Jennerstown, PA – April 13, 2002 – Mardy Lindley of South Carolina scored his first USAR Hooters ProCup Series win during the opening event of the 2002 Northern Division season Saturday night at Jennerstown Speedway. Drivers, fans, and officials endeavored to put on a first class racing program, in spite of having to withstand the continuous waves of rainfall that forced a two hour delay in the start of festivities. The afternoon rain forced a cancellation of Hooters ProCup Series qualifying, requiring the starting field of racers to be lined up according to their 2001 season ending points total. This put Lindley on the pole position, and former Jennerstown Speedway winner Jeff Agnew on the outside front row. The remaining racers were aligned by a blind draw, and USAR opted to start all 41 racecars in attendance, in place of the pre-race designated field of only 36. 

The first yellow flag of the race flew before the completion of the opening lap, and foretold what would be a caution filled 250-lap event.  Lindley swapped the lead throughout the early stages of the race with Agnew, as the two attempted to separate themselves from the remainder of the field.  As the caution flags continued to fall, drivers began to make their mid-race pit stops, which shuffled the field.  Lindley’s #01 Hooters Crew used their speed and experience to keep their driver on the lead lap and in contention to win.  After his pit work, Lindley worked his way back through the field and retook the lead on lap 160.  During the closing laps Jay Fogleman made a valiant charge, but wound up finishing second at the checkered flags.  Finishing third through fifth were Forest Urban, Brian Ross, and local favorite Eric Corbett.  Lindley received the Sunoco Pole Award of $1,000.  Jeff Agnew received the Lucas Oil Products Halfway Leader Bonus of $1,000.   

In the first of five Naturally Fresh Late Model Challenge Series races, it was Mark Smith of Meyersdale, PA taking the feature win in the “Ranch Dressings 50”, over Mark Cottone. The two drivers dueled over the final laps, with Smith squeaking out the win by only one foot at the finish line. The start of the race had Jerry Whisner and Snooky Williams leading the 26 car field into the first turn.  Smith quickly asserted himself, using the outside lane to his advantage in taking over the lead from Barry Awtey.  They ran side by side through the middle stages of the race until Mark Cottone managed to pass Awtey for second place.  Neither Awtey or Cottone could match the speed of Smith, but a lap car forced Cottone to change his lane on the way to the checkered flag, which allowed him to close the gap on Smith for the close finish.  The reminder of the top five was Barry Awtey, Bobby Henry, and Ryan Hemphill.   

Next week will be the start of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge, and will feature a $5 Fan Appreciation Night presented by Pepsi, including five division racing action.  Tickets can be ordered in advance online at www.jennerstown.com or by calling the speedway office at 814.629.6677.   

Naturally Fresh Late Model Challenge Series Race # 1 Results

Finish

Car#

Driver

Hometown

1

94

Mark Smith

Meyersdale, PA

2

31

Mark Cottone

McKeesport, PA

3

75

Barry Awtey

Jenners, PA

4

11

Bobby Henry

Connellsville, PA

5

2

Ryan Hemphill

Apollo, PA

6

10

Logan Dernoshek

Canonsburg, PA

7

66

Brad Creighton

Warminster, PA

8

50

Doug Bacchiochi

Venetia, PA

9

98

Neil Brown

Acme, PA

10

45

Rick Boyer

Blairsville, PA

11

95

Garry Wiltrout

Somerset, PA

12

1

Charles Keslar

White, PA

13

96

Mark Poole

Eighty-Four, PA

14

25

Rick Miller

Dunbar, PA

15

92

Jayme Bolkovac

Greensburg, PA

16

89

Lonnie McKenzie

Meyersdale, PA

17

57

Bobby Trumbauer

Green Lane, PA

18

23

Dusty Rhoads

Jennerstown, PA

19

69

Christopher Lester

Uniontown, PA

20

6

Snooky Williams

Latrobe, PA

21

59

Don Holland

Pen Argyl, PA

22

91

Tommy Beck

Murrysville, PA

23

17

Allen Holzhauser

Canonsburg, PA

24

15

Jon Greenawalt

Elizabeth, PA

25

26

Robert Arsenberger

Mill Run, PA

26

84

Jerry Whisner

New Creek, WV