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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (May 26) - Mercer Raceway Park completed night two of the ninth annual American Thunder Weekend on Monday in the running of the inaugural "Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic" presented by Auto Service Express. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire victory lane were Frank Guidace-McElwain Motors FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series, Brian Ellenberger-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Rusty Martz-Ken Carbone Memorial, Mikey Hay-Big Daddy's Speed Center STAR's Championship Mod Lite Tour, and Pete Blazczak-M&D Paving Mini Stocks. Two showers just after 6 p.m. delayed action for nearly an hour and half, but the track crew got the track back in excellent conditions.
Making just his fifth ever Late Model start and first in a FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series event, Frank Guidace led all 25 laps of the feature in a convincing fashion. The $1,200 victory was Guidace's second of the year in FASTRAK competition.
"The car was on a rail from the time we unloaded it tonight," expressed the jubilant Mercer, Pa. 2006 Mercer Modified Champion. "I'd like to thank Lazer Chassis and Shadow Shocks for making it look like it's easy; it's not, but it's definitely working good and I appreciate their help. The track was super racey with an excellent cushion. I love that we were able to keep it up there and put it to the mat."
Guidace used the outside to grab the lead from pole-sitter Tommy Snyder, Jr. Fifth starting Jon Law made his way to third on lap two taking the spot from Mike Pegher, Jr. Law inherited second on lap four when Snyder was put to the rear following a bad start that resulted in a six-car accident. When racing resumed, seventh starting Jay Watson raced past Pegher and Law for runner-up.
All eyes were on Max Blair, who won the Northeast Touring event Saturday at McKean County Raceway and the weekly race Sunday at Tri-City Speedway. Blair started in 12th and entered the picture on lap nine when he took third away from Pegher. By the halfway point, the battle heated up for second with Watson running high and Blair low. A restart with 15 laps completed allowed Pegher to regain third from Blair. It was a three-car race for second, while Guidace continued to lead.
A caution for debris with 20 laps completed set up a five-lap dash to the checkered. On the ensuing restart, Blair was able to get back by Pegher for third. Guidace got some mud packed in his wheel in the closing laps, which allowed Watson and Blair to reel in the leader while they battled hard for runner-up. Guidace though was able to hold on in his ASI Sportswear-sponsored #1G for his 14th career Mercer win overall.
Watson edged Blair and Pegher for second. Last year's Touring Series Champion, Alan Dellinger, was fifth after starting 14th. Completing the top 10 were Rusty Moore, 21st starter Steve Hollabaugh, Brian Booher, Bobby Powell, and Butch Lambert. Heat winners over the season-high 31-car field were Snyder, Guidace, Law, and Moore. Hollabaugh and Diver won the two B mains.
Making his second start of the season, Brian Ellenberger made it two-for-two in a thrilling run to the front in the 25-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. "Something in the motor broke," revealed the 10th place starting Butler, Pa. All Star Sprint Car regular. "I didn't think I was going to make it those last two laps- it sounded like a valve or something. Todd set this car up and it worked good on the bottom. I found a good line and got under Rod (George). I thought wow this is going to work so I used it to our advantage. I have to commend Vicki (Emig) and Frank Benic on another fantastic racing surface. I'm glad they stuck with it tonight. I appreciate Vicki having these special shows. I'm going to come back here as much as I can."
Gale Ruth, Jr. bolted to the early lead, while Jimmy Hawley shot past Brent Matus and Bill Jones, Jr. to second on the opening lap. Sixth starting Arnie Kent raced past Jones for third on lap four. Ruth caught traffic on lap six allowing Hawley to close, but Hawley struck the frontstretch wall coming off turn four giving Ruth his advantage back. At the same time, Rod George and Ellenberger took fourth and fifth from Jones.
With six laps completed, newcomer Gale Ruth, Sr. spun and collected the third place car of Kent bringing out the first caution in a Sprint Car feature since April 26. When racing resumed, Ellenberger darted low in turn two and grabbed third from George. Ruth began to pull away on lap eight, while Ellenberger ran down Hawley. On lap 13, Ellenberger and Hawley made a sandwich of the lapped car of Russ Sansosti in turns one and two as Ellenberger assumed second with the breathtaking move.
On lap 15, Ellenberger caught Ruth and made the winning move two laps later going under the leader in turn two. Hawley would take second from Ruth with an inside move in turn four on lap 19. Hawley then began to reel Ellenberger back in on lap 21 and the event's final caution was displayed when Jones and Todd Bauer tangled with 23 laps completed. Ellenberger had just enough to hold on over Hawley for his sixth career Mercer win and 12th overall in his Open Joist/Car*Mate Trailers/Hoosier Tire/K&N Filters-sponsored #20E.
George was able to slip under Ruth off turn four to nab third and drop Ruth to fourth at the finish. Brent Matus was a season-best fifth. Completing the top 10 were Chris Shuttleworth, Scott Bonnell, Rob Eyler, Jack Sodeman, Jr., and Kent. Heat winners over the 18-car field were Hawley and Shuttleworth.
Rusty Martz put on a dominating performance to win the 25-lap Ken Carbone Memorial for the Stock Cars. The victory was his first of the year and worth $1,000. "I was just out their driving and didn't know who was coming," stated the Brookville, Pa. winner. "I hate being out front; I'd rather be the guy coming. The car felt great. I want to thank everyone at the track. This track was race-able and unbelievable! I have to thank my fans, pit crew, and sponsors."
Jason Reagle took charge of the event with Shaun Hooks trailing. Martz, who started seventh, quickly made his way to the front and had second from Hooks on lap two. Martz's winning move came on the third circuit when he drove by Reagle. Rod Laskey, who started 14th, and Alan Dellinger both passed Reagle for second and third on lap six. Laskey looked strong and possibly may have had something for Martz, but he cut a tire on lap 13. Reagle was able to get by Dellinger then re-assume second.
