DAN STONE FOLLOWS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS INTO VICTORY LANE AT THE NEW AFTON SPEEDWAY

AFTON, NY - The first appearance of the Late Models was in 1996 and Warren Stone scored the popular win during a STAR Series race August 14. Now, fast forward to Friday night and the new 4/10-mile clay layout. It's the second appearance ever by the Late Models and Warren Stone's older son bested Dave Zona for checkered lap. Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa. drove NEP Motorsports teammate Steve Tourje's #57 and made a last-lap pass of Zona to take home the win after a spirited battle.

2003 track champion Jeremy Smith from Whitney Point dominated the DIRT 358-Modified field for his third win of the season; Steve Anderson of West Edmeston returned to victory lane for the second straight week in the DIRT Sportsman and Binghamton's Pete Gulick won his seventh Pro Stock feature of the season. Zona started on the pole with Stone of his outside as 13 Late Models roared to life for the 25-lap feature with Stone holding the advantage after the first lap with Zona, Rich King, R.J. Windhausen and Ray Taylor giving chase.

Zona grabbed the lead on lap two and led all but lap eight and at the checkered flag with Stone retaking the advantage both of those times. Even though Zona was leading much of the time, Stone was never that far behind as the two drivers would occasionally swap the lead during a lap though Zona usually had the nose of his mount in front.

King held the third spot until a lap 15 restart and he would fade to eighth over the remaining laps. Taylor grabbed third on that lap 15 restart and he held off Adam MacGeorge for that spot while Windhausen stayed in the mix all 20 laps to post a fifth place run.

Thanks to all the Late Model drivers who came down on short notice and gave the Afton fans a great show. Smith took the lead on the opening lap from polesitter Russell Hendrickson, Jr. as the 30-lap DIRT 358-Modified feature began. Smith completed dominated the field in a race slowed just once for a caution flag on lap 18. Smith pulled away on the restart with Hendrickson close behind.

Brian Malcolm moved into the runner-up spot with Rich Keehle, John Siedlecky and Hendrickson in pursuit, but Dustin Purdy would overtake Hendrickson on lap 21. Hendrickson would develop mechanical problems and pull off the track on lap 29. He was credited with a tenth place finish. Purdy would contiue to move forward as he passed Siedlecky on lap 27.

At the checkered flag flew, Smith recorded the win with Malcolm, Keehle, Purdy and Siedlecky rounding out the top five.

Anderson was on the pole as the green flag flew on the 20-lap DIRT Sportsman feature with Butch Klinger to his outside. Klinger took the lead as Anderson, Greg Doust, Jamie Christian and Jim Roberts gave chase.

Klinger took the advantage on a lap five restart while Christian overtook Doust for third place. The running order did not change as the race was slowed just one more time on lap 18 when Rick Amo made hard contact with the frontstretch wall. Amo exited turn four when his car suddenly veered into the wall nose-first. While the car the damaged, Amo was not injured in the encounter.

Anderson won the final sprint to the checkered flag for his third win of the season with Klinger, Christian, Doust and Roberts completing the top five. Kenny Hammond started on the pole for the 20-lap Pro Stock main event with Gulick on the outside of the front row. Gulick charged to the front on the opening lap and never surrendered the lead.

Todd Hurlburt powered his way from his eighth starting spot into second place on a lap four restart after Scott Chapman rolled to a stop with flames rolling from underneath his car. Chapman was not injured, but his night was finished.

Hurlburt would try to keep pace with leader, but Gulick would not be denied his seventh win. Pat Nolan and Hammond overtook John Roese's ailing mount, which retired to the pits at the midway point. Hammond, Chad Hyzer and Jack Terrell tangled just past the midway point with all three cars heading to the pits after 13 completed laps. Terrell did return on lap 15 while Hyzer rejoined the action on lap 18.

Gulick would take the checkered flag while Hurlburt, Nolan, Bill Knapp and Adam Diaz rounded out the top five.

The second appearance of the Sunoco Race Fuels Sportsman Super DIRT Series will take place this Friday night at The New Afton Speedway with the winner taking home the $1,000 top prize. Tim Clemons won the first East Region 30-lap feature in August. Action will also include the DIRT 358-Modifieds, DIRT Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and 4-Cylinder Stocks. The band "Jumpstart" will be performing live in front of covered grandstand when the gates open at 5 p.m. All the racing action getting underway at 7:15 p.m., so make sure you are there to enjoy some great music and exciting dirt track racing action. Admission will be $14 for adults; $11 for students and senior citizens; with children under the age of nine paying just $2.

If you have any questions, you may call the speedway office at 607-657-8018; the track at 607-639-1966 or you may log on to The New Afton Speedway website at www.thenewaftonspeedway.com. The New Afton Speedway is located on the Afton Fairgrounds off of Interstate 88, Exit 7, on Route 41.

FEATURE RESULTS FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2003

LATE MODELS (25 laps): 1. DAN STONE; 2. Dave Zona; 3. Ray Taylor; 4. Adam MacGeorge; 5. R.J. Windhausen; 6. Keith Mudge; 7. Pete Sobol; 8. Rich King; 9. Larry Dilello; 10. Brnt Dyer; 11. Louie Sparks; 12. Steve Cummings; 13. Tom Whyte. Heat winners: Zona, Stone.

DIRT 358 MODIFIEDS (30 laps): 1. JEREMY SMITH; 2. Brian Malcolm; 3. Rich Keehle; 4. Dustin Purdy; 5. John Siedlecky; 6. Pat Dabiere; 7. Steve Walsh; 8. Matt Smith; 9. Ed Harris; 10. Russell Hendrickson, Jr.; 11. Colin Jackson. Heat winners: Hendrickson, Jr., Smith.

DIRT SPORTSMAN (20 laps): 1. STEVE ANDERSON; 2. Butch Klinger; 3. Jamie Christian; 4. Greg Doust; 5. Jim Roberts; 6. Tony Farone; 7. Craig Pope; 8. Rick Amo; 9. Olin Renwick; 10. Brad Alger. Heat winners: Anderson, Klinger.

PRO STOCKS (20 laps): 1. PETE GULICK; 2. Todd Hurlburt; 3. Pat Nolan; 4. Bill Knapp; 5. Adam Diaz; 6. Jason Schlafer; 7. Bob Gile; 8. Jack Terrell; 9. Chad Hyzer; 10. Fred Dennis; 11. Kenny Hamond; 12. John Roese; 13. Dustin Harris; 14. Scott Chapman; 15. Ray Taylor; 16. Bob Mills. Heat winners: Hammond, Gulick, Taylor.