EDWARDS SCORES EMOTIONAL SPRINT VICTORY AT MERCER; PRIEST EDGES CURTIS FOR 3RD MOD WIN; SMOKER BECOMES ALL-TIME LEADING SPORTSMAN WINNER; TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR BUCKLEY IN STOCKS; NORMAN ENDS BISHS’ RUN IN STRICTLYS WITH FIRST WIN
By Mike Leone
July 10, 2004
Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park hosted another action-packed five-division program of racing on Saturday night as Marvel’s “Spider-Man” made an appearance fresh off his new movie. Scoring wins and celebrating in the McClung Auto Body victory lane were Gary Edwards-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Andy Priest-Campbell-Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modifieds, Gary Smoker-Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds, Andy Buckley-Stock Cars, and Travis Norman-Maurer’s Trading Post Strictly Stocks.
Gary Edwards ended nearly a seven-year dry spell at Mercer in an impressive run to the front to win the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. “This is unbelievable,” expressed the emotional Canfield, Ohio racer. “It’s been such a long time since we’ve been in victory lane. We’ve all wanted it and needed it bad. Everybody works so hard on this car. From the drop of the green, I knew we had a good race car.”
Butch Beasley took off the pole position into the early lead with Jeff Banyas charging by Jason Dolick, Andy Priest, and Jeremy Cook on the opening lap for second. Banyas wasted little time as he flew into the lead on lap two getting under Beasley in turns one and two. Edwards, who started in the ninth slot, had made his way up to fourth on the first lap then moved into the show position on lap two by passing Priest.
Edwards grabbed second away from Beasley on lap five with an inside pass just before a caution for a spin by Gary Kriess, Jr. When racing resumed, Edwards really began to pressure Banyas and was all over the young racer on lap seven. Priest, Rod George, and Jamie Smith were able to pass Beasley for third through fifth on laps seven and eight. George and Smith both were then able to dispose of Priest for third and fourth on laps 10 and 11 respectively.
Up front, Banyas continued to run the bottom, while Edwards was charging around the top of the speedway. The two were putting on a great race before Edwards finally made the winning move on lap 11. Edwards had enough momentum coming off the outside of turn four to squeeze by Banyas at the start-finish line. Edwards would survive one more restart and was never challenged for the victory. The win was the first for Edwards since a 360 Sprint win on August 30, 1997 and his third career win, which came in the Rudzik Excavating #61 co-owned by Jeff & Bonnie Rudzik along with Dick Schuller.
Banyas’ second was a career best and came over George, point leader Smith, and 13th starting Arnie Kent. Rounding out the top 10 were Priest, Rob Eyler, Dolick, Ralph Spithaler, Jr., and Chad Levingston. Scoring heat race wins over the 19-car field were Gary Kriess, Jr. and Smith.
Jason Dolick of Coshocton, Ohio was the highest finishing 360 for the third time this year earning the $150 bonus as he continues to lead the Moore CDL Driving Academy “Pegasus” 360 Series. Also receiving bonus monies were Cook, Pup Nystrom, and Jerry Yoder.
Andy Priest out-dueled Rob Curtis and survived a near spinout to win the 20-lap Campbell-Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modified feature for the third time this season. “I got in there a little bit too hot and got a little sideways,” revealed the New Castle, Pa. driver. “That’s not to blame Rob (Curtis); I was sitting in the middle of the track and he tapped me. I came back on the track and was fifth, then I saw the yellow and I knew we didn’t get another lap so I was still leading. I appreciate everyone coming out. The track is faster than ever.”
Brian Fink took the initial lead at the start as he raced by Steve Barr and Jeff Baker. Guidace, who started fifth, followed in second with sixth starting Curtis coming up to third. Fink’s lead lasted until the fourth circuit when Guidace, Curtis, and Priest were able to make the move for the first three spots.
