Five Mile Point
Race Results
www.fivemilepointspeedway.net

09/18/06

SATURDAY, JULY 1ST RACING AT FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY CANCELED. RACING TO RESUME ON SATURDAY, JULY 8TH AT 6:30 P.M.

KIRKWOOD, NY…Five Mile Point Speedway owner Andrew Harpell has made the decision to cancel this Saturday night’s racing program at the speedway. Racing will return to popular quarter mile oval next Saturday, July 8th at 6:30 p.m.
Five Mile Point Speedway sustained no damage due to the rains and flooding that has devastated the Southern Tier. However, the decision to cancel the racing on Saturday was based on a number of other factors.
“We want to support the town of Kirkwood and surrounding area any way that we can,” commented Harpell. “We don’t want to tie up any of our areas already overstretched medical and fire staff that is needed to put on a racing event.”
For the past day and a half the parking lot of Five Mile Point Speedway that is entered at both Williams Street and Francis Street has been the solo thoroughfare for area emergency responders and residents in the Five Mile Point area of Kirkwood. Harpell remarked, “It has been a steady flow of traffic through our parking lot. Town employees and fire fighters have had to use our lot for emergency responses and we will continue to accommodate them any way that we can.”
A number of Five Mile Point Speedway employees, drivers, crews and spectators have not even been able to get to their homes to know what is left from the flooding. Lastly Harpell said, “We just wish the best for our racing community and all of the residents of the Southern Tier, us holding a race Saturday just isn’t a priority with the situation people are facing.”
At the time of this writing the Five Mile Point Speedway exit off of I 81 South was still closed due to the flooding. The Five Mile Point shopping plaza, post office, town hall, New York State Troopers barracks, Fire Department, businesses and residents (all within a quarter mile of the speedway) have been severely damaged due to the flooding.
Racing will return to Five Mile Point Speedway next Saturday, July 8th for People’s National Bank/Conklin Community Night. All town of Conklin residents will be admitted free! On the racing card will be complete programs for the Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and 99.1 the WHALE Figure 8’s.
For more information please contact the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Joey Grammes and Mitch Gibbs Complete FMP Sweep For Brad Grammes
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Brad Grammes entered two Modifieds into competition last Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway.

He left with two plaques and two grand.

The intense Kunkletown, Pa., team owner watched as younger brother Joey Grammes topped the heldover Modified 30-lapper from May 13, while hired gun Mitch Gibbs overpowered the competition in the nightcap 30-lap event.

For Joey Grammes, it was his first-career win at FMP. It was Gibbs's second checkered of the '06 season.

Opting to leave his self-owned No. 2G at home, Gibbs started the regularly-scheduled feature 11th in the car he drives for the Grammes team on Friday evenings at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway.

"Brad offered for me to run this car here tonight," Gibbs, 43, said. "With me racing at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) on Sundays with my own stuff again, it made sense for me to take him up on the offer.

"This is a good car."

By lap three, Gibbs sat third. He drove to the outside of Bobby Puckett for second on lap seven and began his pursuit of leader Barry White, who makes the three-hour haul from Mertztown, Pa., to compete at FMP.

North Norwich, N.Y.'s Gibbs hugged the inside hub, while White kept his No. 131 wound up around the outside groove.

Finding some moisture down low, Gibbs surged into the lead through turns three and four on lap 13.

"This car works everywhere," said Gibbs, who won with the RPM small-block powered car already this season at Penn-Can. "I was getting off the inside groove good, but I could run high, low, wherever I wanted."

Joel Batzel found the high line to his liking in the event's mid portions. He took third on lap 13, then swept around White for second with 10 circuits remaining.

Whipping his Doug's Speed Shop-powered No. 27 Teo-Pro car dramatically on the cushion, Batzel chopped away over half of Gibbs's lead. However, he ran out of laps, settling for second.

"I had something for him," Batzel, 31, of Kirkwood, N.Y., affirmed. "The first five laps, the car felt like junk. I was going backwards.

"Then I found the high side and I started going forward. When I came up to lap the 111 (Gordie Isham in the final 10 laps), he was running the top and that cost me. I had to go to the bottom and I wasn't as fast down there.

"I wanted that one bad."

White placed third, ahead of J.R. Crouse in Dale and Sue Smith's No. 8JR and Mike Doty.

Heat winners for the 32 Modifieds in attendance were Bobby Puckett, Gibbs, Gary Griffin and Batzel. Brian Malcolm topped the consolation.

Grammes blasted off from the pole in the heldover event aboard the No. 5J Bicknell, equipped with a 430 cubic inch RPM-built engine.

The Penn-Can Speedway regular's only challenge came in the opening laps from fellow front-row starter Mike Doty, who attempted a series of inside bids in turn one through the caution-marred early circuits. Hooking up in the middle of the quarter-mile oval's groove, Grammes was undeterred.

"Last year we came here and ran terrible," said Grammes, 29. "I've got to give credit to my brother Brad.

"He puts a lot of his life and his money into doing this."

By the halfway point, Grammes lengthened his lead while Dana Wagner closed on Doty for second.

Doty became momentarily trapped behind the lapped car of Darin Schuler, allowing Wagner to slide past on the inside with five laps remaining.

A lap-25 caution - seconds after Wagner had taken second - erased Grammes's advantage but had little effect on the outcome. Grammes motored away for the $1,000 payday.

Trout Creek, N.Y.'s Wagner finished a season-high second aboard his No. 25W Troyer four-link.

"I didn't have anything for Grammes," Wagner bottom-lined. "It worked out with the lapped car (Schuler).

"He (Doty) ended up getting bottled up with him and I had been running the bottom. It worked out for me."

Otisville, N.Y.'s Doty was third, ahead of Mitch Gibbs and Gary Griffin.

Butch Klinger of Walton, N.Y., got back on track in the 20-lap Sportsman feature, recording his first victory of the '06 campaign.

Klinger wheeled his No. 9 Bicknell from sixth position to overtake Justin Holland on the third lap. Defending champion Eric Palmer emerged in second on the 13th lap and applied heavy pressure, but Klinger's outside momentum prevailed for the $500 payday.

Klinger's last FMP Sportsman win occurred on July 3, 2004.

"Mitch Gibbs has been helping us," Klinger said. "He put me in the right direction. At least now we're in the ballpark, not the parking lot."

Rookie Chris Wood finished a career-high third, ahead of Brian Puckett and Jesse Kline.

A last-lap spin by Joe Cole handed the IMCA-Modified 20-lapper to Mike Stolarcyk III. For the Whitney Point, N.Y., driver it marked his second consecutive triumph in the growing division.

When Cole, who had taken the lead on the fourth circuit, spun entering turn three on the final lap, Stolarcyk zipped to the inside, receiving the combined yellow and checkered flags first.

Rich Talada, Scott Bennett, Kevin Cole and Walt McClenon rounded out the top five.

Dave Luff of Kingston, Pa., utilized a lap-19 pass to win the Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series 20-lap main. Luff stalked Clayton Ingrahm, who led from the outset, for the entire main as the leaders sliced through lapped traffic. Ingrahm placed second, with Denny Decker, Darren Stout and Joe Krisovich in tow.

Johnson City, N.Y.'s Mahlon Shoemaker won the 20-lap Pure Stock main, stopping Charlie Gilbert's streak at four consecutive wins. Shoemaker powered his No. 7 to the outside of Jeremy Shaw on the 17th lap, collecting an extra $200 from Don's Automotive Mall and the speedway for a bounty that had been placed on Gilbert.

Shaw, who led from lap four, settled for second. Joe Rafferty Jr., Doug Stack and Gilbert trailed.

Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Tues., June 13 with the Modifieds running an Open event (sail panels, and 92 x 13 inch tire), Sportsman (offering 25 show-up points), sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds in a points-paying show and Pure Stocks in an Open event. The Modified event will offer six guaranteed starting positions to upcoming high profile Modified events. Windsor residents will be admitted free with proper identification. Race time is 7 p.m.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Three pit areas were put into use to accommodate a large turnout of cars that included 32 Modifieds, 22 Sportsman, 17 IMCA-Modifieds, 28 Street Stocks and 29 Pure Stocks....
Grammes left the speedway following the heldover Modified event to join his wife at a cancer walk in Palmerton, Pa. Butch Getz took the wheel of the No. 5J for the nightcap....
Bobby Trapper of Scranton, Pa., made his first FMP start of the season. Trapper drove Jim Wagner's No. 77V Teo-Pro car, finishing 10th....
Two Modifieds flipped during the program. On the opening lap of the heldover Modified main, New Jersey's Jack Amundsen launched over the right-front wheel of the J.R. Crouse No. 8JR, smacking the turn two wall. Chris Ostrowsky clipped Amundsen's stopped car and his No. 29 landed on its side, sans right-side sheet metal.
In the consolation, Mike Trautschold tangled with Dan Hineline at the exit of turn two, landing upside down on Hineline's car.
Neither Ostrowsky nor Trautschold were injured; in fact, both continued in their respective events....
Kiddie Rides provided a thrill for the youngsters in attendance prior to the start of the program....

Modified Feature Finish: MITCH GIBBS, Joel Batzel, Barry White, J.R. Crouse, Mike Doty, Bobby Puckett, Brian Malcolm, Glenn Knapp, James Cornell, Bobby Trapper, Jim Crawn, Mike Colsten, Dana Wagner, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Gordie Isham, Doug Hendricks, Mike McCollum, Darin Schuler, Robbie Fairweather, Stan Frankenfield Jr., Gary Griffin, Dave Rumsey, Butch Getz.
Did Not Qualify: George Hildebrant, Dan Hineline, Tom Oleski, Ken Hildebrant, Serenity Sutherland, Mike Trautschold, Tim Votra, Joel Batzel (second car).

Modified Heldover Feature Finish From May 13: JOEY GRAMMES, Dana Wagner, Mike Doty, Mitch Gibbs, Gary Griffin, Brian Malcolm, Dan Hineline, Glenn Knapp, Robbie Fairweather, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle Jr., Tom Oleski, Gordie Isham, Joel Batzel, Darin Schuler, Chris Ostrowsky, Doug Hendricks, Stan Frankenfield Jr., Barry White, James Cornell, Bobby Puckett, George Hildebrant, Jack Amundsen.
Did Not Start: Ryan Grim, Darwin Greene.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BUTCH KLINGER, Eric Palmer, Chris Wood, Brian Puckett, Jesse Kline, Shaun Walker, Brad Grim, Eric Stephens, Joey Colsten, Jamie Yankowski, Jamie Cortazar, Justin Holland, Bubba Folk, Jay Horton, Rich Wallace, Jason Griffiths, Steve Yankowski, Willard Knecht, Jim Kleedorfer, Bill Deckelman, Dan Caldwell.
Did Not Start: Dan Pompey.

IMCA-Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, Rich Talada, Scott Bennett, Kevin Cole, Walt McClenon, Tom Eiklor, Tyler Stoddard, Joe Cole, Ray Menard, John Rohacevich, Brad Weaver, Mike Stoddard, Brian Rhodes, Ty Hurlbut, Larry Robbins.
Did Not Start: Gary Dence, Steve Hartford.

Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series Feature Finish: DAVE LUFF, Clayton Ingrahm, Denny Decker, Darren Stout, Joe Krisovich, Bill Rampe, Jerry Tonti, Les Gillette, Paul Harrington, Paul Strohl, Oliver Gage, Rich Post, Carl Heater, Randy Tyler, John Williams, Jim Hughes, Jim Howard, James Millard, Harry Marvin III, Wade Decker, Fred Christ, Harry Marvin Jr., Harry Cook Jr., Jim Hewitt, Keith Villano, Doug Polhamus, Jason Bartsch.
Did Not Start: Dwayne Jackson.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Jeremy Shaw, Joe Rafferty Jr., Doug Stack, Charlie Gilbert, Matt Spencer, Scott Smith, Don Russell Jr., Kurt Decker, Chris Wood, Mike Wilbur, Larry Fenton Jr., Bimmer Gully, Brad Butcher, Tom Harrington, Mike Codington, Ernie Martin, Tom Eiklor, Bob Melovitz, Darl Ellis Jr., Joe Zatur, Dune Head, Lew Ross, Matt Ruby, Duane Codington, Scott Edwards, Jess Snell, Glen Robinson.

Five Mile Point's Sunday Show Rescheduled For Tues., June 13
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Moments after the sound of stock cars filled the air in Kirkwood, a heavy, persistent band of rain showers shut down Five Mile Point Speedway's Sunday afternoon program.

Track owner/promoter Andrew Harpell pulled the plug on the event (which he scheduled following a Saturday rain out) at 3 p.m.

Rain checks and wristbands from the Sun., June 4 program will be honored on Tues., June 13 when an altered version of the event is made up. On the schedule will be a Modified Open (sail panels and any 92 x 13-inch tire permitted), Pure Stock Open, full points-paying program for the sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds plus Sportsman (offering 25 show-up points). The Modifieds, Sportsman and Pure Stocks will draw for heat-race starting position.

Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., with grandstand gates opening at 5 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

The Sportsman heldover feature from Sat., May 13 has been pushed back to Sat., June 17.

Street Stock competitors may use their wristbands from the Sun., June 4 show for the Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series event this Sat., June 10. The Series event will offer 25 show-up points for FMP Street Stock competitors.

Racing resumes at FMP on Sat., June 10 with a huge program featuring double Modified features (heldover from Sat., May 13 plus full show), Sportsman, Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series, IMCA-Modifieds and Pure Stocks. The Don's Automotive Mall/FMP Bounty on Pure Stock driver Charlie Gilbert will get underway. Gilbert has four straight Pure Stock victories at the quarter-mile. Kiddie Rides will be given prior to the start of racing. Race time is 6 p.m.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net

Five Mile Point Rained Out; Rescheduled For June 13 (6-4-06)

Five Mile Point Speedway has rained out for Sun., June 4. Today's program has been rescheduled for Tues., June 13 as follows:
Order of events for – Tues., June 13
Pits Open: 4:30 p.m.
Grandstand Gates Open: 5:00 p.m.
Racing: 7:00 p.m.
On the schedule: Today’s event minus the heldover Sportsman feature and Street Stocks.
Modified Open, Pure Stock Open, IMCA point race (today’s IMCA draw will not count), Sportsman complete show.
Sportsman heldover feature will be run on Sat., June 17.
Street Stocks can use their wristband from tonight for this Sat., June 10's Trackside Products Series Event.
Today’s rainchecks will be honored on Tues., June 13.

Five Mile Point Reschedules For This Sun., June 4
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Persistent rain showers forced the postponement of racing at Five Mile Point Speedway to this Sun., June 4 at 3 p.m.

The decision to move the event was based on the numerous rainouts throughout the Northeast and at Five Mile Point Speedway so far this racing season.

Sunday will still be Windsor Community Day at the races. All Windsor residents with proper identification will be admitted free of charge. The 98.1 FM WHWK Family Five Pack tickets will be available as well. Two Adult, three Youth, Senior or Kid tickets along with five hot dogs and five sodas make up the Family Five Pack. The Family Five Packs are only $30.

The big-block/small-block Modifieds will compete in a 30-lap Open event featuring sail panels, any 92 x 13-inch tire and a draw for starting position. The Pure Stocks will also run an Open event with a draw for starting position in effect.

The Sportsman will run their heldover event from Sat., May 13, plus a complete new show. The IMCA-Modifieds and Street Stocks will also participate in full programs.

The Figure Eights and Kids Bicycle Races that had been scheduled for the Saturday program have been postponed until Sat., June 17.

For additional information please contact the speedway office at 607-775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Sunday, June 4th
Windsor Community Day – All town of Windsor residents admitted free with proper identification.
Pits Open: 12:30 p.m.
Grandstand Gates: 1:00 p.m.
Practice: 2:00 p.m.
Racing: 3:00 p.m.
Modified 30-lap Open. Sail panels allowed and any 92 x 13 inch tire. Draw for position.
Pure Stock 20 lap open. Draw for starting position.
Sportsman schedule per Saturday (heldover feature plus complete show)
Street Stock schedule per Saturday (regular show)
IMCA Modifieds schedule per Saturday (regular show)
Figure 8’s postponed until Saturday, June 17th.
Kids bike races rescheduled until Saturday, June 17th.

This Sat., June 3, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Windsor Community Night - all Windsor residents admitted free into the grandstands with proof of address. Double features for the Sportsman plus a full show of big-block/small-block Modifieds, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks, Figure Eights and Kids Bicycle Races. Race time is 6 p.m.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

James Cornell Notches Career-First Sat. At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - If the first one is any indication, James Cornell won't have to wait long for his next trip to Victory Lane.

The former Street Stock standout from Harpursville, N.Y., scored Modified victory number one Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway in a caution-free 30-lap feature.

The third-year open-wheel regular picked up $1,000 after executing a dramatic late-race pass of Doug Hendricks.

"My confidence is up," admitted Cornell. "We've got a good car now; last year, my confidence was down a little bit."

Starting third, Cornell watched as outside polesitter Doug Hendricks set a torrid early pace aboard Buddy Biever's No. 114. As Hendricks put distance on the field, Cornell worked by Gary Griffin for second on the 10th lap in turn four.

Hendricks had a full straightaway lead in his Wide Open Technologies big-block-powered Bicknell by that point.

"In the beginning, I told myself I knew he (Hendricks) would run the bottom," Cornell reflected. "My car was getting better as the race went on."

Searching for his first-career Modified victory, Orwigsburg, Pa.'s Hendricks, a former Sportsman and Roadrunner standout, encountered lapped traffic midway through the event.

Simultaneously, the handing on his car went away, allowing Cornell to close rapidly aboard his Dickinson Automotive-powered No. J3 Bicknell.

With five laps remaining, Cornell pulled up to Hendricks's back bumper.

"I could see I was reeling him in," Cornell said. "I saw he wasn't getting off the top like he was.

"With the lapped cars running in the middle, it worked out for me. They couldn't hold their cars next to the yuke tire; I could keep my car down there."

Cornell's low-line prowess propelled him to the front. Exiting turn four on the 27th lap, the 22-year-old darted to the recently-expanded inside groove.

As Hendricks slid up the track, Cornell took the top spot with two laps remaining.

Cornell then motored on to the breakthrough triumph.

"Right now, we're set," he bottom-lined.

Hendricks, 28, recorded a career-high runner-up effort.

"This is the best night we've had so far," Hendricks, a Friday-night Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway regular, said.

Hendricks said said his car went away as the race went on.

"If I tried to stay down or run the middle, it (the car) just got worse. Once the 15 (the lapped car of Butch Getz) got back by me, I knew I was just hanging on."

Kunkletown, Pa.'s Joey Grammes raced from 12th to finish third in the RPM-powered Bicknell No. 5. Otisville, N.Y.'s Mike Doty started seventh and placed fourth, while 11th-starter Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich, N.Y., was fifth.

Heat winners for the 30 Modifieds in attendance were Gibbs, Hendricks, Dan Hineline and Cornell. Brian Malcolm topped the consolation.

Hendricks picked up $300 for winning the Fabrications by Tauschman/Teo-Pro Car 5-lap Dash-for-Cash.

Shaun Walker's decision to call Five Mile Point his Saturday-night home paid off quickly.

Walker visited Victory Lane for the first time at the Kirkwood oval following the 20-lap Sportsman feature.

The Masonville, N.Y., driver raced from ninth to challenge Rick Raisner and Rich Wallace, who battled for the lead, by the sixth lap. When Wallace overtook Raisner on the seventh circuit, Walker worked into second. Three laps later, he put his No. 21 Bicknell into the lead, nosing out Wallace at the line when the yellow flag flew on lap 10.

Defending champion Eric Palmer of Cresco, Pa., worked by Wallace on a lap-13 restart, but couldn't chase down Walker, who earned $500 for the triumph.

"The outside was good in (turns) one and two," the soft-spoken Walker related of his pass for the lead. "But my car worked well on the bottom in (turns) three and four."

Bill Deckelman of Fremont Center, N.Y., drove from 19th starting position to place third, ahead of Jesse Kline and Eric Stephens.

Rich Wallace and Rick Raisner, who placed third and fifth, respectively, were disqualified for carburetor infractions.

Tunkhannock, Pa.'s Jerry Tonti overcame the competition and an overheating engine to win the 20-lap regularly-scheduled Street Stock feature. Tonti ducked under Keith Villano and Darren Stout on a lap-three restart and was never headed.

Dave Luff, Paul Strohl, Joe Krisovich and Les Gillette placed second through fifth, respectively.

When Mike Mills spun from the lead on the third circuit of the 20-lap Street Stock heldover event from May 13, Mayfield, Pa.'s Joe Krisovich inherited a lead he would never relinquish en route to his first trip to Victory Lane of 2006.

Dave Luff took second on lap 13, but couldn't unseat Krisovich, settling for second. Les Gillette, Jerry Tonti and Carl Heater trailed.

Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., recorded his fourth straight victory in the 20-lap Pure Stock main. Gilbert started ninth aboard his red and white No. 28, sweeping into the lead with a three-wide move on lap three. Making his first appearance of the season, Shane Wolf challenged Gilbert until succumbing to a right-rear flat tire on the final lap.

Darl Ellis Jr. snuck into second, ahead of Wolf, Jeremy Shaw and Larry Fenton Jr.

Mike Murphy's 165-mile, one-way tow to FMP ended in Victory Lane. The Buchanan, N.Y., native won the 15-lap Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club main, passing Jeff Richardson on lap four. Richardson, Jimmy Halpin, Howie Murphy and Rob Casti rounded out the top five.

Racing resumes at FMP on Sat., June 3 with a full program of Modifieds, Sportsman (in double features), IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Figure Eights. It is Windsor Community night, with all Windsor residents admitted free. Race time is 6 p.m.

For more information, contact the track office: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: The pits were packed with 30 Modifieds, 21 Sportsman, 18 Street Stocks, 20 Pure Stocks and seven Vintage Modifieds....
With the Friday-night rainout of Accord (N.Y.) Speedway, Mike Ricci and Scott Ferrier joined the Modified ranks. For Ferrier, it was his first-ever visit to FMP....
Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway regular John Ramsey was another first-time visitor....

Modified Feature Finish: JAMES CORNELL, Doug Hendricks, Joey Grammes, Mike Doty, Mitch Gibbs, J.R. Crouse, Mike Ricci, Bobby Puckett, Joel Batzel, Dana Wagner, Rich Keehle Jr., Barry White, Glenn Knapp, Butch Getz, Chris Ostrowsky, Dan Hineline, Brian Malcolm, Darin Schuler, Scott Ferrier, Darwin Greene, John Ramsey, Gordie Isham, Gary Griffin, George Hilbebrant.
Did Not Qualify: Doug Stepanchek, Jason Andrews, Stan Frankenfield Jr., Rob Konikowski, Jack Amundsen, Ken Hildebrant.

Sportsman Feature Finish: SHAUN WALKER, Eric Palmer, Bill Deckelman, Jesse Kline, Eric Stephens, Butch Klinger, Brian Puckett, Jamie Cortazar, Jason Griffiths, Jim Kleedorfer, Brad Grim, Willard Knecht, Howard Jarvis, Bruce Gould, Chris Wood, Bubba Folk, Bill Lowden Jr., Jeremy Holt, Justin Holland.
Disqualified: Rich Wallace, Rick Raisner.

Street Stock Feature Finish: JERRY TONTI, Dave Luff, Paul Strohl, Joe Krisovich, Les Gillette, Randy Tyler, Darwin Greene, John Williams, Dan Stevens, Harry Cook Jr., Doug Polhamus, Darren Stout, James Millard, Carl Heater, Bob Mills Jr., Jim Hughes Sr., Keith Villano.
Did Not Start: Mike Mills.

Street Stock Heldover Feature From May 13: JOE KRISOVICH, Dave Luff, Les Gillette, Jerry Tonti, Carl Heater, Randy Tyler, James Millard, Mike Mills, John Williams, Darwin Greene, Keith Villano, Mike Mills Jr., Harry Cook Jr., Doug Polhamus, Darren Stout.
Did Not Start: Neil DiBlasi.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Darl Ellis Jr., Shane Wolf, Jeremy Shaw, Larry Fenton Jr., Jamie Batzel, Joe Rafferty Jr., Eddie Felker, Duane Codington, Dan Mazzarese, Matt Spencer, Steve Polhamus, Bob Melovitz, Dave Conklin Jr., Mike Codington, Chuck Towner, Scott Edwards, Jonathan Carpenter, Tommy Eiklor.
Did Not Start: Randy Richards.

Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club Feature Finish: MIKE MURPHY, Jeff Richardson, Jimmy Halpin, Howie Murphy, Rob Casti, Phil Claussen, Mike Kehr.

Rich Keehle Jr. "Southern Tier Star" Wednesday Night At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - There was something distinctly different about Rich Keehle Jr.'s view prior to the start of Wednesday night's Southern Tier Star Modified Invitational at Five Mile Point Speedway.

He looked straight ahead and saw clear track.

Using the rare up-front start to his advantage, Windsor, N.Y.'s Keehle won the 15-lap go-for-broke event on Giant Markets "Pack the Track Night" at the Kirkwood quarter-mile oval.

"Any win is good," noted Keehle, 26, who picked second in the pre-race draw. "Whether it's a heat, a feature or a special race like this."

Typically mired deep in the field due to his uncanny consistency, Keehle fired into the lead on the opening lap aboard his Dickinson Automotive-powered Bicknell No. 19, outgunning polesitter J.R. Crouse into turn one.

The former Super Stock standout had accrued a straightaway lead on the second-place tussle when the event's first caution flew for debris on lap 10.

Two more yellow flags - on laps 11 and 13 - slowed the event, but Keehle cruised to the victory.

Nazareth, Pa.'s J.R. Crouse placed second in his inaugural run aboard a brand-new No. 8JR Teo-Pro car equipped with a Wally Fiehl-built big-block engine.

Crouse was pleased with the new ride's performance.

"We didn't have any bugs," Crouse, 46, said. "For the first time out, I'm happy."

Joel Batzel of Kirkwood, N.Y., rallied from eighth to place third, ahead of Chris Ostrowsky in a new No. 29 Bicknell and veteran Dave Rumsey.

Mike Stolarcyk III represented the local contingent well, winning the 20-lap IMCA-Modified feature with a star-studded field on hand.

The Whitney Point, N.Y., native collected his first sanctioned IMCA victory in a 21-car field that included some of the Northeast's top names.

Starting seventh, the 30-year-old driver inherited the lead on lap three when Larry Robbins made contact with early pacesetter Kevin Cole entering the third turn. Five of the front-running cars piled in, but Stolarcyk squirted through the melee with the number one spot.

Stolarcyk went on to win over Gary Dence, Dale Caswell (who rebounded from a lap-one spin), Mike Smith and Ray Menard.

Tommy Eiklor scored an emotional victory in the rain-postponed IMCA-Modified feature from May 13.

Eiklor, of Barton, N.Y., led from green-to-checkered in his No. 44, dedicating the win to Jan Billings, who passed away during the off-season. She was a part owner of Eiklor's car and his future mother-in-law.

Dence, Joe Cole, Menard and Stolarcyk rounded out the front five.

Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., posted the trifecta, topping his third straight 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Gilbert raced from seventh to lead by lap five, then fended off the fierce charges of 11th-starter Doug Stack.

Stack's determined run ended on the 18th lap exiting turn four when the right-front tire went down on his No. 10, leaving Gilbert home-free.

Darl Ellis Jr. beat Jeremy Shaw to the line by a nose for second, with Matt Spencer and Joe Rafferty Jr. filling out the front five.

Mark Andrus of Kirkwood, N.Y., took advantage of Steve Simpson's lap-four mechanical woes to win the 99.1 The Whale Figure Eight 12-lap feature.

Racing resumes at FMP on Sat., May 27 with Youth Night - all kids 17 and younger admitted FREE! Big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Vintage Modifieds will be on hand. The Street Stocks will take part in their heldover feature from May 13 and Modified heat winners will compete in a Dash-for-Cash presented by Fabrications by Tauschman and Teo-Pro car. Race time is 6 p.m.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts for the midweek event were 21 IMCA-Modifieds, 22 Pure Stocks and Four Figure Eights. Promoter Andrew Harpell invited eight Modifieds to participate in the Southern Tier Star Invitational....
The Modified drivers in attendance took part in an autograph session in the grandstand area. The Modifieds also fanned out for a four-wide salute to the fans on the wave lap for the Invitational....
A large crowd turned out for the event. By 9:30 p.m., the final checkered of the evening had flown....
Two of the eight cars in the Southern Tier Star Invitational were brand new: J.R. Crouse debuted a fresh Teo-Pro Car with Wally Fiehl big-block power, while Chris Ostrowsky turned his first laps in a 2006 Bicknell. The car is powered by a Wally Fiehl-built small-block on alcohol....
Glenn Knapp retired from the Mod event on lap four when a large clump of clay lodged in his left-rear wheel....
Brad Weaver, the teenage son of Modified standout Brian, won his first-ever event: the second IMCA-Mod heat race driving Bob Chapman's No. 12....
Among the notable IMCA invaders was Sean Lias of Westfield, Pa., the winningest IMCA-Mod driver in the Northeast with over 100 wins....
A moment of silence was observed prior to the start of the program for Tammy Pastl, the girlfriend of Pure Stock racer Eddie Felker, who was killed on May 17....

GIANT MARKETS “PACK THE TRACK NIGHT” RACE SUMMARY
Modified Southern Tier Star Invitational Finish: RICH KEEHLE JR., J.R. Crouse, Joel Batzel, Chris Ostrowsky, Dave Rumsey, Dana Wagner, James Cornell, Glenn Knapp.

IMCA-Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, Gary Dence, Dale Caswell, Mike Smith, Ray Menard, John Hill, Sean Lias, John Rohacevich, Walt McClenon, Kevin Cole, Josh Sawyer, Mike Stoddard, Scott Bennett, Rick Hunsinger, Tom Eiklor, Brad Weaver, Larry Robbins, Rich Talada.
Did Not Start: Tyler Stoddard, Steve Hartford, Joe Cole.

Heldover IMCA-Modified Finish From May 13: TOM EIKLOR, Gary Dence, Joe Cole, Ray Menard, Mike Stolaryck III, Kevin Cole, Josh Sawyer, John Rohacevich, Walt McClenon, Steve Hartford, Brad Weaver, Mike Stoddard, Tyler Stoddard.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Darl Ellis Jr., Jeremy Shaw, Matt Spencer, Joe Rafferty Jr., Don Russell Jr., Tom Garren, Mike Codington, Craig Decker, Bimmer Gully, Steve Polhamus, Dennis Warren, Bob Melovitz, Dave Conklin Jr., Doug Stack, Scott Edwards, Ray Lindquist, Duane Codington.
Did Not Start: Josh Towner, Duane Head, Ed Felker, Tom Eiklor.

99.1 The Whale Figure Eight Feature Finish: MARK ANDRUS, Don Lantz Jr., Steve Simpson.
Did Not Start: Dave Cronk.

This week at Five Mile Point Speedway...

TONIGHT: Third Annual Giant Markets "Pack the Track Night" with $1 grandstand admission! Modified Southern Tier Showdown Invitational, heldover IMCA-Modified feature from May 13 plus an entire new IMCA program, Pure Stocks, 99.1 The WHALE Figure Eights and 600cc Modifieds. Open practice 4-6:30 p.m., racing at 7 p.m.

SAT., MAY 27: Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks (complete show and May 13 heldover feature), Pure Stocks and Vintage Modifieds plus Fabrications by Tauschman/Teo-Pro Car Modified Dash-for-Cash. YOUTH NIGHT - all kids 17 and under admitted FREE! Hot laps at 5 p.m., racing at 6 p.m.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Five Mile Point Rains Out For May 20; Reschedules "Pack the Track Night" for This Wed., May 24
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Five Mile Point Speedway's Giant Markets "Pack the Track Night" for Sat., May 20 has been canceled due to steady rain and an ominous forecast.

But don't spend that dollar on a cup of coffee just yet.

FMP owner/promoter Andrew Harpell has rescheduled a modified version of the $1 grandstand admission event for this Wed., May 24 at the quarter-mile oval.

On the card for the midweek special will be Modifieds in a 15-lap Southern Tier Star Showdown Invitational, plus the heldover IMCA-Modified feature from Sat., May 13, a second full program for the IMCA Modifieds and full shows for the Pure Stocks and 99.1 The Whale Figure Eights. The 600cc Modifieds will also be on hand for a 12-lap exhibition event.

Pit gates will open at 3:30 p.m., with grandstand gates opening at 4 p.m. Open practice will run from 4 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. and will be FREE for drivers NOT competing in that night's events. Drivers already racing that night will be able to take advantage of the extended practice. Racing will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

"I plan to have this entire show done by 9 p.m. at the latest," said FMP promoter Andrew Harpell, who intends to keep the event "pure entertainment" for new fans taking advantage of the reduced admission rate.

The Sportsman WILL NOT be in competition, while the Keystone Legends have been rescheduled for Sat., Sept. 2. An additional 600cc Modified show is slated for Wed., Aug. 9.

"Most of our Sportsman teams tow from two-plus hours away," said Harpell. "So I don't want to have them drive up here on such short notice.

"Having the Modified Southern Tier Star Invitational, we'll be able to showcase some of our top local names to the fans."

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

This Sat., May 20, at Five Mile Point Speedway...
$1 Grandstand Admission At Five Mile Point Saturday

ONE DOLLAR GRANDSTAND ADMISSION! Giant Markets presents the Third Annual "Pack the Track Night." The Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Pure Stocks, 99.1 The Whale Figure Eights, 600cc Modifieds and Keystone Legends will take to the quarter-mile oval. The IMCA-Mod racers will compete in double features, making up their rain-postponed event from Sat., May 13.

The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive free tickets to Sunday afternoon's Binghamton Mets game.

Contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more information.

Gilbert Two-For-Two At FMP; Rain Cuts Program Short
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - A damp Charlie Gilbert trudged from Five Mile Point Speedway's pit area to the payoff window as a steady rain doused the Kirkwood track.

"I'm glad we got our race in before the rain," he smirked.

Gilbert had good reason to thank Mother Nature. She let the Pure Stock division run its 20-lap feature - which he won - moments before a band of storms moved into the area, forcing the postponement of Saturday's Interstate Auto Parts/Country Town Auto Service Modified, Sportsman, IMCA-Modified and Street Stock features.

"It was already approaching 9 p.m. when we got that last storm," offered FMP promoter Andrew Harpell. "There comes a point when you have to pull the plug.

"We reached that point."

Rain intensified as the Sportsman competitors embarked on their pace laps. Harpell waited approximately 20 minutes before officially curtailing the program. All the qualifying events had been completed despite intermittent showers throughout the night.

In the Pure Stock event, Binghamton, N.Y.'s Gilbert stalked polesitter Scott Edwards for the first eight laps.

But Edwards made one key miscue that opened the door for Gilbert, a cagey full-fender veteran.

Entering turn one, Edwards got the left-side wheels of his No. 14 into the wet lower groove and pushed up the speedway. Gilbert zipped to the inside to take a lead he would never relinquish en route to his second consecutive triumph.

"If it wasn't for him (Edwards) making that one mistake, I don't know if we would've gotten by him," Gilbert said, crediting noted car builder and chassis man Rich Cornell for his early-season success.

Edwards finished second, ahead of a hard-charging Darl Ellis Jr., Matt Spencer and Mike Codington.

Racing resumes on Sat., May 20 with Giant Markets "Pack the Track Night" offering $1 grandstand admission. The Sportsman, IMCA-Modifieds, Pure Stocks, 600cc Modifieds, Keystone Legends and zany Figure Eights will be in competition. The IMCA-Modifieds will run their make-up feature, as well. Race time is 6 p.m.

Rain check holders from Saturday night's rain-shortened program will be admitted into the grandstand free of charge.

The remaining make-up features will be held on the following dates: Modified (June 10); Sportsman (June 3); and Street Stock (May 27).

For further information, contact the speedway office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

INTERSTATE AUTO PARTS/COUNTRY TOWN AUTO SERVICE RACE SUMMARY
Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Scott Edwards, Darl Ellis Jr., Matt Spencer, Mike Codington, Ed Felker, Nate Shea, Jeremy Shaw, Joe Rafferty Jr., Larry Fenton Jr., Paul Carpenter, Steve Polhamus, Duane Codington, Gene VanAlstyne, Mahlon Shoemaker, Chuck Culverston.
Disqualified: Jamie Batzel
Did Not Start: Duane Head

This Sat., May 13, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Little League Night! All players in uniform admitted free and recognized.

Five divisions of wheel-to-wheel racing on a recently-widened quarter-mile oval: big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. See all the action under the new lights! Check out the facility upgrades.

The "Family Five Pack" will be in effect - for $30, a family of five can purchase two Adult tickets and three Youth tickets. Five hot dogs and five sodas are included. The savings is $33!

Race time is 6 p.m. Contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more info.

Mitch Gibbs Powers To Victory In Five Mile Point's 56th Season Opener
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - During his well-documented 13-win season at Five Mile Point Speedway in 2002, Mitch Gibbs rarely deviated from the outside groove.

On Saturday night, in his weekly return to the historic Kirkwood quarter-mile, the North Norwich, N.Y., driver utilized a distinctly different approach.

Low-lining for the entire 50-lap distance, Gibbs drove to victory in the Gary's U-Pull-It 56th Season Opener at FMP, driving his self-owned No. 2G small-block Modified.

In addition to a $1,500 top prize, Gibbs earned a starting berth in the Fabrications by Tauschman All-Star Cash Dash to be held on Sat., Oct. 7 during the First Annual Short Track SuperNationals at Afton (N.Y.) Speedway.

"I tried a different set-up tonight," said Gibbs, who drove a Bicknell with a well-worn Moshier engine. "I was tired of getting beat by the Ricci brothers (Rich Jr. and Mike won three of the last four special shows at FMP). I had to try and get better."

Gibbs started the extra-distance main ninth and methodically moved forward as newcomer Mike Doty and veteran Glenn Knapp diced for the lead. Knapp led laps 1-3 before Doty powered his No. 1K Teo-Pro car to the top spot up high.

By lap seven, Gibbs joined the lead fight, making it a three-car tussle.

"I was trying to figure out, 'Am I wearing tires or not?' because the different set-up makes the car feel loose on entry," Gibbs said of his early climb.

"I was hashing that around when I was racing with them. I really thought my tires were shot - usually I am a pretty good judge of that - but they look great."

Using the outside lane on a ninth-lap restart, Knapp, driving his Dickinson Automotive-powered Troyer "drop-rail maxi-flex" No. 26, regained the top spot.

A caution flew on lap 11 for a multi-car jingle in turn four. On the ensuing restart, Chris Ostrowsky's No. 29 got turned on the homestretch, where he was hit hard by Jack Amundsen and Bobby Puckett.

Amundsen's car landed upside-down at the entrance to turn one. No one was injured in the incident.

When racing resumed, Gibbs continued to work the inner hub, sliding by Doty on the 16th circuit exiting turn four.

On lap 18, he drew even with Knapp through turns one and two, but Knapp's outside momentum carried him back to the lead at the stripe.

After two circuits of wheel-to-wheel action, Gibbs emerged with the lead for good on the 21st go-round.

"I needed to find more drive off (the corners) and I found it," Gibbs said. "It's there.

"They were both running good, (Knapp and Doty). But we've got this car hooked now. Once I got out front, I was just 'idling' really."

Once in front, Gibbs walked away from Knapp and Doty, who traded the runner-up spot. Doty worked by Knapp on lap 29. Two laps later, Knapp regained the position.

Unfortunately, Doty's fine run came to a halt on lap 45, when he dropped off the pace in turn two, necessitating the caution.

Gibbs marched on to the victory in the final five circuits, one night after winning at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway, where he is driving for Brad Grammes.

Knapp, 46, of Johnson City, N.Y., continued his extra-distance prowess. The well-liked driver has finished in the top five on four occasions in the last five events longer than 30-laps, including a win last September on Season Championship Night.

Knapp, known for running the inside, said a loose racecar prompted him to stay high.

"I couldn't get down on the bottom where he (Gibbs) was running, because I was loose," Knapp reported. "I was better when I stayed on the top - and it's nice to have a track like that where you can move around.

"Once I saw him (Gibbs), I said 'I know I can run with him,' but he's fast here.

"Finishing second to Mitch, what can you do? The way he goes here, I'm happy."

Steady veteran J.R. Crouse of Nazareth, Pa., placed third in his No. 8JR Morrison-powered TRC chassis. Crouse started fourth.

"I thought I was going to catch Knapp before the yellow came out (on lap 45)," said Crouse, 46. "I was biding my time, pretty much the whole race.

"I thought the tires would go away, but they didn't. The car stayed the same the whole race."

Rich Keehle Jr. of Windsor, N.Y., drove from 10th to finish fourth, the final car on the lead lap. Afton Speedway regular Mike McCollum of Hawley, Pa., placed fifth in a rare FMP appearance.

Modified heat winners were Chris Ostrowsky, Crouse and Gibbs. 24 cars signed into the pit area.

An ugly start to the 20-lap Sportsman feature led track officials to black flag the entire field on the fifth lap. The main, originally the first feature of the night, was then moved to dead last, running the final 15 laps after the Modified headliner was completed.

The time-out worked to the advantage of Brad Grim, who scored the victory.

Grim, of Coplay, Pa., drove his Dave George-powered Dirt Wheels No. 611 to the lead just three circuits after the event resumed, ducking low on Butch Klinger.

Second-generation driver Jesse Kline took second on lap 14 but couldn't challenge Grim, who cruised to the $500 victory.

"I was glad we had that break," said Grim, 27. "I don't know if we could have gotten around the 9 (Klinger) earlier."

Kline, a door-less Shaun Walker, Klinger and 18th-starter Eric Palmer rounded out the top five.

By less than a car-length, Scott Bennett etched his name in the record books as the first feature winner under the full IMCA sanction.

