RGeeProductions
01-26-2014, 12:10 PM
Beers, Paules, Wanamaker, Parker, Strohl and Edelman Lauded as Mahoning Valley Speedway Champions
Mahoning Valley Speedway divisional champions and top point finishers along with over 300 guests gathered at the Northampton Community Center in Northampton in celebration of the 2013 season at the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton.
Champions in all six track classes as well as the Mahoning Modified Madness Series took top honors which include Eric Beers in the Modified and Modified Madness Series, Earl Paules Jr., in Late Models, Chip Wanamaker in Street Stocks, Jeff Parker, Dirt Mods, Kyle Strohl in Pro4 and Corey Edelman in Hobby Stocks.
For Beers, it was his second career Mahoning class title but amazing it came 21 years since he last ran as a weekly regular. By making a return to his roots, Beers set sail with a record setting season that saw him win eighth features and 10 heats, most ever in one year and he took control of the number one ranking as the all-time wins leader in Modified wins at 36. 22 of his 25 starts were in the top five and he also led a class high 304 main event laps.
Like Beers, Paules too had a year for the record books. His 11 feature victories and 13 heat wins are most ever in a single season with the class. This was his second straight title and in just two years he has amassed 21 wins. He failed only twice to not finish a race in the top five.
Chip Wanamaker’s Street Stock championship was a hard fought one as a record 20 different drivers won at least one feature making 2013 arguably the most competitive year in track history. Wanamaker notched two wins and perhaps at the most curtail time with both coming within the last month of the season that aided him with the necessary points to help secure the crown over two-time and outgoing champ TJ Gursky by a mere two points. Wanamaker is the winningest Street Stock driver on the eastern Pennsylvania short track pavement circuit with 34 career wins.
For Jeff Parker, his Dirt Modified title was one that was decided by a tiebreaker after he and Ricky Yetter finished the year dead even in points. Thanks to his five feature wins over Yetter’s three, Parker was declared the champ, his career first.
The fight for the Pro 4 division championship was a hard fought duel between two up and coming young lions and when all was said and done it was 14 year old Kyle Strohl edging out 15-year old Nick Baer for the top honors. Strohl had a great year as he won a division high 11 features, had nine heat wins and led in 15 different races while only once not finishing in the top five.
2013 was the introduction of the Hobby Stock class and two drivers dominated the year with former Micro Sprint racer Corey Edelman emerging as the champ after a hard fought year against Jeff Biegley. Both drivers equaled in the wins category with nine but Edelman had just slightly enough of a better finishing average to eke his way to the title.
After accepting his champion’s hardware Edelman then walked over to his girlfriend, Rachel Brown, knelt on one knee and proposed to her…she said yes!
The Most Improved Driver Awards went to Roger Coss, Frankie Althouse, Lonnie Behler, Yetter and Strohl in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods and Pro 4s respectively.
Kris Graver – Modified, Kevin Graver Jr. – Late Model, Aaron Kromer – Street Stock, JP Curry – Dirt Mod and Danielle Paules – Pro 4 were named Rookie of the Year respectively.
The Best Appearing Car Award which was presented by track photographer Jim Young and Don Biegley of S & D Bodyline went to Coss and his No. 17 Modified, Mike Sweeney for his No. D11 Late Model, Justin Mooney and the No 12 Street stock, Parker’s No. 58 Dirt Mod, the Pro 4 No. 18K of Bobby Kibler Jr. and in the Hobby Stocks it was the No. 81 of Jeff Biegley.
The Checkered Flag Fan Club Service Appreciation Award was rightfully given to Josh Sebelin. His countless hours of hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated. Making the presentation was CFFC Vice President and Mahoning Valley chief start Bob Stull.
The focus now turns to the start of the 2014 season with Opening Night slated for Saturday, April 12 at 6:00 pm. Headlining the evening will be a 100 lap, $4000 to win feature for the Modifieds along with a 50 lapper, $1200 run for the Late Models plus $1000 top prizes for the Dirt Mods and Street Stock. Regular features for the Pro 4 and Hobby Stocks will also take place.
