Conneaut, OH, (June 18, 2013): After three weeks of rainouts due to soaking rains and wet grounds Raceway 7 is hoping for a sunny Friday this week to resume the 2013 racing season. The FASTRAK Late Models will make their first of three scheduled events this season. Defending Raceway 7 champion Max Blair also is the defending National FASTRAK Champion but currently trails in the 2013 points, all the way back in sixteenth. West Virginia’s Kyle Thomas is the present Northeast Series leader fellow West Virginia driver Joel Prosser. Andrew Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA, currently holds third in the standings. The $1200 to win event will headline the racing action this week. The other highlight of the evening will be in the skies as a brilliant, giant display will light up during intermission.
The Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models had their first repeat winner May 31 in the person of young Chad Wright, who came from eighth on the starting grid to the lead by the halfway point. Wright won his heat each of the past two race nights as well and holds a 27-point edge in the standings as a result. The opening night winner, Dennis Lunger, the 2009 season champion, holds down second in the standings with 31-point edge over Jamie Brown, looking for his first-ever feature win but showing signs of improvement every week. This week will see the local start up against the touring group but points will be awarded toward the season championship.
Jamestown, NY’s Greg Johnson made his first visit of the season to Raceway 7 May 31 and made it a profitable one by getting his first-ever feature win at the track. Meadville, PA’s Mike Potosky, with no wins yet this season, leads the standings with 2009 track champion Percy McDonald currently riding second in the standings, only two points back. Lurking a mere fifteen points behind McDonald is 2013 champion Joel Watson.
With consistent top ten feature finishes and a pair of heat race wins, former Stock car competitor Russ Kapalin leads the McDonald’s Meats Economods points chase by 12 points over Jace Ferringer. Both drivers are looking for their first-ever Raceway 7 feature wins. Another 18-markers behind Ferringer is 14-year old Casey Bowers, who won his first of the year at Raceway 7 last week. Bowers, a Cranesville, PA native, was the 2012 Cavalcade of Racing Rookie of the year and collected one feature win last summer, the youngest driver to do so in the history of Raceway 7, at 13 years of age. Bowers, now fourteen and still the youngest driver in the class, holds a 2-point edge over Chuck Steinle Sr, the oldest driver in the class.
The Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stocks had a paucity of cars May 31, likely due to the bitter cold, but a more complete field is expected this week as the weather appears to be much better at this time with high temperatures forecasted to be more conducive to fans, as of this writing. Former class champion Ed Bolyard is the points leader, gaining his first win of the season three weeks ago. Bolyard has a 27-point lead over Chris Withers, last week’s feature winner. Third is former champion Rusty Wheeler. 36 points behind Withers. Wheeler’s best run of the season thus far was two weeks ago, a second.
2012 Specialty Products Mini Stock champion Bud Sergeff won opening night but has not had a great season since then, falling out of the last two week’s racing (slamming the wall May 31!) and falling to fifth in the standings. The leader at this point is Brad Cole, who won his first of the season last race, also winning his heat race. Cole leads Dylan Goodman (no wins…yet) by nine points while Goodman has the thinnest of margins, one point, over second week winner Jason Easler. Rookie contender Dale Fraschetti currently is fourth, nine points behind Easler.
Weather permitting, gates open every Friday at 5:30 PM with pill draw cut off at 7 PM and racing at 7:30 PM. VIP suites are available for rental for $250 a night which includes eight general admissions passes. Admission is set for $13 for adults for this special event, kids 7-14 are $5. Children 6 and under are free. Pit passes are $25. For more information please visit www.raceway7.com or call the track on race day after 12 noon at 440-594-2222. The remaining 2013 schedule is below.
Conneaut, OH, (June 14, 2013): For the third week in a row rain has forced Raceway 7 to cancel the scheduled racing. Join us next week when the FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series will be racing for $1200 to win with the evening capped off with a giant fireworks display.
Extreme wet weather has forced us to cancel. Next week we will have fireworks, and the Northeast Touring Series. See everyone next week if the weather permits!
Conneaut, OH, (June 7, 2013): Rain has again thwarted Raceway 7′s plans for this Friday. the immediate are of the raceway was soaked beyond any chance to prepare the track for tonight’s events so the painful decision was made to cancel. The fireworks display scheduled for this evening will be presented in two weeks, June 21.
The remaining 2013 schedule is below. Next up are the ground-pounding Super Late Models for their first appearance of 2013, racing for $1500 to win. With the fireworks display in two weeks will be the $1299 to win FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series.
