news Pecko is back; earning his first Mountain modified victory.

‘Wallbanger’ Burd takes overall win in the Tom Wharton Jr. Memorial

June 04, 2005
By Gene Ostrowsk

Traffic tie-ups on interstates 80 and 380 didn't prevent former Whelen Modified standout, Dave Pecko; from picking up his first in the 40-lap Balliet's Country Corners modified win Friday at Mountain Speedway.

Jason Arthofer brought the field to the green from the pole position in the 40-lap contest, but as the flag waved, Anthony Sessley spun on the front stretch, which forced a complete restart.

Like earlier, Arthofer got the jump over Stephen Nederostek and Wayne Szerencsits, but in only four circuits, Dave Pecko emerged from his fifth starting spot to challenge Arthofer for the point. Pecko completed the pass on lap five, but heavy competition was in hot pursuit of the Vandling, PA native.

The caution flew on lap six for problems with the car of John Markovic, as he slowed in turn three.

Pecko jumped back out front on the restart, but Jim Long, Tony Hanbury, Rusty Smith and Matt Hirschman began to work their way toward the front of the field. Unfortunately for Smith, he would bring out the lap fifteen caution for an assisted spin on the backstretch.

When the racing resumed, both Defebo and Eric Beers joined the chase for the top five. Defebo took third on lap sixteen and set his sails on Hanbury. Meanwhile, Beers, who started fifteenth, moved into the sixth spot two circuits later. Over the next two laps, Beers moved himself up two positions, and into fourth.

With Pecko still out front, distancing himself from the rest of the field, the race was on for second. Both Defebo and Beers were catching Hanbury, but a lap twenty-two caution, involving Szerencsits, Mike Adams and Nederostek assured them a shot at the leader.

The next restart was crucial, as Defebo tried to wheel his was around the outside of Hanbury. Defebo finally completed the pass on lap thirty-six, which didn't leave him much time to put a dent in Pecko's lead.

Coming out of the fourth turn on lap fourty, Pecko picked up his first modified feature win in a couple of years. Following Pecko across the stripe was Defebo, as Beers made the move in the final turn to take third from Hanbury. Matt Hirschman, son of reigning Whelen Modified champion, Tony Hirschman, rounded out the top five.

In victory lane, Pecko was literally shaking over his first Mountain Speedway win. To use the term loosely, he was 'excited', and thanked his crew for all the work they did over the past few weeks, getting the car as good as it is. "This thing was fast, and fun to drive!"

Heat winners were Wayne Szerencsits, Eric Beers and Tony Hanbury. Rusty Smith won the consi.

Modified results (40-laps): Dave Pecko , Brian Defebo, Eric Beers, Tony Hanbury, Matt Hirschman, Donny Hartzell, Jim Long, Anthony Sessley, Rusty Smith, Wayne Szerencsits, Mike Bohn, Billy Swartz, Jason Arthofer, Kevin Kromer, Mike Adams, Stephen Nederostek, Don Wagner, John Markovic, Matt Clemens, Brian MacQueen DNQ: Ernie Dengler, Jarrod Nace, Richie Knell

Fast Lap: Brian Defebo, lap 38, 14.005

Hard Charger: Donny Hartzell, 13 positions

Paul Frantz showed the way from the pole in the 20-lap street stock feature . Only one circuit was completed until the caution waved for a Rich Smith spin in turn two.

When the green flag flew, it was Frantz at the point, holding off Brad Barbush and Chip Wanamaker. Once again, another caution slowed the field on lap two. This time, it was in turn one, where Robert Fink and Scott Meckes tangled.

When the racing resumed, Frantz was still leading the pack, but the yellow would wave once more when Wanamaker made contact with Barbush on the backstretch. With both cars unavoidable, Brad Kline was also involved, and headed for the pits. Kline was able to return to the speedway on the lead lap.

On the fifth circuit, current division point leader, Jim Yamelski, worked his way into second from his seventh place starting position. Yamelski worked on the loose car of Frantz, but could not make the pass stick. That was until lap twelve.

On the twelfth circuit, while coming off turn four, Frantz's loose condition was evident, as his car spun into the infield, and when the caution flew on the following lap for the slow machine of Wanamaker, Yamelski was the leader.

Two separate cautions on laps sixteen and seventeen slowed the field, but after twenty laps, it was Hunlock Creek's Jim Yamelski over Ron Babula, Eric Danyluk, Todd Ahner and Brad Kline.