Prior to the opener the track will hold pre-season Test and Tune days on March 22, 29 and April 5, 6.
Dino Oberto
Mahoning Valley Speedway divisional champions and top point finishers along with over 300 guests gathered at the Northampton Community Center in Northampton in celebration of the 2013 season at the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton.
Champions in all six track classes as well as the Mahoning Modified Madness Series took top honors which include Eric Beers in the Modified and Modified Madness Series, Earl Paules Jr., in Late Models, Chip Wanamaker in Street Stocks, Jeff Parker, Dirt Mods, Kyle Strohl in Pro4 and Corey Edelman in Hobby Stocks.
For Beers, it was his second career Mahoning class title but amazing it came 21 years since he last ran as a weekly regular. By making a return to his roots, Beers set sail with a record setting season that saw him win eighth features and 10 heats, most ever in one year and he took control of the number one ranking as the all-time wins leader in Modified wins at 36. 22 of his 25 starts were in the top five and he also led a class high 304 main event laps.
Like Beers, Paules too had a year for the record books. His 11 feature victories and 13 heat wins are most ever in a single season with the class. This was his second straight title and in just two years he has amassed 21 wins. He failed only twice to not finish a race in the top five.
Chip Wanamaker’s Street Stock championship was a hard fought one as a record 20 different drivers won at least one feature making 2013 arguably the most competitive year in track history. Wanamaker notched two wins and perhaps at the most curtail time with both coming within the last month of the season that aided him with the necessary points to help secure the crown over two-time and outgoing champ TJ Gursky by a mere two points. Wanamaker is the winningest Street Stock driver on the eastern Pennsylvania short track pavement circuit with 34 career wins.
For Jeff Parker, his Dirt Modified title was one that was decided by a tiebreaker after he and Ricky Yetter finished the year dead even in points. Thanks to his five feature wins over Yetter’s three, Parker was declared the champ, his career first.
The fight for the Pro 4 division championship was a hard fought duel between two up and coming young lions and when all was said and done it was 14 year old Kyle Strohl edging out 15-year old Nick Baer for the top honors. Strohl had a great year as he won a division high 11 features, had nine heat wins and led in 15 different races while only once not finishing in the top five.
2013 was the introduction of the Hobby Stock class and two drivers dominated the year with former Micro Sprint racer Corey Edelman emerging as the champ after a hard fought year against Jeff Biegley. Both drivers equaled in the wins category with nine but Edelman had just slightly enough of a better finishing average to eke his way to the title.
After accepting his champion’s hardware Edelman then walked over to his girlfriend, Rachel Brown, knelt on one knee and proposed to her…she said yes!
The Most Improved Driver Awards went to Roger Coss, Frankie Althouse, Lonnie Behler, Yetter and Strohl in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods and Pro 4s respectively.
Kris Graver – Modified, Kevin Graver Jr. – Late Model, Aaron Kromer – Street Stock, JP Curry – Dirt Mod and Danielle Paules – Pro 4 were named Rookie of the Year respectively.
The Best Appearing Car Award which was presented by track photographer Jim Young and Don Biegley of S & D Bodyline went to Coss and his No. 17 Modified, Mike Sweeney for his No. D11 Late Model, Justin Mooney and the No 12 Street stock, Parker’s No. 58 Dirt Mod, the Pro 4 No. 18K of Bobby Kibler Jr. and in the Hobby Stocks it was the No. 81 of Jeff Biegley.
The Checkered Flag Fan Club Service Appreciation Award was rightfully given to Josh Sebelin. His countless hours of hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated. Making the presentation was CFFC Vice President and Mahoning Valley chief start Bob Stull.
The focus now turns to the start of the 2014 season with Opening Night slated for Saturday, April 12 at 6:00 pm. Headlining the evening will be a 100 lap, $4000 to win feature for the Modifieds along with a 50 lapper, $1200 run for the Late Models plus $1000 top prizes for the Dirt Mods and Street Stock. Regular features for the Pro 4 and Hobby Stocks will also take place.
Prior to the opener the track will hold pre-season Test and Tune days on March 22, 29 and April 5, 6.
Dino Oberto