14 Regular divisions $1500 to Win SUPER LATE MODELS!
21 Regular divisions, $1200 to win Northeast Touring Series – Giant Fireworks display!
28 Regular divisions, $800 to Win Econo-Mod race, AUTOGRAPH NIGHT!
JULY
5 Regular divisions, Regular divisions, $300 to Win Mini Stocks, FIREWORKS!
12 Regular divisions, $800 to Win E-Mods
19 Regular divisions, $1500 ti Win Super Late Models, FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT!
26 Regular divisions, $1200 to Win Northeast Touring Series
AUGUST
2 Regular divisions, Twin State Auto Club Night
9 Regular divisions, Chris Clinger Memorial Race for E-Mods
16 Regular divisions, $1500 to Win Super Late Models
23 Regular divisions, $1200 to Win Northeast Touring Series, FIREWORKS!
Conneaut, OH, (May 31, 2013): Just as racers and fans were arriving at Raceway 7 for the scheduled Bonnell Collision Center Presents the Patriot Sprint Tour the skies opened up with a storm strong enough to soak the grounds beyond the ability to repair the Raceway in a timely fashion. A this point there is no decision on when to re-schedule the event but officials of both Raceway 7 and the Patriot Sprint Tour will make an announcement as soon as possible.
Next Friday night, June 7 will be the Annual Kid’s Uniform Night and a giant Fireworks display at intermission. The remaining 2013 schedule is below.
Greg Johnson scores first-ever Raceway 7 win, Bowers, Withers, and Cole get first of 2013!
Bt Jay Pees
Conneaut, OH, May 24, 2013: The coldest race night in recent history greeted hardy fans entering Raceway 7 for the third night of the 2013 season. After three weeks only one driver has scored two feature wins and that is Springboro. PA’s Chad Wright, who took over the lead in the FASTRAK Late Model feature event at the halfway point. E-Mods saw a first-ever feature win when Jamestown, NY’s Greg Johnson started from the front row, lost the lead after only one lap but regained it at lap fourteen. The 2012 Cavalcade of Auto Racing 2012 Western PA Rookie of the Year, 14 year old Casey Bowers of Cranesville, PA, collected his first feature win of the season, leading flag to flag in his feature event. A slim field of only six cars raced in the Street Stock feature with Waterford, PA’s Chris Withers gaining is first win of the season. Brad Cole, Erie, PA, got his first win of the season in the Mini Stock finale.
Former champion Dennis Lunger sat on the pole for the Evergree Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models feature with Kyle Zimmerman outside. In turn two Zimmerman spun collecting Jamie Brown, Bill Cunningham, Matt Latta, and Bob Pifer. Latta and Zimmerman suffered enough damage to retire from the event. Pifer then retired after only one lap of green. Lunger and Chad Wright, the first two week’s winners led the field through nine laps when Khole Wanzer got sideways and stopped in turn one. At halfway Wright took over the lead and Bobby Rohrer came to second. With five to go Lunger was again second to Wright. Wright went on to his second consecutive win of the young season, becoming the first two-time winner of the year. Lunger was second with Rohrer third, Brown fourth, and Cunningham fifth.
A pair of Johnsons brought the Bonnell Collision Center E-Mods to the green flag, Jeff inside and Greg outside with Greg Johnson leading into turn one. John Schenker slammed the turn four wall brining caution over the raceway. For the restart it was Greg Johnson, Jeff Johnson, and Mike Potosky. Potosky wasted no time taking over the lead after green with Greg Johnson second and fighting back to the lead briefly on the back straight of lap six. Potosky was back to the lead by the completion of the lap and then started to pull away. At nine laps in, Bill Taylor came to a halt in turn one, again bringing caution over the event. On the first lap of green Jeff Johnson and Ken Zimmer came to a halt in turn two for yet another yellow. On the back straight of lap fourteen Johnson got back by Potosky for the lead but Taylor spun coming out of turn two, again slowing the race. When the field got to turn two, Percy McDonald looped his mount, collecting Dan McDonald and Steve Dixon with Dan McDonald suffering damage and retiring to the pit. Dixon was the only car that stopped so therefore was the only car charged with the caution. Johnson extended his lead over the remaining laps winning his first-ever feature at Raceway 7 over Percy McDonald, who got by Potosky on the final lap, Chuck Steinle Jr, and Gary Eicher fifth.
