results Hoffman and Frantz Sparkle with Mountain Victories

July 1, 2005
by Gene Ostrowski

ST. JOHNS, PA -- Fireworks on and off the track showcased Mountain Speedway Friday night, during a rain-free night of racing. As they are every year for the 4 th of July weekend, the Balliet's Country Corners modifieds were off.

Barry Callavini led the late model feature to the green flag from the pole position in the 25-lap event, and led the first few circuits.

Joe Hoffman trailed Callavini, and on lap four Hoffman saw an opening underneath Callavini as they raced into turn one. The gap closed, and Callavini found himself facing the wrong direction.

When racing resumed after the quick caution, current late model point leader, Larry Fisher tried to work Hoffman from his second position. Meanwhile, Mike Rodriguez Jr, after starting seventh, drove underneath Dean Kline II to take over the third spot.

The second and final caution of the event waved on lap fourteen for a turn three tangle, involving Jason Makarewicz and Jackie Ziegler.

On the restart Hoffman held off Fisher for his second win of the season. Rodriguez, Kline and Callavini rounded out the top five.

In victory lane Hoffman noted that he has been disappointed with his efforts so far in '05. He sits second in the overall late model standings.

Joe Hoffman was also the heat winner.

From the pole, Barry Gommer led the street stock field to the green for the 20-lap feature. Gommer buzzed out front over Chip Wanamaker and Paul Frantz.

The fist caution waved when Mike Schadder spun in turn two. Gommer continued to lead when racing resumed, and on the third circuit, Frantz motored past Wanamaker and took over second.

The caution flew again, when Brad Kline and Robert Fink made contact in turn four. Neither driver spun, but enough debris from the infield was thrown on the track to bring out the necessary yellow.

On the restart, Frantz got a great jump over Gommer and powered into the lead. Meanwhile, things got hairy behind him, when Gommer, trying to hold onto second, got into Brian Labar in turn one. Unfortunately, the damage on Gommer's machine was severe, and he was unable to continue after leading earlier.

On lap fourteen, current division point leader, Jim Yamelski, worked his was up to third from his twelfth place starting position, bringing Scott Meckes behind him into fourth. On the following lap he overtook Wanamaker for second and set his sights on Frantz.

Another caution slowed the event, but Frantz took off on the restart, pulling away from Yamelski by a few car lengths.

Over the final two circuits, Yamelski pressured Frantz for the win, but when the checkered flew, it was Frantz, picking up his first feature win of the season over Yamelski, Wanamaker, Meckes and Kline.

Barry Gommer and Scott Meckes were heat winners.

Jimmy White Jr. led the four-cylinder thriller field to the green flag from the pole in the 20-lap feature. While White was out front, things got wild on lap two, when Peter Verwys and Joe Heintzelman touched, sending Heintzelman into a front stretch spin cycle. Heintzelman would have to restart from the rear.

Following the restart, Chris Walk grabbed the lead from White, bringing Joe Grocholski and Dale Shoemaker with him. However, it wasn't over for Heintzelman, as he attempted to race around White, the two tangled, sending Heintzelman into a spin again, but this time on the backstretch. Meanwhile, Pete Verwys moved into the runner-up spot after starting ninth.

Pete Verwys made the pass around Walk on lap five, but Walk continued to hang with the leader.

The next caution flew on the sixteenth circuit, when Grocholski and Shoemaker made contact on the backstretch. Both drivers were able to continue, but lost many positions.

The final caution of the event came out when Heintzelman, who had worked his way back up to third, swapped positions with Walk. As the duel went on for second, the two touched. Coming out of turn four, it was evident that a tie rod end had broken on Heintzelman's machine, as his left front wheel was pointed in the wrong direction. As they made their way down the front stretch, the two drivers tangled and Heintzelman slammed head on into the wall. Although his car was not so lucky, Heintzelman was not injured.

