Mahoning Valley Speedway Modified Soring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” to be streamed on dirttrackdigest.tv
The Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” set for Sunday afternoon, May 22 at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway has been growing with excitement especially with a track record first place payout of no less than $7000-to-win and $1200 to take the green. Aside from that there are numerous monetary and contingency prizes that will be presented. There will even be a non-qualifiers race if 40 or more cars are signed in and that number is nearing. With all the hype leading into the final week before the big event asphalt Modified teams from near and far have been showing much intent in the special race being held in honor of the late car owner Tom Wanick Jr., who passed away unexpectedly in January. And as the interest grows so too does the opportunity to showcase the unique style of racing at the paved quarter mile oval to fans and drivers that will be converging on the Jack Carlino owned facility. However, for those who cannot make it there is a still a great way to not miss any of the action as the event will be live streamed on the popular dirttrackdigest.tv streaming web outlet. “We’re very excited to be able to present our wide spectrum of fans the opportunity to view the Tom Wanick Memorial 150 at Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said owner/managing editor Mike Mallett. “I had the chance to check out the races there and it’s amazing how the Modifieds and all their classes get around that little bullring. You’re constantly watching two and three wide racing.” dirtrackdgest.tv is well known for streaming dirt track races across the northeast but this not a new venture into asphalt racing. Last year’s Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway was produced by them as too were the Len Sammons Productions Indoor events from Allentown and Syracuse.
“First and foremost our goal is to have as many fans at the track, we highly encourage that. Our mission is to partner with the speedways we go to and provide the best production possible with our award winning videographers and production crews,” added Mallett. “Getting the chance to come to a track like Mahoning Valley is going to be a great for everyone. And we don’t just stream it with us but also partner with SpeedSportTV and several other affiliates. We’re all looking forward to this big race at Mahoning Valley and getting to show the racing world the awesome product they have there.” Mallett noted that the entire program will be broadcast starting with heats and then features for not just the Modifieds but the Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks as well which are also on the card.
To sign-up for a subscription to the Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” just simply go to the website https://www.dirttrackdigest.tv/ click on subscribe in the upper right hand corner and following the prompts. On race day Sunday the action gets underway starting at 2:00 pm.
Mahoning Valley Speedway bows out to another rainy forecast on May 14
(Lehighton 5-14-22) It seems like deja vu once again at Mahoning Valley Speedway as for the fourth time in six weeks rain and wet conditions have forced the cancelation of Saturday night racing. The weather forecast for the Lehighton and surrounding area is very unfavorable with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon leading into a higher percentage of more rain for the evening has left officials little choice but to cancel for the day. The Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial Pro 4 26 will be rescheduled to a later date as will the “Where Are They Now” segment and Kids Big Wheels.Next up on the schedule will be the Sunday afternoon, May 22 Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150.” With a record $7000-to-win and over 30 Modified teams already signed up and more expected on race day, the event is shaping up to be a huge day of asphalt racing for fans of the paved ¼-mile oval.
Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will also be in action.
The track will hold an open practice on Saturday, May 21 from noon to 4:00 pm.
On race day Sunday the action gets underway starting at 2:00 pm.
Ward Crozier Sr., Pro 4 Memorial 26 + “Where Are They Now” highlight Mahoning Valley Speedway action this coming Saturday night…Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks & Futures on card + Kids Big Wheel races
After suffering a third rainout last weekend Mahoning Valley Speedway swings back into action this coming Saturday evening, May 14 at 6:00 pm with a full slate of stock car racing and much more. On tap is the Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial 26 for Pro 4s. The race is being presented in honor of the late great track owner/promoter who brought the facility back to life in 1987. Crozier introduced the Pro 4 division, previously known as the 4-Cylinders, in 1988 and since then remains a mainstay of weekly competition. The race winner of the 26-lap feature will be awarded $400 plus there will be a basket raffle with the proceeds all going towards the purse. Additionally, added money will be disbursed throughout the finishing order all courtesy of Dottie Farkas. In the most recent Pro 4 feature Randy Schaffer won a thriller over Tyler Stangle. It was Schaffer’s career first win. The speedway will also host a “Where Are They Now” segment. Introduced last season in which past greats are invited to have a Meet and Greet with fans and talk over their careers. From the get-go it was a huge hit. Coming in will be former Street Stock stars Ed Altemose, Eric Aigeldinger and brother Bob and Rich Pursell. Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action too. Earl Paules won the Sport Mod opener on April 30 while Nick Ross won the Late Model feature and set a class record for consecutive wins at six and counting. Jillian Snyder scored the Street Stock main and is the current point leader while Corey Edelman extended his Hobby Stock wins record to 23. Parker Ahner pulled off a last lap pass and won his career first Futures race. Kids Big Wheel race will also take place during intermission and are sponsored by Kutz Racing.
Race time is 6:00 pm. Pit gates open at 11:00 am. Early paid practice will take place from noon to 3:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 4:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 6:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $15. Pits are $40. Driver sign-ins are from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm.
Saturday, May 7 Mahoning Valley Speedway races are cancelled due to rain forecast
(Lehighton 5-6-22) With the impending forecast for rain throughout most of the day Saturday and into the evening Mahoning Valley Speedway officials have made the decision to cancel the races now rather than play the waiting game and to better allow their fans, race teams and staff to proceed with alternate weekend plans. Virtually every weather model shows the same forecast of cloudy and periods of rain and then much of the same heading into the evening hours. Looking ahead to the following weekend, Saturday, May 14, there will be a six division show of stock car racing featuring Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 6:00 pm. The Pro 4s will contest in the Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial 26 which was originally slated for this weekend. The 26-lap feature will pay $400-to-win and have additional money spread throughout the field. There will also be a “Where Are They Now” segment. This popular highlight brings together past racing personalities for a meet and greet with fans. Taking part in the event will be former Street Stock drivers from the 1987 season including Bob and Rich Pursell, Ed Altemose and Eric Aigeldinger.
The following Sunday, May 22 is the much anticipated Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial” 150. This race is the richest paying event ever staged at Mahoning Valley paying no less than $7000-to-win, $4000 for second, $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. There are a number of other monetary and product incentives including a $1000 bonus to the highest finishing SK/Crate 602/Sport Mod car. For Sport/Crate Mod teams there is a $1000 bonus to the highest finishing car that makes the feature and if anyone who races those cars are in need of bigger wheels they should contact Tom Wanick III at 570-579-5011 and he will be more than happy to assist. The race will begin at 2:00 pm and also include the Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks in regular point events. Complete information on the Wanick Memorial can be found on Mahoning’s website.
Earl Paules motors to Mahoning Sportsman Modified win: Nick Ross’ Late Model victory was a record setter on April 30
(Lehighton 4-30-22) As the all-time wins leader at Mahoning Valley Speedway Earl Paules of Palmerton showed his mastery of the paved ¼-mile oval yet again as the “Hurricane” cruised to his 66th overall victory, taking the checkers in the first Sportsman Modified feature of the season. This was Paules’ first start of the year at Mahoning and he began it the same way he ended last season, in Victory Lane.
Paules started third and within three laps passed Troy Bollinger for the lead. Thereafter he was on cruise control as he steadily pulled away from the pack and also negotiated his way through traffic perfectly in a race that went caution-free over the 25 lap distance. When he exited his car he asked, ‘Was anyone close?’ The answer was a definite no as he was just no match on this night. The victory was also his 89th on asphalt.
“It went pretty good out there and I firstly want to thank my wife Danielle for all her support and of course all the fans for coming out tonight and supporting Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said Paules. Nick Baer was a solid second all the while Paules led but all he could do was watch as there was no catching the steady-paced No. 8 which went on the a 2.096-second margin of victory. Bollinger took third with 2021 champ Jaden Brown and Paulie Hartwig III rounding out the top five. “I couldn’t catch Troy in the heat race so we made a lot of changes after that. And having him and Nick (Baer) in front of us for the start of the feature, those are two guys haven’t won in a while and they were going to be hungry and I knew I needed to unload then quick,” said Paules.
“There’s also some good young talent coming in this year and they all ran well. This is a very affordable Modified division and you can learn a lot to move up to the next level.”
The Late Model division has been competing at Mahoning Valley since 1970 and for Nick Ross of White Haven his win was one for the record books as the reigning champion collected his sixth consecutive feature dating back to last season. Ross started on the outside for the front row alongside two-time champion Frankie Althouse and after successive two-by-two laps that saw Althouse slightly ahead. Ross was scored the leader at the start of lap three and once in front he gradually went into his own zone and put a safe enough gap between himself and the rest of the field. As Ross led there was some great action going on behind him as Althouse and Mark Hudson where in a torrid back and forth battle. That lasted until lap 13 when Althouse spun in Turn 3. Seven laps later his night came to an abrupt end when he crashed hard into the front straight wall. And despite those two cautions that bunched the field it never hindered Ross as on each restart he blasted ahead and went on to a three car length victory over Hudson who notched his career best Mahoning finish. Mike VanFossen was back in a car for the first time in several seasons and took third with Geno Steigerwalt and Brandon Turbush rounding out the top five.
Jillian Snyder of Slatington proved best among the Street Stocks as the personable driver of the Long Motorsports No. 97 ran a strong race en route to winning her seventh career feature. Snyder started sixth and with the aid a few restarts picked her way frontward, not to mention some savvy passing as well, she was up to second spot by lap 10 and closing on then leader Cody Geist. Another two laps clicked off and she was ahead the pack. There was no looking back from that point on as she proceeded on a smooth path to victory. Thomas Flanagan raced into second after Snyder took the lead and was stout in keeping within the tire tracks of the winner.
In the Hobby Stocks it was Corey Edelman of Northampton holding off Shayne Geist in a close verdict. Edelman grabbed the lead from his outside front row starting spot and soon after was able to distance himself from the field. With a slew on nonstop laps that lead was growing ever larger, however, things changed when the only caution of the race waved with seven laps to go and on that restart Edelman was now engaged in an intense battle with Geist who hounded him relentlessly over the waning laps. In spite of the heavy pressure that Geist was apply, Edelman held his ground and hit the finish line bumper to bumper and in the process extended his class leading wins total to 23.
Palmerton’s Parker Ahner pulled off a daring last lap move on Adam Steigerwalt and came out as the winner of the Futures main event. Ahner worked hard to get the job done as he was involved in a three wide incident while battling for the lead with Steigerwalt and Michael Klotz and suffered a flat from that tussle and had to pit. When he returned with eight laps to go he quickly stormed back toward the leaders, first unseating Klotz and then zeroed in on Steigerwalt.
Sticking to the bottom of the track Ahner squeezed to the inside of Steigerwalt and coming off the final turn with the checkers in sight he eked out the win, his first ever in a stock car coming in just his second start.
Sportsman Modified feature finish (25 laps) 1. Earl Paules, 2. Nick Baer, 3. Troy Bollinger, 4. Jayden Brown, 5. Paulie Hartwig III, 6. Don Wagner, 7. Al Arthofer, 8. Brody George, 9. Terry Markovic, 10. Greyson Ahner, 11. Deegen Underwood
Late Model feature finish (25 laps): 1. Nick Ross, 2. Mark Hudson, 3. Mike VanFossen, 4. Geno Steigerwalt, 5. Brandon Turbush, 6. Seth VanFossen, 7. Todd Cooper, 8. Jacob Kerstetter, 9. Brooks Smith, 10. Frankie Althouse, 11. Paul Cummings
Street Stock feature finish (30 laps): 1. Jillian Snyder, 2. Tommy Flanagan, 3. Johnny bennett, 4. Todd Ahner, 5. Thomas Flanagan, 6. Mark Deysher, 7. Brandon Christman, 8. Jamie Smith, 9. Logan Boyer, 10. Randy Green, 11. Jeremy Scheckler, 12. Cody Geist, 13. Tucker Muffley, 14. Stacey Brown
Hobby Stock feature finish (25 laps): 1. Corey Edelman, 2. Shayne Geist, 3. BJ Wambold, 4. Justin Merkel, 5. Jacob Boehm, 6. Travis Solomon, 7. James Tout, 8. Lyndsay Buss, 9. Dave Kerr, 10. Mallory Kutz, 11. Tad Snyder, 12. Don Bauder, 13. Jared Frye, 14. Ralph Borger Jr., 15. Ed Herman, 16. Nick Kerstetter, 17. Cody Boehm
Futures feature finish (15 laps): 1. Parker Ahner, .2 Adam Steigerwalt, 3. Michael Klotz, 4. Maggie Yeakel, 5. Mayson Moyer, 6. Gabrielle Steigerwalt, 7. Reid Levengood, 8. Makayla Kohler
“Mr. Outside” Rod Snyder Jr., is once again a Mahoning Modified winner on Opening Night April 23
(4-23-22) The third attempt of getting the 2022 season underway at Mahoning Valley Speedway proved to be well worth the wait as race hungry fans witnessed one of the most prolific drivers to ever turn a lap at the paved ¼-mile oval make a triumphant return to Victory Lane as 58-year old Rod Snyder Jr., of Lehighton drove to his first Modified win in 15 years.