Bennett, of Waverly, N.Y., ran third in the 20-lap IMCA-Modified feature when leader Tommy Eiklor spun entering turn one, collecting second-running Gary Dence moments after starter Raymond Kennerup displayed the white flag.

Bennett assumed the lead, but he wasn't free and clear. He had to face a stout Mike Stolarcyk III in a one-lap dash to the finish.

Stolarcyk motored his No. III to the outside of Bennett on the restart, pulling even with down the backstretch. Bennett slid up the track exiting turn four and beat Stolarcyk by approximately four feet to score the win.

Mike Stoddard, Larry Robbins and Joe Cole completed the top five.

Paul Strohl earned his first career Five Mile Point win in dramatic fashion. The Montrose, Pa., driver nursed a deflating left-rear tire home in the waning circuits of the 20-lap Street Stock main and had to be towed to Victory Lane.

Strohl took the lead on lap 11 when Jerry Tonti became entangled with the lapped car of John Williams on the frontstretch. Strohl zipped to the outside, took command and was never headed.

Carl Heater inherited second on the final lap when Dave Luff and Tonti got together entering turn three.

Darren Stout was third, ahead of Tonti and Joe Krisovich.

Binghamton, N.Y.'s Charlie Gilbert said point blank: "I had too good of a car not to win tonight." That's why he was so determined to get to the front in a wild 20-lap Pure Stock feature.

Gilbert, who started seventh in his familiar red and white No. 28, took the lead on the 14th lap with a daring four-wide move on the homestretch, as Jeremy Shaw (who had led from lap three), Frank Chapman, Gilbert and the lapped car of Bobby Melovitz used all of the recently-widened racing surface.

Gilbert emerged from the tussle out front and raced to the win over Shaw, defending champion Mahlon Shoemaker, Matt Spencer and Scott Edwards.

Racing continues on Sat., May 13 at Five Mile Point Speedway with a full program of Modifieds, Sportsman, IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Race time is 6 p.m. For Little League Night, all players in uniform will be admitted free and recognized.

For more information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: To say the new lights, put in following the Sun., April 9 Southern Tier Open, made a big difference is an understatement.
When night fell in the Southern Tier, the Kirkwood track was illuminated, drawing praise from competitors and fans....
Other improvements included all electrical wiring being run underground, an expanded turns three and four (by 20 feet), a new Victory Lane on top of the frontstretch wall. New fencing was put into place.
The area outside turns three and four was cleared and filled, while all the walls and yuke tires sported a fresh coat of paint. The material on top of the frontstretch wall was shaved down for better fan viewing....
The surface was in prime condition, providing three- and four-wide racing....
Car counts stood at 24 Modifieds, 21 Sportsman, 13 IMCA-Modifieds, 15 Street Stocks and 16 Pure Stocks....
When asked whether Gibbs would use his guaranteed starting position in the Short Track SuperNationals All-Star Cash Dash, he answered without hesitation.
"Absolutely," he said, "I'll be there!"....
Tire wear was a non-issue. Gibbs said he would use the same set of tires next week; third-place Crouse started the 50-lapper on a used set....
Bobby Puckett utilized a borrowed powerplant from Tom Oleski after his engine let go during the Sat., April 29 practice....
Broken rear-end gears forced IMCA-Mod winner Scott Bennett to be towed from Victory Lane....

GARY'S U-PULL-IT 56TH SEASON OPENER RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: MITCH GIBBS, Glenn Knapp, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle Jr., Mike McCollum, Darin Schuler, Joel Batzel, Dan Hineline, Brian Malcolm, Tom Oleski, Gordie Isham, Mike Doty, Barry White, Dana Wagner, Doug Stepanchek, Dave Rumsey, Chris Ostrowsky, Jack Amundsen, Bobby Puckett, George Hildebrant, James Cornell, Robbie Konikowski, Doug Hendricks, Gary Griffin.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRAD GRIM, Jesse Kline, Shaun Walker, Butch Klinger, Eric Palmer, Brian Puckett, Mike Mammana, Jamie Cortazar, Eric Stephens, Justin Holland, Harry Landis Jr., Chris Wood, Willard Knecht, Rich Wallace, Tim Gutekunst, Bill Lowden Jr., Rick Raisner, Jim Kleedorfer, Jason Hamilton, Jeremy Holt, Jay Horton.

IMCA-Modified Feature Finish: SCOTT BENNETT, Mike Stolarcyk III, Mike Stoddard, Larry Robbins, Joe Cole, K.C. Cole, Carl Bittenbender, Ray Menard, Gary Dence, Tommy Eiklor, Walt McClenon, Steve Hartford, Bob Chapman.

Street Stock Feature Finish: PAUL STROHL, Carl Heater, Darren Stout, Jerry Tonti, Joe Krisovich, Keith Villano, Dave Luff, Mike Mills, Jim Hughes, Les Gillette, Randy Tyler, John Williams, Harry Cook Jr., Tom Herman, Doug Polhamus.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Jeremy Shaw, Mahlon Shoemaker, Matt Spencer, Scott Edwards, Steve Polhamus, Randy Richards, Jonathan Carpenter, Bobby Melovitz, Joe Rafferty Jr., Frank Chapman, Duane Codington, Nate Shay, Jamie Batzel, Mike Codington, Bob Glover Jr.

This Sat., May 6, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

The official 56th Season Opener at the Kirkwood quarter-mile, featuring a 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified feature (a Short Track SuperNationals All-Star Cash Dash Qualifier), Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Point battles begin for all classes. Two of last year's Race of Champions Dirt Tour point title winners - Mitch Gibbs (Modified overall) and Jason Hamilton (Sportsman) - will be on hand. Race time is 6 p.m.

The "Family Five Pack" is in effect - for $30, a family of five can purchase two Adult tickets and three Youth tickets. Five hot dogs and five sodas are included. The savings is $33!

Contact the speedway office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more info.

Improvements Complete, Five Mile Point's 56th Season Opener Set For Sat., May 6
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Nearly one month after the quarter-mile oval hosted its first on-track action, Five Mile Point Speedway's official 56th Season Opener is slated for Sat., May 6.

The five-division card will be headlined by a 50-lap feature for the big-block/small-block Modifieds. The extra-distance main is a Qualifier for the Short Track SuperNationals All-Star Cash Dash to be held at N.Y.'s Afton Speedway on Sat., Oct. 7.

The Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will fill out the card. The point championship battles will get underway for all divisions. Race time is 6 p.m.

The venerable Kirkwood facility has undergone some major improvements since the Southern Tier Open was contested on Sun., April 9.

New poles and brand-new stadium lighting have been installed to illuminate the action. All electricity has been run underground. New fencing has been put into place down the length of the entire frontstretch. The material on top of the frontstretch wall has been shaved down to improve viewing from the spectator area.

Victory Lane is now located on top of the frontstretch wall, a change that will offer two benefits. Primarily, the celebrations will be "up close and personal" for the fans. Secondly, moving the winners out of the infield will expedite the program (eliminating downtime while crew members, announcers, etc., cross the track).

The message board, previously located outside turns three and four, will be relocated to turn one with the lap counter in the near future.

In the pit area, elevated viewing bleachers have been erected.

The track itself has been widened by 20 feet in turns three and four by pushing in the inside hub and extending the outside of the track.

"We haven't been racing, but it's been a busy month," said FMP promoter/owner Andrew Harpell, entering his third season at the helm of the Southern Tier oval. "I know I'm excited about the season.

"The interest has been unbelievable."

A healthy big-block/small-block Modified field is expected for the Season Opener, including defending champion Brian Weaver, former champion Mitch Gibbs, steady Nazareth, Pa., veteran J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle Jr., Bobby Puckett, local favorite Joel Batzel, Dana Wagner, Brian Malcolm, Barry White, popular Glenn Knapp, George Hildebrant, soft-spoken Gary Griffin and many more.

Invaders expected to attend the 56th Season Opener include Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway talent Joey Grammes of Kunkletown, Pa., who finished third in the Southern Tier Open and Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway Modified regular Doug Hendricks, the all-time winningest Roadrunner competitor at the Minersville, Pa., three-eighths-mile.

With Erwinna, Pa., native Jason Hamilton planning to enter the night's Sportsman action, two of last year's Race of Champions Dirt Tour point title winners will be in the pit area. Hamilton was the '05 RoC Dirt Sportsman champ and Mitch Gibbs notched the '05 RoC Dirt Modified Tour overall co-championship.

Full fields are expected in all divisions, with a significant growth in numbers for the recently-sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds on the horizon.

The new "Family Five Pack" will be in effect for the Season Opener: for $30, a family of five can purchase two Adult tickets and three Youth tickets. They'll also receive five hot dogs and five sodas. The savings is $33. This "Family Five Pack" is in effect for regular shows and the Season Opener.

Five Mile Point Speedway also accepts credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) for general admission, new for the 2006 season.

For further information, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Five Mile Point practice washed out

Kirkwood, NY...The practice session scheduled for today (April 22nd) at Five Mile Point Sepedway has been washed out. A final practice session will be held next Saturday prior to the May 6th season point opener.

The final practice session was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. on April 29th. There may be a change in this time pending on a Monday morning meeting between speedway personnel and the on site electrical contractors. A brand new stadium lighting system is being put in place around the speedway. If work on the lights is completed, the practice will be moved to 6 p.m. in order to give teams practice time on race night track conditions.

The decision to change the practice starting time would be made no later than Tuesday afternoon. For further information please contact the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more.

Same Result One Year Later: Ricci Brothers Dominate Southern Tier Open At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Same result, one year later.

Stealing the show in the 50-lap Southern Tier Open Sunday afternoon at Five Mile Point Speedway, the Ricci brothers scored their second consecutive one-two punch in the 13th running of open competition event.

Rich Ricci Jr. bested older brother Mike Ricci for the $3,000 victory at the Kirkwood track. Both drivers drove '04 DIRT-legal small-blocks with sail panels.

"This car was just awesome today," Ricci, 39, said of his familiar red No. 55. "We (he and Mike) were going back and forth with set-ups earlier, but it started to get colder and I said, 'I'm going with what I ran here last year.'"

The post-qualifying redraw landed Mike Ricci on the pole for the main, and the Rosendale, N.Y., driver blasted into the early lead with his Jim Winchell-owned No. 17.

Meanwhile, Rich Ricci Jr. began his ascent from eighth position.

The nine-time Accord (N.Y.) Speedway champion vaulted from fourth to second on a sixth-lap restart. Then he went to work on "little brother."

When the caution lights flickered on with eight laps complete, Mike Ricci chose the inside for a double-file restart.

Bad move.

Dropping the hammer on his Precision-powered Dirt Wheels No. 55, Rich Ricci Jr. utilized the turn-one banking to sweep into the race lead.

"I found the top and this thing just took off," smiled Ricci, only an occasional visitor to Five Mile Point. "'Little brother' was fast, but there was no stopping us."

Mike Ricci didn't just ride in second, however. He stalked the leader for the next 30 laps, working the track's inner hub.

"I didn't know where he was running," the younger Ricci said. "I knew I had to be on the top."

In fact, it was Rich Ricci Jr.'s high-line prowess that enabled him to pull away in the final 10 circuits. He carved through slower traffic with ease.

His final advantage was a half-straightaway.

"What a way to start the year!" exclaimed Ricci, who will begin his chase for Accord championship number 10 on Fri., April 21.

Mike Ricci placed second in the same Enders-powered PMC chassis that he drove to victory in last year's Southern Tier 100.

"Rich was good on the top," he said. "I thought I might've been able to get back by him (in the event's mid stages) but he got away at the end."

Kunkletown, Pa.'s Joey Grammes authored a stirring drive to place third in his RPM-powered Bicknell No. 5J. Grammes, who lost track position in a lap-six tangle, ripped through the field on the outside groove (even scraping the frontstretch wall on lap 17 after a jostle with Dana Wagner).

Grammes took third on a lap-22 restart and remained in that position, scoring his best-ever finish at FMP.

"That pileup in (turn) four early on hurt us," noted Grammes, a regular at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway. "I knew when the sun went down and they put some water on the track that the outside would be awesome.

"I wish I could've gotten up there (to the front) earlier."

Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich, N.Y., rallied from 27th to fourth in his self-owned No. 2G and Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J., was fifth in the Dinatale No. 11D.

Forty-two Modifieds signed into the pit area. Heat winners were Dana Wagner, Brian Decker, Ryan Grim, Pauch Jr. and Mike Ricci. James Cornell and George Hildebrant topped the consolations.

A borrowed powerplant did the trick for Willie Osmun in the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region lid-lifter.

Bloomsbury, N.J.'s Osmun lost his primary engine eight days earlier at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, his home track. Fellow racer Mike Bent loaned him an engine and Osmun took it to Victory Lane at FMP. He earned $1,000 for the win.

"I've got to thank Mike Bent," a happy Osmun reported. "Without him, we wouldn't have been here today. We lost our motor last week and he came through for us."

Driving his No. 14 Troyer "maxi-flex" chassis, Osmun raced methodically to the front from eighth starting position. He took second on lap 11 and closed on polesitter Alex Konopka, who led from the outset.

Osmun throttled to the outside of Konopka entering turn three on lap 14 and was never headed.

The popular Garden State driver reported that he would chase RoC Dirt points this season in the South Region.

Middletown, N.Y.'s Danny Creeden was a RoC-best second, driving his Precision-powered No. 16X Teo-Pro car.

Creeden took the position on lap 20, but didn't make up ground on the leader until the final five laps.

"He was fast," noted Creeden, an Accord/Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular. "I gained on him at the end, but I couldn't do anything with him.

"I'm happy. It was a good day."

Defending RoC Dirt Sportsman champion Jason Hamilton of Erwinna, Pa., placed third after starting sixth.

"We were tight," noted Hamilton, 30. "We expected the track to get slick and it didn't. It was shoving the nose.

"We were a third-place car."

Konopka, of Gouldsboro, Pa., faded to fourth after leading the first 14 laps and 20th-starter Brad Brightbill was fifth.

A bizarre incident on lap four - during a caution-period - saw 10 cars stack up on the frontstretch. No one was injured in the melee, though a 15-minute red flag ensued.

Dave Zona of Montrose, Pa., drove away from the competition in the 20-lap Late Model feature. Last year's Penn-Can champion vaulted into the top spot from the outside pole on lap one and steadily increased his lead. When the checkered dropped, it was a half-track on the second-place battle. Billy Marvin was the runner-up, with R.J. Windhausen, Randall Paxton and Jamie Griffiths in tow.

Randall Paxton of Dalton, Pa., won the heldover BRC Lazer Late Model Series event from Nov. 6, 2005. Paxton took command on the 13th go-round after a six-lap tussle with Jamie Griffiths (who later dropped off the pace with a left-rear flat tire). Zona, Bud Phillips, Windhausen and Allan Kellogg finished second through fifth, respectively.

Doug Stack of Athens, Pa., topped the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Stack took the lead on lap 16 and survived a one-lap dash following a caution on the penultimate lap to score the win over Frank Chapman, Charlie Gilbert, Mahlon Shoemaker and Rich Talada.

The next race date at Five Mile Point Speedway is Sat., May 6 with the 56th Season Opener featuring a 50-lap feature for the big-block/small-block Modifieds. The extra-distance main will be a qualifier for the Short Track SuperNationals All-Star Cash Dash at Afton (N.Y.) Speedway Fri.-Sat. Oct. 6-7. The Sportsman, IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will complete the card.

Practice sessions are scheduled for Sat., April 22 and Sat., April 29. Contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for further information.

COUNTER POINTS: A large Sunday crowd congregated at the to watch 42 Modifieds, 47 RoC Dirt Sportsman, 15 Late Models and 16 Pure Stocks....
Third-place finisher Grammes utilized a 430 cubic inch powerplant in his Bicknell chassis....
New Jersey star Billy Pauch made a rare FMP start in the Grammes team's second car. Pauch headed pitside on lap eight with a proken panhard bar....
Pauch's son, Billy Jr., was a solid fifth in the Dinatale No. 11D, a car that has seen past success at FMP with Meme DeSantis at the wheel....
Notable Modified DNQs included Grandview (Pa.) Speedway star Mike Gular and Big Diamond (Pa.)/Bridgeport (N.J.) talent Rick Laubach....
A tip of the hat to Brian Decker, who drove his father Randy's No. 9R in the Mod event. Decker, 30, of Susquehanna, Pa., rebounded from a lap-six flat tire to finish sixth....
Brad Grim picked up the Sherwood Racing Wheels Sportsman Hard Charger Award. The Coplay, Pa., driver raced from 25th to seventh in the 40-lap feature....

Southern Tier Open Modified Feature Finish: RICH RICCI JR., Mike Ricci, Joey Grammes, Mitch Gibbs, Billy Pauch Jr., Brian Decker, Ryan Grim, J.R. Crouse, Doug Manmiller, Wade Decker, Brent Wilcox, Rich Keehle Jr., James Cornell, Jeff Kotary, Darin Schuler, Dan Hineline, Brian Weaver, Doug Hendricks, Barry Davis, Butch Getz, Dana Wagner, Jimmy Davis, Jim Crawn, George Hildebrant, Mike Colsten, Billy Pauch, Glenn Knapp, Alan Rudalavage.
Did Not Qualify: Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, J.R. Hurlburt, Brian Malcolm, Darwin Greene, Dave Calaman, Ray Deemer, Chris Ostrowsky, Allan Kellogg, Ken Eckert Jr., Gordie Isham, Ricky Yetter, Joel Batzel, Mike Doty.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 1 Feature Finish: WILLIE OSMUN, Danny Creeden, Jason Hamilton, Alex Konopka, Brad Brightbill, Butch Klinger, Brad Grim, John McClelland, Mike Lartz, Mike Loney, John Salvatore, Craig Whitmoyer, Michael Storms, Billy Tanner IV, Frank Doty, Josh Biever, Derrick McGrew, Kyle Weiss, Ken Titus, Shaun Walker, Joey Colsten, Rich Green, Pat Votra, Jesse Kline, Eric Palmer, Steve Babicek, Jeff Geiges, Jamie Yankowski, Dave Coene.
Did Not Qualify: Drew Ricco, Clay Butler, Mike Mammana, Ricky Rutt, Justin Holland, Chris Wood, Ryan Olsommer, Danny Yankowski, Eric Stephens, Ted DeGroat, Alex Tonkin, Rick Raisner, Jim Toy, Chris Grbac, Bobby Hentschel, Jim Kleedorfer, Mike Trautschold, Brad Force.

Late Model Feature Finish: DAVE ZONA, Billy Marvin, R.J. Windhausen, Randall Pazton, Jamie Griffiths, Allan Kellogg, Adam MacGeorge, Bud Phillips, Jim O'Hara, Brian Bernheisel, Tracy Gregory, Chad Hollenbeck, Lary DiLello, Keith Mudge.
Did Not Start: Jim Cummings.

Heldover BRC Lazer Series Late Model Finish From Nov. 6, 2005: RANDALL PAXTON, Dave Zona, Bud Phillips, R.J. Windausen, Allan Kellogg, Tracy Gregory, Chad Hollenbeck, Jamie Griffiths, Larry DiLello, Keith Mudge, Rich King, Chris Piasecki.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: DOUG STACK, Frank Chapman, Charlie Gilbert, Mahlon Shoemaker, Rich Talada, Kurt Decker, Jeremy Shaw, Mike Wilbur, Nick Robinson, Bill Cook, Denny Decker, Jamie Batzel, Floyd Peters, Tom Eiklor, Jason Bond, Jim House.

This weekend, April 8-9, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Saturday, April 8 - OPEN PRACTICE (2-6 p.m.): A final test and tune session prior to Sunday afternoon's Southern Tier Open.

Sunday, April 9 - SOUTHERN TIER OPEN: Open Competition Modifieds, 50-laps, $3,000 to the winner. Sail panels, alcohol, big- or small-blocks, any 13- x 92-inch tire will be permitted. Also on the card will be the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region lid-lifter (40-laps, $1,000-to-win), BRC Lazer Late Model Series heldover event from Nov. 6, 2005, complete new Late Model program and Pure Stocks. Pit gates open at 10 a.m., grandstand gates at 11:30 a.m., with hot laps at 1 p.m. and racing at 2 p.m.

For more information, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555, or check out the official FMP website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net. The Race of Champions Dirt Tour is online at www.rocdirt.com.

Five Mile Point Tire Bulletin (3-25-06)

Tires will be available at Five Mile Point Speedway beginning next Sat., April 1. French's Auto Parts will be at the track for both practice sessions (April 1 and 8). Contact Dave French at (607) 774-4500 for further information.

Grader Turns First '06 Laps, Five Mile Point Surface Ready To Go; Practice Added On April 1
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - The first laps of the 2006 season at Five Mile Point Speedway were turned on Fri., March 24: by a grader.
FMP owner/promoter Andrew Harpell took advantage of a mild winter to prepare the surface for Sun., April 9's Southern Tier Open at the Kirkwood quarter-mile oval. Harpell had originally planned to begin track conditioning next week, but opted to kick-start his '06 work regimen early.
"It can rain for nine straight days now and we'll be fine. The surface is that good," Harpell said moments after finishing up at the 56-year-old facility on Friday night.
"We're in great shape for April 9. People from outside the area probably find it hard to believe we'll be able to open so early, but there's no question in my mind now."
Harpell expects a racy, tacky surface for the Southern Tier Open. "Nobody will be disappointed," he bottom-lined.
Headlining the second springtime running of the Southern Tier Open will be a 50-lap, $3,000-to-win open competition Modified event featuring big- or small-block engines, gas or alcohol, sail panels and any 13- x 92-inch tire.
Past Southern Tier Open Modified winners include: Ivan Little (1970); Lou Lazzaro (1971); Frank Mears (1972); Stan Ploski (1973); Chuck Ciprich (1974); Jack Johnson (1975); Jim Crawn (2000); Mike Colsten (2001); Mitch Gibbs (2002 and 2004); Rich Keehle Jr. (2003); and Rich Ricci Jr. (2005).
The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour will compete in the South Region opener, a 40-lap feature paying $1,000-to-win. A heldover BRC Lazer Late Model event from Nov. 6, 2005, complete new Late Model program and Pure Stocks will fill out the card.
Pit gates open at 10 a.m. Grandstand gates open at 11:30 a.m. Hot laps are slated for 1 p.m., with racing promptly at 2 p.m.
Adult admission is $20. Adult tickets will be sold in pairs for $35 ($5 savings). Youth (ages 13-17) and Seniors (age 62 and above) are $10. Kids 12 and younger are always free.
Due to the good condition of the surface, an open practice has been added for Sat., April 1 from 1-5 p.m. A second practice session is scheduled for Sat., April 8, 2-6 p.m.
Grandstand admission is free for both practices with the donation a canned good, which will be passed along to CHOW.
For further information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Five Mile Point To Offer "Family Five Pack" In 2006
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - It's official.
Five Mile Point Speedway is the site for economical family fun in the Southern Tier. FMP promoter/owner Andrew Harpell has introduced a "Family Five Pack" for the 2006 season in an attempt to make attending the track's Saturday-night programs more feasible for families.
In 2006, $30 will get a family two Adult tickets, 3 Youth (ages 13-17) or Kid tickets, plus five hot dogs and five sodas.
It's a total savings of $33 (the "Family Five Pack" deal is not available for special or discounted ticket events).
"Family is a big part of racing at Five Mile Point Speedway," said Harpell, entering his third season in command of the Kirkwood quarter-mile oval.
"I grew up there, and one of the greatest things for me is to see families out enjoying the races on a Saturday night like I did with my own. This 'Family Five Pack' should add to that whole atmosphere."
Five Mile Point's weekly programs include big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
Racing is scheduled to begin at Five Mile Point on Sun., April 9 with the Southern Tier Open, headlined by a 50-lap, $3,000-to-win open competition event Modified allowing sail panels, open tires (13 x 92-inch), big- or small-blocks (and all things between) on gas or alcohol.
The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region lid-lifter (40-laps), heldover BRC Lazer Series Late Model event from '05, complete new Late Model program and Pure Stocks will complete the day. Race time is 2 p.m.
Accord (N.Y.) Speedway regular Rich Ricci Jr. won last year's Southern Tier Open over Mike Ricci, Mitch Gibbs, eventual track champion Brian Weaver and Alan Rudalavage.
A practice session is tentatively slated for Sat., April 8 at 2 p.m.
Two more test and tune periods are planned on Sat., April 22 and Sat., April 29 before the official 56th Season Opener gets the point battles underway on Sat., May 6 with a 50-lap Modified feature, plus Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
Other "bargain" nights on the '06 schedule include Sat., May 20 "Pack the Track Night" featuring $1 admission for a show of Sportsman, Pure Stocks, IMCA-Modifieds, Figure Eights, Keystone Legends and 600cc Modifieds and Sat., July 1, offering 2-for-1 grandstand admission for CRSA 305 Sprint Cars, Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Figure Eights and a Fireworks Extravaganza.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Five Mile Point Speedway Winter Notebook; Preparations Underway For 56th Season
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - The pace car has dropped off, caution lights have been turned out and the green flag is in sight for the 56th consecutive season of operation at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Third-year FMP promoter/owner Andrew Harpell is hastily preparing for the upcoming campaign at the quarter-mile oval as the first on-track action of '06 nears.
The Southern Tier Open on Sun., April 9 featuring a 50-lap Modified feature paying $3,000-to-win, plus the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region opener, heldover BRC Lazer Series Late Model main from Nov. '05, entire new Late Model program and Pure Stocks will kick-start the year.
Fans can expect to see a mix of big- and small-block Modifieds running gasoline or alcohol, any 13 x 92-inch tire and sail panels with relaxed rules in effect. Race time is 2 p.m.
A tentative practice session is slated for Sat., April 8 at 2 p.m.
In an announcement made last weekend, Harpell confirmed what many observers deemed inevitable for the past few seasons: the Street Stocks will be dropped off the regular Saturday-night card at the historic facility for the 2007 season.
The Street Stock class will compete on 14 weekends in 2006. A full point fund will be paid out to the top 10 finishers in the standings at the year-end Awards Banquet.
Citing costs that have "reached an unrealistic point" in the Street Stock class, Harpell said he would put more focus and energy on the growth of the recently-sanctioned IMCA-Modified division in the future.
Any Street Stock team that competes in at least 75 percent of the '06 events at FMP will receive a free pit pass for the 2007 season if they switch to the IMCA-Modified division.
Five Mile Point will also be a player in the Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series for 2006, hosting three dates, including the final event on Sat., Oct. 14. The new touring series will include races contested at FMP, Penn-Can (Pa.), Afton (N.Y.) and Thunder Mountain (N.Y.).
Harpell also confirmed the return of the Figure Eight division for 2006 with a nine-race schedule beginning on Sat., May 20. Teams in the Figure Eight ranks will be eligible for one free pit pass at each event if they paint their car like a NASCAR Nextel Cup car, the "General Lee" from the Dukes of Hazzard or a replica police car, complete with lights.
All paint scheme requests must be filed with the speedway office (to avoid duplicate paint schemes) and will receive a Figure Eight pit card to show upon arrival at the pit sign-in booth. The card will facilitate a more convenient back-gate entrance for racers.
Figure Eight competitors are asked to display a Five Mile Point Speedway decal (provided by the speedway).
"The Figure Eight division was re-established in 2004 as a fun, economical class," said Harpell. "Points are not tallied to keep the class fun. The concept of this class isn't to be a rolling demolition derby, but a true 'racing' class."
The pay structure has been revamped for '06. Instead of a winner's-only payout, winners this year will get $150 plus a trophy, second will pay $75 plus a trophy and third will receive $50 plus a trophy.
Due to the increased number of events and requirements from the insurance liability provider, Figure Eight drivers must purchase a Five Mile Point membership at a one-time cost of $50.
The official 56th Season Opener is slated for Sat., May 6 featuring a Modified 50-lapper, plus Sportsman, IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
For further information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the official website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

SUPER/PRO STOCK SERIES PLANNED IN THE SOUTHERN TEIR

Binghamton, NY.The future of super/pro stock racing in the southern tier
just got a little brighter when the promoters of Penn Can Speedway, Afton
Raceway, Five Mile Point Speedway, and Thunder Mountain Speedway agreed to
cooperate in a thirteen race series spread out over the entire 2006 season.
The goal of this race series will be to present great races with all of the
local super/pro stock drivers competing against each other on
non-conflicting race dates.
"When we looked back over the 2005 season at all the local tracks, car
counts in this division were marginal at all of the facilities," explains
Penn Can's Reed Miller. "It only makes sense for all of us to cooperate
together to help strengthen the class."
The concept is simple, when one Friday track has a series date, the other
Friday track will not schedule the super/pro stocks. This holds true for the
Saturday tracks as well. Hopefully this arrangement will boost the car
counts at the track running the events.
"We had a meeting with our pro stock drivers during the off season to see
what we could do to make this class thrive," states Afton's Pat Jordon. "I
think a concept such as this may be something to rejuvenate the division.
With Andrew Harpell from Five Mile Point and Karl Spoonhower of Thunder
Mountain coming on board we are able to not only include the Friday tracks
but also the Saturday night speedways as well."
The series will be sponsored by Trackside Products of Endicott, New York.
Trackside Product is the American Race Tire dealer in the area and supplies
tires for three of the four participating speedways. "It's good business for
us to support this series," explains Trackside Products owner Al Wilcox. "We
can work on setting up some kind of point system to reward the drivers for
their efforts over the series season."
The Trackside Product sponsored series kicks off with the Spring 125 at
Penn Can Speedway on Sunday April 23rd. The series then moves to Afton on
May 12th and Thunder Mountain May 22nd. The rest of the races are spread
over the 2006 season with the champion being crowned during the Quarter Mile
Championship Weekend at Five Mile Point in October. The complete schedules
will be released shortly and can be found on the participating tracks
websites.

Ken Schrader To Compete At Five Mile Point On Aug. 9; Nextel Cup Star To Enter RoC Dirt Mod 75
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Ken Schrader has a score to settle.
Some 16 seasons ago, the Fenton, Mo., native invaded Five Mile Point Speedway and almost landed in the historic quarter-mile oval's Victory Lane.
Emphasis on almost. On that 1990 evening, "Irish" Joe Donahue Jr. outdueled Schrader in a Modified feature event. Driving a back-up Chuck Akulis car, Schrader came up one spot short when the checkered waved.
This summer he'll be back to do one better.
Five Mile Point owner/promoter and Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour administrative director Andrew Harpell confirmed that Schrader would return to FMP on Wed., Aug. 9 for a 75-lap RoC Dirt Modified Tour South Region event.
Schrader will strap into a big-block Modified for the evening. He'll also be available for a "meet and greet" session.
"Ken Schrader is a talented racer, but all around he is a great guy," Harpell said, adding that Schrader also competed at FMP in a USAC Midget during the 1980s. "I know the last time he was at Five Mile, he ran a line that nobody else used, all the way around the top of the track.
"To him it was common sense; no one else was up there."
A regular on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit since 1984, Schrader has amassed over 640 starts, $25 million in earnings, four victories and 23 poles. Schrader has been victorious in every division he's attempted over the years; he's won on everything from quarter-mile dirt tracks to road courses to 2.66-mile superspeedways.
For the 2006 season, Schrader will compete on NASCAR's top circuit for the famed Wood Bros. in the No. 21 Ford Fusion.
He's known as a true "racer's racer," competing in over 90 events per year at 50 years of age.
Schrader, who owns I-55 Speedway in Pevely, Mo., loves to race; he has since his days as a three-year-old when his dad Bill tied a cable to his go-kart and a post in the backyard of their Midwestern home. Schrader would go around in circles until the go-kart ran out of gas.
"I want to spend my time racing," Schrader said on his website, www.schraderracing.com. "It's not only my job, but it's also my hobby. I love the time that I get to spend behind the wheel, and as long as I can, I'm going to race whenever I get the chance."
More information on Five Mile Point Speedway can be obtained by calling the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visiting the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net. The official website of the RoC Dirt Tour is www.rocdirt.com.

Southern Tier Open To Kick Off Five Mile Point Season On Sun., April 9
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Five Mile Point Speedway's 2006 season will begin with one of the oval's most highly-anticipated events: the Southern Tier Open.
Sail panels, big-blocks, small-blocks, 9-to-1 compression engines (or anything in between) and open tires (13 x 92-inch) will rule the quarter-mile on Sun., April 9 with a 50-lap distance set for the ground-pounding Modifieds. The winner will pocket a cool $3,000.
Joining the Mods on the card for the start of Five Mile Point's 56th consecutive year of operation will be the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour in the 40-lap lid-lifter for the South Region, the heldover BRC Lazer Late Model event from Nov. 6, 2005, plus a full program for the Late Models and Pure Stocks. Race time is 2 p.m.
"The Southern Tier Open has become a favorite for our fans and racers," said Five Mile Point owner/promoter Andrew Harpell.
"For race teams, it's a chance to use up tires or shake down new equipment before they get into the point battles. Fans get to see sail panels, new paint schemes and drivers who rarely compete against each other battling wheel-to-wheel at the Point."
The Southern Tier Open was run for the first time in 1970, complimenting the Southern Tier 100. Setting the races apart were open carburetion and more liberal rules for the Open. Canadian Ivan Little won the inaugural event on Oct. 24, 1970.
Lou Lazzaro (1971), Frank Mears (1972), Stan Ploski (1973), Chuck Ciprich (1974) and Jack Johnson (1975) joined the list of Southern Tier Open winners before the race was discontinued for 25 years.
Dan Harpell resurrected the event in 2000, with Jim Crawn taking the win. Mike Colsten took the checkered first in 2001. Mitch Gibbs was victorious in 2002 as part of his 13-win season. In doing so, Gibbs joined Stan Ploski as one of two drivers to win both races (the Southern Tier Open and 100) in the same year.
Rich Keehle Jr. rode the outside line to victory in the 2003 running of the Southern Tier Open, which was the final event contested under FMP's Dan Harpell era.
Gibbs again returned to victory in 2004 with Andrew Harpell at the reigns on the facility, repeating his double-victory of '02.
Last year, New Paltz, N.Y., native Rich Ricci Jr. fended off older brother Mike to score the triumph. Gibbs, Brian Weaver and Alan Rudalavage rounded out the top five. 35 cars entered the event, run in the spring for the first time.
Other winners during last year's April 16-17 Southern Tier Open included: Bryan Howland (Patriot Sprint Group); Ryan Olsommer (Sportsman); Mike Stolarcyk III (FMP Modified); Bill Trego (Street Stock); Charlie Gilbert (Pure Stock); and Harold Humphrey (Four Cylinder).
An open practice session is tentatively set for Sat., April 8 from 2-6 p.m.
The official 56th Season Opener is set for Sat., May 6 featuring a 50-lapper for the Modifieds, plus Sportsman, sanctioned IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Point battles will begin for all divisions on that night.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the official website at: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Five Mile Point Speedway Announces Full IMCA Sanction
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - One of the Northeast's most historic speedways has teamed up with the oldest active automobile racing sanctioning body in the United States.
Five Mile Point Speedway promoter/owner Andrew Harpell announced on Fri., Feb. 3 that the 56-year-old quarter-mile oval would sport an International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) sanction for the 2006 season.
According to Harpell, racing under the IMCA banner should contribute greatly to the growth of the track's IMCA-Modified division, which has run under the NASCAR Grand American, UMP and independent FMP Modified monikers.
"I think this is going to be good," Harpell said from the FMP office, where he was preparing for the '06 season.
"I believe in it (the IMCA-Modified class)," he continued. "It's an affordable class, where the everyday person can go racing on a small budget."
Harpell believes that having "one common set of rules" across New York State and beyond will allow competitors to try Saturday action at FMP without additional cost. The division will run under full IMCA specifications, including the recently-signed Hoosier tire rule. Competitors will be able to chase the lucrative IMCA points (the sanctioning body's point system and handicapping rules will be utilized).
While the class has a solid core of enthusiastic participants, its numbers have rarely peaked over 10-14 for a regular Saturday night. Harpell blames the division's car-count shortcomings on the fact that true "IMCA" teams were forced to make changes - tires, etc., to compete at the track.
Last season, FMP hosted an Empire State Series IMCA-sanctioned event on Oct. 15. A record 36 cars signed into the pit area with George Catanzano fighting off local standout Mike Stolarcyk III for the triumph.
"The Empire State race showed me something," Harpell said, noting FMP boasted the highest car count of the entire series. "Having the IMCA sanction will encourage more participation."
IMCA was organized in 1915 and has seen significant growth across the nation. In 1979, the sanctioning body introduced its Modified division, which was become the largest class of racecars in the country. Currently, IMCA, based in Vinton, Iowa, is under the direction of Kathy Root.
2006 license applications and rules are available on the IMCA website: www.imca.com.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or check out the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Brian Weaver Crowned Five Mile Point Champion At Awards Banquet
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - When Brian Weaver sauntered on stage Saturday night at the Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center, a weight more burdensome than a 2,400-pound dirt Modified rolled off his shoulders.
Finally, Weaver is the Five Mile Point Speedway Modified champion.
Weaver led a long list of honorees at the historic quarter-mile oval's Awards Banquet. Every seat was filled for the gala affair, held in conjunction with the Race of Champions Dirt Modified/Sportsman and Asphalt Modified Tour presentations.
Leon Andrus served as the emcee as the top 10 drivers from each of the five weekly divisions at the Kirkwood track collected their portion of the $100,000 point fund distributed throughout the evening. The awards portion followed a first-rate dinner.
For Weaver, the FMP title is one of 14 championship trophies on the mantle. But it's arguably the most significant.
The Windsor, N.Y., star had little trouble racking up Modified championships at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway and Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) Speedway over the years.
Five Mile Point, however, had been a sticking point. Weaver raced there weekly from 1982 to 1994 before returning in 2004 with championship aspirations.
"Winning a championship at Five Mile Point has been very important to me for a long time," Weaver said. "I needed to get it done while the potential was still there."
Weaver started the season at FMP driving a Ritter Performance Machine-powered Bicknell No. 5 for Brad Grammes.
When the combination didn't click (their best effort was a second in the May 7 50-lap Season Opener), Grammes and Weaver parted ways following the June 25 41st Heath Memorial. Weaver had finished an unspectacular 12th in that event.
The split opened the door for Weaver's Friday-night and Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour car owner Randy Decker to fill the void.
Weaver won the first night out with Decker's familiar No. 9R, a Bicknell mount equipped with Wally Fiehl power, taking the checkered first on July 9.
When he won the RoC Dirt Modified Tour South Region 75-lap event at FMP on July 13 and recorded a runner-up finish on July 16 in a regular night 30-lapper, Decker decided to stick it out for the title run.
"We had planned to use the July 9 show as a warm-up for the RoC race, and that was it," Weaver said. "When we had some success right off the bat, Randy decided to run the rest of the races."
Weaver was quietly consistent for the rest of the season, outrunning J.R. Crouse by 16 point with a series of top-five and top-10 finishes.
The 43-year-old was quick to offer praise to both owners, recognizing the effort Grammes put forth as well as Decker.
"That was a great deal on paper," Weaver said of the Grammes deal. "It just never panned out on the track like it should have. Brad gave me all the best stuff, he worked hard at it, but it wasn't meant to be.
"Luckily Randy came through and we're able to be here tonight."
Crouse, 46, of Nazareth, Pa., registered his third runner-up finish in the FMP standings. It was a productive year for Crouse, who drove his familiar No. 8JR TRC chassis. His best finish - a second - came on Sept. 3 in the Season Championship Night 50-lapper.
Rich Keehle Jr. of Windsor, N.Y., three-time winner Jim Crawn of LeRaysville, Pa., and Joel Batzel of Kirkwood, N.Y., rounded out the top five.
Finishing sixth through 10th were George Hildebrant, Glenn Knapp, Brian Malcolm, Dana Wagner and Russell Hendrickson Jr.
Eric Palmer will always remember his first full season at Five Mile Point. After all, he won a division-leading five features and walked away with the Sportsman championship.
Wheeling his Dave Van Horn-powered No. 12E Bicknell, Cresco, Pa.'s Palmer thrilled the fans with his weekly high-line charges through traffic.
Palmer's outstanding season came in his just his second year in Sportsman racing. He graduated from the 270cc Micro-Sprint ranks to win his second and third Sportsman starts at Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) in 2004 before the speedway ceased operation.
His limited '04 appearances at FMP set the tone for the future: Palmer won a feature by July.
Palmer's closest pursuer, Brad Grim, was 46 points back at season's end. For Coplay, Pa.'s Grim, a third-generation driver, his three-win season resulted in a runner-up effort in the standings.
Brian Decker, Rick Raisner and Jesse Kline completed the front five. Rookie Brian Puckett, Jeremy Holt, Ricky Rutt, Mike Mammana and Archie Myers III finished sixth through 10th, respectively.
Bill Trego accomplished something in 2005 he hadn't done in 15 years: he won a Street Stock championship.
The Gouldsboro, Pa., driver, last a title winner in Moc-A-Tek Speedway's Street Stock division of 1990, scored five wins, including the April 17 Southern Tier Open and June 25 41st Heath Memorial.
An accomplished driver who has raced numerous types of cars on dirt and asphalt, Trego got the upper hand in a seesaw title fight with young Dan Pompey, taking the championship by a 14-point margin.
Glenwood, Pa.'s Pompey, whose seven checkered flags included triumphs in the July 2 Street Stock Challenge, Sept. 3 Season Championship Night and Oct. 15 National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship, placed second. He will move into the Sportsman division in 2006.
Les Gillette, Joe Krisovich and Ken Taugher finished third through fifth, respectively. Carl Heater, Darren Stout, Nick Petrilak, Jerry Tonti and Chad Hyzer rounded out the top 10.
K.C. Cole of Conklin, N.Y., broke the ice by winning the FMP Modified championship. It was his first-ever title.
A former track official who now finds a home behind the wheel of his No. 24 every Saturday night, Cole notched four wins. He didn't reach Victory Lane until July 2, but he proceeded to rack up three straight wins (July 2, 9 and 16).
Cole's final advantage was 10 points over Mike Stolarcyk III, who led the division with six victories, including the April 17 Southern Tier Open, June 25 41st Heath Memorial Night and Season Championship Night.
Mike Stoddard, Joe Cole and '04 champion Gary Dence filled out the front five. Finishing sixth through 10th were Scott Bennett, Bob Chapman, Dan Harpell, Tyler Stoddard and Tom Pickerell.
For the third time in his career, Mahlon Shoemaker of Johnson City, N.Y., received top Pure Stock honors. Driving his familiar blue and silver No. 7, Shoemaker won five features, including consecutive wins on June 25 and July 2.
Despite running a back-up, borrowed engine from Charlie Gilbert's team for much of the summer stretch, Shoemaker outdistanced Jeremy Shaw by 27 points. Shoemaker also represented Five Mile Point by winning the touring Hurricane Pure Stock Series by one point.
Shaw, of Downsville, N.Y., placed second with a three-win season, including his career-first on June 4. Five-time winner Charlie Gilbert was third, ahead of Mike Codington and Chris Wood.
Matt Spencer, Eddie Felker, Jamie Batzel, Darl Ellis Jr. and Chad Stone/Joe Rafferty Jr. (tie) rounded out the top 10.
A number of special awards were presented, including:
Best Appearing Car - Glenn Knapp (Modified); Mike Mammana (Sportsman); Ken Hineline (Street Stock); Mike Stoddard (FMP Modified); and Joe Rafferty Jr. (Pure Stock)
Most Improved Driver - Joel Batzel (Modified); Eric Palmer (Sportsman); Joe Krisovich (Street Stock); Mike Stolarcyk III (FMP Modified); and Chris Wood (Pure Stock)
Hard Luck Award - Chris Ostrowsky (Modified); Jeremy Holt (Sportsman); Ken Taugher (Street Stock); Scott Bennett (FMP Modified); and Eddie Felker (Pure Stock)
Rookie of the Year - Dave Zona (Modified); Brian Puckett (Sportsman); Chad Hyzer (Street Stock); Dan Harpell (FMP Modified); and Jamie Batzel (Pure Stock).
The coveted Glenn Knapp Sr. Owner of the Year Award, in memory of a true FMP supporter, was presented to 2005 FMP Modified champion K.C. Cole. The Knapp family made the presentation to a teary-eyed Cole.
Bob Whitman, the pace car driver and the facilitator of the many giveaways each week at FMP, received the Special Recognition Award.
Brian Cochardo's Pit Steward Awards went to Ray Ayres and Tom Slesinsky, pit crew members on Charlie Gilbert's No. 28. Ayres and Slesinsky are known to offer a helping hand to other teams in the pit area, including Mahlon Shoemaker's championship-winning No. 7.
"Tiny" the track welder handed out a number of certificates and cash prizes to drivers in all divisions.
D.J. Drew provided music and entertainment to cap off the evening.
Andrew Harpell said the 2006 season at FMP would begin in early April with the Southern Tier Open, which will be a one-day event this year. A month will be taken off from on-track action to allow for facility improvements, before the official 56th Season Opener kicks the point battles off in May.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Race of Champions Dirt/Asphalt and Five Mile Point Speedway Banquet Info

