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JENSEN PICKS UP FIRST THUNDER MOUNTAIN MODIFIED WIN OF THE SEASON!!




Modified driver Powerful Paul Jensen, of West Edmeston, has been around the top five all year, and finally took home the top spot for the first time in the 2004 season. Brent Boyer, of Bloomsburgh, PA, captured his second Sportsman feature win while Afton’s Wade Decker picked up his first win of the season in the Street Stocks. Other winners for the evening were Brad Butcher in the Pure Stocks, Duane Knapp in the 4 Cylinder Modifieds, Bob Doolittle in 4 Cylinder Stocks, Michael Morse in Thunder Dogs, and Amber Patrick in the Thunder Pups.

In the 30 lap Modified main event, George Kostelansky, of Susquehanna, PA, took the early race lead with Kingsley PA’s Rick Holgate running second. Fifth place starter, Paul Jensen, was on a wire as he diced up through the pack from his fifth starting position. Jensen powered by the Kostelansky machine to take the lead on lap 5.

The race drastically changed on a lap 14 restart, as Scott Frack, who was running third, got out of shape as the green came out, and a multi-car pile-up ensued. The crash ended the night for five contenders, including Frack, Holgate, multi-feature winner Jim Gabriel Jr, and virtually destroyed the ride of Perkasie PA native Ryan Taylor. Thanfully, all drivers walked away from the crash.

Jensen went on to cruise to victory, with Deposit’s Chad Cook finishing a solid second, Kostelansky third, Gibson PA’s Mike Decker fourth and Binghamton’s Mike Colsten fifth.

Brent Boyer never got to be interviewed for his first Sportsman feature win, as severe weather washed out the end of that evening program, so he figured he’s visit victory lane again, which he did Saturday night capping off his second win of the season.

Boyer started 7th in the 19 car field, as pole starter Ryan Olsommer, of Lake Ariel, PA set a torrid pace, opening up a sizeable early race lead over the pack. Speedsville’s Kevin Jordan moved up to put some pressue on Olsommer as they hit the halfway point, but just 4 laps later Boyer would take over the number two spot from Jordan.

Boyer was the man on a mission as he took over the lead from Olsommer on lap 17 of the 20 lap event. With just one lap to go, Olsommer and Jordan got together going into turn one, ending great runs for both drivers. Boyer went on for the win, with Kirkwood’s Ken Titus moving up for second, and Spencer’s Cliff Pierce, Freemont Center’s Billy Deckelman, and Cortlands’s Scott Allen completing the top five.

After finishing second twice this year, Afton’s Wade Decker captured his first win of the season, taking home top honors in the 20 lap Street Stock feature.

Pole starter Richard Post, of Dallas, PA, took the point at the start of the race, and held off third place starter Decker until losing ground in a lap 10 caution. Decker took over the lead, and held off some hard charges from Speedsville’s Ken Hammond to grab the win.

Decker was followed across the line by Hammond in second, Cortlands’ Jim Howard third, Berkshire’s Bill Rampe fourth, and Post in fifth.

In the 20 lap Pure Stock feature event, Brad Butcher, of Granville Summit, PA, made his first appearance at the Thunder Mountain speedway for 2004, and also made his first trip to victory lane at the Speedway, picking up the win.

Butcher had his work cut out for his, as he had to start 11th in the 25 car field. Points leader Dick Stark, of Lansing, took command of the race from pole starter Daryl Krebs on lap 5, while Butcher was working his way up.

Butcher made his way by Krebs for second by lap nine, and started to work on reeling in the Stark machine. Just two laps later, Butcher made the pass and never looked back as he went on for the win. Stark came home second, with Groton’s Howard Jones third, Endicott’s Rich Green fourth and Rich Talada, of Chemung, in fifth.

In the 15 lap 4 Cylinder Modified main event, Sherburne’s Duane Knapp returned for his fifth trip to victory lane for the season. Knapp started 8th in the field and took the lead on lap ten from last week’s feature winner Mark Reynolds, of Lansing.

Knapp sailed in for a for car length win, followed by Reynolds, John Powers, Gordie Isham, and Josh Taylor.

Bob Doolittle picked up his fourth 4 Cylinder Stock feature win of the season, after having two weeks of being outside the top ten. Doolittle started ninth in the field, and made short work of going to the front, as he took over the lead by the second lap.

Fred Newton II, Mitch Hurlburt, Harold Humphrey and Rich Powell followed Doolittle across the line to complete the top five.

The top five in the 10 lap Thunder Dog division all belonged to Tioga county boys. Owego’s Michael Morse took home the win, with Dave Russel of Candor in second, Roger Walburn, of Candor in third, Lloyd Twarz, also of Candor in fourth, and Newark Valley’s Tim Gwardyak in fifth.

Berkshire’s Amber Patrick continued her dominating ways in the Thunder Pup division, taking home the win in the 10 lap event. Patrick has won every feature she has started in, making it 7 out of 8 weeks she was been in victory lane. Dusty Corwin, William Manuel, Gene Wheeland and Cale Brownell completed the top five.

Some technical news, the 2004 Thunder Mountain rule book reads that aftermarket blocks are not allowed in the Sportsman division. The rule should state that Dart aftermarket blocks are allowed, while other aftermarket blocks, like bow-tie blocks, are not allowed. Also, there are some incorrect model numbers listed for some of the allowable intakes for Street Stocks. Any questions about these areas should be addressed to tech inspector Mike Wilk.

This coming Saturday, Suit Kote brings you the action with all 8 regular classes on hand for the evening. Gates open at 4pm, with racing set to start at 6:30pm.