Joe Pitkavish Memorial Modified Race
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Article from Hosehead's
Lernerville "Fab Four" Racing/News and Notes
Lernerville Speedway is known as the "action track" and it continues to live up to its name each week! Friday the excitement will intensify as the Modified Class will be vying for a possible $2,550 to win. It will be the 4th Annual Joe Pitkavish Memorial Race for the Ferrante Motor Cars Modifieds. The race will pay $1,300; Todd Bachman Trucking has added $400 to the top positions. In addition to this $1,250 in lap money has been collected and the leader of each lap will receive 50 for the 25-lap event. Co-Manager Gary Risch Jr said, "We are proud to hold this race in Joe Pitkavish's honor. He was a great man and meant a lot to Modified Racing and we were happy that he received the "Gene Dewitt Outstanding Car Owner" Award that was posthumously presented in June." Pitkavish, one of Western Pennsylvania's greatest, was the Modified owner of the famed black and Orange #1. Pitkavish built and owned dirt track race cars for over 30 years. In the 1950's, Pitkavish's first race car was a flathead Ford that was driven by Bucky Walters. Paul Walters, Bob Schaefnocker, and Dick Hecker also drove the Pitkavish cars until the 1960's when Pitkavish teamed up with the hard charging New Alexandria driver "William O. "Blackie" Watt who drove the #1, powered by the notorious Hemi engine. Pitkavish was a true believer in Chrysler engines, running and winning with this power plant under the hood for over 25 years It is estimated that cars owned by Pitkavish won over 200 races in the western Pennsylvania area from the 1950's through 1986, when the long time auto repair shop owner retired from the sport. When Pitkavish hung up the wrenches in 1986, he and Watt had spent an amazing 25 years together as a team, something nearly unheard of in the volatile world of motor sports. "Would you believe that we never had a disagreement," said Watt? He further added, "Joe Pitkavish was like a father to me. He was an honest man that never cheated; he went by the rules."
Four years before Pitkavish retired, Kevin Bolland was the new kid on the block. "I remember getting educated on the pass over rule, said Bolland jokingly. Blackie told me when I tap you once move over, and if you don't, I'm going to turn you around." Bolland said that in 1982 he competed against both Watt and Wearing Sr in Merle Smith's Modified #72 and learned from them. Watt won nine races at Lernerville that year and Wearing Sr three. Bolland had just started to experiment with the tubular Cole Chassis and garnered three wins while Watt and Wearing Sr had the old style coupes. "One of my greatest moments, said Bolland was to win the big Lernerville invitational at the end of that year with both Watt and Wearing Sr behind me." Watt is still 3rd on the Lernerville Modified All-Time Win Chart with 61 victories behind Blaney- 69 and Wearing Sr- 62. Brian Swartzlander is fourth on this list with 47, Ed Lynch Sr has 39 and Bolland- 35.
Helgart Racing engines will give a $100 Hard Luck Award. Nick Patrician of Nick Chevrolet/ Pontiac is not only donating the trophy for this event and also for the Commercial Truck and Trailer Sprints, Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Models, and Advance Auto Parts Pure Stocks victor. Anyone that would like to donate monies or gift certificates to this event in Pitkavish's honor can call Jim Pitkavish 724-226-2899 or talk to Jimmy Pitkavish in the evening at 724-224-4757. Rappin' On Racin" host Don Gamble added, "Joe Pitkavish was always a quiet man; he let his cars do the talking for him!" Last year Brian Swartzlander won the event on his birthday. Swartzlander has one victory and is second in points to Bolland who tops the Budweiser Point Chart at Lernerville. Having a banner year, Bolland also tops the Presice Racing Products and Teo Pro Car Tri-City/Lernerville challenge over Rex King and leads the Tri City regular points. On the DIRT Northeast Win list, Bolland is in second tied with Tim Fuller, Billy Decker, and Brett Hearn with eight wins. Alan Johnson is in first with 10 victories in 2006.
