Andrusky flies to first Sprint win in two years; Doran back in victory lane in Mercer Modifieds
Sat, Jun 29, 2002 -- Saturday Night Live
Written by: Mike Leone
Mercer Raceway Park completed the eighth racing event of the 2002 season on a beautiful Saturday night. Celebrating in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane were Kevin Andrusky-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tim Doran-Big-Block Modifieds, Steve Young-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Ron Iorio-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
It was American Patriot Night. Around 300 veterans were admitted free and honored. All scouts in uniform were also admitted free. Zambelli Internationale put on a spectacular fireworks display thanks to Walt’s of Mercer Plaza and the Mercer Pizza Joe’s to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
In almost two years to the day of his first career win, Kevin Andrusky powered his way to his second career Sprint Car win in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling event. “It seems I’ve got over all those gremlins,” said the jubilant Hermitage, Pa. racer. “We had a good run last week (second) and went to Tri-City (Speedway) and had a good race (third) with Ed Lynch and Rod George. Then we came back tonight and won- let’s do it again tomorrow!”
Staple Nash took charge of the event from the pole position when racing began as Chris Matthews followed. Andrusky, who started sixth, raced past Gary McCollum, Randy Kriegisch, and Pup Nystrom all on the first lap for third. One lap later, Andrusky moved into second place after passing Matthews.
Andrusky was a half of a straightaway behind Nash on lap three before the leaders caught the back-markers on lap six. Meanwhile, Arnie Kent was on the march to the front in a new 410 c.i. motor from Brian Ellenberger. Kent, who started eighth, continued to climb the ladder to the top and cracked the top three when he passed Matthews on lap eight.
Traffic intensified and Andrusky was right on the 360 c.i. powered Nash on lap eight. While Nash was mired in traffic, Andrusky got a great run off of turn four on the outside and blasted by Nash just past the flag stand on lap nine. Nash stayed close to Andrusky in the following laps, while Kent began to close on the front two. Meanwhile, point leader Troy Preston became a factor on lap 11 when he took over fourth from Matthews.
The first and only caution of the event was displayed for newcomer Charlie Cornelius with 15 laps completed. When racing resumed, Andrusky continued to fly around the extreme top side of the speedway over the last five laps as he put his M&R Power Equipment/Jay Layton Auto Body/RJ’s Bar & Grill/The Reef Shelf-sponsored #7 in victory lane for the first time since July 1, 2000. Andrusky missed four months of racing in 2001 after a sustaining a back injury in an accident at Tri-City on May 6.
Kent was able to take second from Nash in traffic in turn four on lap 17 tying his best finish of 2002. Preston was third after getting Nash on lap 18 at the start-finish line. Nash dropped to fourth for his best Mercer finish since a third on July 11, 1998. Rob Eyler was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Jamie Smith, Tom Quarterson, Matthews, Gary McCollum, and Ralph Spithaler, Jr. from 22nd. Winning the heats over the 24-car field were Andrusky, Quarterson, and Smith.
Nash of Newbury, Ohio was the highest finishing 360 c.i. Sprint Car for the first time this year and earned an extra $150. Also receiving bonus monies finishing in the second through fourth positions were Matthews, Spithaler, and Todd Bauer, who continues to lead the Gardner Competition Engines 360 Sprint Car points.
Tim Doran used his famed outside groove to charge to the front of the pack and win his second 20-lap Big-Block Modified feature. “The track was real nice again tonight and the cushion was there,” said the New Castle, Pa. winner. “I like it that way so you can pass and don’t have to follow the leader.”
Les Myers moved past J.R. McGinley on the start as McGinley settled into second with Rodney Beltz in third. The first of two cautions slowed action with one lap completed for Tommy Kristyak, Jeff Schaffer, and Adam Kozar. When racing resumed, Beltz drove by McGinley for second on the restart and was on Myers on lap four.
By lap eight, Doran began to make his presence known. After starting seventh, Doran passed Bob Dorman on lap eight for fourth then nipped McGinley at the start-finish line for third one lap later. The second and final caution was displayed with 12 laps completed for Chetter Johnson. Action really heated up with five laps to go as a great three-car race ensued for the win. Myers was looking to make it two in a row, Beltz was searching for his first win, and Doran looked to spoil things. On lap 17, Doran made his move. He blasted around the cushion overtaking Beltz in turn two for second then made the winning move off turn four from Myers.
Doran led the rest of the way for his 19th career Mercer big-block win and regained the point lead. “I really screwed up last week (spun in turn four on last lap in second going for the $600 Eracers bonus),” said the driver/owner of the Richard Smith Construction-sponsored #12. “This race is for my dad. He’s in the stands tonight. He was a veteran of the Korean War and World War II.”
Myers pulled away from Beltz in the closing laps to finish second. Beltz edged Lonny Riggs for third for his best finish of 2002. Rick Hall came from eleventh to place fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were McGinley, Kristyak, Schaffer, Nick Ritchey, and Dean Pearson. Heat victors over the 25-car field were Riggs, Pearson, and Beltz.