Curtis pressured Guidace until making the pass for the lead on lap six coming off turn two on the backstretch. Mechanical woes sent Guidace to the infield on lap eight handing second to Priest. Priest then began working on Curtis until edging by at the flag stand to lead lap nine. Curtis remained steadfast as he ran side-by-side with Priest for the next four laps. On lap 14, Curtis got into the rear of Priest in turns one and two after Priest’s car was nearly sideways. Priest rebounded through the infield and came back on the track on the backstretch in about fifth only to be saved by a caution for Scott Kay giving him the lead back for the restart.
The last seven laps went green-to-checkered as Priest was able to hold off Curtis for his 13th career big-block win in his McElwain Motors/Barris Supply-sponsored, Blackshear-powered, Speed Palace #21N. Curtis’ second marked the second time this season he has followed Priest across the finish line in runner-up. Dave Murdick came from 11th to place third for the fourth straight race. Tommy Marshall III and Jeremiah Shingledecker were fourth and fifth. Sixth through tenth were Tommy Kristyak, Carl Weatherby, 19th starting Andy Paden, Tim Doran, and Steve Barr. Topping the heat races over the 28-car field were Kristyak, Rick Hall, and Priest.
Gary Smoker’s dominating season continued with his fifth win in the 20-lap Tire Express Sportsman Modified feature and more importantly became the division’s all-time winner with his 27th career victory. “I thank the Lord Jesus,” acknowledged the Mercer, Pa. resident. “He rides with me; I just drive the car. I thought we were going to run out of gas with all the cautions, but we made it. It was a nice ride tonight. We set it up to run on the bottom right by those nice white tires.”
Matt Reeher led the first lap from the pole position until Mike Anderson made the pass for the lead on lap two. Kevin Thompson came from eight into second on lap three after getting around Reeher. Smoker, who started 12th, moved into third on lap five taking the spot away from Steve Toth then grabbed runner-up from Thompson on lap seven. Smoker caught Anderson and was on the first year sportsman driver on lap nine. Smoker’s winning move came on the 11th circuit taking the lead away from Anderson. Smoker was never seriously challenged the remaining laps for his third win in the last four races in the David Smoker-owned, MBMR Inc./Mito Insulations-sponsored #516.
Point leader Jeff Schaffer, who started 11th, got by Anderson for second on lap 15 and continued his perfect streak of top five finishes. Frank Guidace was third after dropping Anderson to fourth on lap 15. Anderson’s fourth was his best of the season. Dave Murdick was fifth in Joe Walsh’s #76. Schaffer, Hall, and Smoker were the heat race winners over the season-high 29-car field. Jerry Schaffer won the B main.
Andy Buckley is quickly emerging as the man to beat in the Stock Cars. Buckley rolled to his second straight win and division-leading fourth on the season after topping the 15-lap event. “It keeps getting better and better,” stated the happy Stoneboro, Pa. winner. “I’m really excited about tonight. This is the first time my little boy has been to the races since the night I won when he was born. My wife is here too so I want to get some pictures in victory lane.”
Rick Norco quickly raced into the lead setting the early pace. Rookie Chris Brown and Terry Wheeler moved into second and third on lap three taking the positions away from Rick Lanigan. Andy Thompson passed Wheeler for third on lap six then inherited second when Brown looped his mount in turn four on lap eight. Brown’s spin moved 10th starting Buckley to third for the restart.
Thompson had problems getting up to speed on a restart with nine laps completed, which caused cars behind him to tangle. Thompson was done for the night and gave second to Buckley and third to Brian Booher. Buckley’s winning move came when racing resumed as he rim-rided around Norco off turn four to lead lap 10. Buckley went on for his 17th career win in his MPR Lumber/Kristyak’s Korner-sponsored #965 and took over the point lead for the first time this season.
Norco held on to a career best second place finish. Booher was third as Bobby Whitling and John Reiser rounded out the first five. Heat race winners were Terry Kroner, Lanigan, and Booher over the 29-car field. Russ Coyne won the B main.
Travis Norman ended the Bishs’ stranglehold on the Strictly Stocks by winning his first career race in the 12-lap Maurer’s Trading Post “Redneck Racers Shotgun Series” feature. “It’s good to run with those guys and beat them,” stated the New Castle, Pa. driver son of the great Stock Car racer Gary Norman.
