WALT MITCHELL "LUCKY" ON FRIDAY THE 13TH AT BLACK ROCK
DUNDEE,N.Y..6/13/97...Walt Mitchell, out of Waterloo,N.Y., picked up the win in the 358 Modifieds last Friday night at the Black Rock Speedway. It was his first win at Dundee since May 13th, 1988! Terry Hough was victorious in the Big Flats Manufactured Housing Feature. Earl Harp grabbed his second win of the season in the Super-Stocks. Steve Clark was the victor in Pro-Stock competition, and Shawn Brace got his first win of the year in the 4 Cyl. Stocks.
Walt Mitchell stood tired and thirsty in victory lane last Friday night, telling the crowd, that this was his first win at Dundee since Friday the 13th in May of 1988! Mitchell's TEO chassis number 24 was working to perfection on this night using the outside line to perfection, as he and Roy Shields battled wheel to wheel for several laps, reminisent of the old late models races these two put on back in the 60's at Waterloo. Mitchell began the event in the 11th position, and lap six he was in second place. On lap nine in the first turn, Ron White, Stacy Jackson, and Fred Buckley got together in the second turn. On the re-start, Charlie Donk smacked the 4th turn wall, ending his night on the hook. As the race resumed, Lyle Sherwood led the field off the fourth turn with Mitchell in hot pursuit. By the 11th lap Mitchell powered by Sherwood on the out side to take the lead. Ron White was putting on the drive of the race coming up from the tail of the field, and was in the 7th position by lap 14. By lap 17, White was all the way back up to third, as Mitchell and Sherwood battled for the lead. By the end of the 17th circuit Mitchell had taken over the top spot. On lap 19 Ron White and Lyle Sherwood tangled in the 4th turn. White had to go to the tail of the field again, along with Sherwood. This set up the battle to the finish between Mitchell and Roy Shields. When
the green came back out these to veterans put on a battle that had the large crowd on their feet. On the 21st lap the yellow lights flashed again, this time as Billy VanPelt, Lyle Sherwood, and Marty Conlon got together in turn one. With only four laps remaning, Mitchell and Shields knew it was time to go for the gold, Shields was using the low line on the speedway, and Mitchell was up on the cushion, and as the checkers were in the air it was Mitchell in for the win over Shields by a wheel, finsishing third was Tim Sebring, as Jim Schuyler broke coming across the line to take fourth, rounding out the top five was Ron White, after yet another hard drive from the rear of the field!
Heat wins went to, Todd Milton, Ron White, Steve Hartman, and Lyle Sherwood.
In the Big Flats Manufactured Housing feature, Terry Hough was victorious, and he was followed across the line by, Fred Buckley, George Rushlow, and Mike Ward was the fourth and final qualifier. Hough, however, was not able to start the Modified feature.
In the Super-Stock racing, Earl Harp, out of Bath, N.Y., picked up his second win of the 1997 season. The two time and defending track champion also made up some ground on current point leader, Dale Welty, as the driver of the Spencer Big M number 1-2-3, had a flat left front tire on lap eight, and
finished in the 7th position. Polesitter Mike Brenning jumped out to the early lead, but Earl Harp and Steve Perry were charging up through this classy field. Lap 15 saw Harp take over the top spot with the 77 of Perry in tow. These two drivers battled wheel to wheel, but when the checkers were unfurled, it was Harp with win, Perry finished second on the speedway, but during a post race inspection he was disqualified for an illegal rear end. Second was given to Rob Conklin, third was, Mike Brenning, fourth was, Cam Sutherland, and rounding out the top five was, Carl Cleveland. Heats went to, Earl Harp, Cam Sutherland, and Donnie Smith.
Steve Clark out of Lindley,N.Y. picked up another win the Pro-Stock division last Friday night. It was by no means an easy victory, as he was being chased through out the event by Pro-Stock rookie Chris McCann. There was plenty of close racing between these two drivers through out the event, and many times
during the event they were side by side. During the closing stages of the event, Clark began to pull away a little bit, but was approaching lapped traffic. With the white flag flying, Clark was boxed in behind these lapped cars and McCann started to close up on your leader, and at the checkers it was Clark with the win and McCann about a foot behind for second, third place was, Bryan Rhoads, fourth was, point leader Steve Brace, and rounding out the top five was Jeff Smith. Heats were won by, Steve Clark, Bryan Rhoads, and Jeff Baroody.