Casey Bowers, the 2012 Cavalcade of Racing Western PA Rookie of the Year at only 14-years old, led the McDonald Meats Economod feature with Dennis Dellinger outside. Bowers took the immediate lead and continued to lead after two brief yellows for minor spins. At five laps into the event Dellinger hit the wall in turn one slowing the event for the third time. Both number 17 cars, Dellinger and Kevin Sergeff, spun when the field got to turn one on the restart. At halfway Bowers had a five car-length lead over Jake Eucker but Eucker closed the gap then lost it again with five to go. With the white flag flying Jace Ferringer and Kyle Fellows got together and spin in turn three, slowing the event for the final time and erasing the substantial lead held by Bowers. Bowers was up to the task of leading the final lap for the win over Eucker, Chuck Steinle Sr, Russ Kaplan, and Jodi Woodworth Jr.
Shawn Fawcett and Rusty Wheeler started the Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stock feature from the front row with Wheeler, a former champion and all time win leader in the class, taking the immediate lead. Chris Withers quickly came to second with Ed Bolyard, last week’s winner, coming to third by four laps complete. As Wheeler took the white flag, Withers was right behind and nosed ahead on the final turn with Wheeler taking second, Bolyard third, Shawn Fawcett fourth, and Jonny Boyd rounding out the top five.
Alex Siekkinen and Mitch Stokes led the thirteen Specialty Products Mini Stocks to the green with Dylan Goodman leading the way but Stokes threw a wheel on lap one for a complete restart. Siekkinen led to turn four of lap one when Dale Fraschetti took over the lead. Dylan Goodman was second by lap three with Brad Cole third. One lap later Cole was second and closing the gap on Fraschetti. Cole came by on the high side of the track at the completion of lap seven. Hoyt Mihalac moved to third but was unable to close on Fraschetti. With two laps remaining the Cale Sousa mount caught fire headed down the front straight, coming to a halt in turn two. For the final two laps it was Cole leading for his second career win at Raceway 7 over Fraschetti, Mihalak, Goodman, and last week’s winner, Jason Easler.
Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models:
Heat 1: Kyle Zimmerman, Dennis Lunger, Breyton Santee, Jamie Brown, Jorden Peters, Billy Henry, Alex Anderson
Heat 2: Chad Wright, Jack Young, Bill Cunningham, Matt Latta, Bobby Rohrer, Michael Lake, Khole Wanzer, Paul Grigsby, Bob Pifer
Feature: Chad Wright, Dennis Lunger, Bobby Rohrer, Jamie Brown, Bill Cunningham, Jack Young, Alex Anderson, Khole Wanzer, Breyton Santee, Paul Grigsby, Michael Lake, Jorden Peters, Kyle Zimmerman, Matt Latta, Bob Pifer, Billy Henry (DNS)
Bonnell Collision Center E-Mods:
Heat 1: Greg Johnson, Steve Dixon, Dan McDonald, Percy McDonald, Bill Taylor, Brandon Porter, Chuck Steinle Jr, Jim Turley
Heat 2: Mike Kinney, Jeff Johnson, Ken Zimmer, Mike Potosky, John Schenker, Larry Kugel, Josh McDonald, Gary Eicher (DNS)
Feature: Greg Johnson, Percy McDonald, Mike Potosky, Chuck Steinle Jr, Gary Eicher, Bill Taylor, Larry Kugel, Jim Turley, Dan McDonald, Steve Dixon, Brandon Porter, Jeff Johnson, Ken Zimmer, Josh McDonald, Mike Kinney, John Schenker
Heat 2: Russ Kaplan, Dennis Dellinger, Jace Ferringer, Kevin Sergeff, Jodi Woodworth Jr, Bobby Wright
Feature:Casey Bowers, Jacob Eucker, Chuck Steinle Sr, Russ Kaplan, Jodi Woodworth Sr, Josh Ferry, Kyle Fellows, Bobby Wright, Jace Ferringer, Dennis Dellinger, Kevin Sergeff, Jodi Woodworth Jr
Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stocks:
Heat 1: Chris Withers, Rusty Wheeler, Ed Bolyard, Shawn Fawcett, Eric Reinwald, Jonny Boyd
Feature: Chris Withers, Rusty Wheeler, Ed Bolyard, Shawn Fawcett, Jonny Boyd, Eric Reinwald
Specialty Products Mini-Stocks:
Heat 1: Hoyt Mihalak, Dylan Goodman, Jason Easler, Mitch Stokes, Joe Plesniak, Cale Sousa, Logan Keney
Heat 2: Brad Cole, Bud Sergeff, Dale Fraschetti, Alex Siekkinen, Patrick Drennan, Alex Forbes
Feature: Brad Cole, Dale Fraschetti, Hoyt Mihalak, Dylan Goodman, Jason Easler, Alex Siekinen, Alex Forbes, Cale Sousa, Patrick Drennan, Bud Sergeff, Joe Plesniak, Mitch Stokes, Logan Keney
Conneaut, OH, May 17, 2013: The second week of racing at Raceway 7 saw new one lap records for two classes, a $500 to win special going to a former champion who’s career seems to be back on track, and a celebration of a wedding held in the morning! First, during the heats Chad Wright set the Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models at 18.765, and again lowered it during the feature to 18.702. Not to be outdone, during the McDonalds Meats Economods feature Ryan Fraley lowered the class record three times, finally setting it at 20.129 seconds on lap 13. Both Fraley and Wright went on to lead every lap of their respective features. Jason Easler won his first Raceway 7 feature in the Specialty Products Mini Stocks. Reigning Bonnell Collision Center E-Mod Champion Joel Watson took ten laps to get to the front of the line but once there, drove on to his first Raceway 7 triumph of the young season. The big news of the night was the Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stock Special with $500 going to the winner. Former class champion Ed Bolyard moved to the front of the line at the drop of the green and was never headed on his way to the high-dollar win.