Norman took the lead from Jeff Manners on lap one and held off hard charging Curt Bish, Sr. in the closing laps for the win in the Andy Thompson-owned #9N. Bish, Sr., a nine-time winner started from 10th, but came up just shy in an effort to keep the Bish Family perfect. Curt Bish, Jr., who has the other three victories, was third. Ben Porter subbing for Lauren Simmons was fourth as newcomer Matthew Zinz was fifth. Thirteen cars were on hand matching a season-high.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. GARY EDWARDS 2. Jeff Banyas 3. Rod George 4. Jamie Smith 5. Arnie Kent 6. Andy Priest 7. Rob Eyler 8. Jason Dolick 9. Ralph Spithaler, Jr. 10. Chad Levingston 11. Jeremy Cook 12. Butch Beasley 13. Gale Ruth, Jr. 14. Pup Nystrom 15. Gary Kriess, Jr. 16. Mark Murphy 17. Jerry Yoder 18. Chris Shuttleworth-DNS 19. Scott Bonnell-DNS.
Campbell-Peterson Trail & Turf Big-Block Modifieds: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Rob Curtis 3. Dave Murdick 4. Tommy Marshall III 5. Jeremiah Shingledecker 6. Tommy Kristyak 7. Carl Weatherby 8. Andy Paden 9. Tim Doran 10. Steve Barr 11. Jeremy Paup 12. Kyle Ripper 13. Lee Miller 14. Randy Chronister 15. Jeff Baker 16. Howard Duff 17. John Buchanan 18. Scott Kay 19. Rick Hall 20. Frank Guidace 21. Garrett Krummert 22. Brian Fink 23. Leonard Baker, Jr. 24. Carl Murdick-DNS 25. Travis Shingledecker-DNS 26. Rodney Beltz-DNS 27. Ed Alcorn, Jr.-DNS 28. Rick Kress-DNS.
Tire Express Sportsman Modifieds: 1. GARY SMOKER 2. Jeff Schaffer 3. Frank Guidace 4. Mike Anderson 5. Dave Murdick 6. Jeff Walters 7. Kevin Thompson 8. Steve Toth 9. Jerry Schaffer 10. Rick Hall 11. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 12. Mike Turner 13. Kevin Green 14. Matt Reeher 15. Rich Whitney 16. Kristin Jordan 17. Jerry O’Rock, Jr. 18. Jim Rombold, Jr. 19. Jay Priest 20. Fred Sasse 21. Rich Ferguson 22. Mike Kelley 23. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 24. Pud Welsh DNQ: John Larkin, Bill Thompson, Branden Porter, Jerry Twentier, Sr., Terry Young.
Stock Cars: 1. ANDY BUCKLEY 2. Rick Norco 3. Brian Booher 4. Bobby Whitling 5. John Reiser 6. Terry Wheeler 7. Doug Iorio 8. Jarrot Moore 9. Ron Iorio 10. Shaun Hooks 11. Jack Keesey 12. Gary Norman 13. Terry Kroner 14. Scott Malone 15. Cody Smith 16. Carl Ealy 17. Tony Spaghetti 18. Bill Lanigan 19. Andy Thompson 20. Russ Coyne 21. Rick Anthony 22. Gary Miller, Jr. 23. Rick Lanigan 24. Chris Brown-DSQ (light) 25. Gary Johns-DNS DNQ: Ryan Moyer, Bill Vance, Jr., Tim Zuschlag, Clyde Roberts.
Maurer’s Trading Post Strictly Stocks: 1. TRAVIS NORMAN 2. Curt Bish, Sr. 3. Curt Bish, Jr. 4. Ben Porter 5. Matthew Zinz 6. Don Blake, Jr. 7. Randy Ealy 8. Joe Blake 9. Jesse DeLoe 10. Wearne Cook 11. Paul Reiser 12. Jeff Manners 13. Jon Mabry.