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         Lernerville

Carol Gamble

 The fans always know that the management of Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway will make every attempt to run the race and this time the crew really outdid themselves.  Despite torrential downpours that ended at 5:00PM, the track was ready to go on time and the victors were the ensuing:  Agip Motor Oil Sprints- Jimmy Hawley, West Middlesex; Friedman’s Supermarket/Bi-lo Foods Late Models- Jeff Henry, Butler; Ferrante Oldsmobile Modifieds- Mike Sutton, Evans City; Dingbat’s Restaurant Pure Stocks- Joe Kelley, Mt. Pleasant.  It was James Austin Co/A1 Bleach Night and 1,000 fans received a certificate for a gallon of bleach.

Mike Sutton “wiped away” the competition in the 20 lap Ferrante Oldsmobile Modifieds to score his first big win of the season, earning him the added bonus of a Syracuse Qualifying position.  Although Sutton started on the pole and led the entire race it was not an easy win.  Sutton was involved in a hotly contested battle with the all time winner, Lou Blaney.  The first caution came out for Jim Faas’ #41 that didn’t make it to the pit exit.  On the restart Blaney had moved from a sixth place berth to second.  Blaney pressured Sutton using the rim and the inside groove, but Sutton drove his best race of the year, never faltering.  With two laps to go, George Hobaugh spun his racer in turn four.  On the restart Blaney and Sutton started side-by-side.  From the inside line Sutton’s Mars Auto Electric #21 darted into the lead with Blaney in his tracks as he outfoxed the “master” for the victory.  Sutton said, “I knew Lou was a good, clean driver; I just tried not to get excited.”  Jim Weller’s third place finish keeps him on top of the point list over Blaney by four digits.  Fourth place Brian Swartzlander is fourteen points out of the lead.  Five through ten went to Tom Winkle, Steve Young, Carl Murdick, Rodney Beltz, Josh Skarzenski, and Dave Murdick. Skarzenski and Weller won the prelims.

Jeff Henry “rolls” #7 to a career first win in the 20 lap Friedman’s Supermarket/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model division.  While Henry started in sixth, Gary Lyle took command.  Henry’s Pabst Blue Ribbon #7 moved into third by lap three and passed the second place runner Scott Jenkins three laps later, setting sail for Lyle.  Henry caught and passed Lyle on lap eight.  The race had eight caution events that tightened the pack but each time young Henry remained poised, forging into the lead.  First it was Ben Miley and then it was Dave Norton that tested Henry’s nerves of steel.  In the end a very happy Henry remained supreme to defeat point leader Norton.  In victory lane, Henry credited his crew and his father, Gary, a former ‘88-’89 Semi-late Champ for building his engine.  John Flinner was in a first lap collision on the front straight, went to the rear of the field and worked his way back to third.  Ben Miley was fourth and Lyle placed fifth.  Six though ten went to Ken Schaltenbrand, Chuck Sarver, Spanky Dougherty, Bill Knepper and Mark Booth. Bob Cessna and Henry won the heat races.

In a “slide for life” Jimmy Hawley nipped Brent Matus for his eighth triumph in the 20 lap Agip Motor Oil Sprint feature.  From the pole, Matus took control.  Hawley came from twelfth to third by lap 10, which happened to have the third and last caution event.  Matus looked like he had the money banked, but Hawley started to reel him in passing Leonard Ripper for second by lap 17.  Rounding turn four on the last lap, Hawley’s Doc Crawford #CIII went low and slid passed Matus by a half car length at the checker, thus padding his Point lead.  Roger Bennett placed third which was his best finish of the season.  Leonard Ripper was fourth and Tommy Marshall placed fifth. Six through ten went to Ralph Spithaler, Kevin Schaeffer, Marshall Whitsel, Will Kramer and Skip Dougherty.  Schaeffer won his first heat race, and Gale Ruth, Jr. captured the other.

 Smiling Joe Kelley scored his 40th career win and his third 1999 AGIP Motor Oil feature by defeating Jeff Walters.  Harold Reges paced the field for four circuits before being passed by Chris Schneider.  Kelley came from eighth to overtake the leader on lap seven.  Once in front the smooth running Kelley was not to be denied and is looking for his second consecutive point championship.  Chris Schneider dropped to third and was followed by Harold Reges, Bruce Milbert, Butch Lambert, Scott Bochek, Bob Lipinski, Matt Cummings, and Dave Harbaugh.  Milbert, Lambert and Cummings claimed the heat races.

