RGeeProductions
08-05-2012, 11:29 PM
Defending Mahoning Valley Speedway Modified champion Tyler Haydt of Kunkletown raced to his first win of the season Saturday, on Checkered Flag Fan Club Night.
Haydt is running a limited schedule this year so when he does compete it’s all or nothing and he showed that with his all out drive.
“It feels really good because we had been close a lot of times. We had been trying a whole bunch of new stuff because we aren’t running every week this year and it just feels so good to get another win here,” said Haydt.
Starting outside of row one, Haydt got a great jump on pole sitter Troy Bollinger for the opening lap lead. He then had Matt Wentz tucked in behind him and afterwards it would be a race long battle between them.
Haydt was hitting all the marks perfectly as he circled the demanding quarter mile oval with swift accuracy. Wentz similarly was keeping concentrated in Haydt’s tire tracks. Nevin George, Tommy Flanagan and Earl Paules were also in line.
As the race was progressing and lap 12 had just gone in to the books, Haydt led the pack into turn three and suddenly got tripped up from a nudge on his rear bumper. That caused him to slide ever so slightly and afforded the opportunity for Wentz to go by for the lead.
Haydt did a superb job of keeping his mount aimed in the forward direction and only lost the front spot. The caution had then come as a few cars had checked up and Todd Geist wound up spinning.
“I don’t know what happened. The car turned sideways and somehow I saved it,” said Haydt.
On the restart Haydt would not settle for anything less than the lead and he zoomed by Wentz to retake the top spot.
Although Wentz kept right on him, including a last lap, last turn dive to the inside for a run at the leader, Haydt was not going to let him or anyone else deny him victory.
It was also the first visit to Victory Lane since the passing of his former car owner and close friend Bill Teel on June 13.
“It was so cool for me to get to drive for him (Teel). With him passing away I want to dedicate this win to him. We’ll never forget Bill Teel here at Mahoning Valley,” said Haydt.
“It’s also awesome to win on Checkered Flag Fan Club Night. This is the second straight year for us to do that.”
Wentz’s solid drive was his best finish of the year.
“It was a good night and after he (Haydt) got the lead back I just had to follow him and we just ran out of laps. There was a little bump and running but we’ll try and get it next time,” said Wentz, who came within a half car length of winning.
George, Haydt and Paules copped heat wins with Don Wagner annexing the consolation.
Kenny Hein returned to Late Model racing at Mahoning last year after an 18-year hiatus. He ran just a partial season. This year the 55-year old, who hails from New Tripoli, has been a weekly regular and slow but sure had been getting back into the swing. There have been some good runs, enough to have him nestled in the top four in points.
And on Saturday, Hein’s return to racing came to rousing achievement as he won the first feature in 23 years. Hein started pole and proceeded to lead every lap in the non-stop 25 lapper. The last time he won a race was July 1, 1989.
“It feels really good after 20 some years since last winning one,” said Hein. “These guys are running tough and everyone is so competitive.
“We had a lot of help to get to this point. Eric Beers, Rich Reichenbach, Geno Steigerwalt and so many others I have to say thanks to. The car was set up very good. We’re not the fastest car out there but it’s competitive and it showed tonight.”
Dave Wallace was a close second and continues to get closer to his first win of the year. Third went to Frankie Althouse followed by Mike Sweeney and Paules. Hein and Sweeney were heat winners.
The Street Stocks ran a pair of features with two-time champ Randy Ahner, Jr., of Jim Thorpe and Northmapton’s Jason Beers taking the wins.
Ahner’s win came in the make-up race from July 7. He started 13th and was racing towards the lead by lap 15, running behind front man Rich Moser and runner-up Joe Steigerwalt. Ahner got past Steigerwalt on lap 17 and zeroed in on Moser. Under close quarters Ahner powered his way around Moser and then led the rest of the way for his second win of the year.
In the regular feature Beers started from the pole and then had the top two point men, Jason Kuhn and Josh Mooney, giving him all they could throw at him.
Beers is backing racing fulltime in nearly a decade and never showed any signs of rust as he was able. He did a fine piece of driving as he turned away the persistence of Kuhn and Mooney as well as a remaining strong after several restarts. His win came nearly 12 years to the day since his last one that was on July 5, 2000.
Beers swept the night by winning his heat. Jason Frey and Todd Ahner also scored prelims. Ahner, Jr., was the consi winner.
