by
Carol D Haynes
OSWEG, N.Y. -- While most are eager to
return to Jennerstown Speedway on Saturday,
June 26, there are mixed emotions. The last
time the ISMA supermodifieds ran at the
track in 1999, they lost a good friend and
racing compatriot. Young New Englander Randy
Witkum had succumbed to injuries incurred at
an accident there earlier in the day and
there were heavy hearts throughout the
racing fraternity. Now, after a four-year
absence, Jennerstown is back on the 2004
ISMA schedule of events with a 75-lapper
scheduled. This event will make it an even
dozen races for ISMA at the famed
Pennsylvania half-mile since 1988.
The ISMA Lucas Oil/Helping Hands America
contingent first appeared at Jennerstown in
that year, with a June and a September show.
Legendary Bentley Warren, driving for Mike
Mazur, took home both feature mains, wearing
the late Piney Laskey’s traditional cowboy
hat in victory lane with pride.
In 1989, Eddie Bellinger Jr. stole half of
Warren’s thunder by winning the June event,
but Bentley was back to cop his third
Jennerstown victory in September. 1990 found
only one ISMA event on the slate with
Canadian Gary Morton winning that one.
Warren was back for another win in 1991 and
became a five-time Jennerstown victor by
winning the 1993 show. Pennellville, NY's
Pat Abold won it in 1992 and Mike Ordway won
the September event in 1994, the first of
two for that New Hampshire driver. 2003 ISMA
champion Chris Perley came on the scene in
1995 and although he was not a regular on
the ISMA trail at the time, he came away
with the win. A flat tire-pit miscue in 1996
prevented Perley a possible repeat as Abold
went on to his second win.
Several years went by before the ISMA group
returned to the Jennerstown facility in 1999
and it was not a pleasant trip for anyone
who made it. On August 14, 25-year old Randy
Witkum became involved in a multi-car heat
race accident, which eventually claimed his
young life.
But, this is 2004. The always-fast
Jennerstown oval has been repaved with a
five-inch polymer asphalt surface within the
past weeks. The first turn wall has been
extended. It’s a new ball game. And, many of
the drivers are ready to re turn to what
they consider one of the best ovals on the
circuit for the ultra-fast winged
supermodifieds.
Said the 2003 ISMA champ and current
2004-point leader Chris Perley from his
Rowley, Mass. Marina business. “I can’t wait
to get back to Jennerstown. I wasn’t at the
1999 show. I missed Randy’s accident. You
can’t dwell on things like that however. If
you did you wouldn’t get back in a racecar.
I certainly hope nothing like that ever
happens again. I hope we have a great, safe
race there. The new paving will make it
faster, but the last time I was there, it
was fast. I think I still hold the record
there, but I’m not sure. I love Jennerstown.
I hope it loves me. It’s a beautiful
facility. I just hope it doesn’t rain, and
if it does, that I’m leading the race at the
time.”
Two-time Jennerstown winner Pat Abold
reiterated some of Perley’s sentiments.
“I’ve always loved Jennerstown. It’s a great
place and it’s a fast place. The new smooth
surface should make it a lot faster and more
fun. It should have a better grip.
Jennerstown is the track we come closest to
being able to run flat out all around.”
Six-time ISMA Champion and All-Time Feature
winner, Russ Wood, has not notched a win yet
at Jennerstown. He’d surely like to. Said
the driver of the Dunigan Racing 29,
“Jennerstown is a great facility to race at.
I’ve always liked it. It should be wicked
fast with the new pavement. I hope we have a
good, safe race down there and I hope I win
it.”
Jennerstown Speedway is located off Exit 10
(Somerset) of the PA Turnpike, taking Rt.
985 north about ten miles. Pit gates open
for the combo Craftsman Tools ISMA Lucas
Oil/Helping Hands America 75 and WSOA 305
Sprints show on June 26 at 2:30 with main
gates at 4:30. Racing begins at 6 pm. Super
Late Models, Late Models and the PA Legacy
Series join the open-wheeled divisions for a
full night of racing. Go to
www.jennerstown.com for further information
or call the Speedway office at 814.629.6677
for ticket info. ISMA information may be
obtained by logging onto ISMAsupers.com.
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