Will Thomas has had a lot of success in his visits to the Holland
NASCAR Motorsports Complex over the past five years, and Saturday
evening, the Sharpsville, PA driver continued his mastery of the
high-banked Western New York oval, scoring his third Late Model
Budweiser 100 win in four seasons in a thrilling duel with Dave
Heitzhaus.
In other Holland action, points battles came into play in four
divisions, as Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr. of Eden, NY picked up his second
NASCAR Ragingwolf.com SST Pro Modified win and moved himself into a
virtual tie for the points lead, Dave Krawczyk of Kenmore, NY notched
Charger win number three to open up a slight lead in that points
battle, Nick Welshans of West Falls, NY took his fifth Pro Four win to
edge his way to the top of the standings, and Eric Brown of Holland
earned his fifth consecutive Thiel Motorsports 4-cylinder Hornet win to
creep to within a few points of the top of the charts.
Camden Barber of Bliss, NY took his third Holland win of the season in
the final
visit of ‘09 by the Casey’s TQ Midget Series, and Jesse Baker of
Buffalo rolled to his first M&M U-Pull-It Figure 8 Car win of the
year.
George Skora III launched into the Bud 100 lead from the outside pole,
but was outrun by Dave Russell for the top spot on a lap 8 restart.
Russell, in his first start after a long recovery from highway collision
injuries, proceeded to open up some ground over the field, but eyes were
on Dave Heitzhaus and Will Thomas, as both drivers were
slicing through the field from their ninth and tenth starting spots.
Heitzhaus was first to arrive, as his mount was set up to handle the
inside groove, which he used to get under Skora for second on lap 21.
Heitzhaus started to close on the leader, and by lap 35, was on
Russell’s tail. The past Holland Limited Modified and Late Model
champ
then used lapped traffic to his advantage, slipping under Russell for
the top slot on lap 39. In the meantime, Thomas had broken free of
the pack, taking third from Skora on lap 36.
A lap 40 caution period slowed the field, and on the lap 43 restart,
Thomas was able to power under Russell for the runner-up slot.
This set the table for the rest of the race, and Heitzhaus and Thomas
would play a cat-and-mouse game with one another, while Russell was able
to keep close, but was never in a position to challenge.
Thomas made repeated attempts to take Heitzhaus on the high side, but
Heitzhaus was able to keep his mount ahead down low. A lap
62 restart went in Thomas’ favor, as he was able to get a good top
side run and finally get around Heitzhaus for the lead on lap 63 - but
Heitzhaus wasn’t done. Thomas shifted his lane down a half
groove to try to thwart Heitzhaus’ preferred low groove, but Dave
surprised Will by going upstairs and racing around Thomas to re-claim
the lead on lap 74. Heitzhaus looked as if he just may be able to
win a first ever Bud 100 after 20 years of trying, as he held off a few
Thomas thrusts for the top spot. However, it appeared as if the
tires on the Heitzhaus mount were beginning to fade in the late going,
as Dave washed up on the turn 2 exit on lap 97, allowing Thomas to get a
wheel underneath going into turn three - the pair traded paint exiting
turn four, with Thomas executing the winning pass en route to the
two-to-go signal. Heitzhaus tried to get an outside lane run at
Thomas on the next circuit, but it wasn’t to be, and Thomas was able
to roll on for a two car length margin of victory and the $2000
winner’s share of the purse. For the second consecutive
season, Heitzhaus led the most laps of the race, but
had to settle for a second place showing.
Russell concluded an excellent run in a brand new car to claim third,
about a half-straightaway behind the lead pair. Todd Hoddick,
the 2008 Bud 100 champ, had a good mid-race battle with George Skora III
and Rich Skora before pulling away over the latter stages to claim
fourth, while Rich Skora, never worse than sixth through the race, was
rewarded for a solid drive with a fifth place showing.
Only six caution flags slowed the pace, and 15 entries were running at
the checkered flag, with the top nine on the lead lap.
In the 40 lap main for the NASCAR Ragingwolf.com SST Pro Modifieds,
Neil Hopkins and Justin Shepker made contact while racing for the
top slot on lap 14, bringing out the yellow. Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr.
was able to take advantage of the restart to scoot his Fiebelkorn’s
Collision/Mikey G’s ride under Tim Welshans for the lead, and used the
final 25 laps of caution-free racing to roll away for the victory.
Amy Catalano was able to make a next-to-last lap pass of Welshans to
claim the runner-up slot, with Welshans recording a third place finish
in his
strongest outing of the season.
