Dunn Tire Raceway Park Results 5/10/08

Dunn Tire Raceway Park Celebrates 50th Annual Stock Car Season Opener

Lancaster, New York - The legendary stock cars of Dunn Tire Raceway Park took to the track for their 50th annual opening day event, kicking off a season of special shows, celebrations, and great racing action. Above all the pomp and circumstance of opening day, one return to the track stole the spotlight and hearts of fans. Popular Modified driver Karl Hehr returned to the racing surface in his familiar #59 race car, nearly two years after suffering a horrible on track accident that left him in the intensive care unit of a local hospital for a number of days. Hehr was greeted by thunderous applause from the grandstands each time he took to the track throughout the night. Hehr is planning on running the entire DTRP Modified schedule this season and commented after the races that "it was good to be back".

In addition to Hehr's incredible return to the racing surface, fans were treated to a great show of stock car racing. Starting off the nights feature events were the Probity Group TQ Midgets. During the off season, the two Western New York TQ Midget groups - Harry Macy's group and Casey's TQ Midgets - joined forces and have created a three track series. DTRP was the first stop on the circuit and brought some new faces to the inner oval. However, it was a very familiar face at DTRP that took the checkered flag - Dave Wollaber. Wollaber inherited the lead on lap 2 after a lap one crash involving both of the leaders. Wollaber, who was running third at the time, inherited the lead and never relinquished it. Teammate Vinny Christiano Jr. was nipping on Wollaber's heels the entire race, especially in the turns, but Wollaber held onto the lead and captured another TQ Midget win.

Next on the card were the Thiel Motorsports Fast & Furious 4 Cylinders. Last season was the inaugural season for the 4 Cylinders and they quickly became fan favorites for their "demo derby in a circle" type racing. This season promises to be no different and includes some notable competitors. Matt Druar, son of late Modified great Tommy Druar, and Cassie McGrath, daughter of Modified competitor Tom McGrath, are competing full time in the division this year. The division veterans though will surely give them a run for their money. Veteran driver Tim Haniszewski Sr. lead from start to finish in the feature race and picked up the checkered flag. Haniszewski Sr. was never really challenged for the lead, although a fierce battle for second on back raged throughout the race between Kevin Morreale, Tim Haniszewski Jr., Brandon Hirsch, and Matt Druar.

The Lorigo Insurance SST Sportsman were slotted into the program earlier than usual to accommodate the number of drivers pulling double duty in both the SST's and the Modified division. Eddie Murray started on the pole and took the lead at the drop of the green, however Tom MacLeod would race his way into the top spot by lap three. Further back, SST standout Kirk Rutherford was experiencing some type of trouble with his machine and fell back from fifth to tail in just a few laps. On the other hand, teenage phenom Erick Rudolph was making the outside groove work and was flying up through the field from his eighth starting position.

In just eight laps, Rudolph was up to second place and challenging MacLeod for the lead. MacLeod held on tight and held off the hard charging Rudolph, but MacLeod pushed it just a tad too hard on lap 11 where he bobbled the car in turn one and Rudolph pounced on the opportunity, taking the lead. A yellow flag a few laps later would spell trouble for the leader however as on the restart Rudolph struggled with a right rear flat tire, allowing MacLeod to once again take over the lead. After a pit stop to replace the tire, Rudolph was back on track and again charging through the field on the outside.

Up front MacLeod was working on building his lead as Murray and Bobby Holmes battled for second and third position. Holmes got by Murray just as the yellow flew on lap 22. The single file restart bunched the field up and put Holmes right on MacLeod's bumper. With just five laps to go, Rudolph had charged back up to third and it was looking like time was running out for him. However, the fierce battle for the lead between Holmes and MacLeod ended up badly for both of them as contact was made and both were sent tail. This put Rudolph back in the lead and he cruised on home to take the win.

The full fendered Able Agency Street Stocks were up next for their 25 lap main event. The Street Stocks are known for their three wide exciting racing at DTRP and the opener was no different. Bobby Hanel Jr. and Mike Maggiore started on the front row but it was 2006 Street Stock Champion Jim Bryant who took the lead from his third starting spot on the first lap. Hanel and Maggiore battled it out for second place, but Tim Garlock and John Julicher Jr. moved up to challenge for the top positions. A bit further back, Cory Gallagher was making his way through the field and by lap ten had joined the top five of Bryant, Garlock, Julicher, and Hanel.

Each of the top six drivers were multiple DTRP Street Stock feature winners and each was trying to maneuver into another checkered flag. Just after the halfway point of the race, Julicher passed Garlock for second and set his sights on Bryant. The top three began to put some distance between themselves and fourth place Hanel, who was followed by Gallagher and Scott Mutka, who had moved up from the ninth starting spot. However, a yellow flag with just six laps remaining took away any advantage that had been built up by the leaders. The top six of Bryant, Julicher, Garlock, Mutka, and Gallagher ran nose to tail, but soon Bryant was able to get a bit of breathing room and went on to capture the first Street Stock checkered flag of the season.

