results Win #2 for Smith; Brighthaupt tops late model field at Mountain Speedway

May 06, 2005
by Gene Ostrowski

St. Johns, PA -- Last week's Balliet's Country Corners modified feature winner and point leader, Rusty Smith, found himself in victory lane once again Friday night at Mountain Speedway.  Different than the Sunday before, Smith would have to battle his way around the speedway's two-time champ, Brian Defebo.
Defebo started from the pole position in the much-anticipated 30-lap main event and held a commanding lead at points until a caution flew on lap 23 for a Markovic spin in turn two.  On the restart, the second place car of Pete Brittain mounted a strong charge on Defebo.  Entering turn four, Brittain got into Defebo, thus spinning himself out.  Defebo continued, but his modified
was not unscaved.  At this point, tenth place starter, Rusty Smith, had worked his way into the third spot.
When racing resumed, Defebo got loose and ran up high, allowing Rusty Smith to take over the top spot.  However, Smith was not yet in the clear, as Dave Pecko and Defebo were relentless trying to use everything they had to get by Smith.
Meanwhile, Jim Long had also powered his way back up in the top 5. Being late to the speedway due to transporter problems, Long was thrilled to even start the feature, yet alone finish fourth.  When the checkers flew, it was Rusty Smith over Defebo, Pecko, Long and Wagner.


Heat winners were Brian Defebo and Rusty Smith.

Pete Brittain started on the pole in the 25-lap late model showdown . Brittain held the top spot from the drop of the green, being pressured by Joe Barbush and Larry Fisher.  Meanwhile, Jerry Brighthaupt worked his way into the top 5 from his 9th starting spot.  On lap 10, Fisher, who was in second, got turned around on the backstretch, bringing out the caution. On the single file lap 15 restart, Brighthaupt was glued to the back bumper of Brittain.  Going into turn one, Brighthaupt made his move to the inside of Brittain, making slight contact.  Brittain went around, and the
field was back under caution. The final caution flew on lap 19 with a Joe Hoffman/Billy Balliet tangle on the front stretch.  Hoffman was unable to continue.
On the restart Brighthaupt did have the lead, but received a heavy charge from Jim Lamoreaux, and Chris Whitenight. Coming across the stripe, it was Brighthaupt with the win and Lamoreaux had to settle for second.  Whitenight came out of turn four in third, but went very high, climbing the front stretch wall.  Whitenight would end up 5 th after the hair-raising incident.  Brittain and Fisher were 3 rd and 4 th respectively.


Heat winners were Pete Brittian and Larry Fisher.

JR Roth started from the pole in the 20-lap street stock feature .  The initial start of the race was not scored, as rookie, Geary Rinehimer spun in front of the entire field coming off turn four, causing everyone to take evasive action.  Rinehimer collected Dennis Buss, who had no place to go. When the race actually began, Roth hopped out front ahead of Meckes, Katona, Kline and Wanamaker.  By lap 6, Kline worked his way to second and made his outside bid for the top spot the following lap.

The caution flew on lap 9, when Ahner and Wanamaker made contact in turn four.  Meanwhile, street stock point leader, Jim Yamelski quietly entered the top 3.
When the race got back under way, Yamelski took second from Meckes and set sail for Kline.  Although he eventually got close to the rear bumper of Kline, Yamelski had to settle for second, just like a few weeks ago. Frantz, Meckes and Roth rounded out the top 5.


Heat winners were JR Roth and Scott Meckes


Jimmy White Jr. started on the pole in the 20-lap 4 cyl. thriller event , but it was Travis Fisher out front early on. The caution flew on lap 2 when Joe Heintzelman spun, while battling the
top three entering turn one.  Following the caution, on a lap 2 restart, Pete Verwys, along with Nick Adams, took over the top two positions.
  The caution would fly once more on lap 14 for a Witner spin in turn three. On the final restart, Adams tried to put the move on Verwys, but Heintzelman pounced on his opportunity to overtake second.  At this point in the race, neither driver had enough time to catch Verwys.  Heintzelman crossed the stripe second over Nick Adams, Joe Grocholski and Bill Verwys, Sr.

Heat winners were Pete Verwys and Nick Adams

The next show on the card for Mountain Speedway is Friday, May 13 th. Four divisions will be racing, which will include the modifieds, late models, street stocks and thrillers. Pit gates open at 5:00 P.M. and warm-ups are at 6:00 P.M. The first heat will take to the track at 7:30 P.M. sharp.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! For additional info, please visit www.mountainspeedway.com .



Modifieds (30 Laps)

Rusty Smith, Brian Defebo, Dave Pecko, Jim Long, Jr., Don Wagner, Pete Brittain, Donny Hartzell, John Markovic, Mark Washko, Mike Adams, Dave Koroleski, Alan Decker, Cal Snyder, Ernie Dengler, Jason Arthofer, Tim Santee

Fast Lap: lap 8, Rusty Smith (13.735)

Late Model (25 Laps)

Gerry Brighthaupt, Jim Lamoreaux, Pete Brittain, Larry Fisher, Chris Whitenight, Joe Barbush, Jason Makarewicz, Tom Scales, Billy Balliet, Jackie Ziegler, Mike Collins, Joe Hoffman, Jeff Searfoss, Earl Paules, Mike Rodriguez, Jr.

Fast Lap: lap 7, Larry Fisher (14.857)

Street Stock (20 Laps)

Brad Kline, Jim Yamelski, Paul Frantz, Scott Meckes, JR Roth, Todd Ahner, Robert Fink, Chip Wanamaker, Frank Katona, Rich Smith, Eric Danyluk, Dan Casicioli, Brad Barbush, Geary Rinehimer, Dennis Buss

Fast Lap: lap 12, Jim Yamelski (15.858)

4 Cyl. Thriller (20 Laps)

Pete Verwys, Joe Heintzelman, Nick Adams, Joe Grocholoski, Bill Verwys Sr., John Cozza, Chris Walk, Chris Meker, Travis Fisher, Dale Shoemaker, Jimmy White, Jr., Brent Witner, Justin Nesbitt, Dave Freundt, Scott Adams, Fred Shotwell, Ryan Hill

Fast Lap: lap 16, Pete Verwys (18.414)

results archive