Whetstone's Take Two Features at Gamblers Raceway Park

For Immediate Release July 13, 2002

CLEARFIELD, PA - Bernie Whetstone of Irvona and his nephew, Daryl Whetstone of Woodbury, copped the Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stock and 84 Lumber Street Stock features, respectively, Saturday night at Gamblers Raceway Park in Clearfield, and may have made history in the process.

This could be the first time in track history that relatives won in separate divisions on the same night in the history of the speedway.

Bobby Stokes of Milton won his second Budweiser Late Model feature while George Sankey of Osceola Mills won his third Sids Subs Small Block Modified main. Cecilia Olson of Clearfield won her second Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinder Feature on Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Trophy night.

Brandon Wearing lined up second in the late model feature, but it was Bobby Stokes who took the lead and set the early pace. Stokes had Wearing in second early on, but Matt Gaston came from third and took second on lap four. While he was chasing the leader, George Fultz was coming from tenth and was looking to the front. Stokes in the mean time had the worry about Gaston, who started to close in with five laps to go, but he ran out of laps, as Stokes took his second win of the season. Gaston was second, with Fultz finishing third, Cody Schultz came from 11th to fourth and Wearing was fifth. Heat wins went to Gaston and Schultz.

Lou Gentile beat Mike Stine to the starting line in the small block modified feature, with George Sankey moving to second from 4th and setting his sights on the leader. The top five were under the proverbial blanket the entire distance. Sankey was persistent and eventually took the lead from Gentile on lap 17. Gentile then had to hold off the third place machine of Bob Garvey, who nearly took second at the line in a photo finish from the position. The official top five were: Sankey, Gentile, Garvey, Stine and Dion LaSalle. Heat wins went to Garvey and Stine.

In the street stocks Daryl Whetstone and Dan Smeal led the street stocks to the start with Whetstone taking the lead. While he may have led the race from start-to-finish his win was not easy, as Smeal was right there the entire time, trying low and high, but Whetstone had to power to hold off the challenger. As the duo exited turn four for the checkered flag, Smeal dove under Whetstone and gave it one last shot, but he came up a half a car short as Whetstone took his second win of the season. Smeal was second, with John Weaver third, Kip Charles fourth and Jeff Sweeney fifth. Doug Tibbens and Smeal won the prelims.

Lady racer Cecilia Olson led the four-cylinder feature from green to checkered and had about as much heat from Levi Ardery as she could handle. Olson held the #27 at bay the entire 15 lap distant for her second career win at the speedway. Ardery was second with Chris Farrell, Steve Flanagan and Derek Rodkey completing the top five. Heat wins went to Ken Erskine and Rodkey.

Like Olson Bernie Whetstone led the pure stock feature the entire distance. It was a battle between the Irvona drivers, as Whetstone led the event with Scott Wagner pressuring him early on. While Whetstone led, fans were watching young Sheddy Graham III come from 13th towards the front. He made his way to fifth. As the race ended it was Whetstone for his first win in nearly a year. Wagner was second with Harvey Wallbanger third, Frank Little was fourth and Graham was fifth. Heat wins went to Gary Little and Rob Bailey.

GRP LAST DEALS: 71 cars filled the pits including: 11 late models, 17 modifieds, 14 street stocks, 11 four cylinders and 18 pure stocks. Coming up next week is the first ever visit by the 305 sprints along with a regular show for the late models, small block modifieds, street stocks and pure stocks. There are no four cylinders. On July 27th there is a first time visit by the ARDC Midgets. The late models, street stocks, four cylinders and pure stocks will also be on the schedule. Trophies next week are sponsored by TJS Painting in Hyde. For more information visit the web site at www.gamblersracewaypark.com.

Gamblers Raceway Park

July 13, 2002

Summary

Budweiser Late Models: 1. Bobby Stokes, Milton; 2. Matt Gaston, Marion Center; 3. George Fultz, Beech Creek; 4. Cody Schultz, Hyde; 5. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 6. Eric Moore, Frenchville; 7. Leon Peasly, Lock Haven; 8. Mark Welker, Munon; 9. John Brady, Clearfield; 10. Dale Zimmerman, Brookville; 11. Marc Whetstone, Irvona.

Sids Subs Small Block Modifieds: 1. George Sankey, Osceola Mills; 2. Lou Gentile, Pulaski; 3. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 4. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 5. Dion LaSalle, Everett; 6. Jimmy Holden, Tiona; 7. Mike Butterworth, Philipsburg; 8. Mark Frankhouser, Philipsburg; 9. Bobby Roos, Hyde; 10. Fay Lumadue, Spring Valley

84 Lumber Street Stocks: 1. Daryl Whetstone, Woodbury; 2. Dan Smeal, Houtzdale; 3. John Weaver, Commodore; 4. Kip Charles, Clearfield; 5. Jeff Sweeney, Marion Center; 6. Doug Tibbens, Curwensville; 7. Mike Bailey, Clearfield; 8. Rich Howell, Clearfield; 9. Tom Homan, Port Matilda; 10. Denny Schmoke, Morrisdale.

Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders: 1. Cecilia Olson, Clearfield; 2. Levi Ardery, West Decatur; 3. Chris Farrell, Clearfield; 4. Steve Flangan, Clearfield; 5. Derek Rodkey, Osceola Mills; 6. Ken Erskine, Bells Landing; 7. Bob Bailey, Clearfeld; 8. Mark Hummel, Osceola Mills. 9. Randy Luzier, Hyde; 10. Paul Ferrara, Port Matilda.

Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks: 1. Bernie Whetstone, Irvona; 2. Scott Wagner, Irvona; 3. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 4. Frank Little, Woodland; 5. Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield; 6. Don Geer, Shawville; 7. Richard Homan, Port Matilda; 8. Jeff Peffer, Houtzdale; 9. Bob Noll, Port Matilda; 10. Louis Holley, St. Mary's