During a brief intermission Dave and Sandy Airgood were honored in front of the fans on their wedding day, married on live TV in the morning, but competing at Raceway 7 prior to leaving for their honeymoon.
The first feature of the evening was for the McDonald Meats Economods with Ryan Fraley grabbing the lead from his pole position but only one lap was competed due to a spin in turn one by Steve Burns. By five laps into the event Fraley had a half straight advantage over the battle for second between Jace Ferringer and Ty Rhoades. On lap eight Rhoades suddenly slowed on the back stretch. Steve Burns hopped his right rear wheel trying to get by, spinning out in the process and wiping out Fraley’s lead. During the green run Fraley set a new lap record for the division with a lap of 20.292 seconds. Fraley re-established his lead but there were only two more laps in when week one’s winner Brian Hathaway slapped the turn one wall. Two more yellows slowed the race before checkers fell, the second for a hard hit on the front straight wall by Russ Kaplan with two laps to go. On the final restart Fraley again took off to the lead and went on to the win over Ferringer, Chcuck Steinle Sr, Kyle Fellows, and Kevin Sergeff. In the process Fraley lowered the track record for the class an astounding three times!
Ryan Fraley with his first-ever Raceway 7 feature win in the McDonald’s Meats Economod feature.
Mike Potosky and former champion Percy McDonald led the eighteen Bonnell’s Collision Center E-Mod feature with Potosky leading McDonald at the drop of the green. At the completion of three laps McDonald dropped to the infield and was out for the night. Mike McGee and Joel Watson fought for third with Jeff Johnson and Russ Dunn filling out the top five. Caution flew with seven complete when Gary Eicher looped his mount in turn two. At green, Watson quickly settled into second and drove by Potosky at the halfway point. Potosky stayed with the leader but was unable to make any serious challenge to regain the spot. Russ Dunn got by McGee but was unable to close the gap to the leaders until the end stages of the race. Fifth running Jeff Johnson pulled to the infield at lap fourteen, allowing Chuck Steinle Jr into the top five, but Steinle dropped from contention with three remaining. Right at the white flag Potosky suffered mechanical failure in the left rear, losing a wheel and collecting the car of Russ Dunn on the front straight. McGee was also involved, getting airborne during the melee. The wreck took out the second through fourth place and left only five cars to battle it out for the win. Watson stayed in command for the final lap with Mike Kinney moving to second, Bill Taylor third, Gary Eicher fourth, and Mike McGee, by laps completed, was fifth.
2012 Champion Joel Watson after the Bonnell Collision Center E-Mod feature.
Chad Wright and Bobby Rohrer brought the twenty one Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models to the green with Wright grabbing the immediate lead. Week one winner, Dennis Lunger, slowed to a halt on the front straight with three laps complete, forcing caution over the field. By lap five newlywed Dave Airgood was looking to celebrate his morning marriage by moving into second and tracking the leader Wright, who lowered the class track record for the second time in the evening, ticking off a lap of 18.702 on lap five. Lapped traffic held up the leader enough that Airgood had closed the gap by the time Khole Wanzer came to a halt on the racing surface at lap thirteen. At green Kyle Zimmerman dropped Airgood to third with Josh Holtgraver trying to take that from him. With five to go, Rob Bates pulled to the infield, creating the final caution period. Wright again led the field after green and was never headed over the final five-lap march to the checkers. Zimmerman followed Wright to the flag with Airgood settling for third, Holtgraver fourth, and Bobby Rohrer fifth.