Mike Stofflet of Mertztown picked up his third Dirt Mod win of the season. He inherited the lead after Randy Thomas was knocked out of the front spot after by Ricky Yetter. Stofflet then held back the strong efforts of Mark Levy en route to victory.
Thomas and point leader Kris Graver notched heat wins.
Barry Christman, Jr., of Northampton recorded his second straight 4-Cylinder Stock feature. Christman did something rarely seen this season. He passed point leader and top class winner Jeremy Miller for the lead. The winning move came with four laps to go.
For the sixth time Dan Freundt of Lehighton was the benefactor of being the first front wheel drive car across the line and got him a $50 bonus.
Christman and Jake Oswald split heat victories.
The Micro Stock Racing Series and Micro Stock Racing League cars were on hand for Bobby Wagner of Rockaway, NJ it was a night to relish as he won both features.
Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. Tyler Haydt, 2. Matt Wentz, 3. Nevin George, 4. Tommy Flanagan, 5. Earl Paules, 6. Kevin Rex, Jr., 7. Matt Hirschman, 8. Brian DeFebo, 9. John Bennett, 10. Roger Coss, 11. Rick Reichenbach, 12. Bobby Jones, 13. Don Wagner, 14. Scott Meckes, 15. Eric Kocher, 16. Todd Geist, 17. Rob Shultz, 18. Troy Bollinger, 19. Lou Strohl, 20. Shawn Sitarchyk
Did not qualify: Keith Mullineaux, DJ Wagner, Austin Kochenash, Matt Higgins, Brent Wentz
Late Model Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1. Kenny Hein, 2. Dave Wallace, 3. Frankie Althouse, 4. Mike Sweeney, 5. Earl Paules, 6. George Ramos, 7. Zane Zeiner, 8. Paul Koehler, Jr., 9. Glenn Slocum, 10, Mark Simon, 11. Rick Wallace, 12. Geno Steigerwalt
Street Stock Feature Finish, (From 7/7) 25 Laps: 1. Randy Ahner, Jr., 2. Joe Steigerwalt, 3. Zach Graver, 4. TJ Gursky, 5. Kevin Smith, 6. Jillian Long, 7. Todd Ahner, 8. Joe Roberts, 9. Jason Frey, 10. Gene Bowers, 11. Josh Mooney, 12. Lonnie Behler, 13. Jason Kuhn, 14. Kyle Strohl, 15. BJ Wambold, 16. Jonathan Tracey, 17. Rich Moser, 18. Jason Beers
Did not start: Howie Conk, Guy Ackerman, Chris Parry
Street Stock Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1. Beers, 2. Kuhn, 3. Mooney, 4. Steigerwalt, 5. Frey, 6. Chip Wanamaker, 7. Wambold, 8. Todd Ahner, 9. Randy Ahner, Jr., 10. Gursky, 11. Zach Graver, 12. Joe Stamm, 13. Strohl, 14. Smith, 15. Roberts, 16. Lonnie Behler, 17. Willie Knappenberger, 18. Mike Bugarewicz, 19. Josh Oswald, 20. Jillian Long. Did not qualify: Matt May, Greg Long, Bowers, Chris May, Ethan Rutherford, Stanley Green, Moser
Dirt Modified Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Mike Stofflet, 2. Mark Levy, 3. Kris Graver, 4. Ken Eckart, Jr., 5. Randy Thomas,6. Ricky Yetter, 7. Frank Parastino, 8. Bill Sittler, Jr., 9. Joe Stangle DQ: Dave Thomas
4-Cylinder Stock Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Barry Christman, Jr., 2. Jeremy Miller, 3. Doug Knauss, 4. Tyler Haydt, 5. Dan Freundt, 6. Kyle Strohl, 7. Jake Oswald, 8. Bobby Kibler, Jr., 9. Robert Miller, 10. Justin Martison, 11. Nick Baer DQ: Jake Kibler
MSRS Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Bob Wagner, 2. Roger Snyder, 3. Robert McGuire, 4. Alex Greenzweig, 5, Mario Oberto, 6. Wayne Krenn, 7. John Rakos, 8. Taylor Santee, 9. Bill Darling, 10. Walt Mueller, 11. Mickey McGuire, 12. Josh Heiser, 13. Tyler Wagner, 14. Mike Duffy Did not start: Stacy Santee
MSRL, Feature Finish, 12 Laps: 1. Wagner, 2. Kevin Boyko, 3. Dalton Rivera, 4. Noel Scheffre, 5. Jeff Weinacker, 6. Mike Mee, 7. Nick Cattone, 8. Carl Weinacker
Dino Oberto
Haydt is running a limited schedule this year so when he does compete it’s all or nothing and he showed that with his all out drive.
