Gamblers Raceway Park Welcomes One New Winner to Victory Lane
7/12/03
Bill Walker
Larry Sauers made his first ever visit to Gamblers Raceway Park a memorable one as he joined repeat winners Matt Gaston, Jimmy Holden, Trent Ogden and Sheddy Graham III in victory lane on Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub trophy night.
At the throw of the green flag Brayden Winters and Larry Sauers raced into corner one side by side in the Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Micro Sprints, with Winters jumping to the point and led the first ten laps of the fifteen lap event. Working lap eleven the Montgomery, PA native Sauers made his move around Winters and never looked back. Steve Dunmire who had his hauler and garage destroyed by fire last Sunday morning was able to persevere and get by Winters for second. Following Sauers were Dunmire, Winters, Jay Groves and Mike Himes. Grabbing heat race wins were Brian Riddle and Ryan McAndrews.
For the start of the Vocelli Pizza Street Stock main event it was Marion Center’s Harold Seabring and J.R. Emigh of Wallaceton side by side for the green flag. It was Seabring winning the drag race to the first turn and took the early lead. While working lap three Seabring’s nephew Jeff Sweeney snuck by and looked as thought he would pick up his first win of 2003. Trent Ogden quickly moved around Seabring for the second spot and hounded Sweeney until he finally found a way around on lap thirteen. Ogden thought it would be clear sailing from there but last weeks feature winner Denny Fenton made his way to second and gave Ogden all he could handle. In the end it was Ogden holding off Fenton, Sweeney, Pat Carfley and Kip Charles for the victory. Ogden and Fenton picked up heat wins.
Cody “The Kid” Schultz and Wellsville, NY native Mike Wonderling started the Budweiser Late Model feature on the front row at the dropping of Mike Frisco’s green. It was Schultz jumping out front and many thought he would place his GRT chassis machine into victory lane for the first time this season but fourth starting Matt Gaston had visions of his second 2003 victory in mind. Schultz looked strong and when Gaston moved into the second position he applied a ton of pressure on the leader, finally muscling by on lap nine. Once out front Gaston began to build a lead that was erased by a lap thirteen caution. With the green in the air again Gaston sped off to lead the final twelve laps for his second GRP victory of the season. Battling behind Gaston at the line were Wonderling, Eric Moore, Brady Wonderling and last weeks feature winner Steve Everhart. Heats were coped by Everhart and Brady Wonderling.
Next on the blocks was the Sid’s Subs Small Block Modified main event. Tom Holden and Steve Williams led the field to the start and Williams grabbed the early lead and looked to pick up his first career feature victory. While working lap seven Tiona’s Jimmy Holden made his way by Williams for the lead but a caution for a slowing Tom Holden erased the pass and put Williams back on the point. Once the green was back out Jimmy Holden was able to move his way around Williams and opened up more than a straightaway advantage over the rest of the field. A battled heated up between Williams, Mike Butterworth, Bob Garvey and Mike Stine, but nobody had anything to handle Holden as he added another victory for 2003.Behind Holden were Williams, Butterworth, Stine and Bill Krause. Heats were won by Fay Lumadue and Stine.
The final racing event of the night was the Fred Diehl Chevrolet of Philipsburg Pure Stock main. Harvey Wallbanger took the early lead showing the way for the first two circuits before being overtaken by Sheddy Graham III who led the final twelve laps in the non-stop event. Woodland’s Gary Little (DQ'd) was able to move into the second position from his sixth place starting position and Jason Bainey was able to garner fourth after starting last on the field. Following Graham at the line were Little, Wallbanger, Bainey and Garret Reams. Jeff Peffer and Little earned heat race honors.
Around the Bull Ring: Sixty nine cars filled the pits including fifteen Budweiser Late Models, fifteen Sid’s Subs Small Block Modifieds, sixteen Vocelli Pizza Street Stocks, nine Fred Diehl Chevrolet of Philipsburg Pure Stocks and fourteen Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Micro Sprints.
Throughout the evening the Eastern Museum of Motor Sports displayed beautifully restored machines spanning six decades, at intermission the owners and drivers took the opportunity to show the GRP fans what these cars could still do on the track by putting on a brief exhibition for the fans.
Join us next Saturday for Leitzinger Imports trophy night with the Pennsylvania 305 Sprints on the card.
Hope to see you all at “The Biggest Little Racetrack in America”
Summary:
Budweiser Late Models: 1.Matt Gaston, Rochester Mills 2.Mike Wonderling, Wellsville, NY 3.Eric Moore, Frenchville 4.Brady Wonderling, Wellsville, NY 5.Steve Everhart, Canoe Creek 6.Matt Lux, Franklin 7.Cody Schultz, Hyde 8.Darrell Bossard, Centerville 9.Dale Zimmerman, Brookville 10.Bill Eash, Johnstown
Sid’s Subs Small Block Modifieds: 1.Jimmy Holden, Tiona 2.Steve Williams, West Decatur 3.Mike Butterworth, Osceola Mills 4.Mike Stine, Smithmill 5.Bill Krause, Houtzdale 6.Scott Smith, Woodland 7.Mark Frankhouser, Philipsburg 8.Chris Luzier, Clearfield 9. Sheddy Graham, Clearfield10.Ron Butterworth, Philipsburg
Vocelli Pizza Street Stocks: 1.Trent Ogden, Clearfield 2.Denny Fenton, Clearfield 3.Jeff Sweeney, Marion Center 4.Pat Carfley, Curwensville 5.Kip Charles, Clearfield 6.John Weaver, Commodore 7.Harold Seabring, Marion Center 8.Dave Potter, Smoke Run 9.Frank McVay, Boalsburg 10.Ray Reynolds, Fallen Timber
Fred Diehl Chevrolet of Philipsburg Pure Stock: 1.Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield 2.Gary Little, Woodland (DQ'd) 3.Harvey Wallbanger, Parts Unknown 4.Jason Bainey, Philipsburg 5.Garret Reams, Philipsburg 6.Frank Little, Woodland 7.Matt Howell, Clearfield 8.Dale Schindler, Houtzdale 9.Jeff Peffer, Houtzdale
Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Micro Sprints: 1.Larry Sauers, Leechburg 2.Steve Dunmire, Ford City 3.Brayden Winters, Easton 4.Jay Groves, Sugar Grove 5.Mike Himes, Summerville 6.Craig Fulmer, Philipsburg 7.Ryan McAndrews, Edmon 8.Shelby Rowles, Clearfield 9.Van Holsinger, Center Hall 10.Jeff Fochler, Altoona