Chad Wright after his first Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Model feature win of 2013.
Sixteen cars started the Specialty Products Mini Stock feature with Mitch Stokes and Dylan Goodman leading the way. Stokes led lap one with Jason Easler coming by for the lead in lap two. Hoyt Mihalak came to second at lap three with caution falling when Bud Sergeff slammed the wall in turn one of lap four. Sergeff won opening night and was the 2012 class champion. At green, Easler again led with Brad Cole coming to the runner-up position and Dale Fraschetti driving to third. At eight laps complete Easler and Cole were side by side but Easler was again the leader with two to go. With the white flag in the air caution was once again neccessary when Carlos Aponte slowed to a stop in turn two. The green-white-checkers run had Easler leading the way with Cole winding up second over Fraschetti third, Goodman fourth, and Mihalak fifth.
Jason Easler after winning the Specialty Products Mini Stock Feature.
The $500 to win for the Western Reserve Animal Clinic Steet Stocks started thirteen cars with Bob Sloss and Ed Bolyard leading the way. Bolyard, a former track champion, opened a big lead, over half a straight, by five laps into the event. John Phelps Jr was second at five laps into the race with Sloss back to third. Eight laps in, Charlie McMillen spun his mount in turn one, bringing yellow over the raceway. After green Sloss came back to second but Bolyard was again opening a lead. With only two to go Bolyard again saw his lead disappear when Eric Harvey spun in turn four. The final run for the money was all Bolyard with Sloss, Phelps, Darrin Hyde, and Eric Reinwald filling out the top five.
The big winner of the night was Ed Bolyard, picking up the first-place check for the Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stock Special!
Next week will see regular racing in all classes with the Patriot Sprint tour making their first-ever appearance at Raceway 7 on May 31.
Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models:
Heat 1: Bobby Rohrer, Bobby Whitling, Billy Henry, Dave Airgood, Bill Cunningham, Jack Young, Jason Reagle
Heat 2: Chad Wright, Matt Latta, Josh Holtgraver, Kyle Zimmerman, Bruce Hordusky, Bob Pifer, Joel Watson, Rob Bates
Heat 3: Dennis Lunger, Jamie Brown, Kevin Decker, Michael Mitchell, Alex Anderson, Rich Howell, Khole Wanzer
Feature: Chad Wright,Kyle Zimmerman, Dave Airgood, Josh Holtgraver, Bobby Rohrer, Jamie Brown, Bill Cunningham, Michael Mitchell, Bruce Hordusky, Jack Young, Bobby Whitling, Alex Anderson, Breyton Santee, Jason Reagle, Matt Latta, Billy Henry, Khole Wanzer, Rob Bates, Bob Pifer, Dennis Lunger, Kevin Decker, Rich Howell (DNS)
Bonnell Collision Center E-Mods:
Heat 1: , Ken Zimmer, Percy McDonald, Brian Douglas, Jeff Johnson, Jim Turley, Rick Pratschler, John Schenker, Bill Taylor, Mike Kinney, Gary Murphy (DNS)
Heat 2: Joel Watson, Gary Eicher, Chuck Steinle Jr, Mike McGee, Russ Dunn, Mike Potosky, Josh McDonald, Tom Hagberg, Dan McDonald, Brandon Porter
Feature: Joel Watson, Mike Kinney, Bill Taylor, Gary Eicher, Mike McGee, Mike Potosky, Russ Dunn, John Schenker, Chuck Steinle Jr, Rick Pratschler, Jeff Johnson, Brandon Porter, Jim Turley, Josh McDonald, Tom Hagberg, Ken Zimmer, Percy McDonald, Gary Murphy, Dan McDonald, Brian Douglas
Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stocks:
Heat 1: Ed Bolyard, Bob Sloss, Rusty Wheeler, John Phelps, Shawn Fawcett, Eric Reinwald, Eric Harvey, David Snyder
Heat 2: Darren Hyde, Chris Withers, Paul Schreckengost, Art Edwards, Brian Reinwold, Jonny Boyd, Art Gilchrist, Charlie McMillen
Feature: Ed Bolyard, Bob Sloss, John Phelps, Darrin Hyde, Eric Reinwald, Paul Schreckengost, Shawn Fawcett, Art Edwards, Art Gilchrist, Eric Harvey, Charlie McMillen, Jonny Boyd, Ryan Reinwald, Rusty Wheeler (DNS), Chris Withers (DNS), David Snyder (DNS)
McDonald Meats Econo Mods:
Heat 1: Russ Kaplan, Dennis Dellinger, Ty Rhoades, Kyle Fellows, Brian Hathaway, Jodi Woodworth Sr, Steven Burns
Heat 2: Ryan Fraley, Jace Ferringer, Chuck Steinle Sr, Casey Bowers, Bobby Wright, Kevin Sergeff
