RGeeProductions
05-21-2012, 04:17 PM
Although he’s had success in the Sport Modified division, Todd Baer has been winless in Modified action at Mountain Speedway since the 2009 season. That all changed Saturday afternoon when the New Pripoli resident started sixth and then moved into the race lead before driving off to victory in the 40-lap main event. Despite pressure from Chip Wanamaker in the final laps, Brian Wozniak of Drums notched his first Street Stock feature win since the 2008 season and Cody Roth of Kunkletown, PA reeled off his second-straight Four Cylinder victory. Unchallenged for the win, Matt Pappa took top honors in the INEX Legends, as did Kyle Fratesi in INEX Bandolero action. In his first visit to the speedway this season, Steve Renn took the 4C Super Modified victory.
Ken Vogel, Jr. started from the pole position in the 40-lap Modified feature and led the opening lap with Barry Callavini, Brian Sones, Austin Kochenash and Dave Brigati in tow. With one lap complete, Brigati overtook Kochenash for the third spot and two laps later Sones snagged second from Callavini.
Todd Baer started sixth and cracked the top five before Brigati overtook Sones for second and Baer followed through for third. With 11 laps complete, Vogel continued to show the way over Brigati, Baer, Sones and Callavini.
The yellow flag waved on lap 13 when Callavini spun in turn four. When green flag racing resumed, the top two cars got together and Baer, who restarted in the third spot, became the new race leader. Bobby Jones restarted in second, followed by Eddie Brunnhoelzl, Nick Pecko and Sones.
Jones stuck with the leader after the restart, but as laps clicked off it was obvious that Baer would have to suffer a misfortune to lose the lead. Despite three more caution periods in the event, Baer held off Jones on the restarts and went on to take the victory. Jones settled for second, followed by Pecko, Brigati and Sones.
Heat race victories went to Todd Baer and Dave Brigati.
Alan Schlenker started second and led the opening circuit of the 25-lap Street Stock feature, but pole sitter, Bernie Uphold regained the top spot on the following lap. Tony Hilliard held third, followed by Dale Santee.
Brian Wozniak moved by Darryl Swartz for fifth on lap four and held that spot when the caution flag waved for Chris Burge, who stopped on the front stretch on lap six.
Green flag racing resumed and Santee overtook Schlenker for second. Seven laps later Wozniak got by Schlenker for third.
With Uphold still in command, a quick yellow waved on lap eighteen when Hilliard and Kevin Higgins tangled while battling for position in turn four. Santee ran in second, followed by Wozniak, Schlenker and Chip Wanamaker.
With the green back in the air, Wozniak overtook Santee for second on lap 20 and then got by Uphold in turn two on lap 22. Unfortunately, Uphold got out of shape following the pass and almost straightened his car out, but it finally spun out on the backstretch. With Wozniak in command, Uphold was forced to restart from the rear of the field.
Green flag racing resumed and despite a hard charge in the closing laps, Wozniak held off Wanamaker to pick up the emotional victory, which he said was dedicated to the two greatest people that he’s known and lost, “Monk” Petroski and “Chico” Mensinger.
Despite having to pit earlier in the event, Wanamaker was content with his second place finish. Santee finished third, followed by Schlenker. Joe D-Angelo scored his best career finish when he crossed the stripe in the fifth spot.
Heat race victories went to Bernie Uphold and Chip Wanamaker.
Larry Spencer III started from the pole position in the 20-lap Four Cylinder feature and lost the lead to Frank Hughes before a lap was score. With one lap complete, Cody Roth ran in third, followed by Jay Skupski and Noah Fassman.
Roth overtook Spencer for second on the second lap and set his sights on Hughes. Hughes continued to lead and then the yellow flag waved on lap nine when Chris Burge, Jr. and Chris Meeker made contact in turns three and four. Green flag racing resumed and trouble struck Spencer when his right front wheel left his car in turn two. The end results was a hard yet, but luckily Spencer was not injured.
Green flag racing resumed and Roth pressured Hughes for the lead. Roth got under the leader in turn one on lap 12 and took the race lead. Skupski followed through to take the second spot.
Roth was untouchable in the closing laps and went on to take his second straight victory of the season in as many starts. Skupski settled for a career-best second, followed by Hughes, Fassman and John Smith.
Heat race wins went to Frank Hughes and Jay Skupski.
Brandon Michael started from the pole and led the opening circuit of the 20-lap INEX Legends feature over Van Michael, Todd McCollum, Brad Lowmaster and Kevin Nowak. McCollum moved to second and following a quick caution on lap two, he overtook B. Michael for the lead. Matt Pappa restarted in the fifth spot but advanced to second immediately following the restart.
Undefeated at the speedway, Pappa wasted no time and challenged McCollum for the lead. Pappa made the pass stick on lap four and began to put a few car lengths on his competition. Hard side by side racing for third between B. Michael, Raven Schrantz and Nowak help set the stage for an exciting finish.
When it was all said and done, Pappa drove off to victory over McCollum, Brandon Bock, Nowak and Schrantz.
Heat race wins went to Todd McCollum and Matt Pappa.