Snyder – a five time track champion (1995-99) – had been on hiatus since 2007 but made a comeback two years ago with JD Motorsports, only running a partial schedule. However, the team felt they were ready to make a full season commitment and in Saturday night’s opener came loaded for bear. Snyder was the quickest car during heat races giving the early indication of just how the night would go. The feature began with Brian DeFebo leading early on while holding off Austin Kochenash and then Zane Zeiner. While battling closely DeFebo and Zeiner got into each other on lap 12 and handed the lead over to Lou Strohl with Kochenash, Snyder and Kyle Strohl in tow. It was after that restart the driver dubbed “Mr. Outside” went into his all too familiar high line style. He ran a few side-by-side laps before picking off Kochenash and then still riding the top lane did the same to L. Strohl and at the start of lap 22 was in the lead of a feature for the first time in 15 years. In the handful of starts the past two years it never really gave the team enough opportunity to showcase what they had. On this night, however, this was classic Rod Snyder at his finest as the rest of the way he left no doubt he was the car to beat, driving off to a two car length margin of victor over K. Strohl. “We lost so many close family and friends over the past two years and it felt as though someone else was driving this car tonight and it wasn’t me. The guys on this team do an awesome job and our performances may not have shown that but I assure you it’s there and it’s going to continue to show,” said Snyder. “All those guys out there tonight are really good, Brian (DeFebo), Zane (Zeiner), Austin (Kochenash) all raced hard but things unfortunately happened in front of us and honestly I feel we had the best car tonight. The track was great and the car was great.” Kochenash was third with L. Strohl and Cody Kohler rounding out the front five.
In the Street Stocks reigning champion TJ Gursky of Palmerton picked up right where he left off, in Victory Lane. Gursky closed out 2021 with a win and started this season the same way.
For half the race Gursky and pole sitter Brandon Christman battled in a rubber match as they exchanged the lead several times. It wasn’t until a lap-18 restart that Gursky finally said enough was enough and sprung to the front for good.
As the race went on he was then able extend his lead and cruise effortlessly to his 34th overall career win.
Christman remained surefooted in taking second spot with Stacey Brown, Todd Ahner and Randy Ahner Jr., completing the top five.
Thrilling is only one of several exciting ways to describe the Hobby Stock feature as the battle for the lead went on from lap one to 25 and when the checkers waved it was Lehighton’s Travis Solomon who earned a hard fought victory. Matter of fact Solomon didn’t factor into play until very late in the going. At the outset Justin Merkel lead but was under immense pressure from BJ Wambold, Cody Boehm and Shayne Geist. Nearly every lap from the aforementioned where being run under a tight blanket with quite a few circuits going in three wide formation. With nine laps to go a caution was out when the lead pack came upon slower traffic and Geist got tripped up and spun. Just prior to that Boehm had been scored as the leader. Boehm’s time at the front was short lived as Merkel retook the lead and at the same time Solomon powered his way to second although Boehm was still right there. Solomon then hounded Merkel and waited for just the right time to strike and it came with three laps left as he edged his way to the front and then clung to a narrow victory, his sixth with the class. Merkel, Boehm, Wambold and Tad Snyder rounded out the top five.
For Randy Schaffer of Catasaugua, all you can say is “Finally!” After being a perennial bridesmaid in the Pro 4 for oh-to-long he definitively landed that elusive career first win and it came in quite the barnburner too.
Tyler Stangle had the lead from the get-go and was steadily maintaining consistent laps while keeping everyone else at bay.
But Schaffer, who had been racing close with Jake Kibler, was able to shake free of that battle and then began to zero in on Stangle. With one lap to go he then made a squeeze play inside of Stangle and they went side-by-side right to the finish where Schaffer just eked ahead for the win.
Adam Steigerwalt of Lehighton held off a very determined Parker Ahner to claim the 15-lap Futures feature. Ahner was just about ready to complete an inside pass for the lead with three laps to go when the caution waved and negated his effort. On the restart
Steigerwalt raced perfectly in the remaining laps to secure the win with Ahner a close second.
Modified Feature finish (35 laps): 1. Rod Snyder Jr., 2. Kyle Strohl, 3. Austin Kochenash, 4. Lou Strohl, 5. Cody Kohler, 6. Josh
Scherer, 7. Brian DeFebo, 8. Jesse Strohl, 9. Nick Baer, 10. Carl Altemose, 11. Gene Bowers, 12. Jacob Kerstetter, 13. Terry Markovic, 14. Geary Rinehimer Jr., 15. Zane Zeiner, 16. Wes Gilbert, 17. Gunnar Zeiner
Street Stock feature finish (30 laps): 1. TJ Gursky, 2. Brandon Christman, 3. Todd Ahner, 4. Stacey Brown, 5. Randy Ahner Jr., 6. Jillian Snyder, 7. Johnny Bennett, 8. Mark Deysher, 9. Tommy Flanagan, 10. Thomas Flanagan, 11. Tucker Muffley, 12. Logan Boyer, 13. Randy Green, 14. Scott Lesher, 15. Bobby Kibler Jr., 16. Jamie Smith, 17. Jason Finken, 18. Al Arthofer, 19. Cody Geist
Pro 4 feature finish (20 laps): 1. Randy Schaffer, 2. Tyler Stangle, 3. Jake Kibler, 4. Cody Kohler, 5. Kadie Pursell, 6. Terry Peters, 7. Ken Reeder
Hobby Stock feature finish (25 laps): 1. Travis Solomon, 2. Justin Merkel, 3. Cody Boehm, 4. BJ Wambold, 5. Tad Snyder, 6. Lyndsay Buss, 7. Shayne Geist, 8. Jacob Boehm, 9. Nick Schaeffer, 10. Don Bauder, 11. Ed Herman, 12. Mallory Kutz, 13. Nicholas Kerstetter, 14. Ralph Boger Jr., 15. Dave Kerr, 16. Jared Green, 17, Jared Frye, 19. Dave Imler Jr., 20. Tony Hilliard, 21. Doug DeHaven DNS: James Tout
Futures feature finish (15 laps): 1. Adam Steigerwalt, 2. Parker Ahner, 3. Makayla Kohler, 4. Michael Klotz, 5. Maggie Yeakel, 6. Lexus Kutz, 7. Rocco Proccacini, 9. Gabrielle Steigerwalt
Mahoning Valley Speedway will try for a third time to get 2022 season underway
(Lehighton 4-17-22) Starting with pre-season Test and Tune and then the first two weeks of the scheduled events of racing has been a challenge to say the least for fans and teams at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway as cancellations and postponements have certainly hampered efforts to get little if any on track activities of the 2022 races underway. But with positive thinking as the best solution the popular paved ¼-mile oval remains resolute and will be ready to yet again host the season opener this coming Saturday, April 23 starting at 5:00 pm. Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be on the card for a compete show of heats and features. Pit gates open at 10:30 am. Early paid practice will take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 3:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 5:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $14. Pits are $40. Coming up in two weeks on Saturday, April 30 the Sportsman Modified and Late Models will get to race for first time after falling victim to this past weekend’s rainout. A reminder to all Modified race teams that pre-registration is still open for the May 22 Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150.” This is a $7000-to-win/150 lap feature with $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. Car registration is $100 if postmarked by May 9. Afterwards it will be $150. Registration forms can be found on the track’s website or the following link: http://www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com/uploads/1/1/8/6/11865016/tom_wanick_jr._memorial_pre_registration_form_v3.pdf
Freddy Hamm Tribute reset for June 25
The April 10 weather postponed Freddy Hamm Tribute at Mahoning Valley Speedway has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 25. The event was slated as race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series with twin 45-lap features for the Modifieds along with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. However, rain and snow passed over the speedway at the scheduled 2:00 pm start time and officials along with members of the Hamm family felt it was in the best interest to call of the show and reset it for a later date. After discussing the best available date it was decided on June 25 as the make-up day.
With that wrist bands from Sunday, April 10 will be good for either the next two regular Saturday shows, April 16 and 23 (no monetary refund) or the next two Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series events on either June 11, the Dave Schlenker Tribute or June 25 the re-scheduled Freddy Hamm Tribute. Also, for the Freddy Hamm Tribute there will be a complete redraw of heat starting spots for the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks.
Snow and Rain on April 10 force postponement of Mahoning Valley Speedway Freddy Hamm Tribute
(Lehighton 4-10-22) The much anticipated Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series Freddy Hamm Tribute – the kickoff event to the 2022 season at the paved ¼-mile oval in Lehighton – was called when on and off rain and snow befell throughout the day Sunday. As the 2:00 pm race time neared so too did yet another passing snow squall followed by more rain. It was at that point officials made the decision to throw in the towel and call off the event. After conferring with family members of the late Freddy Hamm who were on hand for the race, it was decided that a make-up date will take place later in the year that will be favorable for all parties. At the present details are being worked on for the suitable date. All wristbands from both pits and grandstands Sunday are to be saved for the make-up race which will be announced very soon. Sunday was actually the second try at putting on the races. The day before was the original date but rain and flooding forced that cancellation and all activities to be moved back to the next day. In between Saturday and Sunday track crews worked tirelessly and into the late night pumping out water in order to have a race-ready track. That effort went right up until the first cars rolled out on Sunday but inopportunely Mother Nature had other plans. Despite that the four classes, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures did at least get in a few rounds of warm-ups. This was to be race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS), a special five race series that pays tribute to select individuals who played a key role in the history of Mahoning and Dorney Park Speedways. The following MVSHoFS event will be the Dave Schlenker Tribute on June 11. Next up will be the start of point racing. On Saturday evening, April 16 at 5:00 pm Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action. The Modifieds will be back for their first point race on Saturday, April 23.
Pit gates open at 11:00 am. Early paid practice will take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 3:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 5:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $14. Pits are $40.
Mahoning Valley Speedway wraps up pre-season with Test and Tune…Freddy Hamm Tribute to kick off 2022 season on April 9
With just one week before Mahoning Valley Speedway’s opening event – the Freddy Hamm Tribute – racers took advantage of the final Test and Tune day on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at the paved ¼-mile oval in preparation of the 56th season opener. On hand was a very respectable representation of cars that will be competing throughout the year and judging by the turnout there is a very eager feeling of excitement heading into this upcoming Saturday, April 9 when race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS) takes place. “I feel that with the really good car count we had it clearly gives us a good indication that we’ll have a solid field for all classes for the season opener and not only by the number of cars we had for Test and Tune but likewise with those who we already know will be coming that weren’t on hand,” stated Track Operations Manager Todd Baer. “We’re honored to be hosting one of the all-time greats Freddy Hamm and his tribute race. He was a great ambassador to this area’s asphalt racers and we couldn’t think of a better way to start off this year’s Hall of Fame Series.” Throughout the day-long Test and Tune session drivers took to the track while continuing to tweak their cars after each time out and it showed too as both veterans and rookies dropped lapped times. “Everything went well from on the track activity to inspections. We actually had no major incidents that would have caused us to halt any of the action and I was impressed with the good showing of rookies who all did well too,” Baer went on to say.
“There has been a lot of work over the off season in all aspects. We have some changes in place and all for the greater good. One of the things I’m looking forward to is plenty of hands-on activities we have planned for the kids and their involvement on a weekly basis.