Date: Saturday, January 7, 2006
Location: Binghamton Regency and Conference Center, downtown Binghamton, N.Y.
Information: Phone: (607) 722-7575/Fax: (607) 724-7263; Toll-free: (800) 723-7676; Website: www.bingregency.com
Directions:
From I-81 Northbound
Exit 5 (Front Street). Turn left onto Front Street, straight to East Clinton Street and turn left. Go over bridge and turn right onto Water Street. Hotel will be on your right.
From I-81 Southbound
Exit 5 (Front Street). Turn left onto Front Street, straight to East Clinton Street and turn left. Go over bridge and turn right onto Water Street. Hotel will be on the right.
From NY-17 Eastbound
Exit 72 (Front Street). Right at light onto Front Street. Turn left at third traffic light onto East Clinton Street. Go over bridge and turn right onto Water Street. Hotel will be on the right.
From NY-17 Westbound 17 West to 81 North
Exit 5 (Front Street). Turn left onto Front Street, straight to East Clinton Street and turn left. Go over bridge and turn right onto Water Street. Hotel will be on the right.
From I-88 Westbound Follow I-88 to I-81 South
Exit 5 (Front Street). Left at light onto Front Street. Turn left at fifth traffic light onto East Clinton Street. Go over bridge. Hotel is on the right.
From Binghamton Regional Airport
Follow Airport Road (turns into Stella Ireland Road). Go through three traffic lights and take exit onto Route 17 East. Exit 72 (Front Street). Right at light onto Front Street. Turn left at third traffic light onto East Clinton Street. Go over bridge. Hotel will be on the right.
To Binghamton Regional Airport
From front of hotel, take left onto Water Street, then left at first traffic light onto East Clinton Street. Go over bridge and turn right onto Front Street. Follow Front Street to entrance ramp signs for 17 West. Take 17-West to exit 71N – Link Airport. Turn right onto Airport Road and follow signs for the airport.
Schedule of events: 6 p.m. - Cocktail period and door-prize giveaways; 6:45 p.m. - Dinner; 7:45 p.m. Awards in the following order (subject to change):
RoC Dirt North Region Top 10 Drivers
FMP Pure Stock Top 10 Drivers
RoC Asphalt Central Region Top 10 Drivers
FMP – FMP Modified Top 10 Drivers
RoC Dirt South Region Top 10 Drivers
FMP Street Stock Top 10 Drivers
RoC Asphalt North Region Top 10 Drivers
RoC Dirt Special Awards
Hard Luck Awards (Sportsman and Modifieds)
Best Appearing Car Awards (Sportsman and Modifieds)
RoC Asphalt Special Awards
Rookie of the Year
Most Improved Driver
Hard Luck Award
Best Appearing Car Award
Owner of the Year
RoC Dirt Sportsman Top 10 Drivers
RoC Dirt Overall Top 12 Drivers
FMP Special Awards
Best Appearing Car Award (all divisions)
Hard Luck Awards (all divisions)
RoC Asphalt Overall Top 10 Drivers
FMP Sportsman Top 10 Drivers
FMP Special Awards
Rookie of the Year (all divisions)
Most Improved Drivers (all divisions)
FMP Modified Top 10 Drivers
Glenn Knapp, Sr. Owner of the Year Award
FMP Special Contribution Award
Further information: Five Mile Point/RoC Dirt office: (607) 775-5555 or (607) 238-0432

Different Strategy, Same Result For Gibbs At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - It took a different strategy, but the outcome was familiar for Mitch Gibbs at Five Mile Point Speedway.
The modern-day master of the quarter-mile oval, Gibbs charged hard early to emerge victorious from Sunday afternoon's T3 All-Star Series 40-lap season finale at the historic facility. It was his seventh overall triumph of '05.
The North Norwich, N.Y., talent earned $2,000 - $1,500 for the win, and an extra $500 as the first driver across the stripe who participated in the Oct. 15 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour 100-lapper.
Billy Van Pelt, meanwhile, clinched the inaugural T3 All-Star Series point championship with a sixth-place effort.
"A 40-lap race here goes quick," said Gibbs, who became the first-ever T3 repeat winner. He topped the Aug. 4 event at FMP. "In a 100-lap race here, I don't even worry about passing cars early.
"Usually, I stay on the lead lap, save the tires and start to go on lap 60. Today, I didn't have that option."
Gibbs started the main fourth in his Moshier-powered Bicknell, but didn't simply coast in the early laps.
When Rich Keehle Jr. worked by George Kostelansky to take command on lap nine, Gibbs was there. He put his Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G into second on the 11th go-round.
The 42-year-old then initiated a relentless pursuit of Keehle.
Taking a liking to the oval's outside groove, Gibbs built momentum with each passing lap on the low-lining Keehle, a winner at FMP and Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway in 2005.
Following a lap-17 restart, Gibbs turned up the wick.
"I was getting nervous," he said, discussing his pursuit of Keehle. "You get working up on the outside, and you know here there is always someone coming that is fast. You can lose second quick."
Keehle maintained the lead, but Gibbs's FMP prowess came to light at the halfway point. He pulled even for the top spot on lap 25. A caution negated the effort and placed him second for the single-file restart.
Yellow flags on laps 26, 27 and 28 played into the hands of Keehle, but Gibbs was poised for a challenge.
Building his momentum, Gibbs nearly beat Keehle to the stripe on lap 29. The next time by, he was the leader by a nose.
"I was good up high everywhere except for (turn) four," Gibbs said. "The top in turn four wasn't that good for me. I'd get the momentum going and then I'd hit four and lose everything I gained (on Keehle).
"There's no doubt Richie was fast, but I think he started slowing down. If I had to guess, I'd say his (right-rear) tire was going away."
Gibbs may have been the leader with 10 laps remaining, but Alan Rudalavage nearly stole his thunder.
Starting from 10th position, Rudalavage swept by Keehle to take second on lap 34.
A lap 37-caution allowed Rudalavage to make a run for the top spot. The Newton Lake, Pa., hotshoe drove his Finger Lakes-powered Bicknell No. 145 hard to the inside of turn one with two laps remaining.
However, a steering problem developed and Rudalavage quickly slid backward, allowing Gibbs to motor away.
Following his triumph, Gibbs acknowledged his unique tire selection: a DIRT Hoosier soft on the left-rear and an American Racer 48 compound on the right-rear.
"If anything, it was a little too hard because I had to stay in the black to keep heat in the tires," he said. "But it held up for us."
Keehle, 26, of Windsor, N.Y., placed second in Dr. John Deuel's No. 19 Bicknell, capping off a consistent season for the former Super Stock standout.
Five Mile Point champion Brian Weaver finished third in Randy Decker's No. 9R Bicknell, equipped with a two-race-old Wally Fiehl-built small-block on alcohol.
Afton (N.Y.) Speedway regular J.R. Hurlburt of Otego, N.Y., finished fourth after starting 16th and 14th-starter Glenn Knapp of Johnson City, N.Y., rounded out the top five.
Forty cars entered the program. Heat winners were Mike Colsten, Weaver, Keehle, Rudalavage and Kostelansky. Dylan Dewert and Ron Cartwright Jr. split the consolations.
A long ride to Ohio is beginning to play dividends for Mike Ketcham.
After making the late-season haul to purchase a Teo-Pro car from Sharon (Ohio) Speedway regular Pete Simpson, Ketcham parlayed a boost in performance into career win number one. Ketcham won the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour finale.
An Accord (N.Y.) Speedway regular from Otisville, N.Y., Ketcham earned $1,000 for the triumph.
Jason Hamilton finished fifth and took the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour title in his second season of full-size stock car competition. He held a 32-point edge on Arnie Slade in the final tally.
The 29-year-old from Erwinna, Pa., was the '04 New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway Rookie Sportsman champion.
Ketcham, a Go-Kart graduate in his rookie Sportsman season, offered nothing but praise for the new ride.
"This car is awesome," he said. "I love this Teo."
Following a dominant heat win, the 25-year-old picked the pole for the feature in the redraw.
Ketcham grabbed the lead on the start with his Morrison-powered No. 9, while Danny Creeden and Brett Tonkin swapped second position. Tonkin took the spot on lap seven, while Creeden regained it in traffic on lap 16.
Fulton (N.Y.) regular Tonkin moved around Creeden for good on lap 22 and reeled in Ketcham, who had been running in the track's upper groove.
Tonkin worked inside Ketcham in turns three and four on lap 27, but Ketcham held his line and the lead. A second challenge from Tonkin on the 28th circuit forced Ketcham to change his line, moving lower on the track.
"When the 15 (Tonkin) put his nose under me, I had to tighten it up and hold the bottom," Ketcham said. "I actually had better laps once I did that."
A final caution flew on lap 32, but Ketcham didn't falter.
Tonkin, of Carbondale, Pa., was second despite losing his power steering halfway through the main.
"I saw five-to-go and I just wanted to hang on," said Tonkin, making his first start at FMP of the season. "I thought I had something for him in traffic, but he was fast."
Middletown, N.Y.'s Creeden placed third, ahead of Brad Grim and Hamilton.
Heat winners for the 37 Sportsman in attendance were Brian Decker, Hamilton, Tonkin and Ketcham. Kyle Weiss and Shaun Walker split the consolations.
Heavy rain and winds moved over the speedway on lap four of the BRC Lazer Late Model Series 25-lap main. Jamie Griffiths was the leader. The race will resume in April as part of the Southern Tier Open, complimenting an entire second show for the Late Models. Griffiths and Dave Zona won the heats.
The next event on the Five Mile Point Speedway/Race of Champions calendar will be the Awards Banquet at the Binghamton Regency on Sat., Jan. 7. All the top point-getters from the RoC Dirt Tour, RoC Asphalt Modified Tour and the weekly Five Mile Point divisions will be honored.
Contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or (607) 238-0432 for more information, or log onto the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: A warm, pleasant day turned ugly by late afternoon as a severe weather warning was posted for the area. Hail, winds and lightning greeted race teams and fans as they left the speedway....
The three-division program got underway early to beat the weather....
RoC Sportsman contender Kyle Weiss was extremely ill with the flu and left shortly after the conclusion of the Sportsman 40-lapper....
The Black Rock (N.Y.)/Woodhull (N.Y.) circuit was well-represented in the field of 40 358-Modifieds, which also included Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway champion Willy Decker, Grandview (Pa.) star Danny Erb and Sprint Car standout Mike Van Dusen....
Van Pelt rebounded from a lap-17 spin for sixth en route to the T3 title....

T3 All-Star Series 358-Modified Race No. 7 Feature Finish: MITCH GIBBS, Rich Keehle Jr., Brian Weaver, J.R. Hurlburt, Glenn Knapp, Billy Van Pelt, Dylan Dewert, George Kostelansky, Alan Rudalavage, Jim Crawn, Willy Decker, Chris Ostrowsky, Danny Erb, Ryan Grim, Mike Colsten, Bobby Puckett, J.R. Crouse, Joel Batzel, Jeff Emanuel, Brian Swarthout, Ron Cartwright Jr., Donnie Lawson, Joey Grammes, Mike Van Dusen.
Did Not Start: James Cornell.
Did Not Qualify: Russell Hendrickson Jr., Matt Smith (No. 69), Dave Rumsey, Tom Austin, Gil Tegg Jr., Bob Henry Jr., John Siedlecky, Dale Welty, Dave Calaman, Butch Rhodes, Steve Kio, Chuck Kennison, Darwin Greene, Matt Smith (No. 7), Brett Graham.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 9 Feature Finish: MIKE KETCHAM, Brett Tonkin, Danny Creeden, Brad Grim, Jason Hamilton, Arnie Slade, Kyle Weiss, Eric Palmer, Shaun Walker, Jeff Geiges, Kyle Lewis, Brian Decker, Mike Loney, Eric Stephens, Brian Puckett, Frank Doty, Joshua Purcell, Danny Yankowski, Bob Mills, Eddie White, Dusty Jagger, Corey Renninger, Jeremy Holt, Kevin McCoy, Tim Howell, Jared Miller.
Did Not Qualify: Tom Cremer, Larry Lippincott, Jim Kleedorfer, Tim Votra, Scott Allen, Joe Masiado, Jamie Yankowski, Justin Holland, Joe Colsten, Billy Moyer Jr., Craig Whitmoyer.

RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour Point Standings (Final): JASON HAMILTON (433); Arnie Slade (401), Kyle Weiss (391); Shaun Walker (355); Jeff Geiges (312).

BRC Lazer Late Model Series Race No. 6 Running Order (After 4 laps): Jamie Griffiths, Randall Paxton, Dave Zona, Bud Phillips, R.J. Windhausen, Chad Hollenbeck, Allan Kellogg, Keith Mudge, Larry DiLello, Rich King, Chris Piasecki, Tracy Gregory. 

Sat., Nov. 5, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Flea Market/Racers' Swap Meet: 8 a.m. in the upper grandstand parking lot of the speedway.
Open practice session: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (including a special rookie session for drivers preparing for 2006).
Racing: Pure Stocks will compete in a 75-lap Southern Tier Showdown paying $1,000 to the winner. The top three in point standings from area tracks are guaranteed starters. Figure Eights and a Four Cylinder Enduro will complete the card. Race start time: 5 p.m. Anticipated finish time: 7 p.m.
Contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more info.

This Sun., Nov. 6, at Five Mile Point Speedway...
THREE SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE DECIDED!

The T3 All-Star Series 358-Modifieds (40-laps, $1,500-to-win), Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour (40-laps, $1,000-to-win), and BRC Lazer Late Model Series (30-laps) will do battle for late-season glory with championship implications on the line.
A full year's worth of action will come to a head at "The Home Speedway of the Southern Tier" on Sunday afternoon as three champions are crowned.
For the 358-Modified competitors, extra cash is on the line as well. The top-finishing driver from the Oct. 15 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour event in Sunday's T3 field will collect a $500 bonus (52 drivers are eligible).
Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with hot laps at 1 p.m. and racing promptly at 2 p.m.
For more information or rules questions, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Mike Ricci's Determination Results In Southern Tier 100 Victory; Varin and Gibbs RoC Dirt Co-Champs
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - How did Mike Ricci react to losing the lead nine laps from the finish in Saturday night’s Southern Tier 100 at Five Mile Point Speedway? By promptly regaining the top spot. In a show of grit and determination, Ricci stormed to victory in the 100-lap Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour finale, the last of three combined events. The Rosendale, N.Y., native earned $5,900 for the triumph in the 36th running of the fall classic - $5,000 for the win, $400 for leading halfway and a $500 small-block bonus.
Mitch Gibbs and Bobby Varin, meanwhile, ended in a deadlock for the overall RoC Dirt title and were crowned co-champions. "Mitch slid by so quick," said an ecstatic Ricci, who split his '05 racing calendar between Accord (N.Y.) Speedway and Afton (N.Y.) Speedway. "I didn't know if I could get it back. Man, this is awesome!" Making his third start aboard a Jim Winchell-owned PMC chassis, Ricci started the century grind from the pole, thanks to his brother Rich Jr.'s pre-race redraw.
"I was down at my trailer mounting tires and I never heard the call for the draw," Ricci said. "I was getting ready to go and little brother came down and said he drew number one. "It's the best night for drawing spots that I've ever had (Ricci also started his heat from the pole)." A faulty restart on lap five put Bob Hamm Jr. into the lead on the track (though officials planned to penalize Hamm on the next caution), with Ricci and an emerging Mike Colsten in tow.
Colsten nearly worked by Ricci on lap 17 between turns one and two, but Ricci fended off the challenge. Five laps later, an outside bid by Colsten resulted in contact with the homestretch wall. "When Bobby (Hamm) jumped me on that restart, he set an awfully fast pace," Ricci said. "And Colsten was fast, too." Ricci cleared Hamm to put the No. 17 back out front on lap 23. Colsten made a duplicate pass two laps later.
A two-time winner of the Southern Tier 100, Colsten's Jim Gabriel-built big-block powerplant challenged Ricci through two caution periods before a lap-45 restart changed the race's complexion. Ricci, opting for the inside on the double-file restart, got together with Colsten as they battled for racing room between turns three and four. Colsten spun wildly to the outside of the speedway, collecting Ryan Bartlett. Ricci motored away unscathed.
"Bob Hamm already jumped me, and I thought he was going to get away with it," Ricci said. "Colsten tried to jump, and I wasn't gonna let him." With Colsten relegated to the rear of the field, fifth-starter Jeff Trombley assumed the runner-up spot when the race went green on lap 47. On lap 49, Gibbs cleared the lapped car of J.R. Crouse and cruised comfortably in third spot with his Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G.
A caution on lap 75 set the stage for Gibbs, who ran a conservative race after starting sixth. He sized up Trombley, looking high and low for 10 trips around the quarter-mile oval before moving into second. But Ricci was expecting him. "I knew the guys with the harder tires would be coming," Ricci said, noting that he opted for the American Racer SD 48, the softer of the compound choices for the right-rear. "I figured Mitch would be there. He's always fast here, and he knows this place."
Gibbs rapidly reeled in Ricci, making it a nose-to-tail fight out front by lap 88. With nine laps remaining, he made his move. Heading down the backstretch, the veteran driver from North Norwich, N.Y., pulled his Moshier-powered Bicknell even with Ricci. They rubbed rails through turns three and four, and Gibbs led at the line for lap 92. Entering turn one, his car skated up the track. The savvy Ricci darted low and regained command on the backstretch.
"Mitch is a clean racer," Ricci said. "We went into three and four and we both hit. It was just hard racing. He got me, but when he went into (turn) one, he slid up. I knew I had to be in the middle of the track, and it came right to me. "My car stayed perfect every lap." Ricci snaked through the slower cars in the final laps, including a key pass of Russell Hendrickson Jr. with two laps remaining, to fend off Gibbs's challenges and earn his first FMP victory since 2003.
Gibbs finished second, but was sickened at the thought that the turn-one miscue cost him sole possession of the RoC Dirt crown. "Can't I do that lap over?" Gibbs, 42, joked. "Honestly, I thought I had a flat tire. I felt the wheel jerk when I got under Mike, and I thought maybe I cut the right-rear. "I went into one and I picked up a push. "I ran the 50 compound tire, and part of my strategy was to wait until the end to go. That's how you win races here. I just wish I had that lap to do over again."
Trombley, of Altamont, N.Y., finished third in Ronnie Johnson's No. 21 Teo-Pro car, equipped with his own Enders big-block engine. "We were good early," said Trombley, who began his career at FMP in a Four Cylinder Modified. "But we lost a little at the end. "The left-rear tire was shot."
Consolation winner Craig Terrell of Windsor, N.Y., throttled from 20th starting position to finish fourth, despite a failing engine in the final laps. Ted Lamb of Clay, N.Y., rounded out the top five. Heat winners for the 52 Modifieds in attendance were Mike Ricci, Colsten, Vic Coffey, Gibbs, Varin and Ronnie Johnson. Alan Rudalavage, Terrell and Chris Ostrowsky took the consolations.
George Catanzano of Ghent, N.Y., won the 30-lap Empire State Series IMCA-Modified main event, fending off Mike Stolarcyk III to clinch the Empire State Series title. Stolarcyk III stayed within striking distance, but couldn't unseat the stout Catanzano at the front of the field. Former FMP Four Cylinder Modified regular Danny Ody was third, ahead of Dale Caswell and Brian Rhodes.
Glenwood, Pa.'s Dan Pompey capped his full-fender career at FMP with a victory in the 25-lap Street Stock Quarter-Mile Championship. Pompey took the lead from Chris Strohl on a lap-five restart, but fought off the fierce charges of Bill Trego, including a stout bid on lap 21, to score his seventh win of the season. Pompey announced that he would move to the Sportsman ranks in 2006.
Trego, a late arrival to the speedway after blowing a transmission at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) earlier in the afternoon, then making repairs in the FMP parking lot, was the runner-up after starting 17th. Strohl, Matt Roberts and Ken Taugher rounded out the top five.
Denny Decker of Afton, N.Y., won a crash-marred, time-shortened 17-lap Northeast Pure Stock Championship. Decker's No. 99 was out front when officials stopped the event. Mike Wilber, John Glezen, Rob Loucks and Shane Wolf rounded out the top five.

COUNTER POINTS:: Once the skies cleared, 52 Modifieds, 36 IMCA-Modifieds, 17 Street Stocks and 42 Pure Stocks (a total of 147 cars) jammed both the regular pit area and the turn-two overflow.....
Think heat-race points don’t matter? Both Gibbs and Varin won their qualifiers on Saturday, earning five bonus points. Had one of them finished second, it would have made the difference in the RoC Dirt championship….
Colsten felt that Ricci "crowded him" on the pivotal lap-45 restart.....
Engine woes kept Danny Johnson from starting the Southern Tier 100 in Roger Heroux’s No. H24, but he picked up the ride in Jeff Isabel’s No. 7J. Johnson pulled out on lap three with drive line problems.....
Mike Ricci’s win served as a bookend on the season for the Ricci family. Rich Jr. won the Southern Tier Open to kick-start the 55th season at the quarter-mile oval on April 17.....
Randy Chrysler’s top-five run ended on lap 70 when Bob Hamm Jr. got loose in turn one, causing Chrysler to impact the inside dirt berm. Chrysler later landed on his side in a lap-76, turn four tangle.....
Track crews worked tirelessly to salvage the surface after 10 straight days of rain that thoroughly soaked the oval's fresh clay.....

RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR COMBINED RACE NO. 3 FEATURE FINISH:
MIKE RICCI, Mitch Gibbs, Jeff Trombley, Craig Terrell, Ted Lamb, Bobby Varin, Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp, Alan Rudalavage, Eric Palmer, Jim Crawn, Joel Batzel, Mike Colsten, Joey Grammes, Jim Davis, Bobby Puckett, Rich Ricci Jr., J.R. Hurlburt, Gus Schmidt, Russell Hendrickson Jr., J.R. Crouse, Ryan Bartlett, Vic Coffey, Randy Chrysler, Brian Decker, Bob Hamm Jr., Jerry Higbie Jr., Ryan Grim, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Bob McCreadie, Ronnie Johnson, Danny Johnson.
Did Not Qualify: Tom Sears Jr., Scott Frack, Chris Weaver, George Kostelansky, Brian Malcolm, Rick Holgate, Tim Harris, Jeff Isabel, Steve Walsh, Darwin Green, Chad Cook, Rick Virkitis, Craig Hawley, Tony Kawalchuk, Bobby Trapper, Dana Wagner, Steve Babicek, Joey Colsten, Herb Wright.
RoC Dirt Modified Combined Point Standings (Top 5): BOBBY VARIN and MITCH GIBBS (664 - TIE); Brian Weaver (643); Jerry Higbie Jr. (575); and Ronnie Johnson (540).

EMPIRE STATE SERIES IMCA-MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH:
GEORGE CATANZANO, Mike Stolarcyk III, Danny Ody, Dale Caswell, Brian Rhodes, Kevin Cook, K.C. Cole, Bob Brodt, Lyle Smith, Sean Lias, Brad Wall, Jo Jo Donato, Gary Dence, Bob Banks, Joe Cole, Aaron Jacobs, Mike Stoddard, Ken Rodgers, Mike Smith, Scott Bennett, Danny Ballard, Ken Klinkowsky, Mark Griffen, Rich Townsend, Rich Riggs.
Did Not Qualify: Bob Ridgeway, Tyler Stoddard, Ed Wilson, Tom Eiklor, Bill Anderson, Josh Sawyer, Bob Chapman, Brad Whitt, Eric Weir, Pete Neff, Gary Roberts.

STREET STOCK QUARTER-MILE CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE FINISH:
DAN POMPEY, Bill Trego, Chris Strohl, Matt Roberts, Ken Taugher, Darwin Green, Les Gillette, Ken Hineline, Dave Luff, Paul Strohl, Darren Stout, Nick Petrilak, Joe Thomas, Randy Tyler, Jerry Tonti, Jason Bartsch, Carl Heater.

NORTHEAST PURE STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE FINISH:
DENNY DECKER, Mike Wilber, John Glezen, Rob Loucks, Shane Wolf, Steve Deinhardt, Clayton Ingrham, Joe Rafferty Jr., Jeremy Shaw, Mahlon Shoemaker, Dick Stark, Eric Beach, Chad Stone, Ernie Martin, Mike Codington, Charlie Gilbert, Don Russell Jr., Jonathan Carpenter, Tom Garren, Doug Nelson, Phil Retter, Max Moshier, Chris Wood, Cliff Moss, Matt Jilson.
Disqualified: Jamie Batzel.
Did Not Qualify: Teto Velez, Mike Morris, Toby Sparks, Ernie Martin, Phil Retter, Tom Eiklor, Randy Richards, Josh Towner, Toby Lehr, Dan Babcock, Paul Carpenter, Jeff Whitt, Lou Ross, Joe Cisney, Bill Hubbard, Jason Rhodes.

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY ADDS SOUTHERN TIER SHOWDOWN FOR PURE STOCKS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH. OPEN PRACTICE AND FLEA MARKET ADDED TO DAY OF ACTIVITIES
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY.....Five Mile Point Speedway has added the “Southern Tier Showdown” for Pure Stocks on Saturday, November 5th. The 75 lap event will pay $1,000 to the winner. Race time is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Figure 8 teams will also be in action along with a 4 Cylinder enduro race. An open practice will take place earlier in the day from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and a racers flea market will be held on the grounds throughout the day.

The practice session will be a good opportunity for teams competing in the following day’s race program to get dialed in. A special rookie practice session will be held too for drivers that may have just purchased or are looking to purchase a race car. The practice will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is free for the practice.

The racers flea market will be set up behind the main grandstand area. This will allow venders both the opportunity to showcase their items to teams practicing but also to fans. With grandstand admission being free, venders should see a lot of interest from fans looking at their equipment. The flea market will open at 8:00 a.m. and venders are welcome to stay through the racing program if they choose.

The “Southern Tier Showdown” 75 will see twenty-four drivers qualifying through heat race and consolation events. The top three drivers in final point standings at Afton, Five Mile, Penn Can, Skyline and Thunder Mountain will be added to the field as guaranteed starters if they fail to qualify through the heats or consolation events. This will allow the best drivers in the Southern Tier to settle the score for the final event of the season. The race is open to all northeast Pure Stock teams. A minimum of thirty teams will take the green.

A special Figure 8 event and 4 Cylinder enduro will also be held on Saturday with race time set for 5 p.m. For race teams it will be one last chance to race before the long winter season sets in. After the open practice, the pits will be cleared and teams will be allowed to register for the racing program.

On Sunday, the third attempt to run the opening day of the National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend will take place. The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman, T3 – 358 Modified and BRC Late Model Series championships will be on the line. Race time on Sunday is 2 p.m. For information please contact the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more. 

NATIONAL QUARTER MILE DIRT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND NEWS
FRIDAY RACING POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY, SATURDAY TO GO ON AS PLANNED

Friday, Oct. 14's racing program of T3 All-Star Series 358-Modifieds, Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman, and BRC Lazer Series Late Models at Five Mile Point Speedway has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
The pit gates will open at 11:30 a.m. with grandstand gates opening at 12 noon. Practice will take place at 1 p.m.
Teams are asked not to start their motors in the pit area until after 12 noon on Sunday. RoC Dirt Sportsman teams are still eligible to compete on Saturday in the Southern Tier 100. Many competitors have inquired about this opportunity to shake their cars down for Sunday.
Saturday, Oct. 15's program of RoC Dirt Modifieds, Empire State Series IMCA-Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will go on as planned.
Teams that compete in the Southern Tier 100 for the RoC Dirt Modifieds on Saturday may keep their tow vehicles and trailers in the pit area over night. Please keep in mind that overnight security will not be in the pit area and all equipment should be locked up.
The two-day $500 Small Block bonus is still in effect but will be awarded as follows: The top finisher in Sunday’s T3 All-Star Series 358-Modified event that competed in Saturday’s 100 (with the same car and engine) will receive the $500 two-day bonus.

CAMPING – All campers and motor homes will be parked on the backstretch acres throughout the weekend. Acres of mowed and level ground are available on the backstretch area. A post-race bonfire will take place after the racing on Saturday.
BACKSTRETCH SEATING – The backstretch seating area will only be accessible with proper pit credentials. An area of the backstretch parking will be used by race teams throughout the weekend.
SHUTTLE BUS – The Jed’s Roadhouse Shuttle Bus will transport spectators that wish to camp on the backstretch to the homestretch seating area throughout the weekend. Although it’s an easy walk the bus will be available for those that choose to get a lift back and forth from the camping area to the homestretch seating.
JED’S ROADHOUSE - Located at 771 Upper Court Street (just 3 miles from the speedway) will be offering a 2 for 1 drink special for spectators and pit participants that display either their wrist band or ticket stub after the races on both Friday and Saturday. 1 drink special per person. Additional information can be obtained by calling them directly at (607) 775-5655.
BACKSTRETCH PIT PARKING – RoC Sportsman teams will be staged on the backstretch off of turn two on Sunday. Teams should enter the backstretch area to the left of the main pit entrance way. The Street Stock and I.M.C.A teams will be staged in this same area on Saturday. Upon entering the speedway teams should flow to the left of the main pit entrance to avoid congestion while entering the backstretch road. Only persons with proper pit credentials will be allowed in the backstretch pit area and grandstand.

Glenn Knapp Returns To Five Mile Point Victory Lane In Season Championship 50
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Glenn Knapp reached for the checkered flag, posed in Victory Lane and reflected silently as tears streamed down his cheeks.
That's how much the victory in Saturday night's French's Auto Parts/Interstate Auto Parts Season Championship Night 50-lap Modified feature at Five Mile Point Speedway meant to him.
For 30-year veteran of competition at FMP, the extra-distance triumph marked his first victory at the historic quarter-mile oval since May 10, 2003 and served as a bright spot in an otherwise abysmal season.
"We put everything we had into getting a new car for this year," Knapp said. "But we've had no luck to go with it. It's been rough. Four or five weeks ago, I wouldn't have even said we'd be back."
Knapp's Dickinson Automotive-powered Troyer was heavily damaged in a July 30 crash, forcing the team to scrape together enough funds to get the car back the next Saturday. That was the season's low point.
Now, the Johnson City, N.Y., driver has something to smile about.
Third-starter Knapp took a back seat early on to polesitter Rick Holgate, who motored into the top spot and opened a sizable lead with his potent No. 6 Bicknell.
With Holgate out front, Knapp spent the first 14 circuits battling with Dan Hineline for third, before ultimately darting low to advance one notch. It took only one go-round for the 45-year-old to take second. He passed Barry White on lap 15 and set his sights on Holgate, who was roughly a straightaway ahead.
"He (Hineline) was spinning the tires coming out of the turns," Knapp said. "I was telling myself to be patient. I could've forced the issue but I decided to wait. I knew I had time."
Knapp erased Holgate's lead in just two laps and took command on lap 23, keeping his trademark No. 26 tucked down to the inside groove. When Holgate slid up the track, Knapp pounced.
"I was watching him (Holgate). He was staying up high. I knew I could drive right under him if he didn't come down, which he didn't. He raced me clean."
Emerging from mid-pack J.R. Crouse came to life at the halfway point. The Nazareth, Pa., native put his Morrison-powered TRC chassis into third on lap 26.
Moving up to challenge Holgate, Crouse worked by on the 33rd lap and began to close on Knapp, who approached lapped traffic.
With eight laps remaining the leaders ran nose-to-tail in a large pack of slower cars. Knapp cautiously picked his spots as Crouse attempted to burrow by on the inside groove.
Crouse nearly stole the lead on lap 49. The soft-spoken driver got a run entering the first turn, pulling up to Knapp's quarter-panel. However, the caution lights flickered on for a spin by Barry White, nixing Crouse's bid.
"I stayed on the bottom," Knapp said. "I didn't think anybody could go around me on the outside.
"I heard somebody back there when we got into traffic. When that caution came out with one lap to go, J.R. pulled up next to me. I've known him for a lot of years and I knew he'd race me clean."
Knapp was flawless on the final lap, picking up the win over Crouse, who fell short on his championship bid to fifth-place finisher Brian Weaver by 16 points.
"We gave it our all," said Crouse, winless at Five Mile Point since July 29, 1995. "I'm one spot shy of being ecstatic.
"Our shot was on the last lap. That (caution) killed us. I think I could've got next to him on the backstretch and drove him into three.
"Our car got better on the long runs; we ran him (Knapp) down from a straightaway back after we got by Holgate."
Kingsley, Pa.'s Holgate finished third in the Tom and Terry Coar-owned car. Bobby Puckett and Brian Weaver rounded out the top five.
For Windsor, N.Y.'s Weaver, it marked 13th career Modified track championship, but his very first at Five Mile Point.
Modified heat winners included Holgate, James Cornell and Knapp.
Brian Decker gained some retribution in a crowd-pleasing 30-lap Sportsman feature, finding Victory Lane after losing two events to mechanical problems in the past week.
Decker was leading at Five Mile Point on Aug. 27 when the car jumped out of gear, and a problem with the dipstick caused his car to smoke heavily on Friday night at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway, forcing him out early.
The Susquehanna, Pa., driver fought hard for his third '05 victory. Decker put his Wally Fiehl-powered Bicknell No. 9B into the top spot on lap eight, but the man to watch was Brad Grim.
Grim pulled even with Decker on lap 26, but a caution negated the move. Keeping the pressure on, the Coplay, Pa., driver made a bold outside attempt with the white flag in the air.
Decker held the bottom and won the drag race to the line, winning over Grim, Mike Mammana, Jeremy Holt and Rick Raisner.
Cresco, Pa.'s Eric Palmer raced quietly to a 10th-place finish and clinched the Sportsman championship in his first full Five Mile Point season.
Mike Stolarcyk III of Whitney Point, N.Y., dominated the 25-lap FMP Modified feature, blasting to the lead on the start and staying there for the entire distance. His championship bid came up short to fifth finishing K.C. Cole, however.
Mike Stoddard came on strong in the waning laps, but Stolarcyk held off all advances for win number six of '05 at the Point. Scott Bennett, Gary Dence and Cole rounded out the top five.
Dan Pompey had to win to have any chance at winning the Street Stock championship. He did, but Bill Trego did his part, finishing third and earning the '05 point title.
Pompey, of Glenwood, Pa., made a quick ascent from 10th starting position to do battle with Jerry Tonti for the lead with 10 circuits remaining in the 30-lap event. Working the low line, Pompey nosed ahead on the 24th lap and went on to win his sixth feature of the season.
Tonti, Trego, Darren Stout and Les Gillette rounded out the top five.
Binghamton, N.Y.'s Charlie Gilbert won the 25-lap Pure Stock feature, but the defending track champion turned over the crown to Mahlon Shoemaker. Gilbert's fifth win of the season was hard-fought.
Advancing from seventh to the lead in just nine laps, the veteran driver felt pressure from rookie Jamie Batzel, who finished a car-length back in the runner-up spot. Jeremy Shaw was third, ahead of track champ Shoemaker and Mike Codington.
Jason Rochelle of Schnecksville, Pa., won the 20-lap feature for the visiting Keystone Legends Tour. Rochelle passed Roy Danner Jr. for the top spot on lap 12, then repelled a late charge from Tim Tomson. Tomson's best opportunity came on a lap-19 restart, but he couldn't unseat the stout Rochelle.
Rodney Kistler, Brian Levan and Greg Christman rounded out the top five.

COUNTER POINTS: A post-race bonfire and party held on the backstretch ended the point season in a festive manner. Nearly 200 racers, fans, crew members and officials gathered until early Sunday morning....
Car counts were 22 Modifieds, 20 Sportsman, 10 FMP Modifieds, 13 Street Stocks, 15 Pure Stocks and 21 Keystone Legends....
Weaver admitted he took it easy with Randy Decker's No. 9R, racing from 12th cautiously into the top five. "I was points racing, I'll admit it," the 41-year-old said. "I wanted a championship here, it's been something that's been on my list for a while now."....
A nine-car battle for fifth turned sour on the final lap of the Modified main when Barry White got tagged and spun. Joel Batzel was sent to the rear for contact....
New Jersey driver Jack Amundsen debuted a former Sean Carman No. 47 in the Modified ranks....
Drivers circulated the grandstand area and collected over $500 for the American Red Cross to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast....
Brad Grim won a 2006 Troyer SLR chassis through a draw of the top 10 Sportsman drivers in the point standings. The chassis came courtesy of Doug's Speed Shop and Troyer's Billy Colton....
The speedway is silent until the Oct. 14-15 National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend....

FRENCH'S AUTO PARTS/INTERSTATE AUTO PARTS RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: GLENN KNAPP, J.R. Crouse, Rick Holgate, Bobby Puckett, Brian Weaver, Chris Ostrowsky, Rich Keehle Jr., Dan Hineline, Jeff Emanuel, Brian Malcolm, James Cornell, Darin Schuler, Barry White, Tom Oleski, Jim Crawn, Joel Batzel, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Dana Wagner, Gary Griffin, Brad Weaver, George Hildebrant, Jack Amundsen.
Modified Track Champion: Brian Weaver.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRIAN DECKER, Brad Grim, Mike Mammana, Jeremy Holt, Rick Raisner, Jesse Kline, Justin Holland, Larry Lippincott, Rich Wallace, Eric Palmer, Steve Ramsey, Kevin McCoy, Willard Knecht, Jack Brink, Jay Horton, Brian Puckett, Ray Woodall Jr., Bruce Gould, Troy Lippincott, Corey Renninger.
Sportsman Track Champion: Eric Palmer.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, Mike Stoddard, Scott Bennett, Gary Dence, K.C. Cole, Joe Cole, Brian Rhodes, Bob Chapman, Tom Pickerell, Tyler Stoddard.
FMP Modified Track Champion: K.C. Cole.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Jerry Tonti, Bill Trego, Darren Stout, Les Gillette, Carl Heater, Ken Taugher, Joe Krisovich, Randy Tyler, Nick Petrilak, Dan Stephens, Mike Mills, Josh Jenkins.
Street Stock Track Champion: Bill Trego.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Jamie Batzel, Jeremy Shaw, Mahlon Shoemaker, Mike Codington, Darl Ellis Jr., Chris Wood, Steve Polhamus, Matt Spencer, Joe Rafferty Jr., Joe Cisney, Eddie Felker, Jason Rhodes, Chad Stone, Josh Towner.
Pure Stock Track Champion: Mahlon Shoemaker.

Keystone Legends Tour Feature Finish: JASON ROCHELLE, Tim Tomson, Rodney Kistler, Brian Levan, Greg Christman, Craig Rochelle, Stephen Nederostek, John Schirk, Bill Carver Jr., Mark Schaffer, J.J. Shandor, Ron Dunstan, Paul Rochelle, Pat Zellers, Gerald Eldridge, Jim Baker, Roy Danner Jr., George Abt, Clint Penkauskas, Mike Brannan.
Did Not Start: Justin Mulea.