Feature:Ryan Fraley, Jace Ferringer, Chuck Steinle Sr, Kyle Fellows, Kevin Sergeff, Russ Kaplan, Jodi Woodworth Sr, Brian Hathaway, Steve Burns, Ty Rhoades, Casey Bowers, Dennis Dellinger, Bobby Wright
Specialty Products Mini-Stocks:
Heat 1: Jason Easler, Bud Sergeff, Dylan Goodman, Carlos Aponte, Dale Fraschetti, Patrick Drennan, Logan Keney, Cale Sousa
Heat 2: Mitch Stokes, Brad Cole, Hoyt Mihalak, Scott Gill, Joe Plesniak, Alex Stekkinen, Alex Forbes
Feature: Jason Easler, Brad Cole, Dale Fraschetti, Dylan Goodman, Hoyt Mihalak, Scott Gill, Alex Siekkinen, Joe Plesniak, Patrick Drennan, Alex Forbes, Carlos Aponte, Cale Sousa, Bud Sergeff, Logan Keney, Mitch Stokes, Chris Forbes
Boardman and Hathaway score first-ever Raceway 7 wins!
Conneaut, OH, May 3. 2013: One of the warmest and nicest opening nights in years greeted fans to the 2013 opening night. The track was exceptionally fast with Percy McDonald lowering the track record for E-Mods while on the way to his heat win. Prior to the season’s first race, Casey Bowers, recently honored as the Cavalcade of Auto Racing’s Western Pennsylvania Rookie of the Year was awarded the plaque signifying the achievement on the front straight. Enroute to the title Bowers won a feature at Raceway 7 on July 13, 2012 at the tender age of thirteen. He then went on to win both nights of Sharon Speedway’s Applefest. Bowers promises to be a threat to win every night of his career.
Eric Reinwald and Paul Schreckengost brought thirteen Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stocks to the green flag with Schreckengost taking the immediate lead. Yellow flew on lap five when former Mini-Stock champion Jonny Boyd slapped the wall on the front straight in his first-ever start in a Street Stock. Schreckengost began opening his lead after green flag racing resumed with heat winner Mark Frontera coming to second and Rod Laskey third. By ten laps into the event Chris Withers was battling Laskey for third, gaining it on lap 13. The finish was Schreckengost over a closing Frontera, then Withers, Ed Bolyard, and Laskey. The race was run in memory of Jim Space, a competitor in the early 70s in the number 61 hardtop at Raceway 7 who passed away over the winter. Space had won thirteen features in those years.
Fifteen McDonald Meats Economods pulled in for the opening night with Brian Hathaway and Josh Ferry on the front row. Action was halted before the first lap was completed when Kyle Fellows spun in front of the field in turn four of lap one but all cars avoided contact. Hathaway led from the start with Russ Kaplan coming to second at lap two and into the lead at the end of three. Jace Ferringer powered to the lead on the back straight of lap four but Fellows spun again, in turn two this time, bringing caution back over the raceway, negating the pass. Kaplan continued to lead after green was again the order but only two more laps could be completed before another caution, this time for a double spin on the front straight. Hathaway regained the lead after a caution at lap six with Steve Burns coming to second. Hathaway went on to his first-ever Raceway 7 win over Burns, Kaplan, Ferringer, and Casey Bowers.
Jamie Brown and Dave Airgood led the 21 Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models to Roger Osburn’s green flag. Airgood led lap one with Dennis Lunger second from fourth on the start and challenging for the lead next time by the stripe. Airgood powered away to a slight lead but Lunger came alongside in turn three on lap five but spun into the infield, but maintaining enough control to continue in second. Caution came out on lap six for a spin by Rob Bates, allowing Lunger to be right back on the leader’s bumper. At halfway Lunger got by in the back straight but again started to spin in three. Again he repeated the pass on lap eleven and again got sideways in turn three but made the pass stick at lap twelve. Lunger, the 2009 track champion, went on to the win over Airgood, third starting Matt Latta, Chad Wright, from tenth, and Billy Henry, from eighth on the grid.
