"NEW AFTON HAPPENINGS"

by Ed Billings

Mang Insurance Group night saw another great night of racing at the New Afton Raceway. The night started out great weather wise but we were just able to beat the rain as the drops started to fall during the final victory lane ceremony. Another great crowd saw Chuck Akulis beat Mark Terry and Robbie Green to record his third modified win of the year here at Afton. Jim Gabriel, Jr. nosed out Wink Hinkley and Dave Rosa to pick up the sportsman win. Herm Slack brought the Cougar home for another street stock win over Tim French and Gary Roberts. Bill Bailey remained red hot in the 4 cylinders as he outdistanced Dennis Kirk and Russ Hendrickson, Jr. for his fourth straight win. Don Hart, Jr. grabbed another pure stock win beating newcomer Frank Bonham and Rodney Hart.

The modified feature looked to be a Mark Terry win as he fought off the challenges of Mitch Gibbs and then Loren Holland to lead for a number of laps, but the old master Chuck Akulis used an inside move out of turn four to grab the lead and the win. Chuck used the same car that received damage at Five Mile last week and really had the car hooked up. With the kind of consistency that Chuck has shown over the years he looks to be the man to beat for the 1995 Modified Point Crown. Mark Terry is concentrating his efforts here at Afton and things seem to be paying off as the car has been really working on the fast quarter mile. Mark knew that if Chuck was going to beat him he had to do it low and that is what he did, Mark got just a little high in four and Chuck was gone. Watch for Mark to crack victory lane before the season is over. Robbie Green was the only driver to successfully us the high road and brought the Z69 home in third. Jamie Page and Jeff Sheely both had good runs as they finished fourth and fifth respectively. Jeff said he felt real good about the night and he was right as the 38 was really working. Mitch Gibbs is either hot or cold and last week he was cold as he was challenging for the lead and then spun in turn two and had to settle for an eight place finish.

The street stocks were as competitive as ever as at least 9 cars had a shot at the win. Herm Slack brought the #18 Cougar home for another win but he had his hands full with the very competitive field. The French Brothers were in the thick of things again as Tim and Skip ran second and third for many laps before Skip faded to a fifth place finish. Gary Roberts looks like he has turned his season around as he recorded another good finish coming home third. Points leader Marty Goodwin had another solid finish as he came home fourth. Marty had really matured this season and is looking like a real contender for the points title. Talked to two of the new street stock divers last week and was impressed with their style and professional action. Dave Peko comes to Afton via Pleasent Mount, PA and is a welcome addition to the field. This personable driver had his best finish of his short Afton career as he come home in seventh. The car, the crew and the driver look and act very professional and should get the 42 into victory lane before the season is over. Mike Donnely has taken over the controls of the 71 and in just his second week of street stock racing is doing an creditable job. Mike moved up from the pure stocks and is in a learning mode, but watch for him to improve and be in the hunt before seasons end.

Wink Hinkley was looking for win number two but Jim Gabriel, Jr. was out to prevent it and he did just that. Jim had tried Wink on the outside for may laps when finally with two to go he charged outside again going into three, Wink tried to go in a little too hard and Jim was able to dive low in four and take the lead and the win. It was an excellent race and both drovers should be congratulated for the great driving skills they displayed. Dave Rosa had another good night as he won his heat, the dash for cash, and finished third in the feature. This personable Delhi driver is becoming a real force in the sportsman ranks, look for another feature or two before seasons end. Bill Walters had another good run coming home in fourth. Bill said his win finally sunk in about Monday and what a great feeling it was. Steve Eldred and Steve Alger both had good runs coming home fifth and sixth respectively.

Bill Bailey is the hottest driver on the track with four consecutive wins and of course when you win the accusations fly. There were rumors of cheating surrounding the Bailey camp but the officials found no wrongdoing, it looks like they have an excellent car, crew and driver combination and the competitors that are complaining had better do their homework and catch up. Dennis Kirk had another good run as he scored another second. This popular Roxbury driver has stepped it up a notch in the second half of the season and may just get that elusive feature win before the season is over. Point leader Russ Hendrickson, Jr. had a rough night but still scored a good finish to hold on to the point lead. This is last seasons championship winning car and Russ is looking to make it two in a row. Don Hart, Jr. held off newcomer Frank Bonham to score another pure stock win. The pure stock feature was moved up on the

schedule to give the concy cars a chance to get ready after the heats. This seemed to work real well and you the fans seemed to enjoy

the pure stocks. This will give this class a little more exposure and maybe will drawn more cars. The new grandstands will be open this week, the permit is in place and the new planks are painted and were being installed this past Monday. This week will be Maines Paper and Food night with a full card of modifieds, street stocks, sportsman, 4 cylinders and pure stocks. We will also have the modified feature winner draw the winner of the Richard Petty Driving School Scholarship and trip. If you haven't done so be sure and get a program and fill out the entry this week and get it turned in so maybe you can win. Next week will be WCDO night and the night Morgan Shepherd visits the New Afton Raceway. This is sure to be quite a night so be sure and come early to get a good seat. For a $5 donation to MDA you can get your picture taken with Morgan and his show car so be sure and plan on attending now. Plans continue to be made for the awards banquet and we should be making an announcement soon. Well thats it for this week. Congratulations to Danielle Kirk for being chosen our fan of the week. Hope you had a good time

Danielle. Until next week good racing and see you at the New Afton Raceway.