After the extended caution, Verwys continued out front, and took the checkers for his third feature win of the season over Walk, Bill Verwys, Sr, Chris Meeker and Justin Nesbitt.

Pete Verwys was the heat winner.

Mark Paine brought the 20-lap thriller feature to the drop of the green from the pole position. On the following lap, Marissa Nelmes took over the top spot from Paine.

By lap four, Bill Price Jr. took over the fourth spot after starting tenth. Meanwhile Steve Hoffman was right behind, from his ninth starting position.

On the eighth lap, Price and Hoffman passed Nelmes for the lead. Two circuits later, Hoffman made the pass on Price stick, as he motored into the number one slot.

On lap twelve, Richard Petey and Steve Shultz were battling in the top five, but Shultz swapped paint with Petey in turn four, which caused both drivers to spin, thus bringing out the first caution of the event.

Three more caution periods plagued the event, with the worst on lap fifteen, when Nelmes and Paine collected in turn two.

Over the final five circuits, Price pressured Hoffman severely, but was unable to make the pass. Hoffman went on to pick up his second straight feature win over Bill Price, Richard Petey, Jeff Owler and Howie Bott.

Richard Petey and Steve Hoffman both won heat races.

Woot Lawrence cruised to the victory over Mike Renn in the 4C modifieds.

The next event at Mountain Speedway is Sunday, July 3 rd , when over a hundred cars will take the track for the ‘Firecracker Smacker on the 3 rd of Junkly' ABC Car Crushing, NEETS Holiday Stock Car Series enduro races. All the race action begins at 1:30 PM. Grandstand admission is $7 for ages 8 and older. Children ages 7 and under are admitted free.

The next regular Mountain Speedway show is Friday, July 8 th . On the card are the Balliet's Country Corners modifieds, late models, street stocks and thrillers. Mid season championship races, which include double points, will be held for the modifieds, street stocks and thrillers

All the action begins with heat races at 7:30 PM sharp. Grandstand admission prices are $12 for adults. Seniors, handicapped and children ages 7-12 are $9. Children 6 and under are admitted free.

Late Model (25-laps)

1. Joe Hoffman 2. Larry Fisher 3. Mike Rodriguez, Jr. 4. Dean Klin e II 5. Barry Callavini 6. Jason Makarewicz 7. Jackie Ziegler 8. Phil DeFranco

Fast Lap: Larry Fisher, 14.949, lap 8

Hard Charger: Mike Rodriguez, Jr, 4 positions

Street Stock (20-laps)

1. Paul Frantz 2. Jim Yamelski 3. Chip Wanamaker 4. Scott Meckes 5. Brad Kline 6. Eric Danyluk 7. Mike Krempasky 8. Brian Labar 9. Ron Babula 10. Robert Fink 11. Todd Barbush 12. Todd Ahner 13. John Labadia 14. Mike Schadder 15. Barry Gommer 16. Brad Barbush

Fast Lap: Jim Yamelski, 16.026, lap 8

Hard Charger: Jim Yamelski, 10 positions

Thriller (20-laps)

1. Steve Hoffman 2. Bill Price 3. Richard Petey 4. Jeff Owler 5. Howie Bott 6. Josh Oswald 7. Marissa Nelmes 8. Mark Paine 9. Steve Shultz 10. Steve Taylor

Fast Lap: Steve Hoffman, 17.364, lap 14

Hard Charger: Steve Hoffman & Bill Price Jr, 8 positions

4 Cyl. Thriller (20-laps)

1. Pete Verwys 2. Erik Nobel 3. Chris Walk 4. Bill Verwys Sr. 5. Chris Meeker 6. Justin Nesbitt 7. Dale Shoemaker 8. Joe Grocholski 9. Jimmy White, Jr. 10. Travis Fisher 11. Scott Adams DNS: Randy Funderburk, Jen Adams DQ: Joe Heintzelman

Fast Lap: Pete Verwys, 18.407, lap 18

Hard Charger: Pete Verwys, 8 positions

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