RUTH & KENT SPLIT 1ST SPRINT WINS; 1ST EVER FOR BLAIR AT MERCER IN LATE MODELS; #3 FOR KRUMMERT IN MODS; JONES WINS 5TH IN MOD LITES; MINI STOCK RESULTS PENDING

By Mike Leone

August 2, 2008                     

Mercer, PA…For the 19^th straight week, there was a chance of showers on race day at Mercer Raceway Park, but this time they ended in the morning and stayed east late afternoon and early evening allowing the entire program to be completed without a delay.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire victory lane were Gale Ruth, Jr.-July 12 make-up Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Arnie Kent-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Max Blair-McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Garrett Krummert-Tire Express Modifieds, Rod Jones-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Curtis Brown (pending)-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.  For the first time since June 9, 2007 over 100 cars were in the pits for a regular show with 101 present. 

A huge crowd turned out for rescheduled “Racing for a Cure” American Cancer Society Benefit Night, Free Shenango Valley Night presented by Three Rivers Aggregates, M&M Insurance Group Corp. Night, and Trinity Living Center of Grove City Corp. Night.  During intermission, a large throng of fans came onto the speedway for the second “Meet Your Heroes” Autograph Night presented by Duke Whiting for PA State Representative 17^th District.  Trinity Living Center provided 300 autograph books for the kids.

            For 10 seasons Gale Ruth, Jr. struggled to run with the best in western Pennsylvania, but even with a limited budget the third generation racer managed a few top 5s per season.  The 2007 season was a break-out year for Ruth as he scored his first career win at Mercer on July 28 and would go on to win two features at Sportsman’s Speedway in September.  Just two weeks ago, Ruth won the first ever Sprint Car race at Thunder Mountain Speedway.  On Saturday night, Ruth collected his fifth career Sprint Car win as he led all 20 laps of the July 12 Luxaire Heating & Cooling make-up feature to open the night’s racing activities.

            “I thought something was wrong with my car (under red), but I just went in as hard as I could and it stuck,” described the Pleasantville, Pa. victor.  “The Lord was with us- I have to give him all the credit for this- without him none of this would be possible.  I knew Rod (George) was coming; he’s really, really tough here and it feels good to get one here.”

            Ruth lined up alongside his father and immediately raced to the lead with Dan Kuriger passing Gale Ruth, Sr. for second.  Arnie Kent, who started seventh, blasted around Chris Shuttleworth, Joe Butera, and Ruth, Sr. on the outside for third on lap two.  George, who started 11^th, used the outside to pass Shuttleworth and Ruth, Sr. for fourth on lap four. 

            On lap five, Kuriger slipped off the track in turn three allowing Kent to advance to second.  Ruth had a straightaway lead, but Kent closed on lap seven and by lap nine was all over the leader before Nate Stein got upside down bringing out the red.  He was okay, but done for the night.  Kent’s shot at his first win ended when he developed a flat tire when the cars were pushed off.  When racing resumed, George passed Kuriger for second.  George remained within striking distance as the last 11 laps went non-stop, but Ruth had just enough to hold on in lapped traffic by two car lengths for his second career Mercer win in his R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals/F5 Designs Signmaking & Decals-sponsored #5x. 

Kuriger was third for his best ever Mercer effort and matched a career best effort from last year at Lernerville Speedway.  Jeremy Cook, who started ninth, had a great run to match a career best fourth from June 7.  Kent came back to finish fifth.  Completing the top 10 were Charlie Holben in his debut, Eric Williams, Paul Kish, Joe Butera, and Ruth, Sr.

            Arnie Kent turned around his misfortune from the first feature and took one step closer to his first ever track championship in his 18^th season with a dominating non-stop effort to win night’s regularly scheduled 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. 

“Thanks to all the fans for coming out- hope you enjoyed the race,” expressed the New Castle, Pa. winner.  “My mom dad in 1978 and my mother-in-law had cancer- this race is for those two.  The car has been really good all year, but just haven’t had good luck with flat tires and bad starting spots.  I knew I had to get to the front fast and I made a good move on the first lap and paced myself through lapped traffic.”

