2003 CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT
RACE RESULTS
Sharon Speedway Results Details From 8/24/2003
Hartford, OH - This year's points battles will be noted in the track's history as the closest ever in Sharon Speedway's 74 years. Every division's leader could have changed depending on Saturday's outcomes .. and as it would turn out, none of the feature winners could claim their division's championship. Boardman Steel and Diamond Steel sponsored the season finale and were treated to some intense racing along with the great crowd of fans who were in attendance.
The Gibson-Governor Insurance Modifieds front row consisted of Jimmy Weller III and Rex King. With only twenty points separating point leader, Ron Smoker and Jim Rasey, both drivers started seventh and ninth respectively, and were concentrating on getting as close to the front as possible. Jim Weller Jr's hopes of advancing in the point standings were halted when his Liberty Steel #31 wouldn't fire for the beginning of the A-main. As the green flew, King immediately showed he was the man to beat, leading the field thru turns one and two. Del Rougeux showed some muscle, challenging King for the lead until a restart on lap 8. Ninth place starter, Josh Skarzenski powered his way into second as Smoker was closing fast. Smoker passed Skarzenski off the inside of turn 4 for second, then focused on the bumper of the famous King #65. Smoker pressured King numerous times on the inside groove, but to no avail as Rex went on to win his first feature of the year. Smoker's runner-up finish, however, sealed his second track championship in as many seasons at Sharon. Skarzenski held onto third, with Del Rougeux finishing fourth and Rasey fifth. Heat winners were Rasey and Skarzenski.
Daryl Stimeling and Kevin Andrusky brought The Sunburst Environmental Sprint feature to the initial green, with Stimeling leading the first two laps. Marty Ling and Mike Kekich got tangled coming off turn two, resulting in the 5K of Kekich taking a barrell roll and sending both drivers to the pits for the remaining 23 laps. Neither driver was injured. Ed Lynch Jr took control on the restart while point leader, Jarod Larson, was making his bid from an 11th place starting position. Larson didn't have enough to overtake Lynch and the Apollo Rocket went on to win his fifth feature of the season. This victory also makes Lynch the all-time sprint feature winner at Sharon Speedway with a total of 31, overtaking George Bischoff's record of 30 which had been in place since 1989. Larson's second place finish earned him the 2003 sprint title - his fifth championship in 7 years. Craig Keel drove from 12th to 3rd with Stimeling fourth and Jason Jacoby rounding out the top five. Kevin Andrusky and Craig Keel won the heats.
Only two points separated leader, Dan Lewis and Bill Hanna heading into the City Disposal Service Pure Stock feature. Gary Robinson and first-time visitor, Jared Moore, brought the 24-car field to the green. Robinson quickly pulled out front to lead the first nine laps. Lewis was on Robinson's bumper by lap two, and by the tenth circuit, Lewis took the lead. AS many as 6 drivers battled 2 and 3-wide before Wayne Daniels raced from fifteenth into the lead on lap 13. Daniels went on to post his first career victory as Steve Dapolito, Dan Lewis, Russ Kapalin and Robinson finished second thru fifth under a blanket. This was Lewis' first victory in four years of racing and was joined on the front stretch by family and friends to receive his trophy. Dan Lewis garnered his first-ever track championship in 14 years of racing. Heat winners were Dan Lewis, Gary Robinson, Steve Babos, Larry Root and Randy Riffe. Consis went to Chris Hake and Scott Daffron.
The points battle has come to an end for 2003, but the racing isn't over yet! The 23rd annual Sharon Nationals will be held this coming weekend, August 30th and 31st. Saturday night's action will include the BRP Modifieds, Mod-Lites and a non-sanctioned 410 sprint race paying $4000 to win. The Mod-Lites will be back on Sunday, followed by a 100-lap Enduro and Demolition Derby. Camping reservations can be made by calling the track office at 330-772-5481. All seats will be general admission with Saturday's prices $20 for adults and $10 for kids (6-13). On Sunday, all seats will be just $5 with kids 5 and under getting in free.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
410 Sprint Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 2. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio; 3. Craig Keel, Weedsport, N.Y.; 4. Daryl Stimeling, Lewistown, Pa.; 5. Jason Jacoby, Franklin, Pa.; 6. Roger Campbell, Clyde, Ohio; 7. Ralph Engel, Baden, Pa.; 8. CW Harshman, Southington, Ohio; 9. Shawn Minor, Lordstown, Ohio; 10. Tony Stebel, Jr., Chagrin Falls, Ohio; 11. Leo O'Malley, Youngstown, Ohio; 12. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio; 13. Kevin Andrusky, Hermitage, Pa.; 14. Keith Taylor, Salem, Ohio; 15. Marty Ling, Millersburg, Ohio; 16. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 17. Robert Van Tassel, Sharon, Pa.; 18. Deana Barbara, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 19. Goob Schuller, Mercer, Pa..