“It feels really good because we had been close a lot of times. We had been trying a whole bunch of new stuff because we aren’t running every week this year and it just feels so good to get another win here,” said Haydt.
Starting outside of row one, Haydt got a great jump on pole sitter Troy Bollinger for the opening lap lead. He then had Matt Wentz tucked in behind him and afterwards it would be a race long battle between them.
Haydt was hitting all the marks perfectly as he circled the demanding quarter mile oval with swift accuracy. Wentz similarly was keeping concentrated in Haydt’s tire tracks. Nevin George, Tommy Flanagan and Earl Paules were also in line.
As the race was progressing and lap 12 had just gone in to the books, Haydt led the pack into turn three and suddenly got tripped up from a nudge on his rear bumper. That caused him to slide ever so slightly and afforded the opportunity for Wentz to go by for the lead.
Haydt did a superb job of keeping his mount aimed in the forward direction and only lost the front spot. The caution had then come as a few cars had checked up and Todd Geist wound up spinning.
“I don’t know what happened. The car turned sideways and somehow I saved it,” said Haydt.
On the restart Haydt would not settle for anything less than the lead and he zoomed by Wentz to retake the top spot.
Although Wentz kept right on him, including a last lap, last turn dive to the inside for a run at the leader, Haydt was not going to let him or anyone else deny him victory.
It was also the first visit to Victory Lane since the passing of his former car owner and close friend Bill Teel on June 13.
“It was so cool for me to get to drive for him (Teel). With him passing away I want to dedicate this win to him. We’ll never forget Bill Teel here at Mahoning Valley,” said Haydt.
“It’s also awesome to win on Checkered Flag Fan Club Night. This is the second straight year for us to do that.”
Wentz’s solid drive was his best finish of the year.
“It was a good night and after he (Haydt) got the lead back I just had to follow him and we just ran out of laps. There was a little bump and running but we’ll try and get it next time,” said Wentz, who came within a half car length of winning.
George, Haydt and Paules copped heat wins with Don Wagner annexing the consolation.
Kenny Hein returned to Late Model racing at Mahoning last year after an 18-year hiatus. He ran just a partial season. This year the 55-year old, who hails from New Tripoli, has been a weekly regular and slow but sure had been getting back into the swing. There have been some good runs, enough to have him nestled in the top four in points.
And on Saturday, Hein’s return to racing came to rousing achievement as he won the first feature in 23 years. Hein started pole and proceeded to lead every lap in the non-stop 25 lapper. The last time he won a race was July 1, 1989.
“It feels really good after 20 some years since last winning one,” said Hein. “These guys are running tough and everyone is so competitive.
“We had a lot of help to get to this point. Eric Beers, Rich Reichenbach, Geno Steigerwalt and so many others I have to say thanks to. The car was set up very good. We’re not the fastest car out there but it’s competitive and it showed tonight.”
Dave Wallace was a close second and continues to get closer to his first win of the year. Third went to Frankie Althouse followed by Mike Sweeney and Paules. Hein and Sweeney were heat winners.
The Street Stocks ran a pair of features with two-time champ Randy Ahner, Jr., of Jim Thorpe and Northmapton’s Jason Beers taking the wins.
Ahner’s win came in the make-up race from July 7. He started 13th and was racing towards the lead by lap 15, running behind front man Rich Moser and runner-up Joe Steigerwalt. Ahner got past Steigerwalt on lap 17 and zeroed in on Moser. Under close quarters Ahner powered his way around Moser and then led the rest of the way for his second win of the year.
In the regular feature Beers started from the pole and then had the top two point men, Jason Kuhn and Josh Mooney, giving him all they could throw at him.
Beers is backing racing fulltime in nearly a decade and never showed any signs of rust as he was able. He did a fine piece of driving as he turned away the persistence of Kuhn and Mooney as well as a remaining strong after several restarts. His win came nearly 12 years to the day since his last one that was on July 5, 2000.
Beers swept the night by winning his heat. Jason Frey and Todd Ahner also scored prelims. Ahner, Jr., was the consi winner.
Mike Stofflet of Mertztown picked up his third Dirt Mod win of the season. He inherited the lead after Randy Thomas was knocked out of the front spot after by Ricky Yetter. Stofflet then held back the strong efforts of Mark Levy en route to victory.