Ken Zimmer took the early lead in the Bonnell Collision Center E-Mod feature but caution appeared after two laps for Jack Young who slowed with rear suspension problems and Gary Sullivan, sitting in turn three against the fence. Only one more lap could be completed before Jordan Eck and Percy McDonald spun into the infield in turn one. Several yellow periods were needed to get the race underway again. 2012 track champion Joel Watson came to second at lap five from tenth on the grid. With only eight in, Watson spun in turn one. Zimmer led through several caution period then spun in turn two at lap 15, but kept going, dropping back to fourth, but a lap later four cars pile up in turn two bringing caution over the raceway. John Boardman was the leader for the restart. Boardman handily led the remaining lap in the time-shortened race for his first Raceway 7 win over the veteran Mike Potosky, Jeff Johnson, Joel Watson, and Percy McDonald.
Reigning champion Bud Sergeff started from the pole and took off to a big lead over Carlos Aponte by lap four. On lap seven while being challenged for second by Brad Cole, Aponte suddenly slowed on the back straight, bringing out caution and negating Sergeff’s now major lead. At lap eight Cole threw a wheel in turn four then Chris Forbes threw a tire in turn two and rolled his mount, bringing out a red flag. Sergeff won with Dylan Goodman second, Jason Easler third, Dale Fraschetti fourth, and Mitch Stokes rounding out the top five.
Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models:
Heat 1: Dennis Lunger, Billy Henry, Chad Wright, Billy Cunningham Jr, Chris Peterson, George Kowatic, Mark Tatlovic
Heat 2: Dave Airgood Jr, Jack Young, Kyle Zimmerman, Jamie Brown, Randy Wilson, Rob Bates, Khole Wanzer
Heat 3: Matt Latta, Bob Pifer, Bill Cunningham, Mike Mitchell, Bobby Rohrer, Bob Dorman, Breyton Santee (DNS)
Feature: Dennis Lunger, Dave Airgood, Matt Latta, Chad Wright, Billy Henry, Jamie Brown, Michael Mitchell, Kyle Zimmerman, Bob Dorman, Jack Young, Bobby Rohrer, Bill Cunningham Sr, Bob Pifer, Randy Wilson, Billy Cunningham Jr, Rob Bates, Chris Peterson, Khole Wanzer, George Kowatic (DNS), Mark Tatlovic (DNS), Breyton Santee (DNS)
Bonnell Collision Center E-Mods:
Heat 1: Ken Zimmer, Justin Carlson, Chuck Steinle Jr, Rick Pratschler, Jeff Johnson, Bill Taylor, Jake Eller, Gary Eicher
Heat 2: Percy McDonald, Jack Young, John Boardman, Larry Kugel, Josh McDonald, Mike Kinney, John Schenker
Heat 3: Russ Dunn, Joel Watson, Mike Potosky, Jordan Eck, Leonard Enos, Gary Sullivan, Dan McDonald
Feature: John Boardman, Mike Potosky, Jeff Johnson, Joel Watson, Percy McDonald, Rick Pratschler, Dan McDonald, Josh McDonald, Bill Taylor, Ken Zimmer, Jake Eller, Russ Dunn, Gary Sullivan, Jordon Eck, Jack Young, Leonard Enos, Gary Eicher, Chuck Steinle Jr, Justin Carlson (DNS), Larry Kugel (DNS), Mike Kinney (DNS)
Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stocks:
Heat 1: Mark Frontera, Rusty Wheeler, Rod Laskey, Jimmy Kennerknecht, Darrin Hyde, Shawn Fawcett, Art Gilchrist
Heat 2: Chris Withers, Ed Bolyard, Paul Schreckengost, Eric Reinwald, Ron Boardman, Jonny Boyd
Feature: Paul Schreckengost, Mark Frontera, Chris Withers, Ed Bolyard, Rod Laskey, Jimmy Kennerknecht, Eric Reinwald, Shawn Fawcett, Rusty Wheeler, Darrin Hyde, Art Gilchrist, Jonny Boyd, Ron Boardman (DNS)
McDonald Meats Econo Mods:
Heat 1: Jace Ferringer, Brian Hathaway, Ty Rhoades, Kyle Fellows, Casey Bowers, Chuck Steinle Jr, Kevin Sergeff, Alan Atkinson
Heat 2: Steve Burns, Russ Kaplan, Jeff Mundell, Josh Ferry, Bobby Wright, Jodi Woodworth Jr, Jodi Woodworth Sr
Feature: Brian Hathaway, Steve Burns, Russ Kaplan, Jace Ferringer, Casey Bowers, Jeff Mundell, Chick Steinle Sr, Jodi Woodworth Jr, Ty Rhoades, Kevin Sergeff, Kyle Fellows, Josh Ferry, Jodi Woodworth Sr, Bobby Wright, Alan Atkinson
Specialty Products Mini-Stocks:
Heat 1: Bud Sergeff, Carlos Aponte, Mitch Stokes, Zack Downes, Jason Easler, Scott Gill, Chris Forbes, Alex Forbes
Heat 2: Brad Cole, Dylan Goodman, Dale Fraschetti, Hoyt Mihalik, Logan Keney, Alex Sickkinen, Cale Souse, Patrick Drennan
Feature: Bud Sergeff, Dylan Goodman, Jason Easler, Dale Fraschetti, Mitch Stokes, Zack Downes, Scott Gill, Cale Sousa, Hoyt Mihalac, Alex Sickkinen, Alex Forbes, Brad Cole, Chris Forbes, Patrick Drennan, Carlos Aponte, Logan Keney
Raceway 7, northeast Ohio’s premier speedplant, is set to throw open the gates for another season of racing Friday May 3 with regular racing for all classes.