Local driver, Shawn Brace finally put his beautiful number one in victory lane last week in the 4 Cyl. Stock division. Ironically, he began the race in 13th position on Friday the 13th, and was in second by lap eight racing with Eddie Mills for the lead. The top five were flying in tight formation, as Brace worked his way to the front. By lap 13 Brace was in the lead and racing hard to stay ahead of point leader Tommy Stewart. Brace and Stewart battled hard for the last two laps with Brace taking the checkers first ahead of Stewart, finishing third was Ralph Warren, fourth was, Eddie Mills, and rounding out the top five was, Colby Peterson. Heats were taken by, Todd Stone, Kevin Young, and Ralph Warren.
Racing continues at the Black Rock Speedway this Friday night with a red four star program of 358 Modifieds,Super-Stocks, Pro-Stocks, and 4 Cyl.Stocks. It will be student night, and the annual kiddie rides will be taking place, as kids will be able to ride with their favorite drivers on Two Rivers Timber Company night. Gates open at 5:30, and racing gets under way at 7:30. So, come on out to the Black Rock Speedway and bring the kids and enjoy a great night of family entertainment. Black Rock Speedway is located on Route 14A just outside the village of Dundee. For more information on the 40th season of Racing at the Yates County oval, please call (607)243-8686.
CHAPEL LUMBER COMPANY RACE SUMMARRY:MODIFIEDS(25 LAPS)WALT MITCHELL,Roy Shields,Tim Sebring,Jim Schuyler,Ron White,Jeff Kappesser,Pat Golley,ToddMilton,Dylan Dewert,Billy VanPelt,Mark Hawkins,Buddy Morseman,George Rushlow,Lyle Sherwood,Fred Buckley,Steve Hartman,Marty Conlon,Mike Ward,Charlie Donk,Dave Machuga,Geoff Pliss,Mike Jackson,Stacy Jackson
BIG FLATS MANUFACTURED HOUSING FEATURE:MODIFIEDS(15 LAPS)TERRY HOUGH,Fred Buckley,George Rushlow,Mike Ward,Chuck Kennison,Bobby Sherwood,Tom Kio,Ray Dann, Chris Lewis,Don Pratt
SUPER-STOCKS(20 lAPS):EARL HARP,Rob Conklin,Mike Brenning,Cam Sutherland, Carl Cleveland,Dave Fultz,Dale Welty,Larry Knowles, Del Cummings,Bob Buono,Luke Gudinas,John Rekczis,Don Silvernail, Bobby Teed,Quinn Sutherland,Les Irwin,Donnie Smith,Mike Carapella, Paul Seidel,Steve Kent,Tony Harris,Kevin Chilson,Gene Balmer,Jeremy Potrzebowski,Rich Karlnoski
PRO-STOCKS(20 LAPS)STEVE CLARK,Chris McCann,Bryan Rhoads,Steve Brace,Jeff Smith, Jason Clugstone,Brian Knowles,Ralph Champion, Terry Wheat,Brian Hilliard,Chuck Pruden,Mike Brown,Mike VanDyke, Eric Vanskiver,Jeff Baroody,Ken Ham,Darren Hadley,Dan Smart,Dan Standish,Ralph Champion Jr.,Steve Williams,Linwood Standish,Tommy Carson,Bry Weiskolf,Tim Freeland
4Cyl. STOCKS(15 LAPS):SHAWN BRACE,Tommy Stewart,Ralph Warren, Eddie Mills,Colby Peterson,Phil Yaw,Joel Husted,Todd Stone,Jake Clancey,Eddie Machuga,Kevin Young,Karl Weichenthal,Kenny Hunt, Keri Conklin,Terry Cornish,Brian Austin,Don Potter,Dan Dykes