Thomas and point leader Kris Graver notched heat wins.
Barry Christman, Jr., of Northampton recorded his second straight 4-Cylinder Stock feature. Christman did something rarely seen this season. He passed point leader and top class winner Jeremy Miller for the lead. The winning move came with four laps to go.
For the sixth time Dan Freundt of Lehighton was the benefactor of being the first front wheel drive car across the line and got him a $50 bonus.
Christman and Jake Oswald split heat victories.
The Micro Stock Racing Series and Micro Stock Racing League cars were on hand for Bobby Wagner of Rockaway, NJ it was a night to relish as he won both features.
Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. Tyler Haydt, 2. Matt Wentz, 3. Nevin George, 4. Tommy Flanagan, 5. Earl Paules, 6. Kevin Rex, Jr., 7. Matt Hirschman, 8. Brian DeFebo, 9. John Bennett, 10. Roger Coss, 11. Rick Reichenbach, 12. Bobby Jones, 13. Don Wagner, 14. Scott Meckes, 15. Eric Kocher, 16. Todd Geist, 17. Rob Shultz, 18. Troy Bollinger, 19. Lou Strohl, 20. Shawn Sitarchyk
Did not qualify: Keith Mullineaux, DJ Wagner, Austin Kochenash, Matt Higgins, Brent Wentz
Late Model Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1. Kenny Hein, 2. Dave Wallace, 3. Frankie Althouse, 4. Mike Sweeney, 5. Earl Paules, 6. George Ramos, 7. Zane Zeiner, 8. Paul Koehler, Jr., 9. Glenn Slocum, 10, Mark Simon, 11. Rick Wallace, 12. Geno Steigerwalt
Street Stock Feature Finish, (From 7/7) 25 Laps: 1. Randy Ahner, Jr., 2. Joe Steigerwalt, 3. Zach Graver, 4. TJ Gursky, 5. Kevin Smith, 6. Jillian Long, 7. Todd Ahner, 8. Joe Roberts, 9. Jason Frey, 10. Gene Bowers, 11. Josh Mooney, 12. Lonnie Behler, 13. Jason Kuhn, 14. Kyle Strohl, 15. BJ Wambold, 16. Jonathan Tracey, 17. Rich Moser, 18. Jason Beers
Did not start: Howie Conk, Guy Ackerman, Chris Parry
Street Stock Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1. Beers, 2. Kuhn, 3. Mooney, 4. Steigerwalt, 5. Frey, 6. Chip Wanamaker, 7. Wambold, 8. Todd Ahner, 9. Randy Ahner, Jr., 10. Gursky, 11. Zach Graver, 12. Joe Stamm, 13. Strohl, 14. Smith, 15. Roberts, 16. Lonnie Behler, 17. Willie Knappenberger, 18. Mike Bugarewicz, 19. Josh Oswald, 20. Jillian Long. Did not qualify: Matt May, Greg Long, Bowers, Chris May, Ethan Rutherford, Stanley Green, Moser
Dirt Modified Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Mike Stofflet, 2. Mark Levy, 3. Kris Graver, 4. Ken Eckart, Jr., 5. Randy Thomas,6. Ricky Yetter, 7. Frank Parastino, 8. Bill Sittler, Jr., 9. Joe Stangle DQ: Dave Thomas
4-Cylinder Stock Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Barry Christman, Jr., 2. Jeremy Miller, 3. Doug Knauss, 4. Tyler Haydt, 5. Dan Freundt, 6. Kyle Strohl, 7. Jake Oswald, 8. Bobby Kibler, Jr., 9. Robert Miller, 10. Justin Martison, 11. Nick Baer DQ: Jake Kibler
MSRS Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Bob Wagner, 2. Roger Snyder, 3. Robert McGuire, 4. Alex Greenzweig, 5, Mario Oberto, 6. Wayne Krenn, 7. John Rakos, 8. Taylor Santee, 9. Bill Darling, 10. Walt Mueller, 11. Mickey McGuire, 12. Josh Heiser, 13. Tyler Wagner, 14. Mike Duffy Did not start: Stacy Santee
MSRL, Feature Finish, 12 Laps: 1. Wagner, 2. Kevin Boyko, 3. Dalton Rivera, 4. Noel Scheffre, 5. Jeff Weinacker, 6. Mike Mee, 7. Nick Cattone, 8. Carl Weinacker
Dino Oberto