Hawley wins third in Sprints; Blaney scores first in Sharon Modifieds

by Mike Leone

HARTFORD, OH (June 2, 2000) — The sixth night of racing in 2000 was completed Friday night at Sharon Speedway. The following drivers recorded wins: Jimmy Hawley-Sunburst Environmental 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Gibson Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modifieds, Chuck Schell-Coy Bros. E-Mods, Dan Lewis-Burghill Auto Salvage Stock Cars, and Brian Riddle-Micro Sprints.

For the second week in a row, Jimmy Hawley of West Middlesex, Pa. passed Jarod Larson for the win in the 20-lap Sunburst Environmental 410 Sprint Car Feature. "Without my guys all this wouldn't be possible," said a happy Hawley. "Doc and Debi (car owners) have a great race car."

On the opening lap, Bruce Powell, Brad Ellenberger, and Gary Edwards grabbed the first three spots. Larson, who started eighth, made quite a move on the first lap passing four cars to take fourth. On lap two, Larson passed Edwards for third.

Brad Ellenberger took control on the race on lap three getting under Powell, while Larson followed using the outside for second. Ellenberger's lead would only last a lap as Larson streaked ahead at the start-finish line for the lead on lap four. Edwards dropped Powell back another spot on the same lap taking third. The red came out for Jamie McKinney, who landed on his side, with four laps completed. He was okay, but done for the night.

When racing resumed, Hawley got by Powell for fourth as Ellenberger got sideways allowing Hawley and Edwards to take second and third. Bob Whitacre, who made his season debut, brought out the second caution with eight laps completed.

Just like last week, Hawley used the restart to take the lead from Larson as he drove under the defending three-time champion in turn two. Craig Rankin, who started seventh, passed Edwards for third on lap nine. The final caution was for Whitacre who came to a rest with 14 laps completed.

Hawley led the final six laps green to checker for his second straight win and third of the year at Sharon in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII. It was his ninth overall win of 2000. Edwards and Tommy Burns, Jr. got by Craig Rankin for third and fourth on lap 15. Edwards and Burns then traded the position in the remaining laps, but Edwards was able to hold on for third over Burns. Tom Quarterson passed Rankin on lap 19 to finish fifth after starting 19th. Rounding out the top ten were Rankin, Doug Kekich, Gary McCollum, Powell, and Barry Ruble. Winning the heats over the 20-car field were Larson and Hawley.

Lou Blaney of Hartford, Ohio ended Jim Weller's perfect three-for-three win streak by passing him on lap 13 and going on for his first win of the year in the 20-lap Gibson-Governor Insurance Agency Big-Block Modified Feature. "We've broke a couple times this year, but tonight we were pretty good," said Blaney from victory lane. "We're going to try our luck for all three this weekend (Bonus Buck Weekend between Sharon, Mercer, and Tri-City)."

At the start, Weller raced by Rex King for the lead, while Andy Priest took second. Tim Doran, who started ninth, moved into third on lap four using the outside. By lap seven, Blaney had taken fourth on the seventh circuit.

Following a lap 11 restart, Blaney drove around Doran for third. Later that lap, Blaney dove under Priest for second, while Doran followed using the outside around Priest. Priest came to a rest after something struck him bringing out the yellow with 12 laps completed.

When racing resumed, Blaney made the winning move passing Weller on the outside going into turn three. Blaney survived one more restart for the win in his Carpenter's Towing/Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Colonial Metal Products-sponsored #10. Weller held off Doran for second. Snider was fourth for his best finish of the season. Priest came back to get fifth. Completing the top 10 were Tim Engles, Skip Moore, Joe Crawford, Pete Simpson, and Rob Kristyak. Heat winners were Priest and Crawford.

Chuck Schell of Farrell, Pa. won his first career Sharon Speedway win taking the 15-lap Coy Bros. E-Mod Feature. Schell led the first seven laps from the pole position until Scott Stiffler, who started sixth, drove under him in turn one for the lead. Stiffler survived four cautions periods for his apparent first career Sharon win until coming up light at the scales. This gave the win to the Schell in his T-K Auto Body-sponsored #66. Bob Williams passed J.R. Mechling for third on lap nine, then was credited with second after the disqualification of Stiffler. Bob McCann came from 18th to place third ahead of Rick Prosser Jr. and Steve Haefke. Heat winners were Williams and Stiffler over the 21-car field. Stiffler also won the dash.

