HOUPT A JENNERSTOWN WINNER

JENNERSTOWN, PA (July 2, 2005) … On opening night of the 2005 race season Dave Houpt considered himself to be a retired race driver. Eight weeks later he found himself sitting in Victory Lane at Jennerstown Speedway after capturing the 50-lap Wheeler Bros. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series super late model feature event on Advance Auto Parts Fan Appreciation Night Saturday evening in front of cheering crowd of 6,582 fans.

“I really have to thank Bill Richter for the opportunity to make a comeback after sitting out three seasons,” said the Friedens driver. “He called me one night and asked if I wanted to drive his back-up car and team with his regular driver Mark Smith. I couldn’t turn it down. A car like this… you couldn’t help but want to get in it.”

Houpt overtook early pacesetter Paul Urso on Lap 6 and led the remainder of the way to become the fifth different winner at the half-mile paved Somerset County oval. Houpt also had to dodge a number of crashes, which eliminated several top cars, including his own teammate, Smith. A seven car melee on the third circuit took out the cars of Kyle Martel, Chantel Germek, Garry Wiltrout, Jason Lasky , and Smith.

Three laps later points leader Tommy Beck tangled with Urso on the front stretch and sent him spinning into the inside guard rail. Beck was able to repair his mount and returned to finish 10th.

Barry Awtey finished a full straight behind Houpt to finish second, while Mark Poole, Mark Cottone and Bobby Henry rounded out the top five finishers.

In the 25-lap late model contest defending track champion Rick Boyer tracked down leader Wade Champeno six laps into the event and cruised to the checkered flag.

Current points leader Dusty Rhoads moved into the runner-up slot to outdistance Mel Wilt, Champeno, and Andrew Wylie.

Adam Kostelnik only led one lap of the Advance Auto Parts street stock main, but it was the one that counted, as he managed to get around Phil Grubbs, who had led the first 19-laps of the event.

Rich Nicola also moved into second past Grubbs on the final lap, relegating him to third in front of Roger Onstead and Bobby Young.

PJ Ehrlich continues to dominate the PA legacy action, as the Oakmont driver captured his fourth division win. Jayme Beck was second, trailed by David Campbell, Martel and Lauren Butler.

Greensburg driver John Steely started 11th, and drove to a hard fought victory in the 15-lap Pizza Hut hobby stock finale. Steeley, who picked up his first checker, drove past Cindy Shaulis, and then was forced to hold off Greg Lohr for the top spot. Jeff Zillweger finished third, over Shaulis and Jim Biss.

Winners of the three special ‘Faster Pastor’ races were: Pastor Mike Bobula, Mount Pleasant Church of God, Pastor Mark Zimmerman, St Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, Somerset, and Pastor Randy Bain, Oakland United Methodist Church in Johnstown.

Complete Race Results