Heat 01 -- 1. Kevin Andrusky, Hermitage, Pa.; 2. Jarod Larson, Rock Creek, Ohio; 3. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, Pa.; 4. Jason Jacoby, Franklin, Pa.; 5. Roger Campbell, Clyde, Ohio; 6. Keith Taylor, Salem, Ohio; 7. Tony Stebel, Jr., Chagrin Falls, Ohio; 8. Deana Barbara, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 9. Goob Schuller, Mercer, Pa.; 10. Robert Van Tassel, Sharon, Pa..
Heat 02 -- 1. Craig Keel, Weedsport, N.Y.; 2. Marty Ling, Millersburg, Ohio; 3. Mike Kekich, Hermitage, Pa.; 4. CW Harshman, Southington, Ohio; 5. Ralph Engel, Baden, Pa.; 6. Daryl Stimeling, Lewistown, Pa.; 7. Shawn Minor, Lordstown, Ohio; 8. Leo O'Malley, Youngstown, Ohio; 9. Russ Sansosti, Struthers, Ohio.
E-Mods
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 2. Jim Bickerstaff, Jr., Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 3. Richard Stiffler, Niles, Ohio; 4. Bob McCann, New Castle, Pa.; 5. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio; 6. Mike Samuelson, Conewango Valley, N.Y.; 7. Ron Jaeger, Girard, Ohio; 8. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 9. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 10. Shawn Shingledecker, Franklin, Pa.; 11. Mike Palmer, Lisbon, Ohio; 12. Chuck Steinle Jr, Cranesville, Pa.; 13. Jeff Rudrick, Columbiana, Ohio; 14. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 15. Jim Mechling, Niles, Ohio; 16. Steve Dapolito, Boardman, Ohio; 17. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 18. Scott Stiffler, Niles, Ohio; 19. JR Mechling, Warren, Ohio; 20. Ken Smith, Hubbard, Ohio; 21. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 22. Charlie Jasinski, Poland, Ohio; 23. Bootie Petsko, Brookfield, Ohio; 24. Brian Taft, Poland, Ohio; 25. Jamie Shetler, Cochranton, Pa.; 26. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Twp, Pa.; 2. Bob McCann, New Castle, Pa.; 3. Jeff Johnson, Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 4. Mike Samuelson, Conewango Valley, N.Y.; 5. Steve Haefke, Austintown, Ohio; 6. Mike Palmer, Lisbon, Ohio; 7. JR Mechling, Warren, Ohio; 8. Jeff Hassay, Cortland, Ohio; 9. Arlan Coy, Salem, Ohio.
Heat 02 -- 1. Howard Fraley, Kinsman, Ohio; 2. Richard Stiffler, Niles, Ohio; 3. Jim Bickerstaff, Jr., Mineral Ridge, Ohio; 4. Brian Taft, Poland, Ohio; 5. Chuck Steinle Jr, Cranesville, Pa.; 6. Steve Dapolito, Boardman, Ohio; 7. Bob Diver, Canfield, Ohio; 8. Shawn Shingledecker, Franklin, Pa.; 9. Bootie Petsko, Brookfield, Ohio.
Heat 03 -- 1. Jeff Sharp, Canfield, Ohio; 2. Jamie Shetler, Cochranton, Pa.; 3. Jeff Rudrick, Columbiana, Ohio; 4. Ron Jaeger, Girard, Ohio; 5. Scott Stiffler, Niles, Ohio; 6. Charlie Jasinski, Poland, Ohio; 7. Jim Mechling, Niles, Ohio; 8. Ken Smith, Hubbard, Ohio.
