The final race of 2019 at the Jennerstown Speedway Complex was held in memory of Hall of Fame driver and car builder, the late Bill Awtey.  With a significant increase in prize money awarded to the drivers in the Martella's Pharmacies Late Model division of racing, Bill’s son Barry Awtey celebrated in Stoney's Beer Victory Lane with his family, and overwhelming emotions.  Other winners on September 21^st, included R.J. Dallape (Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modifieds), Andrew Kostelnik (Tunstall Auto & Truck Repair Street Stocks), Dale Kimberly (Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers), and rookie Michael Saylor (Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders).

The 2019 divisional titles were also determined, as the season-long accumulation of points crowned the Jennerstown Speedway Champions:  Teddy Gibala, of Coulter, PA (Martella's Pharmacies Late Models); Anthony Aiello, of White Oak, PA (Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modifieds);  Aaron Van Fleet, of Scottdale, PA (Tunstall Auto & Truck Repair Street Stocks);  Dale Kimberly, of Sutersville, PA (Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers);  Brent Bickerstaff, of Herminie, PA (Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders).

By luck of a random draw for starting spots, Barry Awtey launched from the pole position for the Martella's Pharmacies Late Models’ 30-lap “Bill Awtey Tribute” race.  But, second place starter, Mike “Hollywood” Hemminger grabbed the early lead.   Hemminger, a 2019 winner, was then passed by his mentor, Awtey, on lap two.  Sixth place starter Teddy Gibala entered the night as the top driver in the championship point standings, and he quickly advanced to third spot.  Gibala and Hemminger waged a side-by-side war for the second position, for multiple laps.  Joe Maruca spun from a top five position, forcing a caution flag, which erased Awtey’s commanding lead on lap six.  For the restart, leader Awtey chose the outside lane, to line up beside Gibala, who had just edged Hemminger to the scoring line as runner-up, before the action was halted.  As the green flag waved to begin lap seven, Gibala’s car did not accelerate as quickly as Awtey’s, and Awtey immediately opened up his largest interval over the field.  Zane Ferrell, a 2019 winner, took second place from Gibala, briefly.  Gibala returned to full speed, and re-claimed the second position.  But, Awtey was already far ahead of the pack.  Previous week’s winner, Garry Wiltrout, started eighth and quickly advanced to third position before the race was one-third complete.  However, the two-time Champion had mechanical problems and exited the race early.  Seventh place starter, Jarred Barclay, closed out his rookie season in grand style, passing several top competitors to advance into third spot, late in the race.  But, the lion’s share of the increased payout was awarded to the five time former Jennerstown Champion, Awtey, who dominated the event honoring his father.  It was the fifth time in 2019 that Awtey’s Wheeler Family Show Cattle/Stoystown Auto/Pizza Hut Chevy parked in Stoney’s victory lane;  this time with his entire family at his side.  The 2014 Street Stock division Champion, Gibala, won seven times in 2019, and sealed his first Late Model division title with a second place finish.  Former Modified winner Barclay claimed third place at the finish, with Maruca recovering from his early race incident to place fourth.  Ferrell placed fifth, after Gibala and Hemminger won the heat races earlier in the night.  Ending his 30-plus years of racing with two previous divisional Championships at Jennerstown, Rick Boyer announced his retirement and competed for the last time.

R.J. Dallape was in contention for the Stoystown Auto Wreckers Modified Championship title, and he took the lead after starting outside of row one, early in the 20-lap feature.  Anthony Aiello suffered a frightening heat race flip, but the point standings leader borrowed a car to compete in the feature race.  He started in eleventh spot.  After two straight wins, "Racin' Jason" Busch advanced to second place in just three laps, after taking the green flag in tenth position.  Although he quickly passed Cindy Shaulis and Tom Golik inside the top five, Dallape was far out in front, when Busch became the runner up.  Dallape was not only leading on the track, but he also led all drivers in total wins for 2019, before adding another trophy to his collection in the season finale.  The teenager, and 4-Cylinder division graduate, easily cruised to his fifth win of the year.   Busch finished second and Aiello drove an unfamiliar car from deep in the pack, to a third place finish - earning his second consecutive Jennerstown Championship title.  Shaulis and Golik completed the top five.  Heat races were won by Dallape, and 2019 winner Adam Kostelink, who loaned his machine to Aiello for the feature event.

