RESULTS

NEW WINNERS VISIT VICTORY LANE AT WVMP

Written By: Dawn Maynard

This past Saturday was a great day for racing. As the daytime turned into night it showed many new winners entering the record books at the track. The day began with the final three make up races from July 24th in the mediums, jr. slingshots and all star slingshots. That is where the first new winner found the checkered flag. The other two makeup races were won by repeat winners.

Mediums were up first for their feature. Bradley Sites captured not only the make up feature, but went on to win the regular events in the mediums and heavies go kart classes. Bradley and Kayla Wilkins battled hard in all the features with Kayla coming in second in two of the event. The racing in each of the feature events was tight and exciting for the fans to watch.

Jr. Slingshot have become one of the fans favorites. These youngsters race their hearts out each time they come to the track. The makeup feature and the regular feature event went to the current point leader Jared Zionkowski. This is Jared's rookie season in the division. He is finding the fast way around the oval passing his competitors clean. All the youngsters including Skylar Middendorf, Alex Shaffer, Derek Frederick, Kamdin Maby and Leo McGurrin along with Jared are friend after they come off the track. This is sportsmanship like none other, most racers won't even talk to each other, but not these kids. Maybe the older racers should take notice of how these up coming drivers react with each other.

Sr. Slingshots had their feature event it was Collin Hadlock who captured his first win of his career in a slingshot. Over the winter months the Hadlock family purchased the former Paul Quear machine. As the season began they struggled with mechanical problems. Collin got valuable track time, but they still had to get the bugs worked out of the car. Collin picked up his first win with veteran driver Steve Croker doing everything in his power to get by. Steve who has recorded several feature wins finished in second. Shelby Ogozaly, Bill Reidenbach and Bob Boughton rounded out the top five.

Sportskid was the first feature of the regular program. The battle between Alex Shaffer and Keith Lamphere had the fans on the feet cheering. These two drivers raced side by side swapping the lead back and forth. They raced each other hard without touching each others kart for most of the race. This allowed Brianna Baumunk and Jaye Winemiller to close in on the top two. When the checkered flag dropped it was Lamphere who recorded his 4th feature event. The finish was so close it had to be determined by the scorers tower. Alex Shaffer finished in second, third went to Brianna Baumunk, Jaye Winemiller and Derek Frederick rounding out the top five. Another sportsmanship gesture as Alex Shaffer came over and congratulated Keith on a great run and posed for pictures with their karts.

Rookie Purple has become another of the fans favorites. Seth Anderson picked up another feature win, but not without a strong charge by Mitchell Maynard. Both of these drivers have the ones all the other racers are trying to beat. Tough break for newcomer Doug Newbigging, as hard crash into the tires in turn one left his kart heavily damaged. Doug was not injured in the crash, but his kart did suffered damage not allowing him to start the feature.

Novice Blue found three and four wide racing by the eight competitors will all of them hoping to capture the checkered flag. Ryan Funk was the early leader, until Skylar Middendorf took over the lead. Coming from within the field Jared Zionkowski and Kara Chapman worked their way to the front. Dominic Rogers battled hard with Kara hoping to keep the third position. In the closing laps, the Middendorf and Zionkowski machines raced side by side, with Jared keeping Skylar right in the racing groove. On the final lap Jared made a move to the inside, Skylar was able to pick up the victory at the line by inches. The fans got to see a great race between two drivers and friends.

Clones were up next with Tyler Chapman recording another feature win. He was closely chased by Scott Lamphere and Eddie Sites. This would be the 10th win of the season for Tyler in this division. Back behind the wheel was Rodney McConnell after a week off from competition.

Only two Animal Heavies were at the track. Wayne Miller and Bob Coveney battled for the top honors. Bob's number 43 has been having some mechanical issues. He was able to start and finish the entire feature. It was Wayne Miller who captured the win with Bob finishing the race in second.

Sportswoman found Brianna Baumunk capturing win number 12. Krissy Baldwin lead the event early until Brianna took the lead away. Krissy managed to hang on to finish in second with Tammy Patak in third. Jaye Winemiller was not able to start the feature event in the number 28.

Jr. Gold found Nick Funk, Keith Lamphere and John Noe battling for the checkered flag. Brianna Baumunk did not compete in this weeks racing in this division. These drivers raced hard with Nick finding his way back to victory lane. Keith Lamphere and John Noe finished in second and third respectively.

Driver changes were the highlight of the Sportsmen feature event. Rodney McConnell was behind the wheel of the 777, Dalton Maynard piloted the 57, JW Lamphere drove the 4, and Jeff Winemiller took a spin in the 28. Once again the racing action was tight and most of the machines were nose to tail for most of the event. At times they were three and four wide looking to gain position. Rodney McConnell and Brock Moore battled for the top honors. Rodney was the 2009 track champion in this division. He still knew the fast way around the track making the move for the lead. He kept Moore behind him to record his first feature win of the 2010 season.

Sr. Slingshots recorded another first time feature winner. Bill Reidenbach held off a strong charge from Collin Hadlock to pick up his first win. A crash early in the event took out top runner Steve Croker, Jacob Hendershot and Bob Boughton. Jacob was driving the Ron Shaffer owned number 21, shaking it down for a future racing event. Jacob will be driving the 21 for the remainder of the season. It was a very emotional victory lane celebration as Bill and BJ his child celebrated along with all the crew members and friends. Newcomer to the Sr. Slingshot Dustin Fassett recorded a third place finish in only his second time out in the number 63.

600 Micros was up next with some excitement that allowed another first time winner to visit victory lane. John Zionkowski had been leading the event. Brian Sherwood was in pursuit to take away the top spot. Brian attempted to pass the Zionkowski machine and they touched with John spinning. Sherwood was sent to the rear along with Zionkowski. This allowed Kyle Pierce to take over the lead, holding off the hard charging Jeffrey Crispell and veteran driver Dave Mooers. Kyle kept both of these drivers behind him to record his first victory.

270 Micros was the final feature event of the evening. This race also had a new winner enter the record books. Austin Bishop who is a rookie in this division held off Jacob Hendershot. Austin and Jacob raced nose to tail throughout the race. Each giving the other enough room to race and keeping the fans cheering for more. Austin has only competed at WVMP a couple of times this season. It appears that he did his homework and learned enough to bring home the checkered flag.

WVMP is closed this weekend in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Next Saturday will be "SAYONARA TO SUMMER 50". It will be a regular show with the 600 Micros running a special 50 lap event paying $500 to the winner.

Information about that race can be found on the website at www.wvmpracing.com. As the season begins to wind down, be sure to take advantage of the "FAMILY FUN PASS". This allow a family of 4 grandstand admission,along with 4 hotdogs, 4 french fries and 4 drinks, for just $20. A great way to spend Saturday night with your family and see some great racing action. Remember racing resumes on Saturday, September 11th, at the NIGHTMARE OF THE NORTHERN TIER, WVMP.