Hawley and Blaney record third Mercer Sprint and Modified wins
by Mike Leone
May 13, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The fourth program of 2000 was completed on Saturday evening at Mercer Raceway Park on "Dave Blaney Night," which was presented by the McElwain Family of Dealerships of Ellwood City, Pa. Standing in the Autobody Products, Inc. victory lane were Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Jimmy Hawley made it three-in-a-row in the 410 Sprint Cars despite losing his brakes late in the event. "This is just too exciting," said the West Middlesex, Pa. driver following the 20-lap Axa Advisors-sponsored event. "I got lucky. I thought I was going to lose it a couple times. (Arnie) Kent and (Troy) Preston were real good, and I lost my brakes the last five laps. I’m just glad to be here."
Kent assumed the early lead from the outside pole, while Preston passed Jarod Larson and pole sitter, Gary McCollum, on the opening lap. Preston and Kent began to distance themselves as Preston ran low and Kent stayed high battling for the lead. With six laps completed, the first caution was displayed for Mike Lutz, Jamie Smith, Doug Kekich, and Brad Ellenberger, who tangled in turn four. All would continue except Smith, who was done for the night.
When racing resumed, Gary Edwards and Hawley were on the move. Edwards got around Larson and McCollum for third on lap seven. On lap eight, Hawley made a nice move coming off turn two to pass both Larson and McCollum on the backstretch for fourth. The race was slowed for the second time when Randy Johnson landed on his side bringing out the red with nine laps completed. He would continue.
When green replaced yellow, Hawley showed his power by driving around Edwards for third on lap 10. Hawley got sideways on lap 12 allowing Edwards to get back by. Preston took over the lead with a pass of Kent in turn two on lap 13, while Hawley got back around Edwards for third.
Preston caught the back-markers on lap 16, and lapped traffic ended up deciding the race. Preston struggled getting around Chris Matthews and Johnson, allowing Kent and Hawley to close in. Meanwhile, Hawley passed Kent for runner-up on the 17th circuit. On lap later, Hawley made the winning move clearing both Preston and the slower cars of Matthews and Johnson. Hawley drove off for his sixth overall win of 2000 in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII. Preston held off Kent for second. Edwards was fourth over All Star regular Brian Ellenberger, who started 12th. Completing the top 10 were Kevin Andrusky, Lutz, Larson, Rob Eyler, and Tommy Burns, Jr. Winning the heats were Burns, Gary Kriess, Jr., and Hawley over the 21-car field.
While Dave Blaney was meeting all of his fans, father Lou put on a thrilling drive to win his third 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature to the delight of the packed grandstands in a car built by Dave. "This was a nice night and a good night for the fans," said the Hartford, Ohio legend. "I ticked (Tommy) Kristyak off and he ticked me off, but it turned out okay."
Carl Murdick came from third to lead the opening lap passing Dean Pearson. Following a lap two restart, Pearson retook the lead. Kristyak was on the move from his eighth starting spot. On lap eight, Kristyak passed Carl Weatherby and Murdick to take over second. One lap later, Blaney did the same moving into third.
Following a caution, Kristyak took the lead from Pearson at the half-way mark. After another caution, Pearson gave up second to Blaney on lap 11. Kristyak and Blaney immediately pulled away and set up a wild finish. The two battled using every part of the race track. On lap 17, the two ran side-by-side with Blaney getting by for the lead coming off turn four. Just as Blaney took the lead, Lonny Riggs brought out the eighth caution. Under the caution, Blaney’s left front tire began losing air.
When racing resumed, Blaney was still able to pull away for his third Mercer win of the year and sixth overall in the Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10. Kristyak was second over Pearson’s best finish in third. Jeremiah Shingledecker recorded his career best big-block finish in fourth over 16th starter, Jerry Bickel. Rounding out the top 10 were 21st starter Rob Curtis, Rick Hall, Brian Swartzlander, rookie Lee Miller, and Weatherby. Scoring heat victories were Scott Gurdak, Pearson, and Murdick over the 25-car field.
Like Hawley and Blaney, Lou Gentile recorded his third win in four tries in the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. The Youngstown, Ohio driver came from 10th to take third from Frank Guidace on lap two, then moved into runner-up on lap three passing Jim Bickel. The winning pass came on lap six when Gentile drove by race-long leader Harold Michaels. Gentile then drove off for the win in the Emig #1 as his winnings were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Both Michaels and Bickel dropped from the event allowing Randy Ferguson, who started sixth, to take second over eighth starter, Kenny Hardy. Conny Allen placed fourth ahead of Guidace. Michaels won the heat.
