JENSEN AND COOK SHARE WINS AT THUNDER MOUNTAIN
Paul Jensen became the third different winner in three weeks as he grabbed off the win in the thirty lap Modified headliner while Chad Cook made two in a row in the 20 lap Sportsman go. Other winners included Wade Decker in the Street Stocks, Dick Stark Jr. in the Pure Stocks, Bob Doolittle in the Four Cylinder stocks while Curt Pierce snapped Ken Stafford’s two win streak in the Four Cylinder Modifieds and Tim Parker made it two in a row in the Thunder Dogs
Jensen started in the third starting spot behind pole sitter and modified rookie Darl Ellis who led the first four laps. Jensen settled into second on lap two and was using the high line fight for the lead, which he finally wrested, from Ellis on lap five. Once in front, he was able to put distance between himself and second place runner Jim Gabriel Jr who had passed Ellis on lap five. Gabriel wasn’t able to close any distance to the leader and was content to ride in second.
As the two leaders pulled away the real race was behind them as Brian Weaver, J. R. Hurlburt, Chris Weaver, Jeff Sheely, George Kostelansky and the popular returning Doug Worthing. During the last ten laps of the race, Worthing was definitely the fastest car on the track as he gained five spots. In the end it was all Jensen as he got win number one for the season. Gabriel took home second, Brian Weaver was third, Worthing wound up fourth and Hurlburt completed the top five.
Ken Titus led the first two laps of the 20 lap Sportsman, which were both, highlighted by caution flags. On the restart for lap three, Chad Cook asserted himself and passed Titus in turn three for the lead and never looked back. With Cook opening up a lead, the battle for second was intense as Titus, Brian Decker and Brian White were going at it tooth and nail. Decker emerged into second on the white flag lap but it was short lived as the car pushed up coming out of four and he lost the number two spot as the leader Cook crossed the finish line. Both Titus and White got by and Decker wound up fourth. Rounding out the top five finishers was Rick Wilk.
The twenty lap Street Stock feature went right down the last lap (literally) before Wade Decker emerged victorious. Harold Humphrey led most of the distance but it wasn’t easy as he had all sorts of company around him including both McKernan’s, Decker, Matt Roberts and Denny Decker. This group battled for spots right down to the wire as Humphrey received the white flag on lap 18 and again on lap 19. As he went into turn on, Humphrey backed off the throttle just a little bit, thinking he had won the race. In the meantime Wade Decker got by on the inside. Humphrey, then realizing that the race was not over got back into the gas but it was too late and Decker flashed under the checkers first. Humphrey was scored second followed by Ed McKernan in third, J. T. McKernan in fourth and Matt Roberts was fifth.
Howard Jones led the first two laps of the 20 lap Pure Stock go before Bill Leonard got by. Leonard looked strong out front but he was no match for Dick Stark Jr. Stark in the Harry Uhl Sr. machine took over the lead on lap nine and led the rest of the way for his first win of the season. Leonard had a strong run and came home second followed by Buck Mills in third, Mike Wilbur in fourth and opening night winner Rich Green in fifth.
John Wilcox led the first two laps of the Four Cylinder Stock feature before Bob Doolittle took over from his seventh starting spot. Once in front, Doolittle was challenged by Harold Humphrey and Mitch Hurlburt but in the end Doolittle came with win number two of the season. Humphrey took second, opening night winner Rich Powell was third followed by Hurlburt in fourth and Wilcox in fifth.
It was all Ken Stafford for the first eleven laps of the Four Cylinder Modified feature who looked to be on his way to his third consecutive feature win but lady luck stepped in and took the form of a malfunctioning race car and Curt Pierce was right there to take advantage and take home his first win of the season. Veteran Dick Case, making his first appearance of the season, rallied to finish right on Pierce’s bumped for second. They were followed by Duane Knapp in third, Dennis Copp in fourth and Roger Dewitt in fifth.
The twelve lap Thunder dog feature was all Tim Parker for the second week in a row. After starting in fourth, he quickly assumed the top spot and never looked back. Paul Larow was second followed by Dick Baker, Ben Poirier and Rex Roberts.
Next week Thunder Mountain presents a regular seven class show featuring the Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Four Cylinder Stocks, Four Cylinder Modifieds and the Thunder Dogs. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. while racing is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and in two week the annual Don’s Auto Motive Mall/Gary’s U-Pull It North South Series for the Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Sportsman cars will have the first of four shows. That takes place on Sunday May 25th. Thunder Mountain Speedway is located just off New York State route 79 in Center Lisle, approximately four miles off I81 in Whitney Point.