Mid-Atlantic Modified Report Week 14

COALCRACKER @ BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

9/06/20 – The 72 lap Coalcracker feature was led to green by Big Diamond’s own Shawn Fitzpatrick & New Yorker Tyler Dipple.  But on lap 2 it was the 14W of Ryan Watt moving into the lead from his 3^rd starting position.  For 50 laps Tyler Dipple gave pursuit of Watt from the 2^nd position only to withdraw to the pits on lap 56 with apparent suspension breakage.  Mike Gular moved past Von Dohren into second on lap 62 but by that time Watt was nearly ¾ of a straightway in front of the field and drove into victory lane for his biggest payday of his racing career.

The top ten was rounded out by Mike Gular, Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Matt Shepard, Matt Stangle, Dillon Steuer, Billy Decker, Craig Whitmoyer and Alex Yankowski.

The 6 heat race winners were Anthony Perrego, Andy Bachetti, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Matt Shepard, Craig Von Dohren and Ryan Watt.

The 3 consolation winners were Dillion Steuer, Frank Cozze and Lance Willix.

Big Diamond Modified Coalcracker 72 Results – 9/06/20

1. RYAN WATT, 2. Mike Gular, 3. Craig Von Dohren, 4. Duane Howard, 5. Matt Sheppard, 6. Matt Stangle, 7. Dillon Steuer, 8. Billy Decker, 9. Craig Whitmoyer, 10. Alex Yankowski, 11. Anthony Perrego, 12. Lance Willix II, 13. Frank Cozze, 14. Jeff Strunk, 15. Frank Yankowski, 16. Tyler Dippel, 17. Brett Kressley, 18. Scott Albert, 19. Cory Merkel, 20. Louden Reimert, 21. Kris Graver, 22. Kevin Graver Jr, 23. Andy Bachetti, 24. Doug Hendricks, 25 Shawn Fitzpatrick, 26. Billy Pauch Jr, and 27. Rick Laubach.

Did Not Qualify – Max McLaughlin, Jack Lehner, Briggs Danner, Larry Wight, Doug Manmiller, Billy Osmun, Bobby Trapper Jr, Jim Bobbitt, Andy Burkhart, Richie Pratt Jr, Mike Lisowski, Kyle Weiss, Corey Cormier, Ray Swinehart, Nate Brinker, Gary Hager, Bobby Trapper Sr, Neal Williams, Danny Creeden, Cale Ross, Shawn Light, Jordan Henn, Dan Hineline, and Rob Woleshok.

Disqualified – Jared Umbenhauer

Coalcracker Modified Pit Notes

Matt Stangle’s luck has finally turned.  Stangle ran a strong second in his heat race and redrew 8^th starting position in the feature.   Stangle was able to run the entire 72 laps without any issues and secured a solid 6^th place finish.  In the past 5 or 6 races Stangle has fallen out of the top 10 due to mechanical issues or flats.  Stangle has been on strong runs every time out just falling to gremlins in the past 2 weeks.  Matt Stangle is a car to watch as we go into the fall special event season.

Dillon Steuer migrated to PA racing about a month ago when the NY governor shut down his home track of OCFG.  Steuer has been impressive on both Friday and Saturday night at his two new tracks Big Diamond and Grandview.  On the big stage of the Coalcracker Steuer posted his best Big Diamond outing with a 7^th place finish from a 19^th starting position on grid.  In addition Dillon also posted a 2^nd place finish at Grandview on the night before.  Dillon Steuer appears to be another young driver primed and ready to take on the veterans as we go into fall special event season.

Craig Whitmoyer grabbed a top ten with a 9^th place finish on the big stage of the Coalcracker.  Whitmoyer also had a 5^th place finish on Saturday night at Grandview which was his best finish of the season.  It also happened after Whitmoyer hit the outside wall hard in hot laps which his crew repair with plenty of time to spare before his heat race was even called.  Whitmoyer was in the same car at the Coalcracker that he was running on Saturday night at Grandview.  Rather than switch cars they just do maintenance in the morning in between races on the one car and they are getting quality results with this routine.

