6/19/2019
Ferrell and Rech Win In Photo Finishes at Jennerstown Speedway
Saturday night, June 15th, 2019 at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex began with an on-track autograph session, with an opportunity for all fans in attendance to get a photo taken with their favorite drivers. The evening concluded with a pair of “photo finishes,” including one of the closest finishes in Jennerstown Speedway history. Zane Ferrell, of Ruffs Dale, PA, earned his career first victory by .001 seconds over Barry Awtey In the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model Division. Meanwhile, Pete Rech edged Anthony Aiello at the line for his third win of the season in the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modifieds. Also celebrating his career first win in Stoneu’s Beer Victory Lane was Chase Payton in the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers. Sophomore driver Jeremy Shaffer picked up his first win of the season in the Tunstall Auto & Truck Repair Street Stocks and Evan Nibert picks up his second win of 2019 in the Somerset Trust Company Fast N’ Furious 4-Cylinders.
In one of the closest feature race finishes in the history of the Jennerstown Speedway, Zane Ferrell battled through two late restarts to defeat former Champion, Barry Awtey at the finish line. The race started with Garry Wiltrout leading the field for the first three laps, before the consistently fast car of Joe Maruca took the lead on lap four. As Maruca started to spread his lead, Zane Ferrell and Barry Awtey were gaining ground, advancing to the second and third positions. On lap 22, Farrell was able to get under Maruca for the point position, and at the same time, Awtey also passed Maruca for second place. The top three cars were single file, and it appeared that was the way the race was going to finish. But, the teenage rookie Drake Troutman, after battling a loose handling car, spun in turn two to bring out the yellow flag, setting up a two lap dash to the conclusion. On the restart Ferrell edged ahead of Awtey, and led at the “white flag” for the first time in his Late Model career. With a first win in his sights, the red flag was displayed, for a hard driver side door crash by Mike Hemminger on the front stretch. The incident would set up another Green-White-Checkered run to the finish. Hemminger was able to get out of his car, under his own power, and was released by the medical team at the track. The final restart saw Awtey getting the jump on Ferrell. Awtey took the white flag with Ferrell right on his back bumper. Coming off turn two for the final time, Awtey’s car bobbled slightly, and Ferrell found an opening that would be the winning pass - to the inside of Awtey down the back stretch. As they exited turn four, Ferrell had a slight edge, but Awtey made a strong run on the outside, creating a “photo finish.” With the electronic system showing a .001 second margin of victory for Zane Ferrell, Barry Awtey took second place, followed by Joe Maruca in third, Garry Wiltrout fourth and Rick Boyer picking up the fifth spot. Ferrell, a winner in Street Stock and Modified competition previously, celebrated in Stoney’s Victory Lane for the first time, alongside his Linda Browns Floral/Lupi n Leos/Highlands Heating & Air sponsored Late Model.
The Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified division started the night with a very scary crash, involving veteran driver Gary Scott in the preliminary heat races. Gary made impact with the outside turn one wall and rocketed across the track, to the inside wall. Gary, the Modified winner one week prior, was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. For the feature event, Jason Busch took the early lead with Anthony Aiello in tow. Aiello took the lead from Busch on lap seven. Meanwhile, a heated battle ensued behind the leaders, with Pete Rech, Adam Kostelnik, and R.J. Dallape. Former champion, Chris Brink, slowed bringing out the caution flag after contact with the backstretch wall. Once back to green flag racing, close battles resumed throughout the field, before yet another collision. This time, Dustin Gursky hit the inside, front stretch wall. Gursky was able to walk away from the crash, but his night was over. This set the stage for a Green-White-Checkered finish between Aiello and Rech. On the restart, Aiello got the slight edge on Rech coming to the white flag. The pair were side by side coming out of turn four, toward the checkered flag, with the entire crowd on its’ feet. Pete Rech was able to defeat Anthony Aiello by .053 second when the checkered flag waved. RJ Dallape battled from tenth starting position, to finishe third. Kostelnik and Busch rounded out the top five.
The Tunstall Auto and Truck Repair Street Stocks took the green for a 20 lap feature event, with Mel Wilt taking the early lead. The black and orange cars of Zac Todaro, Jeremy Shaffer, and Mike Davis battled their way from the back of the pack, to the front along with Josh Coughenour. On lap five, Shaffer was able to work his way to the top spot as he overtook Wilt. Shaffer extended his lead through the middle of the race, before Todaro and Coughenour closed the gap to make it a three car battle. With Coughenour pressuring Todaro for second place, Shaffer was able to keep both drivers behind him and pick up his first win of the season. He was followed closely by Todaro in second and Coughenour in third place. Angie Kimberly had a strong performance finishing fourth, and Aaron VanFleet rounded out the top five.
Another first career winner, graced Stoney’s Victory Lane after the Farmers Union Co-op Charger feature race, as Chase Payton led wire to wire to take the checkered flag. Payton started on the pole, took the lead, and never looked back. Dale Kimberly worked his way from his sixth starting spot, maneuvering around Steve Brown on lap six of the fifteen lap event. Payton showed notable speed all evening in his Kimberly Team Car. Kimberly and Brown raced within striking distance of the leader, but were not able to make any threat to take the win away from Payton. Kimberly finished second followed by Brown in third. Riley Hemminger placed fourth and Cody Gaynor finished fifth.
In the Somerset Trust Company Fast ‘N Furious 4-Cylinders, Brent Bickerstaff and Michael Strouse led the field to the green. Bickerstaff took the early lead from Strouse. Working his way up from the seventh starting position (after missing several weeks with engine issues), opening night winner Evan Nibert worked his way through the field, taking the lead from Bickerstaff on lap seven. While Nibert and Bickerstaff separated themselves from the field, a wild battle was aged in the middle of the pack between Strouse, Michael Saler, Andrew Pluta and Paul Koffler III. The battle lasted the entire length of the 15 lap feature event. In the end, Nibert got his second win of the season followed by Bickerstaff as runner up. Strouse held on to third place, with Saler in fourth position, and Koffler III getting the fifth place spot.
Five division action continues next Saturday night, June 22nd, with gates opening at 4pm and racing at 6pm. For more information, visit www.jennerstown.org.
Article Credit: Mike Lysakowski
