Sarver, PA April 18, 2003
Despite frigid temperatures at Don Martin's Lernerville Speedway, the competition provided "red hot" action, Friday evening. Gary Kriess of Butler pocketed $1,400 for the St. Barnabas Health System "Sprint Spectacular". Defending 2003 Champions John Flinner (Zelienople) in the Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Models and Kevin Bolland (New Brighton) in the Ferrante Oldsmobile Modifieds, each topped the point chart with their first victory. It was a career first for Creighton's Rob Shook in the Dingbats Restaurant Pure Stock feature!
Gary Kriess endured a wild event to win the 20-lap St. Barnabas "Spring Sprint Spectacular" for his first victory of the season and take 1st in the point standings. Kriess drew a 12th place start and from the front row, Charlie Holben quickly took command of the race, was in charge for 14 laps, and looked like his Sprint would capture a career first. Warding off Kriess, Holben drove the race of his life, surviving eight caution events but the ninth one was for him. With Kriess's #55J/Valvoline sponsored Sprint using the inside line, the twosome were side-by -side going into turn three. As they rounded turn three he approached the back of the field and the last car was just ahead in Holben's line. Holben collided with the last car and his Sprint flipped over and went off the edge of the track. He was not injured in the accident that ended his hopes of a victory. On the restart, Kriess assumed control with Ed Lynch Jr in second. On the first lap Lynch Jr's Sprint was hit by the flying front wing of Chad Hill's Sprint causing a caution event which placed him at the rear of the field. Although runner-up Lynch came from the back of the pack, he could not muster enough force to pass the hard charging Kriess. Dan Shetler's third place was a career best for him at the track. Chad Hill placed fourth and was followed by Jamie Smith, Brent Matus, Kevin Schaeffer, Gary Rankin, Brian Woodhall and Dr. Bob Altmeyer. Smith and Woodhall won the prelims.
The "Weekend Warrior" John Flinner was victorious in the stellar 33-car field of the 20-lap Friedmans Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model main. From the pole position, Ryan Markham looked like the man to beat, leading the first two rounds. Flinner began the race in the sixth spot and was in second by lap two. At this point, Mike Norris violently rolled his Late Model several times in turn two but was uninjured. When the race resumed, Flinner got the edge as both he and Nick Jones passed Markham. Flinner was continuously challenged. Nick Jones threatened him for six laps and then Ken Schaltenbrand got the scent of victory. Schaltenbrand passed Jones for second on lap nine and then passed Flinner for the lead on lap 12. Flinner said, "I was caught sleeping a little. I thought I had a little cushion. I forgot Kenny was coming and had to put it in high gear." Flinner put the "pedal to the metal" in the John Johnson/Flinner Signs #48 and grabbed the front position back the next lap. Both Jones and Schaltenbrand continued to pressure Flinner. On lap 16 runner-up Geisler, who came from tenth, joined the mix and passed the twosome of Jones and Schaltenbrand for second. Flinner was not to be denied and remained poised as he drove an outstanding race for the Late Model win number 26. He is fourth on that chart and tied Craig Rankin on the All-Time Win Chart for sixteenth. Jones placed third. Bob Wearing Jr passed Schaltenbrand for fourth. Six through ten went to Matt Lux, Jim Dandy, Dave Hess Jr, David Scott, and Ryan Markham. Flinner, Geisler, and Schaltenbrand checkered the heat events and Dandy claimed the B-Main.
Revin' Kevin Bolland's #777 was a wise bet in the 20-lap Ferrante Oldsmobile feature. From the outside pole, Bolland's Brighton Hot Dog Shoppes/Cintas/ Bolland Machine dominated. Bolland used the high line the first part of the race, but when the competition began to gain ground he found a "sweet spot" on the low side to regain his fast time. Behind Bolland a battle for second was waging with Gary Risch Jr and Brian Swartzlander. With three laps to go, Swartzlander passed Risch Jr for second, but could not catch the fast paced Bolland. In victory lane Bolland said, "This win is for my Dad's birthday!" Jim Weller was fourth and was trailed by Tom Winkle, Jim Weller III, Lonny Riggs, Del Rougeux Jr, Joe Crawford and Mike Sutton. Bolland and Crawford won the heat races.
The Pure Stock Division was "All Shook Up!" Leading all the way, it was a career first for the happy Rob Shook in the 15-lap Dingbats Restaurant Pure Stocks. Shook drove an impeccable race for his victory. Although Shook's Three Rivers Towing/Don's Catering #64 started on the pole, it had a lot of competition to shake directly behind. Finishing second, Joe Kelley, followed by Butch Lambert, Chris Schneider, Jeff Walters, Paul Schreckengost and Gregg Beach respectively, were all in the hunt. Mike Turner was eighth, Neil Tristani ninth and Neck Reges rounded out the top ten. Kelley, Bob Lipinski and Walters claimed the heats and Chuck Gebauer was first in the B-Main.