LaSalle and Sweeney Take Career First Ever Gamblers Raceway Park Victories

For Immediate Release August 17, 2002

CLEARFIELD, PA - Dion LaSalle of Everett won his career first Sids Subs Small Block Modified feature on Saturday night at Gamblers Raceway Park, while Jeff Sweeney of Marion Center won his career first 84 Lumber Street stock feature, on Sids Subs Trophy night.

Repeat winners include: George Fultz of Beech Creek in the Budweiser Late Models, Levi Ardery of West Decatur in the Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders and Gary Little of Woodland in the Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks.

Cody Schultz led Rick Tripodi into the first turn at the start of the late model feature, with Tripodi settling into second. Schultz led until lap five, when he looped the car in turn two. This gave the lead to George Fultz, who received heavy pressure from Leon Peasley the rest of the race. Peasley tried every possible way to get by the leader, short of wrecking him, but could not get the extra power he needed. At the stripe it was Fultz becoming the first driver in the division to get three wins. Peasley was second with Tony Lombardi, Leo Bomboy and Shawn “Sheets” McGarvey completing the top five. Heat wins went to Peasley and Lombardi.

While favoring his right elbow from injuries he received the week before, Dion LaSalle out ran Mark Frankhouser and led the small block modifieds into the first turn. LaSalle set the pace for four laps, before George Sankey moved into the lead on lap five. Once out front, Sankey and LaSalle put on their own race, and left the field. As the race continued, LaSalle began to get faster, and on lap 15, with an outside turn four move, he took the lead. Sankey lost a little ground, as LaSalle went to victory lane for the first time ever at Gamblers and the first time ever in a modified. Sankey, Mike Stine, Scott Smith and Tim Owens completed the top five. Heat wins went to Sankey and Jimmy Holden.

Craig Lobb led Mike Bailey into the first turn at the start of the street stock feature. As the race continued Jeff Sweeney moved to second and on lap eight he took the lead. Once out front, he had to contend with Dan Smeal. Smeal tried the inside the final half of the race, nearly every lap, but Sweeney had just enough power to take his first career win. Smeal was second with Daryl Whetstone, Frank McVay and Harold Sebring completing the top five. Heat wins went to Whetstone and Smeal.

Ken Erskine led Dave Green into the first turn at the start of the four cylinder feature, setting the pace for two laps, before Levi Ardery came from third and took the lead on the outside off turn four. Derek Rodkey worked his way to second on lap five and set his sights on the leader, but Ardery was determined to get his third win of the season and first since May. Rodkey held on to second with Erskine, Cecilia Olson and Bob Bailey completing the top five. Heat wins went to Chris Farrell and Rodkey.

In pure stock feature Josh Jacoby and Richard Homan led the field to the green flag with Jacoby taking the lead. He was setting the pace, while Gary Little was headed to the front from 13th. With the twin sticks up, indication two laps to go, Little moved past Jacoby and took his sixth win of the season and second straight. Jacoby held on to second, Harvey Wallbanger was third, Sheddy Graham III was fourth and Homan was fifth. Preliminary wins went to Larry Brown and Graham.

GRP LAST DEALS: 80 teams filled the pits, including: 17 late models, 18 small block modifieds, 18 street stocks, 11 four cylinders and 16 pure stocks…The win by LaSalle was his first ever in a modified and his first since 1999…The Hub-City Qualifier has been pushed back one week to Sept. 14, paying $2002 to win and earning the winner a guaranteed starting spot in Hagerstown in September. A Sunday rain date will be utilized for that event…this week the racing is sponsored by 84 lumber. The street stocks will be going for $350 to win. There will be a regular show for the late models, small block modifieds, four cylinders and pure stocks. Gates open at 5 racing starts at 7. For more information on the “Biggest Little Racetrack in America” check it out on line at www.gamblersracewaypark.com.

Gamblers Raceway Park

August 17, 2002 Summary

BUDWEISER LATE MODELS: 1. George Fultz, Beech Creek; 2. Leon Peasley, Lock Haven; 3. Tony Lombardi, Warren, OH; 4. Leo Bomboy, Howard; 5. Shawn McGarvey, Coalport; 6. Bobby Stocks, Milton; 7. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 8. Cody Schultz, Hyde; 9. John Brady, Clearfield; 10. Jeff Henry, Butler; 11. Russ Strouse, Lamar; 12. Rick Tripodi, Ridgeway; 13. Mark Welker, Munson; 14. Matt Gaston, Marion Center; 15. Dale Zimmerman, Brookville; 16. Marc Whetstone, Irvona; 17. Dean Colbert, Port Matilda.

SIDS SUBS SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS: 1. Dion LaSalle, Everett; 2. George Sankey, Osceola Mills; 3. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 4. Scott Smith, Woodland; 5. Tim Owens, Shilo; 6. Fay Lumadue, Spring Valley; 7. Matt Baker, Clarion; 8. Mark Frankhouser, Philipsburg; 9. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 10. Ron Butterworth, Philipsburg.

84 LUMBER STREET STOCKS: 1. Jeff Sweeney, Marion Center; 2. Dan Smeal, Houtzdale; 3. Daryl Whetstone, Woodbury; 4. Frank McVay, Boalsburg; 5. Harold Sebring, Marion Center; 6. John Weaver, Commodore; 7. Duane Kirk, Hyde; 8. Josh Records, Mt. Zion; 9. Mike Hummel, Clearfield; 10. Tom Homan, Port Matilda.

DENNY’S BEER BARREL PUB FOUR CYLINDERS: 1. Levi Ardery, West Decatur; 2. Derek Rodkey, Osceola Mills; 3. Ken Erskine, Bells Landing; 4. Cecilia Olson, Clearfield; 5. Bob Bailey, Clearfield; 6. Chris Farrell, Clearfield; 7. Dave Green, St. Mary’s; 8. Nick Erskine, Bells Landing; 9. Mark Hummel, Osceola Mills; 10. Brian Godissart, Woodland.

FRED DIEHL OF PHILIPSBURG PURE STOCKS: 1. Gary Little, Woodland; 2. Josh Jacoby, Fernwood; 3. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 4. Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield; 5. Richard Homan, Pa. Furnace; 6. Bernie Whetstone, Irvona; 7. Jeff Peffer, Houtzdale; 8. Pat Tekely, Ginter; 9. Rob Bailey, Clearfield; 10. Jason Bainey, Philipsburg.