COTTONE WINS “FALL FESTIVAL 200” EVENT AT JENNERSTOWN 

By Mike Milliron 

JENNERSTOWN, PA – September 15, 2001 – Mark Cottone captured an elusive Wheeler Bros./AC Delco Late Model feature win Saturday night at Jennerstown Speedway by simply outdistancing the remainder of his competition throughout the second half of the 200 lap event. Other winners during the Fall Festival NASCAR Weekly Racing Series program presented by FROGGY 94.9 were Josh Coughenour in Pro Trucks, Todd Knight in Brown Timber & Land Street Stocks, and June Weyant in Jennerstown Chargers. In the Irwin RV-Allison Brothers-Legacy Series “Blue & Gray Shootout”, it was Chad McCumbee of Supply, North Carolina taking the checkered flag. 

Mark Cottone used a pole position start to the 200 lap Wheeler Bros./AC Delco Late Model division feature race to somewhat of an advantage, as he had to battle with early race leader Neil Brown, before assuming the lead on lap three. Once out front the McKeesport native had to fend off the continuous challenges from perennial racing standout Richard Mitchell, who eventually took over the lead on lap fifty-one. Mitchell led the race up until the halfway point, including a fouled restart that resulted in rear end damage for the leader. Mitchell remained up front when the entire field became eligible to pit for fuel and tires during a three-minute caution period. All of the race leaders, except Bobby Henry and Barry Awtey, chose to come in. Henry pitted later in the run, while Awtey had chosen to come in during a lap eighty-five caution. 

As the second half got back underway it was Henry up front, with Awtey alongside on the front row. Just behind them though were Cottone and Mitchell, after posting the two fastest pit stops amongst the leaders.  On the restart, troubles emerged for Mitchell, as the Bruceton Mills, West Virginia driver experienced rear suspension and throttle linkage woes, which put his car out of competition for the remainder of the event. Bobby Henry held onto the lead from lap 102 until 119, before Cottone once again took over the point position, which he would not relinquish for the remainder of the race. As the race wound down the remainder of the top five were locked into position with Mark Smith finishing in second, Shawn Beam in third, Jeff Dunmyer in fourth, and Cary Todaro completed the top five. 

Ryan Hemphill won the $1,000 dollar R&M Trucking and Brokerage “Fast Time” Award, but was caught up in a mid-race accident and forced from competition. 

In the Jennerstown Pro Truck division it was a two-truck duel between “Jammin” George Nicola and Josh Coughenour throughout the majority of the fifty lap feature, as the pair of drivers exchanged the lead at will, with Coughenour on the outside and Nicola remaining on the inside line. As the laps wound down, the battle raged on, with Coughenour coming out victorious by less than a truck length over Nicola at the finish line. Others finishing in the top five with a good view of the front battle were Todd Price in third, Marion Reno in fourth, and Brandon Manns in fifth. Heat races were won by Josh Coughenour and “Jammin”George Nicola. 

The Brown Timber & Land Street Stock feature race was another two-car battle, as Adam Kostelnik and Todd Knight battled with one another right to the checkered flag. At the start of the race, it was all Adam Kostelnik as he ran away from the second place battle between Knight and Billy Mostoller.  Once Knight got into second place he quickly ran down the race leader and the two engaged in a seesaw battle for the lead.  At one point Knight was in front of Kostelnik on turn four when he nearly spun out.   Kostelnik backed off and allowed Knight to straighten out his car and continue on with their two-car battle.  In the end, Knight had the stronger car and managed to finish just ahead of Kostelnik for the race win.  Coming home in third through fifth were Richard Nicola, Billy Mostoller, and Mark “Boom-Boom” Blohm.   

The Jennerstown Speedway Charger race was a rough and tumble affair, as potential race winner Justin Lasky had victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, as he got involved in a late race spin with Curtis Stewart.  That placed June Weyant in the lead position with only a few laps left, and went on to take the win over Greg Praysner.  Other drivers finishing in the top five were Jason Fritz and Jason Holder, with Justin Lasky rebounding to finish fifth.  The lone heat race went to Jason Fritz.

The Irwin RV Allison Brothers Legacy Series “Blue & Gray Shootout” was a race dominated early by the visiting Southern drivers as Mark Howard, Chad McCumbee, and Brad May jumped out to a three car advantage.  Local Jennerstown drivers, Rick Boyer and Joey Dennewitz ran down the race leaders and made a good showing of themselves throughout the second half of the race.  Chad McCumbee took over the race lead from Brad May and extended his lead all the way to the finish line.   Finishing behind the top two divers were Rick Boyer in third, Mark Howard in fourth and Joey Dennewitz in fifth.  Chad McCumbee took fast time with a lap of 21.88 seconds around the Laurel Highlands Oval.