            Lining up in the fourth starting spot, Kent used the outside to fly past Andy McKisson, Brent Matus, and Jeremy Cook on the opening lap and set sail.  Kent quickly pulled away and caught lapped traffic on lap six, while McKisson ran down Cook.  McKisson made a nice move in lapped traffic on lap eight to nab second.  By now Kent had more than a straightaway lead.  McKisson, who was making his first feature start of the year at Mercer and just third overall in 2008, ran the bottom of the track and slowly closed on Kent.  Kent struggled in the closing laps in lapped traffic and moved off the top, but still had enough to hold on in the non-stop effort that was timed in 5:11.57.  The victory was Kent’s 19^th in a 410 Sprint Car at Mercer, 20^th overall at Mercer, and 25^th of his career circuit-wide in his Equipment Rental Options/Huston Group/Image Factory Signs & Graphics-sponsored #18. 

            McKisson matched his best career effort at Mercer from July 21, 2007 with a second.  Cook ended a career best night with a third after finishing fourth in the first feature.  Charlie Holben also one-upped his first feature finish with a fifth.  Rounding out the top 10 were George, Ruth, Gary Rankin, Kuriger, and Shuttleworth.  Paul Kish was a popular first ever heat winner and George won the other heat over the 19-car field.

            Making just his third ever Mercer start, 18-year-old Max Blair continued his stellar season with his first ever victory at Mercer in the thrilling 20-lap McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Model feature.  The third-generation racer not only leads the $5,000 Northeast Touring Series points, but Blair’s seventh win of the season was important as it added to his lead in the $10,000 FASTRAK National Weekly Series chase.  Later this year, Blair will be in the running for the $50,000 FASTRAK National Championship as well.

            “I knew we hit pretty good,” acknowledged the Centerville, Pa. driver after it was three-wide for the lead in lapped traffic.  “At least it wasn’t the wheel.  I was afraid when I came out of that corner I was either going to have a flat or the right rear stuff was going to be messed up.  This class is the best thing going.  Anybody that says a bad thing about it- I don’t know what they’re looking at.  You save $30,000 in the motor alone, you don’t wear near the tires, and you’re running pump gas.  I saw Bobby Powell four or five times underneath me.  You can’t tell me we didn’t put on a good show and that wasn’t good to watch.”

            Despite starting third, Blair snuck past front row starters Tyler Dietz and Powell for the lead with Powell moving to second.  Blair ran high and Powell low and their battled started immediately as they raced side-by-side for the lead on lap two.  The battled picked back up side-by-side on laps six and seven then again between laps 10-12, but Blair was able to maintain the top spot.  Butch Lambert, who started fifth, was making just his third Mercer start of the year and was able to dodge a lapped and Powell that got together to sneak into second on lap 13.  On lap 14, the lapped car of Rusty Cade slowed Blair and Lambert and Powell both went for the lead.  It was three-wide down the backstretch, but a spin by Dietz ended the thriller.

            Powell was able to get back by Lambert on lap 15 for second.  Blair would survive two more cautions and challenges by Powell for the win in his Specialty Products/Loney Timber/Moody Welding/Eagle Hoist & Winch-sponsored #111.  Powell edged a great effort by Lambert for second.  Brian Booher came from 14^th to place fourth over 13^th starter Steve Hollabaugh.  Sixth through tenth were Rusty Moore, Chris Haines, Frank Guidace, Ben Black, and Mike Anderson (Jr.).  Powell and Blair also won the heats over the regular show high 18-car field.