Article from Lernerville Speedway Website
27 July 2006
Lynch, Britsky, Bolland and Lambert win on July 28 at Lernerville
"Fab Four" Racing featuring "The Joe Pitkavish Memorial Ferrante Motor Cars Modified Race"
New Brighton's Kevin Bolland captured his first Joe Pitkavish Memorial Ferrante Motor Cars Modfied 25-lap event and became the fourth different victor of this tribute at Lernerville Speedway, Friday evening. Commercial Truck and Trailer Sprint winner Ed Lynch Jr of Apollo added another feature to his All-time Sprint Win résumé of 81 and an elated John Britsky found the 25-lap Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods victory lane after four year drought, for a career second. The "man from Mars" Butch Lambert secured his third win in the Advance Auto Parts Pure Stocks. Nick Chevrolet/Pontiac provided the trophies for the evening.
Kevin Bolland earned $2050 for the victory in the 4th annual Joe Pitkavish Memorial Ferrante Motor Cars Modified race as he beat the best of the best! "When I first started driving, I used to follow "Blackie" Watt in the Pitkavish Modified," said Bolland. "I watched were he went on the track, how he drove the corners, where he passed racers; tonight I utilized those lessons." Having an excellent drive, Mark Flick immediately took charge of the race as Bolland came from 10th and moved into second by lap nine. "You have a lot of good guys out there to compete against," said Bolland. "You have to keep pressing forward and I learned to be patient coming through lapped traffic; Take them one at a time." On lap 13 Bolland's Northland Ford/Cintas Uniform/Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe/Bolland Machine/Butler Gas #777 changed lines and surged high in turn three, hanging his tire where there was little cushion left to eventually pass Flick's #2 coming out of the fourth chute. Once in front Bolland increased his lead to a straight-away to claim his fifth win at the track, 36th overall. "This win is for my Mom; she returned to UPMC Shadyside today and needs more prayers," stated Bolland."I want to thank the Pitkavish Family for organizing this great event, my pit crew for all their hard work, and this track was great!" Having an awesome season, Bolland leads the points at Lernerville and Tri-City, and tops the chart on the two tracks Precise Racing Products/Teo Pro Car Modified Challenge where Bolland has won four of seven races. In ten Fab Four events at Lernerville, Bolland has 10 top five finishes. With three laps to go Rex King checkmated Flick for the runner-up position. Holding off the strong running Del Rougeux, Russ King placed fourth. Jim Weller Jr, Keith Swartzlander, Dave Murdick, Brian Swartzlander and Joe Crawford completed the top ten. Weller Jr, Russ King, and Dave Murdick won the preliminary events.
It was the last chance for the Late Models drivers to race before the World of Outlaws "Summer Sizzler" Showdown next week; the "Russian Rocket," John Britsky found the winning combination after a four year draught to claim the 25-lap Friedmans Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model win and become the eighth different victor in ten races. Dutch Davies took the lead from David Scott on lap 16 and Britsky, who started 11th, was running third. Britsky was incredible on the bottom of the track and on the next lap he passed Scott for second. "Dutch (Davies) looked good and I thought I had a second place car and would just follow him the rest of the race; the competition is so tough here" said Britsky. "But then the track started coming to me." With two laps to go, Britsky' Betty Lou's MBR Performance/Townsend Gas and Oil/ Fleming Tire #18 closed the gap and then on turn two, dove to the inside of Davies to make the pass. Britsky became the fifth leader and then held off Davies to the checker garnering his first victory of the season. "It feels good to win here," said Britsky. "These are some of the best Late Model drivers in the country!" Coming from twelfth, last weeks winner Sam Stile placed third. Both Alex Ferree and David Scott also led the field in the early part of the race but Ferree went high over turn two in the middle of the event and lost several spots, but still finished fourth in front of Scott. "Before big race, I usually have bad luck," complained Scott. "Tonight is different and I will qualify with this set up next week!" Starting 16th, Gary Lyle claimed sixth crossing the line in front of John Flinner. Budweiser Point leader Lynn Geisler was eighth with Bob Wearing Jr and John Mollick trailing. Both Davies and Britsky captured the heat races.