“Our team will be ready and come Opening Day I feel you will see a some great racing which is what everyone comes to expect here at Mahoning,”
On Opening Day the Modifieds will run in a pair of 45 lap features. The 45-lap distance is in honor of Hamm’s signature No. 45 car. Also in action will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
There will be a draw for heat line-ups and redraw for the features. While there is a separate point tally for the MVSHoFS, all drivers signed in will additionally receive 50 show-up points towards the regular season championship with the exception of the Futures which who will collect regular points.
Mahoning Valley Speedway holds first on track activity with Test and Tune On March 26-27
Despite damp, cold and even snowy weather conditions, Mahoning Valley Speedway was able to withstand the odds and conduct two days of Test and Tune on Saturday and Sunday.
In what was the first official on track activity of 2022, those race teams who took advantage of the twin daytime sessions were able to get in ample track time in working out the bugs from the hours of hard work put into their respective cars during the season.Veterans and rookies alike where on hand and in typical first time out for the new season the Hobby Stock class was most prevalent. In advance of the upcoming April 9 Opening Night Freddy Hamm Tribute which is race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series, the On Saturday and Sunday, April 2 & 3 from noon to 4:00 pm, the final Test and Tune will be held and the extended forecast is looking much more favorable.Test and Tune is open to any type of race car provided they are fitted with a roll cage and proper safety equipment.It is highly suggested that Mahoning Valley’s teams take advantage of this final pre-season tune-up to bring their cars to the track for safety inspections which will have a reduced time Weekend pit gates will open at 11:00 am on each of the designated days. Track activity will run from noon to 4:00 pm. Pits are $10 per person and $25 per car. Grandstands are free to Also season passes will be available for purchase. Season pass pricing is as follows, adults $275 (average $12 per race) students 11+ and seniors 65+ $240 (average $10 per race).
On Opening Day the Modifieds will run in a pair of 45 lap features. The 45-lap distance is in honor of Hamm and his signature No. 45 car. Also in action will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
Freddy Hamm Tribute to kick off 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway season on April 9
On Saturday evening, April 9 Mahoning Valley Speedway will get the 2022 season underway with the Freddy Hamm Tribute which is race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS). Always identified by his signature Dennis Hilbert owned No. 45, the Modifieds will compete in a pair of 45-lap features. Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will also be in action. Race time is 5:00 pm. The eastern Pennsylvania asphalt racing community lost one of its most iconic figures when Hamm passed away Friday, August 21, 2021 after a bout with cancer at age 74. The longtime Kutztown resident was among the inaugural class of the Dorney Park Speedway-Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame inductees in 2011. Hamm began racing Hobby Stocks at Dorney Park then advanced into the Sportsman Modifieds raced with a tremendous amount of success at the Park and likewise at Mahoning Valley Speedway and Evergreen Raceway. He is the only driver to have won track championships at all three facilities. Over his career he earned a boundless amount of respect from his legion of fans as well as his counterparts. It was perhaps that trait he is most associated with and puts him head and shoulders above the rest as an affable racer and champion. Steve Barrick, president of Program Dynamics who supplied the weekly program books at Dorney and Mahoning Valley, recalled how Hamm made a lasting impression with him.
“When we started at Dorney Park it was in 1975 and Freddy had just made the transition from Late Models and into the Sportsman (Modifieds) and he had a great fan following and great reputation as a top driver and it didn’t take long to figure out why he had both because he really could get around Dorney Park probably as well as anyone in his era. “And he also did most of his racing there without basically getting on the receiving end of what usually happened to the close contact there. He never drove over his head or ever got a wheel wrong,” offered Barrick. “I can’t ever remember honestly him being flagged for rough-riding or being sent to the rear for being involved in someone else’s wreck that he was attributed for having caused. As a result of that he had a tremendous amount of respect among his competitors who were used to roughing each other up and he in turn did not do that and in spite of that was able to win a lot of races and championships.” Hamm indeed had a commonality when it came to winning and collecting titles. His first win was in 1974 at Dorney Park in a Sportsman Modified and he unremittingly continued to do so until 1997 when his final victory occurred at Evergreen Raceway. During that span he won seven championships including a record five at the Park and one each at Mahoning and Evergreen.
Hamm was also many times over Most Popular Driver contest winner between Dorney and Mahoning. “That never came as a surprise and based on the way the Most Popular Driver contest results where during the period of time he was at Dorney I would have to say, even though we never kept the tallies, there was a good chance he probably would have gotten more votes for Most Popular Driver than anyone else and by far and the same goes for when he transitioned over to Mahoning,” noted Barrick. Throughout his career whenever Hamm’s name was mentioned it was commonly followed by how respectful a person he was both on and off the track.
“The best way I can describe Freddy Hamm is that he was the consummate professional. He was always so calm and collective both on and off the track. Growing up and watching him my brother and I admired him because he was so methodical in his driving as always the professional,” said former Dorney and Mahoning champion John Markovic who, along with his brother Terry Markovic, continue competing today at Mahoning Valley. “He was a race car driver who had all his wits about him. He did it because he loved it and you never seen Freddy emit any types of bad emotions. People idolized him because of how he handled himself as a race car driver, never wild or crazy or argumentative. He was a unique breed of driver who always kept his emotion intact, a true professional.”
When Dorney closed in 1986 Hamm finished off with 19 wins there and like most everyone else then headed over to the reopening of Mahoning Valley Speedway the following year. In short order be became a winner, scoring 10 victories between 1988 and 1991. By the mid-1990s Hamm took his talents to Evergreen Raceway where he had already won during the late ‘70s. His 37 total career wins came over three different decades. "Freddy was the guy you looked up to and liked and loved because of what he stood for,” added Markovic.“When he and Dennis (Hilbert) showed up they were always prepared. When they pulled in you knew you could be running for second place that night.”
The Freddy Hamm Tribute will be the first of five MVSHoFS events. The unique races is designed to honor those Hall of Famers who laid the foundation for today’s current day racers. “It’s great that he’s being honored. I feel that it’s important that guys like Freddy be recognized as much as anybody as one of the individuals who made the transition from Dorney to coming to Mahoning and really adapting and succeeding well,” Barrick said. “Honoring Freddy is in a sense honoring the whole Pennsylvania asphalt Modified tradition when you think of how well he raced at Dorney and then Mahoning and Evergreen.”
The MVSHoFS is contested amongst the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks. There will be a separate tally of points for each class and at the conclusion of the five events the top three will receive point fund monies. Drivers must compete in each of the five races in order to be eligible for the point fund money. A nominal entry fee to run each is required. The point fund breakdown is as follows: $1500, $1000 and $500 to the top three in Modifieds. $1000, $600 and $400 for the Street Stocks and $500, $300 and $200 for the Hobby Stocks
Cone races to be part of weekly Mahoning Valley Speedway features
Cone races where introduced to Mahoning Valley Speedway a few years ago as a way to enhance line-ups following cautions as well as playing a role in the outcome of that particular event. Cone races have since been held sporadically, however, starting this season fans will be seeing them on a regular basis as at least one division per week will compete in that format. It was decided that prior to the night’s racing a random pick will be held to choose which class will then run their feature as a cone race. This will be ongoing throughout the year. In the event a class has been picked two consecutive weeks then on the third week they will not be included in that evening’s draw. Also, several events this year are already designated as cone races and on those night’s there will be no draw. On Opening Night, April 9, race number two of the Freddy Hamm Tribute Twin 45’s will be the first cone race of the season. Others include the Dave Schlenker Tribute Twin-38s for Street Stocks on June 11 and the July 9 50-lap Mike Krempasky Street Stock Memorial. Mahoning Valley will be holding Test and Tune days on Saturday, March 26 and again on Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3 from noon to 4:00 pm.
Opening night is April 9 which will be Race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series and the Freddy Hamm Tribute Modified Twin-45s. Also on the card will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
Randy Schlenker named 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway Race Director
Track management of Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway has announced that former four-time champion Randy Schlenker of Whitehall, has been appointed Race Director of the paved ¼-mile oval. After narrowing down the likely candidates that were being considered for the job, Schlenker was ultimately chosen to fill the opening based on his knowledge and history of the speedway and objective plan to run the races. “At the end of last season we had the race director spot open up and there was a number of reputable applicants that showed interest,” said Mahoning owner/promoter Jack Carlino.“After carefully viewing the list we felt that that Randy (Schlenker) would best be the guy to conduct the program. He knows the track, he knows the drivers and he and his family has a long history with us. We’re proud to bring him into the fold and are confident of his ability to be fair with all classes and drivers.”
Schlenker has been a regular at Mahoning since his youth. His father, Dave Schlenker, worked at the track dating back to its dirt days of the late 1950s and early ‘60s. When blacktop was added in 1970 the elder served in several capacities that included handicapper/scorer, statistician, announcer and flagger. He worked in those same roles at Dorney Park Speedway as well and several other local tracks. In 2017 Dave was inducted into the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s R. Schlenker began racing in the Pro 4 division and would win a pair of titles and 11 features. He then moved into the Street Stock class and capture two titles there as well along with nine victories. At Evergreen Raceway he won 18 times with the Street Stocks. His brother Alan and nephew Matt are also Mahoning Street Stock winners. “I feel honored that there was interest in me for the position and to get the opportunity to serve as Mahoning’s Race Director. It’s always been important to me to keep very involved in the local racing scene as much as I can,” Schlenker said. “My dad started the whole thing from him being an official and then getting us all interested in it from myself to my brother and my nephew. As everyone knows in the racing game it takes a lot of time and money and life throws challenges at you and even though I may not be racing I still like to be involved in it and I’m humbled to have this chance to be part of the Mahoning staff.” Schlenker opened up that as a racer he understands the pressures that are in front of him with his new position but is readily up to the challenge now that he is on the opposite side of the fence. “Its tight quarters and it’s a tight track and there will always be contact with bumping and banging and so forth. I’m going to do what it takes to keep a good even flow of the show and in the process show our fans what good side-by-side action is all about with us. All the years when we raced I always wanted to be treated fairly and it will be my goal to show impartiality and earn everyone’s respect,” Schlenker explained. “Many race tracks are at a crossroads. Those that are still going we have to keep them going and at Mahoning that’s very important because there are generations of racers and families that have been coming here for years. This is a tough industry not just for us but all race tracks. Things aren’t as easy as they once were and it’s up to us to keep this going with good, fair and quality racing.” Schlenker has already been busy preparing for the upcoming season by laying out his game plan and speaking with competitors. He said he’ll be observing closely the upcoming Test and Tune days March 19/26 and April 2/3 where he looks to get settled into his role in preparation for the 2022 season.