Alex Yankowski broke on the last lap of his heat race while leading and fell from 1^st to 9th  sending him to the consolation.  The consolation appeared to be a daunting task starting from 10^th with only 2 cars qualifying for the feature.  Yankowski got in the field with a 2^nd place finish taking the last available qualifying position from his 10^th starting position.  In the feature; Alex to move forward with the 84Y entry and finished 10^th from a 23^rd starting position.  Never say never for the 16 year old 84Y driver.

BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK

9/05/20 – Matt Stangle and Willie Osmun led the field to green with Stangle extending his lead over Ryan Godown for the first 10 laps.  Godown started to move in on Stangle at lap 11 but Richie Pratt Jr was also moving in on Godown and by lap 18 Pratt took over second.  After 20 straight green flag laps the first caution of the night flew on lap 20 re-racking the field.  On the restart Pauch emerged with the lead after 3 wide battle with Stangle and Pratt Jr. down the front stretch.  One more yellow came out on lap 25 for Roger Manning making contact with a yuke tire. While under yellow Stangle’s night came to an end when something in the front end broke.  Pauch took charge on the second restart and extended his lead every lap and drove right into victory lane for his 3^rd point race victory of the season.

The top ten was rounded out by Richie Pratt Jr. in 2^nd, followed by Alex Yankowski, Briggs Danner, Ryan Godown, Joseph Watson, Neal Williams, Clay Butler, Jim Britt and Willie Osmun.

Bridgeport Modified Pit Notes

Matt Stangle had another strong run leading the race go away after front suspension issues ended his night with 5 laps to go.  Stangle finished 6^th the previous week but this week is back to having top 5 runs end with mechanical issues before the checkered flag.  This week makes 6 outings were Stangle has fallen out of the race while running in the top 10 or higher.

Neal Williams is rolling with the sevens.  Third week in a row with a 7^th place finish.

Alex Yankowski had another good outing in his brand new big block modified.  Yankowski was able bring home a 3^rd place finish and a top 5 for the third week in a row.

Briggs Danner’s 4^th place finish from 10^th starting position was his best modified finish of the season.  Like many of the modified drivers Brigg’s is pulling Speedster double duty and also won his first Speedster title of the season against some of the best in the business.

24 modifieds were on the grounds and 21 were able to take the green for the feature.

It was a welcome sight to see the 414 of Don and Roger Manning return to competition for the first time this season.  The 414 is still shaking down their big block and getting acclamated to the new track but expectations are that they will be battling for a top 5 in the near future.

Troy Ale made his return to racing with a 16^th place finish.

Mike Franz jumped in the Bobby Firth 737 entry for one night and had a decent run from 23^rd starting position to a 14^th place finish.

Billy Pauch Sr continues to be relatively untouchable no matter where he starts in the field.  Pauch has three wins and two thirds so far this season.

Next event for Bridgeport is the crowning of the 2020 point champions with modifieds and a full weekly racing program on Saturday September 12th with racing starting at 7:00.

Current Bridgeport Modified point standings are:

1. Billy Pauch Sr.                    284
2. Richie Pratt                         256
3. Alex Yankowski                 246
4. Ryan Godown                   238
5. Tommy Beamer                208

NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY

9/05/20 – Kory Fleming and JR Fulper led the field to green.  Fleming led the first 3 laps with JR Fulper taking the lead and command of the race on lap 4.  Hardcharging Dakota Kessler had moved into 2^nd from a 6^th place start but hard contact with a lapped car ended his night on lap 12 for the only caution of the night.  Fulper maintained a solid lead over Frank Cozzo and David Van Horn through lapped traffic and drove into victory lane for his first career win.

In victory lane an overwhelmed Fulper stated “I can’t believe we beat those guys.”   

