WEARING FIRST LM TO REPEAT; PHILLIPS, LEIGEY AND GRAHAM TAKE SEASONAL FIRSTS AT GRP

For Immediate Release June 8, 2002

CLEARFIELD, PA - Brandon Wearing of Callery became the first Budweiser Late Model driver to repeat Saturday night at Gamblers Raceway Park in Clearfield. “Wild” Bill Phillips won his first 84 Lumber Street Stock main while young Sheddy Graham III won his career first Fred Diehl of Philipsburg Pure Stock feature and it was “Cuffy” Joe Leigey who won while subbing for Randy Luzier in the Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub Four Cylinders.

The other repeat winner was Bob Garvey of Morrisdale in the Sids Subs Small Block Modifieds.

Brandon Wearing and Joe Johnson led the late models to the green flag with fourth place starter Jason Witherite taking the lead and taking John Ritter into second. Witherite set the early pace as Brandon Wearing retaliated from his bad start to work the inside of Witherite and take the lead with an inside pass in turns one and two. Witherite held second but spun a couple laps later.

Wearing assumed the lead and held off heavy pressure from George Fultz, who came from fifth to try every possible move on the B1, but the young wearing showed no signs of being defeated, as he became the first repeat winner in eight races. Fultz was second, with Ritter holding third, Bobby Stokes was fourth from 14th and Russ Strouse was fifth. Heat wins went to Joe Johnson and Brandon Wearing.

The small block modifieds saw Bob Garvey on the pole with Mark Frankhouser outside, with Garvey taking the lead and Frankhouser sitting second. Mike Stiner worked his way from sixth to take over second from Frankhouser, who spun in turn four. Garvey held off all challenges from Stine, George Sankey and Dion LaSalle. When the race ended, it was Garvey over Stine, LaSalle, Sankey and Fay Lumadue. Heat wins went to Bob Garvey and Lou Gentile.

The street stock feature saw Bill Phillips lead the field into the first turn over Craig Lobb. Tom Williams moved to second from fourth early in the race, and he had Duane Kirk, Pat Carfley, Lodd, John Weaver and Williams all challenging for the top spot. When all was said and done, it was Phillips who took the victory over Williams, Weaver, Lobb and Carfley. Preliminary wins went to Kip Charles and Bill Phillips.

Steve Flanagan and Cecilia Olson led the four cylinders to the green flag, with Flanagan taking the lead. He held the top spot for three laps, before Joe Leigey, subbing for Randy Luzier, took the lead. Once out from, Leigey never relinquished the lead as he took the car to the winners circle for the third time this season and his first win of the year. Derek Rodkey was second, with Flanagan third, Levi Ardery fourth and Olson fifth. Steve Flanagan and Cecilia Olson won the heats.

Gary Little and Sheddy Graham III led the pure stock main to the green, with Graham taking the lead and keeping not only Gary Little at bay, but Frank Little and Bernie Whetstone as well. Graham went to the winner’s circle for the first time ever at Gamblers Raceway Park, with the top five behind him being Gary Little, Frank Little, Whetstone and Harvey Wallbanger. Gary Little and Sheddy Graham III won the qualifying heats.

GRP LAST DEALS: 80 cars filled the pits, including: 16 late models, 18 modifieds, 18 street stocks, 12 four cylinders and 16 pure stocks…Jeff Peffer walked away from his pure stock after a violent front stretch flip in his heat race. The car was destroyed, but he was not hurt…This week is Father’s Day, all dad’s get $1 off general admission…Coming up on June 22 the late models will go for $1,500 to win and on July 3, a Wednesday, there will be a special for all divisions except the four cylinders. Check the website at www.gamblesracewaypark.com for schedule changes…This week is a regular show for the late models, small block modifieds, street stocks, four cylinders and pure stocks. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing set for 7 p.m. We hope to see you at the Biggest Little Racetrack in America”…Gamblers Raceway Park.

SUMMARY for June 8, 2002

BUDWEISER LATE MODELS: 1. Brandon Wearing, Callery; 2. George Fultz, Beech Creek; 3. John Ritter, Stroudsburg; 4. Bobby Stokes, Milton; 5. Russ Strouse, Lamar; 6. Cody Schultz, Hyde; 7. Dale Zimmerman, Brookville; 8. Mark Welker, Munson; 9. Tim Steis, St. Mary’s; 10. Jeff Henry, Butler; 11. Marc Whetstone, Irvona; 12. Eric Moore, Frenchville; 13. Tom Decker Jr.; 14. Jason Witherite, Luthersburg; 15. Dean Colbert, Port Matilda; 16. Joe Johnson, Monaca.

SIDS SUBS SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS: 1. Bob Garvey, Morrisdale; 2. Mike Stine, Smithmill; 3. Dion LaSalle, Everett; 4. George Sankey, Osceola Mills; 5. Fay Lunadue, Spring Valley; 6. Scott Smith, Woodland; 7. Lou Gentile, Pulaski; 8. Jimmy Holden, Tiona; 9. Craig Casher, Mineral Springs; 10. Joe Gibson, Chicora.

84 LUMBER STREET STOCKS: 1. Bill Phillips, Blandburg; 2. Tom Williams, Tyrone; 3. John Weaver, Commodore; 4. Craig Lobb, Sanborn; 5. Pat Carfley, Curwensville; 6. Duane Kirk, Clearfield; 7. Frank McVay, Boalsburg; 8. Dan Smeal, Houtzdale; 9. Jeff Sweeney, Marion Center; 10. Butch Welch, Clearfield.

DENNY’S BEER BARREL PUB FOUR CYLINDERS: 1. Joe Leigey, Mt. Zion; 2. Derek Rodkey, Osceola Mills; 3. Steve Flanagan, Clearfield; 4. Levi Ardery, West Decatur; 5. Cecilia Olson, Clearfield; 6. Ken Erskine, Bells Landing; 7. Bob Bailey, Clearfield; 8. Dave Farrell, Clearfield; 9. Dave Green, St. Mary’s; 10. Paul Ferrara, Port Matilda.

FRED DIEHL OF PHILIPSBURG PURE STOCKS: 1. Sheddy Graham III, Clearfield; 2. Gary Little, Woodland; 3. Frank Little, Woodland; 4. Bernie Whetstone, Irvona; 5. Harvey Wallbanger, Woodland; 6. Jason Bainey, Philipsburg; 7. Bob Bailey, Clearfield; 8. Chris Finigan, Munson; 9. Dale Schindler, Houtzdale; 10. Matthew Howell, Clearfield