Mahoning Valley Speedway/Evergreen Raceway Modified teams to reap big rewards in Tom Wanick Jr. Memorial…$15,000 up for grabs to winner at both tracks + very fitting payout throughout field
(Lehighton 3-6-22) In a unique and very rewarding collaboration between eastern Pennsylvania’s two asphalt race tracks – the 1/4-mile Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton and 1/3-mile Evergreen Raceway in Butler Township – Modified teams are set to share in a lucrative payoff with the inaugural running of the Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial that will be staged at both speedways and stand as the highest paying events ever at each establishments. On Sunday, May 22 at Mahoning Valley the “Modified Spring Zing Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” will pay $7000-to-win while at Evergreen Raceway’s annual King of the Green, which is tagged as the “Tom Wanick Jr. Memorial 200” and slated for Sunday, October 9, is rewarding first place with $8000. Both are record payouts for each track and Evergreen’s race is also the longest distance in track history. “This is great way to show how both tracks can indeed work together,” said Mahoning’s Director of Track Operations Todd Baer. “Tommy (Wanick) came to us with such high enthusiasm to make this happen and we’re excited to be able to honor his dad and show all the asphalt faithful of both Evergreen and Mahoning that through cooperation we will put on a great set of events with great payouts in his name.” The races are being held in memory of the late Tom Wanick Jr., who passed away on January 4. Tom was a reputable Modified car owner and supporter of both tracks as well as partaking on the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Race of Champions Tours. He always paid close attention to detail as his signature No. 1W cars arrived at the track as show pieces with lots of chrome and defining paint schemes. Tom Jr.’s main focus was Evergreen Raceway where he began in 1988 with Succasunna, NJ’s Chris Ammon behind the wheel. Ammon gave the team their first win on July 18, 1992 and 10 more times after that. Tom Jr., also played a pivotal role in resurrecting the track in late 1999 with then promoter Joe Callavini. He was instrumental in reworking the back stretch of the track which clearly made for better racing. Eventually he turned over the reins of the team to his son, Tom III, who continued to make sure the 1W is always at the forefront with such star-studded drivers as Anthony Sesely, Chuck Hossfeld and Bobby Jones. A paving foreman for Franzosa Trucking of Hazle Township, Tom Jr., laid down the new asphalt when Evergreen was repaved last year. “My dad was everything to me and our race team and this is my way of celebrating his life by holding races in his name at Mahoning and Evergreen. We have always supported both tracks and we’re thrilled to be able to hold high-paying events that I’m sure will attract Modified racers from near and far, said Tom III. “I appreciate what Jack Carlino (Mahoning promoter) and Jason Makarewicz (Evergreen promoter) do for asphalt racing and so did my dad. This will be a great set of races for each track with the payouts in place and I know the fans will be in for a treat when you see the teams we expect to be taking part,” he continued. “We’re going to bring three cars alone with Chis (Ammon), Chuck (Hossfeld) and myself all driving plus where going to be giving support to Anthony (Sesely) and Bobby (Jones).”For Ammon it marks the first time back with Wanick since the 2002 Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway. The race formats are designed to keep in tune at both tracks for the Tom Wanick Jr. Memorials. 24 cars will start and all who qualify via heats will take part in a redraw. Two cars will make the grids from the consi and there will also be two provisionals per each track. In place will be a six tire rule. Also 100 ‘show-up’ points will go towards the season championship at each track. At Evergreen there will be a mid-race break at lap 100. Mahoning’s 150 is $7000-to-win, $4000 for second, $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. The 200 at Evergreen pays $8000-to-win and $1200 to take the green. Car registration is $100 if postmarked by May 9 for Mahoning and September 1 at Evergreen. Afterwards it will be $150. Registration forms can be found on both tracks websites. As a bonus the overall best average finisher between the two races will be awarded a guaranteed starting spot in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Haunted 100 on Saturday, October 22 at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA.
In the event of inclement weather on the respective race days, dates and times will be reset accordingly in an effort to be non-conflicting with other race events. Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be on the bill at Mahoning while the Factory Stocks are on the card at Evergreen.
Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series honorees announced…Freddy Hamm, Dave Schlenker, Earl Keinert, Del Hahn and Mike Muffley tribute races to be held
(Lehighton 2-24-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway is proud to announce the honorees and dates for the 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS). The MVSHoFS is a special five race series run amongst the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks and pays tribute to select individuals who have been inducted into the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame at the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown.
Named to this year’s calendar of events are Freddy Hamm, Dave Schlenker, Earl Keinert, Del Hahn and Mike Muffley.
The late Freddy Hamm, how passed away last year, was a Modified champion at both Dorney and Mahoning as well as Evergreen Raceway and is the only driver to have won championships at all three tracks. His signature No. 45 was one of the most recognizable cars to ever turn a lap at each of those facilities. He was a true gentleman racer and earned the respect of his peers as well as a throng of dedicated and passionate fans. His tribute race will be the season opener on Saturday, April 9 with twin-45s for the Modifieds.
Next up will be the Dave Schlenker Tribute on Saturday, June 11. Dave was a fixture at Dorney and Mahoning serving as a race official in a number of different roles. His sons Randy and Alan, as well as his grandson Matt, all became accomplished drivers with the brunt of their success coming in the Street Stocks. For his Tribute that class will contest in Twin 38-lap features while the Modifieds will do battle in a 50-lapper.
Next up will be the Earl Keinert Tribute on Saturday, July 16. The Keinert name is synonymous with all three eastern Pennsylvania asphalt tracks although it was at the Park where he, along with his son Homer Keinert, made their mark as top notch Sportsman Modified racers. Earl’s grandson, Ryan Berger, has continued the family racing legacy running a No. 12 Hobby Stock at Mahoning Valley. The Keinert Tribute thus will be with that division racing in three 12-lap features. Modifieds that night will go 50 laps.
The next two events are centered on Del Hahn and Mike Muffley, a pair of drivers that have deep roots dating back to Mahoning’s dirt days and then on to the current pavement surface and they won on both exteriors too.
Hahn was a top winner on the dirt and claimed the 1957 and 1958 Mahoning championship. When the track was paved in 1970 he returned as a regular visitor to Victory Lane well into the late 1980’s. He was also victorious at Dorney and Evergreen with his infamous 7 over 7 cars as well as other area dirt tracks such as Nazareth and Lehighton. The Del Han Tribute will be staged on Saturday, August 6 and contested over a 77-lap distance for the Modifieds.
Like Hahn, Muffley also began at Mahoning when the track was dirt. He was always a steady and consistent runner and although not a big winner, could be counted on to be there at the end in both features and point standings. For most of his career he drove a blue 1937 Chevy coupe No. 79 owned by Leroy Goldberg. For his tribute the Modifieds will race in twin features that takes place on September 10. The first going 40 laps and the latter at 39 laps.
The five race MVSHoFS events carry a separate tally of points for each class and at the conclusion champions will be crowned and the top three will receive point fund monies. Drivers must compete in each of the five races in order to be eligible for the point fund. There will be a nominal entry fee to run each of the specials.
The point fund breakdown is as follows: $1500, $1000 and $500 to the top three in Modifieds. $1000, $600 and $400 for the Street Stocks and $500, $300 and $200 for the Hobby Stocks. The MVSHoFS payouts for the Modifieds is posted on the track’s website.
Matt Hirschman has won the past two MVSHoFS Modified titles including winning eight of 10 races. 2021 saw Randy Ahner Jr., garner top honors with the Street Stocks and in the Hobby Stocks it was Justin Merkel.
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY LATE MODELS TO RACE FOR $1000-TO-WIN WITH 16+ CAR FIELD
(2-8-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway’s Late Model division has been an intricate part in the history of the popular ¼-mile oval dating back to the dirt days of the late 1950s. 2022 marks the 42nd season of the class racing on the pavement and when Nick Ross won the 2021 championship he became the 25th different driver to earn such a feat over that span. Over those years many great names have entered into the history books as well as some legendary races and thus the class holds a special status to the track and its fans.
However, of late numbers within the division have declined leaving some concern as to where the class stands heading into this year and beyond. During this past off-season a number of meetings had taken place between track management and teams planning to compete with the focus on helping bolster car counts and maintain stability within the ranks. After much deliberation both sides have come up with a mutual agreement that most everyone feels is satisfactory and it begins by bumping up first place at a $1000 to win a regular feature provided 16 or more cars are signed in for that night.
It was also decided that at each race drivers will pay a $50 entry fee that will then be disbursed back into the field by way of a percentage scale which is dependent upon the night’s car count. Even if there is a pro-rated purse for a particular night all entry fee monies will still be paid back into the field aside from the night’s payout. “The Late Model division, just as all of our divisions, is very important to us. After meeting with them and expressing their concerns I’m happy to say that we were able to come up with this payout package,” said Mahoning Valley Speedway owner/promoter Jack Carlino.
“Todd Baer our Operations Manager has worked diligently with the Late Model guys and was able to come to terms with them on what we now have. I really like the fact that we can pay $1000 for a feature win.”
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY LAUDS 2021 CHAMPIONS AT AWARDS CERMONY
(Lehighton 2-5-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway officially put the 2021 season into the record books following the speedway’s awards ceremony held Saturday evening, February 5 at the Mahoning Valley Fire Hall in Lehighton. Champion drivers in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Sportsman Modifieds, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks, Futures and Rookie Hobby Stocks where commended for their season long efforts. Titlists in the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS) also collected championship honors.
Bobby Jones took the top spot in the Modified division for a second time in the past three seasons. He claimed five feature wins, boosting his overall career wins total to 45. Jones defeated Kyle Strohl and Brian DeFebo in gaining this fourth championship which includes a Modified crown at Evergreen Raceway and a Mahoning Pro 4 title.
Late Model racer Nick Ross made his first season racing at the paved ¼-mile oval a memorable one as he won six times in eight starts including a record-tying five in a row and earned first place honors in the process. Not only did Ross pick up the Mahoning championship but did the same at Evergreen where he won four out of five races and finished out the season as the Northeast’s leading asphalt Late Model winner.
When Jaden Brown left the Hobby Stocks to drive a Sportsman Modified he made an immediate impression. The grandson of track legend Earl Paules was quick from the get-go and his keen ability saw him win a class-leading three features and go on to take his first driving championship. It was a down-to-the-wire title fight too as Brown held off point’s runner-up Avery Arthofer and Paulie Hartwig III.
The Street Stock class now has its second four-time champion as TJ Gursky joins Jon Moser as the only drivers to be hold that elite distinction. Gursky led the way with four feature wins and eight heat wins while picking up 12 top-5s in 19 starts. He actually edged out Moser for the title. This marks his seventh track championship that includes three with the Factory Stocks and putting him into a three way tie with John Bennett and Paules for the most Mahoning crowns.
By winning his third Pro 4 title Cody Kohler is merited with becoming the first driver in the 34-year history of the division to collect that many first place point finishes. He upped his class wins total to 35 thanks to five visits to Victory Lane. Kohler also competed in the Modified division and finished a solid fifth in points, his first year with the headline class.
Hard fought and right down the final lap of the final race was once again the tone for Hobby Stock class in figuring out the championship outcome and the distinction fell to a deserving Trisha Connolly. And, after coming oh-so-close time and again, Connolly was not to be denied in 2021 thanks in part to her consistent ability to finish strong. Although only winning once she was the class leader in top-5s (12) and top-10s (17) and edged out Taylor Schmidt by a mere five points.
Brody George was far and away the class of the Futures division racing to an unprecedented 10 victories en route to solidifying his title and a driver with a bright prospect. Like Brown, George is also a grandson of Paules. His dad, Nevin George, is a two-time Mahoning D/A Mod champ. Third generation racer Greyson Ahner stepped out from Quarter Midget ranks and into stock cars this past season as a member of the Rookie Hobby Stocks and finished out the year as a champion. The young talent showed his flair early and often too, winning nine main events and taking 11 top-5s, both tops in class.
For the second time in as many seasons Matt Hirschman won the Modified portion of the popular MVSHoFS, winning four of five events. Randy Ahner Jr., was the Series’ Street Stock titlist while Justin Merkel was best among the Hobby Stock contingent. Special award recipients included Kohler, Ross, Tobie Behler, Terry Peters and BJ Wambold in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks respectively. Most Improved Driver awards went to Seth VanFossen in the Late Models, Jillian Snyder in Street Stocks, Josh Kuronya in Pro 4s and Merkel in the Hobby Stocks.
Guests enjoyed a deliciously prepared buffet meal prepared by none other than track owner/promoter Jack Carlino.
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Mahoning Valley Speedway will officially close the books on the 2021 season when the popular paved ¼-mile oval holds its Awards Ceremony on Saturday, February 5 at the Mahoning Valley Fire Hall, 2358 Mahoning Dr. W, Lehighton, starting at 5:00 pm.
Class champions Bobby Jones – Modifieds; Nick Ross – Late Models; Jaden Brown – Sportsman Modifieds; TJ Gursky – Street Stocks; Cody Kohler – Pro 4s; Trisha Connolly – Hobby Stocks; Brody George – Futures and Greyson Ahner – Rookie Hobby Stocks will be heralded for their title winning accomplishments along with several others from those aforementioned divisions.
The top five from the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will collect point money. The Sportsman Modifieds and Pro 4s will include the top three point finishers while the Late Model class will be the champion only.
Rookie of the Year honors will also be presented.
Also at the affair will be the crowning of the 2021 Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series titlists which are Matt Hirschman, Randy Ahner Jr., and Justin Merkel in the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks respectively.
The event will be casual dress. A buffet style dinner will be served including appetizer and dessert. Non-alcoholic drinks will be served otherwise it will be BYOB.
