GIBBS ADDS TO WIN TOTAL WHILE MAYNE WINS FIRST SPORTSMAN FEATURE
ON W.D. SMITH & SONS NIGHT AT AFTON
AFTON, NY - W. D. Smith & Sons Night at The New Afton Speedway had a little something for everyone. All-time modified wins leader Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich returned to victory lane in the DIRT 358 Modified feature while DIRT Sportsman driver Tim Mayne from New Berlin recorded his first ever win on the 4/10-mile layout. It was repeat night for Trout Creek's Denny Smith and Buck Mills of Willet, as both drivers claimed the Pure Stock feature. Jim Palmer won his fourth 4-Cylinder Enduro in seven attempts.
The Mid-State Vintage Stock Car Club was also in town for the first of three 2004 appearances. Brad Litzenberger of Romulus won the 1950s Class; Frank Blanchard of Fort Hunter was the winner in the 1960s Class and John McNamee from Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada was again the 1970s winner. The MSVSCC group put on another great show with Lowry Siemens providing one very scary moment in the 1970s feature. Siemens got loose coming out of Turn Two and tried to correct his sliding machine. The Dunville, Ontario drive appeared to have the car saved until he wheel-hopped over the front tire of Ally Amell. Siemens went airborne and dug into the track nose-first, causing several violent high-altitude bumper-to-bumper flips before the car came to a rest on its side.
Miraculously, Siemens was reported to only having some bruising around his eyes, possibly from a broken faceshield, as a result of the accident. We'll try to get more information from the MSVSCC folks on his condition.
J.R. Crouse brought the 358 Modifieds to the green flag for their 30-lap feature, and he led for the first seven lap, but it was outside polesitter Jamie Christian who grabbed the lead out of Turn Two on a lap eight restart. Christian would turn in his best performance since moving up from the Sportsman ranks by leading the race until lap 26.
While Christian was running away, Dan Vauter was settling into second place on lap nine as Crouse began to slide back into the field. The Iceman also drove well, holding off veterans Gibbs and Jeff Rudalavage for a while. Gibbs moved into the runner-up spot on lap 15 and began reeling in Christian.
A lap 25 caution flag wiped out Christian's remaining advantage and Gibbs took the opportunity to size-up his challenger. On lap 27, Gibbs tucked inside Christian at the start/finish line and won the battle in Turns One & Two. Once in front, Gibbs pulled away for a one-half straightaway lead over Christian for his 54th career modified win at Afton. Vauter lost third place to Rudalavage on the lap 25 restart. but Rudalvage slid high in Turn One on lap 29 which allowed Vauter to retake the spot. At the line, Vauter nipped Rudalavage with Jeremy Smith fifth.
Polesitter Mayne led the charge to Sam Rogers' green flag to start the 20-lap DIRT Sportsman main event and he would never surrender the top spot until the checkered flag fell.
Adam Smith held the second spot until contact with Steve Anderson caused him to spin on lap nine. Anderson was also sent to the back and had to work his way back towards the front. That contact moved Butch Klinger in the runner-up spot and he pressured the leader, but this night would belong to Mayne, who posted a five car-length win. Klinger took second place with with Tim French, Brad Alger and Dan Yankowski rounding out the top five.
Chad Hyzer brought the DIRT Pro Stocks to the the line for the 20-lap feature, but Bret Belden flew from his sixth starting spot to the point before the first lap was completed. Hyzer hung tough for second place for twop laps before Bob Mills move into the runner-up spot for two circuits as well.
Smith climbed into second place on lap five and would slowly narrow the gap between the top two cars. On a lap 16 restart. Smith began to position himself for a pass of Belden, which he completed on lap 14. Smith would pull away for an easy win over the remaining circuits. Smith's fourth win of the season gives him 18 career Pro Stock wins, tying him with James Cornell for the top spot.
Belden would finish second with Mills, A.J. Digsby and first-night runner Chad Ray completing the top five.
Butch Green was on the pole for the Pure Stock 15-lap feature, but Mills roared to the front before the first lap was completed. Mills would hold off challenges from Green, then Jeremy Shaw and Paul Harrington over the first 10 laps.
Green would retake second place on lap 11, but he would not catch the "Willet Warrior," who won by six car-lengths. Green settled for second place with Joe Buchek, Shaw and Harrington rounding out the top five. With the curfew approaching, the 4-Cylinder Super Stock drivers agreed to run double features one week later.
This Friday night will be a full slate of DIRT 358 Modified, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stock, Pure Stock, and 4-Cylinder Enduro action, along with those double features for the 4-Cylinder Super Stocks. Also on tap will be a FASTER PASTORS race with a number of area clergymen taking to the track in 4-Cylinder Enduro cars. Don's Auto Parts representatives will be watching from the Budweiser VIP Tower. Gates will open at 5 p.m. with the racing action to begin at 7:30.
If you have any questions on any upcoming events, you may call the speedway office at 607-657-8018; the track office at 607-639-1966 or you may log on to The New Afton Speedway website at www.thenewaftonspeedway.com. The New Afton Speedway, Friday's Best Family Entertainment Value, is located on the Afton Fairgrounds off of Interstate 88, Exit 7, on Route 41.
W.D. SMITH & SONS FEATURE RESULTS FROM JUNE 11, 2004
DIRT 358 MODIFIEDS (30 Laps): MITCH GIBBS, Jamie Christian, Dan Vauter, Jeremy Smith, Jeff Rudalavge, Billy Van Pelt, J.R. Crouse, J.R. Hurlburt, Darrin Schuler, Bob Hamm, Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Rich Price, Ben Bushaw, Russell Hendrickson, Pete Lyon, Willy Decker. Heat winners: Christian, Van Pelt, Rudalavage.
DIRT SPORTSMAN (20 Laps): TIM MAYNE, Butch Klinger, Tim French, Brad Alger, Dan Yankowski, Steve Anderson, Craig Pope, Richie Budd, Jr., Ronnie Clark, Aaron Cross, Adam Smith. DNS-Skip Pickwick, Olin Renwick. Heat winners: Anderson, Smith.
DIRT PRO STOCKS (20 Laps): DENNY SMITH, Bret Belden, Bob Mills, A.J. Digsby, Chad Ray, Chad Hyzer, Dennis Valentine, Todd Hurlburt, Dustin Harris, Jason Youngs, Pat Nolan, Jeremy Clark. DNS-Chris Hurlburt . Heat winners: Hyzer, Smith.
PURE STOCKS (15 Laps): BUCK MILLS, Butch Green, Joe Buchek, Jeremy Shaw, Paul Harrington, Phil Norman, Garnet Prescott. Heat winner: Green.
4-CYLINDER SUPER STOCKS (line-up, ppd. to 6/18): Jack Hill, George Crippen, Bob Doolittle, Nate Stevens, Ken Hotaling, Gary Card, Jim Money, Gary Card Sr., Mike Stringer. Heat winner: Hill.
4-CYLINDER ENDURO (15 Laps, Top 3): JIM PALMER, Lance Willes, Jeff Black.
MIDSTATE VINTAGE STOCK CAR CLUB
1950s: BRAD LITZENBERGER, John Flack, Gordie Wood.
1960s: FRANK BLANCHARD, Jim Chicoski, Shirley Morden, Gary Wood.
1970s: JOHN McNAMEE, Bob Williams, Pat Sonnenberg, Jim Hilimire, Harold Sonnenberg, Ally Amell, Lowry Siemens, Mike Cole.