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY PUTS FORTH “RACE OF CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE” TO ALL NORTHEAST RACE TRACK OPERATORS
FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY TO DONATE $1,000 TO AMERICAN RED CROSS – CHALLENGES ALL SPEEDWAYS TO MATCH THE FUNDS

BINGHAMTON, NY…Five Mile Point Speedway owner Andrew Harpell is putting up a challenge to all northeast speedway track operators to match a $1,000 donation that will be presented to the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross. The “Race of Champions Challenge” is being set up to challenge track operators to match the $1,000 donation by directly sending it to the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross.

All of the money sent to the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross will be forwarded directly to the Hurricane Relief efforts being conducted. None of the money will remain behind for local needs during this particular fund raising effort. All money will be made available to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

“The need for donations is beyond any of our imaginations at this point and time,” commented Five Mile Point Speedway owner Andrew Harpell. He added, “We are challenging all speedways in the northeast to match the $1,000 donation as our efforts collectively could make a much bigger impact than to go at it alone.”

Whether a speedway is located in any of the fifty states the “Race of Champions Challenge” matching funds can be sent to the Southern Tier Chapter of the Red Cross in Endicott, New York. All of the money sent in will be forwarded to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort and each speedway owner that contributes will receive confirmation of this with a letter from the Southern Tier Chapter of the Red Cross.

“We are asking track owners to send the money directly to the Southern Tier Chapter of the Red Cross so that a total donation amount can be accumulated and then listed throughout the racing trade papers,” stated Harpell. He added, “By sending the money directly to the Red Cross we will be able to remove ourselves from that process but we do ask track operators to mark their checks with “Race of Champions Challenge” so that we can list all the participating speedways that donated when it is over.”

This challenge goes out to both asphalt and dirt track owners whether they participate in a Race of Champions event or not. All track operators interested should send their checks directly to the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross att: Cindy Gordineer at 620 E. Main Street – Endicott, New York 13760. They can be contacted directly via phone at (607) 785-7207.

In addition, Five Mile Point Speedway will have cash donation jugs available for any spectators or race teams that would like to contribute to the fund. These donation jugs will only be available this Saturday night, September 3rd as it is the last event at the speedway until the Race of Champions Dirt Tour Finale on October 14th and 15th. For more information you can contact Five Mile Point Speedway directly at (607) 775-5555.

This week, Sept. 3, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Four full months of racing action on the quarter-mile culminate with one HUGE night of competition. The five weekly divisions - big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks - will decide their '05 champions as every position and point will count! The Modifieds will run 50-laps, with extra-distance features for all other classes. Championship points will be awarded, making the racing that much more intense.

The popular Keystone Legends will roll into town for their third '05 appearance and the night will be capped off with a bonfire/party on the backstretch.

Race time is 6 p.m. For more info, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Wagner Has Speed and Luck, Logs Win At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Dana Wagner has been plenty fast for much of the '05 season. What he lacked was luck.
The Trout Creek, N.Y., native combined speed and good fortune on Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway, authoring a flawless performance to win the Binghamton Truck and Tire Center 30-lap Modified feature.
Wagner, 35, collected $1,000 for his first victory at the 55-year-old facility since July 5, 2003 in a Troyer four-link he resurrected midway through the season.
"This car's been 'hooked' since I brought it out," said Wagner, a decade-long campaigner in the Modified ranks who put his Bicknell on the back burner after a tough start to the year.
"But the way our luck was going, I began to wonder if we would ever win again. We were running out of weeks."
Starting fifth in his Enders big-block-powered No. 25W, Wagner charged hard early. He slid under Dan Hineline on lap three to take second and began his chase of a determined Brian Malcolm, who led early on after starting from the pole.
The race's only caution flags (on laps seven and nine), put Wagner in position to take the lead, and it didn't take long.
Working the track's tacky low line, Wagner ducked under Malcolm entering turn three and emerged with the top spot at the completion of lap 10.
"This car stuck like glue to the bottom," Wagner said. "I could see he (Malcolm) was pushing getting into (turn) three. I could have gotten in there a couple times before that, but it was early.
"I figured I'd take my time."
By the halfway mark, Wagner opened up a commanding lead on Malcolm and an emerging Joel Batzel.
But that all changed in the final five laps.
The slower cars of Jeff Emanuel and Rick Holgate were battling for position directly in Wagner's path, leaving him no room to negotiate.
As Wagner slowed his pace, Malcolm and Batzel erased his lead completely. When the checkered flew, the lead trio ran nose-to-tail.
"There was no place to pass those guys," Wagner said. "I really didn't hear anybody, so I figured I would ride there."
Lake Ariel, Pa.'s Malcolm earned a season-best second in his Bicknell No. 119, equipped with a Murray and Gillette small-block powerplant.
The 35-year-old wanted desperately to reach Victory Lane after a year's absence.
"We were good, just not good enough," he said, reflecting on the Aug. 20 event, when he got tagged and spun out of the lead four laps from the finish. "For the first six or seven laps, I thought we had it.
"With the lapped cars, I thought I might have a chance. I think one of the torsion bars is bent or twisted; the car was bouncing and it was skating the right-rear."
Seventh-starter Joel Batzel of Kirkwood, N.Y., finished third in his Roger Batzel-owned Bicknell No. 27.
J.R. Crouse of Nazareth, Pa., charged from eighth to finish fourth and 11th-starter Jim Crawn rounded out the top five.
Modified heat winners included James Cornell, Dan Hineline and Crouse.
For the second time in his outstanding rookie season, Old Forge, Pa.'s Brian Puckett was victorious in Sportsman competition.
The soft-spoken 22-year-old started sixth in his Main Engines-powered No. 41 Bicknell. He took command on lap nine when early pacesetter Brian Decker slowed exiting turn two.
Rick Raisner worked by Puckett on a 13th-lap restart with an inside move in turn one, but his time out front was short-lived. Starter Raymond Kennerup assessed a one-spot penalty on Raisner during the next caution period (lap 18) for contact.
That was all Puckett needed. The kid cruised home unchallenged over the final seven circuits of the 25-lap main for a $500 payday.
Raisner, of Easton, Pa., was second, ahead of Jesse Kline, Brad Grim and Ricky Rutt.
K.C. Cole of Conklin, N.Y., took another leap toward a track championship by winning the 20-lap FMP Modified feature, his fourth of the season.
Cole took command on lap four from his cousin Joe Cole, but Mike Stolarcyk III made the final laps interesting.
Coming from dead last after he was involved in an early caution, Stolarcyk actually nosed into the lead with three laps remaining, but Cole fought back up high for the win. Stolarcyk, invader Dan Ballard, Gary Dence and Scott Bennett filled out the front five.
High point man Billy Trego showed his strength in the 25-lap Street Stock feature, scoring his fifth win of the season. Trego took advantage of the outside line on a lap-two restart, snatching a lead he wouldn't relinquish from Carl Heater.
Rebounding from a mid-race scrape with the frontstretch wall, Dan Pompey snuck into second on the final lap, finishing ahead of Heater, Les Gillette and Chad Hyzer.
Mahlon Shoemaker continued his superb Pure Stock season, winning a crowd-pleasing 20-lap headliner. For the Johnson City, N.Y., native, it was his fifth win of the '05 campaign at FMP.
Shoemaker took the lead on the eighth go-round after circling the quarter-mile oval for three laps door-to-door with Charlie Gilbert.
Gilbert stayed with Shoemaker, but couldn't regain the top spot, settling for second. Jeremy Shaw, Jonathan Carpenter and Jamie Batzel rounded out the top five.
Mark Andrus won a wild 10-lap Figure Eight Quarter-Mile Championship for his first win of the season.
Racing resumes on Sat., Sept. 3 with Season Championship Night, featuring a 50-lap Modified feature, plus extra-distance events for the Sportsman, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks, along with the third appearance of '05 by the Keystone Legends Cars.
Championship points will be awarded as the track champions will be crowned. After the races, a party and bonfire will be held on the backstretch. Race time is 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts stood at 22 Modifieds, 18 Sportsman, 10 FMP Modifieds, 16 Street Stocks, 18 Pure Stocks and nine Figure Eights as rain showers again skirted the area....
The final checkered flew at 10:18 p.m. with six divisions on the card....
FMP promoter Andrew Harpell spent countless hours on the surface during the week, digging up the oval's clay. His work was rewarded by the best track conditions all year and minimal tire wear....
Brian Decker reported that his No. 9B popped out of gear, causing him to drop from the lead of the Sportsman feature....
For Malcolm, who last won an event on Aug. 14, 2004 at FMP, it marked his second bridesmaid effort of the weekend. He finished runner-up to George Kostelansky on Friday night at Redline (Pa.) Raceway....
Unofficially, Brian Weaver (697) leads J.R. Crouse (666) by 31 points entering the Sept. 3 finale. Rich Keehle Jr. (658), Joel Batzel (641) and Jim Crawn (633) trail....

BINGHAMTON TRUCK AND TIRE CENTER RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: DANA WAGNER, Brian Malcolm, Joel Batzel, J.R. Crouse, Jim Crawn, Brian Weaver, Bobby Puckett, Darin Schuler, Glenn Knapp, Rich Keehle Jr., James Cornell, George Hildebrant, Chris Ostrowsky, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Tom Oleski, Jeff Emanuel, Rick Holgate, Craig Hawley, Mike McCollum, Dan Hineline, Brad Weaver.
Did Not Start: Barry White.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRIAN PUCKETT, Rick Raisner, Jesse Kline, Brad Grim, Ricky Rutt, Rich Wallace, Jeremy Holt, Eric Palmer, Bruce Gould, Jamie Yankowski, Jack Brink, Willard Knecht, Pat O'Hanlon, Mike Mammana, Justin Holland, Rob Harder, Archie Myers III, Brian Decker.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: K.C. COLE, Mike Stolarcyk III, Dan Ballard, Gary Dence, Scott Bennett, Joe Cole, Dan Harpell, Brad DuBois, Tyler Stoddard, Mike Stoddard.

Street Stock Feature Finish: BILL TREGO, Dan Pompey, Carl Heater, Les Gillette, Chad Hyzer, Darren Stout, Nick Petrilak, Jerry Tonti, Joe Krisovich, Ken Hineline, Randy Tyler, Josh Jenkins, Mike Mills, Ken Taugher, Chris Strohl, Mike Dziak.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Charlie Gilbert, Jeremy Shaw, Jonathan Carpenter, Jamie Batzel, Eddie Felker, Chad Stone, Mike Mills, Chris Wood, Mike Codington, Steve Polhamus, Joe Rafferty Jr., Matt Spencer, Marv Goodwin, Jerry Whitmarsh, Fred Velez.
Did Not Start: Darl Ellis Jr., Bobby Melovitz.

Figure Eight Feature Finish: MARK ANDRUS, Jesse Velez, Steve Mattson, Jamie Paul, Jim Watson, Matt Snow, Steve Simpson, Fred Velez.
Did Not Start: Andrew Mattson.

This week, Aug. 27, at Five Mile Point Speedway...

Youth Night - kids 17 and younger admitted into the grandstands free!
Time winds down on the '05 championship battles, in the next-to-last week of competition on the tough quarter-mile.
The big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will be joined by the last appearance of the season by the Figure Eights in the Quarter-Mile Championship. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Keehle and Crawn Score Needed Modified Wins At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – The circumstances surrounding their triumphs were a picture of contrast, but Rich Keehle Jr. and Jim Crawn scored morale-boosting wins Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Keehle, of Windsor, N.Y., inherited the top spot four laps from the finish of the Gary’s U-Pull-It regularly-scheduled 30-lap Modified main, while Jim Crawn dominated the heldover Modified 30-lapper from Aug. 13.
For the consistent Keehle, it marked his second career Mod win at the Point and first since Oct. 18, 2003 when he won the Southern Tier Open 50.
“We definitely had some good fortune here tonight,” Keehle, 25, said matter-of-factly. “For a change, we were in the right place at the right time.”
Starting seventh in his Dr. John Deuel-owned No. 19 Bicknell, Keehle picked his way patiently forward, motoring into third by the sixth lap.
Out front, Brian Malcolm and Glenn Knapp ran one-two, opening up an advantage on the rest of the field. Running by far his strongest race of the ’05 season, Knapp put heavy pressure on Malcolm by the 20th lap, working a lower line through the turns with his No. 26 Troyer.
With seven circuits remaining, the lead duo closed in on the slower car of Brad Weaver, changing the race’s complexion dramatically.
Malcolm attempted to overtake Weaver up high entering turn three on lap 26, but couldn’t complete the pass, opting to tuck his Murray and Gillette-powered No. 119 back to the bottom.
Simultaneously, Knapp dove to the inside and the two cars made contact exiting turn four, sending Malcolm spinning.
Officials placed Knapp at the rear for his involvement and Keehle inherited the lead.
“To be honest, my car wasn’t perfect tonight,” noted Keehle, a former Super Stock standout in his fourth Modified season. “I don’t think I could have passed either one of them.
“I saw them get up to the lapped car and I was ready. It really feels good – this is a tough field.”
Keehle motored away for the $1,000 victory over Old Forge, Pa.’s Bobby Puckett, who matched his best finish of the season in second.
Eleventh-starter Brian Weaver rallied to third in Randy Decker’s Bicknell No. 9R, extending his point lead with two events remaining. J.R. Crouse and Russell Hendrickson Jr. rounded out the top five.
Heat winners for the 25 Modifieds in attendance were Knapp, Nick Barassi Jr. and Puckett.
Crawn capitalized on a front-row starting position to right a month of disappointment in the Mod heldover.
The former track champion from LeRaysville, Pa., used a lap-one restart to power around Chris Ostrowsky for the lead in his Tom and Terry Coar-owned No. J30 Bicknell.
The 41-year-old was never seriously challenged once he took command, pacing the remainder of the distance handily for his third win of ’05.
“We’ve had so much bad luck, getting swept into wrecks,” Crawn said. “I’m not used to starting up front. Honestly, I would much rather win from 12th or something than do it this way.
“But at this point, we needed a win.”
Brian Weaver made a late charge for second, ahead of Chris Ostrowsky, who earned his best finish of ‘05 in third. Jeff Emanuel and Bobby Puckett rounded out the top five.
Eric Palmer’s fifth Sportsman victory of the season came in dramatic fashion.
Palmer started eighth and hovered mid-pack for much of the event while Easton, Pa., native Rick Raisner and local favorite Jeremy Holt diced for the top spot. Raisner ultimately took command at the halfway point, looking for his first career win at the Kirkwood oval.
But Palmer had other ideas. When the race’s final caution came out on lap 18, Palmer sat third. The Cresco, Pa., talent motored to the outside on the restart, pulling even with Raisner at the line for lap 19.
Using the outside momentum, Palmer won the drag race to the stripe by a nose for the $500 payday. Raisner, Brian Decker, Jeremy Holt and Brad Grim were second through fifth, respectively.
Returning to weekly competition after a hard crash on July 2, Scott Bennett of Waverly, N.Y., topped the heldover 20-lap FMP Modified main from Aug. 13. Bennett powered by Bob Chapman three laps from the finish for his fourth ’05 win. Chapman, Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard and Ty Hurlburt trailed.
Gary Dence led green-to-checkered in the 20-lap FMP Modified main, but his victory didn’t come without a hitch. The Candor, N.Y., native ran the final laps with a deflated left-front tire.
“I was glad it wasn’t a couple more laps,” Dence said.
Mike Stoddard came home second, ahead of K.C. Cole (who rebounded from a flip in the heldover feature), Bennett and Chapman.
Joe Krisovich of Mayfield, Pa., won the 20-lap Street Stock feature, his first at the Point. He took advantage of a lap-12 restart to work by Les Gillette and drove away for his first checkered since Sept. 2002 at Lake Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) Speedway.
Gillette, Dan Pompey, Bill Trego and Carl Heater were second through fifth, respectively.
The final quarter-mile of the 20-lap Pure Stock feature was key for Jeremy Shaw. The Hamden, N.Y., native snatched the lead away from Mike Codington entering turn one on the 19th circuit.
Slight contact was made, sending Shaw up the track and opening the inside line for Mahlon Shoemaker.
The two cars raced back to the stripe side-by-side, with Shaw taking his third ’05 triumph at FMP. It was a weekend sweep for the likeable driver, who won Friday night’s main at The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway.
Shoemaker, Codington, Chris Wood and Charlie Gilbert rounded out the top five.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., Aug. 27 with Youth Night (17 and under admitted free). The Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Figure Eights will be in action. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: With rain in the area, 25 Modifieds, 21 Sportsman, 12 FMP Modifieds, 14 Street Stocks and 18 Pure Stocks signed in for competition. A large crowd took in the event….
Keehle gave credit to Glenn Knapp and his crew for their efforts in correcting a wiring problem that surfaced after his heat race. “They were a big help,” Keehle said….
Jim Crawn made hard contact with the wall in the second Modified qualifier entering turn one. He brought severely twisted ride home in a top-four position, only to get shoved off the track on the eighth lap of the feature.
Crawn narrowly avoided a turn one marker tire, but fell to the rear of the field. “We just can’t catch a break,” he mourned….
A broken right-rear shock flattened the tire on Dana Wagner’s No. 25W six laps into the nightcap Mod main….
A Poster Contest and Kiddie Rides thrilled the youngsters in attendance….

GARY’S U-PULL-IT RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: RICH KEEHLE JR., Bobby Puckett, Brian Weaver, J.R. Crouse, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Tom Oleski, Chris Ostrowsky, Nick Barassi Jr., Barry White, Darin Schuler, James Cornell, Dan Hineline, George Hildebrant, Jack Amundsen, Dana Wagner, Jeff Emanuel, Jim Crawn, Brad Weaver, Joel Batzel, Glenn Knapp, Brian Malcolm, Rick Holgate.
Did Not Start: Dave Zona, Craig Hawley, Ken Hildebrant.

Heldover Modified Feature Finish From 8/13: JIM CRAWN, Brian Weaver, Chris Ostrowsky, Jeff Emanuel, Bobby Puckett, George Hildebrant, Rich Keehle Jr., Dana Wagner, Darin Schuler, Dan Hineline, J.R. Crouse, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Joel Batzel, James Cornell, Rick Holgate, Ken Hildebrant, Barry White, Nick Barassi Jr., Brian Malcolm, Glenn Knapp, Dave Zona, Craig Hawley, Tom Oleski.
Did Not Start: Gary Griffin, Jamie Yankowski.

Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Rick Raisner, Brian Decker, Jeremy Holt, Brad Grim, Ricky Rutt, Justin Holland, Mike Mammana, Ryan Grim, Russ Zimmerman, Kevin Nolf, Bruce Gould, Archie Myers III, Jesse Kline, Josh Ainey, Willard Knecht, Brian Puckett, Jay Horton, Brett Graham.
Did Not Start: Rob Harder, Jason Hamilton.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: GARY DENCE, Mike Stoddard, K.C. Cole, Scott Bennett, Bob Chapman, Joe Cole, Dan Harpell, Tom Pickerell, Tyler Stoddard, Ty Hurlburt, Mike Stolarcyk III.
Did Not Start: Walt McClenon.

Heldover FMP Modified Feature Finish From 8/13: SCOTT BENNETT, Bob Chapman, Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard, Ty Hurlburt, Tom Pickerell, Mike Stolarcyk III, Gary Dence, Tyler Stoddard, Dan Harpell, K.C. Cole.
Did Not Start: Walt McClenon.

Street Stock Feature Finish: JOE KRISOVICH, Les Gillette, Dan Pompey, Bill Trego, Carl Heater, Chad Hyzer, Nick Petrilak, Darren Stout, Jerry Tonti, Mike Mills, Guy Park, James Millard, Ken Taugher.
Did Not Start: Brad Butcher.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: JEREMY SHAW, Mahlon Shoemaker, Mike Codington, Chris Wood, Charlie Gilbert, Matt Spencer, Darl Ellis Jr., Eddie Felker, Jamie Batzel, Ty Hurlburt, Steve Polhamus, Jerry Whitmarsh, Kevin Beach, Jonathan Carpenter, Jason Bond, Dan Babcock, Joe Cisney.
Did Not Start: Joe Rafferty Jr.

This week, August 20, at Five Mile Point Speedway…

With the top three drivers in Modified title fight separated by just 14 points (Brian Weaver, J.R. Crouse and Joel Batzel), a double-feature program looms for the Point’s ground-pounding big-blocks and small-blocks.
The busy night will kick off with the August 13 heldover features for the Modifieds and FMP Modifieds, then a full program will follow with each of the five weekly divisions in competition.
A Poster Contest and Kiddie Rides (held before the races) will give the youngsters in attendance a thrill.
Race time is 6 p.m.
General admission is $12. Rain check holders from last Saturday’s action will be admitted for $10.
For more information, visit the speedway website at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or call the track office:  (607) 775-5555.

Palmer Beats Weather, Tops Five Mile Point Sportsman
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Intermittent lightning and an influx of precipitation did little to deter Eric Palmer.

The Cresco, Pa., talent outdistanced Mother Nature and the competition Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway, winning the 25-lap Sportsman feature moments before rain forced the postponement of the FMP Modified and Modified main events on Binghamton Truck and Tire Center, LLC Night.

This Sat., Aug. 20 will be headlined by double features for the FMP Modifieds and Modifieds. The make-ups will kick off the card at an early starting time of 6 p.m.

The Sportsman, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will fill out the program, along with Kiddie Rides and a Kids Poster Contest.

Rain check holders from Saturday's weather-interrupted show will be admitted for $10. Adult admission will be $12.

Despite an afternoon thunderstorm that soaked the area at 3 p.m., the Sportsman field rolled off on a tacky and smooth quarter-mile oval.

The track conditions were clearly to Palmer's liking. He motored his Bicknell No. 12E, powered by a potent Dave Van Horn engine, from sixth starting position to the lead in just two laps running the outside groove.

Palmer avoided a spinning Jim Kleedorfer on the opening lap, then darted to the outside of early leader Archie Myers III to take command in turn two on the second go-round.

"The track was how I like it tonight, with a cushion up on the outside," Palmer, 31, said. "I've been good up there all year.

"I had to be careful going for the lead (with Myers). I'd go in on the top and get a run and he'd come across my nose. On the top you have to make sure you're far enough up that they can see you."

Rookie Brian Puckett charged into second on a lap-three restart and demonstrated an ability to run with Palmer on the longer green-flag runs.

However, three caution flags in the event's second half, along with a right-front tire that was losing air kept Puckett from taking the top spot in his Main Engines-powered Bicknell.

With rain falling, Palmer picked up his fourth '05 victory, worth $500, and extended his point lead with just three events remaining.

Puckett, 22, of Old Forge, Pa., was satisfied with the runner-up effort.

"I needed more green flag racing," said Puckett, the son of longtime Late Model/Modified racer Bobby. "The cautions hurt me. That rim (on the right front) must have been a little bent because the tire had a slow leak.

"It was just about flat when I came in."

Myers was third, with Phillipsburg, N.J.'s Ricky Rutt in fourth and a high-running Brian Decker filling out the front five.

With new sheet metal on the sides of his No. 11, Glenwood, Pa.'s Dan Pompey got back on track in the 25-lap Street Stock feature.

Pompey darted from fourth to take the lead on a lap-one restart, then fended off Ken Taugher to score his division-high fifth win of the season over Taugher, Les Gillette, Carl Heater and Bill Trego, who rebounded from a flat tire on lap eight to finish fifth.

Jamie Batzel scored his first-ever victory in memorable fashion - on the final circuit of the 25-lap Pure Stock feature.

The 24-year-old first-year driver started sixth and quickly moved in to challenge leader Eddie Felker. Looking low lap after lap, the Kirkwood, N.Y., native waited until the white flag flew to make his move.

Ducking under Felker at the line, the two cars raced side-by-side into turn one, and continued their drag-race down the backstretch, where Batzel surged into the lead, scoring the popular victory at the hometown track where he's spent much of his life.

"I wanted to wait for the right opportunity," Batzel said.

"He kept leaving a wider and wider groove on the inside, and I knew it was time on the last race. Once I got under him, I said 'I'm not lifting.'"

Jeremy Shaw snuck into second on the final lap, with Felker falling to third. Mahlon Shoemaker and Charlie Gilbert filled out the front five.

Heat winners for the 25 Modifieds in attendance were Dave Zona, Jim Crawn and Nick Barassi Jr. Dan Harpell and Bob Chapman won the FMP Modified heats.

For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, visit the website at: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or contact the speedway office: (607) 775-5555.

COUNTER POINTS: Despite the threatening weather, car counts remained steady at 25 Modifieds, 20 Sportsman, 11 FMP Modifieds, 16 Street Stocks and 19 Pure Stocks....
Of the three Modified drivers within 14 points of the lead, Brian Weaver fared the best in heat race action. The Windsor, N.Y., driver made the top four in his heat (finishing second), while J.R. Crouse and Joel Batzel didn't crack the handicapping cut-off....
Jamie Batzel spent the week completely reworking his No. J27 Pure Stock, installing a new cam in the powerplant and a new transmission.
With his victory, all four of the cars fielded by Jamie's father Roger have visited Victory Lane in 2005. Joel Batzel won a Modified race at FMP, Jeremy Holt has two Sportsman wins at the Point and Chris Wood has a win at Penn-Can (Pa.) and FMP in Pure Stock competition....
The thunderstorm that ultimately put an end to the evening moved over the speedway at 9:15 p.m., with the FMP Mod main on the track....

BINGHAMTON TRUCK AND TIRE CENTER RACE SUMMARY
Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Brian Puckett, Archie Myers III, Ricky Rutt, Brian Decker, Jesse Kline, Rob Harder, Russ Zimmerman, Jay Horton, Andy Stout, Jeremy Holt, Jim Kleedorfer, Bruce Gould, Jack Brink, Willard Knecht, Justin Holland, Kevin McCoy, Brad Grim, Mike Mammana, Rick Raisner.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Ken Taugher, Les Gillette, Carl Heater, Bill Trego, Nick Petrilak, Josh Jenkins, Dan Stephens, Chad Hyzer, Larry DiLello, James Millard, Joe Krisovich, Jerry Tonti, Darren Stout, Bob Teribury, Jim Hughes.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: JAMIE BATZEL, Jeremy Shaw, Eddie Felker, Mahlon Shoemaker, Charlie Gilbert, Mike Codington, Joe Cisney, Matt Spencer, Toby Sparks, Darl Ellis Jr., Chris Wood, Steve Polhamus, Paul Carpenter, Jerry Whitmarsh, Jason Bond, Dennis Warren, Josh Towner, Joe Rafferty Jr., Tom Garren.

Modified Starting Lineup (To Be Run 8/20): Chris Ostrowsky, Jim Crawn, Bobby Puckett, Dave Zona, Jeff Emanuel, Nick Barassi Jr., Dan Hineline, Darrin Schuler, Glenn Knapp, Brian Weaver, Rick Holgate, Brian Malcolm, James Cornell, J.R. Crouse, Joel Batzel, Rich Keehle Jr., Russell Hendrickson Jr., Gary Griffin, Barry White, Tom Oleski, George Hildebrant, Dana Wagner, Ken Hildebrant, Craig Hawley, Jamie Yankowski.

FMP Modified Starting Lineup (To Be Run 8/20): Walt McClenon, Dan Harpell, Bob Chapman, Mike Stoddard, Jay Conroy, Gary Dence, Tom Pickerell, Mike Stolarcyk III, Scott Bennett, K.C. Cole, Tyler Stoddard.

FIVE MILE POINT QUICK RESULTS
BINGHAMTON TRUCK AND TIRE CENTER RACE SUMMARY

Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Brian Puckett, Archie Myers III, Ricky Rutt, Brian Decker, Jesse Kline, Rob Harder, Russ Zimmerman, Jay Horton, Andy Stout, Jeremy Holt, Jim Kleedorfer, Bruce Gould, Jack Brink, Willard Knecht, Justin Holland, Kevin McCoy, Brad Grim, Mike Mammana, Rick Raisner.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Ken Taugher, Les Gillette, Carl Heater, Bill Trego, Nick Petrilak, Josh Jenkins, Dan Stephens, Chad Hyzer, Larry DiLello, James Millard, Joe Krisovich, Jerry Tonti, Darren Stout, Bob Teribury, Jim Hughes.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: JAMIE BATZEL, Jeremy Shaw, Eddie Felker, Mahlon Shoemaker, Charlie Gilbert, Mike Codington, Joe Cisney, Matt Spencer, Toby Sparks, Darl Ellis Jr., Chris Wood, Steve Polhamus, Paul Carpenter, Jerry Whitmarsh, Jason Bond, Dennis Warren, Josh Towner, Joe Rafferty Jr., Tom Garren.

Modified Starting Lineup (To Be Run 8/20): Chris Ostrowsky, Jim Crawn, Bobby Puckett, Dave Zona, Jeff Emanuel, Nick Barassi Jr., Dan Hineline, Darrin Schuler, Glenn Knapp, Brian Weaver, Rick Holgate, Brian Malcolm, James Cornell, J.R. Crouse, Joel Batzel, Rich Keehle Jr., Russell Hendrickson Jr., Gary Griffin, Barry White, Tom Oleski, George Hildebrant, Dana Wagner, Ken Hildebrant, Craig Hawley, Jamie Yankowski.

FMP Modified Starting Lineup (To Be Run 8/20): Walt McClenon, Dan Harpell, Bob Chapman, Mike Stoddard, Jay Conroy, Gary Dence, Tom Pickerell, Mike Stolarcyk III, Scott Bennett, K.C. Cole, Tyler Stoddard.

RACE NOTES: Sixth-starter Eric Palmer motored around Archie Myers III to take the lead on lap two and proceeded to fend off the fierce charges of young Brian Puckett to score his fourth '05 victory in the 25-lap Sportsman main. Pa.'s Dan Pompey led from a lap-one restart en route to his fifth '05 Street Stock triumph, while Kirkwood native Jamie Batzel pulled off a final lap pass to win his first-ever 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Batzel worked inside Eddie Felker to grab the memorable win. The FMP Modified and Modified features were postponed until next Saturday, Aug. 20 after rain moved over the speedway at 9:15 p.m.

Worst to First For Veteran George Hildebrant At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Going from worst to first, George Hildebrant added another highlight to his storied career Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway.

A 32-year racing veteran from Nazareth, Pa., Hildebrant found Victory Lane for the first time at FMP, topping the 30-lap Modified feature in his first full season as a regular at the Kirkwood quarter-mile.

For Hildebrant, it marks the third track he has conquered. He won four big-block Modified events at Flemington (N.J.) Speedway in the early 1980s and later found success in a 358-Modified at Pa.'s Moc-A-Tek Speedway, winning most recently on August 23, 2003.

"We were pretty good in the beginning of the year here, but then the track got hard and dry and we just lost the handle," Hildebrant said.

"It got to the point last week where it was so bad that we pulled out. For the first time from a sixth starting spot it was so bad I said 'I'm gonna get out of here.'

"But we kept wrenching. These guys didn't give up"

The 48-year-old driver started fourth in his Todd Wismer Motorsports No. 18, a '98 Troyer with a potent Bitner Automotive small-block on alcohol.

While Rick Holgate burst into the lead, Hildebrant crept forward. He took the runner-up spot on lap two and inched up on Holgate, ultimately making the move entering turn one the eighth go-round.

Working the low line, Hildebrant nosed ahead at the stripe for lap nine.

"He (Holgate) had a push," Hildebrant said. "I noticed it about every other lap. He was pushing going into (turns) one and two and I was ready for it.

"I was actually surprised, because I watched his heat from inside the car on the line, and he was fast."

With Hildebrant out front, Russell Hendrickson Jr. began to march forward following a caution on lap 17.

Hendrickson slipped inside of Holgate in turn two on lap 21, taking second. At that point, he was nearly a straightaway back.

The Harpursville, N.Y., driver chipped away at the advantage in the final nine laps, but time ran out as Hildebrant scored the $1,000 victory.

"I made three slight adjustments just to keep the car dialed in as the tires wore and it was perfect," Hildebrant said, adding, "I didn't feel a real lot of pressure."

Hendrickson, 33, earned his best finish of the season in second aboard his Bicknell No. 21Jr., carrying a Cummings/homebuilt engine.

"We were a lot better on the longer runs," Hendrickson said. "I wish I had green all the way, I felt like I was gaining a couple feet every lap there at the end. I saw two laps to go, and I said 'Man, I need more time.'"

Kirkwood, N.Y.'s Joel Batzel throttled from seventh to finish third, ahead of Rick Holgate and Nick Barassi Jr.

Heat winners were Barassi, Holgate and Hendrickson. 24 cars entered the program.

It was six years in the making, but Jesse Kline finally found Victory Lane. The Bangor, Pa., native won for the first time in the 25-lap Sportsman feature.

The son of longtime Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway big-block Modified driver Bruce, Kline showed his strength early aboard his Dave Van Horn-powered Teo-Pro No. 59J.

Using the inside line on a lap-six restart, Kline outgunned early leader Rick Raisner into turn one, moved up the track in the second turn and emerged with the race lead.

Once he took the lead, the 23-year-old Kline drove on to the win, despite a caution with four laps remaining that put a hard-charging Brad Grim on his back bumper.

"This is great," an enthusiastic Kline exclaimed. "We had some difficulties at the beginning of the year with the motor, having some parts failures. Then we struggled with the set-up.

"The main thing is I had to change my driving style. I have to thank (fellow Sportsman driver) Eric Palmer for helping me out. I was in a rut."

Coplay, Pa.'s Grim came from 10th to finish second, with Raisner, Eric Palmer and Brian Decker in tow.

It took only one lap for Mike Stolarcyk III to bolt from fifth starting position to the lead in the FMP Modified feature. For the remaining 19 circuits, he went unchallenged en route to his fifth '05 win.

Stolarcyk's good fortune on the opening lap occurred when leaders Gary Dence and Walt McClenon tangled, spinning in front of the field. The Whitney Point, N.Y., driver avoided the melee and finished ahead of K.C. Cole, Brian Rhodes, Mike Stoddard and Joe Cole, driving the Jay Conroy No. 02.

After two seasons without a win, Tunkhannock, Pa.'s Jerry Tonti recorded his second consecutive checkered in Street Stock competition.

Starting seventh, Tonti took the lead on a fifth-lap restart and motored on to the win over Nick Petrilak, who worked the extreme high line of the speedway to a runner-up finish. Joe Krisovich, Bill Trego and Les Gillette rounded out the top five.

Tom Martocci led from green to checkered in the 15-lap 600cc Modified feature, surviving a challenge from 270cc Micro-Sprint standout Tim Manieri on a lap-12 restart to score the victory by five car-lengths. Manieri, in the Doug Borger-owned No. 74, was second. Craig Beringer, Barry McDole and Nicholas Mady rounded out the top five.

Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., Aug. 12 with a full program of Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks plus a Kids Poster Contest. Race time is 6:30 p.m.

Contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more information.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts were 24 Modifieds, 20 Sportsman, 11 FMP Modifieds, 17 Street Stocks and 14 600cc Modifieds. The Pure Stock division had the night off....
Winners of the Kids Bicycle Races were: Molly Harder (three years old), C.J. Stack (nine), and Ethan Heiser (10)....
Hildebrant and Co. credited Frank Cozze and Brent Tittle with set-up advice that helped turn around their performance....
The point battle in the Modified division continues to tighten. Brian Weaver, who finished seventh, unofficially leads J.R. Crouse by 13 points and Batzel by 14 with four events remaining....
Rich Keehle Jr. finished 20th after contact with Dan Hineline early in the main stripped the splines on the steering arm of his Dr. John Deuel-owned No. 19....
Two-time champion Jim Crawn also had an off night, getting tagged on the first lap of the heat, only to go off on the hook with no steering. He was the victim of a lap-eight restart incident in the feature and finished 13th....

Modified Feature Finish: GEORGE HILDEBRANT, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Joel Batzel, Rick Holgate, Nick Barassi Jr., J.R. Crouse, Brian Weaver, Dana Wagner, Tom Oleski, Glenn Knapp, James Cornell, Dan Hineline, Jim Crawn, Jeff Emanuel, Dave Zona, Darin Schuler, Chris Ostrowsky, Gary Griffin, Barry White, Rich Keehle Jr., Brian Malcolm, Bobby Puckett, Brad Weaver.
Did Not Start: Pierre LaGrange.

Sportsman Feature Finish: JESSE KLINE, Brad Grim, Rick Raisner, Eric Palmer, Brian Decker, Pat O'Hanlon, Mike Mammana, Rob Harder, Brett Graham, Jay Horton, Bruce Gould, Jack Brink, Willard Knecht, Mike Bent, Jeremy Holt, Ricky Rutt, Archie Myers III, Jim Kleedorfer, Fred Christ, Brian Puckett.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, K.C. Cole, Brian Rhodes, Mike Stoddard, Joe Cole, Gary Dence, Scott Bennett, Walt McClenon, Tyler Stoddard, Dan Harpell, Bob Chapman.

Street Stock Feature Finish: JERRY TONTI, Nick Petrilak, Joe Krisovich, Bill Trego, Les Gillette, Dan Pompey, Carl Heater, Wade Decker, Chad Hyzer, Guy Park, Ken Taugher, Randy Tyler, James Millard, Josh Jenkins, Mike Mills, Ken Hineline, Bob Teribury.

600cc Modified Feature Finish: TOM MARTOCCI, Tim Manieri, Craig Beringer, Barry McDole, Nicholas Mady, Kyle Gardner, Scott Washburn, David Lewis, Dave Baldwin, Bruce Kindberry, Jason Von Doren, Pete Knappenberger, Brian Mady.
Did Not Start: Ray Tuthill.

"Universal" Set-Up Propels Gibbs To FMP T3 Victory
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Most drivers fret, struggle and massage a car to find that perfect set-up for one track.

Mitch Gibbs found one that works everywhere.

Using a set-up he calls "universal," Gibbs roared to victory Thursday night at Five Mile Point Speedway in the 50-lap T3 All-Star Series 358-Modified headliner.

The North Norwich, N.Y., native earned $2,000 for his third straight win, after visiting Victory Lane at Can-Am (N.Y.) Motorsports Park on Saturday and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on Sunday.

"We've come up with a set-up with these (Bicknell) low-rack cars that works. We're running it on the big-block and the small-block. It seems to work every place we go," said Gibbs, who credited a new engine combination for bringing his small-block operation to life.

"I went to Can-Am Saturday and won, Utica-Rome Sunday won and here tonight with the same car and exact same set-up."

Gibbs, the '02 Five Mile Point champion, started 10th in his Moshier-powered Bicknell and made a patient ascent to the front, typical of his smooth style at the quarter-mile oval.

Early on, front-row starters Russell Hendrickson Jr. and Joel Batzel battled for the lead. Hendrickson paced the first 17 laps before Batzel used the outside line on a double-file restart to take command with his Enders-powered Bicknell.

By lap 20, Danny Johnson and Gibbs moved into second and third, respectively.

But the deciding moment for Gibbs came one lap shy of the halfway point, when the caution flew.

Restarting in the high line, the 42-year-old swept around Danny Johnson and Hendrickson, charging from fourth to second in his self-owned Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G.

"Drawing 10th set me back for sure," Gibbs said. "You've gotta take care of the car coming up through. To be honest, I had to run a little harder than I would've liked to run with Danny.

"That restart was big for me. He's (Danny) hard to get around. I needed that restart to get by, then I could get to the front, be smooth and save the tires."

It took just two circuits for Gibbs to forge into the race lead. After one trip around the Kirkwood oval side-by-side, he drove inside of Batzel with a forceful pass in turn two. Batzel had to jump on the binders to avoid impacting the wall, and Gibbs slid by.

"I was using up all the track so I could get all the forward bite I could," Gibbs said of his pass for the lead. "I wasn't gonna give him (Batzel) a clean shot at me."

Driving a Christian-chassied No. H24 for Roger Heroux, Johnson, who started eighth, took second from Batzel on lap 31.

The 45-year-old from Phelps, N.Y., had little for Gibbs, who calmly guided his car around the track's inner hub for the remainder of the event, which included a caution eight laps from the finish.

"I was afraid somebody with harder tires would come on," Gibbs said. "I didn't want to leave the bottom open for someone to drive under me.

"Man, I just like racing here. If I had my choice, I'd be here every Saturday."

Johnson was satisfied with a runner-up finish in just his third start in the car, which he has been running at Utica-Rome for the past two weeks.

"I used the tires up trying to make up what we didn't have in the end," noted Johnson, making his first FMP appearance since Oct. 2003.

"That one restart (lap 24) hurt as a little bit. Mitch had the preferred line, and basically he got there before we did.

"I'm happy with the night."

After cooling his tires on a lap-42 caution period, Batzel, 30, of Kirkwood, N.Y., found a late race burst of speed, trailing Johnson by less than a car-length at the checkered.

"During that caution, I went down to the inside in the cool stuff and the tires came back," said Batzel, who ran the same tires he used en route to a fifth-place finish in the previous Saturday's feature.

"I was all over Danny after that. I thought I was going to get back by him, but he's tough. I race for a hobby, he races for a living."

Rich Keehle Jr. of Windsor, N.Y., beat Pa.'s J.R. Crouse to the line by a nose for fourth after the pair battled wheel-to-wheel for the final five laps.

Heat wins for the 32 358-Modifieds in attendance went to Batzel, Keehle, Russell Hendrickson Jr. and Gibbs. Billy Van Pelt won the consolation.

Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., topped the 30-lap Hurricane All-Star Pure Stock Series 30-lap main, leading the entire distance after picking the pole during the redraw.

Gilbert didn't simply walk away with the $500 victory. After repelling the relentless assaults of Jeremy Shaw, Howard Jones made a bid for the lead with five laps to go only to head to the infield with mechanical failure one lap later.