The "Apollo Rocket" Ed Lynch Jr was the dominant force in the 25-lap Commercial Truck and Trailer Sprint feature as he tallied his fifth of the season, by defeating the strong running Gary Rankin. While Lynch Jr ascended from his eleventh place berth, Rankin skillfully paced the field for three laps. Arnie Kent dazzled the fans with his best run of the season, passing Rankin and guiding the class for the next six laps. Lynch Jr had moved into second behind Kent on lap 7, with Rankin third. On lap nine Kent suddenly pulled into the pits with overheating problems leaving the point to Lynch Jr's Howard Concrete/Commercial Truck & Trailer #2L. He "rocketed in to lead and was never seriously threatened the remainder of the race as Lynch Jr claimed a career 81st Sprint win, 82nd overall, leading by a full straight. In victory lane Lynch said, "I Hope everyone enjoyed this race. I also hope everyone roots for us as we go to the Knoxville Nationals in two weeks and I want to thank Nick Chevrolet for the trophy; he's been here since the track started!" An ensuing battle raged for second and on the last lap Gary Rankin narrowly nosed out Scott Priester for the runner-up position. Placing fourth, Ralph Spithaler warded of Scott Bonnell, Brent Matus, Jason Pisani, Dan Holtgraver and Dan Kuriger. In the latter portion of the race, Kevin Schaeffer had worked his way to fourth but developed mechanical problems and hung on for the tenth spot. Lynch Jr and Schaeffer won the preliminary events
Defending champion and current Budweiser Point Leader Butch Lambert, "the flame" continues his remarkable 2006 season with his third win in the 15-lap Advance Auto Parts Pure Stocks. Using the inside groove Bob Lipinski passed early leader Pat Hanley on lap three with Schreckengost running third and Lambert fourth. At the mid-point of the race, Lambert moved into second and followed Lipinski in his tracks. It looked like Lipinski might have a lock on the feature as Lambert continued to use the same line. With three laps to go, Lambert changed his route and used the "cushion" to out duel the hard charging Bob Lipinski for the victory. "I learned a lesson from the last couple of weeks, said Lambert in victory lane. "My father-in-law (Bob Kennedy) said you can't pass them when you're following them. So I tried something different and it worked." Bob Schreckengost ran a solid third to keep Scott Myers at bay. Pat Hanley, Jake Ayers, Jim Fosnaught, Ron Spangler, Dave Baker and Jason Fosnaught completed the top ten. Ken Spangler was the Stover's Net Connection Hard Charger, advancing 13 positions from the start. Greg Beach won the heat race but broke a tie-rod in the feature, stopping his win streak and Hanley scored in the second prelim.
