6/5/2017
Jennerstown Speedway
Wiltrout and Brink Steal The Show at Jennerstown Speedway Complex
(Jennerstown, PA – June 3, 2017) Former Track Champion Garry Wiltrout, of Somerset, PA, became the third different winner in three events for the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model division, on Saturday night, June 3, at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex. In the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified division, Chris Brink recovered from a damaging accident early in the evening, to earn his second straight win. Shawn Beam (J&J Truck Equipment Street Stocks), Tanner Friedline (Famers Union Co-Op Chargers), and Evan Nibert (Somerset Trust Company Fast ‘n Furious 4-Cylinders) also celebrated in victory lane.
Popular veteran Garry Wiltrout is a perennial winner and a former Champion of the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model division. During the opening two weeks of the 2017 racing season, his team struggled to find the speed needed to contend at the front of the pack. But in round three of competition, Wiltrout served notice that his R&R Motorsports Team is back to the winning form his fans have grown accustomed to, for the last decade. Wiltrout started from the pole position, and led all 30-laps of the feature event, driving to a convincing victory. On lap one, defending Champion Barry Awtey challenged Wiltrout in the outside lane of turn three, but the duo drifted up the racing surface, with Awtey spinning to bring out a caution flag. Wiltrout was then challenged by former winner Jeremiah Kuntz. Kuntz started sixth, but roared into the second position in just two laps. Kuntz tried both the low and high grooves of the asphalt, but Wiltrout maintained the lead. By the middle stages of the race, Wiltrout had a comfortable margin over the field, but a three car battle for second place, lasted until the finish. Fifth place starter Matt Sever, another former Champion, challenged Kuntz for second, while Awtey recovered from the spin to join the duo. When the checkered flag waved, Wiltrout’s Stone & Company/Franjo Construction/Scottdale Lumber/Meegan Ford was far ahead of the pack, making Wiltrout the third different winner in three events. Sever, Awety, Kuntz, and Bobby Henry were the top five respectively. Sever and Awtey won the heat races. As a result of his opening day win, Awtey is tied with Steve Peles atop the All-Time Feature Win list, in the asphalt era of Jennerstown Speedway and is seeking a record breaking win in the coming weeks.
Rookie Dustin Gursky took the lead at the start of the 20-lap Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified feature, with fellow rookie Jarred Barclay in second position. After starting deep in the pack, “Racin’ Jason” Busch passed Barclay and leader Gursky on consecutive laps, to hold the lead by the midpoint of the event. Earlier in the night during heat race action, contact between leaders Tom Golik and Chris Brink, sent Brink’s car hard into the outside wall on the backstretch. Brink’s car was heavily damaged, after being airbourne on the right side, and gliding on two wheels before a second impact with the wall. His crew persevered working diligently every moment until feature time. Brink started eighth, and advanced into second place in the feature, as Busch became the leader. Brink’s battered machine challenged Busch, in a thrilling duel that lasted several laps. Brink prevailed, passing Busch for the lead, and securing a second straight victory in front of thousands of fans screaming approval for Brink’s amazing comeback. Among the seven cars Brink passed, was heat winner Golik, with whom he raced in a clean, professional manner, after spectators anticipated a retaliatory grudge battle, following the heat race collision. Brink also received the Ron’s Collision Center “Wreck of the Week” bonus cash, in addition to the winner’s paycheck. Busch placed second, while Gursky impressed many with his strong third place finish. A winner in 2016, veteran Gary Scott placed fourth and opening night winner Golik was fifth.
Defending Champion of the J&J Truck Equipment Street Stocks, Shawn Beam, made his 2017 debut in a brand new race car, and swept the evening’s events. He won his preliminary heat race, then started seventh in the 20-lap feature event, to become “one for one” this season. Jason Holder took the early race lead, looking to end a lengthy drought. But on lap three, opening night winner Aaron Van Fleet took the lead, after starting sixth. The sophomore Street Stock driver defended the top spot until lap eleven, when Beam made the winning pass. Beam, the most veteran driver in the division, won by several car lengths with young Van Fleet, and Josh Coughenour as the “podium” finishers (second and third). Coughenour’s car was back in shape after a collision one week prior, and he won his heat race. Previous week’s winner Lauren Butler placed fourth and many-time previous winner Anthony Aiello finished fifth.
On opening night, top notch Famers Union Co-Op Charger competitor Tanner Friedline suffered a mechanical failure, for a disappointing start to 2017. He turned his season around by taking the checkered flag after leading all 15 laps of the feature race, on June 3. Friedline started on the pole, and the 2016 multi-feature winner outran Steve Long for the win. Long, the opening night winner, placed second ahead of the previous week’s winner Jason Pritts. Frank Novak placed fourth and Scott Mitchell finished fifth, in his first start of the year. Friedline and Long won the heat races.
Heat race winner Joe Laposky led the first of 15 laps, in the Somerset Trust Company Fast ‘n Furious 4-Cylinders’ feature. On lap two, Brent Bickerstaff grabbed the lead, after starting sixth. Eighth place starter, Evan Nibert, moved into second place early on, but surrendered the spot to opening night winner Andrew Pluta, as part of a three car battle for the top spots, with Bickerstaff. After being shuffled back to third, Nibert became the leader on lap eleven, and held the position to secure his second career victory – also his second consecutive win, at the conclusion of the race. Bickerstaff placed second, with Pluta and Brian Noel third and fourth. Aaron Karasack was the fifth place finisher. Nibert also won his heat race.
Saturday night, June 10, 2017, Somerset Trust Company presents “A Salute To First Responders,” offering free admission to Jennerstown Speedway for all the Police Officers, Fire Personnel, EMTs, and Paramedics, that serve and protect our communities. Five division racing begins at 6:00pm, with gates opening at 4:00pm with live music and children’s activities.
Submitted By: Vernon Yoder