8/20      "Fab 4" Racing (Arch Fan Club Night and Glassmere Fuel
                             Service/Glassmart Food Service)

8/27      "Fab 4" Racing - POINTS END! (Cintas "The Uniform People" Night)

9/3         (Fri.) EARL and DAVE BAUMAN MEMORIAL CLASSIC *ALL STAR*
                SHOW  (Orren Zook's Commercial Truck & Trailer Nite)
                Plus Pure Stocks - Racing at 8 PM -

9/4         (Sat.) "BACK TO SCHOOL" BUS RACES Plus Plus Powder Puff
               Races -Glade Neil Memorial Senior Series Championship      Race-Ferraccio Family Supermarkets Kid's Nite (Bike Races - 12 & under) - HELMET REQUIRED
 
9/29       (Wed.) The Pennzoil "World of Outlaws" Sprint Show $10,000 to win - plus Pure Stocks - -  (Preston Auto Group/MOPAR Night) -Gates open 3 PM Racing 7 PM  Raindate: Thursday, Sept. 30

Agip Motor Oil Sprint Feature:
1. Jimmy Hawley, West Middlesex
2. Brent Matus, Wampum
3. Rodger Bennett, Evans City
4. Leonard Ripper, Ellwood City
5. Tommy Marshall, Beaver Falls
6. Ralph Spithaler, Evans City
7. Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning
8. Marshall Whitsal, Shirleysburg
9. Will Kramer, Newport
10. Skip Dougherty, New Bethelhem
11. Scott Priester, Rimersburg
12. Eric Smith, Sarver
13. Charlie Holben, Cabot
14. Dave Wagner, New Castle
15. Shelia Rankin, Renfrew

Feature Race Notes:       Started:
Wins: 8     Laps: 20             12th
 
Lap Leaders: Matus 1-19, Hawley 20
 
Sprint Qualifying Race Winners:
1st Heat: Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning
2nd Heat: Gale Ruth Jr., Pleasantville

Friedman's Market/Bi-Lo Foods
Late Model Feature:
1. Jeff Henry, Butler
2. Dave Norton, Shinglehouse
3. John Flinner, Zelienople
4. Ben Miley, Venetia
5. Gary Lyle, Hyde Park
6. Ken Schaltenbrand, Sarver
7. Chuck Sarver, West Sunbury
8. Spanky Dougherty, Freeport
9. Bill Knepper, Clinton
10. Mark Booth, West Newton
11. Bob Puz, Rural Ridge
12. Carl Bittner, Sarver
13. Jim Rozum, Emsworth
14. Dan Swartzlander, Freeport
15. Joe Johnson, Monaca

Feature Race Notes:       Started:
Wins: 1     Laps:20              5th
 
Lap Leaders: Lyle 1-6, Henry 7-20
 
Late Model Qualifying Race Winners:
1st Heat: Bob Cessna, Cherry Tree
2nd Heat: Jeff Henry, Butler

Ferrante Oldsmobile V-8 Modified Feature:
1.  Mike Sutton, Evans City
2. Lou Blaney, Hartford OH
3. Jim Weller, Hubbard OH
4. Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg
5. Tom Winkle, Zelienople
6. Steve Young, Grove City
7. Carl Murdick, Butler
8. Rodney Beltz, Ellwood City
9. Josh Skarzenski, Erie
10. Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock
11. George Hobaugh, Karns City
12. Lonny Riggs, Volant
13. Jeff Schaffer, Fombell
14. Steve Solari, Bradford Woods
15. Dan Campbell, Ellwood City

Feature Race Notes:       Started:
Wins: 1 Laps: 20             2nd.
 
Lap Leaders: Sutton 1-20
 
Modified Qualifying Race Winners:
1st Heat: Josh Skarzenski, Erie
2nd Heat: Jim Weller, Hubbard OH

Dingbats Restaurant Pure Stock Feature:
1. Joe Kelley, Mt. Pleasant
2. Jeff Walters, Evans City
3. Chris Schneider, Tarentum
4. Harold Reges, Butler
5. Bruce Milbert, Cranberry Twp.
6. Butch Lambert, Mars
7. Scott Bochek, Cheswick
8. Bob Lipinski, Pittsburgh
9. Matt Cummings, Cochranton
10. Dave Harbaugh, Ellwood City
11. Mike Faas, Creighton
12. Herman Bertolini, Creighton
13. Mike Ventura, Pittsburgh
14. Tom Harris, Connequenessing
15. Rob Shook, Creighton

Feature Race Notes:       Started:
Wins: 3        Laps: 15           8th
 
Lap Leaders: Reges 1-4, Schneider 5-6,
                        Kelley 7-15
Pure Stock Qualifying Race Winners:
1st Heat: Bruce Milbert, Cranberry Twp.
2nd Heat: Butch Lambert, Mars
3rd Heat: Matt Cummings, Cochranton