Pure Stocks
A-Main 01 -- 1. Wayne Daniels, Pierpont, Ohio; 2. Steve Dapolito, Boardman, Ohio; 3. Dan Lewis, Hubbard, Ohio; 4. Russ Kapalin, Jefferson, Ohio; 5. Gary Robinson, Greenville, Pa.; 6. Dave Ferringer, Cochranton, Pa.; 7. Will Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 8. Jerry Flavell, Niles, Ohio; 9. Larry Root, West Farmington, Ohio; 10. Chris Hake, Warren, Ohio; 11. Randy Riffe, Transfer, Pa.; 12. Ed Cornell, Masury, Ohio; 13. Jeff Kravec, Youngstown, Ohio; 14. Lonnie O'Brien, Sharpsville, Pa.; 15. Scott Daffron, Cortland, Ohio; 16. Jarrot Moore, New Castle, Pa.; 17. Brian Foley Jr., Hubbard, Ohio; 18. Keith Nagy, New Castle, Pa.; 19. Sonny Wisler, Poland, Ohio; 20. Michael Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 21. Bill Hanna, Jamestown, Pa.; 22. Ed Lombardo, New Castle, Pa.; 23. Tim Deutsch, Niles, Ohio; 24. Allan Hudzik, Youngstown, Ohio; 25. Steve Babos, Masury, Ohio.
B-Main 01 -- 1. Chris Hake, Warren, Ohio; 2. Lonnie O'Brien, Sharpsville, Pa.; 3. Keith Nagy, New Castle, Pa.; 4. Gary Miller, Jr., New Castle, Pa.; 5. Ron Iorio, Kennerdell, Pa.; 6. Scott Malone, Sandy Lake, Pa.; 7. Bill Beiter, Cochronten, Pa.; 8. Stan Woomer, Warren, Ohio; 9. Larry Keener, Jamestown, Pa.; 10. Eric Williams, N. Waterford, Ohio; 11. Tracy Border, Niles, Ohio; 12. Stacy Neubecker, Youngstown, Ohio; 13. Mike Smith Jr., Warren, Ohio; 14. Russ Stanke, Lake Milton, Ohio; 15. Mark Sanders, New Castle, Pa.; 16. Michael Kerr, Pulaski, Pa.; 17. Brian Carothers, Youngstown, Ohio; 18. Shawn Johnson, Masury, Ohio; 19. Robert Gabrielson;; 20. Kenneth Roth, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio.
B-Main 02 -- 1. Scott Daffron, Cortland, Ohio; 2. Dave Ferringer, Cochranton, Pa.; 3. Raymond Yuran, Sharon, Pa.; 4. Chris Seaman, Youngstown, Ohio; 5. Mike Smith, Warren, Ohio; 6. Brett McCarthy, Harmony, Pa.; 7. Joe Reed, Warren, Ohio; 8. George Kafantaris, Warren, Ohio; 9. Steven Micsky, Greeville, Pa.; 10. Vincent Felicitty, Warren, Ohio; 11. Gary Laurie, Poland, Ohio; 12. Tom Moore, Struthers, Ohio; 13. Matt Allen, Canfield, Ohio; 14. Richard Davis, Niles, Ohio; 15. Jeff Smith, Fowler, Ohio; 16. Cody Smith, Jackson Center, Pa.; 17. Daniel Fedorchak, Hubbard, Ohio; 18. Paul Upshire, Bristolville, Ohio; 19. Cody Snyder, Garrettsville, Ohio; 20. Greg Andrews, East Palestine, Ohio.
Heat 01 -- 1. Dan Lewis, Hubbard, Ohio; 2. Steve Dapolito, Boardman, Ohio; 3. Jerry Flavell, Niles, Ohio; 4. Ed Cornell, Masury, Ohio; 5. Lonnie O'Brien, Sharpsville, Pa.; 6. Raymond Yuran, Sharon, Pa.; 7. Mark Sanders, New Castle, Pa.; 8. Chris Seaman, Youngstown, Ohio; 9. Bill Beiter, Cochronten, Pa.; 10. Joe Reed, Warren, Ohio; 11. Tracy Border, Niles, Ohio; 12. Mike Smith, Warren, Ohio.
Heat 02 -- 1. Larry Root, West Farmington, Ohio; 2. Ed Lombardo, New Castle, Pa.; 3. Michael Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 4. Tim Deutsch, Niles, Ohio; 5. Scott Daffron, Cortland, Ohio; 6. Gary Miller, Jr., New Castle, Pa.; 7. Brett McCarthy, Harmony, Pa.; 8. Larry Keener, Jamestown, Pa.; 9. Jeff Smith, Fowler, Ohio; 10. Shawn Johnson, Masury, Ohio; 11. Matt Allen, Canfield, Ohio; 12. Stan Woomer, Warren, Ohio.