The two drivers atop the Charger points charts had their shoot-out on
the track in the 30 lap main. Dave Krawczyk was able to work his
WNY Wraps/Ohio Tech Monte Carlo under Jerry Kosmowski for the lead on
lap twenty, with Mark Hoch following through a lap later to claim
second. Over the final nine circuits, Hoch tried outside
challenges for the lead, but Krawczyk was up to the task, holding on for
a car length margin of victory over Hoch. Jim Mallaber had a
steady race throughout, claiming third at20the checkers.
After a scramble on the first attempt to get the 20 lap Casey’s TQ
Midget Series feature underway, the race went caution-free, and Camden
Barber was able to take advantage of the full green conditions to roll
away for the victory. Barber slipped under Mike Blair for the
point position on lap 2, then checked out. Jamie Collard rolled
into second on lap 11, but was unable to reel in the high-flying Barber
and had to settle for second. In an exciting third place run,
Justin Mapes just nipped Blair at the line.
Nik Welshans raced his Klispie Motorsports/West Falls Racing Nissan by
Chad Pusloski on the 10th circuit of the 25 lap Pro Four main, then
survived a restart with just two laps remaining for his fourth win in
the last five outings. J.D. Roberts edged Bob Marzec at the
line for runner-up honors.
Eric Brown raced by Eric Marzec on a lap 11 restart for the lead in the
30 lap Thiel Motorsports 4-cyl. Hornet run, and had to endure two more
restarts over the final five laps to maintain his winning streak. George
Quintana came back through the field after involvement in a lap24
shuffle to edge Jeff Szafraniec at the line for second.
Jesse Baker led all eight laps of the M&M U-Pull-It Figure 8 Car
main for his initial victory of the season, ahead of Bill Lutz and
Butcher Palmer.
News and Notes –
During the on-track autograph session prior to the
start of the Budweiser 100, funds were collected to assist the recovery
efforts in the flood ravaged community of Gowanda - the fan donations
were turned over to Late Model of Tomorrow racer Nick Crassi, who
serves as the Disaster Coordinator for Gowanda .... a moment of silence
was held in memory of Buffalo firefighters Chip McCarthy and Jonathan
Croom, who last their lives in the line of duty this past week - Hornet
racer Elaine Pimpo had graphics on the hood of her car reflecting a
tribute to the fallen heroes ... Dave Russell was not the only Late
Model racer making a season debut - Dave Heitzhaus was also making his
first start anywhere this season, Todd Hoddick, though busy with his
SST Modified Sportsman this season, was debuting a brand new Late Model
for his first full fendered race of '09, and Bob Weber was on the track
for only his second outing of the year ... Ohio racer Mayo Spence made
his first ever Holland visit, but front suspension issues forced an
early departure from the 100 ... heavy overnight and early Saturday
morning rains made the grassy areas of the infield quite swamp-like,
proving a challenge to the tow truck and push truck operators as they
attempted to assist out of shape racers on the infield grass throughout
the evening ... Going into next Saturday’s final points night of
racing, things are very tight in five divisions - Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr.
and Justin Shepker are locked up in virtual tie for the Ragingwolf.com
SST Pro Modified points lead, T.J. Johnson holds a two point advantage
over Eldon King III in the Late Models of Tomorrow chase, Dave Krawczyk
has a 23 point margin over Charger rival Mark Hoch, Nik Welshans has
the Pro Four points lead, but just 15 markers separate first from
fourth, and Jeff Szafraniec has but a five point advantage over Eric
Brown in the Thiel MotorsportsHornet standings.
Double points will be on the line for all divisions on Saturday,
September 5th, as it will be season championship night at the Holland
NASCAR Motorsports Complex. The full card will feature the NASCAR
Raginwolf.com SST Pro Modifieds, Late Models of Tomorrow, Chargers, Pro
Fours, Thiel Motorsports 4-cyl. Hornets and ladies-only Queen Bees, and
the M&M U-Pull-It Figure 8 Cars. Pit Gates will open at 3:00,
grandstand gates at 4:00, and racing will get underway at 6:00 pm.
Formore information, contact the Holland office at (716)-537-2272 or visit
the web site at www.hollandspeedway.com.
