SCHULTZ BECOMES NINTH DIFFERENT LATE MODEL WINNER AS HISTORY IS MADE AT GRP
For Immediate Release July 6, 2002
CLEARFIELD, PA - Cody “The Kid” Schultz won his career first Budweiser Late Model feature on Graham Motors Trophy night at Gamblers Raceway Park as history was also made.
Mike Butterworth of Philipsburg won his first Sid’s Subs Small Block Modified feature while the repeat winners included: Kip Charles of Clearfield in the 84 Lumber Street Stocks, Derek Rodkey of Osceola Mills in the Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders and Sheddy Graham III of Clearfield in the Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks.
Each of the winners is either a second or third generation driver. Schultz is driving for his grandfather, Larry Schultz, who raced in the past. Butterworth is the son of Ron Butterworth (still racing today) Charles is the son of Cliff Charles, a past driver, Rodkey is the son of Dean Rodkey, a former racer and Graham is the son of Sheddy Graham Jr. who is also a past racer, along with his dad, Sheddy Sr. who also drove. This is the first time in speedway history that all five winners were either a second or third generation driver.
The late model feature saw Cody Shultz take the lead from John Ritter at the start. Schultz then held off Bobby Stokes, who came from sixth, but on lap 12, Stokes took the lead. Schultz fought back, and regained the lead on lap 15 and went on to get his first career late model feature win. Stokes was second, with Russ Strouse third from last, Leon Peasley was fourth and Brandon Wearing was fifth. Heat wins went to Ritter and Schultz.
Mike Stine took the lead of the small block modified feature at the start and held on to the top spot for twelve laps, before Mike Butterworth was able to get the lead. Once out front, Butterworth went un-contested to his first win of the season. Stine held off a challenging Jimmy Holden for second, Holden was third, with Matt Baker fourth and Dion LaSalle fifth. Crag Casher, Mike Stine and George Sankey won the preliminaries.
Tom Williams beat Duane Kirk to the line to lead the first lap of the street stock feature. Once in the lead, Kip Charles put the pressure on Williams, and Charles took the lead on lap three. Once out front, he went to victory lane for the first time since June 1. John Wayne Weaver came home second, with Bob Roseman, Kirk and Daryl Whetstone completing the top five. Heat wins went to Kirk and Williams.
Heat winners Levi Ardery and Bob Bailey led the four cylinder to the start, with Ardery taking the lead. The West Decatur pilot held off all challenges until the ninth lap, when 11th place starter Derek Rodkey moved to the lead. Once he had control of the feature, he was unstoppable. At the waving of Mike Frisco’s checkered flag it was Rodkey taking the $200 special over Ardery, Randy Luzier, Chris Farrell and Cecilia Olson.
Scott Wagner controlled the early laps of the pure stock feature before Sheddy Graham III powered his way into the lead from fifth spot. Once he had the lead he had the field in tow and took his second career win. Wagner held on for second with Gary Little, Frank Little and Harvey Wallbanger completing the top five. Wagner and Bob Bailey won the heats
GRP LAST DEALS: 81 teams filled the pits including 12 late models, 23 small block modifieds, 16 street stocks, 13 four cylinders and 17 pure stocks…The racing action was completed by 10:30 p.m…coming up on July 13 is the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing group with numerous old style race cars on display along with old photos and stories and some of the drivers…There will be a regular show, sponsored by Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, for the late models, small block modifieds, street stocks, four cylinders and pure stocks…Gates will open at 5 with racing beginning at 7 sharp…Coming up on July 20 it is the first ever appearance of the 305 sprints and the ARDC Midgets make their first visit on July 27th…For more information check us out on line at www.gamblersracewaypark.com.
Gamblers Raceway Park
July 6, 2002
Summary
Budweiser Late Models: 1. Cody Schultz, Hyde; 2. Bobby Stokes, Milton; 3. Russ Strouse, Lamar; 4. Leon Peasley, Lock Haven; 5. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 6. John Ritter, Stroudsburg; 7. Mark Welker, Munson; 8. Tom Decker Jr., Bellwood; 9. Rich Howell, Clearfield; 10. Greg Kunes, Blanchard; 11. Marc Whetstone, Irvona. DNS: Tim Steis, St. Mary’s
Sid’s Subs Small Block Modifieds: 1. Mike Butterworth, Philipsburg; 2. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 3. Jimmy Holden, Tiona; 4. Matt Baker, Clarion; 5. Dion LaSalle, Everett; 6. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 7. Fred Heiss, Tryone; 8. Fay Lumadue, Spring Valley; 9. Steve Williams, West Decatur; 10. Red Fordyce, Penn Run.
84 Lumber Street Stocks: 1. Kip Charles, Clearfield; 2. John Wayne Weaver, Commodore; 3. Bob Roseman, Sykesville; 4. Duane Kirk, Clearfield; 5. Daryl Whetstone, Woodbury; 6. Jeff Sweeney, Marion Center; 7. Bob Conner, DuBois; 8. Pat Carfley, Curwensville; 9. Doug Tibbens, Curwensville; 10. Denny Schmoke, Morrisdale.
Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders: 1.Derek Rodkey, Osceola Mills; 2. Levi Ardery, West Decatur; 3 Randy Luzier, Hyde; 4. Chris Farrell, Clearfield; 5. Cecilia Olson, Clearfield; 6. Bob Bailey, Clearfield; 7. Mark Hummel, Osceola Mills; 8. Steve Flanagan, Clearfield; 9. Ken Erskine, Bells Landing; 10. Dave Farrell, Hyde.
Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks: 1. Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield; 2. Scott Wagner, Irvona; 3. Gary Little, Woodland; 4. Frank Little, Woodland; 5. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 6. Richard Homan, Pennsylvania Furnace; 7. Gary McElheny, Blandburg; 8. Jeff Peffer, Houtzdale; 9. Dale Schindler, Houtzdale; 10. Don Geer, Shawville.