Martz went on for his second career Mercer win in his St. Mary's Chevrolet/Cypress Gift Shop/Faster Chassis-sponsored #16M. Reagle was able to hold off Dellinger, Dan Smeal, and Andy Buckley in an excellent battle for second. Heat winners were Hooks and Rusty Wheeler over the 23-car field.
Mikey Hay backed up his win on Sunday night at Tyler County Speedway with a win in Monday's 20-lap STAR's Championship Tour Mod Lite feature sponsored by Big Daddy's Speed Center. The Somerset, Pa. driver earned an extra $100 for the sweep making the victory worth $600 for his second Mercer win of the season.
Bud Watson led the first four laps before fourth starting Hay took the lead on the restart. Two cautions were all that slowed Hay's run to the checkered in his #22. Watson, who is just 15-years-old, held on for a career best second. Defending track champion, Rod Jones, came from 11th to finish third. Teammates Kenny Meadows and Todd Canter finished fourth and fifth. Heat winners over the 20-car field were Mark Marcucci and Jones.
Pete Blazczak won his first career race in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. The Gibsonia, Pa. racer started seventh and made the winning move on lap four taking the lead away from Tyler Powell. Blazczak held off sixth starting Bill Fuchs for the victory in his Blazczak's Salvage-sponsored #77. Dan McEwen, John Shannon, and Eric Gabany completed the first five. Scoring heat race wins over the 16-car field were McEwen and Fuchs.
McElwain Motors FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Tour (25 laps): 1. FRANK GUIDACE ($1,200) 2. Jay Watson 3. Max Blair 4. Mike Pegher, Jr. 5. Alan Dellinger 6. Rusty Moore 7. Steve Hollabaugh 8. Brian Booher 9. Bobby Powell 10. Butch Lambert 11. Andy Buckley 12. Mike Anderson (Jr.) 13. Bob Kish 14. Tom Snyder, Jr. 15. Chad Myers 16. Steve D'Apolito 17. Roger French 18. Jon Law 19. Chris Haines 20. Bob Diver 21. Justin Kann 22. Dennis Lunger 23. Dick Barton 24. Kenny Meadows DNQ: Bob Vogt, Jr., Rocky Kugel, Gary Miller, Jr., Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr., John Lacki, Dave Airgood, Jr., Carl McKinney.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (25 laps): 1. BRIAN ELLENBERGER ($1,500) (20E) 2. Jimmy Hawley (Rudzik 49) 3. Rod George (4) 4. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x) 5. Brent Matus (33) 6. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 7. Scott Bonnell (3B) 8. Rob Eyler (5a) 9. Jack Sodeman, Jr. (23Jr) 10. Arnie Kent (18) 11. Todd Bauer (45) 12. Jeremy Cook (5L) 13. Joe Butera (Matus 3J) 14. Lindsay Enscoe (96) 15. Bill Jones, Jr. (12J) 16. Paul Kapuchuck (10) 17. Russ Sansosti (Scott 23s) 18. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R).
Ken Carbone Memorial Stock Cars (25 laps): 1. RUSTY MARTZ ($1,000) 2. Jason Reagle 3. Alan Dellinger 4. Dan Smeal 5. Andy Buckley 6. Tim Bish 7. Mike Gonzales 8. Terry Wheeler 9. Bobby Heim 10. Tim Thompson 11. Shaun Hooks 12. Rusty Wheeler 13. Rod Laskey 14. Bryan Wagner 15. Chris Haines 16. Rob Bates 17. Terry Young 18. Russ Byler 19. Matt Wagner 20. Brian Carothers 21. Dan Lewis 22. Randy Wyant-DNS 23. Mike Harmon-DNS.
Big Daddy's Speed Center STAR's Mod Lites (20 laps): 1. MIKEY HAY ($600) 2. Bud Watson 3. Rod Jones 4. Kenny Meadows 5. Todd Canter 6. Mark Marcucci 7. Doug Williams 8. Doug Stanley 9. J.J. Metheney 10. Alan Knepper 11. David Innes 12. Josh Sliter 13. Adam Murphy 14. Bryan Martin 15. Kotie Kirkbride 16. Lynn Knepper 17. George Englert 18. Bill Stivason 19. Terry Young 20. Dave Jones.
M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. PETE BLAZCZAK ($60) 2. Bill Fuchs 3. Dan McEwen 4. John Shannon 5. Eric Gabany 6. Kris Anderson 7. Dillon Kineston 8. Justin Reinard 9. Scott Gilliland 10. Rudolph Troples 11. Sam Kloos 12. Tyler Powell 13. Dan Nagy 14. Kyle Crawford 15. Wally Stearns, Jr. 16. Ed Haylett-DNS.
Upcoming Events:
5/31 "Saturday Night Live!" Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. Free general admission for all Venango County residents presented by Allegheny Toyota/Scion.
6/04 Open practice for all divisions. Gates @ 4 PM. Practice 5 PM until dark. Rain date: June 5
6/07 "Saturday Night Live!" Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. "Pack the Track" Fan Appreciation Night presented by Coca-Cola with $5 adult, $12 family, and $2 for kids 6/15. "Meet Your Heroes" Autograph Night on the speedway during intermission. Emerson Process Management Corp. Night
6/14 "Saturday Night Live!" Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. Free general admission for all Crawford County residents presented by the Oncology Wellness Institute of the Meadville Medical Center & Armstrong. $10 Family Night presented by Auto Service Express & Armstrong. "Thunder at the Park" Bike Night presented by Renegade Classics Outlet Store with bikers and their riders admitted for $5. Yellow Book USA Corp. Night
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7.
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