MARK “THE MISSLE” SMITH ROCKETS TO VICTORY AT JENNERSTOWN

 by Mike Milliron

 Jennerstown, PA – June 30, 2001 –Mark Smith took charge of the Wheeler Bros./AC Delco Late Model division feature race from the drop of the green, all the way to the checkers, and collected another hard fought NASCAR Weekly Racing Series victory. Other divisional winners during Timber Wolf Race Night were Aaron Will in Jennerstown Pro Trucks, Adam Kostelnik in Brown Timber & Land Street Stock, Jayme Bolkovac in Cover Insurance Agency/PA Legacy Car, and Greg Praysner in Jennerstown Charger. Jami Comsa won her first Ladies Enduro of the 2001-racing season. 

It was another hot, humid evening at the Laurel Highlands Oval, which made for some short tempers and even tougher racing. Mark Smith had the field in the palm of his hand as he led them to the race start. An early caution for debris forced a single file restart after the first lap, which allowed Smith to lengthen his lead to nearly a half straight over Brad Creighton, before the second caution brought the entire field back together. Once the field was back under action, it took only a few laps for Smith to reestablish himself as the clear favorite in the event. The battle was behind the top two positions, as Neil Brown and Barry Awtey challenged each other throughout the middle stage of the race. In the end it was Smith proving to have the right stuff to maintain a comfortable lead to the finish line over Creighton. Brown and Awtey finished in third and fourth respectively, while Chuck Keslar started in second and finished in fifth. Cary Todaro and Neil Brown won the heat races. 

It was sweet rewards for defending Jennerstown Pro Truck Champion Aaron Will, as he returned to victory lane, after a blown engine forced him out of competition for several weeks. The win was made even sweeter as Will was able to dominate the event in very strong fashion, over one of his toughest divisional competitors, Todd Price. The closest battles on the track were for third through fifth, as George Englert, Dave Brunell, and Josh Coughenour battled tooth and nail to finish under a blanket. Brunell took home third, while Coughenour edged out Englert at the line to score fourth and fifth. Heat race wins went to Josh Coughenour and Aaron Will. 

The Brown Timber & Land Street Stock feature race was a nail biter from start to finish, as the race leaders put on a great show, then made contact which forced them to the rear of the field, with only one of them returning to the front of the pack for the win. The two drivers involved were Adam Kostelnik and Tracy “Dink” Colarusso. When the two made contact and were sent to the rear following a yellow flag caution, it was Kostelnik who managed to rebound and work his way back to the front of the field. Another driver who made his mark during the race was Todd Knight, who manhandled a loose car by letting it slide through the turns in the final laps to finish in second place. Next in line were Chris Deyarmin and Roger Onstead, who waged war with each other to take home third and fourth, while Tracy Colarusso worked his way through the field to round out the top five. Adam Kostelnik and Todd Knight won the heat races. 

In the Cover Insurance Agency/PA Legacy Car feature race, it was Jayme Bolkovac once again taking the win. But this time, like the last event, had the Greensburg, PA pilot in a bit of a disadvantage, as she had to once again fight off the challenges from two serious opponents. First came the charge of Will Thomas, who had to resort to a back-up racecar, after he had major damage done to his primary ride during last weeks feature race. His replacement car proved to be just as capable though, as he ran with Bolkovac through the early and middle stages of the race, until he attempted a three-wide pass that forced him to spin out. The car was so good in fact, that he was able to rebound to finish the race in fourth. Once Thomas was out of the picture, it was Marshall Biddington who stepped up to the challenge against Bolkovac, even taking the lead into the final turn of the last lap, when Bolkovac used the inside line to take home another hard fought win. Finishing behind the top two cars were Rick Anderson, Thomas, and Brandon Taylor. 

Greg Praysner showed that once you make it to victory lane, it’s always easier to make it back again, as he used a new lower line around the Speedway to claim the Jennerstown Charger division win. It was a “take no prisoners” attitude that allowed Praysner to control the entire race, which he led from start to finish.  It was another Jason and Jason battle for second and third, as Jason Fritz held onto second until a slip up the track allowed Holder to get by for the runner-up spot.  After a crash by Wes Peterson forced a slow down in the race, Fritz was once again able to get by Holder to take the second spot, which is where he finished the nights racing action.  Finishing in third through fifth were Jason Holder, June Wyant, and Justin Lasky.   

Jami Comsa was the Ladies Enduro race winner, with Connie Henry claiming the second spot.  Finishing in third through fifth were Kim Rhoades, Tiffany Shaffer, and Taryn Smith.   

This Wednesday the Jennerstown Speedway will present an Independence Day celebration, with the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series five division racing program presented by D.C. Guelich.  Racing will feature a 75 lap Wheeler Bros./AC Delco racing event, highlighted by Fast Time Qualifying and the Spectator 500.  Gates for this special event will open at 3 p.m. with racing starting at 5 p.m. 

Enduro’s 

1. 16 Jami Comsa
2. 26 Connie Henry
3. 23 Kim Rhoads
4. 18 Tiffany Shaffer
5. 94 Taryn Smith
6. 24
7. 20
8. 75
9. K3
10. 31
11. 13
12. 00
13. 42