Gilbert raced on to the win over Rich Talada, Shaw, Joe George and Mike Wilbur. Gilbert, a longtime full-fender driver, earned a guaranteed starting spot in the Aug. 21 Hurricane Harry Uhl Jr. Pure Stock Memorial at Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) Speedway.

The misfortune for Jones handed the Hurricane All-Star Series championship to Mahlon Shoemaker, whose eighth-place finish gave him a one-point edge in the final tally.

Lakewood, Pa.'s Steve Simpson worked by Mark Andrus with one lap remaining in the 10-lap Figure Eight feature and went on to record his third trip to Victory Lane of 2005. Andrus was second and Jesse Velez placed third.

Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., Aug. 6 with Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds and Street Stocks plus 600cc Modifieds and Kids Bicycle Races. The first green flag will fly at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: On a humid night, 32 358-Modifieds, 22 Pure Stocks and seven Figure Eights signed in for competition....
T3 All-Star Series director Kenny Shupp was pleased with the turnout for his second event, nearly three-and-a-half months after the inaugural at Black Rock (N.Y.) Speedway on April 16.
"Thursday is a tough night," Shupp said. "A lot of these guys race Friday, Saturday or both. To pull over 30 cars here tonight is an accomplishment I'm proud of."....
Fifteen of the 32 cars in the 358-Modified field towed from the Black Rock/Woodhull (N.Y.) area....
Batzel affirmed that there was no contact between he and Gibbs in the lap-26 change of the lead. "Nobody touched anybody," he said. "I had a little push when he got by. He kept moving up (out of two) and I just had to back out of it to avoid hitting the wall."....
While American Racer tires dominated the front of finishing order, Hoosier and Goodyear were represented in the open tire event. The top three drivers ran the SD 48 compound on the right rear....
Russell Hendrickson Jr.'s top-five run ended on lap 36 when contact with Billy Van Pelt sent him over the turn-three embankment. Van Pelt, who had authored a determined drive from 21st to battle for fifth, was sent to the rear for his involvement....
A bizarre incident forced Gil Tegg Jr. to hop from his No. 6 Starkey Motorsports Troyer on lap 24. An airborne brake rotor wedged between Tegg's back and the seat. The Rochester, N.Y., driver stopped the car, pulled out the red-hot rotor and continued in the event....
Danny Johnson made the event's big move on lap seven when he entered turn three high, throttled to the bottom out of four and disposed of Ed Strada Jr. and Aaron Jacobus to advance from sixth to fourth....

T3 All-Star Series 358-Modified Race No. 2 Feature Finish: MITCH GIBBS, Danny Johnson, Joel Batzel, Rich Keehle Jr., J.R. Crouse, Ed Strada Jr., Joey Grammes, Dylan Dewert, James Cornell, Ron Cartwright Jr., Donnie Lawson, Jeff Emanuel, Chris Ostrowsky, Bryant Terwilliger, Billy Van Pelt, Aaron Jacobus, Gil Tegg Jr., Mike Jackson, Brian Malcolm, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Ken Peoples Jr., Chris Grbac, Tom Oleski, Brian Swarthout.
Did Not Qualify: Grant Hilfiger, Vern Wasson, Art Bray, Larry Keegan, Bobby Hentschel, Herb Wright, Tom Austin, Buddy Altemose.

Hurricane All-Star Pure Stock Series Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Rich Talada, Jeremy Shaw, Joe George, Mike Wilbur, Chad Stone, Ron Hawker, Mahlon Shoemaker, Butch Green, Jerry Whitmarsh, Steve Polhamus, Fred Velez, Jessica Pierce, Mike Codington, Howard Jones, Darl Ellis Sr., Dee Ramey, Rich Green, Bob Boynton Sr., Daryl Krebs, Jason Makosky.
Did Not Start: Doug Stack.

Figure Eight Feature Finish: STEVE SIMPSON, Mark Andrus, Jesse Velez, Jamie Paul, Steve Dechow, Cody Nielson, Matt Snow.

This week at Five Mile Point Speedway…

Thurs., Aug 4 – The T3 All-Star Series makes its first visit to the speedway in a 50-lap, $2,000-to-win event for small-block Modifieds. A Hurricane Pure Stock Qualifier and Figure Eights fill out the program. Race time is 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 6 – An action-packed show of Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds and Street Stocks takes to the quarter-mile, plus the second ’05 appearance of the 600cc Modifieds and Kids Bicycle Races. The first green flag flies at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Figure Eights Join Thurs. Show; 358-Modified Rules Set
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Race fans who attend the Thurs., Aug. 4 T3 All-Star Series show at Five Mile Point Speedway will get more bang for their buck - quite literally.

The zany Figure Eight division will accompany the 50-lap, $2,000-to-win T3 All-Star Series 358-Mod event and the 30-lap Hurricane Pure Stock special at the quarter-mile oval, promoter Andrew Harpell announced this week. Race time has been bumped up to 7 p.m. General admission is $15.

"The Figure Eights have evolved into one of our most popular attractions at the Point," Harpell said. "The class growing in number, and several of the competitors wanted another date.

"This should be a great addition to the show. The enthusiasm from the crowd on Saturday nights has been remarkable whenever the Figure Eights hit the track."

The Figure Eights have made three appearances at FMP in '05, with Steve Simpson (two wins) and Steve Dechow (one win) checking into Victory Lane. Car counts have increased to an average of 10-plus.

For newcomers to the Point, the Figure Eights are essentially limited, "pure stock" type cars that race in heat events and a 10-lap feature using the turns of the stock car track. The cars then dart through the infield, where the action takes place at the X, or "Danger Zone." Many of the Figure Eight competitors have adopted paint schemes to match cars from the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

A banner field of small-blocks is expected to descend on the 55-year-old facility for the special. Among the special visitors to the Point will be Danny Johnson, driving a car owned by Roger Heroux. Former champion Mitch Gibbs will be in attendance, along with Brian Weaver and the local talent.

T3 stars Billy Van Pelt, Steve Hartman, Dylan Dewert, Aaron Jacobus, Stacy and Mike Jackson are expected to attend, along with invaders from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, who will congregate on FMP in an attempt to snatch the cash.

Any 92 x 13-inch tire will be permitted in the T3 event.

Steel head, non-ported small-block engines on gas, as per '04 DIRT rules, should weigh 2,400 lbs. with no tolerance.

Ported steel head small-blocks, aluminum head small-blocks or any ported small-block on alcohol should must weigh 2,500 lbs.

Big Diamond (Pa.)/Grandview (Pa.) 9-to-1 compression small-blocks should weigh 2,400 lbs.

All engines must be 358 c.i. or less for this event.

Contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 for further information on rules or visit the official website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Heat race starting positions will be determined by a draw and the top 12 qualifiers will redraw for the feature.

Led by Kenny Shupp, the T3 All-Star Series debuted at Black Rock (N.Y.) Speedway on April 16. Dylan Dewert picked up the win, besting a stout 25-car field.

The inaugural T3 All-Star Series champion will be determined on Fri., Oct. 14 at FMP as part of the National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend.

Other stops on the T3 All-Star Series in 2005 are: Sept. 17 Woodhull (N.Y.) Speedway, Sept. 23 Black Rock Speedway; Sept. 24 Little Valley (N.Y.) Speedway; Sept 30 The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway; and Oct. 1 Mercer (Pa.) Raceway Park.

To learn more on the T3 Series, visit www.t3allstarseries.com.

RACE INFORMATION
Pit gates open: 4:40 p.m.
Grandstand gates open: 5 p.m.
Practice: 6:45 p.m.
Race time: 7 p.m.

General admission:
Adult - $15
Youth (11-17) - $8
Seniors (62+) - $8

Order of Events:
Modified Heats
Pure Stock Heats
Figure Eight Feature
Modified Consolations
Pure Stock Consolations
Modified Feature (50 laps)
Pure Stock Feature (30 laps)

White Fends Off Griffin For Five Mile Point Mod Win
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Barry White learned a lesson midway through Saturday night's Modified feature at Five Mile Point Speedway from an unlikely source.

The man who finished second to him.

When Gary Griffin showed speed running the lower groove on the quarter-mile oval, it served as a signal to White. The veteran racer from Mertztown, Pa., changed his line and went on to win his second feature of 2005 at the 55-year-old facility, leading all but one circuit of the 30-lap main.

Starting second in his Lynn Redcay-owned Teo-Pro car, carrying a Curt Neiman-built aluminum head 9-to-1 engine on alcohol, White worked around Grant Hilfiger on an opening lap restart to grab the lead.

Third-starter Griffin motored by Hilfiger on lap five, taking over the runner-up spot.

White and Griffin then took part in several double-file restarts after a series of jingles slowed the action.

The most serious incident occurred on a lap-12 restart when contact between Hilfiger and Bobby Puckett, battling for fourth, sent the field scrambling. No less than six cars stacked up in turn one, bringing out the red.

"I was so happy to look over and see Gary there on those double-file restarts," said White, 47. "I can trust him. Gary and I can race together and I know he'll be clean."

The race's deciding moment came on lap 13. White, who had been working the extreme outside groove, opened the door for Griffin exiting turn two. Griffin, after laps of sizing up an inside pass, nosed ahead to take the lead on the backstretch.

However, the caution flew before the lap was scored and White was placed back in front.

And he wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

"That caution saved me," White admitted. "Gary had me clean. I watched the Sportsman feature and there was an outside groove. I stayed out there as long as I could, but Gary showed me the fast way around.

"The top went away and my car was getting loose, so I had to adjust my line."

Only one caution slowed the event's second half, and White gradually opened up a comfortable lead in his Deka Batteries No. 131, cruising to the $1,000 victory.

"This is something I've never done before - win two races in one year," White said. "We've been struggling here since the last time we won (June 11), and to be honest, we didn't even scale the car this week. It just worked."

Griffin, of Archbald, Pa., finished second in his No. 52 Bicknell.

"Barry was fast," said the soft-spoken Griffin. "It helps so much starting up front. My car was definitely better down low, but I couldn't do anything with him once he changed his line.

"My car got loose the last five laps. I'm just happy to finish."

Dana Wagner put on the drive of the race after he got tagged and spun on the first lap. Slicing back through traffic, the Trout Creek, N.Y., driver drove by James Cornell on lap 23 to finish third in his No. 25W Troyer four-link.

Cornell was fourth and Joel Batzel rallied for fifth.

Grant Hilfiger, Barry White, Brian Weaver and J.R. Crouse won the heats for the 30 Modifieds in attendance. Jim Crawn topped the consolation.

Righting a streak of bad luck, Susquehanna, Pa.'s Brian Decker won the 25-lap Sportsman headliner.

Running his Wally Fiehl-powered No. 9B Bicknell, Decker throttled around the outside of Archie Myers III on lap two, moving from fourth to first in a pair quick circuits around the tight oval.

Jesse Kline challenged Decker briefly following a bobble on lap 21, but Decker gradually pulled away to win his second feature at FMP this season, worth $500.

Kline, of Bangor, Pa., settled for second, matching his career-best finish. Ricky Rutt, Eric Palmer and Archie Myers III filled out the front five.

He waited until the final lap to make his move, but Mike Stolarcyk III returned to Victory Lane in FMP Modified competition. Starting second, Stolarcyk and polesitter Joe Cole engaged in a crowd-pleasing battle for the entire 20-lap distance, with Stolarcyk running low and Cole high.

On the final lap, Cole's car broke loose in turn two, allowing the Whitney Point, N.Y., driver to power by on the inside for the lead, and his fourth win of '05.

Cole settled for second but made hard contact with the wall after the checkered in turn one. Brian Rhodes, K.C. Cole and Gary Dence trailed.

Ending a two-year winless drought at FMP, Tunkhannock, Pa., native Jerry Tonti won a caution-marred, time shortened 18-lap Street Stock main. Tonti led the entire distance, despite a slew of restarts.

Bill Trego and Dan Pompey rebounded from an incident on lap nine for second and third, respectively. Randy Tyler and Josh Jenkins rounded out the top five.

Using a back-up engine, Johnson City, N.Y.'s Mahlon Shoemaker scored a dominant victory in the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. The former track champion powered by Jonathan Carpenter on lap four and was never headed, racing to his fourth win of the season over Jeremy Shaw, Charlie Gilbert, Matt Spencer and Jamie Batzel.

Racing resumes at FMP on Thurs., Aug. 4 with a 50-lap, $2,000-to-win T3 All-Star Series event for the small-block Modifieds, plus a Hurricane Pure Stock Qualifier and Figure Eights. Race time is 7 p.m.

On Sat., Aug. 6, the Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds and Street Stocks will be in competition along with the 600cc Modifieds and Kids Bicycle Races. The action starts at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the website at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts were strong at 30 Modifieds, 19 Sportsman, 14 FMP Modifieds, 23 Street Stocks and 17 Pure Stocks....
The top two drivers in the Modified point standings entering the night endured uncharacteristically rough outings.
Brian Weaver got tagged by Dan Hineline and spun wildly on lap seven in turn one. Weaver's Randy Decker-led team actually got the Bicknell mount's damaged front suspension repaired and he rejoined on lap 12, only to pile into a spinning Russell Hendrickson Jr., ending his night.
Runner-up Jim Crawn headed pitside on lap two when contact with the wall chewed off the right-rear spindle bolts on his Tom and Terry Coar-owned Bicknell. Weaver and Crawn finished 23rd and 24th, respectively....
Making a rare FMP Mod start in preparation for the Aug. 4 T3 All-Star Series event was Dylan Dewert of Corning, N.Y. Dewert, who won the inaugural T3 event at Black Rock (N.Y.) Speedway on April 16, missed qualifying by one position in the consolation....
Dave Zona was on track for a top-five finish when the left-front spindle broke on lap 22. He was fourth at the time....

Modified Feature Finish: BARRY WHITE, Gary Griffin, Dana Wagner, James Cornell, Joel Batzel, Darrin Schuler, Rich Keehle Jr., J.R. Crouse, Jeff Emanuel, Dan Hineline, Grant Hilfiger, George Hildebrant, Dave Zona, Chris Ostrowsky, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Junior Green, Bobby Puckett, Brian Malcolm, Butch Klinger, Eddie White, Glenn Knapp, Rick Holgate, Brian Weaver, Jim Crawn.
Did Not Qualify: Dylan Dewert, Tom Oleski, Brad Weaver, Ray Menard, Ralph Mele, Nick Barassi Jr.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRIAN DECKER, Jesse Kline, Ricky Rutt, Eric Palmer, Archie Myers III, Brad Grim, Brian Puckett, Mike Mammana, Rob Harder, Jeremy Holt, Ken Eckert Jr., Mike Bent, Bruce Gould, Brian White, Rick Raisner, Jim Kleedorfer, Brett Graham, Jack Brink, Rich Wallace.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, Joe Cole, Brian Rhodes, K.C. Cole, Gary Dence, Mike Stoddard, Bob Chapman, Jay Conroy, Dan Harpell, Jeff Cleveland, Tom Pickerell, Larry Robbins, Tyler Stoddard.
Did Not Start: Walt McClenon.

Street Stock Feature Finish: JERRY TONTI, Bill Trego, Dan Pompey, Randy Tyler, Josh Jenkins, Les Gillette, Nick Petrilak, Darren Stout, Chris Strohl, Shane Wolf, Larry DiLello, Paul Strohl, Ken Taugher, Joe Krisovich, Chad Hyzer, Wade Decker, Joe Thomas, Darl Ellis, Brad Butcher, Ken Hineline, Mike Mills, Bob Teribury.
Did Not Start: Carl Heater.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Jeremy Shaw, Charlie Gilbert, Matt Spencer, Jamie Batzel, Eddie Felker, Chad Stone, Mike Codington, Joe Rafferty Jr., Darl Ellis Jr., Joe Cisney, Jonathan Carpenter, Jason Bond, Chris Wood, Sheppard Blodgett.
Did Not Start: Dennis Warren, Fred Velez.

This Saturday, July 30, at Five Mile Point Speedway….

A full five-star show of big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks is set for a reworked and resurfaced quarter-mile oval. The first green flag flies at 6:30 p.m.
Contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more info.

Oleski Goes Back To Basics, Wins Five Mile Point First
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - When Tom Oleski was struggling to find a workable set-up and ran out of options, he took the only reasonable course of action left.
He went back to basics.
"Pulling out the old notebooks," the Scranton, Pa., driver led wire-to-wire in Saturday night's Maines Tractor-Trailer Driving School 30-lap Modified feature at Five Mile Point Speedway. It was Oleski's eighth career win and first-ever at the Kirkwood quarter-mile.
"I didn't think I'd ever get back to Victory Lane," exclaimed Oleski, whose last win occurred on May 17, 2003 at Pa.'s Lake Moc-A-Tek Speedway. "It feels so good. It seems like forever."
It took three tries to complete the first lap, but once the green flew, Oleski motored into the lead with his Main Engines small-block-powered Bicknell.
Dana Wagner actually outgunned Oleski to snatch the lead on the initial start, but a quick caution negated the pass. Wagner tucked into second and trailed Oleski closely in the early circuits.
Cautions on laps three and seven provided Wagner a pair of double-file restart opportunities, but Oleski didn't falter.
The 43-year-old aced each restart and held the top spot.
"I thought the restarts would kill me because of the gear we ran in the feature," Oleski said, noting the team made a pair of gear changes during the night.
"We tried new stuff earlier this year and we were out to lunch," remarked Oleski, who hadn't even scored a top-five finish in '05. "The car was just awesome tonight. We went back to what we were running here last year, and it was like a different car!"
Wagner's best chance to challenge came on lap 17 when Oleski bobbled slightly. Wagner put his No. 25W to the inside in turn three, but the Oleski calmly guided his Trap's Speed Shop No. 30+ back to sole possession of the top spot.
Despite a caution on lap 23, Oleski was untouchable. He raced on to the $1,000 payday.
"At about halfway, the car just got better," explained Oleski, in his second year of weekly FMP competition. "It's the best the car's ever felt here. I knew I would be okay if I protected the bottom."
Trout Creek, N.Y.'s Wagner was a season-high second. The 35-year-old was at the wheel of his '03 Troyer four-link after becoming disgruntled with his Bicknell car earlier this season.
"I needed his (Oleski's) line or at least part of hit to pass him," Wagner said. "We needed a little more stagger, the car was tight. I couldn't get in to the dive under him."
Wagner was disappointed he couldn't capitalize on the early restarts.
"He was restarting a car-width off the bottom, kind of running me up the track so I couldn't get a good start," he said. "I'm happy with second, but we need a win."
Brian Malcolm of Lake Ariel, Pa., posted his best finish of 2005 in third after starting fifth in his Murray and Gillette-powered Bicknell No. 119. Malcolm took over third on lap 22 and gained significant ground on the leaders in the final eight laps.
Thirteenth-starter Rich Keehle Jr. rallied to fourth and James Cornell was fifth.
Heat winners for the 29 Modifieds in attendance were Russell Hendrickson Jr., Brian Malcolm, Brian Weaver and Dana Wagner. George Hildebrant topped the consolation.
Jeremy Holt's roller-coaster sophomore season took an upward swing. The Kirkwood, N.Y., driver led the entire 25-lap Sportsman feature for his second win of '05 driving Roger Batzel's No. 74.
Poor luck put Holt on the pole for the feature and he took full advantage. He was never seriously challenged despite a multitude of restarts, including a caution two laps from the finish.
"We have a fast car," Holt said of the capable Teo-Pro mount. "We've had so much bad luck this year, just freak things and accidents. It's been a tough year."
Nazareth, Pa.'s Mike Mammana, the '04 Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway Rookie Sportsman champion finished second. It marked his best-career finish at the Point. Garden State driver Ricky Rutt was third, with Rich Wallace and Brian Puckett filling out the front five.
Rebounding from a month of engine problems, Gary Dence of Candor, N.Y., returned to form in the 20-lap FMP Modified feature. Dence took the lead from Dan Harpell on lap seven and pulled away for his second triumph of the season over newcomer Brian Rhodes, K.C. Cole, Tom Pickerell and Mike Stoddard.
For the third time this season, defending champion Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., was victorious in Pure Stock competition. Gilbert started fourth and took the lead by lap three, but a determined Mahlon Shoemaker put the pressure on for the remainder of the 20-lap feature.
Shoemaker drove hard into turn three on the final lap, but came up short on the bid and settled for second, ahead of Jeremy Shaw, Joe Cisney and Eddie Felker.
Coplay, Pa.'s Ronnie Dunstan, a past Five Mile Point winner in ARDC and URC competition, topped the 20-lap main for the Keystone Legends Tour.
Ninth-starter Dunstan took the lead at the halfway point, but by no means was it an easy triumph. On the final lap, Jason Rochelle made contact with Dunstan and the two cars became momentarily hooked together in turn one.
Dunstan shook loose and fended off Tim Tomson, who inherited second, to score the victory. Jason Rochelle, Craig Rochelle and Brian Levan rounded out the top five.
Jeff Richardson of Goshen, N.Y., charged from last to win the Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club 20-lap feature. Richardson took the lead on lap 16 from Jim Donelli and marched on to the win over Jim Myers Jr., Ray See Sr., Howie Murphy and Tom Cole.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., July 30 with a full five-division program of big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: A large Saturday night crowd took in the program with 29 Modifieds, 19 Sportsman, 11 FMP Modifieds, 17 Pure Stocks, 22 Legends Cars and eight Vintage Modifieds in the pit area....
All Class A license holders were admitted into the grandstands free of charge on CDL Truckers Night....
2001 Modified track champion Eddie White returned to the speedway for his first Saturday night program in several years. White's son Brian was also in attendance, competing in the Sportsman division....
Other additions to the Modified field included Stroudsburg, Pa.'s Darrin Schuler, who had been running the Bridgeport Friday programs and teenager Brad Weaver, son of point leader Brian. The younger Weaver qualified for his first FMP feature through the consolation....
It was an off night for title contender Jim Crawn, who launched off turn three on the opening lap and later spun his Tom and Terry Coar-owned No. J30 on lap 23....
Promoter Andrew Harpell will completely rework the racing surface prior to next Saturday's action. He plans to dig up the entire speedway and add some fresh clay....

Modified Feature Finish: TOM OLESKI, Dana Wagner, Brian Malcolm, Rich Keehle Jr., James Cornell, J.R. Crouse, Glenn Knapp, Joel Batzel, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Brian Weaver, Dave Zona, Bobby Puckett, Dan Hineline, Eddie White, Butch Klinger, Jim Crawn, Chris Ostrowsky, Jeff Emanuel, George Hildebrant, Rick Holgate, Brad Weaver, Darrin Schuler, Barry White, Nick Barassi Jr.
Did Not Qualify: Ken Hildebrant, Marty Bunker, Ray Menard, Grant Hilfiger, Gary Griffin.

Sportsman Feature Finish: JEREMY HOLT, Mike Mammana, Ricky Rutt, Rich Wallace, Brian Puckett, Brad Grim, Eric Palmer, Rick Raisner, Kevin Nolf, Brian White, Jim Toy, Jack Brink, Jesse Kline, Archie Myers III, Matt Kaminiskas, Willard Knecht, Brian Decker, Rob Harder.
Did Not Start: Jim Kleedorfer.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: GARY DENCE, Brian Rhodes, K.C. Cole, Tom Pickerell, Mike Stoddard, Joe Cole, Bob Chapman, Walt McClenon, Dan Harpell, Mike Stolarcyk III, Tyler Stoddard.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Mahlon Shoemaker, Jeremy Shaw, Joe Cisney, Eddie Felker, Jamie Batzel, Jonathan Carpenter, Chris Wood, Chad Stone, Mike Codington, Matt Spencer, Brian Mills, Joe Rafferty Jr., Kevin Beach, Jerry Whitmarsh, Darl Ellis Sr., Steve Polhamus.

Keystone Legends Tour Feature Finish: RONNIE DUNSTAN, Tim Tomson, Jason Rochelle, Craig Rochelle, Brian Levan, Paul Rochelle, Jim Baker, Roy Danner, Mark Schaffer, Pat Zellers, Dave Bauer, John Schirk, Justin Mulea, Greg Christman, Clint Penkauskas, Rodney Kistler, John Troyan, George Abt, J.J. Shandor, Gerald Eldridge, Bob Moyer.
Did Not Start: Wayne Young.

Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club Feature Finish: JEFF RICHARDSON, Jim Myers Jr., Ray See Sr., Howie Murphy, Tom Cole, Mike Kehr, Jimmy Halpin, Jim Donelli.

This Saturday, July 23, Five Mile Point Speedway....

It will be CDL Truckers Night presented by Maines Tractor-Trailer Driving School, with all Class A License holders admitted into the grandstands free of charge. The first 100 paying customers on the backstretch will receive a free hot dog.

On the track, the big-block/small-block Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks will be in action. They'll be joined by special appearances of the Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club and the Keystone Legends Cars. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp.

For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

T3 All-Star Series Set For Two Five Mile Point Appearances
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Kenny Shupp was confident his T3 All-Star Series would grow following its inaugural season.
Even he didn't expect it to catch on this fast.
Following a successful mid-April debut at New York's Black Rock Speedway, the economy-minded 358-Modified touring series received a boost late last week when Five Mile Point Speedway promoter/owner Andrew Harpell reached a deal to host two events at the 55-year-old facility.
The first appearance is slated for Thurs., Aug 4. It will be a 50-lap event, paying $2,000 to the winner and a healthy purse back through the field. The Hurricane Pure Stock Series will fill out the efficient two-division card. Race time is 7:30 p.m.
The second event will take place on Fri., Oct. 14 as part of the quarter-mile oval's Race of Champions Dirt Weekend. The first-ever T3 champion will be crowned on that autumn evening.
"I think the Thursday night show will be a great start," said the 53-year-old Shupp, who works in an announcer/PR capacity at Woodhull (N.Y.) Raceway. "And I know we'll have a great turnout for the October event.
"I've already started 'pounding the bushes' and I've gotten a great response. A lot of drivers in my area are excited about visiting Five Mile Point."
Woodhull Raceway (Sept. 17); Black Rock (Sept. 23); Little Valley (Pa.) Speedway (Sept. 24); The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway (Sept. 30); and Mercer (Pa.) Raceway Park (Oct. 1) join Five Mile Point on the '05 T3 All-Star Series schedule.
"The T3 All-Star Series is a perfect fit for Five Mile Point," Harpell said. "I think we'll have a large field for both shows, with a good mix of local drivers and invading talent."
Twenty-five small-blocks took to Black Rock's four-tenths-mile track on April 16 to kick off the T3 season. Dylan Dewert scored his first career victory after 15 years of trying before a packed house at Dean Hoag's facility.
"This is a series for the middle-of-the-road type racer," Shupp said.
"I started this deal for the drivers that want to do some traveling, but don't have a large budget. My main goal here is to have a series that is doable for the promoters and pays the racers a decent purse."
Dewert will make the haul to Five Mile Point in an attempt to record his second straight T3 All-Star Series victory and extend his point lead.
He'll be joined by Black Rock/Woodhull stars Billy Van Pelt, Aaron Jacobus, Mike Jackson, Stacy Jackson, Donnie and Don Lawson and Steve Hartman Jr., along with a stellar field of local drivers looking for T3 glory.
The T3 All-Star Series rules allow for '04 DIRT-legal small-block engines with conventional body rules. Any 92 x 13-inch tire will be permitted.
Heat race lineups will be determined by a draw. The top 12 qualifiers from will take part in a redraw for the feature.
Drivers will be eligible for a number of contingency awards, including the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Red Cat Pole; Addison Farm Supply Hard Charger; American Racer Hard Luck Award; VP Racing Fuels $100 in fuel; Sunoco Race Fuels 10 gallons of fuel; Red's Speed Shop Award; Dewert Speed certificate; and the Express Yourself Custom Embroidery Best Looking Move of the Race Award.
For more information on the T3 All-Star Series, visit the official website: www.t3allstarseries.com. 
Five Mile Point Speedway can be found on the web at: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net. The speedway office number is (607) 775-5555.

Crawn's Celebration Is Weaver's Heartbreak At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - With the door to the hauler shut tight behind him, Randy Decker stood in dismay, shaking his head as the sound of silence descended.
Decker, like throngs of stunned race fans, watched as defeat overpowered the jaws of victory just moments earlier.
Jim Crawn had just denied Decker's driver, Brian Weaver, his third straight victory at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Emerging from the darkness, the two-time track champion from LeRaysville, Pa., took advantage of his late-race burst of speed and lapped traffic to win his second Modified feature of the season at the historic quarter-mile last Saturday night in the Stolarcyk Chevrolet 30-lapper.
"I like to think of myself as a marathon runner, not a sprinter," Crawn smiled amongst a stream of well-wishers.
"I need some long green flag runs to get going. This car is fast, but it comes on late."
Polesitter James Cornell took the early lead from the front row and kept his nose clean through a rough-and-tumble first third of the feature event.
The sophomore Modified racer from Harpursville, N.Y., held the top spot until Brian 11th-starter Weaver made his presence felt out front. He took the lead from Cornell with a sweeping outside move in turn two on lap 13.
Almost immediately, Weaver built a straightaway advantage in the No. 9R Bicknell, while Crawn was mired in a battle for fourth.
"I was flopping around for about four or fifth because the car didn't come in," Crawn reflected.
"The early cautions killed me. These guys take off from the get-go, and my car is still free until the tires heat up. I've just gotta hang in there until the last 10 laps."
Crawn, 42, put Tom and Terry Coar's Clark-powered Bicknell into second on lap 16. Even the guy behind the wheel thought a win was improbable, however.
"He's the man lately," Crawn said of Weaver's skill at FMP. "It's tough to catch these guys when they're out front, especially Brian. He's on top of his game."
Methodically, Crawn chipped away at the advantage. When Weaver caught the back markers on lap 25, the lead was less than 10 car-lengths.
Lapped traffic proved to be the deciding factor. Weaver encountered Kenny Hildebrant with three laps remaining. As Hildebrant crossed the track, Weaver had to jump on the brakes.
And Crawn was there.
With two laps remaining, Crawn drove to the inside of Weaver in turn four. It proved to be the right decision. As Hildebrant moved up the speedway, he did so directly in the path of Weaver.
Crawn snatched the lead entering turn one and raced on to the $1,000 victory.
"The lapped car brought him back to me," Crawn said. "He went to the outside and that car was out there. It worked out perfect for me. It just worked out!"
Weaver was disgusted with the runner-up effort.
"I literally can't believe it," the 41-year-old said. "We don't come here to finish second. "I knew Crawn was close, but that lapped car changed lanes three times in front of me. I could've 'nastied' Jim and ran him down to the infield on the frontstretch, but I didn't turn left.
"You go good, lead a lot of the race and don't win - it's tough to take."
Cornell matched his career-best Modified finish in third. Glenn Knapp and J.R. Crouse rounded out the top five.
Modified heat winners included Butch Klinger, Tom Oleski and James Cornell. 22 cars signed into the pit area.
For the second time in four days, Coplay, Pa.'s Brad Grim raced to victory in Sportsman competition, coming out on top of the 25-lap feature.
The winner of the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour 40-lapper on Wednesday night marched steadily forward from sixth starting position in his Dirt Wheels-chassied No. 611. He took second on the fourth go-round and set his sights on polesitter Archie Myers III, who led from the outset.
Grim attempted several bids to the inside of Myers before ultimately taking the lead on lap 23. Myers got loose and Grim made slight contact with the left-rear quarter-panel of Myers' No. 111.
As the rejuvenated driver from Stewartsville, N.J., struggled to regain control, Grim assumed the top spot.
"I don't know what happened with Archie (in turn three)," Grim said. "It looked like his car got loose or he bobbled a little."
Rookie Brian Puckett slipped through the scramble for second, with Eric Palmer, Brian Decker and Myers rounding out the top five.
Bill Trego won his fourth Street Stock feature of the season in thrilling fashion. The longtime Street Stock racer from Gouldsboro, Pa., spent the waning laps sizing up Joe Krisovich, who led from the outset.
With the checkered flag in the hands of starter Raymond Kennerup, he charged to the outside in turn three, then won the drag race to the line by a nose with his Gillette Excavating No. 31. The margin of victory: less than a foot.
Krisovich was a disappointing second, with Les Gillette, talented teenager Chris Strohl and Dan Pompey filling out the front five.
K.C. Cole kept rolling in FMP Modified competition, scoring his third straight win in the 20-lap main. The Conklin, N.Y., racer emerged from a battle with cousin Joe Cole on lap seven and held off Mike Stolarcyk III to build his point lead.
Stolarcyk finished second, with Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard and Pure Stock graduate Walt McClenon in tow.
In a dramatic sequence of events, Hamden, N.Y.'s Jeremy Shaw weaved through a thick blanket of smoke and lapped traffic to power around Mike Codington with two circuits remaining in the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Shaw took his No. PQ22 to the extreme outside in turn four to make the pass en route to his second career victory.
Codington settled for second, ahead of a rebounding Chris Wood, Jamie Batzel and Jonathan Carpenter.
Racing resumes on Sat., July 23 with CDL Truckers Night. All Class A license holders will be admitted into the grandstands free of charge. The Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club and Keystone Legends Cars will be on the Maines Tractor-Trailer Driving School card. Race time is 6:30 p.m. sharp.
For more info, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net. 

COUNTER POINTS: Rain showers in the afternoon subsided, leaving a humid but clear evening. Car counts were 22 Modifieds, 15 Sportsman, 17 Street Stocks, 10 FMP Modifieds and 21 Pure Stocks....
Disgusted with the performance of his Bicknell car, Dana Wagner resurrected his Troyer four-link. Wagner switched the big-block powerplant to the Troyer after a DNQ in the RoC Dirt Modified show on Wednesday.
Two flat tires foiled his run, but Wagner was pleased with the trusty car....
It wasn't a good night for Rich Keehle Jr., who missed the heat race due to a failed MSD Box, started at the rear of the feature and made three different trips to the pits to remove severely twisted sheet metal....
Crawn's right-rear tire was "like new" after the feature....
Three of the top six finishers in the Modified feature utilized Troyer cars....
Former promoter Dan Harpell scored his first-ever checkered flag in the evening's first FMP Modified heat, fending off Mike Stolarcyk III in a barn-burner....

STOLARCYK CHEVROLET RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: JIM CRAWN, Brian Weaver, James Cornell, Glenn Knapp, J.R. Crouse, Butch Klinger, George Hildebrant, Joel Batzel, Dan Hineline, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Dave Zona, Ken Hildebrant, Dana Wagner, Tom Oleski, Grant Hilfiger, Rick Holgate, Brian Malcolm, Nick Barassi Jr., Gary Griffin, Barry White.
Did Not Start: Russell Hendrickson Jr.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRAD GRIM, Brian Puckett, Eric Palmer, Brian Decker, Archie Myers III, Rich Wallace, Ricky Rutt, Jesse Kline, Jeremy Holt, Mike Mammana, Bruce Gould, Rick Raisner, Jim Toy, Jack Brink, Willard Knecht.

Street Stock Feature Finish: BILL TREGO, Joe Krisovich, Les Gillette, Chris Strohl, Dan Pompey, Darren Stout, Randy Tyler, Nick Petrilak, Ken Hineline, Jerry Tonti, Carl Heater, Guy Park, Chad Hyzer, Bob Teribury, Ken Taugher, Dan Janus, Mike Mills.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: K.C. COLE, Mike Stolarcyk III, Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard, Walt McClenon, Tom Pickerell, Jay Conroy, Dan Harpell.
Did Not Start: Tyler Stoddard, Gary Dence.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: JEREMY SHAW, Mike Codington, Chris Wood, Jamie Batzel, Jonathan Carpenter, Joe Cisney, Matt Spencer, Steve Polhamus, Charlie Gilbert, Larry Fenton Jr., Joe Rafferty Jr., Allen Metzgar, Mahlon Shoemaker, Chad Stone, Toby Lehre, Eddie Felker, Darl Ellis Jr., Fred Velez, Dennis Warren.
Did Not Start: Matt Hayes, Randy Richards.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 3/Five Mile Point Speedway (7-13-05)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (7)
2 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (1)
3 41 Brian Puckett/Old Forge, Pa. (2)
4 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (14)
5 43 Jimmy Horton IV/Folsom, N.J. (19)
6 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (20)
7 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (3)
8 9 Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (28)
9 71 Mike Mammana/Nazareth, Pa. (29)
10 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (5)
11 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (25)
12 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (11)
13 9B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (24)
14 17 Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (30)
15 14 Alex Konopka/Gouldsboro, Pa. (16)
16 48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y. (13)
17 59J Jesse Kline/Bangor, Pa. (21)
18 19B Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (4)
19 9K Mike Ketcham/Otisville, N.Y. (10)
20 R14 Rick Raisner/Easton, Pa. (9)
21 57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J. (12)
22 3 Luke Wagner/Grantville, Pa. (27)
23 12E Eric Palmer/Cresco, Pa. (15)
24 M40 Mark Forte Jr./Haddon Township, N.J. (8)
25 151 Joey Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (6)
26 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (22)
27 1 Bill Deckelman/Fremont Center, N.Y. (23)
28 044 Lou Farina/Philadelphia, Pa. (18)
29 71M Shawn Mills/Windsor, N.Y. (17)
30 16 David Bush/Accord, N.Y. (26)

Entries: 41
Lap leaders: Puckett (1-12), Geiges (13-29), Grim (30-40)
Heat winners: Walker, Raisner, Mills, Geiges, Ketcham
Consi winners: Kline, Creeden
Guranteed Starters Race winner: Loney

Did Not Qualify:
515 Larry Lippincott/Riegelsville, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington/Pittstown, N.J.
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk/Hallstead, Pa.
44X Shane Jablonka/Poughquag, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle/Newfoundland, Pa.
56 Brian White/Candor, N.Y.
42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa.
59 Ladd Yeomans/Swan Lake, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce/Spencer, N.Y.
74 Jeremy Holt/Kirkwood, N.Y.

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 2/Five Mile Point Speedway (7-13-05)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (22)
2 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (23)
3 J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, Pa. (12)
4 93 Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (7)
5 27 Joel Batzel/Vestal, N.Y. (2)
6 17 Mike Ricci/Rosendale, N.Y. (4)
7 6 Rick Holgate/Kingsley, Pa. (3)
8 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap, Pa. (18)
9 21K Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, N.Y. (21)
10 26 Glenn Knapp/Johnson City, N.Y. (5)
11 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (14)
12 00 Doug Manmiller/Wyomissing, Pa. (28)
13 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (6)
14 24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y. (9)
15 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (24)
16 19 Rich Keehle Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (25)
17 213 Steve Walsh/Hankins, N.Y. (1)
18 88M Mike Jackson/Addison, N.Y. (16)
19 21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr./Harpursville, N.Y. (19)
20 51M Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, N.J. (8)
21 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (27)
22 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown, Pa. (26)
23 18 Bob Savoie/Broadalbin, N.Y. (10)
24 88 Jeff Strunk/Bethel, Pa. (11)
25 77V Rick Virkitis/Carbondale, Pa. (20)
26 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (17)
27 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (15)
28 88C Meme DeSantis/Temple, Pa. (13)

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Batzel (1-15), Horton (16-20), Ricci (21), Horton (22-39), Weaver (40-75)
Heat winners: Ricci, Horton, Holgate, Rudalavage, Strunk, Varin
Consi winners: Hendrickson, Virkitis, Chrysler

Did Not Qualify:
119 Brian Malcolm/Lake Ariel, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim/Laurys Station, Pa.
29 Chris Ostrowsky/Conklin, N.Y.
1K Billy Pauch Jr./Frenchtown, N.J.
86 Kyle Strickler/Sinking Spring, Pa.
42 Marty Bunker/Conklin, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y.
4 Tom McGurrin/Newton Lake, Pa.
99Z Dave Zona/Montrose, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac/Iselin, N.J.
66 Bobby Trapper/Scranton, Pa.
9D Barry Davis/Accord, N.Y.
77 Bob Hamm Jr./Windsor, N.Y.
18 George Hildebrant/Nazareth, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver/Binghamton, N.Y.
20 Eddie White/Candor, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y.
Zer0 Tom Gervasi/Madison Twship, Pa.
28H Ed Harris/Harpersfield, N.Y.
11 Pierre LaGrange/Mongaup Valley, N.Y.