Dan Lewis of Hubbard, Ohio won his second Burghill Auto Salvage Stock Car Feature win of the year. Dwayne Clay shot into the lead passing John Beniston and Chuck Sullivan Jr. at the start of the event. Lewis, who started sixth, passed Sullivan for third on lap four. Lewis then moved into second with an inside move on lap six. Clay held down the lead as Lewis closed the gap. Then on lap eight, Clay lost his rear front tire giving the lead to Lewis. Lewis led the rest of the way for the win in his #64. Bobby Whitling, who started ninth, finished second after passing Leigh Wheeler lap nine. Russ Kapalin came from 14th to finish third edging Wheeler at the checkers. Gary Robinson was fifth. Heat victors were Whitling, Wheeler, and Clay over the 27-car field.

Brian Riddle of Brookville, Pa. won his first career Sharon Speedway win taking the 10-lap Micro Sprint Feature event. Riddle took the lead from Craig Douglas on lap six then held off Chad Reitz, the previous winner, for the win in his #14. Jason Dolick came from 10th to finish third. Tim Graham and J.J. Kapuchuck completed the first five. Graham won the heat race.

RESULTS

SUNBURST ENVIRONMENTAL 410 SPRINT CAR

FEATURE: 1. Jimmy Hawley, 2. Jarod Larson, 3. Gary Edwards, 4. Tommy Burns Jr., 5. Tom Quarterson, 6. Craig Rankin, 7. Doug Kekich, 8. Gary McCollum, 9. Bruce Powell, 10. Barry Ruble, 11. Terry Young, 12. Ed Etzel, 13. Jerry Frew, 14. Brad Ellenberger, 15. Bob Whitacre, 16. Larry Clay, 17. Dan Taylor, 18. Bob McCann, 19. Jamie McKinney, 20. C.W. Harshman-DNS.

GIBSON-GOVERNOR INSURANCE AGENCY BIG-BLOCK MODIFIED

FEATURE: 1. Lou Blaney, 2. Jim Weller, 3. Tim Doran, 4. Randy Snider, 5. Andy Priest, 6. Tim Engles, 7. Skip Moore, 8. Joe Crawford, 9. Pete Simpson, 10. Rob Kristyak, 11. Rob McClimans, 12. Jason Engles, 13. Jim Rasey, 14. John Braymer, 15. Rex King.

COY BROS. E-MOD

FEATURE: 1. Chuck Schell, 2. Bob Williams, 3. Bob McCann, 4. Rick Prosser Jr., 5. Steve Haefke, 6. Rich Stiffler, 7. Jeff Rudrick, 8. Jeff Johnson, 9. Jeff Haefke, 10. Dale Fuller, 11. Terry Yoder, 12. Richard Jaeger, 13. Roger Frost, 14. J.R. Mechling, 15. Scott Jones, 16. Jeff Sharp, 17. Bootie Petsko, 18. Scott Stiffler-DSQ, 19. Jim White Jr.-DNS, 20. Arlan Coy-DNS, 21. Ron Jaeger-DNS.

BURGHILL AUTO SALVAGE STOCK CAR

FEATURE: 1. Dan Lewis, 2. Bobby Whitling, 3. Russ Kapalin, 4. Leigh Wheeler, 5. Gary Robinson, 6. John Beniston, 7. Brian Booher, 8. Rich Allen, 9. Steve D'Apolito, 10. Joe Porter, 11. Dave Willoughby, 12. Jerry Flavell, 13. Jeff Webber, 14. Bill Fox, 15. Chuck Sullivan Jr., 16. Rusty Moore, 17. Dwayne Clay, 18. Bob Sloss, 19. Steve Babos, 20. Scott Thompson, 21. Eric Gibson, 22. Chris Seamen, 23. Tom Miller, 24. Robert Kutsch, 25. Mark Felicetty, 26. Carl Davis-DNS, 27. Jim Moyers-DNS.

MICRO SPRINT

FEATURE: 1. Brian Riddle, 2. Chad Reitz, 3. Jason Dolick, 4. Tim Graham, 5. J.J. Kapuchuck, 6. Rob Felix, 7. Brandon Casper, 8. Nate Stein, 9. Craig Douglas, 10. Ron Hodges, 11. Troy Winslow, 12. Clint Lohler, 13. Chris Best, 14. Jay Groves, 15. Russ Kost-DNS, 16. Andrew Wilds-DNS.