Scott.
8-LAP CONSOLATIONS (4 Qualify) - Consi 1: 53 Gular (2:33.74); 14S Biever, 102 S. Fitzpatrick, 3 Wagner, 95 Fisher, 512 Fleming, 118 Merkel, 16K Strickler, 1F Purcell… Consi 2: 99 Whitmoyer (2:29.92); 14 Meitzler, 44 Hager, 5 Kline, 19X Boyer, KB1 Willman, 517 L. Solomon, 002 Scott.
KARS / AOAS LIMITED SPRINT CAR CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP (49 Cars)
25 -LAP FEATURE - $1500 TO WIN - 1. U1 Chad Layton, Harrisburg, PA; 2. 56 Nate Snyder, Halifax, PA; 3. 66 Dale Hammaker, Grantville, PA; 4. 2 Curt Michael, Ocean View, DE; 5. 39 Tim Hogue, Melford, NJ; 6. 16 Cliff Brian, Ephrata, PA; 7. L70 Larry Kelleher, Scranton, PA; 8. 115 Brian Powell, NJ; 9. 14 Adam Clarke, New Castle, Australia; 10. 07 Johnny Bridges, Cherryville, NC; 11. 11T TJ Stutts, 12. 5 Rusty Pressley, 13. 13 Bill Brian, Jr., 14. 121 Judi Bates, 15. 55 Brian Eicchelberger, 16. 28 Keith Prutzman, 17. 1W Brice Wrenn, 18. 64 Richie Carnathan, 19. 25 Duane Mausteller, 20. 66N Nate Hammaker, 21. 45 Kevin Nagy, 22. 8 Keith Wetzel, 23. 98 Jamie Schwartz, 24. 12X Jimmy Stitzel. LAP LEADERS: C. Brian (1-5), Snyder (6-19), Layton (20-25).
10-LAP QUALIFYING HEATS (5 Qualify) - Heat 1: 5 Pressley (2:40.51); L70 Kelleher, 66N N. Hammaker, 64 Carnathan, 39 Hogue, 80R Dan Richcreek, 115 Powell, 1 Dave Gable, 78 Mary Anne Williams, 15 Adam Wilt, 73 Kramer Williamson, 14 Will Urkuski, 31 Tim Higgins... Heat 2::16 C. Brian (No Time); 45 Nagy, 28 Prutzman, 98 Schwartz, 12X Stitzel, 1W Wrenn, 42 Alan Spriggle, 10D Kenny Foor, 63 Josh Weller, 247 Neil Esposito, 9T Tom Synott, 87 George Suprick… Heat 3: 66 D. Hammaker (No Time); 2 Michael, 8 Keith Wetzel, U1 Layton, x14 Clarke, 11T Stutts, 39M Matt Gerber, 3a Randy West, 01 Rick Horn, 26 Howard Singer, 23 Rosemary Ernfield, 6F Bill Fannasy… Heat 4: 56 Snyder (No Time); 07 Bridges, 55 Eichelberger, 121 Bates, 25 Mausteller, 7 Mike Rssler, 12 Tim Long, 8x Doug Gold, 99 Nyle Berkes, 77 Todd Saintsing, 88 Larry Lamey, 13 Bill Brian.
10-LAP C-MAIN (2 Transfer to B): 63 Weller (2:40.09), 13 B.Brian, Jr., 26 Singer, 6F Fannasy, 77 Saintsing, 247 Espositi, 23 Ernfield, 15 Wilt, 88 Lamey, 73 Williamson, 9T Synott… 10-LAP B-MAIN (4 Qualify): 1W Wrenn ((no Time), 115 Powell, 117 Stutts, 13 B. Brian, Jr., 80R Richcreek, 3a West, 39M Gerber, 12 Long, 1 Gable, 42 Spriggle, 01 Horn, 10D Foor, 99 Berkes, 8X Gold, 87 Suprick, 7 Ressler, 78 Williams, 63 Weller.
NASCAR ROADRUNNERS (17 cars)
15-LAP FEATURE - 1. 5 Rodney Ulsh, Summit Station; 2. 117 Marty Shappell, Pottsville; 3. 8 Doug Hendricks, Auburn; 4. 88 Kevin Holland, Pine Grove; 5. 39 Phil Levering, Parkersburg; 6. 88 Jason Heffner, 7. 19W Derek Bender, 8. 13 Rob Kistler, 9. 39S Butch Solt, 10. 555 Elvin Brennan, 11. 77X Kirby Schlappich, 12. 8M Ken Eckert, Jr., 13. 6Jr. Perry Valaruano; 14. 4 Jake Smulley, 15. Big1 Jason Neidlinger, 16. 27X Dave Winslow, 17. 35 Jason Purcell. LAP LEADERS: 8M Eckert (1-7), 5 Ulsh (8-15).
6-LAP QUALIFYING HEATS (All Qualify, Finishers Handicapped): Heat 1: 117 Shappelll (2:27.02); 555, 88, 27X, 77X, 39s, 39, 35. 8 dns… Heat 2: 8M Eckert, Jr., (No Time); 5, 4, 66, 6Jr., 19W, 13, Big1 dnf.