Heat 03 -- 1. Steve Babos, Masury, Ohio; 2. Jarrot Moore, New Castle, Pa.; 3. Russ Kapalin, Jefferson, Ohio; 4. Will Aley, Fredonia, Pa.; 5. Keith Nagy, New Castle, Pa.; 6. Richard Davis, Niles, Ohio; 7. Stacy Neubecker, Youngstown, Ohio; 8. Steven Micsky, Greeville, Pa.; 9. Mike Smith Jr., Warren, Ohio; 10. Cody Smith, Jackson Center, Pa.; 11. Russ Stanke, Lake Milton, Ohio; 12. Gary Laurie, Poland, Ohio.
Heat 04 -- 1. Gary Robinson, Greenville, Pa.; 2. Sonny Wisler, Poland, Ohio; 3. Jeff Kravec, Youngstown, Ohio; 4. Brian Foley Jr., Hubbard, Ohio; 5. Vincent Felicitty, Warren, Ohio; 6. Michael Kerr, Pulaski, Pa.; 7. Dave Ferringer, Cochranton, Pa.; 8. Scott Malone, Sandy Lake, Pa.; 9. Daniel Fedorchak, Hubbard, Ohio; 10. Eric Williams, N. Waterford, Ohio; 11. Paul Upshire, Bristolville, Ohio; 12. Kenneth Roth, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio.
Heat 05 -- 1. Randy Riffe, Transfer, Pa.; 2. Bill Hanna, Jamestown, Pa.; 3. Wayne Daniels, Pierpont, Ohio; 4. Allan Hudzik, Youngstown, Ohio; 5. Chris Hake, Warren, Ohio; 6. Tom Moore, Struthers, Ohio; 7. Ron Iorio, Kennerdell, Pa.; 8. George Kafantaris, Warren, Ohio; 9. Brian Carothers, Youngstown, Ohio; 10. Cody Snyder, Garrettsville, Ohio; 11. Robert Gabrielson;; 12. Greg Andrews, East Palestine, Ohio.
V-8 Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Rex King, Bristolville, Ohio; 2. Ron Smoker, Hamburg, N.Y.; 3. Josh Skarzenski, Erie, Pa.; 4. DJ Rougeux, Frenchville, Pa.; 5. Jim Rasey, Southington, Ohio; 6. Nick Ritchey, Oil City, Pa.; 7. William Moore, Jackson Center, Pa.; 8. Gary Risch, Freeport, Pa.; 9. Lou Blaney, Hartford, Ohio; 10. Jimmy Weller, III, Hubbard, Ohio; 11. Robert Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 12. Rob Curtis, Greenville, Pa.; 13. Dave Willoughby, Warren, Ohio; 14. Ken Moy, Jr., Cortland, Ohio; 15. John Boyer, Sharon, Pa.; 16. Pete Simpson, Hubbard, Ohio; 17. Allen Ferry, Mercer, Pa.; 18. Greg Porter, North Bloomfield, Ohio; 19. Conny Allen, Warren, Ohio; 20. Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, Pa.; 21. Jason Longwell, Burghill, Ohio; 22. Jim Weller, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio; 23. Mark Flick, Apollo, Pa..
Heat 01 -- 1. Jim Rasey, Southington, Ohio; 2. Ron Smoker, Hamburg, N.Y.; 3. Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, Pa.; 4. Rob Curtis, Greenville, Pa.; 5. Jimmy Weller, III, Hubbard, Ohio; 6. Pete Simpson, Hubbard, Ohio; 7. Lou Blaney, Hartford, Ohio; 8. Robert Kristyak, Bristolville, Ohio; 9. Jason Longwell, Burghill, Ohio; 10. William Moore, Jackson Center, Pa.; 11. Conny Allen, Warren, Ohio; 12. Greg Porter, North Bloomfield, Ohio.
Heat 02 -- 1. Josh Skarzenski, Erie, Pa.; 2. Rex King, Bristolville, Ohio; 3. Nick Ritchey, Oil City, Pa.; 4. Gary Risch, Freeport, Pa.; 5. DJ Rougeux, Frenchville, Pa.; 6. Mark Flick, Apollo, Pa.; 7. Allen Ferry, Mercer, Pa.; 8. John Boyer, Sharon, Pa.; 9. Dave Willoughby, Warren, Ohio; 10. Ken Moy, Jr., Cortland, Ohio; 11. Jim Weller, Jr., Hubbard, Ohio.