The premier event of the day - the Modified Bud 50 - was the final scheduled event of the day and 18 "Mighty Modifieds" were on hand to participate. Starting on the front row was Billy Putney and 2007 DTRP Modified Champion Buck Catalano. Rounding out the rest of the top five starters, who redrew for position after their heats, were Wilbur Hebing, Karl Hehr, and Tom McGrath. Erick Rudolph started sixth. At the drop of the green flag, Putney and Catalano stayed double file, with Putney being credited with leading the first lap. Catalano however powered into the lead just one lap later and he and Putney put on quite a show as they battled for the top spot.

Hebing stayed in third just waiting for a mistake by either of the leaders. Further back, Rudolph was once again using the outside line to make his way through the field and behind him Sege Fidanza was utilizing the same game plan. Just before the halfway point of the race Catalano still held the lead while Putney continued to try to get around him and Hebing ran in third. Hebing had company though as Tom McGrath was vying for the third position. Hebing and McGrath made contact and the yellow flag was displayed. On the restart, at the halfway point of the race, it was Catalano, Putney, Rudolph, McGrath, Fidanza, Hehr, and Dave Wollaber as the front runners.

Wollaber has returned to Modified racing for this season in a family owned racecar. A yellow flag just one lap later appeared for the spinning McGrath. On the restart, Fidanza powered by Hehr on the outside for fourth. Just four laps later, Putney finally took the lead from Catalano, with a power move to the outside. Rudolph followed suit and passed Catalano for second. Fidanza was next in line and soon slotted into the third position as he passed Catalano. Putney took advantage of the slicing and dicing behind him to put a little distance between himself and second and third place Rudolph and Fidanza. A yellow flag with just nine laps remaining evaporated any lead Putney had built as he now had the field right on his bumper.

The field saw a restart, another quick yellow, and another restart. Putney got good jumps on both restarts, but Rudolph stayed right with him. Behind the battle of the top three, Hebing was flying through the field. Hebing had been involved in a yellow and gone tail, was penalized two spots for jumping a start, and still was up to fourth position with just five to go. Up front, Rudolph was looking over Putney, inside and outside, looking for a way around him. Fidanza got Rudolph loose with just two laps to go and jumped into the second spot. Putney had managed to gain some breathing room with the jostling behind him and Fidanza ran out of time for an opportunity to challenge for the lead. Putney picked up the Bud 50 trophy and enjoyed his first trip to DTRP Victory Lane in a few seasons.

The Stock Cars are off next Saturday, May 17th, but will return on May 24th. The Bobcat of Buffalo Late Models make their return to DTRP that weekend. The 4 Cylinders, Street Stocks, and SST Sportsman are also slated for competition.

RESULTS:

McGard Modified Feature Finish (5/10/08): BILLY PUTNEY, Sege Fidanza, Erick Rudolph Wilbur Hebing, Buck Catalano, Dave Wollaber, Tom McGrath, Bill Mislin, Mark Tychoniewicz, Patsy Catalano, Karl Hehr, Sean O'Neill, Chris Ridsdale, Tom Wiest, Chris Finocharrio, Brett Scherrer, Larry Jackson, Don Stevens
Lap Leaders: Lap 1 Putney; Laps 2-29 B. Catalano; Laps 30-50 Putney // Heat Winners: Putney, McGrath

Lorigo Insurance SST Sportsman Feature Finish (5/10/08): Erick Rudolph, Billy Putney, Jeff Price, Russ Gian, Craig Dolpin, Kirk Rutherford, Tom McGrath, Bobby Holmes, Dick Kluth, Tom MacLeod, Kevin Lewis, Ron Williams, Sherri Hogan, Eddie Murray, Andy Jankowiak, Scott Reese
Lap Leaders: Laps 1-3 Murray; Laps 4-11 MacLeod; Laps 12-14 Rudolph; Laps 15-26 MacLeod; Laps 27-30 Rudolph // Heat Winners: Holmes, MacLeod

Able Agency Street Stock Feature Finish (5/10/08): Jim Bryant, John Julicher Jr., Scott Mutka, Tim Garlock, Cory Gallagher, Bobby Hanel Jr., Jim Stein, Matt Jurek, Mike Maggiore, Wayne Lavis, Kristopher Hamann, Jeff Guidotti, Shane Porter, Dave Frieder, Gary Denea, Steve Cochran, Tim Neis, Gary Bartella, Paul Tessier, Kaz Tarasek, Debbie Jurek
Lap Leaders: Laps 1-25 Bryant // Heat Winners: Maggiore, Bryant

Probity Group TQ Midget Feature Finish (5/10/08): Dave Wollaber, Vinny Christiano Jr., Dan Lawrence, Jamie Collard, Justin Mapes, Mel Raab, Mike Blair, Dean McConnaughey, Russell Knutsen, AJ Hessler, Bobby Holmes, Paul Faleski, Charlie DiRosa, Mark Schulz DNS: Johnathan Reid
Lap Leaders: Lap 1 DiRosa; Laps 2-20 Wollaber // Heat Winners: Christiano Jr., Lawrence

Thiel Motorsports Fast & Furious 4 Cylinder Feature Finish (5/10/08): Tim Haniszewski Sr., Kevin Morreale, Brandon Hirsch, Matt Druar, Dan Roesch, Tim Haniszewski Jr., Garrett Pregitzer, Dean Siminski, Ken Hejna, Cassie McGrath, Kalie Clementi, Jerry Carpenter
Lap Leaders: Laps 1-15 Haniszewski Sr.

From Lori Overdorf // Director of Stock Car Events