The top 10 was rounded out with David Van Horn, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch Jr., Davey Sammons, Cale Ross, Kory Fleming, Mike Butler, Danny Bouc and Brandon Grosso.

New Egypt Modified Pit Notes

Billy Pauch Jr returned after an illness last week sidelined him for one week.  Pauch Jr is right back to it with a solid 4^th place finish from a 15^th place starting position.

Ryan Krachun debuted a new Bicknell and moved from 14^th to 9^th but a bent rocker arm sent Krachun to the pits with a DNF for the night.  Krachun is looking forward to getting back in his new Bicknell for the points finale next week.

26 drivers were on the premises with 26 drivers making the call for the feature.

Danny Bouc is the current point leader over Mike Butler by 18 points followed by David Van Horn and Ryan Krachun.  

The modified point champion will be crown on Saturday September 12 along with a full program of racing starting at 6:00 PM.

GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

9/05/20 – The 30 lap modified feature was led to green by Ray Swinehart and Mike Lisowski.  By lap 1 it was two generations of Swineharts in front with Ray leading Dylan for the first 4 laps.  Lap 4 had a red flag for Doug Manmiller’s barrel roll down the front stretch and ensuing multi car pile in which ended the night for Manmiller, Kressley, Hitzler and Waisempacher.  On the restart Ray Swinehart stayed in the lead with Kyle Weiss continuing to move forward into 2^nd place with Kevin Hirthler and Dillion Steuer tagging right along.  Kyle Weiss dropped out of the top 3 due to a flat tire and Swinehart also lost the lead on lap 18 by clipping a yuke tire and bringing out the 3^rd caution flag.  On the 3^rd restart of the feature; Kevin Hirthler took the lead with Dillion Steuer moving into 2^nd place.   Kevin Hirthler was able to hold off a hard charging Steuer, Strunk and Von Dohren for his 3^rd trip to victory lane this season.

The top ten was rounded out by Dillon Steuer, Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Craig Whitmoyer, Mike Gular, Justin Grim, Jared Umbenhauer, Ryan Grim and Duane Howard.

Grandview Pit Notes

Kevin Hirthler won his 3^rd feature of the season with 3 different cars – primary car, backup car and 2012 double backup car.  Despite damaging some motors and frames this year Hirthler is tied with Brett Kressley with 3 wins at Grandview this season.  In addition both Hirthler & Kressley were disqualified for contact after the checkered flag with one another.  The season has been up one week then down the next for Hirthler with mechanical issues, wrecks, DNQ’s and DQ’s but along with the 3 wins Hirthler still stands 11^th in the point standings.

Dillon Steuer is an 18 year old who has been on the move this season.  Dillon won his first big block feature at OCFG in July.  Orange County Fair Grounds closed their track in August and ceased racing due to NY State Covid-19 requirements imposed by the governor.  So one race track closes another opens and Steuer found himself in a new spec 358 small block driving for the 17Z Zubi Racing team at a new track for him – Grandview Speedway.  Steuer has been racing at Grandview for 5 short weeks and has qualified for all 5 events and has 3 top 10 finishes.

This week Steuer started 8^th and after getting passed by Jeff Strunk and Craig Von Dohren he was able to pass them both back and post a 2^nd place finish in brand new car at a brand new track.  Back at the trailer Steuer commented “It definitely felt good to get back around Jeff for second.  Strunk is one of the best to ever do this and its really cool racing side by side with one of the guys I look up to in dirt racing.”    

Craig Whitmoyer had the steering break during hot laps and took a hard hit to the outer wall near the pit entrance.  The 99 crew had the car repaired and ready to go back out onto the track before the “Hard Charger Challenge” even hit the track.  Whitmoyer qualified 4^th in his heat which secured him the 6^th starting spot in the feature which he used to get his best finish of the season – 5^th place.  Matter of fact the same 99 car was being serviced later tonight and prepared for a trip to Big Diamond for the Coalcracker on Sunday.