Steve Renn started from the pole position and led the opening circuit of the 20-lap 4C Super Modified event over his father, Mike Renn, Tony Merlino and Wes Gilbert.
M. Renn chased his son for the lead and finally made a pass on lap four, but his car was loose and S. Renn crossed back over and Merlino took command.
S. Renn regained the top spot on lap six and never looked back as he held off M. Renn, zgilbert and Williams to score his first victory at the speedway in the division.
Bob Renn scored the heat race victory.
Cole Fratesi led the first circuit of the 15-lap Bandolero feature and was heavily challenged by Alex McCollum in the final laps. Fratesi held on to take his second win of the season. McCollum settled for second, followed by Nick Harnage and David French.
Mountain Speedway is just minutes from Hazleton, Pa, located on St. John’s Road, between Routes 93 and 309. Grandstand admission for all regular events is just $12 for ages 11 and older. Children 10 years of age and younger are admitted for free.
Please visit www.mountainspeedway.com for the entire 2012 schedule, point standings and up to date news and information.
Modified (40-laps) 1. TODD BAER 2. Bobby Jones 3. Nick Pecko 4. David Brigati 5. Brian Sones 6. Barry Callavini 7. Alan Creveling 8. Ken Vogel Jr 9. Harry Buchman 10. Austin Kochenash 11. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 12. Justin Gumley 13. Matt Higgins 14. Rodger Heffelfinger Jr 15. Tom Casagrande DNS: Brandon Oltra
Street Stock (25-laps) 1. BRIAN WOZNIAK 2. Chip Wanamaker 3. Dale Santee 4. Alan Schlenker 5. Joe D'Angelo 6. Kevin Higgins 7. Tony Hilliard 8. Sam Danaher 9. Bernie Uphold 10. Darryl Schwarz Jr 11. Harry Sager 12. Robert Fink 13. Chris Burge 14. Aaron Higgins
Four Cylinders (20-laps) 1. CODY ROTH 2. Jay Skupski 3. Frank Hughes 4. Noah Fassman 5. John Smith 6. Jen Adams 7. Keith Frankenfield 8. Chris Meeker 9. Chris Burge Jr. 10. Frank Katona 11. Larry Spencer III
INEX Legends (20-laps) 1. MATT PAPPA 2. Todd McCollum 3. Brandon Bock 4. Kevin Nowak 5. Raven Schrantz 6. Brandon Michael 7. Brad Lowmaster 8. Van Michael 9. Frank Scimeca 10. Sam Pickford 11. Mitchell Dowd 12. Jim Hoffman 13. Butch Boyle 14. Cole Fratesi 15. Scott Hubler 16. Dylan Hoffman
4C Super Modifieds (20-laps) 1. STEVE RENN 2. Mike Renn 3. Wes Gilbert 4. Neil Williams 5. Bob Renn
INEX Bandoleros (15-laps) 1. COLE FRATESI 2. Alex McCollum 3. Nick Harnage 4. David French
Gene Ostrowski
Ken Vogel, Jr. started from the pole position in the 40-lap Modified feature and led the opening lap with Barry Callavini, Brian Sones, Austin Kochenash and Dave Brigati in tow. With one lap complete, Brigati overtook Kochenash for the third spot and two laps later Sones snagged second from Callavini.
Todd Baer started sixth and cracked the top five before Brigati overtook Sones for second and Baer followed through for third. With 11 laps complete, Vogel continued to show the way over Brigati, Baer, Sones and Callavini.
The yellow flag waved on lap 13 when Callavini spun in turn four. When green flag racing resumed, the top two cars got together and Baer, who restarted in the third spot, became the new race leader. Bobby Jones restarted in second, followed by Eddie Brunnhoelzl, Nick Pecko and Sones.
Jones stuck with the leader after the restart, but as laps clicked off it was obvious that Baer would have to suffer a misfortune to lose the lead. Despite three more caution periods in the event, Baer held off Jones on the restarts and went on to take the victory. Jones settled for second, followed by Pecko, Brigati and Sones.
Heat race victories went to Todd Baer and Dave Brigati.
Alan Schlenker started second and led the opening circuit of the 25-lap Street Stock feature, but pole sitter, Bernie Uphold regained the top spot on the following lap. Tony Hilliard held third, followed by Dale Santee.
Brian Wozniak moved by Darryl Swartz for fifth on lap four and held that spot when the caution flag waved for Chris Burge, who stopped on the front stretch on lap six.
Green flag racing resumed and Santee overtook Schlenker for second. Seven laps later Wozniak got by Schlenker for third.
With Uphold still in command, a quick yellow waved on lap eighteen when Hilliard and Kevin Higgins tangled while battling for position in turn four. Santee ran in second, followed by Wozniak, Schlenker and Chip Wanamaker.
With the green back in the air, Wozniak overtook Santee for second on lap 20 and then got by Uphold in turn two on lap 22. Unfortunately, Uphold got out of shape following the pass and almost straightened his car out, but it finally spun out on the backstretch. With Wozniak in command, Uphold was forced to restart from the rear of the field.
