news Rusty Smith sharp at Mountain Speedway

May 01, 2005
By Gene Ostrowski

ST. JOHNS, Pa. -- Fans witnessed a record amount of shows at Mountain Speedway Sunday.  The number of feature events totaled eight, plus a half time 'Tricked out Custom Cycle' motorcycle show.  It made for a very long day, but for anyone wanting to see plenty of racing, the crowd got their money's worth.

Wayne Szerencsits started from the pole in the 30-lap Balliet's Country
Corners modified feature.  On lap two, Tim Santee worked his way to the
point, while Szerencsits had to settle for second.  However, on the
following circuit, something went away on Szerencsits modified, sending him
into the turn 1 fence, thus ending his day.  Two-time track champion, Brian
Defebo's day also ended on the same lap, as he was forced in the pits with a
malfunction.

Santee held the lead until a lap 6 restart, when Rusty Smith in #34 got
around him.  However a complete lap was not complete, due to the caution
waving for a Dave Pecko spin.

Lap 20 brought out the caution once more for a turn 1 pile-up, involving
Wagner, Brittain, Adams and Snyder.  Adams was unable to continue.  On the
same lap track officials noticed fluid leaking from the X6 of Santee.
Unfortunately for Santee, he was given the black flag and forced to the pit
area, handing the lead to the driver who had challenged him furiously for 20
circuits, Rusty Smith.

Smith was challenged over the last few circuits by runner-up, Jim Long, but
held him off for his first modified victory at Mountain Speedway.

Heat Winners were Wayne Szerencsits, Brian Defebo and Tim Santee

Modified Finish (30 Laps)
Rusty Smith, Jim Long, John Markavic, Darren Sherer, Dave Pecko, CJ Jones,
Don Wagner, Pete Brittian, Rowan Pennink, Alan Decker, Mike Adams, Ken Vogel
Jr., John Swartout, Cal Snyder, Matt Clemmens, Tim Santee, Earl Paules, Ryan
Russo, Wayne Szerencsits, Richie Coy, Brian Defebo, Mark Washko, Jason
Arthofer, Matt Higgins, Chet Dillenbeck

Rookie Mike Collins started from the pole in his second-ever Mountain late
model start, with another rookie, Mike Rodriguez, Jr. outside.  When the
green waived, Rodriguez shot to the point.  Rodriguez held the top spot
until the caution flew for a spin by the #40 of Todd Giest.

Rodriguez spun the rear tires on the restart, sending him into a spin and
into the infield.  At this point, Larry Fisher, who had worked his way into
the second spot, inherited the lead.

Fisher held the top spot until a lap 9 caution involving Tommy Scales.
Fisher's late model stalled during the caution period and he could not get
it re-fired, forcing him to the pits.

Last late model race winner, Joe Hoffman now had the top spot.  But, on
another lap 9 restart, Hoffman got loose, allowing Jim Lamoreaux to sneak by
on the outside.  Lamoreaux distanced himself from the rest of the field.

Over the second half of the race, pole sitter Mike Collins, and Jason
Makarewicz worked their way into the top 5, along with Pete Brittain and
Mike Rodriguez Jr, but there was not enough time to try and catch Jim
Lamoreaux, who collect his first feature win of 2005.


Heat winners were Smalls and Lamoreaux

Late Model Finish (25 Laps)
Jim Lamoreaux, Mike Collins, Jason Makarewicz, Pete Brittian, Mike
Rodriguez, Jr., Joe Hoffman, Brad Smalls, Paul Koehler Jr., Larry Fisher,
Jackie Zeigler, Todd Giest, Tom Scales, Joe Barbush, Phil DeFeanco, Thore
Foss

Robert Fink started from the pole in the 20-lap street stock feature.
However, the caution waived on lap #1 when contact was made between Jim
Yamelski and Rick Smith.  Both drivers rejoined the rear of the field.

On lap 4, Todd Ahner shot to the lead, taking the #26 of Scott Meckes along
with him.  As the two battled for the top spot, Paul Frantz, Brian Labar and
Brad Kline joined the mix.

Yamelski, after restarting from the rear, worked his way into 4th, and took
3rd from Kline.  The caution waived once more on lap 19 for a Geary
Rinehimer spin in turn 3, allowing Meckes to have a shot at the win, but he
could not get around Ahner on the final lap.  Yamelski held off Kline for
fourth, and Brian Labar rounded out the top 5.

Heat winners were Ahner and Yamelski

Street Stock Finish (20 Laps)
Todd Ahner, Scott Meckes, Jim Yamelski, Brad Kline, Brian Labar, Shawn
Sitarchyk, Chip Wanamaker, Frank Katona, Paul Frantz, Robert Fink, John
Labadia, Geary Rinehimer, Rick Smith, Wayne Medlin, Jerry Stanzione, Dennis
Buss, JR Roth

2004 4 Cyl. Champion, Pat Verwys started from the pole in the thriller
feature event.  It didn't take long for Steve Hoffman to get around Verwys
for the top spot, followed by Bill Price.  Price caught Hoffman on lap 8,
and made his bid for the lead.

The caution waived on lap #10 for a spinning Verwys.  Both Verwys, and 2004
thriller champion, Sue Collins was sent to the back of the field.  At the
same time, Hoffman had problems, which forced him to the infield.

The last half of the race was uneventful; as Price went on to take the
checkers over Marissa Nelmes, Howie Bott, Richard Petey and Randy Ahner Jr.

Heat winners were Bott and Hoffman.

Thriller Finish (20 Laps)
Bill Price, Marissa Nelmes, Howie Bott, Richard Petey, Randy Ahner, Jr., Sue
Collins, Steve Schultz, Mark Wolf, Steve Taylor, Pat Verwys, Speedo Jager,
Steve Hoffman

Chris Walk started from the pole in the 4 cyl. Thriller showdown.  On the
first lap, Travis Fisher shot to the lead, bringing the #7 of Adams with
him.

On lap 6, Adams, while working on Fisher, made contact, forcing Fisher to
spin into the front stretch wall.  Fisher was unhurt, but was unable to
continue.

Chris Walk inherited the lead when Adams was re-positioned to the rear of
the field, but it didn't take long for Bill Verwys Sr. to over take Walk for
the top spot.  Verwys held on to score the victory over a hard charging Joe
Heintzelman, Christ Walk, Joe Grocholski and Dale Shoemaker.

Heat winners were Grocholski and Heintzelman

4 Cy. Thriller Finish (20 Laps)
Bill Verwys Sr., Joe Heintzelman, Chris Walk, Joe Grocholski, Dale
Shoemaker, David Sokol Jr., Nick Adams, Fred Shotwell, Brent Witner, Travis
Fisher, Justin Nesbitt, Jimmy White, Jr.

The 4 C modifieds were also on hand for a special show.  When it was all
said and done, Woot Lawrence was victorious.
The LIMCA (Long Island Mini Cup Association) was also on hand for two
feature events.  Joe Burns won the junior division, and Tim Buckwalter won
the adult division.

Big wheel event winners were Collin Wilkinson, Ricky Collins and Zach Culp.
The switch to Friday night racing for Mountain Speedway happens this Friday,
May 6th at 7:30 PM.  For the complete Mountain Speedway schedule standings
and results, visit www.mountainspeedway.com .

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