Brad Barbush and Paul Frantz were heat winners.

Street Stock (20-lap): Jim Yamelski, Ron Babula, Eric Danyluk, Todd Ahner, Brad Kline, Geary Rinehimer, Dan Marsh, Rich Smith, Jim Frandsen, Paul Frantz, Mike Shadder, Dan Casicioli, Mike Odwazny, Chip Wanamaker, Robert Fink, Brad Barbush, Scott Meckes DNS: Rodney Gruber, John Labadia

Fast Lap: Jim Yamelski, lap 16, 16.026

Hard Charger: Dan Marsh, 10 positions

The 'Broad Street Antiques' Tom Wharton Jr. Memorial twin 15-lap thriller features were action-packed. The division hosted two separate 15-lap features, where the driver with the best finishing average between the two received the overall win.

In the first fifteen, Steve Hoffman shot to the lead from his pole position. However, the caution flag flew on lap two when Steve Shultz and current point leader, Bill Price, Jr. tangled in turn one. The caution flew on the following circuit, when Sue Collins slowed on the front stretch. While trying to get out of harm's way, Sue collected the 17C of Tom Casagrande. Meanwhile, Shaun Burd worked his way into third from his ninth starting spot.

Bill Price Jr. caught Hoffman, but Hoffman spun after being tagged by Price. Price was sent to the rear, and Hoffman hit the pits for repairs to his automobile. This change of events assured Burd with the lead, as he took the checkers over Richard Petey, Howie Bott, Steve Shultz and Travis Tracy.

Marissa Nelmes started from the pole in the second 15-lap thriller feature, but a Travis Tracy spin on the first lap slowed the field.

On the lap two restart, Bill Price Jr., shot by Nelmes and into the lead, with Steve Hoffman, Richard Petey, and Howie Bott in toe.

The next caution waved on lap three, when Pat Verwys lost a right front hub in turn two. Verwys was unable to make repairs to his mount.

Meanwhile, the winner from the first thriller feature, Shaun Burd, was making his presence known, as he charged toward the front of the field.

As the laps ran down, Burd was able to get around Hoffman, but not Price. The win is Price's fourth feature win in his last five starts.

Following Price across the line were Burd, Hoffman, Petey and Bott. Because of his two-feature overall finishes, Shaun Burd was declared the winner of the Tom Wharton Jr. Memorial. In a somber victory lane celebration, Burd commented that the only thing he was focused on over the last few weeks, was to get his car finished so he could win for his friend (Tom Wharton, Jr.).

Former thriller driver, Tom Wharton Jr, lost his life on June 10 th , 2003 from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

Heat winners were Steve Hoffman and Pat Verwys

Thriller (Feature #1, 15-laps): Shaun Burd , Richard Petey, Howie Bott, Steve Shultz, Travis Tracy, Pat Verwys, Sue Collins, Steve Hoffman, Steve Taylor, Bill Price Jr., Mark Paine, Josh Oswald, Jeff Owler, Chris Toole, Frank Katona, Speedo Jager, Marissa Nelmes, Tom Cassagrande

Fast Lap: Steve Hoffman, lap 3, 17.753

Hard Charger: Shaun Burd, 9 positions

Thriller (Feature #2, 15-laps): Bill Price Jr. , Shaun Burd, Steve Hoffman, Richard Petey, Howie Bott, Steve Shultz, Josh Oswald, Travis Tracy, Marissa Nelmes, Frank Katona, Mark Paine, Pat Verwys, Steve Taylor DNS: Tom Cassagrande, Speedo Jager, Chris Toole, Jeff Owler, Sue Collins

Fast Lap: Bill Price, Jr, lap 5, 17.817

Hard Charger: Shaun Burd, 16 positions

'Broad Street Antiques' Tom Wharton Jr. Memorial Thriller twin 15 overall finishes:

Shaun Burd , Richard Petey, Howie Bott, Steve Shultz, Steve Hoffman, Bill Price Jr., Travis Tracy, Pat Verwys, Josh Oswald, Mark Paine, Steve Taylor, Frank Katona, Marissa Nelmes, Sue Collins, Jeff Owler, Chris Toole, Speedo Jager, Tom Cassagrande

The late model feature was delayed, due to time constraints (town ordinance). The feature will be run on Friday, June 17 th . Late model heat winners were Joe Hoffman and Jerry Brighthaupt.

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