Gibbs returns to victory lane at Afton

AFTON, NY (Sept. 1, 2000) — After taking a week off from racing at Afton, Mitch Gibbs came back in fine form Friday night, picking up his fifth 358 Modified feature win at the 3/8 mile oval.

Earlville’s Mike Gillette over- powered pole-sitter Skip French, of Rockdale, to grab the lead at the start of the 30 lap 358 Modified event. Dana Wagner, of Trout Creek, moved into second, followed by Triangle’s Jeremy Smith for third.

Mitch Gibbs, of North Norwich, was on the move from his 12th place starting spot. Gibbs made his way into the top five on lap number four, edging out French for the spot. Gibbs got by Berkshire’s Pat Jordan on the next lap to take over fourth.

Gillette and Wagner battled side by side several laps for the top spot, as Gibbs took over third from Smith. Wagner broke out into the lead on lap nine, Gibbs followed suit grabbing the second spot from Gillette on the next lap.

A multi-car caution on lap eleven would end what had been a great run for Gillette. Wagner and Gibbs duked it out side by side as the green fell, but Wagner was unable to hold off the hard charging Gibbs. Gibbs won the battle, taking his Steel Sales number 7 into the lead for good on lap thirteen.

Gibbs went on for the win, followed by Wagner, Olyphant, PA native Jeff Rudalavage, who had a great run for third, J.R. Hurlburt of Otego, and Jeremy Smith.

After finishing second in both the Pro Stocks and Four Cylinder Stocks last week, Norwich’s Harold Humphrey wanted to go for the double-win on Friday night, and started the night off right.

Outside pole starter Jason Youngs, of Unadilla, took the lead at the start of the 20 lap Pro Stock feature event, with Humphrey moving into second from his fourth starting spot.

Humphrey made his move on the third lap, taking over the lead from Youngs, as rookie driver James Cornell, of Harpursville, ran wheel to wheel with Unadilla’s Winnie Winchester for third.

Last week’s feature winner Bret Belden, of West Edmeston, had the hot set up, as he powered his way into second on lap seven, with Cornell following in third and Youngs dropping back to fourth.

A caution for Terry Mudge on lap 14 was not what Humphrey wanted to see, as it put Belden right on his back bumper. Humphrey was able to hold off the advances from Belden, and pick up his 3rd Pro Stock feature win of the season. Belden finished second, with Denny Smith, Butch Klinger and Cornell completing the top five.

Ralph Cuozzo, jr. of Unadilla, was the early leader in the 15-lap Four Cylinder Stock event. Cuozzo took the lead at the start from his outside pole starting position.

Harold Humphrey looked as if me might have been able to get the double as he closed in on Cuozzo on lap four from the second position, but it wasn’t to be as Dennis Vroman and Mike Foote, jr. entered the mix.

Vroman, of North Blenheim, took over the lead from Cuozzo on lap 5, as Foote, jr. got by Humphrey for third. A lap seven caution tightened the pack back together.

Foote took the lead on the restart, as Vroman and Jamie Banta battled for second. Vroman took sole command of second by lap nine, but could not mount a challenge against Foote.

Foote, in only his second appearance of the season at Afton, picked up the win, followed by Vroman, Humphrey, Banta and Scott Johnson.

Jordansville native Steve Davis held on to lead the first four laps of the 20 lap Sportsman feature from his pole starting spot. A caution for last week’s feature winner Ladd Yeomans, of Swan Lake, and Wink Hinkley, of Grand Gorge, would end Davis’ reign.

Davis got a good jump on the restart, but second place runner Chad Cook, of Deposit, moved by into the lead as Davis got loose up high in turn four as they came around to complete the fifth lap.

Rockdale’s Tim French took over second, with Arnie Slade and Don Hart, jr. running neck and neck for third and fourth. A caution for Davis, Yeomans and Dave Crandall on lap 7 tightened the pack back up.

As the green fell, French jumped into the lead, but was later penalized at the next caution for jumping too early on the lap 7 restart. Cook regained the lead, and was able to hold off charges from French and Steve Anderson.

This was Cook’s first win ever in a Sportsman. French finished second, with Anderson, Hart, jr. and Slade completing the top five.

Neil Palladino increased his point lead picking up the Pure Stock feature win. Palladino, of Guilford, started sixth in the 15-lap feature event.

Bob Stilson, of Unadilla, was the early leader until losing the handle on his machine on lap 3, bringing out the race’s first caution.

Mark Effner, of Bridgewater, inherited the lead, with Palladino on the outside in the second position. As the green came out, the two entered turn one side by side, with some contact being made. Effner ended up losing the handle on his machine, bringing the yellow flag back out.

Palladino went on to pick up his seventh win of the season, increasing his points lead to 120 over Rob Loucks. Loucks finished second, followed by Bobby Boynton, sr., Dennis Valentine, and Bob Stilson.

The Dwarf Cars, who have put on great shows all year long, held up to their standards as they had one of the best races of the year.

Charleton, Mass. Native Chic Chandler grabbed the lead at the start of the event from his outside pole starting position. Chandler held off charges from Steve Tourje and Gordie Isham, as youngster Alan Barker made his way up from his eighth starting position.

Barker and Isham battled side by side for second until Barker took the spot for good as the yellow came out on lap ten of the twelve-lap event.

Chandler held on to the lead as Barker tried hard, but was unable to get a run on him. Barker got his chance as he sling-shotted past Chandler on the final lap to take home the checkers.

Barker made it four in a row, and 8 wins this season. Chandler finished second, with Isham, Tourje, and Duane Knapp completing the top five.

This Friday night should be a barn- burner as it will be double points for all classes. With the points battles still tight in four of the six classes, there will be a lot of excitement on hand. As always, gates open at 5pm, with racing set to start at 7:30.

RESULTS

358 MODIFIED

Mitch Gibbs, Dana Wagner, Jeff Rudalavage, J.R. Hurlburt, Jeremy Smith, Dave Rosa, Mike Clapperton, Tony Pepicelli, Skip French, Steve Walsh, Gary Smith, Jeremy Markel, Steve Kio, Barry Davis, Bill Cook, Pete Christiansen, Aaron Excell, Pat Jordan, John Siedlecky, Tom Kio, Mike Gillette, John Ritter.

SPORTSMAN

Chad Cook, Tim French, Steve Anderson, Don Hart jr, Arnie Slade, Wink Hinkley, Steve Davis, Mike Walters, Dave Crandall, Ladd Yeomans.

PRO STOCK

Harold Humphrey, Bret Belden, Denny Smith, Butch Klinger, James Cornell, Winnie Winchester, Todd Hurlburt, Pat Nolan, Jason Youngs, Wade Decker, Erik Knudson, Mike Lester, Ron Henry, P.J. Goodwin, Jason Schlafer, Terry Mudge, Randy Ryan.

PURE STOCK

Neil Palladino, Rob Loucks, Bobby Boynton sr, Dennis Valentine, Bob Stilson, Todd Curtin, Jim Levelle, Brian Steigerwald, Dan Babcock, Mark Effner, Denny Decker.

FOUR CYLINDER STOCK

Mike Foote Jr, Dennis Vroman, Harold Humphrey, Jamie Banta, Scott Johnson, Ralph Cuozzo jr, Ed Leslie, Ron Cummings, Skip Pickwick, Bob Dedrick, Cyrus Budine, Ralph Cuozzo sr, Jim Money.

DWARF CARS

Alan Barker, Chic Chandler, Gordie Isham, Steve Tourje, Duane Knapp, Scott Boyle, Hal Merrick, Jerry Roys, Ray Vosburgh, Ken Titus.