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LATE MODELS – Budweiser 100
Finish - Start - Car # - Driver - Hometown - Laps - Running/Reason Out
1. - 10 - 9 - WILL THOMAS – Sharpsville PA - 100 - running
2. - 9 - 45 - Dave Heitzhaus - Strykersville NY - 100 - running
3. - 6 - 93 - Dave Russell - Clarence NY - 100 - running
4. - 8 - 49 -Todd Hoddick - Lancaster NY - 100 - running
5. - 3 - 56b - Rich Skora - Eden NY - 100 - running
6. - 17 - 47 - Scott Wylie - Blasdell NY - 100 - running
7. - 12 - 11 - Bob Weber – Clarence Center NY - 100 - running
8. - 5 - 3 - Jeff Brown - Hamburg NY - 100 - running
9. - 4 - 50 - Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr. - Eden NY - 100 - running
10. - 7 - 4s - Chris Ross – Ballston Spa NY - 99 - running
11. - 19 - 2x - Dave Whittaker – Orchard Park NY - 99 - running
12. - 2 - 65 - George Skora III - Eden NY - 99 -
running
13. - 11 - 52 - Tom Reese, Jr. – West Seneca NY - 99 - running
14. - 1 - 29 - Richard Arndt - Colden NY - 99
- running
15. - 14 - 2 - Ron Nurmi - Hamburg NY - 90 -
running
16. - 15 - 53 - Jason Petri - Yorkshire NY - 42 - mechanical
17. - 16 - 83 - Mayo Spence – Perry OH - 37 - mechanical
18. - 18 - 18 - Bill Catania – Erie PA - 27 - mechanical
19. - 13 - 56y - Scott Skora - Eden NY - 6 - damage
Heat Race Winners: Will Thomas, Dave Heitzhaus, Todd
Hoddick.
Lap Leaders:
1-7: G. Skora, 8-38: D. Russell, 39-62: D. Heitzhaus, 63-73:
W. Thomas,
74-96: D.Heitzhaus, 97-100: W. Thomas.
Caution Flags - 6: laps 6 (56y), 13
(debris), 40 (83), 59 (2x, 3, 11), 69 (4s, 50),
93 (65).
NASCAR Raginwolf.com SST PRO MODIFIEDS – 40 laps: 1. (started 10th)MIKE FIEBELKORN, JR., 2. (12) Amy Catalano, 3. (2) Tim
Welshans, 4.(8) Justin Shepker, 5. (14) George Skora III, 6. (15) Rick
Kluth, 7.(3) Don King, 8. (7) Kevin Lewis, 9. (5) Kevin Miller,
10. (9) Neil
Hopkins, 11. (4) Ed Weber, 12. (13) Dick Kluth, 13.
(6) Jeff Ruddy, 14. (11) Joe Evans, 15. (1) Mike Stevenson.
CHARGERS – 30 laps: 1. (started 9th) DAVE KRAWCZYK, 2.
(12) Mark Hoch, 3. (2) Jim Mallaber, 4. (11) Jim Loffredo, 5.
(4) Shawn
Lafferty, 6. (5) Al Grimmer, 7. (8) Ted Welshans, 8.
(6) Jerry
Kosmowski, 9. (7) Joe Eck, 10. (3) Zach Myers, 11.
(10) Tom Northem,
12. (13) Jerry Carpenter, 13. (14) Dave Wilson, Jr.,
14. (10 Rich
Carnes.
Casey’s TQ MIDGET Series – 20 laps: 1. (started 4th) CAMDEN
BARBER,
2. (14) Jamie Collard, 3. (10) Justin Mapes, 4. (3) Mike
Blair, 5.(13) Mark Schulz, 6. (6) Jim Fleischman, 7. (12) Vince
Christiano,
Jr., 8. (5) Charlie DiRosa, 9. (8) Dean McConnaughey,
10. (9) Arik McGruder, 11. (7) Jonathan Reid, 12. (11) Rich Watkins,
13.(1)Nelson Rung, 14. (15) Ryan Hessler, 15.(2) Shawn Nye.
Dash for Cash Winner:
Jamie Collard.
Did NotStart: Chad Heywood.
PRO FOURS – 25 laps: 1. (started 4th) NIK WELSHANS, 2. (3)
J.D.Roberts, 3. (1) Bob Marzec,
4. (5) Josh Hathaway, 5. (2) Chad Pusloski,
6. (7) George Quintana, 7. (6) Joe Mastrocicco
III, 8. (8)
Eric Brown.
Thiel Motorsports HORNETS – 30 laps: 1. (started 11th) ERIC
BROWN, 2.
(14) George Quintana, 3. (13) Jeff Szafraniec, 4. (12)
Jammer Meuckl,
5. (9) Samantha Lutz, 6. (5) Ben Russo, 7. (4) Kyle
Skoney, 8. (15)
Elaine Pimpo, 9. (2) Tony Carbone, 10. (16) Butcher Palmer,
11. (6)Jesse Baker, 12. (1) Jerry Toms, 13. (10) Kim Marzec Skoney,
14.(19) Waylon Price, 15. (18) Bill Lutz, 16. (7) Eric Marzec,
17. (8)
Robin Frey, 18. (3) Josh Hunter, 19. (17) Robert Palmer.
M&M U-Pull-It FIGURE 8 CARS – 8 laps: 1. (started 1st)
JESSE BAKER, 2. (4) Bill Lutz, 3. (3) Butcher Palmer, 4. (2) Waylon
Price.
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