BILLY VANPELT, DALE WELTY,STEVE CLARK, AND TOM STEWART VICTORIOUS AT BLACK ROCK

DUNDEE.N.Y.... Billy VanPelt. out of Ulysses Pa. put his Chilson Bros. number two in victory lane last Friday night in the Modified division at the Black Rock Speedway. Dale Welty put the Spencer Big M number 12-3 in the winner’s circle in the Super-Stocks for the second week in a row. "Jungle" Jim Schuyler was the winner in the Big Flats Manufactured Housing feature for the Modfieds. Steve Clark was the winner in the first Pro-Stock Feature of the season, and Tom Stewart took the checkers in the 4 Cyl, Stocks,

Former track champion. Billy VanPelt started on the pole for the 358 Modified feature last Friday night at the Black Rock Speedway by way of winning the first heat in this heads up start for the first point race of the season, As soon as the green flag was dropped on this 25 lapper, VanPelt took off and showed the remainder of the field the view of his Chilson Brothers Duece that they would see for the rest of the night the back bumper. After the initial green, VanPelt was never seriously challenged. But there was plenty of good racing going on behind him, as Terry Hough, Buddy Morseman, Jeff Kappesser, and Stacey Jackson were racing for positions two through five. Wheal to wheel action could also be seen between, two old pros, Chuck Kennison, and Walt Mitchell, as they raced for sixth and seventh. The first caution came on the fifth circuit. as Chris Lewis spun the Panther Racing 52 in turn two. The yellow was waving again on the next lap for Bobby Sherwood, as he had engine problems aboard his 11jr. VanPelt was able to pull away after each of these caution periods, and Hough,Morseman, Kappesser, Stacey Jackson. and now Mark Hawkins raced for position. The yellow came out one more time to slow the field on lap 16, as Stacey Jackson went off the fourth turn and out of the race after a strong run in the top five. VanPelt was, once again, able to pull away, and went on for his first win of the ‘97 season, and served notice that he is a serious contender for the championship in the 358’s at Black Rock. Terry Hough held on for second, third went to Buddy Morseman, fourth was Mark Hawkins, and rounding out the top five was Lyle Sherwood. Heat wins were taken by.Billy VanPelt. Pat Gollay, and Terry Hough,

"Jungle" Jim Schuyler. out of Himrod. N.Y.. picked up the win in the Big Flats Manufactured Housing Feature, he was followed across the line by Tom Kio, Fred Arden. and Charlie Donk.

Dale Welty is well on his way to achieving one of his main goals in racing. winning a track championship. There have been two races so far this year in the Super-Stocks and Welty has been victorious in both of them. He began the event in the 18th starting position, but quickly moved up through the field, The first caution flag came out at the end of the first lap in turn one as Jeremy Potrzebowski got into Donnie Smith, this melee blocked the first turn. and also collected Steve Perry and Art Ryder. All cars were able to continue. but Potrzebowski was black flagged for rough driving. When the green came back out, Mike Carapella was at the top of the field, followed closely by Rob Conklin and Dave Fultz. Farther back in the field, Bill Miller and Dale Welty were working their way quickly to the front, Lap seven saw Conklin take the lead and Dale Welty’s fifteen year old race car was right behind him for second!! Several laps later Welty snuck by Conklin for the lead. Carl Cleveland was also in the hunt now. as he was battling Dave Fultz for second as Conklin faded to fourth. As the checkers flew, it was Welty under the wire for first, second place was Dave Fultz. Carl Cleveland was third, fourth went to Rob Conklin, and rounding out the top five was, Bill Miller. Heat wins were taken by, Steve Perry, Cone Balmer, and Carl Cleveland-