            After going five winless years in his Modified career, Garrett Krummert proved his 2007 championship albeit without a single win was no fluke as 19-year-old racer captured his third 20-lap Tire Express feature win in just eight starts this season.  “Tonight we were racing for Sharon Cobbe,” explained the New Castle, Pa. driver.  “Her whole family is here and all the friends from McElwain Motors- I’m sure they had a lot of fun watching that.  That’s the real reason we’re here tonight.  The first two wins were with the other car that we ended up wrecking at Lernerville.  We had to buy this car and we’ve really been struggling the past six weeks.  Tonight everything came together.”

            Krummert started on the pole and only one caution and a mid-race challenge from 2005 champion Gary Smoker would slow his effort.  Smoker started sixth and was up to third after one lap.  Following the event’s only caution, Smoker passed Eric Gabany for second on lap seven.  Smoker caught Krummert on lap 11 and the two raced side-by-side for the lead on laps 12 and 13.  Krummert though got through traffic and pulled away on lap 14.  Krummert’s fifth career overall win came in his McElwain Motors/Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes-sponsored #29.  Smoker settled for second over a strong run by Jimmy Holden, who started seventh.  Point leader Frank Guidace was fourth ahead of 12^th starting Lonny Riggs.  Completing the top 10 were Gabany, Rick Hall, Matt Reeher, Kevin Green, and Mark Frankhouser.  Green and Gabany were heat race winners over the season-high 22-car field.

            Like a broken record, defending champion Rod Jones continued his dominance of the Mod Lite division with his fifth victory in just eight starts after his 15-lap Big Daddy’s Speed Center victory.  One night after also winning the STAR’s Championship Tour event at Raceway 7, the West Middlesex, Pa. racer dedicated his win to his grandfather “Hap” Jones and said they only thing better would be him here tonight.

            Jones started fifth and made some great moves to amazingly have the lead at the completion of one lap.  Three cautions were all that slowed his run to the checkered flag for the 15^th time in his career at Mercer in the division and 17^th overall at Mercer in the Jones Performance #820.  Kenny Meadows came from seventh to second, but a caution with 13 laps completed allowed ninth starting Bud Watson to move past Meadows for second on the restart.  The 15-year-old Watson was able to hold off Meadows for his second runner-up of the season.  Lynn Knepper was fourth with pole-sitter George Englert completing the top five.  Winning the heat races over the 17-car field were Alan Knepper and Jones.

            After just one lone car when the Mini Stocks made their debut last year, the class continues to grow.  Two new racers joined the fold Saturday as a regular show high 25 cars turned out and brought the number of participating cars up to 41 for the season!  Fifteen-year-old Chris Myers has been dominating action this season with four wins in just six starts, but Saturday night when Myers took his apparent fifth win in seven tries in the 12-lap M&D Paving feature, this time he refused to go along with teching procedures and was disqualified.         

            Curtis Brown of Sligo, Pa. finished second and may be the declared the winner if he abides and passes follow-up tech on Monday after his race Sunday at Allegheny Mountain Speedway.  Fourteen-year-old Dillon Kineston started all the way back in 23^rd and would finish second and take over the point lead.  Tyler Powell started 15^th and would be a career best third ahead of Stephen Laslo and Bill Fuchs.  Heat race victors were Dan Nagy, Laslo, and Brown. 

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars July 12 Make-up (20 laps): 1. GALE RUTH, JR. (5x)  2. Rod George (4)  3. Dan Kuriger (08)  4. Jeremy Cook (5L)  5. Arnie Kent (18)  6. Charlie Holben (42G)  7. Eric Williams (76)  8. Paul Kish (Clark 4c)  9. Joe Butera (Matus 3J)  10. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R)  11. Paul Kapuchuck (10)  12. Brent Matus (33)  13. Chris Shuttleworth (11)  14. Nate Stein (93)  15. John McCracken (63)  16. Brian Ellenberger (20E)-DNS (did not return).