Tickets, which will be limited, are $45 per person and can be purchased starting on Sunday, January 16 at RJ Raceway (adjacent to the race track) from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Tickets can also be gotten at those same times and place on January 23 and 30
The Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” set for Sunday afternoon, May 22 at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway has been growing with excitement especially with a track record first place payout of no less than $7000-to-win and $1200 to take the green. Aside from that there are numerous monetary and contingency prizes that will be presented. There will even be a non-qualifiers race if 40 or more cars are signed in and that number is nearing. With all the hype leading into the final week before the big event asphalt Modified teams from near and far have been showing much intent in the special race being held in honor of the late car owner Tom Wanick Jr., who passed away unexpectedly in January. And as the interest grows so too does the opportunity to showcase the unique style of racing at the paved quarter mile oval to fans and drivers that will be converging on the Jack Carlino owned facility. However, for those who cannot make it there is a still a great way to not miss any of the action as the event will be live streamed on the popular dirttrackdigest.tv streaming web outlet. “We’re very excited to be able to present our wide spectrum of fans the opportunity to view the Tom Wanick Memorial 150 at Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said owner/managing editor Mike Mallett. “I had the chance to check out the races there and it’s amazing how the Modifieds and all their classes get around that little bullring. You’re constantly watching two and three wide racing.” dirtrackdgest.tv is well known for streaming dirt track races across the northeast but this not a new venture into asphalt racing. Last year’s Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway was produced by them as too were the Len Sammons Productions Indoor events from Allentown and Syracuse.
“First and foremost our goal is to have as many fans at the track, we highly encourage that. Our mission is to partner with the speedways we go to and provide the best production possible with our award winning videographers and production crews,” added Mallett. “Getting the chance to come to a track like Mahoning Valley is going to be a great for everyone. And we don’t just stream it with us but also partner with SpeedSportTV and several other affiliates. We’re all looking forward to this big race at Mahoning Valley and getting to show the racing world the awesome product they have there.” Mallett noted that the entire program will be broadcast starting with heats and then features for not just the Modifieds but the Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks as well which are also on the card.
To sign-up for a subscription to the Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” just simply go to the website https://www.dirttrackdigest.tv/ click on subscribe in the upper right hand corner and following the prompts. On race day Sunday the action gets underway starting at 2:00 pm.
Mahoning Valley Speedway bows out to another rainy forecast on May 14
(Lehighton 5-14-22) It seems like deja vu once again at Mahoning Valley Speedway as for the fourth time in six weeks rain and wet conditions have forced the cancelation of Saturday night racing. The weather forecast for the Lehighton and surrounding area is very unfavorable with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon leading into a higher percentage of more rain for the evening has left officials little choice but to cancel for the day. The Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial Pro 4 26 will be rescheduled to a later date as will the “Where Are They Now” segment and Kids Big Wheels.Next up on the schedule will be the Sunday afternoon, May 22 Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150.” With a record $7000-to-win and over 30 Modified teams already signed up and more expected on race day, the event is shaping up to be a huge day of asphalt racing for fans of the paved ¼-mile oval.
Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will also be in action.
The track will hold an open practice on Saturday, May 21 from noon to 4:00 pm.
On race day Sunday the action gets underway starting at 2:00 pm.
Ward Crozier Sr., Pro 4 Memorial 26 + “Where Are They Now” highlight Mahoning Valley Speedway action this coming Saturday night…Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks & Futures on card + Kids Big Wheel races
After suffering a third rainout last weekend Mahoning Valley Speedway swings back into action this coming Saturday evening, May 14 at 6:00 pm with a full slate of stock car racing and much more. On tap is the Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial 26 for Pro 4s. The race is being presented in honor of the late great track owner/promoter who brought the facility back to life in 1987. Crozier introduced the Pro 4 division, previously known as the 4-Cylinders, in 1988 and since then remains a mainstay of weekly competition. The race winner of the 26-lap feature will be awarded $400 plus there will be a basket raffle with the proceeds all going towards the purse. Additionally, added money will be disbursed throughout the finishing order all courtesy of Dottie Farkas. In the most recent Pro 4 feature Randy Schaffer won a thriller over Tyler Stangle. It was Schaffer’s career first win. The speedway will also host a “Where Are They Now” segment. Introduced last season in which past greats are invited to have a Meet and Greet with fans and talk over their careers. From the get-go it was a huge hit. Coming in will be former Street Stock stars Ed Altemose, Eric Aigeldinger and brother Bob and Rich Pursell. Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action too. Earl Paules won the Sport Mod opener on April 30 while Nick Ross won the Late Model feature and set a class record for consecutive wins at six and counting. Jillian Snyder scored the Street Stock main and is the current point leader while Corey Edelman extended his Hobby Stock wins record to 23. Parker Ahner pulled off a last lap pass and won his career first Futures race. Kids Big Wheel race will also take place during intermission and are sponsored by Kutz Racing.
Race time is 6:00 pm. Pit gates open at 11:00 am. Early paid practice will take place from noon to 3:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 4:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 6:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $15. Pits are $40. Driver sign-ins are from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm.
Saturday, May 7 Mahoning Valley Speedway races are cancelled due to rain forecast
(Lehighton 5-6-22) With the impending forecast for rain throughout most of the day Saturday and into the evening Mahoning Valley Speedway officials have made the decision to cancel the races now rather than play the waiting game and to better allow their fans, race teams and staff to proceed with alternate weekend plans. Virtually every weather model shows the same forecast of cloudy and periods of rain and then much of the same heading into the evening hours. Looking ahead to the following weekend, Saturday, May 14, there will be a six division show of stock car racing featuring Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 6:00 pm. The Pro 4s will contest in the Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial 26 which was originally slated for this weekend. The 26-lap feature will pay $400-to-win and have additional money spread throughout the field. There will also be a “Where Are They Now” segment. This popular highlight brings together past racing personalities for a meet and greet with fans. Taking part in the event will be former Street Stock drivers from the 1987 season including Bob and Rich Pursell, Ed Altemose and Eric Aigeldinger.
The following Sunday, May 22 is the much anticipated Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial” 150. This race is the richest paying event ever staged at Mahoning Valley paying no less than $7000-to-win, $4000 for second, $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. There are a number of other monetary and product incentives including a $1000 bonus to the highest finishing SK/Crate 602/Sport Mod car. For Sport/Crate Mod teams there is a $1000 bonus to the highest finishing car that makes the feature and if anyone who races those cars are in need of bigger wheels they should contact Tom Wanick III at 570-579-5011 and he will be more than happy to assist. The race will begin at 2:00 pm and also include the Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks in regular point events. Complete information on the Wanick Memorial can be found on Mahoning’s website.
Earl Paules motors to Mahoning Sportsman Modified win: Nick Ross’ Late Model victory was a record setter on April 30
(Lehighton 4-30-22) As the all-time wins leader at Mahoning Valley Speedway Earl Paules of Palmerton showed his mastery of the paved ¼-mile oval yet again as the “Hurricane” cruised to his 66th overall victory, taking the checkers in the first Sportsman Modified feature of the season. This was Paules’ first start of the year at Mahoning and he began it the same way he ended last season, in Victory Lane.
Paules started third and within three laps passed Troy Bollinger for the lead. Thereafter he was on cruise control as he steadily pulled away from the pack and also negotiated his way through traffic perfectly in a race that went caution-free over the 25 lap distance. When he exited his car he asked, ‘Was anyone close?’ The answer was a definite no as he was just no match on this night. The victory was also his 89th on asphalt.
“It went pretty good out there and I firstly want to thank my wife Danielle for all her support and of course all the fans for coming out tonight and supporting Mahoning Valley Speedway,” said Paules. Nick Baer was a solid second all the while Paules led but all he could do was watch as there was no catching the steady-paced No. 8 which went on the a 2.096-second margin of victory. Bollinger took third with 2021 champ Jaden Brown and Paulie Hartwig III rounding out the top five. “I couldn’t catch Troy in the heat race so we made a lot of changes after that. And having him and Nick (Baer) in front of us for the start of the feature, those are two guys haven’t won in a while and they were going to be hungry and I knew I needed to unload then quick,” said Paules.
“There’s also some good young talent coming in this year and they all ran well. This is a very affordable Modified division and you can learn a lot to move up to the next level.”
The Late Model division has been competing at Mahoning Valley since 1970 and for Nick Ross of White Haven his win was one for the record books as the reigning champion collected his sixth consecutive feature dating back to last season. Ross started on the outside for the front row alongside two-time champion Frankie Althouse and after successive two-by-two laps that saw Althouse slightly ahead. Ross was scored the leader at the start of lap three and once in front he gradually went into his own zone and put a safe enough gap between himself and the rest of the field. As Ross led there was some great action going on behind him as Althouse and Mark Hudson where in a torrid back and forth battle. That lasted until lap 13 when Althouse spun in Turn 3. Seven laps later his night came to an abrupt end when he crashed hard into the front straight wall. And despite those two cautions that bunched the field it never hindered Ross as on each restart he blasted ahead and went on to a three car length victory over Hudson who notched his career best Mahoning finish. Mike VanFossen was back in a car for the first time in several seasons and took third with Geno Steigerwalt and Brandon Turbush rounding out the top five.
Jillian Snyder of Slatington proved best among the Street Stocks as the personable driver of the Long Motorsports No. 97 ran a strong race en route to winning her seventh career feature. Snyder started sixth and with the aid a few restarts picked her way frontward, not to mention some savvy passing as well, she was up to second spot by lap 10 and closing on then leader Cody Geist. Another two laps clicked off and she was ahead the pack. There was no looking back from that point on as she proceeded on a smooth path to victory. Thomas Flanagan raced into second after Snyder took the lead and was stout in keeping within the tire tracks of the winner.
In the Hobby Stocks it was Corey Edelman of Northampton holding off Shayne Geist in a close verdict. Edelman grabbed the lead from his outside front row starting spot and soon after was able to distance himself from the field. With a slew on nonstop laps that lead was growing ever larger, however, things changed when the only caution of the race waved with seven laps to go and on that restart Edelman was now engaged in an intense battle with Geist who hounded him relentlessly over the waning laps. In spite of the heavy pressure that Geist was apply, Edelman held his ground and hit the finish line bumper to bumper and in the process extended his class leading wins total to 23.
Palmerton’s Parker Ahner pulled off a daring last lap move on Adam Steigerwalt and came out as the winner of the Futures main event. Ahner worked hard to get the job done as he was involved in a three wide incident while battling for the lead with Steigerwalt and Michael Klotz and suffered a flat from that tussle and had to pit. When he returned with eight laps to go he quickly stormed back toward the leaders, first unseating Klotz and then zeroed in on Steigerwalt.
Sticking to the bottom of the track Ahner squeezed to the inside of Steigerwalt and coming off the final turn with the checkers in sight he eked out the win, his first ever in a stock car coming in just his second start.
Sportsman Modified feature finish (25 laps) 1. Earl Paules, 2. Nick Baer, 3. Troy Bollinger, 4. Jayden Brown, 5. Paulie Hartwig III, 6. Don Wagner, 7. Al Arthofer, 8. Brody George, 9. Terry Markovic, 10. Greyson Ahner, 11. Deegen Underwood
Late Model feature finish (25 laps): 1. Nick Ross, 2. Mark Hudson, 3. Mike VanFossen, 4. Geno Steigerwalt, 5. Brandon Turbush, 6. Seth VanFossen, 7. Todd Cooper, 8. Jacob Kerstetter, 9. Brooks Smith, 10. Frankie Althouse, 11. Paul Cummings
Street Stock feature finish (30 laps): 1. Jillian Snyder, 2. Tommy Flanagan, 3. Johnny bennett, 4. Todd Ahner, 5. Thomas Flanagan, 6. Mark Deysher, 7. Brandon Christman, 8. Jamie Smith, 9. Logan Boyer, 10. Randy Green, 11. Jeremy Scheckler, 12. Cody Geist, 13. Tucker Muffley, 14. Stacey Brown
Hobby Stock feature finish (25 laps): 1. Corey Edelman, 2. Shayne Geist, 3. BJ Wambold, 4. Justin Merkel, 5. Jacob Boehm, 6. Travis Solomon, 7. James Tout, 8. Lyndsay Buss, 9. Dave Kerr, 10. Mallory Kutz, 11. Tad Snyder, 12. Don Bauder, 13. Jared Frye, 14. Ralph Borger Jr., 15. Ed Herman, 16. Nick Kerstetter, 17. Cody Boehm
Futures feature finish (15 laps): 1. Parker Ahner, .2 Adam Steigerwalt, 3. Michael Klotz, 4. Maggie Yeakel, 5. Mayson Moyer, 6. Gabrielle Steigerwalt, 7. Reid Levengood, 8. Makayla Kohler
“Mr. Outside” Rod Snyder Jr., is once again a Mahoning Modified winner on Opening Night April 23
(4-23-22) The third attempt of getting the 2022 season underway at Mahoning Valley Speedway proved to be well worth the wait as race hungry fans witnessed one of the most prolific drivers to ever turn a lap at the paved ¼-mile oval make a triumphant return to Victory Lane as 58-year old Rod Snyder Jr., of Lehighton drove to his first Modified win in 15 years.