Max Blair is expected to defend his championship in the Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models. Billy Cunningham, Billy Henry, Kyle Zimmerman, and several others will be vying for the title as well.
Joel Watson will be doing his best to defend his Bonnell Collision Center E-Mod championship from Russ Dunn, the McDonald brothers, Jack Young, and other E-Mod speedsters.
Brandon Blackshear’s plans are not known to this writer presently but Blackshear dominated the McDonald Meats Economod division last year. If he does return there is a line-up of first-rate talent ready to unseat him as champion, including the young star Casey Bowers, only 14 years old and the 2012 Cavalcade of Auto Racing’s Rookie of the Year. Steve Burns, Jodi Woodworth, and others are expected to give Blackshear a run for the glory. Mini-Stock Champion Bud Sergeff has noted his son, Kevin, will be fielding an Economod as well.
Tommy Fox’s plans are also unknown at this time for the Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stock run for points but Rusty Wheeler is expected to run a limited schedule. Ed Bolyard will be attempting to regain his championship form and former Mini-Stock champion Jonny Boyd will be moving into the class as well, driving the car campaigned by Ryan Blood in 2012.
Bud Sergeff will be defending his Specialty Products Mini-Stock championship and will be joined in the season-long quest by by Cale Sousa, Mitch Stokes, Jason Easler, Brad Cole and Dale Fraschetti, driving one of Jonny Boyd’s former mounts. Hoyt Mihalac has purchased Boyd’s other car and will campaign it this summer.
The first special of the season will be a Western Reserve Animal Clinic Street Stock $500 to win event on May 10. All other classes will run a regular show. The last Friday of May, the 31st, will see the first-ever appearance of the Patriot Sprint Tour at Raceway 7. The winged 360 sprinters will take to the 3/8 mile oval for heats and feature with the racing starting at 7:30.
The Super Late Models will make three appearances this season with the first coming on June 14 for a $1500 to win special. They will return July 19 and August 16.
The Evergreen Lake Park Campground FASTRAK Late Models are scheduled for a Touring Series event on June 21 and another August 23. Friday June 7 will be a special night for all kids in scouting uniforms.
The McDonald Meats EconoMods will have a $500 to win special on autograph night, June 28, always a fan favorite. All divisions will have their cars out on the front straight and fans will be permitted down on the track during intermission to mingle with the drivers and see the cars close-up.
The Special Products Mini stocks will have a $300 to win special July 5 along with a giant firewoks display, one of three fireworks nights scheduled in 2013. The other nights for fireworks will be June 7th and August 23.
The biggest night of the season for the Bonnell Collision Center E-Mods will come August 9 when the annual Chris Clinger Memorial will be run. The race is always the high point of the season for the open-wheeled ground-pounders and Jim Clinger always goes all out to put on a first-rate program of racing for the fans.
Other special nights will include a fan-appreciation night July 19 when the Super Late Models make their second appearance of the season, the Twin State Auto Racing Club night on August 2, and an $800 to win Bonnell Collision Center E-Mod special scheduled for July 12.
At present time it is expected the season will draw to a close on August 30. More events may be added and alterations may be made to the schedule at any time. Check our website at www.raceway7.com regularly for updates.
MAY
3 Opening night, points start for all classes
10 Regular divisions, $500 to win for Street Stocks
17 Regular divisions
24 Regular divisions
31 Regular divisions, Patriot Sprint Tour, FIRST TIME EVER AT RACEWAY 7!