The 2008 Champion of the Tunstall Auto & Truck Repair Street Stock division started from the pole position for the 20-lap feature race.  Andrew Kostelink, the younger of the racing Champion brothers, has been traveling with the televised Super Cup Stock Car Series this season, but made a few starts at Jennerstown when his schedule permitted.  Seeking his first win of the year, Kostelnik pulled away from front row starter Aaron Van Fleet, initially.  Contact from Casey Fleegle sent rookie Greg Burbidge into the outside wall, creating an early race pause; Burbidge was uninjured.  Van Fleet, a four time winner in 2019, could not keep pace with Kostelnik when racing resumed.  Defending Champion Josh Coughenour advanced from sixth at the start, to third place.  As Coughenour and Van Fleet had a thrilling duel for the second spot, Fleegle quickly worked his way through the field and created a three car fight for the runner up position.  With five laps to go, Fleegle was the second place driver, but Kostelnik was far ahead.  When the checkered flag waved, Kostelnik ended his lengthy victory drought taking home the trophy, while seven time winner Fleegle placed a distant second.  Van Fleet finished third, locking up the Championship for 2019.  Coughenour finished in fourth position, and two time winner Zac Todaro placed fifth.  Fleegle and Coughenour were the heat winners.

Veteran Kelly Shaulis grabbed the lead from fellow 2019 winner Chase Payton on lap one of 15 in the Farmers Union Co-Op Chargers’ feature.  Steven Brown, the former dirt track racer, grabbed second place on lap three after starting fourth.

Defending Champ, Dale Kimberly, stole third spot with a quick pass of his teammate Payton, on lap three.  Shaulis extended his lead for five laps, but on lap six Kimberly became the runner up.  Immediately, Kimberly threatened for the lead.  A three car battle ensued, and a full lap of door-to-door-to-door racing finally calmed down, with Kimberly as leader.  Brown, who was inches from officially leading during the three-wide tussle, emerged as the second place driver.  When the checkered flag waved, Kimberly scored his tenth win of 2019, and his second straight Championship title.  Kimberly also donated his team’s total earnings for the year, to former driver Ryan Escott, who is recovering from serious health issues.  The generous donation included every 2019 Jennerstown paycheck awarded to Kimberly and Payton.  Brown finished second, with heat race winner Shaulis, local favorite Steve Singo, and Payton completing the top five.  Justin Frampton was a popular heat race winner, after a season of terrible luck.

Somerset Trust Company Fast 'n Furious 4-Cylinders’ Rookie Michael Saylor led when the green flag waved for the 15 lap feature.  Points leader Brent Bickestaff made some quick moves to advance into second place by lap two after starting fifth.  As Saylor led, a fierce battle for third position between Andrew Pluta and Evan Nibert developed, with Pluta holding on to the position.  As the laps trickled down, Saylor extended his lead and Pluta challenged Bickerstaff, with the duo touching bumpers repeatedly in the duel for second place.  At the finish line, Saylor grabbed career victory number one, concluding his freshman season.  The win cannot be considered an upset, because Saylor posted numerous “podium finishes” prior to the winning drive, convincing fans that we would soon park in Stoney’s Victory Lane, despite his minimal experience.  Bickerstaff nailed down his second career Championship title by placing second, with Pluta, the division’s top winner of 2019, finishing third.  Defending Champ Nibert drove to a fourth place finish, with another former Champ, veteran Steve Settle, placing fifth.    Pluta and Bickerstaff were the heat race winners.