Weaver Makes Hometown Fans Proud With FMP RoC Win
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Brian Weaver thrilled the hometown crowd last Wednesday night at Five Mile Point Speedway.
The FMP regular from nearby Windsor, N.Y., conquered a talent-laden Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour field at the Kirkwood quarter-mile, topping the second race of the Tour's South Region.
Weaver picked up $4,000 for the triumph in the 75-lap contest, scoring his first-ever RoC win and second consecutive checkered at the Point.
"It's pretty special when we can win one of these at our home track," an enthused Weaver commented. "For years and years, I came here or to Penn-Can (Pa.) as a kid and the locals always got beat by the high-dollar teams in the specials.
"We're proud of the team we've got here. It's really neat to beat some of the teams with a lot more money than we've got."
Piloting Randy Decker's No. 9R, the 41-year-old started 22nd after qualifying through the first consolation. Taking advantage of six caution periods in the first 10 laps, Weaver charged forward. By the 13th circuit, he cracked the top five, as outside polesitter Joel Batzel led from the outset.
"A couple wrecks took out quite a few cars. We were fortunate to make it through some of the problems in (turns) three and four there early on. We were also fortunate to start on the outside, because the outside line was much faster.
"I think I passed four or five cars on every time I had an outside start. I was pretty surprised at how quickly we got to the front."
While Weaver advanced, Neshanic Station, N.J.'s Jimmy Horton emerged as the class of the field. Wheeling the Chris Wasson-owned No. 51M Bicknell, Horton found a home in the extreme outside groove, taking second from Mike Ricci on lap 15. One lap later, he drove around Batzel with ease to take command.
With the exception of a lap-20 restart when Ricci momentarily snatched the top spot, Horton looked untouchable.
That all changed in lapped traffic on lap 38. Horton grazed a three-car tangle that occurred in turn four, directly in the path of the leaders.
As he circled the speedway under yellow, the car's left-rear wheel was clearly pushed back into the quarter panel. The contact chewed the spindle bolts and spun the birdcage, ending Horton's night.
The benefactor: Weaver, who had taken second from Ricci on lap 25 in the Decker Logging Bicknell, carrying a 413 c.i. powerplant built by Wally Fiehl.
"We were fortunate that Horton dropped out because he was smokin' fast," Weaver said. "I knew it (Horton's car) was broke and I said 'Man I don't think he can go much longer.' Right after that, he pulled in."
Horton's misfortune didn't just hand Weaver an easy victory.
He had to contend with Mitch Gibbs, a former track champion who sliced through the field from 23rd starting spot.
When the race restarted on lap 41, Gibbs initiated a relentless assault on Weaver, running high and low in his Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G. Gibbs momentarily pulled even with Weaver in turn four on lap 49, but Weaver's outside momentum carried him back to the lead out of turn two.
A key move for Weaver came on lap 63.
The multi-time Penn-Can (Pa.)/Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) champion squeezed between a pair of lapped cars on the frontstretch, giving himself momentary breathing room on Gibbs, who couldn't complete the same maneuver.
"I heard a car and I saw a flash of a nose and I said to myself 'I better start running a little harder,'" Weaver said. "I was taking it a little easy before I saw his (Gibbs') nose.
"That deal in lapped traffic (on lap 63) was cool. You've got to be lucky to get the waters to part like that. Those cars split and I found some room there."
Rebounding from a flat left-rear tire on lap three, Jim Crawn joined the lead fight, taking third on lap 65 and running down the lead duo.
With two laps remaining, Gibbs made a bid up high on Weaver, simultaneously opening the low line for Crawn, who looked to take second away.
As the battle for second heated up, Weaver crossed the stripe with a three car-length lead to score the popular victory.
North Norwich, N.Y.'s Gibbs narrowly edged out Crawn for the runner-up spot, driving a Moshier small-block-powered '05 Bicknell that hadn't seen action since a hard crash on April 15 at The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway.
Gibbs, 42, collected $2,500 for second, but felt he had the better car in the closing circuits.
"Brian ran a smart race, but I think I had the better car," Gibbs remarked. "Those two accidents in turns three and four (in the race's first 10 laps) cost me. I was a little too conservative.
"I went way wide and lost a bunch of spots. I was actually by Brian once, but I lost a lot of ground there."
More importantly, Gibbs said Weaver's line prevented him from making a move.
"He was diamonding the corners. He was just running enough in my line that it was screwing me up. That one time he bobbled (lap 49) and got under him. He lost a little momentum there, but I couldn't get him."
Two-time champion Crawn drove Tom and Terry Coar's Clark-powered No. J30 to third. Seventh-starter Bobby Varin finished fourth in Ed Monger's No. 93 PMC mount and early leader Joel Batzel was fifth.
Forty-eight Modifieds signed in. Heat winners were Mike Ricci, Horton, Rick Holgate, Alan Rudalavage, Jeff Strunk and Bobby Varin. Russell Hendrickson Jr., Rick Virkitis and Randy Chrysler won the consolations.
Brad Grim notched his first career victory at FMP on May 14. After Wednesday night, he has a new career highlight.
The Coplay, Pa., third-generation driver won the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour companion event, recording the biggest victory of his budding career for a $1,000 payday.
Starting seventh in his Dirt Wheels-chassied No. 611, Grim patiently worked forward as Brian Puckett set a torrid early pace.
Garden State hotshoe Jeff Geiges swept into the lead on lap 13, powering by Puckett. Grim hounded Geiges until making his move on lap 29.
Entering turn three, Grim drove to the bottom, initiating slight contact as he motored by. From that point on, the 27-year-old marched on to the victory.
"We were both tight," Grim said of his duel with Geiges. "I got into him a little bit between three and four. My car just pushed up into him."
Geiges, of Lawrenceville, N.J., finished second, ahead of rookie Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss and an impressive Jimmy Horton IV.
Sportsman heat winners included Shaun Walker, Rick Raisner, Shawn Mills, Geiges and Mike Ketcham. Jesse Kline and Danny Creeden split the consolations.
Mike Loney of Taylor, Pa., outdistanced David Bush to win the 10-lap Sportsman Guaranteed Starters Race.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region's third race is set for Weds., July 27 at Fonda Speedway in Fonda, N.Y. It will be the Tour's second stop at Fonda this season.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region and Dirt Sportsman Tour will resume on Tues., August 9 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., with a huge double-header program.
For more information on RoC Dirt, contact the office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

COUNTER POINTS: Former Mr. DIRT Sportsman champion Randy Chrysler made his first Five Mile Point start, towing four hours from Lewiston, N.Y., to compete in the RoC event.
A consolation winner, Chrysler ran a smooth race from 21st to finish ninth in his No. 21K Bicknell....
Batzel's fifth-place run came with a borrowed small-block engine from Doug's Speed Shop after the Vestal, N.Y., driver "cooked" his primary Enders powerplant on Saturday at FMP....
Rick Laubach, who entered the night second in RoC Dirt South points, had to use a provisional to make the feature field and retired to the infield on lap 23 with carburetor problems on Dieter Schmidt's No. 5....
Big Diamond (Pa.) RoC winner Jeff Strunk headed pitside early, the victim of the numerous tangles in the early laps....
Varin estimated it was his first FMP start in some 12 years. It was his first full race in the freshly-minted Magsarus ride after he was an early DNF at Big D....
Kudos to Jimmy Horton IV, who followed up a steady drive at Big Diamond on June 28 with a late rally to fifth in the Sportsman event, as the Folsom, N.J., teenager climbs the RoC point ladder....
Local favorite Glenn Knapp climbed into the top three early, but faded to 10th with a right-rear tire losing air....

Race of Champions Modified Tour South Region Race No. 2 Finish: BRIAN WEAVER, Mitch Gibbs, Jim Crawn, Bobby Varin, Joel Batzel, Mike Ricci, Rick Holgate, Frank Cozze, Randy Chrysler, Glenn Knapp, Ryan Bartlett, Doug Manmiller, Alan Rudalavage, Chris Shultz, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle Jr., Steve Walsh, Mike Jackson, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Jimmy Horton, Paul Kinney, Rick Laubach, Bob Savoie, Jeff Strunk, Rick Virkitis, Mike Colsten, Mike Gular, Meme DeSantis.
Did Not Qualify: Brian Malcolm, Ryan Grim, Chris Ostrowsky, Billy Pauch Jr., Kyle Strickler, Marty Bunker, Jerry Higbie Jr., Tom McGurrin, Dave Zona, Chris Grbac, Bobby Trapper, Barry Davis, Bob Hamm Jr., George Hildebrant, Chris Weaver, Eddie White, Dana Wagner, Tom Gervasi, Ed Harris, Pierre LaGrange.

Race of Champions Sportsman Tour Race No. 3 Finish: BRAD GRIM, Jeff Geiges, Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss, Jimmy Horton IV, Jason Hamilton, Shaun Walker, Ken Titus, Mike Mammana, Frank Doty, Mike Loney, Arnie Slade, Brian Decker, Derrick McGrew, Alex Konopka, Dusty Jagger, Jesse Kline, Brad Brightbill, Mike Ketcham, Rick Raisner, Ricky Rutt, Luke Wagner, Eric Palmer, Mark Forte Jr., Joey Colsten, Danny Creeden, Bill Deckelman, Lou Farina, Shawn Mills, David Bush.
Did Not Qualify: Larry Lippincott, E.J. Harrington, Andy Miller, Bubba Folk, Shane Jablonka, Josh Beierle, Brian White, Mike Lartz, Ladd Yeomans, Cliff Pierce, Jeremy Holt.

Modified Guaranteed Starters Race At FMP This Saturday
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - The massive field of 39 Modifieds that signed into Five Mile Point Speedway last Saturday night meant 15 cars sat idle when the feature rolled onto the historic quarter-mile.
The drivers who didn't make the cut will have an opportunity to ensure a spot in this week's headline event through a 10-lap Guaranteed Starters Race that will kick off Saturday's (July 16) program of Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.
The top two finishers in the Guaranteed Starters Race will earn a starting berth in the Modified main, regardless of their performance in the heat or consolation event. Fourteen drivers are eligible for the event (J.R. Crouse attempted to qualify two cars).
"The Guaranteed Starters Race is a great deal for the racers in two respects," said Five Mile Point promoter Andrew Harpell.
"Of course, it gives drivers an opportunity to race for the two guaranteed spots, but it also provides some extra track time for inexperienced drivers or teams looking to dial in their cars."
Earlier this season, Pennsylvania veterans Barry White and Jeff Emanuel recorded Guaranteed Starters Race victories.
Both drivers made it into last Saturday's feature event, meaning a new face will visit FMP Victory Lane.
This Saturday will be Armed Forces Night at the Point, with all military personnel admitted into the grandstands free of charge with identification.
Race time is 6:30 p.m. sharp. For more information, contact the speedway office by phone at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  
Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup: Dan Hineline, Tom McGurrin, Ricky Yetter, James Cornell, Ray Menard, Ryan Olsommer, Grant Hilfiger, Chris Grbac, Ken Hildebrant, Chris Weaver, Mike Lartz, Butch Klinger, Art Bray, Rod Hunsinger.

Brian Weaver's Warm-Up Victorious At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Brian Weaver and Randy Decker brought the potent No. 9R to Five Mile Point Speedway on Saturday night to log laps prior to the upcoming July 13 Race of Champions Dirt Tour show.
It's pretty clear they found the set-up.
Weaver soared to his first win of the season in the 30-lap Peoples National Bank Modified main, becoming the eighth driver in as many events to visit Victory Lane at the Point in '05.
It was the Windsor, N.Y. star's first start in Decker's car at FMP in '05 - he had been driving a Bicknell mount owned by Brad Grammes at the 55-year-old facility.
"Brad's car was badly damaged in a crash at Penn-Can (Pa.) last Friday (July 1 with Joey Grammes driving). I know it hurt the frame and broke the rear into two pieces, so this gave him some time to work on the car and decide what he wants to do," Weaver said.
"Randy wanted to get his car ready for the RoC race anyway, so it worked out well for everybody."
Wheeling the combination that's carried him to unparalleled success in '05 at Penn-Can Speedway, a 2003 Bicknell with a Wally Fiehl-built aluminum head small-block engine, Weaver darted quickly to the front.
Before the race's first caution flew on lap two, he had advanced from sixth to fourth.
The 41-year-old motored to second by lap three and set his sights on outside polesitter Russell Hendrickson Jr., who led from the outset.
A lap-five restart opened the outside line for Weaver. He proceeded to drive around Hendrickson for the lead.
"He took the bottom and it didn't faze me at all," noted Weaver. "I was just thinking I had the top and I was gonna go by him."
Nick Barassi Jr. grabbed second on lap 11 and got his shot at Weaver one lap later when a multi-car incident in turn four necessitated the race's final caution.
Weaver was untouchable on this night, motoring away for the $1,000 victory, his first at FMP since June 12, 2004.
"Randy sets the car up, I just drive," Weaver said. "One of the keys tonight was that I was able to keep the car straight. I really hadn't been able to do that since Opening Night with the Grammes car.
"It pulled real smooth," he continued. "It was like a mirror of Opening Night - except we didn't get passed.
"This has been such a frustrating year. It feels good."
Newfoundland, Pa.'s Barassi was the runner-up, earning his career-best FMP finish in his Dave George-powered No. 1 Teo-Pro car.
"I was hoping to get around Brian when he was racing with the 21Jr. (Hendrickson) under green," noted the 28-year-old Barassi. "Especially with him driving the 9R, I knew he would be tough.
"I feel like we're doing a little better."
Despite smoke billowing from the powerplant of his No. 27, Joel Batzel nursed the car home third, narrowly edging a hard-charging Rick Holgate, who drove from 12th to finish fourth. Hendrickson Jr. was fifth.
Nick Barassi Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Bobby Puckett and Joel Batzel won the heats for the 39 Modifieds in attendance. Mike Colsten and Alan Rudalavage topped the consolations.
Patience paid off for Dan Pompey in the 25-lap Street Stock main. The 19-year-old from Glenwood, Pa., quietly worked forward from 10th starting position, moving up to challenge leader Les Gillette in the final five circuits.
Pompey dove under the high-running Gillette, ultimately making his move with the white flag flying in turn four to pick up his fourth victory of '05 at the Kirkwood track.
Gillette, Gary Roberts, Ken Taugher and Bill Trego finished second through fifth, respectively.
K.C. Cole made it two straight victories in FMP Modified competition, dominating the 20-lap feature.
Conklin, N.Y.'s Cole narrowly avoided a tangle between leaders Joe Cole and Mike Stolarcyk III to take the top spot in turn four with nine laps complete, then cruised to the win over Mike Stoddard, Stolarcyk, Joe Cole and Bob Chapman.
Invader Doug Stack took advantage of rain at his home track to reach Victory Lane in the 20-lap Pure Stock main. The Athens, Pa., driver charged from 14th starting position to drive by race-long leader Darl Ellis Jr. on a lap-19 restart, despite a transmission that was smoking heavily.
Stack led Ellis Jr., Charlie Gilbert, Toby Sparks (in the Dee Ramey No. 3D) and Rich Talada across the stripe.
Scott Washburn rode the high line to victory in the 20-lap feature for the 600cc Modifieds in their first-ever Five Mile Point appearance. Paul Tuthill, Craig Beringer, Nick Mady and Chad Bealer filled out the front five.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Wednesday, July 13 with a Race of Champions double-header, featuring the RoC Dirt Modified South Tour and the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour. Race time is 7:30 p.m.
The action continues on Saturday, July 16 with Armed Forces Night - all military personnel will be admitted into the grandstands free or charge. The Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will be in action. The first green flag will fly promptly at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the speedway website at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or call the track office: (607) 775-5555.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts stood at 39 Modifieds, 19 Street Stocks, nine FMP Modifieds, 25 Pure Stocks and 16 600cc Modifieds for a total of 108....
Afternoon rain subsided by 4:30 p.m., leaving a picture-perfect night of racing on Conklin Community Night. All Conklin residents were admitted into the grandstands free of charge....
Joel Batzel picked up $200 for winning the Fabrications by Tauschman Dash-for-Cash over Chris Ostrowsky, Bobby Puckett and Nick Barassi Jr. in a quick five laps....
Batzel, incidentally, reported water in the oil of his car's engine after he barely completed the 30-lap distance to finish third.
"It's done," Batzel said, noting the Enders small-block had just been freshened. "It started losing power at the end. I was surprised I held on for third."....
Alan Rudalavage was disqualified after the fourth Modified heat when officials found an American Racer SD 33 on the car's left rear. The compound number was covered up with silicone....
Weaver is a four-time winner at Penn-Can this season....
The Modified feature was in the books by 9:20 p.m., with the Street Stocks and FMP Modifieds filling out the card....

PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: BRIAN WEAVER, Nick Barassi Jr., Joel Batzel, Rick Holgate, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Brian Malcolm, Rich Keehle Jr., Alan Rudalavage, Gary Griffin, Mike Ricci, J.R. Crouse, Mike Colsten, Dana Wagner, Glenn Knapp, Dave Zona, George Hildebrant, George Kostelansky, Jim Crawn, Tom Oleski, Chris Ostrowsky, Bobby Puckett, Barry White, Jeff Emanuel, Jim Allen.
Did Not Qualify: Dan Hineline, Tom McGurrin, Ricky Yetter, James Cornell, Ray Menard, Ryan Olsommer, Grant Hilfiger, Chris Grbac, Ken Hildebrant, Chris Weaver, J.R. Crouse (second car), Mike Lartz, Butch Klinger, Art Bray, Rod Hunsinger.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Les Gillette, Gary Roberts, Ken Taugher, Bill Trego, Carl Heater, Rich Post, Joe Krisovich, Jerry Tonti, Nick Petrilak, Darwin Green, Jim Rosh, Bob Teribury, Brad Butcher, Ken Hineline, Chad Hyzer, Darren Stout, Jim Hughes, Mike Mills.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: K.C. COLE, Mike Stoddard, Mike Stolarcyk III, Joe Cole, Bob Chapman, Dan Harpell, Chris Edwin, Walt McClenon.
Did Not Start: Scott Bennett.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: DOUG STACK, Darl Ellis Jr., Charlie Gilbert, Toby Sparks, Rich Talada, Jamie Batzel, Jonathan Carpenter, Matt Spencer, Joe Rafferty Jr., Bob Cass, Steve Polhamus, Jerry Whitmarsh, Joe Cisney, Mahlon Shoemaker, Jerry Whitmarsh, Dennis Warren, Gary Ritz, Chris Wood, Jeremy Shaw, Mike Codington, Glen Robinson, Eddie Felker, Kevin Beach, Steve Holmes.
Did Not Start: Paul Carpenter.

600cc Modified Feature Finish: SCOTT WASHBURN, Paul Tuthill, Craig Beringer, Nick Mady, Chad Bealer, Dave Lewis, Brian Mady, Jim Allen, Wayne Smith, Jay Von Doren, Bruce Aindberg, Dave Baldwin, K.J. Gardner, Tony Martocci, Barry McDole.
Did Not Start: Dave Baldwin Sr.

Fabrications By Tauschman To Present Mod Dash-for-Cash Saturday At FMP
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Race fans have one more reason to visit Five Mile Point Speedway this Saturday night, July 9.
In addition to a banner program of big-block/small-block Modifieds, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and the visiting 600cc Modifieds, Fabrications by Tauschman will add a Modified Dash-for-Cash to the lineup on Conklin Community Night.
Race time at the Kirkwood quarter-mile is 6:30 p.m.
The 4-lap Dash will offer $200 to the winner, $100 for second, $75 for third and $50 for fourth, with the top four cars from Modified qualifying action in the starting field.
The extra cash will serve as an incentive for drivers in the ultra-competitive Modified class to make it to the front early in the night.
"I have several customers at Five Mile Point and I really enjoy the racing there," said Ed Tauschman, Fabrications by Tauschman proprietor.
"It's a good opportunity for me to give back to the fans and the racers."
Based in Greentown, Pa., Fabrications by Tauschman offers a complete line of oval track speed equipment and is an authorized dealer for Teo-Pro cars and parts.
All residents of Conklin, N.Y., will be admitted free of charge into the grandstands for Saturday's program with proof of address.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Brian Puckett Roars To First Career FMP Victory
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - It was a mere three months ago that Brian Puckett strapped into his No. 41 for the very first time.
Last Saturday night, the rookie made it to Victory Lane at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Showing a great deal of promise from his first lap on the quarter-mile, the Old Forge, Pa., native capitalized on his potential, leading from green-to-checkered in the 25-lap Sportsman main for a wildly popular win.
"This is great!" Puckett exclaimed, shortly after climbing from the roof of his Apple House Trucking mount. "The car was just perfect tonight, I couldn't have asked for it any better."
Puckett, whose father Bobby is a longtime Late Model and Modified competitor in Northeast PA and New York's Southern Tier, outgunned Mike Mammana from outside the front row to take the early lead, with veteran Rick Raisner sliding into second.
Three cautions prior to the halfway point (laps five, 11 and 12) gave Raisner multiple opportunities to bid for the lead, but the 22-year-old Puckett calmly rode the outside groove back to the point, repelling each of Raisner's attempts.
"I felt comfortable on the outside," said Puckett, who jumped into the Sportsman ranks blindly in '05 with no prior racing experience.
When Bill Deckelman slowed in turn four on lap 18, the caution set up a seven-lap dash to the finish.
Puckett was up to the challenge. He motored away from Raisner, to the delight of his enthusiastic crew, becoming the second member of the Puckett family to enjoy the spoils of victory at the Kirkwood facility.
Raisner, of Easton, Pa., gained ground in his championship bid, finishing a solid second in his No. R14 Teo-Pro car.
Third-generation driver Brad Grim was third, ahead of Jesse Kline and point leader Eric Palmer, who started 15th.
Sportsman heat wins went to Jason Hamilton, Brian Decker and Puckett.
Dan Pompey notched the biggest triumph of his budding career, topping a rough-and-tumble 50-lap Street Stock challenge. The Glenwood, Pa., native picked up $750 for his win in the Independence Day weekend special.
Pompey started sixth aboard his No. 11, and make a quick early ascent. By lap nine, he climbed to second, trailing only early leader Les Gillette.
Stepping up to the outside groove, the 19-year-old driver out-dragged Gillette back to the line when the caution flew on lap 14, handing him sole possession of the top spot.
"We bought this motor from (former Street Stock standout) Jamie Shea last week, and it's hasn't been right," noted Pompey. "We changed the carburetor and the fuel pump - I think tonight we finally got it sorted out."
It wasn't all clear sailing for Pompey. Gillette nosed back to the lead on lap 21, pacing the field for two circuits before the young gun slipped back to the point just before the halfway point.
Gillette's final bid for the lead came in spectacular fashion. Winding his car up on the extreme outside of the speedway, he battled wheel-to-wheel with Pompey until he retired to the pit area with transmission problems on lap 30, handing Bill Trego the runner-up spot.
Trego had nothing for Pompey, who notched his third FMP victory of the season and seventh overall - he is a four-time winner at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway.
Trego, Ken Taugher, Nick Petrilak and Jerry Tonti rounded out the top five.
K.C. Cole scored his first FMP Modified victory of the season in spectacular fashion, nosing out a returning Jeff Cleveland in the 20-lap feature.
Cole, of Conklin, N.Y., looked to have an insurmountable lead. However, former track champion Cleveland reeled him in from a half-straightaway back, then powered into turn three on the outside with the checkered flag in the air.
The two cars raced side-by-side to the line, as Cole held off Cleveland, in his first '05 appearance, by a nose. Mike Stolarcyk III, Scott Bennett and Joe Cole rounded out the top five.
Mahlon Shoemaker continued his hot streak, recording his second consecutive victory in Pure Stock competition. The Johnson City, N.Y., driver, a two-time champion, sliced forward from 11th starting position to pounce on leader Matt Spencer with five laps remaining in the 20-lap contest.
Diving to the inside of Spencer in turns one and two, Shoemaker beat Spencer to turn three, taking a lead he would not relinquish.
Jeremy Shaw made a late charge to finish second, ahead of Spencer, Eddie Felker and Mike Codington.
Lakewood, Pa.'s Steve Simpson scored his second win in three attempts, topping the Figure Eight 10-lap feature over Billy Shoemaker and Jamie Paul.
Racing resumes on Sat., July 9 with a program of Modifieds, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds, Pure Stocks and 600cc Modifieds. It will be Conklin Community Night, with all Conklin residents admitted free. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
For more info, visit the website at: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or contact the speedway office: (607) 775-5555.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts stood at 19 Sportsman, 21 Street Stocks, 11 FMP Modifieds, 21 Pure Stocks and 10 Figure Eights....
An impressive fireworks extravaganza brought the evening to a festive conclusion....
A sizable crowd took advantage of the Giant Food Markets two-for-one grandstand admission special....
Heavy rain that moved over the track on Friday night while the surface was "open" made for choppy heat race conditions. Track crews, led by Dan Harpell, quickly reworked the quarter-mile after the qualifying action, presenting smooth and tacky conditions for the features....
Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway hotshoe Jason Hamilton joined the Sportsman field, finishing eighth despite pitting for a flat right-front tire on lap 12....
Ricky Rutt debuted a 2005 Troyer SLR mount that he won in a drawing of the top 10 finishers in the Sportsman point standings last year. The car came courtesy of Five Mile Point Speedway and Doug's Speed Shop....
Two flat tires foiled an impressive ride by Chris Strohl in the Street Stock 50-lapper. The second flat forced the Montrose, Pa., teenager to relinquish third spot 10 laps from the finish....

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRIAN PUCKETT, Rick Raisner, Brad Grim, Jesse Kline, Eric Palmer, Mike Mammana, Brian Decker, Jason Hamilton, Rich Wallace, Larry Lippincott, Archie Myers III, Kevin McCoy, Jack Brink, Bill Deckelman, Jeremy Holt, Ricky Rutt, Willard Knecht, Matt Kaminiskas, Jason Heafy.

Street Stock Challenge Feature Finish (50-laps): DAN POMPEY, Bill Trego, Ken Taugher, Nick Petrilak, Jerry Tonti, Carl Heater, Mike Mills, Ken Hineline, Chris Strohl, Darren Stout, James Millard, Les Gillette, Joe Krisovich, Fred Christ, Chad Hyzer, Denny Decker, Dan Janus, Matt Roberts, Josh Jenkins, Randy Tyler, Bob Teribury.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: K.C. COLE, Jeff Cleveland, Mike Stolarcyk III, Scott Bennett, Joe Cole, Gary Dence, Mike Stoddard, Dan Harpell, Jay Conroy, Bob Chapman, Tyler Stoddard.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Jeremy Shaw, Matt Spencer, Eddie Felker, Mike Codington, Jerry Whitmarsh, Chris Wood, Jamie Batzel, Joe Rafferty Jr., Steve Polhamus, Jonathan Carpenter, Chad Stone, Rob Warner, Dennis Warren, Allen Metzgar, Fred Velez, Sheppard Blodgett, Joe Cisney, Randy Richards, Charlie Gilbert, Darl Ellis Jr.

Figure Eight Feature Finish: STEVE SIMPSON, Billy Shoemaker, Jamie Paul, Andrew Mattson, Jesse Velez, Steve Dechow, Matt Snow, Jim Watson, Steve Mattson.
Did Not Start: Jesse Velez.

Gary Griffin Goes The Distance To Win 41st Heath Memorial
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - When Gary Griffin strapped into his trademark dark blue No. 52, he had one major goal in mind: to finish.
He did a little better than that.
Griffin, a 25-year racing veteran, collected his first career Five Mile Point Speedway victory last Saturday night in the 41st Heath Memorial, turning around a series of heartbreaks at the Kirkwood track.
"My track record for 30 laps hasn't been too good here," Griffin laughed. "I never thought I'd make 50."
The special night of racing at the quarter-mile oval was dedicated to the memory of Irving L. Heath, who built the speedway in 1951; his daughter Sandra, who played an instrumental role in the speedway operation over the years; and track owner Anna Heath, who kept the facility running for a half-century before her passing on March 2, 2004.
Archbald, Pa.'s Griffin joined older brother Bernie as a Heath Memorial winner. The elder Griffin took the win in 1980.
"It's great to win in a race like this one," Griffin added. "Winning here has been something I really wanted to do, but we just couldn't make it to the finish it seemed."
Griffin saw two feature wins, including the Season Championship 50, slip away last year when he blew right-rear tires late in the distance. That's why his optimism was limited despite a pole starting position.
On the start, Chris Ostrowsky burst into the lead and set a torrid pace early on, leaving Griffin, in a 2004 Bicknell chassis with a small-block engine built by his brother, in second.
Methodically, Griffin began to reel in Ostrowsky as the leaders encountered the back markers. By lap 20, Griffin was there.
"At the beginning, he got out 4-5 car-lengths and stayed there. I didn't know if the lapped traffic was holding him up, but I could see I was catching him," Griffin said.
"All year, my car hasn't been good on the starts. He got out in front of me, and I was content just to run there. We pulled some gear out before the feature - I think it hurt me early but it worked out later on."
With a daring three-wide move in lapped traffic, Griffin, a three-time Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) Speedway champion, drove to the inside of Ostrowsky aboard his South Side Bowl No. 52, emerging with the lead on the 24th circuit.
"My car was working pretty good on the bottom," Griffin said. "He (Ostrowsky) was sliding up, so it worked out for me."
The race's only two cautions flew on lap 27 and 29. Between the restarts, George Hildebrant slid under Ostrowsky to snatch the runner-up spot in the Todd Wismer Motorsports No. 18.
A hard-charging J.R. Crouse cracked the top three on lap 31, but neither Hildebrant nor Crouse could seriously challenge Griffin.
"When I was leading those last few laps, I was waiting for something to happen," Griffin said. "It was like déjà vu from last year."
Griffin sailed under the checkered with a half-straightaway lead to pick up the victory, netting him just over $2,200.
It was Griffin's first win since May 3, 2003 when he topped a 358-Modified feature at Moc-A-Tek.
Hildebrant, 49, of Nazareth, Pa., finished a Five Mile Point career-best second in his Bitner Automotive-powered Troyer.
"It feels good to be running like we are," offered Hildebrant, a former Flemington (N.J.) regular. "I don't have a lot of experience here, probably a handful of starts at the most.
"We had a lot of car early. I think we had something for Gary in the first half, but as the race went on Gary got stronger. I'm very pleased with second."
Crouse piloted his hybrid TRC chassis with a Morrison small-block to third, a solid effort for the 45-year-old Nazareth, Pa., driver.
"We were good," said Crouse, who fell back from his sixth starting position in the first 10 laps only to race back toward the front. "I was waiting for the tires to come in (early on) and when they did, the car came to me.
"I got a little tight at the end, but I'm not gonna complain about third in a race like this."
Alan Rudalavage of Newton Lake, Pa., raced from 12th to finish fourth and 11th-starter Jim Crawn rounded out the top five.
Heat winners for the 28 Modifieds in attendance were Russell Hendrickson Jr., Crouse, Hildebrant and Brian Malcolm. Joel Batzel won the consolation.
Eric Palmer squeezed between the wall and Brad Grim's car to take the lead and race to his division-leading third victory of the season in the Sportsman feature.
Cresco, Pa.'s Palmer took his No. 12E to the topside in turn four with seven laps remaining in the 25-lap feature and powered around Grim, who traded the lead for the event's first half with rookie Brian Puckett.
Palmer cruised to the win unchallenged, as he continued his breakout 2005 season.
"This is great to be part of the (Heath Memorial) tradition," Palmer said. "It means a lot to run this well at a track with so much history."
Coplay, Pa.'s Grim finished second, ahead of a strong Rich Wallace, Brian Decker in a borrowed ride from Bruce Gould, and Mike Ketcham.
Bill Trego of Gouldsboro, Pa., scored his second consecutive victory in Street Stock action, capturing the 25-lap main. Trego took the lead on lap seven when Gary Roberts slowed with a broken ball-joint.
Trego's third win of '05 didn't come easy. Dan Pompey charged through traffic after an early-race penalty and pressured Trego over the final five circuits before settling for second.
Ken Taugher, Darren Stout and Carl Heater trailed.
Mike Stolarcyk III continued his return to prominence in the FMP Modified ranks. The Whitney Point, N.Y., driver struggled with the switch to the American Racer tires early this season. Not any more.
He drove by Mike Stoddard on the sixth go-round of the 20-lap main to record win number three of '05. It was the second Heath Memorial triumph for Stolarcyk, who won the Pure Stock portion in the mid-1990s.
K.C. Cole, Gary Dence, Scott Bennett and Joe Cole trailed at the finish.
Roy Danner Jr. took advantage of some good luck to win the 20-lap feature for the Keystone Legends Tour.
The Allentown, Pa., driver led the first 13 laps only to relinquish the top spot to Tim Tomson. However, Tomson's car slowed in turn four coming to the white flag, allowing Danner to retake command.
In the process, he became the only driver other than Jason Rochelle to win on the Tour in 2005.
Paul Rochelle, Craig Rochelle, 24th-starter Jason Rochelle and Mark Schaffer rounded out the top five.
Mahlon Shoemaker made it a weekend sweep in the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Johnson City, N.Y.'s Shoemaker, who won Friday night at Penn-Can (Pa.), took the lead with a quick three-wide move on lap nine, then drove away from Eddie Felker for his second '05 FMP triumph.
Felker, Chad Stone, Charlie Gilbert and Mike Codington rounded out the top five.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., July 2 with a 50-lapper for the Street Stocks, plus the Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Figure Eights and a fireworks extravaganza. 2-for-1 grandstand admission will be offered with a coupon that can be obtained at Giant Markets. Race time is 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: A total of 117 racecars took part in the 41st Heath Memorial, including a large field of 27 Keystone Legends Cars....
Griffin became the seventh different winner in as many Modified races this season. For the likable Griffin, it marked the fourth different track that he's won at, adding to Lake Moc-A-Tek, Afton (N.Y.) and Penn-Can....
Shoemaker (Pure Stock), Trego (Street Stock) and Stolarcyk III (FMP Modified) each earned a $200 perfect attendance bonus....
A Former Racers Reunion attracted many legends, track officials and personalities from the speedway's storied 55-year history. Adding to the festivities, a slew of restored cars were on display behind the grandstands....
Tom Cummings, the FMP announcer for 13 seasons, returned to call the Modified feature with former promoter Dan Harpell....
Fourteen-time Modified champion Chuck Akulis paced the Modified field with his first car: a 1930 Ford Model A that he drove in 1964....
Both cautions in the Modified feature flew for mechanical problems: James Cornell's engine problems (lap 27) and Dana Wagner's busted right-front shock (lap 29)....

41st HEATH MEMORIAL RACE SUMMARY
Modified Feature Finish: GARY GRIFFIN, George Hildebrant, J.R. Crouse, Alan Rudalavage, Jim Crawn, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Glenn Knapp, Brian Malcolm, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Joel Batzel, Brian Weaver, Dan Hineline, Carl Nagel, Rick Holgate, Butch Klinger, Jim Allen, Dave Zona, Dana Wagner, James Cornell, Tom Oleski, Barry White, Ken Hildebrant, Barry Davis.
Did Not Qualify: Jeff Emanuel, Ray Menard, Bobby Puckett, Nick Barassi Jr.

Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Brad Grim, Rich Wallace, Brian Decker, Mike Ketcham, Ricky Rutt, Rick Raisner, Jesse Kline, Brian Puckett, Kevin McCoy, Jack Brink, Jeremy Holt, Bill Deckelman, Willard Knecht, Jeff Hager, Jason Heafy, Archie Myers III.
Did Not Start: Bruce Gould.

Street Stock Feature Finish: BILL TREGO, Dan Pompey, Ken Taugher, Darren Stout, Carl Heater, Joe Krisovich, Chad Hyzer, Jerry Tonti, Les Gillette, Randy Tyler, Gary Roberts, Ken Hineline, Bob Teribury.
Did Not Start: Mike Mills, Nick Petrilak.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, K.C. Cole, Gary Dence, Scott Bennett, Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard, Dan Harpell, Tyler Stoddard, Jay Conroy.
Did Not Start: Rich Riggs.

Keystone Legends Tour Feature Finish: ROY DANNER JR., Paul Rochelle, Craig Rochelle, Jason Rochelle, Mark Schaffer, Tim Tomson, Gerald Eldridge, Bob Moyer, John Schirk, Dave Bauer, Ron Dunstan, Josh Morrow, J.J. Shandor, John Troyan, Greg Christman, Jim Baker, Pat Zellers, George Abt, Ray Scigowski, Ryan Steckel, Clint Penkauskas, Lamar Shafer, Rodney Kistler, Jim Black.
Did Not Start: Bill Carver, Mike Brannon, Jason Urso.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Eddie Felker, Chad Stone, Charlie Gilbert, Mike Codington, Jerry Whitmarsh, Jeremy Shaw, Darl Ellis Jr., Joe Cisney, Toby Sparks, Chris Wood, Joe Rafferty Jr., Glen Robinson, Steve Polhamus, Matt Spencer, Randy Richards, Fred Velez, Toby Lehre.

Rick Holgate Rockets To First Modified Victory At Five Mile
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – When Rick Holgate picked up Jim Crawn as a teammate for the 2005 season, he knew Crawn would be a valuable asset.
He just didn’t know how much of a help he would be.
“As a Modified driver two weeks ago, I totally changed how you have to drive one of these,” Holgate said. “I was driving one all wrong, and Jim and I sat down and talked about how to drive an open-wheel car.”
The advice worked for Holgate. The second-year Modified driver from Kingsley, Pa., turned a pole starting spot into his first career Modified victory Saturday night at Five Mile Point Speedway, fending off Dave Zona in the 30-lap feature.
Holgate, who last week relinquished the seat of his Tom and Terry Coar-owned car to teammate Crawn for the night’s second feature (Crawn suffered engine problems in winning the first), shot out to the lead on the start in his Wally Fiehl big-block-powered No. 6 Bicknell.
The early laps were plagued by incidents, including a red flag on lap one when a backstretch pileup sent Carl Nagel onto his side, and a fourth-lap jingle involved Gary Griffin and J.R. Crouse, who had been running in the top five.
The latter moved Dave Zona into the runner-up spot. Zona, a Late Model ace in his return to Modified racing, actually worked by Holgate on a lap-six restart, but a quick caution negated the pass.
“I chose the bottom a few times and had a couple good restarts (against Gary Griffin),” Holgate said. “Dave Zona got up there and beat me off two but the caution came out. I said ‘that’s not gonna happen again’ and I chose the top.
“The top was the place to be, hitting the right-rear on that cushion.”
As Holgate and Zona ran one-two, the man on the move was Alan Rudalavage. Making his second appearance of the season, Rudalavage throttled from 22nd starting position to crack the top three on lap 16.
Five laps later, the Newton Lake, Pa., driver, wheeling a Bicknell equipped with a potent Finger Lakes small-block, whipped around Zona for second and closed rapidly on Holgate.
However, Rudalavage suffered a punctured right-rear tire on lap 24. He hopped the cushion in turn two, then spun in turn three, ending his shot at the win.
Holgate cruised home in the final six laps to score the $1,000 triumph. It was the 31st career victory for the 40-year-old driver, who excelled in the Street Stock and Late Model ranks over the years.
“At the end, I slowed up just to be cautious and smooth. I didn’t hear anybody.”
Zona, 37, of Montrose, Pa., was the runner-up, scoring his best finish since he joined Bill Chalker’s team during the off-season.
“I needed the high side on the (early-race) restarts,” Zona said. “We were good early, but the car got loose at the end. We’ve really been loose all year, but this week we changed shocks and springs and it seemed better.
“I wanted to win,” Zona bottom-lined. “But I can’t complain about second.”
Dan Hineline of Lake Ariel, Pa., raced from 15th starting position to finish third, ahead of 21st-starter Bobby Puckett and Brian Weaver, who drove to fifth despite heavy right-side damage from the first-lap skirmish.
Twenty-nine Modifieds signed in for competition Heat winners included Russell Hendrickson Jr., Dave Zona, Chris Ostrowsky and J.R. Crouse. Bobby Puckett topped the consolation.
Jeremy Holt’s luck finally turned around in Sportsman competition.
Holt hammered the turn two wall and destroyed his primary car one week earlier. Resorting to teammate Joel Batzel’s back-up Teo-Pro car, the 30-year-old from Kirkwood, N.Y., drove to his second career victory in the 25-lap feature.
Holt started from the pole, but the $500 triumph didn’t come easy. He repelled Garden State veteran Ricky Rutt, who applied heavy pressure on four restarts that punctuated the final seven circuits, including a lap-24 caution that set up a one-lap dash to the finish.
“The other car is junk,” Holt said, adding that he switched his engine and outer tin to Batzel’s car. “We worked all week to get ready.”
Rutt scored his best finish of ’05 in second. Jesse Kline of Bangor, Pa., finished third, ahead of Brian Puckett and 10th-starter Brian Decker.
It took five years, but Carl Heater finally reached Street Stock victory lane. Heater, of Daleville, Pa., emerged victorious from an ultra-competitive 25-lap feature, sliding inside a slowing Chris Strohl to regain the lead for good on lap 20.
Strohl, a talented teenager from Montrose, Pa., in his first ’05 start, had darted through traffic to snatch the lead one lap earlier only to drop his drive shaft on the backstretch.
Heater spent the final five circuits fending off a fast-closing Bill Trego, who ran the high line to a runner-up finish. Darren Stout, Brett Barrett and Nick Petrilak rounded out the top five.
In six laps, Port Crane, N.Y.’s Mike Codington raced from sixth starting position to the lead, then outdistanced defending champion Charlie Gilbert to collect his first Pure Stock checkered of the season in the 20-lap main.
Gilbert finished second, ahead of a quick Jeremy Shaw, Jamie Batzel and Matt Hayes.
Steve Dechow of Downsville, N.Y., slipped by Steve Mattson on lap three of the 10-lap Figure Eight main and weaved through traffic to come out on top of a 10-car field. Mattson and Billy Shoemaker finished second and third, respectively.
Racing resumes on Sat., June 25 with the 41st Heath Memorial, headlined by a 50-lap Modified feature paying $2,000-to-win plus lap money. The Sportsman, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks will share in the lap money, and a $500 bonus will be given to winners with perfect attendance thus far in ’05 for all of the weekly divisions. The popular Legends Cars will join the program in their first appearance of the season.
Race time is 6 p.m. For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: The season’s best crowd filled the Point’s grandstands on Kirkwood Community Night. 29 Modifieds, 21 Sportsman, 19 Street Stocks, 24 Pure Stocks and 10 Figure Eights took part in the action….
The FMP Modifieds has the night off….
The track surface was lightning-fast, with a cushion on the outside. No break was taken prior to the Modified feature to apply water….
Mike Ricci returned for the first time since the Southern Tier Open and rallied to sixth in Jim Winchell’s No. 17 despite a bent right-front shock tower….
DIRT Hall of Fame inductee Carl Nagel didn’t let the opening lap incident slow him. Track crews righted his Steve Survilla-owned No. 7N Bicknell, which had rolled gently onto its side, and the veteran driver in his 46th season drove to a ninth-place finish….
Rich Keehle Jr. was up to third on lap nine, slowed when a bearing froze, stripping the splines on the left-front spindle of his No. 19….

Modified Feature Finish: RICK HOLGATE, Dave Zona, Dan Hineline, Bobby Puckett, Brian Weaver, Mike Ricci, Jeff Emanuel, Brian Malcolm, Carl Nagel, J.R. Crouse, Glenn Knapp, Butch Klinger, James Cornell, George Hildebrant, Joel Batzel, Ryan Olsommer, Dana Wagner, Nick Barassi Jr., Alan Rudalavage, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Rich Keehle Jr., Tom Oleski, Jim Crawn, Gary Griffin, Chris Ostrowsky.
Did Not Qualify: Jim Allen, Barry White, Ray Menard, Kenny Hildebrant.

