Published: June 10, 2018
(Jennerstown, PA) The all-time leading winner in the Martella's Pharmacies RUSH Late Model division of racing at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex, added another victory to his total, on Saturday June 9, becoming a repeat winner, early in the 2018 season. Rookie, Anthony Aiello, likewise became a two-time winner in the Stoystown Auto Wreckers RUSH Modifieds. Josh Coughenour notched his second win in the J&J Truck Equipment RUSH Street Stocks, as did Andrew Pluta in the Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders’ make up race, rained out from May 26. Dale Kimberly was victorious in the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers for the second straight week, and Evan Nibert won the regularly scheduled Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders’ feature. Somerset Trust Company presented “Salute To First Responders Night,” with free admission to Police, Firefighters, and EMTs, while also providing $1 Hot Dogs to fans all night long. Wheelerfleet.com also sponsored the racing action.
Barry Awtey (#75) takes second position from Mike Hemminger, en route to his second win of 2018 in the Martella’s Pharmacies Late Model division of racing, at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex.
Winning veteran Mike Hemminger took a hiatus from competition for nearly 20 years, before returning to action last year in the Martella's Pharmacies RUSH Late Models. Seeking his first win in this second chapter of his career, Hemminger impressively led laps and finished second in both of the “twin features” one week prior, which “made news” and built his confidence, heading into the 30-lap feature on June 9. He started the night by winning his heat race, and took the green flag from the third position in the feature race. Showing great strength as he has in all three nights of action so far, Hemminger battled for the lead early in the event. Bryan Shipp, a winner in 2017, led lap one after starting on the pole. By lap two, defending Champion and opening night winner Jeremiah Kuntz was in front of the pack. Hemminger was in second place, right on the rear bumper of Kuntz, and the duo fought hard for the top spot. Just like “round one” of this season, Hemminger and Kuntz dueled side by side, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. On lap 13, Barry Awtey passed Teddy Gibala for third place – both drivers were victorious last season. Awtey, who started back in the tenth position as the most recent winner, was far behind the lead battle, at the midpoint of the race, but began to gain ground. Soon, the war for position number one, was a three car fight between Kuntz, Hemminger, and Awtey. The trio raced close enough to rub fenders for several laps, until Hemminger spun in turn two, with just eight circuits remaining, damaging the front of his speedy car. On the restart, Awtey moved around Kuntz, and led the final laps, to notch his second consecutive win. Former Champion, Awtey, from nearby Jenners, PA, was also a heat race winner, aboard the Wheeler Family Cattle/Stoystown Auto/Pizza Hut Chevrolet. Second through fifth place finishers were Kuntz, Gibala, Shipp, and former Champion Garry Wiltrout, who battled back after a spin in middle stages of the race.
In the eventful 20-lap feature for the Stoystown Auto Wreckers RUSH Modifieds, the drivers who started back in row number five, methodically made their way to the front of the field. Early on, two time 2017 winner, “Racin’ Jason” Busch, took the lead from his pole starting position, and outran Tom Golik, who started third. Golik was also a two-time winner last year, and the veterans remained in front of all competitors through the halfway mark of the race. Former Street Stock Champ Anthony Aiello started ninth, after winning one week prior, as a rookie to the Modified division. On lap twelve, Aiello moved around Golik for second place. A caution flag on lap 13 for a stalled car, allowed Aiello to restart on Busch’s rear bumper. Aiello passed the race-long leader with just five laps to go. Defending Champion Chris Brink started in tenth place, and was the runner up by lap 15. He chased down Aiello, but could not make a pass for the win. When the checkered flag waved, Aiello, from the Pittsburgh neighborhood of White Oak, won for the second straight week, with last year’s leading winner, Brink, finishing in second, ahead of Busch who placed third, after winning his heat race. Veteran Gary Scott smoothly worked his way from the seventh starting position into fourth place, and Golik finished fifth after winning his heat race.
Seeking his second career win the the division, Aaron Van Fleet led the first six laps of the 20-lap J&J Truck Equipment RUSH Street Stock feature event. On lap seven, opening night winner Josh Coughenour passed Van Fleet for the top spot; it would be the winning pass. On the same lap, Zach Todaro also passed Van Fleet, seeking his first ever victory. Coughenour dominated the first round of action this season, in a way that frightened all competitors. In round two, however, he was never able to catch up to the leader. But in this third event of 2018, Coughenour again displayed the speed to confirm that he will be “the man to beat” as the season continues. Winning for the second time in three races, Coughenour crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of young Todaro, who seems poised to find victory lane at some point this year. Van Fleet and Rick Meehleib placed third and fourth. Meehleib, the most veteran driver in the field, won the heat race earlier in the night. Previous week’s winner Mel Wilt finished in fifth place.
For the second straight week, the 15-lap Farmers Union Co-Op Charger feature action, made fans breathless, with late race drama. Veterans Scott Mitchell and Dale Kimberly had a thrilling duel, just as they did one week prior. Although Mitchell crossed the finish line first, seemingly reversing the result from June 2, his car was disqualified in post-race inspection. So, Kimberly was awarded the victory for the second straight week, after starting in tenth place. Defending Champion Jason Pritts started seventh and finished second. Rookie, and dirt track racing convert, Dan Jackson had a stunning performance to finish third in his third race, and Cody Gaynor placed fourth. Jason Garchak finished fifth in his first start of the year. Kimberly won his heat race, as did Emily Shaulis, driving her 1974 Ford Torino.
The rescheduled 15-lap feature race for the Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders, from May 26, began with defending Champion Brent Bickerstaff leading lap one. His arch rival from 2017, Andrew Pluta, started in fifth place and was the runner up by lap two. On lap four, Pluta made the winning pass, and led the remaining laps for his second win of 2018. Evan Nibert made an impressive charge, finishing in second place after starting in 13th position. A winner in 2017, David Campbell finished third, with Bickerstaff and Aaron Karasack completing the top five.
Evan Nibert won for the first time in his career during 2017, and in the regularly scheduled Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders feature event, he led every lap, en route to a dominant first victory of 2018. He was never challenged, after starting in third place, and he ran away from Andrew Pluta, David Campbell, Brent Bickerstaff, and Brian Noel, who placed second through fifth, respectively. Pluta and Aaron Karasack were the heat race winners.
This Saturday, June 16, “Motor Mountain Mania” will include five division racing, and offer fans a chance to meet the drivers and touch the cars on “Autograph Night,” with an on-track meet and greet session before the start of racing action. Also, a pair of winged Sprint Cars will have a practice session/exhibit, in preparation for the nationally televised Extreme Sprint Car Tour event coming to Jennerstown Speedway on June 23, 2018. Gates open at 4pm.
