LOMBARDI BECOMES TENTH DIFFERENT LM WINNER AT GRP; GRAMLEY WINS 305 SPRINT MAIN

For Immediate Release July 20, 2002

CLEARFIELD, PA - Tony Lombardi of Warren, Ohio won his first career Budweiser Late Model feature on TJS Painting Trophy night, Saturday night, at Gamblers Raceway Park in Clearfield. In the process, he became the tenth different winner in the division.

Nathan Gramley of Lewistown became the first driver to ever win a 305 sprint feature, as he defeated the field of 17.

Other winners included: Bob Garvey of Morrisdale in the Sids Subs Small Block Modifieds, Kip Charles of Clearfield in the 84 Lumber Street Stocks and Gary Little of Woodland in the Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks.

Eric Moore and George Fultz led the late models to the green with Moore taking the lead and Fultz falling to second. Moore set the pace for two laps before Tony Lombardi moved into the lead by using the outside lane. Lombardi was hooked up on the outside as Fultz tried lap after lap to gain the lead by working the inside of Lombardi, but Lombardi was not giving up without a fight. The leader held on to the lead and never faltered as he took his first career win in the late models. Fultz was second, with Brandon Wearing third, Moore fourth and Louie Jacoby fifth. Heat wins went to Bobby Stokes and Lombardi.

The 305 sprints saw a pair of 23 cars on the front row with Nathan Gramley and Todd Lynn starting the action. The pair were side-by-side into turn one with Gramley taking the lead. Lynn and J. R. Fogelsonger chased the leader much of the race. A caution on lap 8 for Jim Roush nearly spelled disaster for Lynn, who had no where to go and made contact with the spinning 23J. Gramley was given his position back, and went to victory lane for the first time ever at Gamblers Raceway Park. Lynn was second, Fogelsonger was third with Jim Lender and Jason Shultz completing the top five. Heat wins went to Fogelsonger and Joe Zaptoczny.

Matt Baker and Mike Stine led the small block modified feature to the green with Stine leading and Baker pressuring him. Stine was using the high line and Baker was running low but a caution on lap three slowed the field. On the restart, Baker broke, giving Dion LaSalle the second spot and Bob Garvey third. Garvey took second a lap or two later, and set his sights on the leader. Stine continued to work high and Garvey went low. The leaders were wheel-to-wheel for final two laps; as Garvey gave it his all one last time exiting turn four and he took win over Stine by a third of a car length. Stine was second with LaSalle, Mike Butterworth and Fay Lumadue completing the top five. Garvey and LaSalle won the preliminaries.

The street stock feature saw Mike Bailey and Doug Tibbens on the front row with Dan Smeal coming from fourth to lead the first lap. Smeal was setting the pace with John Wayne Weaver second from seventh. Kip Charles was working his way from ninth towards the front, and then took over second from Weaver and had Daryl Whetstone in tow from 12th. The top four were pulling away from the field with Smeal still out front. Charles began working to find a way around the leader and as the white flag flew Charles was looking towards the front and off turn four he move into the lead to take the win. It was his fifth win of the season. Smeal, Whetstone, Weaver and Pat Carfley completed the top five. Heat wins went to Whetstone and Tom Williams.

The Little duo, Gary and Frank, led the pure stock feature to the green, with Gary taking the lead and Sheddy Graham III following him in second. The front two left the field and began to hold their own race, with Graham trying everything to move past Little, but Little was not about to be denied his fourth win of the season, as he held off Graham the entire distance. The top five were: Gary Little, Graham, Harvey Wallbanger, Frank Little and Josh Jacoby. The heat winners were Jacoby and Graham.

GRP LAST DEALS: 82 cars filled the pits, including 16 late models, 17 305 sprints, 18 small block modifieds, 14 street stocks and 17 pure stocks…This week the ARDC Midgets will make their first ever visit to the speedway for a 30 non-winged event. The late models, street stocks and pure stocks will run a regular show and the four cylinders will be competing for $200…There will be no racing on August 3 due to the Clearfield County Fair…Gates open this and every week at 5 with racing scheduled for 7 p.m. sharp….For more information check the web site at www.gamblersracewaypark.com.

Gamblers Raceway Park

Summary

July 20, 2002

Budweiser Late Models 1.Tony Lombardi, Warren, Ohio; 2. George Fultz, Beech Creek; 3. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 4. Eric Moore, Frenchville; 5. Louie Jacoby, Fernwood; 6. Russ Strouse, Lamar; 7. Cody Shultz, Hyde; 8. Bob Cessna, Cherry Tree; 9. Bobby Stokes, Milton; 10. Leon Peasley, Lock Haven; 11. Dale Zimmerman, Brookville; 12. Mark Welker, Munson; 13. John Brady, Clearfield; 14. Tim Steis, St. Mary’s; 15. Leo Bomboy, Howard; Did Not Start; Marc Whetstone, Irvona

Pennsylvania 305 Sprints 1. Nathan Grambley, Lewistown; 2. Todd Lynn, Canoe Creek; 3. J.R. Fogelsonger, Shippensburg; 4. Jim Lender, Osceola Mills; 5. Jason Shultz, Chambersburg; 6. Joe Zapotoczny, Hollidaysburg; 7. Jamie Estep, Hollidaysburg; 8. Ryan Lynn, Hollidaysburg; 9. Brett Knable, McVeytown; 10. Ron Mellott, Bellefonte; 11. Jim Wentz, Carlisle; 12. Tom Worrick, Bellefonte; 13. Michael Alleman, Elliotsburg; 14. Todd Spangler, Dillsburg; 15. Robert Varner, Manns Choice; 16. Hin Roush, Lewistown; 17. Tim Bilger, Elizabethtown.

Sid’s Subs Small Block Modifieds: 1. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 2. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 3. Dion LaSalle, Everette; 4. Mike Butterworth, Philipsburg; 5. Fay Lumadue, Spring Valley; 6. Ron Butterworth, Philipsburg; 7. Bobby Roos, Hyde; 8. Sheddy Graham Jr., Clearfield; 9. Marvin Williams, Tyrone; 10. Jamie Luzier, Clearfield.

84 Lumber Street Stocks: 1. Kip Charles, Clearfield; 2. Dan Smeal, Houtzdale; 3. Daryl Whetstone, Woodbury; 4. John Wayne Weaver, Commodore; 5. Pat Carfley, Curwensville; 6. Randy Campbell, Hollidaysburg; 7. Doug Tibbens, Curwensville; 8. Rich Howell, Clearfield; 9. Mike Bailey, Osceola Mills; 10. Mike Hummel, Clearfield.

Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks: 1. Gary Little, Woodland; 2. Sheddy Graham Jr., Clearfield; 3. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 4. Frank Little, Woodland; 5. Josh Jacoby, Fernwood; 6. Richard Homan, Pennsylvania Furnace; 7. Scott Wagner, Irvona; 8. Gary McElheny, Blandburg; 9. Bernie Whetstone, Irvona; 10. Matt Howell, Clearfield