Sportsman Feature Finish: JEREMY HOLT, Ricky Rutt, Jesse Kline, Brian Puckett, Brian Decker, Rick Raisner, Rich Wallace, Larry Lippincott, Ray Deemer, Eric Palmer, Ray Woodall Jr., Bruce Gould, Willard Knecht, Brad Grim, Matt Kaminiskas, Jim Christ, Archie Myers III, Mike Mammana, Ted Stout, Jason Heafy.
Did Not Start: Bill Deckelman.

Street Stock Feature Finish: CARL HEATER, Bill Trego, Darren Stout, Brett Barrett, Nick Petrilak, Les Gillette, Joe Krisovich, Randy Tyler, Ken Hineline, Gary Roberts, Chad Hyzer, James Millard, Ken Taugher, Chris Strohl, Bob Teribury, Josh Jenkins, Dan Pompey, Fred Christ, Mike Mills.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MIKE CODINGTON, Charlie Gilbert, Jeremy Shaw, Jamie Batzel, Matt Hayes, Kevin Beach, Chris Wood, Mahlon Shoemaker, Steve Polhamus, Joe Cisney, Darl Ellis Jr., Allen Metzgar, Chad Stone, Matt Spencer, Josh Towner, Jerry Whitmarsh, Eddie Felker, Frank Chapman, Steve Holmes, Sheppard Blodgett, Joe Rafferty Jr., Paul Carpenter, Jason Bond.
Did Not Start: Toby Sparks.
Figure Eight Feature Finish: STEVE DECHOW, Steve Mattson, Billy Shoemaker, Andrew Mattson, Jamie Paul, Jim Watson, Jesse Velez, Matt Snow, Steve Simpson.
Did Not Start: Fred Velez.

Barry White and Jim Crawn Top Five Mile Mod Features
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Visiting Victory Lane at Five Mile Point Speedway on Saturday night was significant in different ways for Barry White and Jim Crawn.
For Mertztown, Pa.’s White, his triumph in the 30-lap Modified nightcap marked his first career win at the historic 55-year-old facility in only his fourth attempt.
For Crawn, a former track champion and dominant force at the quarter-mile, his assertive run in the heldover Modified main from May 14 served as his return to prominence with his new ride for 2005.
White started the Mod main from the pole. He darted to the early lead with his Curt Neiman-powered Teo-Pro car.
The 47-year-old driver didn’t just run away with the race, however.
Veteran Jeff Emanuel, in his return to racing after a four-year absence, ran solidly in second spot, ducking to the inside on White entering turn three every lap.
“Every time I went into turn three, I could see something black and shiny out of the corner of my eye,” White remarked. “I didn’t want to take my attention off running my line to give it a second look.”
White kept his Deka Batteries No. 131 wound up in the outside groove, methodically pulling away from Emanuel on longer green-flag runs.
“I put gears in tonight that I probably never should have put in,” White, whose car carries an alcohol-powered 9-to-1 powerplant with aluminum heads, admitted. “The gears I put in tonight would have been similar to what I used to run at Nazareth (Pa.) when it was open.
“I needed to keep my car up high for it work.”
The race’s final caution flag flew on lap 22 but White was up to the challenge.
He motored away from Emanuel to notch the $1,000 victory. White was previously a feature winner at Lake Moc-A-Tek (Pa.), Clinton County (Pa.) and Susquehanna (Pa.) in small-block Modified competition.
Emanuel, 47, of Dallas, Pa., was pleased with his runner-up effort in his No. 35 Teo-Pro car.
“I guess I haven’t forgotten (how to drive),” Emanuel chuckled. “I think I let him get away early. He was in the line I needed. I’d just pinch it off a little bit and I couldn’t get off the corners.
“It feels good to be up front, though.”
Sophomore open-wheel racer James Cornell matched his career-best finish in third, ahead of Dana Wagner and Dan Hineline.
The event was red-flagged on lap six when Brian Weaver sailed off the top of turn three and overturned his No. 5. Weaver was uninjured. In fact, he restarted the event once the car was placed back on its wheels.
Twenty-six Modifieds signed in for competition. Heat winners included Dana Wagner, Joel Batzel and Jeff Emanuel.
Crawn’s first victory since Sept. 6, 2003 almost didn’t happen.
Driving a Gail Clark-powered ’05 Bicknell for Tommy Coar and Bill Wayman, Crawn made quick work of the field early on. The 41-year-old surged from third starting position to drive by race leader Glenn Knapp on the second lap.
When sixth-starter Brian Weaver cleared Knapp for second on lap 17 with an inside pass, Crawn’s lead was insurmountable. He was a half-track ahead of the second-place battle.
“This car is great,” Crawn said of his new set of wheels. “These guys give me good equipment and the main thing is, they let me work on it myself. I keep it at my shop, put my set-ups in it. I’m very happy with it.”
Disaster struck for Crawn with 10 laps remaining when smoke began to plume from the No. J30. The car slowed visibly in the final circuits as Weaver erased the gap. Less than five car-lengths separated the lead pair when the checkered mercifully flew over Crawn.
As Crawn took the car to the infield tech area following the event, it was engulfed in a cloud of smoke and steam.
“It sucked an intake gasket,” said Crawn, 41, of LeRaysville, Pa. “I lost power big time those last 10 laps.
“I looked down at the gauges and the temperature was up, but the oil pressure didn’t go down, so I decided to run it out. It was close – I don’t think it would have made many more laps. I didn’t know how far back second was. I had no idea.”
Weaver, of Windsor, N.Y., finished second, but was not complimentary of the performance of his Brad Grammes-owned No. 5.
“Our car was better than some others for sure,” Weaver said. “I’m just not happy with it right now. We’re struggling.
“I’ve made some set-up decisions that haven’t worked out. We’ve got some work still to do.”
Glenn Knapp of Johnson City, N.Y., finished a stout third in his Troyer No. 26. Bobby Puckett and Rich Keehle Jr. rounded out the top five.
Susquehanna, Pa.’s Brian Decker kept his hot streak rolling in Sportsman competition. Decker backed up his inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman win at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway with his first Five Mile Point triumph of the year.
Decker drove his Wally Fiehl-powered Bicknell to the outside of Archie Myers III on lap 17 to take over the top spot after starting seventh.
Decker raced on to the win over the ageless Myers III, of Stewartsville, N.J., who had wrestled the lead away from Ricky Rutt on lap six. Rick Raisner finished third, ahead of Jesse Kline and Eric Palmer.
Mike Stolarcyk III returned to FMP Modified Victory Lane for the first time since April 17 in the regularly scheduled 20-lapper. The Whitney Point, N.Y., driver held off a persistent K.C. Cole to race across the stripe first.
“I forgot the way to Victory Lane,” Stolarcyk III joked. “I was beginning to think I needed a map.”
Cole, Gary Dence, Dan Harpell and Bob Chapman finished second through fifth, respectively.
Gary Dence of Candor, N.Y., led the entire 20-lap distance to pick up the FMP Modified heldover event from May 14. The defending track champion fended off Scott Bennett to score his first win of 2005.
Mike Stolarcyk III, K.C. Cole and Bob Chapman rounded out the top five.
Bill Trego took his No. 31 to the outside, powered around his teammate and went on to win his second feature of the season. The veteran from Gouldsboro, Pa., worked by fellow Gillette Excavating driver Les Gillette on lap 13 of the 25-lap feature and raced on to the victory over Dan Pompey, Gillette, Nick Petrilak and Ken Taugher.
It took Matt Hayes only five attempts to become a Pure Stock feature winner. The rookie driver from Hallstead, Pa., fended off the relentless late-race challenges of Charlie Gilbert to win the 20-lap main. On the final lap, Gilbert drove hard to the inside of Hayes in turn three, but spun to the infield to avoid significant contact.
Hayes went on to win over Chad Stone, Jeremy Shaw, Matt Spencer and Toby Sparks.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on June 18, with the return of the Figure Eight division. If entries are received by the speedway office, a School Bus Figure Eight event will also be a part of the program, which includes Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Race time is 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the track by phone at (607) 775-5555 or on the web: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: It was another close call with Mother Nature, as severe thunderstorms skirted the speedway twice during the evening. The track was smooth and racy all night.
However, only brief spurts of rain interrupted the program, which included 26 Modifieds, 18 Sportsman, 16 Street Stocks, 10 FMP Modifieds and 20 Pure Stocks….
The final checkered flew at 10:15 p.m. despite the additional races. Kiddie Rides were given following hot laps on Windsor Community Night. All Windsor residents were admitted into the grandstands free of charge….
Barry White dedicated his victory to “Pop” Tauschman, the father of Fabrications by Tauschman owner Ed Tauschman who passed away earlier in the week, and Troy Moyer, a former Moc-A-Tek Sportsman driver who is battling cancer….
The caution-free heldover Modified event clicked off in just over six minutes. It also served as a part of 59 consecutive green-flag laps for the division that began on lap seven on the June 4 Modified main and ended on lap six of the nightcap….
Crawn drove teammate Rick Holgate’s car to a ninth-place finish in the second feature….
Dana Wagner finished fourth in the regularly scheduled Modified feature, but the Trout Creek, N.Y., driver remains unhappy with his Bicknell car. “We’ve thrown the book at it and I think we’re out of things to try,” he said….
Former track promoter Dan Harpell took the wheel of Robin Oltz’s FMP Modified and drove it to a fourth-place finish in the feature….

Modified Feature Finish: BARRY WHITE, Jeff Emanuel, James Cornell, Dana Wagner, Dan Hineline, Rich Keehle Jr., J.R. Crouse, Joel Batzel, Jim Crawn, Brian Malcolm, Butch Klinger, Matt Smith, Tom Oleski, Brian Weaver, George Hildebrant, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Alan Koper, Chris Ostrowsky, Glenn Knapp, Bobby Puckett, Dave Zona, Nick Barassi Jr., Jim Allen.
Disqualified: Bob Hamm Jr.
Did Not Start: Gary Griffin, Rick Holgate.

Heldover Modified Feature Finish (From 5/14): JIM CRAWN, Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp, Bobby Puckett, Rich Keehle Jr., Rick Holgate, Joel Batzel, Butch Klinger, Nick Barassi Jr., George Hildebrant, Dave Zona, Dan Hineline, Russell Hendrickson Jr., J.R. Crouse, Bob Hamm Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Dana Wagner, Brian Malcolm, Jim Allen, Tom Oleski, James Cornell, Gary Griffin.
Did Not Start: Mike Trautschold, Don Hart Jr.
Did Not Qualify: Jeff Emanuel, Matt Smith, Jason Hamilton, Ray Menard, Barry White, Jim Corcoran, Brian Corcoran, Ken Hildebrant.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRIAN DECKER, Archie Myers III, Rick Raisner, Jesse Kline, Eric Palmer, Ricky Rutt, Brian Puckett, Mike Mammana, Scott Merritt, Willard Knecht, Bruce Gould, Mike Ketcham, Jim Christ, Brad Grim, Rob Harder, Ryan Grim, Jeremy Holt, Jim Kleedorfer.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, K.C. Cole, Gary Dence, Dan Harpell, Bob Chapman, Tyler Stoddard, Scott Bennett, Rich Riggs, Mike Stoddard, Joe Cole.

Heldover FMP Modified Feature Finish (From 5/14): GARY DENCE, Scott Bennett, Mike Stolarcyk III, K.C. Cole, Bob Chapman, Joe Cole.
Did Not Start: Mike Stoddard, Ty Hurlburt, Jay Conroy, Greg Winslow, Jordan Dibble.

Street Stock Feature Finish: BILL TREGO, Dan Pompey, Les Gillette, Nick Petrilak, Ken Taugher, Jerry Tonti, Gary Roberts, Carl Heater, Chad Hyzer, Joe Krisovich, Ken Hineline, Bob Teribury, Darren Stout, Brett Barrett, Darl Ellis, Fred Christ.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MATT HAYES, Chad Stone, Jeremy Shaw, Matt Spencer, Toby Sparks, Mahlon Shoemaker, Joe Rafferty Jr., Kevin Beach, Joe Cisney, Paul Carpenter, Bob Cass, Steve Polhamus, Charlie Gilbert, Ken Washburn, Mike Codington, Eddie Felker, Darl Ellis Jr., Jamie Batzel.
Did Not Start: Chris Wood.

Batzel Rewards His Crew With Five Mile Modified Victory
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Joel Batzel’s crew spent all day readying his car for Saturday night’s program at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Batzel rewarded their efforts with a trip to Victory Lane.
The Bicknell-chassied ride suffered significant damage in a Friday incident at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway. One day later, Batzel gave it a different kind of ride, powering to his second career Modified victory at the 55-year-old facility after a late-race pass of Bobby Puckett in the 30-lap headliner.
“The entire front end had to be replaced. I mean, everything,” Batzel said. “We worked all day to get this thing ready. We started at 7 this morning and didn’t finish until after 3. We didn’t even have time to scale it.”
Nevertheless, the former Mitch Gibbs mount, utilizing Enders small-block power, was flawless in its first run at the Kirkwood quarter-mile.
Batzel started sixth and picked his way forward as polesitter Bobby Puckett darted into the lead. By lap five, Batzel had claimed second spot, powering by Nick Barassi Jr. on a restart.
Following the event’s final caution on lap seven, Puckett and Batzel checked out. They amassed a significant advantage on the third-place battle, encountering lapped traffic by the 22nd lap.
Batzel picked up the pace as the laps clicked off. As Puckett dealt with the slower traffic, Batzel pounced, putting the two cars nose-to-tail.
“The tires took a while to come in,” Batzel said. “Off the restarts I had to watch the throttle. I got better as we went.”
Puckett encountered Mike Trautschold with five laps remaining in an attempt to put him one lap down. In the end, Trautschold was the deciding factor in the event.
Puckett tried the inside on Trautschold on the frontstretch with four laps remaining, but had to roll out of the throttle. The Old Forge, Pa., veteran gave him a shot in the back bumper entering turn one, and Trautschold slid up the track in the second turn.
Puckett pulled alongside Trautschold on the backstretch. Entering turn three, the cars rubbed rails, made side-to-side contact and slowed momentarily as they fought for the bottom groove.
Capitalizing on the opportunity, Batzel drove around the outside of both, putting the Country Town Auto Service No. 27 into the lead at the line on lap 27.
He cruised home unchallenged for the $1,000 payday.
“That 28 (Trautschold) came down the track and he tried to get under him,” Batzel said. “I knew I was good on the outside, I had been running up there most of the race. This car I can put high or low, it’s versatile.
“I always considered myself good in lapped traffic. With five-to-go I turned it up waiting for my chance. I saw that and knew it was time.”
The tussle in lapped traffic denied Puckett, 44, his first trip to Victory Lane since July 26, 2003.
“I didn’t want to give the bottom up, because I thought he’d (Batzel) drive underneath me,” Puckett said. “I tried to move the lapped car up a little bit, but he chopped me going into (turn) three.
“I thought I was underneath him. I’m disappointed because the car came alive tonight, but I can’t do anything about it now. That’s racing.”
George Hildebrant of Nazareth, Pa., finished third in the Todd Wismer Motorsports Troyer. It marked his best ever FMP finish. Nick Barassi Jr. and Glenn Knapp filled out the front five.
Thirty-two Modifieds signed into the pit area. Heat winners included Puckett, Batzel, Brian Weaver and Nick Barassi Jr. Rich Keehle Jr. topped the consolation.
Jeff Emanuel of Dallas, Pa., outdistanced Barry White to win the 10-lap Guaranteed Starters race.
Eric Palmer rode the high line to his second straight Sportsman victory, taking advantage of a restart with five laps remaining in the 25-lap feature.
A stout Rick Raisner took the lead from Archie Myers III on lap five and appeared to be en route to his first career FMP victory. However, a lap-20 restart nixed that effort. Raisner and second-running Brian Decker bobbled in the first turn when the race resumed.
Palmer, 31, simply wheeled his Dave Van Horn-powered Bicknell past Raisner and Decker to take command and marched on to the $500 payday.
“My car had been working on the top,” Palmer offered. “I saw those guys ‘check up’ down low and I rolled right around them.”
Raisner, Decker, second-generation racer Jesse Kline and Myers rounded out the top five.
Scott Bennett scored his third straight victory in FMP Modified action. Waverly, N.Y.’s Bennett hounded defending champion Gary Dence for the event’s first half before making his move on lap 13. Bennett pulled even with Dence down the backstretch and forged ahead in turn three, driving hard to the inside.
Dence finished second, ahead of K.C. Cole, Joe Cole and Mike Stoddard.
Dan Pompey made it a half-dozen wins in his breakout season, topping a competitive Street Stock 25-lapper. Pompey’s second FMP triumph of the season compliments his four victories at Penn-Can.
The Glenwood, Pa., racer advanced from ninth starting spot to snatch the lead on lap eight from Joe Krisovich, then survived a lap-23 restart and ensuing challenge from Nick Petrilak to post the victory. Petrilak backed up his May 21 win with another solid performance in second. Krisovich, Ken Taugher and Carl Heater trailed.
Jeremy Shaw didn’t simply cruise to his first career victory. He earned it. Hamden, N.Y.’s Shaw spent the final 10 circuits in the 20-lap Pure Stock main battling with Darl Ellis Jr. for the lead.
Planting his No. PQ22 in the upper groove, Shaw survived a slew of restarts and contact in turn three on the final lap to post the popular triumph after four years of trying.
Ellis Jr. finished second in his first ride aboard a former Shane Wolf car. Charlie Gilbert, Mahlon Shoemaker and Chris Wood finished third through fifth, respectively.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., June 11, with Windsor Community Night. All Windsor residents will be admitted into the grandstand free of charge with proof of residency.
The night will feature double features for the Modifieds and FMP Modifieds, along with a full regular program of Sportsman, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. It will also be Kiddie Rides Night – all kids can take a ride in a racecar at 5:15 p.m. Race time is 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts were up on a picture-perfect night for racing. The pits were jammed with 32 Modifieds, 21 Sportsman, 17 Street Stocks, 10 FMP Modifieds and 22 Pure Stocks….
Puckett credited a change to VRP shocks with his best performance since the ’03 season. “They made a big difference,” offered Puckett, who joined son Brian as a heat winner on the night. The 22-year-old is a rookie in the Sportsman ranks….
Tom McGurrin, a former Grandview (Pa.) Speedway regular, joined the Modified field, along with Scranton, Pa.’s Art Bray….
FMP Modified drivers made their way through the grandstands with their helmets to collect donations for the family of Skip Pabis, the IMCA Modified driver who passed away on May 23 after a serious accident at The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway….
The happiest driver in the pit area was Pure Stock winner Jeremy Shaw. “I’ve had so many seconds,” he said. “This is great!”….

Modified Feature Finish: JOEL BATZEL, Bobby Puckett, George Hildebrant, Nick Barassi Jr., Glenn Knapp, Jim Crawn, Chris Ostrowsky, Brian Weaver, Brian Malcolm, Gary Griffin, Rich Keehle Jr., James Cornell, Butch Klinger, Bob Hamm Jr., Tom McGurrin, J.R. Crouse, Dave Zona, Mike Trautschold, Jeff Emanuel, Dan Hineline, Bernie Kelly, Dana Wagner, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Barry White.
Did Not Qualify: Brian Corcoran, Kenny Hildebrant, Ray Menard, Jim Corcoran, Tom Oleski, Rick Holgate, Art Bray, Jim Allen.

Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Rick Raisner, Brian Decker, Jesse Kline, Archie Myers III, Mike Mammana, Lowell Snyder, Brad Grim, Jeremy Holt, Ebby Ridge, Jamie Cortazar, Brian Puckett, Russ Zimmerman, Ricky Rutt, Rich Wallace, Matt Kaminiskas, Jason Heafy, Ryan Olsommer, Rob Harder, Doug Hendricks, Ryan Grim.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: SCOTT BENNETT, Gary Dence, K.C. Cole, Joe Cole, Mike Stoddard, Mike Stolarcyk III, Bob Chapman, Chris Edwin, Jay Conroy, Brandon Buck.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Nick Petrilak, Joe Krisovich, Ken Taugher, Carl Heater, Les Gillette, Bob Teribury, Gary Roberts, Ken Hineline, Bill Trego, Jerry Tonti, Darl Ellis, Fred Christ, Randy Tyler, Darren Stout, Ralph Shoemaker Jr.
Did Not Start: Brad Butcher Jr.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: JEREMY SHAW, Darl Ellis Jr., Charlie Gilbert, Mahlon Shoemaker, Chris Wood, Joe Rafferty Jr., Chad Stone, Mike Codington, Matt Spencer, Kevin Beach, Jerry Whitmarsh, Jamie Batzel, Walt McClenon, Steve Polhamus, Rob Warner, Matt Hayes, Joe Cisney, Keith Beech, Carl Bittenbender, Eddie Felker, Randy Richards, Ken Washburn.

Rain Stops Five Mile Point; Double Modified Features Set For June 11
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Shortly after the gates opened on Saturday afternoon at Five Mile Point Speedway, the ever-darkening skies released their first drops of moisture.
With the precipitation increasing in intensity and a threat of heavier rain on the horizon, acting promoter Dan Harpell made the decision to pull the plug by 4:30 p.m. Harpell was filling in for younger brother Andrew, who was at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway for a Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour event.
The heldover Modified and FMP Modified features from May 14 have been rescheduled for June 11, along with Windsor Community Night as part of a banner program that already includes Kiddie Rides and the first appearance of 2005 by the Mini-Sprints.
“The radar showed us that there wouldn’t be a clearing for at least two hours,” Harpell said. “By that time, we would never have gotten the show in. It rained too late for us to get the track worked in.”
Racing resumes at the quarter-mile oval on June 4 with a full program of Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, FMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks. It will be Youth Night, with all kids 17 and younger admitted into the grandstands free of charge. Race time is 6 p.m.
Only one point event is in the books for the big-block/small-block Modified division. Don Hart Jr. won the 55th Annual Season Opener and holds the lead with 60 markers over Brian Weaver (56), Jim Crawn (52), Russell Hendrickson Jr. (50) and Rich Keehle Jr. (48).
Rich Ricci Jr. joins Hart as a Modified winner in ‘05. Ricci won the April 17 Southern Tier Open, a non-point race.
Cresco, Pa.’s Eric Palmer is the Sportsman point leader after three events. The winner of the May 21 “Pack the Track Night” 50-lapper has accrued 160 points. Brad Grim is only two points back in second with 158. Rick Raisner (150), Brian Decker (125) and Jeremy Holt (112) round out the top five.
Feature winners in the Sportsman division include Palmer (May 21), Grim (May 14) and Rodney Hart (May 7). Ryan Olsommer won the April 16 Southern Tier Open feature.
Keystone State teammates Les Gillette and Bill Trego run one-two in the Street Stock division after three point events. Gillette (154) leads Trego (152), Ken Taugher (148), Dan Pompey (142) and Joe Krisovich (142).
Nick Petrilak (May 21), Pompey (May 14) and Gillette (May 7) have visited Victory Lane this season, along with Trego, who topped the Southern Tier Open April 17 headliner.
The renamed FMP Modified division held its first point event on May 21, making the switch to the American Racer tires. Scott Bennett took the win and sits atop the standings with 60 points over Mike Stoddard (56), Gary Dence (52), K.C. Cole (50) and Bob Chapman (48).
Non-point FMP Modified feature winners include Bennett (May 7) and Mike Stolarcyk III (April 17).
Mahlon Shoemaker snapped a two-year winless drought at FMP on May 21. The former champion now leads the point standings with 166 points. Defending champion Charlie Gilbert is second (158), ahead of Chris Wood (156), Darl Ellis Jr. (136) and Jeremy Shaw (128).
Gilbert opened the season with a win in the April 16 Southern Tier Open and returned to Victory Lane on May 14. Wood (May 7) and Shoemaker (May 21) each have one victory.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Palmer Tops Five Mile Point’s “Pack the Track” 50
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – The old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” couldn’t ring more true for Eric Palmer.
When Palmer wanted to make changes to his No. 12e Sportsman in the shop on Friday night, his crew roared back with a deafening “no.” The Cresco, Pa., talent left the car’s set-up untouched and drove it to victory at Five Mile Point Speedway, winning Saturday’s 50-lap Sportsman feature.
Giant Food Stores and promoter Andrew Harpell presented the second annual “Pack the Track Night” featuring $1 grandstand admission. An overflow crowd jammed the frontstretch and backstretch stands.
“I wanted to make changes to the car last night in the shop,” admitted Palmer, a sophomore Sportsman racer who graduated from the 250cc Micro-Sprint division.
“My guys wouldn’t let me. That was a good decision because we had the total package tonight – a great car, an awesome set-up and a (Dave Van Horn-built) motor that was incredible.”
Second-starter Palmer rolled into the lead on the start and powered away during the first 16 laps, which clicked off caution-free.
The 31-year-old driver aced a series of restarts that slowed the event from laps 16-25, fending off both Grim and rookie Mike Ketcham, who grabbed second position on the 17th circuit.
“For the little experience I have in these cars, I was able to do the right stuff,” Palmer remarked of his restart strategy.
With Palmer cruising nearly a straightaway out front, Grim reclaimed the runner-up spot on lap 26 and set his sights on the leader. The Coplay, Pa.’s driver’s best opportunity to make a bid for the lead came with 10 laps remaining.
Palmer’s lead evaporated by lap 42. He became mired in double-file lapped traffic, and the fast-closing Grim was poised to make a move. The leaders sliced through the slower machines on the tacky surface before Palmer emerged first with clear track on the 45th go-round.
“Being out front, you don’t know how hard to run the car,” noted Palmer, a former crew member for big-block Modified racer Bruce Kline. “I may have been a little too cautious with the lapped cars, but learning in the Micro-Sprints, if you get in there and start banging wheels you’ll get upside down fast.
“I tried to make it through there without banging or shoving.”
The race’s final caution flew on lap 46. Grim laid back for a final challenge, but Palmer raced home unchallenged for the $750 payday in what he termed “the biggest race I’ve ever won.”
It was Palmer’s fourth career Sportsman victory. He picked up two wins at the now defunct Lake Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) Speedway and earned his first at FMP on July 24, 2004.
Grim, 27, of Coplay Pa., finished second in his Dirt Wheels No. 611 one week after posting his first win.
“I didn’t have enough,” the third-generation racer reported. “The longer runs the car was better, but he was fast. The only real shot I had was the last time we came up on those lapped cars (on lap 40).
“If I was going to get him, it would have been then.”
Rick Raisner of Easton, Pa., drove from 14th to third in his No. R14 Teo-Pro car. Ketcham finished fourth and Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway regular Larry Lippincott rounded out the top five.
Heat winners for the 22 Sportsman were Palmer, Jeremy Holt and Larry Lippincott.
For the second consecutive week, Scott Bennett used late-race dramatics to score an FMP Modified triumph.
The Waverly, N.Y., native stalked Mike Stoddard for the second half of the 20-lapper, looking high and low for a feasible groove. The duo made slight contact on lap 18 when Bennett tried to make an inside move in turn one.
Bennett changed lines on the final lap, wheeling around Stoddard up high through turns three and four to take the win by a nose. Stoddard, Gary Dence, K.C. Cole and Bob Chapman trailed.
Nick Petrilak righted his woes in the Street Stock ranks, leading from green to checkered in the 20-lap feature. The teenager from Greenfield Township, Pa., repelled intense late race challenges from Ken Taugher and a hard-charging Dan Pompey to pick up his second career FMP win.
Taugher, Pompey, Bill Trego and Joe Krisovich finished second through fifth, respectively.
Former track champion Mahlon Shoemaker of Johnson City, N.Y., won his first feature at the Point since April 19, 2003 in Pure Stock competition. Shoemaker made his move for the lead on lap 14 when Mike Codington slid wide between turns three and four. Working the low line, Shoemaker took command and raced on for the much-needed victory.
Codington, Chad Stone, Jeremy Shaw and Darl Ellis Jr. rounded out the top five.
Lakewood, Pa., driver Steve Simpson won a zany 10-lap Figure Eight feature in his first ever race. Simpson maneuvered around a slowing Steve Dechow to take the win in his Dave Blaney look-alike No. 07.
Racing resumes at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sat., May 28 featuring double Modified features, double FMP Modified features plus a full show of Sportsman, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks and the first 2005 appearance by the Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club. Race time is 6 p.m.
Admission is $12 for the show with the exception of those holding rain checks from May 14 or 21. They will pay $10.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Two heavy bursts of rain just after the completion of hot laps delayed the start of the program for over an hour. The final checkered flew at 10:15 p.m., despite the delay….
Twenty-two Sportsman, eight FMP Modifieds, 16 Street Stocks, 22 Pure Stocks and seven Figure Eight cars took part in the action….
Terminal engine problems forced Jesse Kline to relinquish fourth position on lap 31 of the Sportsman main. He retired to the pits amidst plume of heavy smoke….
Rookie Brian Puckett flexed some muscle in the early going. Puckett, 22, raced into the top three by lap 13, but contact with Brad Grim broke the right-front shock tower on his Bicknell No. 41.
The shock tower dropped off in turn three on lap 16, causing Puckett to veer into Jeremy Holt….
Larry Lippincott, Ray Deemer, Ryan Grim and Doug Hendricks represented Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway in the Sportsman field….

GIANT FOOD STORES "PACK THE TRACK" RACE SUMMARY
Sportsman Feature Finish: ERIC PALMER, Brad Grim, Rick Raisner, Mike Ketcham, Larry Lippincott, Archie Myers III, Jeremy Holt, Butch Klinger, Ted Stout, David Bush, Ray Deemer, Jim Toy, Rob Harder, Ricky Rutt, Doug Hendricks, Jesse Kline, Mike Mammana, Ken Titus, Brian Puckett, Ryan Grim, Brian Decker.
Disqualified: Rodney Hart.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: SCOTT BENNETT, Mike Stoddard, Gary Dence, K.C. Cole, Bob Chapman, Mike Stolarcyk III, Joe Cole, Tyler Stoddard.

Street Stock Feature Finish: NICK PETRILAK, Ken Taugher, Dan Pompey, Bill Trego, Joe Krisovich, Les Gillette, Darren Stout, Dan Janus, Fred Christ, Ken Hineline, Carl Heater, Chad Hyzer, Bob Teribury, Bill Jenkins, Gary Roberts, Chris Carman.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: MAHLON SHOEMAKER, Mike Codington, Chad Stone, Jeremy Shaw, Darl Ellis Jr., Charlie Gilbert, Chris Wood, Matt Spencer, Eddie Felker, Larry Fenton Jr., Toby Sparks, Jonathan Carpenter, Joe Rafferty Jr., Randy Richards, Kevin Morrison, Matt Hayes, Ken Washburn, Jason Bond, Jerry Whitmarsh, Keith Beech.
Disqualified: Jamie Batzel, Walt McClenon.

Figure Eight Feature Finish: STEVE SIMPSON, Jesse Velez, Billy Shoemaker, Fred Velez, Steve Dechow, Steve Mattson, Andrew Mattson.

Rain Cuts Five Mile Point Short; Grim Wins Sportsman Main
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Five Mile Point Speedway management survived one bout with Mother Nature to press on with Saturday night’s program.
They couldn’t do it a second time.
When a downpour soaked the speedway ay 10:15 p.m., acting promoter Dan Harpell was forced to pull the plug prior to the start of the FMP Modified and Modified main events.
Harpell and Co. had already reworked the surface after a short but intense burst of rain that soaked the quarter-mile with 10 laps complete in the Street Stock main.
“We gave it the old college try,” said Harpell, filling in for younger brother Andrew, who was at Mahoning Valley (Pa.) Speedway for a RoC Asphalt Modified Tour event. “When the second downpour came, there was no way we could have gotten the track reworked before the curfew.”
The FMP Modified and Modified feature events have been rescheduled for Sat., May 28. Admission will be $12 on that night, with the exception of those holding rain checks from Saturday’s show, who will be treated to a discounted rate of $10.
Before the rain, Coplay, Pa.’s Brad Grim drove to his first career victory in the 25-lap Sportsman main. Grim’s father Gary and grandfather Alfred were very successful racers in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The likeable third-generation driver led the entire distance in his Dave George Racing Engines-powered Dirt Wheels No. 611 after outgunning polesitter Ryan Olsommer on the start.
It was by no means an easy victory for Grim, however.
Grim chose wisely on a lap-two restart, using the outside groove to forge back ahead of Olsommer, then negotiated lapped traffic with the skill of a grizzled veteran.
The 27-year-old encountered a pair of slower cars running side by side on lap 13, allowing Olsommer and Eric Palmer to close the gap. Grim sliced through the slower machines carefully, emerging with clear track on lap 15.
“It’s tough being out front,” Grim said. “You don’t know how much of a lead you have, but I think I did the right thing there (in lapped traffic).
“I wasn’t looking at the lap counter purposely. I just wanted to run my race.”
Grim powered to the $500 victory over Olsommer, the Waymart, Pa., racer who has found a home at FMP in 2005.
“I needed a little more gear,” said Olsommer, 23. “The thing that really hurt me was starting on the bottom. It was still wet down there.”
Eric Palmer of Cresco, Pa., finished third, ahead of Accord (N.Y.) Speedway regular Mike Ketcham and Rick Raisner.
Red-hot Dan Pompey carried his Friday night prowess to FMP on Saturday night, winning the 25-lap Street Stock feature.
Pompey, a three-time winner at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway in ‘05, emerged victorious from an intense, lead-swapping battle with Bill Trego. Pompey worked under Trego for the top spot on lap 15, but lost the lead four laps later when he tangled with the lapped car of Ken Hineline on the frontstretch.
The Glenwood, Pa., talent didn’t give in. He charged hard down low, making the move back by Trego on lap 22 in turn four. Pompey raced on to the win over Trego, Joe Krisovich, Carl Heater and Les Gillette.
Defending champion Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., topped the 20-lap Pure Stock main for his second FMP win this season. He also won the Southern Tier Open on April 16.
Lapped traffic forced Gilbert to jump on the binders in the final two turns, allowing Walt McClenon to make a bid for the win. McClenon came up one car-length short in second. Chris Wood, Mahlon Shoemaker and Matt Hayes finished third through fifth, respectively.
Heat winners for the 32 Modifieds in attendance were Brian Weaver, Nick Barassi Jr., Joel Batzel and Butch Klinger. J.R. Crouse won the consolation.
Veteran Glenn Knapp of Johnson City, N.Y., bested Nick Barassi Jr. to win the 10-lap Non-Qualifiers Race.
Racing resumes at FMP on Sat., May 21 featuring “Pack the Track Night” with $1 grandstand admission. A 50-lap Sportsman feature will headline the card of FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Figure Eights. Race time is 6 p.m. No coolers or bottles are permitted in the stands for the night.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts on a threatening night were 32 Modifieds, 16 Sportsman, 18 Street Stocks, 12 FMP Modifieds and 21 Pure Stocks….
With New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway off on Saturday, Jason Hamilton invaded FMP, but carburetor problems plagued the Erwinna, Pa., driver all night. He dropped off the pace in heat competition and failed to qualify in the consolation with the Doug Flurer-owned No. 16….
Jim Allen returned with his Ford-powered Modified, with a different color scheme (black and green) and number (2) to “change his luck.”….
Paul Carpenter took a wild ride on lap two of the Pure Stock main. Carpenter’s car launched off the top of turn three, cleared the protective tire barrier and came within 10 feet of hitting the haulers parked in the front row of the pits. Carpenter was uninjured….
Gary Dence is one FMP Modified driver who is already running on the harder American Racer tires that will be mandatory on May 21….

Modified Non-Qualifiers Race Finish: GLENN KNAPP, Nick Barassi Jr., Bobby Puckett, Tom Oleski, Matt Smith, Chris Ostrowsky.
Did Not Start: Bernie Kelly, Ray Menard.

Sportsman Feature Finish: BRAD GRIM, Ryan Olsommer, Eric Palmer, Mike Ketcham, Rick Raisner, Brian Decker, Jeremy Holt, Brian Puckett, Archie Myers III, Ricky Rutt, Ted Stout, Rich Wallace, Jesse Kline, Jason Heafy, Rodney Hart.
Did Not Start: Matt Kaminiskas.

Street Stock Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Bill Trego, Joe Krisovich, Carl Heater, Les Gillette, Brett Barrett, Fred Christ, Ken Taugher, Chad Hyzer, Ken Hineline, Darren Stout, Darwin Green, Gary Roberts, Jason Bartsch, Bob Teribury, Darl Ellis.
Did Not Start: Nick Petrilak.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Walt McClenon, Chris Wood, Mahlon Shoemaker, Matt Hayes, Rich Talada, Darl Ellis Jr., Bob Silvernail, Jerry Whitmarsh, Toby Sparks, Eddie Felker, Jonathan Carpenter, Jeremy Shaw, Matt Spencer, Tony Kelly, Joe Rafferty Jr., Ken Washburn, Jamie Batzel, Mike Codington, Craig Decker, Paul Carpenter.

Modified Starting Lineup (Rescheduled For 5/28): Mike Trautschold, Glenn Knapp, Bobby Puckett, Jim Crawn, Jim Allen, Butch Klinger, Brian Weaver, Rich Keehle Jr., Joel Batzel, Rick Holgate, George Hildebrant, Nick Barassi Jr., Dana Wagner, Tom Oleski, Dave Zona, Dan Hineline, Gary Griffin, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Don Hart Jr., Brian Malcolm, J.R. Crouse, Chris Ostrowsky, James Cornell, Bob Hamm Jr.

Did Not Qualify (Non-Qualifiers Race Lineup For 5/28): Jeff Emanuel, Matt Smith, Jason Hamilton, Ray Menard, Barry White, Jim Corcoran, Kenny Hildebrant, Brian Corcoran.

FMP Modified Starting Lineup (Rescheduled For 5/28): Mike Stolarcyk III, Gary Dence, K.C. Cole, Joe Cole, Scott Bennett, Bob Chapman, Mike Stoddard, Ty Hurlburt, Jay Conroy, Tyler Stoddard, Greg Winslow, Jordan Dibble.

Don Hart Jr. Steals One From Brian Weaver In FMP Opener
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – When the yellow lights flickered on with 15 laps remaining in Saturday night’s Modified feature at Five Mile Point Speedway, Don Hart Jr. got the opportunity he needed.
Hart certainly made the most of that opportunity.
Riding the rim on the restart, last year’s champion stole the show from Brian Weaver, opening the FMP season with a victory in the Country Town Auto Service 50-lap 55th Annual Season Opener. The Bainbridge, N.Y., star collected $1,500 for the victory, solidifying his prowess in extra-distance events.
“I love extra-distance races,” Hart exclaimed. “I just pace myself. When that caution came out, I knew it was my chance.”
Weaver appeared to be the race’s dominant force from the outset, wheeling the Brad Grammes-owned No. 5 Bicknell. Weaver started fifth and quickly powered forward. On lap six, he blasted around the outside of early leader Chris Ostrowsky in turn one.
Weaver checked out, encountering the back of the field by lap 10 while Hart methodically picked his way forward from the fourth starting position.
“The truth is, I didn’t even race for the first 30 laps,” Hart said. “I wasn’t even running hard when I got by Ostrowsky (for second on lap 23).”
Hart remained a straightaway off Weaver’s lead, despite cautions that slowed the event on laps 20-22.
“I saw Brian get out ahead of me pretty far and I was skeptical if I would be able to get him,” Hart admitted.
Debris on the track necessitated the race’s final caution on lap 35 and proved to be the turning point of the event. The yellow put Hart on Weaver’s rear bumper. During the caution period, Hart pulled up high and cooled the tires on his Enders-powered Bicknell for a restart charge.
When the race resumed, Hart took his car to the outside groove in the reconfigured turn one and two area. Carrying the momentum on the topside of the quarter-mile oval, he nosed ahead of Weaver down the backstretch.
The lead duo battled for two laps before Hart took sole possession of the top spot.
“That caution came out and I knew I had to try him up high,” Hart said. “I went into one and I banzai’d him up high.
“Brian raced me clean. He was under me, I think we ran side by side for two laps at least and we never touched. I passed him clean and he raced me with respect.”
The 33-year-old didn’t simply cruise home unchallenged. A right-rear tire that was slowly deflating allowed Weaver to close in during the event’s final two circuits.
“I got together with the No. 7J (Jim Corcoran) on one of the early restarts and cut the right-rear tire. As long as we stayed green, it kept building pressure, but I could feel it going down at the end.”
The tire was completely deflated as Hart’s car sat in Victory Lane.
Weaver, meanwhile, was dejected after the runner-up finish. The 42-year-old believed he had the win in the bag.
“I didn’t even know there was a challenger,” Weaver admitted. “I just can’t believe I got passed.
“I thought we were long gone. By the time I saw him out there it was too late – I gave him too much room. But I have to give credit where credit is due. Don ran a great race. He put a super pass on me.”
Jim Crawn of LeRaysville, Pa., started 17th charged hard late in the distance to finish third in the No. J30 owned by Tommy Coar and Bill Wayman. Crawn powered around Chris Ostrowsky and Russell Hendrickson Jr. on lap 48 to take over the final podium position.
“I had a blast,” quipped Crawn, 41. “It’s great to drive a car that can go on the bottom or the top.
“I just wish I had gone to the top earlier.”
Russell Hendrickson Jr. finished fourth and Rich Keehle Jr. rounded out the top five.
Chris Ostrowsky finished fourth but was disqualified in post-race tech inspection due to an illegal left-rear tire.
Heat winners for the 32 Modifieds in attendance were Joel Batzel, Hart, Hendrickson, and Dan Hineline. Mike Trautschold topped the consolation.
Rodney Hart concluded his ’04 title-winning season with a victory on Season Championship Night. His bid for two consecutive championships got underway with a victory in Saturday’s 25-lap Sportsman feature.
The Bainbridge, N.Y., native started ninth and powered forward in his Hart’s Logging No. 10X. He made the winning move on a lap-14 restart. Driving hard into turn one, Hart muscled inside race-long leader Jesse Kline, making contact in the process. Hart then powered away for the win.
“It was just short track racing,” Hart said of the move. “I had the opportunity to get around him (Kline) and I dove for the bottom.”
Tenth-starter Brian Decker rallied to finish second, ahead of Kline, Rick Raisner and Eric Palmer.
On lap two, Scott Bennett sat facing traffic in turn two.
At the conclusion of the 20-lap FMP Modified feature, the Waverly, N.Y., driver sat in Victory Lane. Bennett chased down leaders Mike Stolarcyk III and Kevin Cole from a straightaway back. He powered around Stolarcyk with the white flag flying to take command.
Cole, Mike Stoddard and Gary Dence rounded out the top five.
Les Gillette’s first Five Mile Point victory came in dominant fashion. After Gillette’s most formidable challenger, Dan Pompey, dropped off the pace on lap 10, the Gouldsboro, Pa., racer cruised home with a straightaway advantage in the Gillette Excavating No. 33. Greg Buchanan, Gary Roberts, Ken Taugher and Darren Stout rounded out the top five.
Chris Wood of Conklin, N.Y., a three-time winner at FMP in his rookie season, kicked off his sophomore campaign with a victory in the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Wood, 20, battled with Mahlon Shoemaker for the event’s first half, finally taking over the lead on a lap-six restart.
The 20-year-old survived a lap-19 restart to win over Shoemaker, defending champion Charlie Gilbert, Matt Hayes and Walt McClenon.
Racing resumes on Sat., May 14 with Little League Night. All players in uniform will be admitted free and recognized. The Modifieds, Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks will be in competition. A Guaranteed Starters race will kick-start the evening. Race time is 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the official website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.
Starting Order For 5/14 Guaranteed Starters Race: Glenn Knapp, Nick Barassi Jr., Tom Oleski, Bernie Kelly, Bobby Puckett, Chris Ostrowsky, Ray Menard, Matt Smith.