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. ARNIE KENT (18)  2. Andy McKisson (0)  3. Jeremy Cook (5L)  4. Brent Matus (33)  5. Charlie Holben (42G)  6. Rod George (4)  7. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x)  8. Gary Rankin (16)  9. Dan Kuriger (08)  10. Chris Shuttleworth (11)  11. Paul Kish (Clark 4c)  12. Carl Bowser (10)  13. Eric Williams (76)  14. Paul Kapuchuck (10)  15. Joe Butera (Matus 3J)  16. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R)  17. Sheila Rankin (6)  18. John McCracken (63)  19. Nate Stein (93)-DNS.

Tire Express 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. GARRETT KRUMMERT (29)  2. Gary Smoker (516)  3. Jimmy Holden (28H)  4. Frank Guidace (1G)  5. Lonny Riggs (Black 58)  6. Eric Gabany (3E)  7. Rick Hall (B2)  8. Matt Reeher (711)  9. Kevin Green (74)  10. Mark Frankhouser (03)  11. Dillon McElrath (7)  12. Dave Cogswell (8)  13. Brian Fink (Brown 67J)  14. Jr. Baker (359)  15. Rick Kress (222)  16. Fred Sasse (0)  17. Wayne Bice (66)  18. Mark Bailey (14B)  19. John Buchanan (93)  20. Randy Brown (67R)  21. Matt Howsare (5H)  22. Shayne Izzo (86)-DSQ (light).

McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111)  2. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D)  3. Butch Lambert (27)  4. Brian Booher (00H)  5. Steve Hollabaugh (3H)  6. Rusty Moore (17M)  7. Chris Haines (35H)  8. Frank Guidace (1G)  9. Ben Black (27B)  10. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72)  11. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42JR)  12. Wayne Mohawk (64)  13. Tyler Dietz (10)  14. Tom Copeland (98)  15. Rusty Cade (47)  16. Dave Padula (112)  17. Paul Reiser (293)  18. Bill Vance, Jr. (93).

Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lite (15 laps): 1. ROD JONES (820)  2. Bud Watson (15)  3. Kenny Meadows (Teague 10T)  4. Lynn Knepper (10)  5. George Englert (11x)  6. Terry Young (98)  7. John Gerula, Jr. (54)  8. Kotie Kirkbride (97N)  9. Josh Sliter (17)  10. Shane Pfeuffer (Lawson 40L)  11.Bill Stivason (116)  12. Richard Lawson (70x7)  13. Mark Marcucci (8M)  14. J.J. Metheney (31c)  15. Alan Knepper (1)  16. Todd Canter (Teague 9T)  17. Bryan Martin (237)-DNS.

(Unofficial) M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. CURTIS BROWN (67)  2. Dillon Kineston (19)  3. Tyler Powell (36)  4. Stephen Laslo (55)  5. Bill Fuchs (10)  6. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  7. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33)  8. Dan Nagy (17B)  9. Adam Bulfone (19JR)  10. Scott Gilliland (27)  11. Dan McEwen (44)  12. Rudolph Troples (28)  13. Matt Cwynar (21c)  14. John Shannon (14)  15. Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57)  16. Sam Kloos (62K)  17. Tim Callahan (Stewart 26T)  18. Pete Blazczak (77)  19. Jordan Gentile-Preston (1P)  20. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7)  21. Dillon Barr (15)  22. John Verrill (13)  23. Jim Eddy (22)  24. Chris Myers (c1)-DSQ (refused tech)  25. Kyle Crawford (14c)-DNS.

Upcoming Events:

8/06 Open practice for all divisions.  Pits open at 4 p.m.  Practice 5 p.m. until dark.

8/09 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks plus Kids Bike Races.  Free general admission for all New Castle residents presented by Augustine’s Italian Village.  $10 Family Night presented by Auto Service Express & Armstrong.  US Foods Corp Night.

8/16 “The Return”.  BRP Big-Block Modified Tour ($1,300) plus FASTRAK Late Models ($800), Mod Lites ($300), & Mini Stocks plus 7/12 FASTRAK Late Model make-up feature.  Fireworks presented by Walt’s of Mercer Plaza.  Modified autograph session with current and former racers. 

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7.