Andy Priest became the fourth different 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified winner in four races. Priest started sixth and was in second on lap one. The New Castle driver took over for good on lap two passing rookie Doug Updyke. Priest would survive six cautions to claim his 13th career Mercer Sportsman Modified win in the MPR Lumber/Griffin -sponsored, Ted Hull-owned #41. It was also his second straight Sportsman Modified win after winning at Sportsman’s Speedway last Sunday. Point leader, Rick Hall, came from 10th to finish second. Randy Rodemoyer, who started 13th, recorded a career best finish in third ahead of 17th starter, Gary Bollinger, and 14th starter, Chanda Reitz. Heat victors were Gary Smoker, Dean Pearson, and Tom Mattocks over the 26-car field.
Dave Ferringer decided to make Mercer a regular stop in 2000 and it’s paying off. The Cochranton, Pa. driver chalked up his second 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car win. Ferringer started ninth and raced into third on lap nine passing Leigh Wheeler. He then got by Jim Brunson for second on lap 11. It appeared Andy Buckley was going to put all of his bad luck behind in 2000 as he led the first 11 laps, but dropped from the event under caution giving the lead to Ferringer on lap 12. Ferringer was able to hold off 11th starter and point leader, Brian Miller, for the win in the Maloney Tool & Mold #02. Brunson held off Brian Booher for third. Gary Robinson was fifth. Taking the heats were Willie Aley, Wheeler, and Miller over the 26-car field.
Notes...Despite periods of light rain throughout the morning and afternoon, the skies cleared after 3 p.m. allowing for a beautiful evening. A big crowd turned out to meet Dave Blaney, which was sponsored by the McElwain Family of Dealerships. Blaney signed autographs for over two hours, then met with various media outlets including the Youngstown, Ohio television stations. Blaney had his two-seater sprint on hand and three winners got rides with Blaney as all money went to "The Race Against Drugs". Blaney stuck around after the races to give more rides. Around 50 people participated in Sunday’s inaugural Dave Blaney Outlaw Driving Experience between the driving and ride-along program.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Troy Preston 3. Arnie Kent 4. Gary Edwards 5. Brian Ellenberger 6. Kevin Andrusky 7. Mike Lutz 8. Jarod Larson 9. Rob Eyler 10. Tommy Burns, Jr. 11. Gray Kriess, Jr. 12. Jamie McKinney 13. Gary McCollum 14. Jason Jacoby 15. Brad Ellenberger 16. Doug Kekich 17. Chris Matthews 18. Randy Johnson 19. Dave Wagner 20. Randy Kriegisch 21. Jamie Smith.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Tommy Kristyak 3. Dean Pearson 4. Jeremiah Shingledecker 5. Jerry Bickel 6. Rob Curtis 7. Rick Hall 8. Brian Swartzlander 9. Lee Miller 10. Carl Weatherby 11. Lonny Riggs 12. Scott Gurdak 13. Carl Murdick 14. John Braymer 15. Bob Dorman 16. J.R. McGinley 17. Dick Rankin 18. Andy Priest 19. Rob Kristyak 20. Mark Sevin 21. Steve Young 22. Don McKnight 23. Les Myers 24. Rodney Beltz-DNS 25. Tim Doran-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Randy Ferguson 3. Kenny Hardy 4. Conny Allen 5. Frank Guidace 6. Bill Adams 7. Mark Welsh 8. Rick Kress 9. Harold Michaels 10. Jim Bickel 11. Dustin Kress.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Rick Hall 3. Randy Rodemoyer 4. Gary Bollinger 5. Chanda Reitz 6. Rick Ryder 7. J.R. Greer 8. Fred Sasse 9. Jason Longwell 10. Buck Buchanan 11. Mike Mathieson 12. Kevin Latshaw 13. Barry Bulfone 14. Gary Smoker 15. Allen Ferry 16. Bill Baptiste 17. Andy Paden 18. Tom Mattocks 19. Dean Pearson 20. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 21. Mike Kelley 22. Scott Kay 23. Doug Updyke 24. Bill Thompson 25. John Buchanan 26. Greg Unrue (Jr)-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Brian Miller 3. Jim Brunson 4. Brian Booher 5. Gary Robinson 6. Mike Aley 7. Bill Banick, Jr. 8. Terry Kroner 9. Willie Aley 10. Ed Hays 11. Rick Anthony 12. Kevin Thompson 13. Dan Fedorchak 14. Adam Aley 15. J.R. Zeigler 16. Bob Kitchen 17. Ed Hays 18. Jesse Umstead 19. Andy Buckley 20. Bill Schall, Jr. 21. Leigh Wheeler 22. Tim Zuschlag 23. Todd Titus 24. John Reiser-DNS 25. Ray Bailey-DNS 26. Jeff Kravec-DNS.