STROUSE BECOMES EIGHTH DIFFERENT LATE MODEL WINNER AT GAMBLERS ON DOUBLE POINT NIGHT

For Immediate Release June 29, 2002

CLEARFIELD, PA - Russ Strouse of Lamar won his career first Budweiser Late Model feature Saturday night at Gamblers Raceway Park on Ponderosa Steakhouse Trophy night. Daryl Whetstone of Woodbury joined Strouse as the only other new winner in the 84 Lumber Street Stocks.

Repeat winners included George Sankey of Osceola Mills in the Sids Subs Small Block Modifieds, Derek Rodkey of Osceola Mills in the Denny's Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders and Josh Jacoby of Fernwood in the Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stocks.

Eric Moore took the lead at the start of the late model feature and appeared to be headed for his first win at the speedway, when Russ Strouse worked his way to second from 12th, and tried numerous lines around the leader. Finally on lap 10, Strouse was able to make his move. He went to the out side Moore entering turn one and the pair were door-to-door off turn two and into three and four. Strouse came off four with the lead. Once out front Strouse had to worry about Bobby Stokes, who entered the fight on lap 14. Stokes tried high and low, but the Lamar driver was not to be denied his first ever win at the facility. The top five were: Strouse, Stokes, Moore, Lou Jacoby and Marc Whetstone. He wins went to Jacoby and Stokes.

Dion LaSalle set the early pace in the small block modified feature, beating Ron Butterworth into the first turn. LaSalle was setting the pace, with George Sankey coming from 7th. The caution flew on lap seven, bunching the field up. On the restart Sankey went to work on LaSalle, who continued to hold the lead, but working turns one and two on lap nine, Sankey went to the low side of the leader and took the lead off turn two. LaSalle played catch up the rest of the way, but it was Sankey who took his second win of the season. LaSalle was second, with Bob Garvey, Mike Stine and Steve Williams completing the top five. Heat wins went to LaSalle and Stine.

The street stock feature was not decided until the checkered flag fell, with Rich Howell taking the initial lead from pole sitter JR Emigh at the start. Howell set the early pace, when Tom Williams made an inside turn two pass for the lead. As the front was battling for position, Daryly Whetstone was coming from 15th towards the front. Mean while at the front, it was Williams still leading with Jeff Sweeney going to the inside of him off turn two on lap seven for the lead.

His time out front was short lived, as Dan Smeal was the new leader off turn two a lap later. Whetstone made his way to second, and assumed the lead from Smeal exiting turn four on lap ten. Once out front, Whetstone had to fight off the #44 of Smeal, who tried every possible way to get by Whetstone, but could not do it, as the Woodbury driver took his first win in five years. Smeal was second, Kip Charles was third, John Wayne Weaver was fourth and Pat Carfley was fifth. Weaver, Chris Schneider and Carfley won the preliminaries.

Dave Farrell led the first lap of the four-cylinder feature, before Derek Rodkey took the lead on lap two. Rodkey then breezed to his first win since May. The best fight was between Rodney Luzier and Cecilia Olson for second, and when Mike Frisco waved the checkered flag, it was Olson in second. The top five were: Rodkey, Olson, Luzier, George Bailey and Ken Erskine. Heat wins went to Rodkey and Chris Farrell.

Gary Little led the start of the pure stock feature, with Bernie Whetstone in second, but Harvey Wallbanger came from sixth to take the lead from Little on lap six, in a three wide battle with both Gary and Frank Little. Wallbanger got the lead, but only for three laps, as Josh Jacoby came from 12th to relieve Wallbanger of the lead on lap ten. Once in the lead, the second generation driver took his second straight victory. Wallbanger was second with Frank Little, Scott Wagner and Sheddy Graham III completing the top five. Heat wins went to Gary Little, Jacoby and Graham.

GRP LAST DEALS: 82 teams filled the pits, including 12 late models, 19 modifieds, 19 street stocks, 13 four cylinders and 19 pure stocks…Wednesday night the inaugural "Roll of the Dice" Classic will kick off paying $4,000 to win for the late models, $600 for the small block modifieds, $350 for the street stocks and $200 for the pure stocks. THERE ARE NO FOUR CYLINDERS, contrary to some of the ads. Tim Bainey Racing of Philipsburg will be sponsoring the event. Mr. Bainey will have his Hooters Cup Car on hand and he will be signing autographs. Gates open at 2 p.m. racing begins at 7…Next Saturday, July 6, Graham Motors of Clearfield will sponsor the trophies and the four cylinders will go for a $200 to win special. Admission will be $7…On July 20th the 305 Sprints will make their first ever trip to the speedway…For more information check the web site at www.gamblersracewaypark.com. And we will see you at the "Biggest Little Racetrack in America," Gamblers Raceway Park.

Gamblers Raceway Park

Summary

June 29, 2002

BUDWEISER LATE MODELS: 1. Russ Strouse, Lamar; 2. Bobby Stokes, Milton; 3. Eric Moore, Frenchville; 4. Lou Jacoby, Fernwood; 5. Marc Whetstone, Irvona; 6. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 7. Tim Steis, St. Mary's; 8. George Fultz, Beech Creek; 9. Dean Colbert, Port Matilda; 10. Cody Schultz, Hyde; 11. Tom Decker Jr., Bellwood; 12. Jeff Henry, Butler.

SIDS SUBS SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS: 1. George Sankey, Osceola Mills; 2. Dion LaSalle, Everett; 3. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 4. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 5. Steve Williams, West Decatur; 6. Mark Frankhouser, Philipsburg; 7. Bobby Roos, Hyde; 8. Tom Holden, Sheffield; 9. Tim Owens, Shilo; 10. Jerry Bowser, Punxsy.

84 LUMBER STREET STOCKS: 1. Daryl Whetstone, Woodbury; 2. Dan Smeal, Houtzdale; 3. Kip Charles, Clearfield; 4. John Wayne Weaver, Commodore; 5. Pat Carfley, Curwensville; 6. Butch Welch, Clearfield; 7. Bill Phillips, Blandburg; 8. Chris Schneider, Tarentum; 9. Mike Hummel, Clearfield; 10. Frank McVay, Boalsburg.

DENNY'S BEER BARREL PUB FOUR CYLINDERS: 1. Derek Rodkey, Osceola Mills; 2. Cecilia Olson, Clearfield; 3. Randy Luzier, Hyde; 4. George Bailey, Clearfield; 5. Ken Erskine, Bells Landing; 6. Steve Flanagan, Clearfield; 7. Chris Farrell, Clearfield; 8. Don Henry, Rockton; 9. Bob Bailey, Clearfield; 10. Dave Farrell, Hyde.

FRED DIEHL OF PHILIPSBURG PURE STOCKS: 1. Josh Jacoby, Fernwood; 2. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 3. Frank Little, Woodland; 4. Scott Wagner, Irvona; 5. Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield; 6. Jason Bainey, Philipsburg; 7. Gary McElheny, Blandburg; 8. Richard Homan, Port Matilda; 9. Gary Little, Woodland; 10. Dale Schindler, Houtzdale.