Snyder – a five time track champion (1995-99) – had been on hiatus since 2007 but made a comeback two years ago with JD Motorsports, only running a partial schedule. However, the team felt they were ready to make a full season commitment and in Saturday night’s opener came loaded for bear. Snyder was the quickest car during heat races giving the early indication of just how the night would go. The feature began with Brian DeFebo leading early on while holding off Austin Kochenash and then Zane Zeiner. While battling closely DeFebo and Zeiner got into each other on lap 12 and handed the lead over to Lou Strohl with Kochenash, Snyder and Kyle Strohl in tow. It was after that restart the driver dubbed “Mr. Outside” went into his all too familiar high line style. He ran a few side-by-side laps before picking off Kochenash and then still riding the top lane did the same to L. Strohl and at the start of lap 22 was in the lead of a feature for the first time in 15 years. In the handful of starts the past two years it never really gave the team enough opportunity to showcase what they had. On this night, however, this was classic Rod Snyder at his finest as the rest of the way he left no doubt he was the car to beat, driving off to a two car length margin of victor over K. Strohl. “We lost so many close family and friends over the past two years and it felt as though someone else was driving this car tonight and it wasn’t me. The guys on this team do an awesome job and our performances may not have shown that but I assure you it’s there and it’s going to continue to show,” said Snyder. “All those guys out there tonight are really good, Brian (DeFebo), Zane (Zeiner), Austin (Kochenash) all raced hard but things unfortunately happened in front of us and honestly I feel we had the best car tonight. The track was great and the car was great.” Kochenash was third with L. Strohl and Cody Kohler rounding out the front five.
In the Street Stocks reigning champion TJ Gursky of Palmerton picked up right where he left off, in Victory Lane. Gursky closed out 2021 with a win and started this season the same way.
For half the race Gursky and pole sitter Brandon Christman battled in a rubber match as they exchanged the lead several times. It wasn’t until a lap-18 restart that Gursky finally said enough was enough and sprung to the front for good.
As the race went on he was then able extend his lead and cruise effortlessly to his 34th overall career win.
Christman remained surefooted in taking second spot with Stacey Brown, Todd Ahner and Randy Ahner Jr., completing the top five.
Thrilling is only one of several exciting ways to describe the Hobby Stock feature as the battle for the lead went on from lap one to 25 and when the checkers waved it was Lehighton’s Travis Solomon who earned a hard fought victory. Matter of fact Solomon didn’t factor into play until very late in the going. At the outset Justin Merkel lead but was under immense pressure from BJ Wambold, Cody Boehm and Shayne Geist. Nearly every lap from the aforementioned where being run under a tight blanket with quite a few circuits going in three wide formation. With nine laps to go a caution was out when the lead pack came upon slower traffic and Geist got tripped up and spun. Just prior to that Boehm had been scored as the leader. Boehm’s time at the front was short lived as Merkel retook the lead and at the same time Solomon powered his way to second although Boehm was still right there. Solomon then hounded Merkel and waited for just the right time to strike and it came with three laps left as he edged his way to the front and then clung to a narrow victory, his sixth with the class. Merkel, Boehm, Wambold and Tad Snyder rounded out the top five.
For Randy Schaffer of Catasaugua, all you can say is “Finally!” After being a perennial bridesmaid in the Pro 4 for oh-to-long he definitively landed that elusive career first win and it came in quite the barnburner too.
Tyler Stangle had the lead from the get-go and was steadily maintaining consistent laps while keeping everyone else at bay.
But Schaffer, who had been racing close with Jake Kibler, was able to shake free of that battle and then began to zero in on Stangle. With one lap to go he then made a squeeze play inside of Stangle and they went side-by-side right to the finish where Schaffer just eked ahead for the win.
Adam Steigerwalt of Lehighton held off a very determined Parker Ahner to claim the 15-lap Futures feature. Ahner was just about ready to complete an inside pass for the lead with three laps to go when the caution waved and negated his effort. On the restart
Steigerwalt raced perfectly in the remaining laps to secure the win with Ahner a close second.
Modified Feature finish (35 laps): 1. Rod Snyder Jr., 2. Kyle Strohl, 3. Austin Kochenash, 4. Lou Strohl, 5. Cody Kohler, 6. Josh
Scherer, 7. Brian DeFebo, 8. Jesse Strohl, 9. Nick Baer, 10. Carl Altemose, 11. Gene Bowers, 12. Jacob Kerstetter, 13. Terry Markovic, 14. Geary Rinehimer Jr., 15. Zane Zeiner, 16. Wes Gilbert, 17. Gunnar Zeiner
Street Stock feature finish (30 laps): 1. TJ Gursky, 2. Brandon Christman, 3. Todd Ahner, 4. Stacey Brown, 5. Randy Ahner Jr., 6. Jillian Snyder, 7. Johnny Bennett, 8. Mark Deysher, 9. Tommy Flanagan, 10. Thomas Flanagan, 11. Tucker Muffley, 12. Logan Boyer, 13. Randy Green, 14. Scott Lesher, 15. Bobby Kibler Jr., 16. Jamie Smith, 17. Jason Finken, 18. Al Arthofer, 19. Cody Geist
Pro 4 feature finish (20 laps): 1. Randy Schaffer, 2. Tyler Stangle, 3. Jake Kibler, 4. Cody Kohler, 5. Kadie Pursell, 6. Terry Peters, 7. Ken Reeder
Hobby Stock feature finish (25 laps): 1. Travis Solomon, 2. Justin Merkel, 3. Cody Boehm, 4. BJ Wambold, 5. Tad Snyder, 6. Lyndsay Buss, 7. Shayne Geist, 8. Jacob Boehm, 9. Nick Schaeffer, 10. Don Bauder, 11. Ed Herman, 12. Mallory Kutz, 13. Nicholas Kerstetter, 14. Ralph Boger Jr., 15. Dave Kerr, 16. Jared Green, 17, Jared Frye, 19. Dave Imler Jr., 20. Tony Hilliard, 21. Doug DeHaven DNS: James Tout
Futures feature finish (15 laps): 1. Adam Steigerwalt, 2. Parker Ahner, 3. Makayla Kohler, 4. Michael Klotz, 5. Maggie Yeakel, 6. Lexus Kutz, 7. Rocco Proccacini, 9. Gabrielle Steigerwalt
Mahoning Valley Speedway will try for a third time to get 2022 season underway
(Lehighton 4-17-22) Starting with pre-season Test and Tune and then the first two weeks of the scheduled events of racing has been a challenge to say the least for fans and teams at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway as cancellations and postponements have certainly hampered efforts to get little if any on track activities of the 2022 races underway. But with positive thinking as the best solution the popular paved ¼-mile oval remains resolute and will be ready to yet again host the season opener this coming Saturday, April 23 starting at 5:00 pm. Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be on the card for a compete show of heats and features. Pit gates open at 10:30 am. Early paid practice will take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 3:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 5:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $14. Pits are $40. Coming up in two weeks on Saturday, April 30 the Sportsman Modified and Late Models will get to race for first time after falling victim to this past weekend’s rainout. A reminder to all Modified race teams that pre-registration is still open for the May 22 Modified Spring Zing “Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150.” This is a $7000-to-win/150 lap feature with $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. Car registration is $100 if postmarked by May 9. Afterwards it will be $150. Registration forms can be found on the track’s website or the following link: http://www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com/uploads/1/1/8/6/11865016/tom_wanick_jr._memorial_pre_registration_form_v3.pdf
Freddy Hamm Tribute reset for June 25
The April 10 weather postponed Freddy Hamm Tribute at Mahoning Valley Speedway has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 25. The event was slated as race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series with twin 45-lap features for the Modifieds along with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. However, rain and snow passed over the speedway at the scheduled 2:00 pm start time and officials along with members of the Hamm family felt it was in the best interest to call of the show and reset it for a later date. After discussing the best available date it was decided on June 25 as the make-up day.
With that wrist bands from Sunday, April 10 will be good for either the next two regular Saturday shows, April 16 and 23 (no monetary refund) or the next two Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series events on either June 11, the Dave Schlenker Tribute or June 25 the re-scheduled Freddy Hamm Tribute. Also, for the Freddy Hamm Tribute there will be a complete redraw of heat starting spots for the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks.
Snow and Rain on April 10 force postponement of Mahoning Valley Speedway Freddy Hamm Tribute
(Lehighton 4-10-22) The much anticipated Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series Freddy Hamm Tribute – the kickoff event to the 2022 season at the paved ¼-mile oval in Lehighton – was called when on and off rain and snow befell throughout the day Sunday. As the 2:00 pm race time neared so too did yet another passing snow squall followed by more rain. It was at that point officials made the decision to throw in the towel and call off the event. After conferring with family members of the late Freddy Hamm who were on hand for the race, it was decided that a make-up date will take place later in the year that will be favorable for all parties. At the present details are being worked on for the suitable date. All wristbands from both pits and grandstands Sunday are to be saved for the make-up race which will be announced very soon. Sunday was actually the second try at putting on the races. The day before was the original date but rain and flooding forced that cancellation and all activities to be moved back to the next day. In between Saturday and Sunday track crews worked tirelessly and into the late night pumping out water in order to have a race-ready track. That effort went right up until the first cars rolled out on Sunday but inopportunely Mother Nature had other plans. Despite that the four classes, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures did at least get in a few rounds of warm-ups. This was to be race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS), a special five race series that pays tribute to select individuals who played a key role in the history of Mahoning and Dorney Park Speedways. The following MVSHoFS event will be the Dave Schlenker Tribute on June 11. Next up will be the start of point racing. On Saturday evening, April 16 at 5:00 pm Sportsman Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action. The Modifieds will be back for their first point race on Saturday, April 23.
Pit gates open at 11:00 am. Early paid practice will take place from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Warm-ups begin at 3:00 pm and racing gets the green flag at 5:00 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $14. Pits are $40.
Mahoning Valley Speedway wraps up pre-season with Test and Tune…Freddy Hamm Tribute to kick off 2022 season on April 9
With just one week before Mahoning Valley Speedway’s opening event – the Freddy Hamm Tribute – racers took advantage of the final Test and Tune day on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at the paved ¼-mile oval in preparation of the 56th season opener. On hand was a very respectable representation of cars that will be competing throughout the year and judging by the turnout there is a very eager feeling of excitement heading into this upcoming Saturday, April 9 when race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS) takes place. “I feel that with the really good car count we had it clearly gives us a good indication that we’ll have a solid field for all classes for the season opener and not only by the number of cars we had for Test and Tune but likewise with those who we already know will be coming that weren’t on hand,” stated Track Operations Manager Todd Baer. “We’re honored to be hosting one of the all-time greats Freddy Hamm and his tribute race. He was a great ambassador to this area’s asphalt racers and we couldn’t think of a better way to start off this year’s Hall of Fame Series.” Throughout the day-long Test and Tune session drivers took to the track while continuing to tweak their cars after each time out and it showed too as both veterans and rookies dropped lapped times. “Everything went well from on the track activity to inspections. We actually had no major incidents that would have caused us to halt any of the action and I was impressed with the good showing of rookies who all did well too,” Baer went on to say.
“There has been a lot of work over the off season in all aspects. We have some changes in place and all for the greater good. One of the things I’m looking forward to is plenty of hands-on activities we have planned for the kids and their involvement on a weekly basis.
“Our team will be ready and come Opening Day I feel you will see a some great racing which is what everyone comes to expect here at Mahoning,”
On Opening Day the Modifieds will run in a pair of 45 lap features. The 45-lap distance is in honor of Hamm’s signature No. 45 car. Also in action will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
There will be a draw for heat line-ups and redraw for the features. While there is a separate point tally for the MVSHoFS, all drivers signed in will additionally receive 50 show-up points towards the regular season championship with the exception of the Futures which who will collect regular points.