COUNTER POINTS: Car counts for the Opener were 32 Modifieds, 23 Sportsman, 17 Street Stocks, eight UMP Modifieds and 21 Pure Stocks….
The expanded, high-banked turn one and two layout drew praise from drivers in all divisions, especially the Modified competitors who ran their feature following a track watering session. “It was great to be able to run up there,” said second-finishing Weaver….
Chris Ostrowsky reported a mix-up in his ill-fated tire selection. He mistakenly grabbed a 33 compound American Racer for the left-rear. “It wasn’t even an advantage for me,” Ostrowsky said. “I’m so sick that it happened.”….
Mike Colsten made his return to weekly FMP competition, but dropped off the pace on lap 31 with engine problems….
Rich Ricci Jr. returned for his first regular Saturday night show in nearly 15 years but wasn’t a factor. The Southern Tier Open winner started 19th and finished eighth….

Modified Feature Finish: DON HART JR., Brian Weaver, Jim Crawn, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Rich Keehle Jr., Dan Hineline, J.R. Crouse, Rich Ricci Jr., Brian Malcolm, Butch Klinger, Mike Trautschold, Dave Zona, Jim Corcoran, Dana Wagner, James Cornell, Jeff Emanuel, Mike Colsten, Barry White, Bob Hamm Jr., Rick Holgate, Joel Batzel, Brian Corcoran, Gary Griffin, George Hildebrant.
Disqualified: Chris Ostrowsky.
Did Not Qualify: Tom Oleski, Nick Barassi Jr., Bobby Puckett, Matt Smith, Glenn Knapp, Bernie Kelly, Ray Menard.

Sportsman Feature Finish: RODNEY HART, Brian Decker, Jesse Kline, Rick Raisner, Eric Palmer, Ryan Olsommer, Ken Titus, Brad Grim, Ricky Rutt, Brian Puckett, Jim Toy, Rob Harder, Joe Colsten, David Bush, Matt Kaminiskas, Mike Loney, Archie Meyers III, Howard Jarvis, Jeremy Holt, Dave Leyshon, Jeremy Consla.
Did Not Start: Mike Mammana, Bob Mills.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: SCOTT BENNETT, Mike Stolarcyk III, Kevin Cole, Mike Stoddard, Gary Dence, Bob Chapman, Tyler Stoddard, Joe Cole.

Street Stock Feature Finish: LES GILLETTE, Greg Buchanan, Gary Roberts, Ken Taugher, Darren Stout, Bill Trego, Darwin Green, Joe Krisovich, Nick Petrilak, Fred Christ, Carl Heater, Chad Hyzer, Jason Bartsch, Dan Pompey, Ken Hineline, Bill Saxe.
Did Not Start: Darl Ellis, Bob Teribury.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHRIS WOOD, Mahlon Shoemaker, Charlie Gilbert, Matt Hayes, Walt McClenon, Jeremy Shaw, Darl Ellis Jr., Chad Stone, George Carpenter, Jamie Batzel, Tony Kelly, Mike Codington, Harry Cook Jr., Pete Hoover, Joe Rafferty Jr., Randy Richards, Eddie Felker, Ken Washburn, Matt Spencer, Keith Beach, Toby Sparks, Jason Bond, Paul Carpenter.

Five Mile Point Dodges Raindrops; Holds Practice Session
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – On an afternoon when wet weather kept the gates of most area speedways shut, Five Mile Point Speedway squeezed in a practice session last Saturday.
The historic quarter-mile oval was in great shape as nearly 40 competitors representing each of the five weekly divisions took the opportunity to shake down their equipment on the resurfaced and expanded track layout in preparation for this Saturday’s (May 7) 55th Season Opener.
The afternoon also marked the return of Five Mile Point to the American Race Tires brand after one year with Hoosier as the official track tire.
Pennsylvania veterans Dan Hineline, Bobby Puckett and Tom Oleski took some laps with their potent big-block/small-block Modifieds. Hineline, last year’s Season Championship Night victor, and Puckett are longtime FMP mainstays, while 2005 will mark Oleski’s first full season as a regular.
Dana Wagner, the Trout Creek, N.Y., native who finished third in the ’04 Modified standings, was on hand with his former Jeff Heotzler No. 25W Bicknell. Wagner is looking for his second Opening Night victory – he kicked off the 2003 season with a win.
Talented Pure Stock racer Chris Wood, who burst on the scene at the Point with three victories last year, took the wheel of the Joel Batzel No. 27 for several sessions and turned some of the afternoon’s fastest times.
In the Sportsman ranks, Eric Palmer, a feature winner last year on July 24, Jesse Kline and Brad Grim turned laps. Coplay, Pa.’s Grim strapped into a new Dirt Wheels chassis for the first time as he anticipates FMP win number one. The third-generation driver has achieved success at Big Diamond (Pa.) and Lake Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) in recent years.
Making a very impressive on-track debut in the Sportsman ranks was Brian Puckett, the son of Modified racer Bobby. He'll join the FMP Sportsman field as a regular in '05.
K.C. Cole led the FMP Modified contingent, while Ken Hineline and Harry Marvin III were among those testing and tuning their Street Stock machines.
Wood led a large group of Pure Stock racers on hand that included third-generation driver Joe Rafferty Jr. Rafferty’s grandfather Eddie was a multi-time Modified winner at FMP in the 1970s. Paul Carpenter also returned to racing after an absence of a decade.
Eddie Felker, Matt Spencer and Jonathan Carpenter turned laps as well in the Pure Stocks.
With the practice session complete, the attention turns to the 55th Annual Season Opener, highlighted by the Modifieds in a 50-lapper, plus Sportsman, FMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Race time is 6 p.m.
Last year, Don Hart Jr. (Modified), Tim French (Sportsman), Chris Strohl (Street Stock, held May 22), Brad Shaffer (FMP Mod) and Shane Wolf (Pure Stock) took Opening Night victories.
A banner field of entrants is expected for this year’s official lid-lifter, including one of the most competitive Modified fields ever assembled at the Point.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

Ricci Brothers Dominate Five Mile Point’s Southern Tier Open
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Mike Ricci suggested that his younger sibling attend Sunday afternoon’s Southern Tier Open at Five Mile Point Speedway.
Maybe he should have kept quiet.
Rich Ricci Jr. led a one-two sweep of the 50-lap Modified headliner by the invading Ricci brothers at the historic quarter-mile oval. “Open” rules were in place for the show, featuring a wide variety of engine combinations, tires and bodywork on day two of the Southern Tier Open weekend.
Sporting sail panels on his familiar red No. 55, New Paltz, N.Y.’s Ricci drove to his first career FMP victory in dominant fashion. The 38-year-old collected $3,000 for the triumph, making his first appearance at the Point in a decade.
“This is awesome to win here,” quipped Ricci. “My brother talked me into coming and we finished one-two.”
Ricci started 10th in his Precision-powered Dirt Wheels chassis and made his ascent early. While polesitter Mitch Gibbs jumped into the lead, Ricci sliced through traffic. By lap nine, he was third.
“Everybody was talking hard, hard tires (in the pit area). I gambled, said I was gonna go with the softs, the green came out and it took right off.
“I was just passing cars. I said ‘I gotta get to the front’ then I could mellow out a little bit.”
Ricci worked inside Russell Hendrickson Jr. for second on lap 12. A caution on lap 13 set Ricci up to take command.
Using the outside line, the eight-time Accord (N.Y.) Speedway champion powered around Gibbs in turn one.
“The outside restart I said ‘I’ve got to do it now.’ I knew the car was pretty decent on the top. Coming out of two it was a little hairy because there were some marbles out there. I had to nose him right in.”
Ricci encountered lapped traffic by the halfway point, but stretched out a sizable advantage on Gibbs, Alan Rudalavage and 11th-starter Mike Ricci, who battled for the runner-up spot.
Cautions on lap 37 and 46 bunched the field in the waning stages and provided a scare to Ricci, whose DIRT-legal 358 c.i. powerplant began to run hot. During the caution period with four laps remaining, steam began to pour from the car.
“It was running hot,” Ricci said. “Around lap 20 or 30 the needles were pegged. They were right around.
“Four to go, this thing was squeaking. It didn’t have much left.”
When starter Raymond Kennerup dropped the green for the four-lap dash to the finish, the younger Ricci motored away. Mike Ricci, who slipped by Rudalavage up high on lap 44, dropped Gibbs a position on the restart. He drove his Jim Winchell-owned Teo-Pro No. 17 to the outside to grab second.
It was too late to challenge his brother, who raced to the win in the 11th running of the Southern Tier Open.
The elder Ricci, 40, of Rosendale, N.Y., was the runner-up, but regretted a tire choice that kept him from striking early.
“We went with the harder tires and we didn’t come on until lap 40,” he said. “I could only run the top or the middle where it was getting black. I got by Rudalavage and Gibbs up there.
“If I had some more laps, it would have been a better race, but it’s really good for me and Rich to finish first and second. I’m not going to talk him into going short track racing anymore.”
Gibbs, 42, the defending Southern Tier Open winner battled a tight condition in his Nice ‘n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G Bicknell. The handling woes prevented him from posting his third victory in the event.
“I couldn’t get in the corner good and hit my spots, especially down in turn one,” the North Norwich, N.Y., veteran said. “I had to slide the car quite hard. When you do that, you lose a lot of momentum.
“The Ricci boys, they were right on today. There was no room for my push.”
Twelfth-starter Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., rallied for fourth in his debut for owner Brad Grammes. Rudalavage rounded out the top five.
Keith Nonnemacher, Rich Ricci Jr., Weaver and Mike Ricci won the heat races, while Barry Davis and Don Hart Jr. split the consolations. 35 cars entered the event.
Mike Stolarcyk III picked number one in the FMP Modified pre-race draw for position. The outcome of the 15-lap feature was effectively decided at that point. Whitney Point, N.Y.’s Stolarcyk cruised to victory in his No. III car, leading the entire distance. Mike Stoddard, K.C. Cole, Bob Chapman and Ryan Stoddard trailed.
Bill Trego led a banner day for the Gouldsboro, Pa., Gillette Racing operation with his win in the 25-lap Street Stock main. Trego took command on lap three and outraced his teammate Les Gillette to win his second consecutive Southern Tier Open main. Gillette was the runner-up, ahead of Denny Decker, Jim Rosh and Rich Sharpsteen.
Misfortune for Nate Stevens resulted in victory for Harold Humphrey in the 10-lap Four Cylinder Stock main. Following an intense battle for the lead, Stevens appeared to have the win in his grasp.
He slid wide in the final corner, opening the door for Humphrey who won the drag race to the line by a fender. Gary Card, Rich Sharpsteen and Joey Delacruz trailed.
COUNTER POINTS: With 75 degree temperatures and bright sun beating down on the new clay, the track crew doused the surface prior to the Modified 50-lapper. The extra moisture limited dust in the feature….
Mitch Gibbs’ primary car, the Bicknell chassis he debuted late last year and drove to victory in the two FMP post-season shows, suffered significant damage Friday night at Afton (N.Y.) Speedway, forcing his team to prepare a second car for Sunday.
“We thrashed on it and we might have missed something,” he said….
Car counts stood at 35 Modifieds, eight FMP Modifieds, 14 Street Stocks and five Four Cylinder Stocks….
George Suprick III finished second on Saturday night in the Patriot Sprint Group feature. The Clark Summitt, Pa., native returned on Sunday to compete with the Modifieds in the No. 81….
The quarter-mile is silent until Sat., April 30 when a practice session will run from 12-4 p.m. The official 55th Season Opener is scheduled for Sat., May 7, headlined by a 50-lap feature for the Modifieds….

Modified Feature Finish: RICH RICCI JR., Mike Ricci, Mitch Gibbs, Brian Weaver, Alan Rudalavage, J.R. Crouse, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Joel Batzel, Rich Keehle Jr., Brian Malcolm, Dave Zona, Robbie Green, Buddy Altemose, Bob Savoie, George Suprick III, Rick Holgate, Barry Davis, Bob Hamm Jr., Dana Wagner, Mike Colsten, Glenn Knapp, Chris Grbac, J.R. Hurlburt, Don Hart Jr., Keith Nonnemacher.
Did Not Qualify: Rick Virkitis, Dave Jenkins, George Kostelansky, Jim Corcoran, Brian Corcoran, Cliff Bush, Mike Frost, Billy Jenkins, Mike McCollum, Grant Hilfiger.

FMP Modified Feature Finish: MIKE STOLARCYK III, Mike Stoddard, K.C. Cole, Bob Chapman, Ryan Stoddard, Mike Williams, Ty Hurlburt.
Did Not Start: Joe Cole.

Street Stock Feature Finish: BILL TREGO, Les Gillette, Denny Decker, Jim Rosh, Rich Sharpsteen, Dave Luff, Ed McKernan, Nick Petrilak, Darl Ellis, Gary Roberts, Jason Bartsch, Darwin Green, Carl Heater.
Did Not Start: J.T. McKernan.

Four Cylinder Stock Feature Finish: HAROLD HUMPHREY, Nate Stevens, Gary Card, Rich Sharpsteen, Joey Delacruz.

Howland Misses Senior Trip But Visits FMP Victory Lane
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Bryan Howland’s buddies spent last weekend in Myrtle Beach, soaking up the sun and celebrating their upcoming high school graduation.
Howland did his celebrating in Five Mile Point Speedway Victory Lane.
When wet grounds forced FMP promoter Andrew Harpell to postpone the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group Season Opener for one week, Howland was left to decide between taking a senior trip with his pals or strapping into his family-owned No. 51 Sprint Car.
Howland opted to go racing, a good choice considering he topped Saturday night’s 25-lap feature, part one of the two-day Southern Tier Open at the historic facility.
“This is definitely worth it!” exclaimed Howland following the wildly popular triumph, his first ever in a 360 Sprint.
“I planned to leave last Thursday, but when this race got pushed back a week, it shook up my plans. This is way better than Myrtle Beach right now.”
Howland, 17, last year’s top PSG rookie, trailed veteran George Suprick III early on, as the Clark Summit, Pa., native bolted into the lead from the outside pole.
Four cautions punctuated the first six laps of the event. Suprick got the jump on each restart in Dr. John Deuel’s No. 87. The remainder of the distance went caution-free with Howland, who took over second on a lap-three restart, chasing Suprick through heavy lapped traffic by the halfway point.
Howland, a Union Springs (N.Y.) Central School senior, made his move on lap 13. When Suprick became momentarily trapped behind a slower car in turn two, he opened the inside line for Howland. The Auburn, N.Y., Mini-Sprint graduate swiftly drove by Suprick to gain command.
“I like to enter high and shoot down across the bottom,” Howland said of the move. “George got caught behind a lapped car and I got past him.
“The car was working for me. I drove it hard every lap once I got the lead because I didn’t know if George would get back by me.”
Suprick was left to battle Dave Ely for second. On lap 19, Ely drove around Suprick, but the former FMP Modified regular fought back, reclaiming the runner-up spot one lap later.
The Suprick/Ely race took place well behind Howland, who led by a full straightaway at race’s end after negotiating traffic with ease in the final 10 circuits.
“I collected my composure and figured I had to race for second,” Suprick said. “I couldn’t let him (Ely) beat me on my home turf.”
The 46-year-old admitted he had little for the kid.
“I was struggling with the apex out of one and coming into two,” he said. “I thought if I could carry the speed up high and get it to stick I’d have something for lapped traffic. I found out I wasn’t right on that.
“I had some indecisions and that other fellow (Howland) showed me the way around.”
Ely, of West Lawn, Pa., finished third. Chuck Hebing of Ontario, N.Y., was fourth and Pete Green was fifth in his first PSG start.
Twenty-nine cars entered the event. Hebing, Jeff Van Dusen and Jared Zimbardi won the heats. Hebing topped the Sylvan Learning Center (Vestal, N.Y.) Dash and Gary Troutman was the B-Main victor.
Ryan Olsommer’s first feature start at Five Mile Point Speedway was a memorable one. Olsommer outdistanced Rick Raisner to win the 25-lap Sportsman feature despite his lack of FMP experience.
The Waymart, Pa., driver started fourth in his Murray and Gillette-powered Bicknell No. 51Z and made his winning move on lap three. He powered by Rick Brown in turn four to assume a lead he would never relinquish.
Olsommer, 23, survived several restarts to notch the $650 triumph. His last win came on June 28, 2003 at Lake Moc-A-Tek (Pa.) Speedway.
“The car was fast,” remarked an upbeat Olsommer. “We did some work to the motor this winter and it was awesome.”
Raisner, of Easton, Pa., finished second, ahead of Dusty Jagger, Ken Titus and Ladd Yeommans.
Defending champion Charlie Gilbert of Binghamton, N.Y., won the 25-lap Pure Stock feature. Gilbert started eighth and methodically worked through traffic. He drove to the inside of Mahlon Shoemaker on lap 22 following a lengthy battle for the lead.
Shane Wolf, Jeremy Shaw, Mike Codington and Darl Ellis rounded out the top five.

COUNTER POINTS: The Saturday evening program included 29 Sprints, 17 Sportsman and 18 Pure Stocks. The 25-lap PSG contest was the first 2005 Sprint Car event in New York State….
Buck Mills led the Pure Stock main before retiring with transmission problems on lap three….
Dusty Jagger’s third-place run was impressive considering the Port Crane, N.Y., teenager launched off the fourth turn into the outer tire barrier on lap four when Butch Klinger spun….
Ryan Olsommer’s last FMP appearance came on Sept. 26, 2003 during the National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend. He failed to qualify….
Tire wear was nonexistent in all divisions….
In conjunction with KGB FM and Clear Channel Communications, $3 from each adult general admission ticket sold went to Broome County Catholic Charities to benefit area flood victims….

Patriot Sprint Group Feature Finish: BRYAN HOWLAND, George Suprick III, Dave Ely, Chuck Hebing, Pete Green, Warren Alexson, Jeff Cook, Kyle Wilson, Chris Muhleisen, Blake Breen, Geoff Quackenbush, Kyle Drum, Dave Schulz, George Ely, Don Adamczyk, Jeremy Barnard, Jared Zimbardi, Bobby Breen, Mike Stelter, Nick Bashford, Jeff Van Dusen, Gary Troutman, Rick Wilson, Ray Preston.
Did Not Qualify: Ron Zagata, Dan Deming Jr. Howard Singer, R.C. Faigle, Curt Shuttleworth.

Sportsman Feature Finish: RYAN OLSOMMER, Rick Raisner, Dusty Jagger, Ken Titus, Ladd Yeommans, Howard Jarvis, Brian Decker, David Bush, Ted Stout, Larry Lippincott, Jeremy Holt, Butch Klinger, Joey Colsten, Rick Brown, Bob Mills, Rodney Hart, Bruce Evans Jr.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: CHARLIE GILBERT, Shane Wolf, Jeremy Shaw, Mike Codington, Darl Ellis, Ernie Martin, Mahlon Shoemaker, Fred Peters, Toby Sparks, Jim Rosh, Frank Mills, Ken Washburn, Jamie Batzel, Chris Wood, Tony Kelly, Buck Mills, Jason Bond.
Did Not Start: Todd Houghtaling.

Five Mile Point’s ’05 Mod Field Boasts Quality and Quantity
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Last year, there were nine different winners and 30-plus Modifieds in the pit area at Five Mile Point Speedway.
But that was 2004. The prospects for 2005 are off the charts.
While the pale white snow melts away and patches of green grass signal the culmination of the off-season, the FMP Modified roster bulges daily as teams etch their plans to frequent Andrew Harpell’s facility on a weekly basis.
New faces, returning veterans and fresh equipment are set to take part in the 55th season at the historic quarter-mile oval. The Point’s Modified field will boast a healthy combination of quality and quantity in 2005.
Leading the charge for the championship will be last year’s high-point man Don Hart Jr. of Bainbridge, N.Y. Hart, a three-time winner in ’04 (including the June 26 Heath Memorial), will have two cars in his arsenal. Hart can choose between a 2005 Bicknell with an Enders 358 c.i. powerplant (No. 35) and an Enders big-block powered ‘04 Bicknell (No. X-1) in his title defense.
Three-time Modified track champion and all-time win leader Mike Colsten of Binghamton, N.Y., will return to FMP after an absence of a decade. Colsten’s potent Ford-powered No. 51 will be a weekly threat in the headline big-block/small-block Modified division, while his teenage son Joey will debut in the Sportsman ranks.
Brian Weaver wants nothing more than a Modified championship at Five Mile Point Speedway. He’ll contend for that honor this season, driving a 2005 Bicknell mount owned by Brad Grammes of Kunkletown, Pa. Weaver and Grammes teamed up in January and work is underway to prepare a first-class piece for action at the Point. The car will carry RPM power.
Last year, the Windsor, N.Y., native recorded his fourth consecutive Modified title at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway. He also scored feature wins at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway and FMP.
In 26 years of dirt Modified competition, Robbie Green has never won a feature at Five Mile Point. He’ll try to change that record in 2005. The Wallkill, N.Y., veteran – one of the most popular drivers in the Northeast with a racing resume pages long – will make FMP his home this season, making the two-hour haul up Route 17 to wheel his green and white Precision-powered Teo-Pro No. 69.
Green won three races en route to a third-place finish in Accord (N.Y.) Speedway’s point standings in 2004. Only an October make-up race that he missed due to a pre-booked family vacation kept the championship trophy from Green’s mantle.
Last year’s point runner-up Rich Keehle Jr. recently inked an agreement with Dr. John Deuel to wheel a Doug’s Speed Shop-powered Bicknell chassis for 2005. The Windsor, N.Y., talent will not be driving a Troyer car for the first time in his career. Keehle, 25, looks to return to Victory Lane for the first time since the Southern Tier Open on Oct. 18, 2003.
Dana Wagner won the FMP Season Opener in 2003. He’ll try to repeat that effort this year with a former Jeff Heotzler Bicknell that he acquired over the winter. The Trout Creek, N.Y., racer finished a stout third in the ’04 point standings, wheeling his family’s No. 25W.
Glenn Knapp Jr. can barely hide his enthusiasm as he prepares for his 30th Five Mile Point season. The Johnson City, N.Y., driver, recognized as one of the 50 Greatest in the track’s history, will debut a 2005 Troyer “drop rail maxi-flex” chassis. The car was assembled with all-new parts, a first for Knapp, who is looking to return his familiar No. 26 to prominence.
After splitting with owner Bill Chalker following last year’s finale, Jim Crawn of LeRaysville, Pa., has a new operation at the ready. Crawn, a former champion whose list of accomplishments includes victories in the Southern Tier Open and Southern Tier 100, will pilot a new Bicknell owned by Tommy Coar and Bill Wayman.
Meanwhile, Late Model ace Dave Zona of Montrose, Pa., will fill the seat in the Chalker Motorsports entry. Zona’s open-wheel foray will be accompanied by Late Model action at Penn-Can on Friday nights.
Keystone State competitor J.R. Crouse was looking to try something a little different. That’s why the Nazareth, Pa., teamed up with Greentown, Pa.-based Fabrications by Tauschman to wheel a TRC-chassied No. 8JR car this season.
The TRC brand of cars is unique to Ed Tauschman, who designs and builds the cars from the ground up. Crouse will drive for Tauschman in the Race of Champions Dirt Tour and select FMP shows in a second TRC car with a Dave Van Horn-built big-block.
Amidst a dense fog on a steamy August night, Joel Batzel outdistanced Dave Rumsey to win his first Modified feature at the Point in ’04. Vestal, N.Y.’s Batzel will return with his Country Town Auto Service No. 27 Teo-Pro car. Last year’s Afton (N.Y.) Speedway championship-winning ’04 Bicknell, purchased from Mitch Gibbs, is also at the ready in the team’s shop.
2004 Rookie of the Year James Cornell managed two third place finishes and a top 10 finish in the point standings in his freshman year. The Street Stock graduate from Harpursville, N.Y., has higher expectations for his sophomore effort.
The 21-year-old will compete in a 2003 Troyer SLR mount that Arnie Slade achieved a great deal of success with in Sportsman competition last year.
Brian Malcolm earned his first FMP win on Aug. 14. He’ll be back in 2005 looking to repeat that effort. Gary Griffin’s 25th season will be centered at Five Mile Point. Pennsylvania’s Dan Hineline ended 2004 on a high note when he drove to an upset win on Season Championship Night. The “Radio Racer” looks to open the new season in winning fashion.
Butch Klinger scored a pair of extra-distance Sportsman wins (Pack the Track Night and Sportsman Challenge Cup) in 2004. He also earned a Modified victory over Kirk Horton on July 10 and will no doubt be a threat in ’05.
Bobby Puckett, Tom Oleski, Chris Ostrowsky, Bob Hamm Jr., Dave Rumsey, Matt Smith Jim and Brian Corcoran and a host of others will do battle in one of the most competitive Modified fields ever assembled at FMP.
Joining the Modifieds on the weekly card will be the Sportsman, Street Stocks, UMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks. The popular Figure Eight cars will make several appearances throughout the season.
Racing is scheduled to begin at Five Mile Point with the Southern Tier Open: Part I on Sat., April 9 featuring the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group Season Opener, underscored by a 30-lap Sportsman Open and Pure Stocks in a 25-lap Open.
Race time is 4 p.m. and, in the event of inclement weather, April 16 will be reserved as a rain date.
The Southern Tier Open: Part II is slated for Sun., April 17. A 50-lap feature for the Modifieds will headline the card. Sail panels, alcohol and any 13 x 92 inch tire will be permitted. The IMCA/UMP Modifieds will take part in a 25-lap Shootout, with the Street Stocks in a 25-lap Open and the Four Cylinder Stocks competing in a 20-lapper. Race time is 2 p.m.
Practice sessions on April 23 and 30 (12-4 p.m.) will serve as a segue-way into the regular season.
The 2005 campaign will officially get underway on Sat., May 7 with the 55th Season Opener, headlined by a 50-lap Modified main plus Sportsman, UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Pure Stocks.
The point battles will begin for all divisions on that night. Race time is 6 p.m.
For further information on Five Mile Speedway, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Leon Andrus Joins Five Mile Point Broadcast Team
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - The speakers at Five Mile Point Speedway will emit a familiar voice in 2005.
Longtime Southern Tier announcer Leon Andrus returns to the 55-year-old facility beginning Sat., April 9 with the Southern Tier Open: Part I.
A legend whose knowledge, sense of humor and wit have thrilled thousands of fans over the years will join Brett Deyo in the tower to call the weekly programs at FMP.
The duo will work together to present the night's activities in an entertaining manner, while keeping the crowd involved and informed. Dan Harpell, who acted as the FMP promoter for 15 years, will interject his knowledge on the microphone as well. Harpell's unique perspective will complete the announcing team.
"I'm just glad to come home," said Andrus, affectionately known in the area as "The Round Mound of Sound."
It will mark his return to the oval after a nine-year absence. He worked in various capacities at FMP from 1975-1995 before heading elsewhere on Saturday evenings.
He is also the announcer at Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., on Friday nights, a position he's held for the past seven years. He has been employed at Penn-Can for 20-plus seasons in several roles.
When the position became available at Five Mile Point, Andrus jumped at the chance to return to the rejuvenated facility, having worked for the previous two promotional teams and attended races there since his childhood.
"I'm looking forward to being at the Point," Andrus continued. "As far as I'm concerned, Five Mile Point is where some of the best racing in the Southern Tier is going to be this year. The track is on an upswing."
Second-year FMP promoter Andrew Harpell is equally enthused with the addition of Andrus to the staff.
"I've known Leon for a while and I like his work," Harpell said. "I know I'm looking forward to having him on board. I think the fans will enjoy this year's announcing team."
Racing is scheduled to begin at Five Mile Point with the Southern Tier Open: Part I on Sat., April 9 featuring the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group Season Opener, underscored by a 30-lap Sportsman Open and Pure Stocks in a 25-lap Open.
Race time is 4 p.m. and, in the event of inclement weather, April 16 will be reserved as a rain date.
The Southern Tier Open: Part II is slated for Sun., April 17. A 50-lap feature for the Modifieds will headline the card. Sail panels, alcohol and any 13 x 92 inch tire will be permitted. The IMCA/UMP Modifieds will take part in a 25-lap Shootout, with the Street Stocks in a 25-lap Open and the Four Cylinder Stocks competing in a 20-lapper. Race time is 2 p.m.
Practice sessions on April 23 and 30 (12-4 p.m.) will serve as a segue-way into the regular season.
The 2005 campaign will officially get underway on Sat., May 7 with the 55th Season Opener, headlined by a 50-lap Modified main plus Sportsman, UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Pure Stocks.
The point battles will begin for all divisions on that night. Race time is 6 p.m.
For further information on Five Mile Speedway, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Five Mile Point's 55th Season To Begin With Southern Tier Open
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - The 55th consecutive season of auto racing at Five Mile Point Speedway will kick off with one of the quarter-mile oval's most tradition-laden races.
The Southern Tier Open, an event that gained notoriety for its large autumn congregations of competitors, will find a new home in the spring at Five Mile Point in 2005, promoter Andrew Harpell announced last week.
The program will span two early-season race days, opening up the season on April 9
(Sat.) and 17 (Sun.) before the point battles begin in May.
"We wanted to move the traditional Southern Tier Open to the spring this season in order to start the season off with plenty of excitement," Harpell said. "This will also now make the annual National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend our main focal point in the fall and distinguish the two different events."
On Sat., April 9 the Patriot Sprint Group will head a three-division card with a 25-lap feature. It will serve as the Season Opener for the Patriot organization and will mark its return to FMP after a one-year hiatus.
The winged Sprinters will hit the speedway for the first time since the track widening project in turns one and two last October. They will also be among the first to compete on the all-new clay surface that was put down following the final '04 checkered.
Five Mile Point's location is pleasing for two of the Patriot Group's stars. 2004 champion George Suprick III hails from nearby Clarks Summitt, Pa., while Howard Singer is a native of Whitney Point, N.Y., a quick jaunt up Route I-81 from FMP. All the stars of the Patriot group will be on hand to challenge the local talent.
On Aug. 30, 2003, Chris Mulheisen fought off 24th-starter Rick Wilson, Ray Preston, Judi Bates and Billy Krull to score the win in the only Patriot appearance at the Point to date.
Joining the Sprints on the agenda will be a 30-lap Southern Tier Open Sportsman main and a 25-lap Southern Tier Open Pure Stock feature event. Race time is 4 p.m. The rain date is Sat., April 16.
The ground-pounding Modifieds will headline the program on Sun., April 17 with the Southern Tier Open 50. Alcohol, sail panels and any 92 inch tire will be permitted.
The Street Stocks will participate in a 25-lap Southern Tier Open, while the IMCA/UMP Modifieds will compete in a 25-lap Southern Tier Open Challenge. A 20-lap Four Cylinder Stock Southern Tier Open will fill out the card. Race time is 2 p.m.
Last year, Mitch Gibbs made a late rally to pass Pennsylvania veteran Meme DeSantis en route to his second Southern Tier Open Modified victory on Oct. 30. Rick Virkitis, Rich Keehle Jr. and Bob Savoie rounded out the top five.
Other victors included: Jeremy Holt (Sportsman); Bill Trego (Street Stock); Randy Hall (IMCA/UMP); Shane Wolf (Pure Stock) and Nate Stevens (Four Cylinder Stock). Well over 150 competitors entered the program despite threatening skies.
The Southern Tier Open was run for the first time in 1970, complimenting the Southern Tier 100. Setting the races apart was open carburetion and more liberal rules for the Open. Canadian Ivan Little won the inaugural Southern Tier Open on Oct. 24, 1970.
Lou Lazzaro (1971), Frank Mears (1972), Stan Ploski (1973), Chuck Ciprich (1974) and Jack Johnson (1975) joined the list of Southern Tier Open winners before the race was discontinued for 25 years.
Dan Harpell resurrected the event in 2000, with Jim Crawn taking the win. Mike Colsten took the checkered first in 2001. Mitch Gibbs was victorious in 2002 as part of his 13-win season. In doing so, Gibbs joined Stan Ploski as one of two drivers to win both races in the same year (a feat he repeated in 2004). Rich Keehle Jr. rode the outside line to victory in the 2003 running of the Southern Tier Open.
The National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend, headlined by the 36th running of the Southern Tier 100, will bring down the curtain on the 2005 season at the Point. The date of that event will be announced in the near future, along with the complete '05 schedule and rules.
Practice sessions are scheduled for April 23 and 30, with the Season Opener set for May 7 featuring a 50-lapper for the Modifieds.
Once again in 2005, Five Mile Point Speedway will offer weekly Saturday night programs of Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, UMP Modifieds and Pure Stocks, along with appearances by the Figure Eights and other touring divisions.
For more information, contact the Five Mile Point Speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.  

Hart Family Takes Limelight At Five Mile Point Banquet
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - At a table near the dance floor, Don Sr. and Cindy Hart sat proudly. And their delight was justified.

While Saturday night's Five Mile Point Speedway Awards Banquet honored numerous top point-getters and special award winners from the 2004 season, the Hart family basked in the limelight.

For the first time in the 54-year history of the facility, brothers dominated the point standings in the headline classes at FMP. Don Hart Jr. copped the Modified title, while younger sibling Rodney Hart earned the Sportsman championship.

Both received their hardware before a crowd of 400 racers, crew members, sponsors, media members and race enthusiasts at the classy Binghamton Regency.

Following a delicious dinner, Tom Cummings and Brett Deyo took the stage for the awards presentation, culminating a historic season at FMP that began with Andrew Harpell taking over the reigns from brother Dan, who served as the promoter for 15 years.

It was a year of resurgence for the venerable track, with increased counts in the pits and larger numbers in the grandstands.

For the Hart brothers, based in Bainbridge, N.Y., the year 2004 was equally memorable. It produced their first-ever open-wheel championships.

In the Modified battle, Don Hart Jr. utilized a three-win season to earn the title by 82 markers driving his Enders small-block powered Bicknell No. X1. En route to the championship, he scored a pair of extra-distance victories, including the Season Opener on May 15 and the Heath Memorial on June 26.

"It's an honor to be in the league of drivers who have won the championship here," said Hart, whose previous best was a second to Mitch Gibbs in 2002.

"To join names like Worthing, Colsten and Akulis is great. And really, I have to thank Andrew Harpell for giving us a place to race. He's put a lot into Five Mile Point."

Predictably, Hart was more than enthused with the opportunity to share some glory with his little brother.

"It's great to be able to do this in the same year as my brother - and we both can't thank our parents enough," he said, adding that they acted as car owners in '04. "If we needed something for the cars, it was just a matter of asking. We didn't lack anything."

The 31-year-old also stressed the camaraderie between he and his brother that resulted in on-track success.

"We work together (at the family business, Hart's Logging) and we only live 100 yards apart," Hart said. "We shared information all year long and it helped us both. If he found something that helped his car, he'd tell me and if I hit on something, I'd tell him."

Hart asserted that he will be back to defend his championship in 2005, but did say it would be tough to repeat the success of '04.

"Our standards are already set when we get there (for the opener)," he said. "Second or third is going to seem like nothing, like we're backing up."

For his efforts, Hart - and all divisional champions - received a handsome trophy, cash award, Five Mile Point clock and wall decorative, along with an embroidered jacket from Hoosier Race Tires.

Rich Keehle Jr., Dana Wagner, Brian Malcolm and J.R. Crouse were second through fifth, respectively. Jim Crawn, Glenn Knapp Jr., Bobby Puckett, Dan Vauter and James Cornell rounded out the top 10.

While his brother's championship ended with a comfortable margin, Rodney Hart's Sportsman run came down to the final night, as he bested Brett Tonkin by only 25 points. Hart won three races during the season, wheeling his No. 10X Bicknell equipped with a Harry Cook engine. He clinched the title with a win on Season Championship night.

"First off, I have to thank the track for bringing the Sportsman back," Hart, 27, said. "I sat out a couple years because I wanted to race at the same track as my brother. Having both classes here worked out.

"This was a good experience for us and Five Mile Point," he continued. "It's something to be the first brothers ever to win championships in the same year."

Rounding out the top five were Tonkin, Ricky Rutt, Brandon Buck and Shawn Olenski. Garth Tonkin Jr., Brad Grim, Tim French, Brian Decker and Jeremy Holt filled out the top 10.

One year ago, Gary Dence returned to action at Five Mile Point after an absence from driving.

In 2004, he drove to the UMP Modified track championship, off the strength of three straight victories to conclude the point season. The Candor, N.Y., racer, a former tech inspector at the track, earned the title by 14 points over K.C. Cole.

Cole, Scott Bennett, Joe Cole and Brad Shaffer finished in positions two through five, ahead of Mike Stolarcyk III, Mike Stoddard, Jay Conroy, Dave Stalker and Joe Novak.

Having driven numerous different types of cars, Binghamton, N.Y.'s Darl Ellis found a certain comfort level in the Street Stock division. He was so comfortable, in fact, that he shelved his Modified and raced to the track championship in the full-fendered ranks.

Ellis picked up two feature wins and collected the title by a mere eight markers after a year-long tussle with Bill Trego. The personable Ellis says he is building a new car, and "is coming to take another championship" in 2005.

Behind runner-up Trego were Chris Strohl, Les Gillette, Dan Pompey, Brett Spoor, Carl Heater, Nick Petrilak, Jason Bartsch and Kurt Decker.

Charlie Gilbert defines the word "veteran" in Pure Stock competition, having achieved success at Five Mile Point and throughout the region. Gilbert, of Binghamton, N.Y., attained his second championship at the Kirkwood quarter-mile in 2004, winning two races while finishing the year with a scant six-point edge.

Walt McClenon finished second, ahead of Art Darling Jr., Mahlon Shoemaker and Jeremy Shaw. Sixth through 10th were Shane Wolf, Mike Codington, Darl Ellis Jr., Corey Bond and Jonathan Carpenter.

Following the top 10 presentations, a plethora of special awards were handed out, including:

Best Appearing Car - Bobby Puckett (Modified); Brad Grim (Sportsman); Brett Spoor (Street Stock); Mike Stolarcyk III (UMP Modified) and Shane Wolf (Pure Stock).

Hard Luck Award - Dan Hineline (Modified); Archie Myers III (Sportsman); Nick Petrilak (Street Stock); Mike Stoddard (UMP Modified) and Jeremy Shaw (Pure Stock).

Rookie of the Year - James Cornell (Modified); Jeremy Holt (Sportsman); Chris Strohl (Street Stock); Jay Conroy (UMP Modified) and Jonathan Carpenter (Pure Stock).

Most Improved Driver - Rich Keehle Jr. (Modified); K.C. Cole (UMP Modified) and Walt McClenon (Pure Stock).

The first annual Pit Steward Award, presented by Brian Cochardo, went to Shawn Olenski for his cooperation all year in lining up when called for events.

Roger Batzel picked up the prestigious Glenn Knapp Sr. Car Owner of the Year Award. Batzel fielded three cars in 2004 - a Modified driven by nephew Joel Batzel, a Sportsman driven by Jeremy Holt and a Pure Stock driven by Chris Wood.

2004 Special Contribution Awards were presented to Dave French and Tom Cummings. French is vital to the tire sales and distribution for FMP and the Race of Champions Modified Tour, while Cummings served as the track announcer for the past 16 years, while working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Andrew Harpell offered some closing remarks, thanking all those who supported FMP in '04 and citing "fun" as a number one priority for the speedway in 2005 and beyond.

He is planning an April 9 East Coast Sprint Car program, accompanied by Sportsman and Pure Stocks, to open year 55 of competition at Five Mile Point.

Music and dancing completed the festive evening.

Earlier in the day, teams from each of the five weekly divisions met with Harpell and track officials to discuss rules and procedures for the upcoming season. 2005 rules will be announced in the coming weeks.

Copyright © 1998-2006 by South Jersey Dirt Racing/ToddJ All Rights Reserved.  Born on date April 21, 1998