Commercial Truck and Trailer
Sprint Feature Feature Race Notes: Started: 11
1. Ed Lynch Jr., Apollo Wins: 5 Laps: 25
2. Gary Rankin, Renfrew
3. Scott Priester, Rimersburg Lap Leaders:
4. Ralph Spithaler Jr., Evans City Gary Rankin, 1-3
5. Scott Bonnell, Fairview Arnie Kent, 4-9
6. Brent Matus, Wampum Ed Lynch Jr., 10-25
7. Jason Pisani, Pittsburgh
8. Dan Holtgraver, Pittsburgh
9. Dan Kuriger, Freedom Sprint Qualifying Race Winners:
10. Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning 1st Heat: Ed Lynch Jr. Apollo
11. Carl Bowser, Sarver 2nd Heat: Kevin Schaeffer, Kittanning
12. Charlie Holben, Cabot
13. Joe Butera, Wampum
14. Shelia Rankin, Renfrew
15. Bill Kiley, Cabot
16. Robbie Bartchy, Saxonburg
17. Arnie Kent, New Castle
Friedman's Supermarket/Bi-Lo Foods Feature Race Notes Started: 13
Late Model Feature: Wins: 1 Laps: 25
1. John Britsky, Indiana
2. Dutch Davies, Warren Lap Leaders:
3. Sam Stile, Charleroi David Scott 1-2, 10-15
4. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg Alex Ferree 3-9
5. Davis Scott, Garland Dutch Davies 16-23
6. Gary Lyle, Hyde Park John Britsky, 24-25
7. John Flinner, Zelienople
8. LynnGeisler, Cranberry Township Late Model Qualifying Race Winners:
9. Bob Wearing Jr., Renfrew 1st Heat: John Flinner, Zelienople
10. John Mollick, Toronto, OH 2nd Heat: David Scott, Garland
11. Herman Bertolini, Creighton
12. Blackie Watt, New Alexandria Raced for Joe in the past. Oldest racer at 72 1/2
13. Chuck Kennedy, Mars
14. Mike Blose, Dayton
15. Mike Hite, Kittanning
16. Jared Miley, South Park
17. Todd Bachman, Natrona Heights
18. Kerry Jackson, New Kensington
19. Tony Burke, Sarver
20. Gary Churchfield, Plum
21. Tom Bateman, Carnegie
22. Ken Schaltenbrand, Sarver
Ferrante Motors V-8 Modified Feature: Feature Race Notes Started: 10
1. Kevin Bolland, New Brighton Wins: 5 Laps: 25
2. Rex King, Bristolville, OH
3. Mark Flick, Apollo Lap Leaders:
4. Russell King, Bristolville, OH Joe Crawford, 1
5. Del Rougeux Jr., Frenchville Mark Flick, 2-12 Kevin Bolland, 13-25
6. Jim Weller Jr., Hubbard, OH
7. Keith Swartzlander, Apollo Modified Qualifying Race Winners:
8. Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock 1st Heat: Jim Weller, Hubbard, OH
9. Brian Swartzlander, Leechburg 2nd Heat:Russell King, Bristolville, OH
10. Joe Crawford, Polk 3rd Heat: Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock
11. Tom Mattocks, Franklin
12. J.R. McGinley, Fairmount City
13. Chanda Reitz, Franklin
14. Rodney Beltz, Ellwood City
15. Mike Turner, Butler
16. Mike Miller, Chicora
17. Doug Fleeger, Butler
18. Adam Kozar, Harmony
19. Shawn Kozar, Harmony
20. George Hobaugh, Karns City
21. Tom Winkle, Mars
22. Carl Murdick, Butler
23. Zack Moran, New Castle
24. Dave Reges, Butler
Advance Auto Parts Pure Stock Feature:
1. Butch Lambert, Mars Feature Race Notes Started: 4
2. Bob Lipinski, Dorseyville Wins: 3 Laps: 15
3. Paul Schreckengost, Creighton
4. Scott Myers, Franklin Pure Stock Qualifying Race Winners:
5. Pat Hanley Monroeville 1st Heat: Greg Beach, Chicora
6. Jake Ayers, Elkton, MD 2nd Heat: Butch Lambert, Mars
7. Jim Fosnaught, Bairdford
8. Ron Spangler, Prospect Lap Leaders:
9. Dave Baker, Elderton Pat Hanley, 1-3 , B. Lipinski, 4-12
10. Jason Fosnaught, Creighton Butch Lambert, 13-15
11. Wayne Carbo, Saxonburg
12. Terry Young, Butler Stover's Net Connection
13. Nick Reges, Butler Hard Charger: R. Spangler, Prospect
14. Mike Gilliland, Portersville
15. Joe Rubcic, Butler
16. Jenifer Riding, Butler
17. Greg Beach, Chicora
18. Rick Norco, New Castle
19. Bob Egley, Kittanning
20. Paul Petrovich, Gibsonia
21. Dave Galore, Indiana
22. Derek Freedline, Rochester
Notes:
Total Car Count: 87
Sprints: 18
Late Models: 23
Modifieds:24
Pure Stocks: 22