Mahoning Valley Speedway holds first on track activity with Test and Tune On March 26-27
Despite damp, cold and even snowy weather conditions, Mahoning Valley Speedway was able to withstand the odds and conduct two days of Test and Tune on Saturday and Sunday.
In what was the first official on track activity of 2022, those race teams who took advantage of the twin daytime sessions were able to get in ample track time in working out the bugs from the hours of hard work put into their respective cars during the season.Veterans and rookies alike where on hand and in typical first time out for the new season the Hobby Stock class was most prevalent. In advance of the upcoming April 9 Opening Night Freddy Hamm Tribute which is race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series, the On Saturday and Sunday, April 2 & 3 from noon to 4:00 pm, the final Test and Tune will be held and the extended forecast is looking much more favorable.Test and Tune is open to any type of race car provided they are fitted with a roll cage and proper safety equipment.It is highly suggested that Mahoning Valley’s teams take advantage of this final pre-season tune-up to bring their cars to the track for safety inspections which will have a reduced time Weekend pit gates will open at 11:00 am on each of the designated days. Track activity will run from noon to 4:00 pm. Pits are $10 per person and $25 per car. Grandstands are free to Also season passes will be available for purchase. Season pass pricing is as follows, adults $275 (average $12 per race) students 11+ and seniors 65+ $240 (average $10 per race).
On Opening Day the Modifieds will run in a pair of 45 lap features. The 45-lap distance is in honor of Hamm and his signature No. 45 car. Also in action will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
Freddy Hamm Tribute to kick off 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway season on April 9
On Saturday evening, April 9 Mahoning Valley Speedway will get the 2022 season underway with the Freddy Hamm Tribute which is race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS). Always identified by his signature Dennis Hilbert owned No. 45, the Modifieds will compete in a pair of 45-lap features. Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will also be in action. Race time is 5:00 pm. The eastern Pennsylvania asphalt racing community lost one of its most iconic figures when Hamm passed away Friday, August 21, 2021 after a bout with cancer at age 74. The longtime Kutztown resident was among the inaugural class of the Dorney Park Speedway-Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame inductees in 2011. Hamm began racing Hobby Stocks at Dorney Park then advanced into the Sportsman Modifieds raced with a tremendous amount of success at the Park and likewise at Mahoning Valley Speedway and Evergreen Raceway. He is the only driver to have won track championships at all three facilities. Over his career he earned a boundless amount of respect from his legion of fans as well as his counterparts. It was perhaps that trait he is most associated with and puts him head and shoulders above the rest as an affable racer and champion. Steve Barrick, president of Program Dynamics who supplied the weekly program books at Dorney and Mahoning Valley, recalled how Hamm made a lasting impression with him.
“When we started at Dorney Park it was in 1975 and Freddy had just made the transition from Late Models and into the Sportsman (Modifieds) and he had a great fan following and great reputation as a top driver and it didn’t take long to figure out why he had both because he really could get around Dorney Park probably as well as anyone in his era. “And he also did most of his racing there without basically getting on the receiving end of what usually happened to the close contact there. He never drove over his head or ever got a wheel wrong,” offered Barrick. “I can’t ever remember honestly him being flagged for rough-riding or being sent to the rear for being involved in someone else’s wreck that he was attributed for having caused. As a result of that he had a tremendous amount of respect among his competitors who were used to roughing each other up and he in turn did not do that and in spite of that was able to win a lot of races and championships.” Hamm indeed had a commonality when it came to winning and collecting titles. His first win was in 1974 at Dorney Park in a Sportsman Modified and he unremittingly continued to do so until 1997 when his final victory occurred at Evergreen Raceway. During that span he won seven championships including a record five at the Park and one each at Mahoning and Evergreen.
Hamm was also many times over Most Popular Driver contest winner between Dorney and Mahoning. “That never came as a surprise and based on the way the Most Popular Driver contest results where during the period of time he was at Dorney I would have to say, even though we never kept the tallies, there was a good chance he probably would have gotten more votes for Most Popular Driver than anyone else and by far and the same goes for when he transitioned over to Mahoning,” noted Barrick. Throughout his career whenever Hamm’s name was mentioned it was commonly followed by how respectful a person he was both on and off the track.
“The best way I can describe Freddy Hamm is that he was the consummate professional. He was always so calm and collective both on and off the track. Growing up and watching him my brother and I admired him because he was so methodical in his driving as always the professional,” said former Dorney and Mahoning champion John Markovic who, along with his brother Terry Markovic, continue competing today at Mahoning Valley. “He was a race car driver who had all his wits about him. He did it because he loved it and you never seen Freddy emit any types of bad emotions. People idolized him because of how he handled himself as a race car driver, never wild or crazy or argumentative. He was a unique breed of driver who always kept his emotion intact, a true professional.”
When Dorney closed in 1986 Hamm finished off with 19 wins there and like most everyone else then headed over to the reopening of Mahoning Valley Speedway the following year. In short order be became a winner, scoring 10 victories between 1988 and 1991. By the mid-1990s Hamm took his talents to Evergreen Raceway where he had already won during the late ‘70s. His 37 total career wins came over three different decades. "Freddy was the guy you looked up to and liked and loved because of what he stood for,” added Markovic.“When he and Dennis (Hilbert) showed up they were always prepared. When they pulled in you knew you could be running for second place that night.”
The Freddy Hamm Tribute will be the first of five MVSHoFS events. The unique races is designed to honor those Hall of Famers who laid the foundation for today’s current day racers. “It’s great that he’s being honored. I feel that it’s important that guys like Freddy be recognized as much as anybody as one of the individuals who made the transition from Dorney to coming to Mahoning and really adapting and succeeding well,” Barrick said. “Honoring Freddy is in a sense honoring the whole Pennsylvania asphalt Modified tradition when you think of how well he raced at Dorney and then Mahoning and Evergreen.”
The MVSHoFS is contested amongst the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks. There will be a separate tally of points for each class and at the conclusion of the five events the top three will receive point fund monies. Drivers must compete in each of the five races in order to be eligible for the point fund money. A nominal entry fee to run each is required. The point fund breakdown is as follows: $1500, $1000 and $500 to the top three in Modifieds. $1000, $600 and $400 for the Street Stocks and $500, $300 and $200 for the Hobby Stocks
Cone races to be part of weekly Mahoning Valley Speedway features
Cone races where introduced to Mahoning Valley Speedway a few years ago as a way to enhance line-ups following cautions as well as playing a role in the outcome of that particular event. Cone races have since been held sporadically, however, starting this season fans will be seeing them on a regular basis as at least one division per week will compete in that format. It was decided that prior to the night’s racing a random pick will be held to choose which class will then run their feature as a cone race. This will be ongoing throughout the year. In the event a class has been picked two consecutive weeks then on the third week they will not be included in that evening’s draw. Also, several events this year are already designated as cone races and on those night’s there will be no draw. On Opening Night, April 9, race number two of the Freddy Hamm Tribute Twin 45’s will be the first cone race of the season. Others include the Dave Schlenker Tribute Twin-38s for Street Stocks on June 11 and the July 9 50-lap Mike Krempasky Street Stock Memorial. Mahoning Valley will be holding Test and Tune days on Saturday, March 26 and again on Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3 from noon to 4:00 pm.
Opening night is April 9 which will be Race #1 of the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series and the Freddy Hamm Tribute Modified Twin-45s. Also on the card will be Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures. Race time is 5:00 pm.
Randy Schlenker named 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway Race Director
Track management of Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway has announced that former four-time champion Randy Schlenker of Whitehall, has been appointed Race Director of the paved ¼-mile oval. After narrowing down the likely candidates that were being considered for the job, Schlenker was ultimately chosen to fill the opening based on his knowledge and history of the speedway and objective plan to run the races. “At the end of last season we had the race director spot open up and there was a number of reputable applicants that showed interest,” said Mahoning owner/promoter Jack Carlino.“After carefully viewing the list we felt that that Randy (Schlenker) would best be the guy to conduct the program. He knows the track, he knows the drivers and he and his family has a long history with us. We’re proud to bring him into the fold and are confident of his ability to be fair with all classes and drivers.”
Schlenker has been a regular at Mahoning since his youth. His father, Dave Schlenker, worked at the track dating back to its dirt days of the late 1950s and early ‘60s. When blacktop was added in 1970 the elder served in several capacities that included handicapper/scorer, statistician, announcer and flagger. He worked in those same roles at Dorney Park Speedway as well and several other local tracks. In 2017 Dave was inducted into the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s R. Schlenker began racing in the Pro 4 division and would win a pair of titles and 11 features. He then moved into the Street Stock class and capture two titles there as well along with nine victories. At Evergreen Raceway he won 18 times with the Street Stocks. His brother Alan and nephew Matt are also Mahoning Street Stock winners. “I feel honored that there was interest in me for the position and to get the opportunity to serve as Mahoning’s Race Director. It’s always been important to me to keep very involved in the local racing scene as much as I can,” Schlenker said. “My dad started the whole thing from him being an official and then getting us all interested in it from myself to my brother and my nephew. As everyone knows in the racing game it takes a lot of time and money and life throws challenges at you and even though I may not be racing I still like to be involved in it and I’m humbled to have this chance to be part of the Mahoning staff.” Schlenker opened up that as a racer he understands the pressures that are in front of him with his new position but is readily up to the challenge now that he is on the opposite side of the fence. “Its tight quarters and it’s a tight track and there will always be contact with bumping and banging and so forth. I’m going to do what it takes to keep a good even flow of the show and in the process show our fans what good side-by-side action is all about with us. All the years when we raced I always wanted to be treated fairly and it will be my goal to show impartiality and earn everyone’s respect,” Schlenker explained. “Many race tracks are at a crossroads. Those that are still going we have to keep them going and at Mahoning that’s very important because there are generations of racers and families that have been coming here for years. This is a tough industry not just for us but all race tracks. Things aren’t as easy as they once were and it’s up to us to keep this going with good, fair and quality racing.” Schlenker has already been busy preparing for the upcoming season by laying out his game plan and speaking with competitors. He said he’ll be observing closely the upcoming Test and Tune days March 19/26 and April 2/3 where he looks to get settled into his role in preparation for the 2022 season.
