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June 2, 2002 Racing Story |
by Mike Milliron
Wow, what a weekend. It’s hard to believe that it’s already
Sunday evening as this is being done. Although the weather did
not cooperate throughout the entire weekend, with the severe
storms which ripped through the Western Pennsylvania area on
Friday night, both Saturday and today have been great days to be
out basking in the golden glow of warm sunshine.
As we have just finished a family cookout, complete with all of
the trimmings and carrying on amongst the kids and adults, it’s
hard to reflect on the devastating loss which occurred only 48
hours ago at nearby Kennywood Park. Friday evening at the height
of the tumultuous thunderstorms, a roof covering an amusement
ride collapsed, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries
to individuals. This tragedy seemed to hit a little closer to
home, both literally and figuratively. First, we live only a few
miles away from the famed amusement park, and suffered a portion
of the same storm system in our own neighborhood. Secondly, we
were just at the park a few weekends ago as part of their
“Kennywood 500”, and spent some time in the same area of the
collapse. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to all of
the families of those involved.
The weather events and work requirements of Friday evening also
combined to force the cancellation of a normally scheduled visit
to Motordrome Speedway. Our absence did not deter the Smithton
speed plant from running their regularly scheduled races, albeit
at a later time due to extended track drying requirements. Their
perseverance paid off, as they were able to complete the entire
program. One bright spot of the evening was that a total of nine
Pro Trucks were on hand, nearly doubling the divisions season
average amount of entries. Certainly a promising aspect, in an
otherwise bleak outlook for the future of the pick-up truck
class there.
Saturday dawned with heavy fog in the air along with warm
temperatures, but by mid-morning the sunshine had erased any
reminders of the morning haze, and clear skies proclaimed this
to be the best start-to-finish weather day of the racing season
thus far. After some morning errands and a couple of impromptu
visits with local racing luminaries, it was time to prepare for
a much anticipated night of action and excitement at Jennerstown
Speedway. A last minute rendezvous at the Monroeville Red
Lobster Restaurant, suggested by the better half of this marital
team, was an invitation too good to pass up. So after a
delightful luncheon, it was high time to point the Brooks Auto
Group/Pontiac Grand Prix Pace Car towards the east.
Traveling along on a beautiful day with windows down, the sun on
your arm, and a warm breeze blowing through what little hair
remains atop of ones head, it’s sometimes easy to forget that
you are driving a rolling billboard for a stockcar speedway. You
tend to get lost in the moment, until you notice that complete
strangers are pointing at you, or that kids are waving to you
from the back seats of passing cars. After you realize that your
not that good looking, it dawns on you that they are admiring
the Pace Car, and not your uniquely unattractive features . At
times when you are walking out to get
into the Pace Car, you have to actually take a close look at
just how impressive the “Letter by Brunell” complete graphics
package makes this car stand out from any other on the road. It
certainly is a conversation starter, even if you have to explain
to someone at least once a day that, “Yes, it is the Jennerstown
Speedway Pace Car”. The biggest kick is letting kids sit behind
the wheel, and seeing their faces light up from something that
seems so trivial to most adults.
Upon arriving at Jennerstown Speedway, the mood quickly changes
from leisure time, to well...o.k., the mood doesn’t really
change that much. After getting all of the updated information,
including the race night schedule, promotional advertisements,
and general good natured ribbing from the Speedway management
and staff, it’s time to trek up to the press box to prepare all
of the required gear. Once all the electronic items are set up,
it’s time to take the Pace Car into the pit area, and find out
what the ‘buzz’ is among the various race teams.
O.K. Red, this is where we start talking about racing. Thanks
for hanging in there.
Saturday was another great night of racing at Jennerstown
Speedway, as Pro Truck division sponsor Tommy Gale/Haulmark
Trailers sponsored the nights racing program, along with the
special presentation of the Inaugural Tommy Gale Memorial 64-lap
Pro Truck race. The unique race distance was a special tribute
to local racing legend Tommy Gale, who raced his well known car
No.64 in the NASCAR Grand National Series, before it became the
Winston Cup Series. After a pre-race front stretch, full field
introduction it was down to business for the pick-up truck
division, and they did not fail to impress the crowd with great
racing throughout the entire race distance. Marion Reno Jr made
it two wins in a row at the laurel Highlands Oval, as he paced
himself through the field, into the lead, and straight to
victory lane. Pressure came from Todd Price, as the two pilots
put on a great show for the fans.
Defending Late Model division champion Neil Brown carved his way
through a very tough field of experienced drivers to claim his
third win of the season, in only four races. The race was very
exciting, as Brown and Mark Smith displayed one of the best
two-car duels of the season, with Brown winning the feature by
only a car length. One of the most interesting parts of the
victory lane celebrations was the unveiling of Neil’s new hair
style, or lack there of, as the Acme, PA champ has chosen to
discard ALL of the hair from his head. While certainly more
aerodynamic, the main reason for the intentional lack of
hairstyle was strictly for comfort, as the recent temperature
increase has made the racers cockpit even hotter than normal.
Adam Kostelnik finally decided to return to his championship
form, and familiar stomping grounds, victory lane. After two
separate early season on track incidents with George Nicola Jr,
while the pair were running in first and second, Kostelnik
displayed fantastic driving skills as he worked his way to the
front of the pack. Nicola finished a close second, and in a post
race victory lane interview, Kostelnik said that he and Nicola
had made a pack to keep away from each other out on the track.
Curtis Stewart Jr made it three wins in the Charger division, as
this week he had to fend off the serious challenge from rookie
sensation Chuck Slate, who has quickly developed into a true
contender for a win this season.
The “Akron Avenger”, Joey Dennowitz is the only PA Legacy Car
Series driver to make it to victory lane in the 2002 racing
season. Saturday night he had to do it from the back of the
field, as a rough driving incident relegated him to a back row
restart. That did not phase the young pilot, as he used all of
the race track to regain the lead, and another visit to victory
lane.
Brad McCoy bested Gregory Lohr to win the Men’s Enduro race to
cap off the night of racing.
This Saturday June 8th will mark the return of the USAR Hooters
ProCup Series, as they return to run the Naturally Fresh Foods
250, featuring some of the finest short track drivers from
across the eastern United States, including a handful of local
stars who have stepped up to compete against the traveling
stars. Drivers like Eric Corbett, Jeff Dunmyer, and Glenn Gault,
who all raced in the first race of the season in April, will be
joined by former Jennerstown Speedway champion Barry Awtey and
Cris Angelicchio, who recently completed their ProCup Series
cars for competition. In addition, a group of Pittsburgh
Steelers will be on hand to sign autographs for the fans, and
skydivers will be part of the pre-race activities.
The local Late Model will also be in action as they compete in
round two of the Naturally Fresh Late Model Challenge Series
five race championship. The “Classic Caesar 50" will pit some of
the finest local drivers against each other, as they go for the
big money and great prizes.
Don’t miss out on great racing action this Saturday at
Jennerstown Speedway. |
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