mountain madness mountain madness

Mountain Madness from May 1st. 


Well, there we have it!  We've worked through the spring Sunday shows
already!  Although Sunday seemed like it would never end, the racing was
great, and the competition was very close.  I personally know, as a former
driver and as a fan, that waiting for your feature is sometimes nerve
racking, but it is equally frustrating sitting in a race car waiting for the
checkers too!  The seven (or was it 8?) features, along with heat races
Sunday was probably just a bit too much for anyone, but for all the fans and
drivers who stuck around...thank you!  The switch to Friday night racing
showcases only four divisions, with the thriller classes alternating weekly.

Well, enough babbling on; let's get to the real deal.  It was tuff to see
Travis Fisher get taken out of the 4 cyl. Thriller feature.  Travis's
outside move propelled him to the front, only to have it taken away from
him.  Speaking of Travis, let's give a shout to Joe Heintzelman, who pilots
Fisher's car from last season.  Heintzelman was without a ride after selling
his factory stock late last season.  Joe was spun out once in the event,
went to the rear and worked his way back to second before the checkers flew.
This move of the race shows that Joe is on the fast track to success at
Mountain Speedway.  He also picked up a heat win.

There's not a whole lot you could say about the thriller feature, except
action!  Wow, Price and Hoffman were dicing it up most of the event, until
mechanical troubles hit Hoffman late in the race.  Howie Bott had his best
showing of the season thus far, picking up a heat win and finishing third in
the 20-lap shootout.  But, how about that Marissa Nelmes?  In her sophomore
year driving thrillers, Marissa finished second to Price, which was not just
her best finish of the season, it was the best of her career!  Ironically,
this was the most cars that she has raced against in the division at one
time, equally proving that she is on the fast track in '05.

The street stock 20-lap feature was a barnburner for sure (who thinks of
these terms???).  Ya had to wonder who would pick up the win, with names
such as Frantz, Ahner, Kline, and Yamelski running up front.  Todd Ahner did
a great job holding off everyone for the win.  It was also tuff to see
Robert Fink have problems after starting from the pole position.  I'd have
to say that almost every driver deserves mention, but I'll just get to the
point.  Jim Yamelski, even though starting up toward the front, is on the
fast track.  Early in the event, Jim spun and was sent though the rear.  He
patiently worked his way back to the third position, edging out Kline by not
even a car length.

A caution filled 25-lap late model feature showcased talent from many
drivers, including winner Jim Lamoreaux.  For most of the event, it looked
like the one place not to be, was in the lead, as early leaders such as
Fisher and Rodriguez encountered problems.  However, Rodriguez did put on a
good show during one of the restarts when he spun on the front stretch.   He
also stayed in the throttle, forcing himself to spin in the infield, and out
of the way of his competition.  J-Mac, Jason Makarewicz, had a banner day,
finishing in the third spot.  Jason stayed out of trouble, and it looks like
the teams getting a handle on that 2J.  The fast track has to go out to late
model rookie and pole sitter, Mike Collins.  Although Mike started from the
pole, he fell back near the rear of the field when they got the green.  Lap
by lap Collins picked up positions and kept out of trouble, working his way
back to the second spot.

Rusty Smith picked up win #1 of the season in the Balliet's Country Corners
modified division after starting from the 7th spot, adding his name to the
Mountain Speedway win list.  It was good to see the former Tioga driver win
the event, but at the same time you had to feel for the X6 of Tim Santee,
who led the majority of the race, only to be blacked flagged for leaking
some type of fluid.  Modified standout, Brian Defebo, also retired from the
event early on, marking two weeks straight of bad luck.  Jim Long put a nice
charge on, trying to catch Smith, but we have to give a shout to John
Markovic.  John stayed out of trouble the whole event, showing us that this
previous Mountain and ROC champion is definitely on the fast track.
Remember, the fastest car doesn't always win!

Congratulations to all of you,  You should be proud of your efforts!
Speaking of which, I want to say thanks to all the people who helped with
this past week's big wheel races; Joe Hoffman, Joe Grocholski, Cindy Bott
and Verwys racing.  I know, at times they may not be the most interesting
events, but the kids just love'm, and that's the important thing.  Thanks to
J&J Contractors and CAD Visers, all the children received trophies (I still
have one for Owen Nesbitt).  The big wheel races are now on break until the
Sunday racing resumes.

You can pick up your trophies at the photo stand right before (or after) the
driver's meeting.

Let's remember ex-Mountain SS and PS driver, Bill Denke.  Bill passed away
Sunday, April 24th.  You will be missed my friend.

We definitely have to give a shout to the official modified division
sponsor, Balliet's Country Corners, which is a Sunoco station and deli (with
ice cream coming soon!).  Balliet's Country Corners is conviently located at
the intersection of St. Johns road and Rt. 309.  Owner, Matt Balliet and I
spoke for some time, and Matt is excited about the way the modified division
looks so far this season.  Along with the sponsorship program he has set up
with the Mountain promoters, Matt is also giving $25 gift certificates to
each modified heat winner.  Runner-ups in the heats will receive a
certificate for $15.   Please stop at Balliet's Country Corners and show
your appreciation.  Heck, now I'll be taking the long way to the track!

Congrats to 4C mod winner, Woot Lawrence, and the LIMCA winners Joe Burns and Tim Buckwalter. Also, thank you to the TOCC (Tricked Out Custom Cycles) for their stunt riding during intermission.

Thanks to our 'Mountain Madness' sponsors:  Valley Service, CAD Visers and
J&J Contractors.

In my opinion, it'll be nice this Friday to focus on only four divisions,
freeing up the minds of the officials, and showing the fans some 'Friday
Night thunder' at Mountain Speedway.   Tune in next week for more 'Mountain
Madness', where we'll see ya on the fast track!

Mountain Madness Archive