Steve Young of Grove City, Pa. took a heartbreaking win away from Ron Eperthener, Jr. by winning his fourth 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified win. Jim Schaffer once again raced into the lead at the start past Brian Booher. Eperthener worked his way to the front passing Smoker for third on lap two and Booher for second on lap three. Eperthener hounded Schaffer for the next few laps and made the pass for the lead on lap six. With the laps ticking off, Eperthener was looking for his first win since June 28, 1997 and the $700 Eracers bonus.
Young, who started 10th, passed Schaffer for third on lap 10 then got by Gary Smoker for second on the 13th circuit. Eperthener had a half of a straightaway lead on Young, who cut into the lead each lap, before a caution for Leroy Johnson, Jr. with 17 laps completed. Eperthener was able to get away from Young on the restart. However, on lap 19 with the white flag in sight, Young snuck under Eperthener in turn four and went on for his 18th career Mercer sportsman win in the J.R. Greer-owned, Montgomery Truss & Panel-sponsored #11t. “Ron drove a hell of a race, but got loose off turn four,” said Young.
Eperthener held on for his best finish since a second on May 9, 1998. Smoker turned in his best finish of the year in third. Point leader Jerry Schaffer came from twelfth to get fourth. Rick Hall was fifth for the second time of the night. Winning the heats over the division-record 32 cars were Eperthener, Jerry Schaffer, and Jim Schaffer. Bill Adams won the B main.
Ron Iorio of Kennderdell, Pa. held on to win his second 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature. Phil Kaufman was the early leader of the event from the pole position, while Gary Norman moved to the front from the eighth starting spot. Norman passed Willie Aley for third on lap three then got by Iorio for second on lap four. One lap later, Norman took charge of the event after Kaufman slipped high in turn four. Iorio then moved past Kaufman for second on lap seven.
Norman and Iorio would go at it in the second-half of the race. On lap 11, Iorio made the winning move, while Andy Buckley took third from Brian Miller. Norman got alongside Iorio on the final lap, but Iorio was able to hold on for his fourth career Mercer win in his Gabany’s Inc. #55. Point leader Buckley was third over Shaun Hooks and Miller. Scoring heat race wins over the 32-car field were Rusty Moore, Norman, and Buckley. Duane Grinnell won the B main.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. KEVIN ANDRUSKY 2. Arnie Kent 3. Troy Preston 4. Staple Nash 5. Rob Eyler 6. Jamie Smith 7. Tom Quarterson 8. Chris Matthews 9. Gary McCollum 10. Ralph Spithaler, Jr. 11. Todd Bauer 12. Dave Wagner 13. Pup Nystrom 14. Jeff Kasbee 15. Brian Hartzell 16. Charlie Cornelius 17. Paul Kapuchuck 18. Paul Kish 19. Dean Ruth 20. Butch Beasley 21. Randy Kriegisch 22. Mark Murphy 23. Andy Priest-DNS 24. Mel Straley-DNS.
Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TIM DORAN 2. Les Myers 3. Rodney Beltz 4. Lonny Riggs 5. Rick Hall 6. J.R. McGinley 7. Tommy Kristyak 8. Jeff Schaffer 9. Nick Ritchey 10. Dean Pearson 11. Jerry Bickel 12. Chetter Johnson 13. Carl Murdick 14. Greg Unrue 15. Jim Bickel 16. Lee Miller 17. Ed Alcorn 18. Rick Kress 19. Jeff Baker 20. Howard Duff 21. Bob Dorman 22. Adam Kozar 23. Chanda Reitz 24. Tom Armstrong 25. Jeremiah Shingledecker.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. STEVE YOUNG 2. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 3. Gary Smoker 4. Jerry Schaffer 5. Rick Hall 6. Jim Schaffer 7. Bill Adams 8. Al Priester 9. Andy Paden 10. Randy Rodemoyer 11. Les Myers 12. John Buchanan 13. Jim Rombold, Jr. 14. Curt Matthews 15. John Confer 16. Barry Bulfone 17. Bill Thompson 18. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 19. Dave Cogswell 20. Brian Booher 21. Chad Reitz 22. Matt Reeher 23. Fred Sasse 24. Steve Toth DNQ-Kevin Latshaw, Fred Maxwell, Tim Shepard, Zack Moran, John Jones, Shane McElhaney, Mike Mathieson, Morgan Sasse.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. RON IORIO 2. Gary Norman 3. Andy Buckley 4. Shaun Hooks 5. Brian Miller 6. Bobby Whitling 7. Phil Kaufman 8. Rick Anthony 9. Rusty Moore 10. Kevin Thompson 11. Rick Norco 12. Bob McCann 13. Tony Bruno 14. Chuck Kerr 15. Duane Grinnell 16. Bill Schall, Jr. 17. Lester Bates 18. Scott Hooks 19. Rich Chess, Sr. 20. Mike Aley 21. Willie Aley 22. Rick Lanigan 23. Ray Bailey, Jr. 24. Mark Sanders 25. Doug Iorio-DNS DNQ-Clyde Roberts, Scott Peterson, Don Greenlee, Terry Kroner, Ed Hays, Tim Deutsch, William George, Sr.