Mahoning Valley Speedway/Evergreen Raceway Modified teams to reap big rewards in Tom Wanick Jr. Memorial…$15,000 up for grabs to winner at both tracks + very fitting payout throughout field
(Lehighton 3-6-22) In a unique and very rewarding collaboration between eastern Pennsylvania’s two asphalt race tracks – the 1/4-mile Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton and 1/3-mile Evergreen Raceway in Butler Township – Modified teams are set to share in a lucrative payoff with the inaugural running of the Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial that will be staged at both speedways and stand as the highest paying events ever at each establishments. On Sunday, May 22 at Mahoning Valley the “Modified Spring Zing Tom Wanick Jr., Memorial 150” will pay $7000-to-win while at Evergreen Raceway’s annual King of the Green, which is tagged as the “Tom Wanick Jr. Memorial 200” and slated for Sunday, October 9, is rewarding first place with $8000. Both are record payouts for each track and Evergreen’s race is also the longest distance in track history. “This is great way to show how both tracks can indeed work together,” said Mahoning’s Director of Track Operations Todd Baer. “Tommy (Wanick) came to us with such high enthusiasm to make this happen and we’re excited to be able to honor his dad and show all the asphalt faithful of both Evergreen and Mahoning that through cooperation we will put on a great set of events with great payouts in his name.” The races are being held in memory of the late Tom Wanick Jr., who passed away on January 4. Tom was a reputable Modified car owner and supporter of both tracks as well as partaking on the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Race of Champions Tours. He always paid close attention to detail as his signature No. 1W cars arrived at the track as show pieces with lots of chrome and defining paint schemes. Tom Jr.’s main focus was Evergreen Raceway where he began in 1988 with Succasunna, NJ’s Chris Ammon behind the wheel. Ammon gave the team their first win on July 18, 1992 and 10 more times after that. Tom Jr., also played a pivotal role in resurrecting the track in late 1999 with then promoter Joe Callavini. He was instrumental in reworking the back stretch of the track which clearly made for better racing. Eventually he turned over the reins of the team to his son, Tom III, who continued to make sure the 1W is always at the forefront with such star-studded drivers as Anthony Sesely, Chuck Hossfeld and Bobby Jones. A paving foreman for Franzosa Trucking of Hazle Township, Tom Jr., laid down the new asphalt when Evergreen was repaved last year. “My dad was everything to me and our race team and this is my way of celebrating his life by holding races in his name at Mahoning and Evergreen. We have always supported both tracks and we’re thrilled to be able to hold high-paying events that I’m sure will attract Modified racers from near and far, said Tom III. “I appreciate what Jack Carlino (Mahoning promoter) and Jason Makarewicz (Evergreen promoter) do for asphalt racing and so did my dad. This will be a great set of races for each track with the payouts in place and I know the fans will be in for a treat when you see the teams we expect to be taking part,” he continued. “We’re going to bring three cars alone with Chis (Ammon), Chuck (Hossfeld) and myself all driving plus where going to be giving support to Anthony (Sesely) and Bobby (Jones).”For Ammon it marks the first time back with Wanick since the 2002 Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway. The race formats are designed to keep in tune at both tracks for the Tom Wanick Jr. Memorials. 24 cars will start and all who qualify via heats will take part in a redraw. Two cars will make the grids from the consi and there will also be two provisionals per each track. In place will be a six tire rule. Also 100 ‘show-up’ points will go towards the season championship at each track. At Evergreen there will be a mid-race break at lap 100. Mahoning’s 150 is $7000-to-win, $4000 for second, $1500 for 10th and $1200 to take the green. The 200 at Evergreen pays $8000-to-win and $1200 to take the green. Car registration is $100 if postmarked by May 9 for Mahoning and September 1 at Evergreen. Afterwards it will be $150. Registration forms can be found on both tracks websites. As a bonus the overall best average finisher between the two races will be awarded a guaranteed starting spot in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Haunted 100 on Saturday, October 22 at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA.
In the event of inclement weather on the respective race days, dates and times will be reset accordingly in an effort to be non-conflicting with other race events. Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be on the bill at Mahoning while the Factory Stocks are on the card at Evergreen.
Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series honorees announced…Freddy Hamm, Dave Schlenker, Earl Keinert, Del Hahn and Mike Muffley tribute races to be held
(Lehighton 2-24-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway is proud to announce the honorees and dates for the 2022 Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series (MVSHoFS). The MVSHoFS is a special five race series run amongst the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks and pays tribute to select individuals who have been inducted into the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame at the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown.
Named to this year’s calendar of events are Freddy Hamm, Dave Schlenker, Earl Keinert, Del Hahn and Mike Muffley.
The late Freddy Hamm, how passed away last year, was a Modified champion at both Dorney and Mahoning as well as Evergreen Raceway and is the only driver to have won championships at all three tracks. His signature No. 45 was one of the most recognizable cars to ever turn a lap at each of those facilities. He was a true gentleman racer and earned the respect of his peers as well as a throng of dedicated and passionate fans. His tribute race will be the season opener on Saturday, April 9 with twin-45s for the Modifieds.
Next up will be the Dave Schlenker Tribute on Saturday, June 11. Dave was a fixture at Dorney and Mahoning serving as a race official in a number of different roles. His sons Randy and Alan, as well as his grandson Matt, all became accomplished drivers with the brunt of their success coming in the Street Stocks. For his Tribute that class will contest in Twin 38-lap features while the Modifieds will do battle in a 50-lapper.
Next up will be the Earl Keinert Tribute on Saturday, July 16. The Keinert name is synonymous with all three eastern Pennsylvania asphalt tracks although it was at the Park where he, along with his son Homer Keinert, made their mark as top notch Sportsman Modified racers. Earl’s grandson, Ryan Berger, has continued the family racing legacy running a No. 12 Hobby Stock at Mahoning Valley. The Keinert Tribute thus will be with that division racing in three 12-lap features. Modifieds that night will go 50 laps.
The next two events are centered on Del Hahn and Mike Muffley, a pair of drivers that have deep roots dating back to Mahoning’s dirt days and then on to the current pavement surface and they won on both exteriors too.
Hahn was a top winner on the dirt and claimed the 1957 and 1958 Mahoning championship. When the track was paved in 1970 he returned as a regular visitor to Victory Lane well into the late 1980’s. He was also victorious at Dorney and Evergreen with his infamous 7 over 7 cars as well as other area dirt tracks such as Nazareth and Lehighton. The Del Han Tribute will be staged on Saturday, August 6 and contested over a 77-lap distance for the Modifieds.
Like Hahn, Muffley also began at Mahoning when the track was dirt. He was always a steady and consistent runner and although not a big winner, could be counted on to be there at the end in both features and point standings. For most of his career he drove a blue 1937 Chevy coupe No. 79 owned by Leroy Goldberg. For his tribute the Modifieds will race in twin features that takes place on September 10. The first going 40 laps and the latter at 39 laps.
The five race MVSHoFS events carry a separate tally of points for each class and at the conclusion champions will be crowned and the top three will receive point fund monies. Drivers must compete in each of the five races in order to be eligible for the point fund. There will be a nominal entry fee to run each of the specials.
The point fund breakdown is as follows: $1500, $1000 and $500 to the top three in Modifieds. $1000, $600 and $400 for the Street Stocks and $500, $300 and $200 for the Hobby Stocks. The MVSHoFS payouts for the Modifieds is posted on the track’s website.
Matt Hirschman has won the past two MVSHoFS Modified titles including winning eight of 10 races. 2021 saw Randy Ahner Jr., garner top honors with the Street Stocks and in the Hobby Stocks it was Justin Merkel.
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY LATE MODELS TO RACE FOR $1000-TO-WIN WITH 16+ CAR FIELD
(2-8-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway’s Late Model division has been an intricate part in the history of the popular ¼-mile oval dating back to the dirt days of the late 1950s. 2022 marks the 42nd season of the class racing on the pavement and when Nick Ross won the 2021 championship he became the 25th different driver to earn such a feat over that span. Over those years many great names have entered into the history books as well as some legendary races and thus the class holds a special status to the track and its fans.
However, of late numbers within the division have declined leaving some concern as to where the class stands heading into this year and beyond. During this past off-season a number of meetings had taken place between track management and teams planning to compete with the focus on helping bolster car counts and maintain stability within the ranks. After much deliberation both sides have come up with a mutual agreement that most everyone feels is satisfactory and it begins by bumping up first place at a $1000 to win a regular feature provided 16 or more cars are signed in for that night.
It was also decided that at each race drivers will pay a $50 entry fee that will then be disbursed back into the field by way of a percentage scale which is dependent upon the night’s car count. Even if there is a pro-rated purse for a particular night all entry fee monies will still be paid back into the field aside from the night’s payout. “The Late Model division, just as all of our divisions, is very important to us. After meeting with them and expressing their concerns I’m happy to say that we were able to come up with this payout package,” said Mahoning Valley Speedway owner/promoter Jack Carlino.
“Todd Baer our Operations Manager has worked diligently with the Late Model guys and was able to come to terms with them on what we now have. I really like the fact that we can pay $1000 for a feature win.”
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY LAUDS 2021 CHAMPIONS AT AWARDS CERMONY
(Lehighton 2-5-22) Mahoning Valley Speedway officially put the 2021 season into the record books following the speedway’s awards ceremony held Saturday evening, February 5 at the Mahoning Valley Fire Hall in Lehighton. Champion drivers in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Sportsman Modifieds, Pro 4s, Hobby Stocks, Futures and Rookie Hobby Stocks where commended for their season long efforts. Titlists in the Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fames Series (MVSHoFS) also collected championship honors.
Bobby Jones took the top spot in the Modified division for a second time in the past three seasons. He claimed five feature wins, boosting his overall career wins total to 45. Jones defeated Kyle Strohl and Brian DeFebo in gaining this fourth championship which includes a Modified crown at Evergreen Raceway and a Mahoning Pro 4 title.
Late Model racer Nick Ross made his first season racing at the paved ¼-mile oval a memorable one as he won six times in eight starts including a record-tying five in a row and earned first place honors in the process. Not only did Ross pick up the Mahoning championship but did the same at Evergreen where he won four out of five races and finished out the season as the Northeast’s leading asphalt Late Model winner.
When Jaden Brown left the Hobby Stocks to drive a Sportsman Modified he made an immediate impression. The grandson of track legend Earl Paules was quick from the get-go and his keen ability saw him win a class-leading three features and go on to take his first driving championship. It was a down-to-the-wire title fight too as Brown held off point’s runner-up Avery Arthofer and Paulie Hartwig III.
The Street Stock class now has its second four-time champion as TJ Gursky joins Jon Moser as the only drivers to be hold that elite distinction. Gursky led the way with four feature wins and eight heat wins while picking up 12 top-5s in 19 starts. He actually edged out Moser for the title. This marks his seventh track championship that includes three with the Factory Stocks and putting him into a three way tie with John Bennett and Paules for the most Mahoning crowns.
By winning his third Pro 4 title Cody Kohler is merited with becoming the first driver in the 34-year history of the division to collect that many first place point finishes. He upped his class wins total to 35 thanks to five visits to Victory Lane. Kohler also competed in the Modified division and finished a solid fifth in points, his first year with the headline class.
Hard fought and right down the final lap of the final race was once again the tone for Hobby Stock class in figuring out the championship outcome and the distinction fell to a deserving Trisha Connolly. And, after coming oh-so-close time and again, Connolly was not to be denied in 2021 thanks in part to her consistent ability to finish strong. Although only winning once she was the class leader in top-5s (12) and top-10s (17) and edged out Taylor Schmidt by a mere five points.
Brody George was far and away the class of the Futures division racing to an unprecedented 10 victories en route to solidifying his title and a driver with a bright prospect. Like Brown, George is also a grandson of Paules. His dad, Nevin George, is a two-time Mahoning D/A Mod champ. Third generation racer Greyson Ahner stepped out from Quarter Midget ranks and into stock cars this past season as a member of the Rookie Hobby Stocks and finished out the year as a champion. The young talent showed his flair early and often too, winning nine main events and taking 11 top-5s, both tops in class.
For the second time in as many seasons Matt Hirschman won the Modified portion of the popular MVSHoFS, winning four of five events. Randy Ahner Jr., was the Series’ Street Stock titlist while Justin Merkel was best among the Hobby Stock contingent. Special award recipients included Kohler, Ross, Tobie Behler, Terry Peters and BJ Wambold in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks respectively. Most Improved Driver awards went to Seth VanFossen in the Late Models, Jillian Snyder in Street Stocks, Josh Kuronya in Pro 4s and Merkel in the Hobby Stocks.
Guests enjoyed a deliciously prepared buffet meal prepared by none other than track owner/promoter Jack Carlino.
MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Mahoning Valley Speedway will officially close the books on the 2021 season when the popular paved ¼-mile oval holds its Awards Ceremony on Saturday, February 5 at the Mahoning Valley Fire Hall, 2358 Mahoning Dr. W, Lehighton, starting at 5:00 pm.
Class champions Bobby Jones – Modifieds; Nick Ross – Late Models; Jaden Brown – Sportsman Modifieds; TJ Gursky – Street Stocks; Cody Kohler – Pro 4s; Trisha Connolly – Hobby Stocks; Brody George – Futures and Greyson Ahner – Rookie Hobby Stocks will be heralded for their title winning accomplishments along with several others from those aforementioned divisions.
The top five from the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks will collect point money. The Sportsman Modifieds and Pro 4s will include the top three point finishers while the Late Model class will be the champion only.
Rookie of the Year honors will also be presented.
Also at the affair will be the crowning of the 2021 Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame Series titlists which are Matt Hirschman, Randy Ahner Jr., and Justin Merkel in the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks respectively.
The event will be casual dress. A buffet style dinner will be served including appetizer and dessert. Non-alcoholic drinks will be served otherwise it will be BYOB.
Tickets, which will be limited, are $45 per person and can be purchased starting on Sunday, January 16 at RJ Raceway (adjacent to the race track) from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Tickets can also be gotten at those same times and place on January 23 and 30
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2522 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: (570) 386-4900 |