Modified Point standings: 1.) Craig Von Dohren – 2,886, 2.) Duane Howard – 2708, 3.) Doug Manmiller – 2564, 4.) Jared Umbenhauer -2451, 5.) Jeff Strunk – 2450

Racing action continues at Grandview Speedway on Saturday September 12 with modifieds & sportsman racing starting at 7:30.  The 2020 track champions will be crowned at the conclusion of the night’s racing.

PENN CAN SPEEDWAY

9/05/20 – The 27 car field was led to green by Mike Walsh and Jimmy Zacharias but a pile-up of 6 cars before lap 1 resulted in a no start.  So Walsh and Zacharias led the field to green a second time and this time Zacharias took the lead before another 4 car wreck brought the red flag out.  On the ensuing restart Zacharias took the lead with Alan Rudalavage moving into second.   Rudalavage passed Zacharias for the lead on lap 15 but lapped traffic gave Zacharias the opportunity to reclaim the lead on lap 25 and drive his 71 entry into victory lane for his first win of the night.

The top ten was rounded out by Alan Rudalavage, Joey Grammes, Richard Smith, Brian Malcolm, Brett Tonkin, Danny Creeden, Leo McGurrin, Butch Getz and Kevin Hartnett.

Penn Can Pit Notes

Jimmy Zacharias become only the second driver in the 65 year history of Penn Can to win both the modified and sportsman feature in one night.  38 cars were on the grounds for the modified racing while a stout 29 sportsman were in attendance.  Zacharias joins Grant Hilfinger as one of the only two drivers to ever win a Penn Can modified and sportsman feature in the same night.

38 modifieds were in attendance with hopes of making the 27 car field.

Penn Can’s next event is Champions Night with modifieds and a full regular program of racing on Friday September 11^th starting at 7:15.

Current Penn Can Modified point standings are:

1. Brett Tonkin       1360
2. Brian Malcolm   1236
3. Nick Petrilak       1191
4. Mike Loney         1179
5. Butch Getz          1112

DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

9/05/20 – Jordan Watson and Ryan Watt lead the field to green and they stayed in front of the field for the entire 25 lap feature.  Watt led the first two laps but the hometown Watson got around Watt on lap 3.  Watson was able to hold Watt and take a 1 second advantage at the checkered flag into victory lane for his third win of the season.

The top ten was rounded out by Ryan Watt, HJ Bunting, Howard O’Neal, Ryan Riddle, Carson Wright, Clay Tatman, Jordan Justice, Austin Hubbard and Matt Smith.

21 modifieds were on the premises and 19 took the feature green.

Ricky Elliot was in attendance in the 12K but motor issues set him to the pits early for a DNF.

Scott Hitchens also debut at the helm of the 32H and also had mechanical issues give him an early DNF.

Next up at Delaware International Speedway are the Mid-Atlantic Sprints, modifieds and a full program of racing on Saturday night September 19 starting at 7:00 PM.  Point champions will be crowned at the conclusion of racing.

Current DIS Modified Point Standings are:

1. Jordan Watson      790
2. HJ Bunting               660
3. JoJo Watson           520
4. Carson Wright        507
5. Brandon Watkins  505

GEORGETOWN SPEEDAY

8/29/20 – No scheduled racing event.

Current Georgetown Modified point standings are:

1. Billy Pauch Jr.     261
2. Ryan Watt           236
3. Danny Bouc        210
4. Jordan Watson  188
5. HJ Bunting           170

Georgetown’s next scheduled event is Friday September 11^th featuring the URC Sprint cars, modifieds and a full card with racing at 7:30.

BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

Big Diamond’s next event is TBD as dates are being dated into October – stay tuned.

Current Big Diamond Modified point standings are:

1. Mike Gular                          1606
2. Craig Von Dohren            1552
3. Jeff Strunk                          1530
4. Alex Yankowski                 1313
5. Rick Laubach                      1240