Green flag racing resumed and despite a hard charge in the closing laps, Wozniak held off Wanamaker to pick up the emotional victory, which he said was dedicated to the two greatest people that he’s known and lost, “Monk” Petroski and “Chico” Mensinger.
Despite having to pit earlier in the event, Wanamaker was content with his second place finish. Santee finished third, followed by Schlenker. Joe D-Angelo scored his best career finish when he crossed the stripe in the fifth spot.
Heat race victories went to Bernie Uphold and Chip Wanamaker.
Larry Spencer III started from the pole position in the 20-lap Four Cylinder feature and lost the lead to Frank Hughes before a lap was score. With one lap complete, Cody Roth ran in third, followed by Jay Skupski and Noah Fassman.
Roth overtook Spencer for second on the second lap and set his sights on Hughes. Hughes continued to lead and then the yellow flag waved on lap nine when Chris Burge, Jr. and Chris Meeker made contact in turns three and four. Green flag racing resumed and trouble struck Spencer when his right front wheel left his car in turn two. The end results was a hard yet, but luckily Spencer was not injured.
Green flag racing resumed and Roth pressured Hughes for the lead. Roth got under the leader in turn one on lap 12 and took the race lead. Skupski followed through to take the second spot.
Roth was untouchable in the closing laps and went on to take his second straight victory of the season in as many starts. Skupski settled for a career-best second, followed by Hughes, Fassman and John Smith.
Heat race wins went to Frank Hughes and Jay Skupski.
Brandon Michael started from the pole and led the opening circuit of the 20-lap INEX Legends feature over Van Michael, Todd McCollum, Brad Lowmaster and Kevin Nowak. McCollum moved to second and following a quick caution on lap two, he overtook B. Michael for the lead. Matt Pappa restarted in the fifth spot but advanced to second immediately following the restart.
Undefeated at the speedway, Pappa wasted no time and challenged McCollum for the lead. Pappa made the pass stick on lap four and began to put a few car lengths on his competition. Hard side by side racing for third between B. Michael, Raven Schrantz and Nowak help set the stage for an exciting finish.
When it was all said and done, Pappa drove off to victory over McCollum, Brandon Bock, Nowak and Schrantz.
Heat race wins went to Todd McCollum and Matt Pappa.
Steve Renn started from the pole position and led the opening circuit of the 20-lap 4C Super Modified event over his father, Mike Renn, Tony Merlino and Wes Gilbert.
M. Renn chased his son for the lead and finally made a pass on lap four, but his car was loose and S. Renn crossed back over and Merlino took command.
S. Renn regained the top spot on lap six and never looked back as he held off M. Renn, zgilbert and Williams to score his first victory at the speedway in the division.
Bob Renn scored the heat race victory.
Cole Fratesi led the first circuit of the 15-lap Bandolero feature and was heavily challenged by Alex McCollum in the final laps. Fratesi held on to take his second win of the season. McCollum settled for second, followed by Nick Harnage and David French.
Mountain Speedway is just minutes from Hazleton, Pa, located on St. John’s Road, between Routes 93 and 309. Grandstand admission for all regular events is just $12 for ages 11 and older. Children 10 years of age and younger are admitted for free.
Please visit www.mountainspeedway.com for the entire 2012 schedule, point standings and up to date news and information.
Modified (40-laps) 1. TODD BAER 2. Bobby Jones 3. Nick Pecko 4. David Brigati 5. Brian Sones 6. Barry Callavini 7. Alan Creveling 8. Ken Vogel Jr 9. Harry Buchman 10. Austin Kochenash 11. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 12. Justin Gumley 13. Matt Higgins 14. Rodger Heffelfinger Jr 15. Tom Casagrande DNS: Brandon Oltra
Street Stock (25-laps) 1. BRIAN WOZNIAK 2. Chip Wanamaker 3. Dale Santee 4. Alan Schlenker 5. Joe D'Angelo 6. Kevin Higgins 7. Tony Hilliard 8. Sam Danaher 9. Bernie Uphold 10. Darryl Schwarz Jr 11. Harry Sager 12. Robert Fink 13. Chris Burge 14. Aaron Higgins
Four Cylinders (20-laps) 1. CODY ROTH 2. Jay Skupski 3. Frank Hughes 4. Noah Fassman 5. John Smith 6. Jen Adams 7. Keith Frankenfield 8. Chris Meeker 9. Chris Burge Jr. 10. Frank Katona 11. Larry Spencer III
INEX Legends (20-laps) 1. MATT PAPPA 2. Todd McCollum 3. Brandon Bock 4. Kevin Nowak 5. Raven Schrantz 6. Brandon Michael 7. Brad Lowmaster 8. Van Michael 9. Frank Scimeca 10. Sam Pickford 11. Mitchell Dowd 12. Jim Hoffman 13. Butch Boyle 14. Cole Fratesi 15. Scott Hubler 16. Dylan Hoffman
4C Super Modifieds (20-laps) 1. STEVE RENN 2. Mike Renn 3. Wes Gilbert 4. Neil Williams 5. Bob Renn
INEX Bandoleros (15-laps) 1. COLE FRATESI 2. Alex McCollum 3. Nick Harnage 4. David French
Gene Ostrowski