results Kline backs into ‘Big Dog 100 lap Street Stock Shootout’ Win at Mountain

August 7, 2005
by Gene Ostrowski

ST. JOHNS, PA -- Dorrance, PA's Brad Kline didn't lead a single circuit in the 100-lap ‘Big Dog 100 lap Street Stock Shootout' Sunday at Mountain Speedway but still walked away with lap money and the $1000 top prize.

Jim Yamelski (Hunlock's Creek, PA) led the twenty-nine-car field to the green flag after blistering off a lap of 15.789 seconds during time trials. Yamelski immediately lurched out front over Scott Meckes, Brad Kline and Donny Hartzell. RJ Zacharias moved around Hartzell and into fourth as the field came to the stripe to complete the second lap. Meanwhile, a fierce battle for second was shaping up for second between Meckes and Kline.

The caution waved on lap nine for a slowed Eric Danyluk on the speedway. Danyluk headed to the pits to replace a flat left front tire. Danyluk, who earned his starting spot by winning the Big Dog qualifier a few weeks ago, rejoined the tail of the field on the lead lap.

The battle raged on for the top five when Hartzell got back around Zacharias for fifth, but that all changed on the twenty-third circuit when the caution flew for a melee in turns one and two. While battling for sixth, Todd Ahner made contact with Zacharias. An unavoidable Zacharias spun and collected Robert Fink, Todd Geist and Steve Hoffman. Zacharias was unable to continue.

Only one more lap ticked off before the next yellow. This time, the top three machines were dueling it out for the top spot. Yamelski held it, but Meckes and Kline wanted it. As the three tangled, Meckes found himself in a hard contact turn one situation, which also collected Todd Ahner, Matt Lesher, and Eric Gerchak. Along with others, Meckes headed to the pits for much needed sheet metal repair.

After a few brief caution periods, Hartzell worked his way under Kline and into the second slot. By the mid-race fuel break, Yamelski continued leading the way over Hartzell, Kline, Eric Danyluk and McCormick.

After the mid-race break, the field was realigned ‘NASCAR style', with the machines one or more laps down to the inside. When green flag racing resumed, it was still Yamelski over Hartzell, but things took a turn for the worst for the leader on lap fifty-four. Yamelski slowed significantly on the speedway, which allowed the field to pass. The problem that ended Yamelski's day was in the rear end.

Hartzell assumed command of the event and shot ahead of Kline on the restart. By this time, Eric Danyluk, Paul Frantz and Todd Geist all had their sights set on the leader.

Meckes began to work through the top ten and toward the top five, but his engine expired on lap seventy-two, which brought out another yellow flag. A small fire also erupted and was quickly extinguished by track personnel.

With the field slowly dwindling, Hartzell continued to lead, but was severely pursued by Kline, as the two fought lap after lap for the top spot.

The last caution flew for Paul Frantz, who had obvious problem when he brushed the turn one wall and came to a stop after working his way into the top five.

Hartzell, who also won Friday night's 30-lap modified feature took off on the restart and never looked back as he crossed the strip first over Kline, Danyluk, McCormick and Geist.

What started off as a victory lane celebration went sour in post race tech, when Hartzell was disqualified. It was obvious that Hartzell was amazed of what was happening, since he was lent the mount to compete in the prestigious Mountain event.

Without leading a single lap, two-time street stock season champion, Brad Kline was awarded the victory. It was Kline's first Street Stock Shootout crown.

The entertaining 4C modifieds were also on hand with the running of their 20-lap feature.

Woot Lawrence started on the pole after winning the heat race earlier in the afternoon. Lawrence jumped into the early lead over Mike Renn. Renn, fighting a loose condition, brought out the caution on lap two.

On the restart, Lawrence, Renn and Randy Zuidena distanced themselves from the rest of the field, and on the eighth circuit, Renn caught and passed Lawrence for the number one spot, and his second straight 4C modified win at the speedway.

Renn took the checkers over Lawrence, Zuidena, Wes Gilbert and Fred Bertrand.

On the card for Friday, August 12 th , along with the street stocks, thrillers and four-cylinder thriller is the twin 25-lap ‘Big Dog 100' qualifying features for the modifieds. The winner of each 25-lap modified feature event will earn a guaranteed starting spot in the 100-lap ‘Big Dog' modified blowout on Sunday, August 21 st .

Street Stock (100-laps)

1. BRAD KLINE 2. Eric Danyluk 3. John McCormick 4. Todd Geist 5. JR Roth 6. Dan Casicioli 7. Mark Deysher 8. Paul Frantz 9. Robert Fink 10. Mike Odwazny 11. Rodney Gruber 12. Todd Ahner 13. Ron Bubala 14. Scott Meckes 15. Eric Gerchak 16. Jim Yamelski 17.Steve Hoffman 18. Matt Lesher 19. Carl Jones 20. Rob Danyluk 21. John Labadia 22.RJ Zacharias 23. Barry Gommer 24. Rich Dimarco 25.Robert Geibel 26.Billy Balliet 27. Mike Schadder 28. Jennifer Kutz DQ: Donny Hartzell

Fast Lap: Jim Yamelski, lap 3, 15.847

Hard Charger: John McCormick, 16 positions

Pole (from time trials): Jim Yamelski, 15.789

Lap Leaders: 1-52 Yamelski, 53-100 Kline

4C Modifieds

1. MIKE RENN 2. Woot Lawrence 3. Randy Zuidena 4. Wes Gilbert 5. Fred Bertrand

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