Steve Clark, out of Lindley.N.Y. picked up the first feature of 1997 in the Pro-Stock division, He started the event on the outside of the front row. and as the race began he was battling for the lead with pole-sitter Steve Brace, while rookie Chris McCann and Ralph Champion raced for third and fourth. As the race ware on, Clark continued to lead the parade. with Ralph Champion. Steve Brace. Jeff Baroody, and Chris McCann all racing for position, Clark was able to hold off all challenges on B.R. DeWitt, We-Go Racing Fan Club night at the Rock. and pick up the win. On the fourth turn of the last lap. Jeff Baroody and Steve Brace made contact. Dropping Brace to 15th, and Rapoody was paid for last place. Finsihing second was the"Junkyard Dog". Ralph Champion, third went to Chris McCann in his first Pro-Stock feature, fourth was Darren Hadley, and rounding out the top five was Jeff Smith. Heat wins went to.Steve Brace, Steve Clark, and Brian Hilliard. The consi went to, Chuck Pruden.

Tom Stewart won his heat in the 4 Cyl, Stock division, with this being the first point race of the season, it was a heads up start for the feature, meaning Stewart would be on the pole for the fifteen lapper, He Jumped out to the early lead, but he was closely pursued by the John Deere machine of Eddie Machuga. These two swapped the lead through out the event, but being the leader in this race was a dangerous place to be!! Stewart was leading when on lap 12 he was hit by a lapped car This put Eddie Machuga out in front, then on the next circuit he was hit by former Kart racer Keri Conklin as she came out of the infield in front of the leaders! This gave the win to Tom Stewart, and dropped Machuga to a fourteenth place finish. "Wild" Willy Grant was second, third was Ralph Warren. fourth was Todd Stone, and rounding out the top five was Shawn Brace. Willy Grant and Shawn Brace weighed in light at the scales after the race, and were allowed to hold their finishing positions, but were denied receiving any money or points. Heats were won by, Tom Stewart, and Eddie Machuga.

B,R. DEWITT.WE-GO RACING FAN CLUB RACE SUMMARY:MODIFIEDS(25 laps)BILLY VANPELT.Terry Hough,Buddy Morseman,Mark Hawkins,Lyle Sherwood.Jeff Kappesser.Pat Golley,Steve Hartman,Chuck Kennison.Walt Mitchell,Geoff Plis.Ron White,Charlie Donk,Marty Conlon.Fred Arden,Jim Schuyler,Fred Buckley.Dave Machuga,Chris Lewis,Steve Mandell,Tom Kio.Stacey Jackson.Don Lawson,Bobby Sherwood

SUPER-STOCKS:(20 laps)DALE WELTY.Dave Fultz,Carl Cleveland.Rob Conklin,Bill Miller.Art Ryder,Mike Carapella.Larry Knowles,Rich Karlnoski,Bob Buorio.Donnie Smith.Earl Harp.Steve Kant,Bruce Ross,John Rekczis,Cam Sutherland.Steve Perry,Kevin Chilson.Gene Balmer.Les Irwin.Bobby Teed,Tony Harris.Jeremy Potrzebowski

PRO-STOCKS;(20 laps)STEVE CLARK,Ralph Champion,Chris McCann.Darren Hadley.Jeff Smith,Jason Clugstone,Dave Yehl,Dave VanArsdale,Corey Ervay.Frank Burnell,Brian Hilliard,Chuck Pruden,Tom Matthews,Dan Standish.Steve Brace.Mike Brown,Eric VanSkiver,Dan Smart.Brian Knowles,Linwood Standish.Jim Tuttle.Bryan Rhoads.Ralph Champion Jr, Jeff Baroody

4 CYL. STOCKS:(15 laps)TOM STEWART.Willy Grant,Ralph Warren.Todd Stone.Shawn Brace,Bob Johnson,Joel Husted.Jeff Stone,Colby Peterson,Ed Mills,Dan Dykes,Kevin Young,Jake Clancey,Eddia Machuga,Kenny Hunt.Neal Lampman.Karen LaBar,Keri Conklin,Briari AustinpTerry Cornish.Ray Hyer.Don Potter