5/2/2004

LANCASTER BEGINS A NEW SEASON AND A NEW ERA

A new chapter in the history of the Lancaster Raceway Park began last Saturday with the first regular season race under the ownership of Jim Reid. Reid, a former track champion and local businessman, purchased the track in March from Ralph Galuzzi. While the weather was, at times, uncooperative, the fans and drivers still came out for the 46th annual season opener for LRP, the Coca-Cola Queen City Clash presented by Mighty Taco. Lancaster race fans showed their love for the sport as a majority of the crowd waited out two rain delays during the program. 

The best way to get back into the “racing groove” is to hear the rumble of the mighty Modifieds back at the Lancaster, NY half-mile and the Mods put on quite a show in their first race of the year. Buck Catalano started on the pole for the first 30-lap feature of 2004 with Rich Littlefield alongside for the ride. Unfortunately for Catalano his time in the front would not last long. Going down the backstretch on lap two he lost control of the car, the back end got out from under him and he hit the wall. He was unharmed but his car was done for the night. Also involved were Sege Fidanza and Eddie Murray who were left with no place to go but into Catalano’s car. 

After the cleanup, Littlefield took command of the field. Littlefield missed most of the second half of last season with mechanical problems, but looked to be in top form leading the field in his Jakala’s Truck & Auto #3. He was challenged early on by Dave Wollaber of Ransomville. Wollaber was forced to try the outside line to make his move but there wasn’t much rubber in the second groove and it made it difficult to pass. 

When Wollaber failed, Chuck Hossfeld came up from the fourth row to make a run for the lead. Looking to defend his Queen City Clash title, Hossfeld tore through the top five during the first half of the race and was challenging for the lead by halfway. Fresh from racing the night before in Stafford, CT, Hossfeld went to work on Littlefield and was also forced to go to the outside groove. He made the DeLange Racing #22 stick to the outside and was able to take the lead on lap 17. 

Wollaber would regain second place on lap 19 and tried to keep pace with Hossfeld. The “Hotshoe,” however, was just too strong and pulled away to repeat as Queen City Clash Modified feature winner. Tim Mangus followed Wollaber across the line with Matt Alix and Tom McGrath completing the top five. 

For the full-fendered fans the Late Models returned with Todd Hoddick defending his track title from 2003. Hoddick started on the pole for the 25-lap feature and led the first three laps. On a lap four restart, Tom MacLeod would get the jump on Hoddick and took the lead exiting turn two. As the race wore on, MacLeod pulled away from Hoddick, who had an ill-handing car, and Joe Carbone. The Tonawanda, NY resident would lead the final 21 laps to capture the first checkered flag of the season. Carbone took home second, Hoddick third; Ron Nurmi and Bobby Weber completed the top five. 

The Bobcat of Buffalo Sportsman will be guaranteed to have a new champion in 2004, as 2002 and 2003 track champion, Nick Cappelli, moved to the Modifieds. This leaves the division wide open with a lot of talented young drivers and some new faces from other tracks joining the class. On opening night it would be the young guns showcasing their skills. 20-year-old Joey Manko and 18-year-old Bobby Holmes shared the front row for their 20-lap feature and neither driver would relinquish their spot. Holmes followed Manko lap after lap, but couldn’t make the pass for the lead. The outside was too green for Holmes and Manko would not give up the low lane. 

The Mighty Auto Parts #95 would roll on to its first victory of ’04 and the third of Mighty Manko’s career. Holmes was there all the way but came up short for a second place run. Chris Finocchario debuted his Sportsman with a third place finish. He will do double duty by competing in both open wheeled divisions. Justin Shepker finished fourth and Russ Gian was fifth. 

Jay Mudra and Wayne Bernhard renewed the rivalry for 2004 in the Jerry Gradl Motors Super Stocks. They tied for the track title last year to become the first ever co-champions in any division. To begin this year they ran the second heat together, with Mudra getting the win just ahead of Bernhard. For the feature, they would be stuck together again with both drivers sharing the front row. 

The pair ran side by side for almost the entire first half of the 20-lap feature. Bernhard, however, would finally break free in the second half of the race. He took control and would ride to the checkered flag. Mudra hung on to second, Dave Milbrand gave the defending champs a run late in the race to finish third. 

Finally, Frank Batista tasted the sweetness of victory for the first time ever in the Glen Campbell Chevrolet Street Stocks. Batista inherited the lead on lap eight after Tom Agen and Jim Offhaus tangled while racing for the top position. He then drove away from Kyle Sharpe during the second of the race for his first visit to victory lane. 

Racing continues at LRP on Saturday, May 8 at 6 PM with FOAR Score night and the season debut of the TQ Midgets joining the regular racing program. For more information log on to www.lancasterracing.com or call the LRP office at (716) 759-6818. 

RESULTS 

MODIFIEDS 
Heat winners – Buck Catalano, Sege Fidanza 

Feature – CHUCK HOSSFELD, Dave Wollaber, Tim Mangus, Matt Alix, Tom McGrath, Brett Scherrer, Kenny Troyer, Karl Hehr, Billy Putney, Bill Mislin, Rich Littlefield, Ron Williams, Donny Staubitz, Patsy Catalano, Nick Cappelli, Chris Finocchario, Sege Fidanza, Buck Catalano, and Eddie Murray. 

LATE MODELS 
Heat Winners – Mark Pennell, Joe Carbone 

Feature – TOM MACLEOD, Joe Carbone, Todd Hoddick, Ron Nurmi, Bobby Weber, Mark Pennell, Bob Nye, John Julicher, Bill Adamczyk, Tim Windnagle, Jerry Harding, Jr., Tim DiPasquale, Mike Catalano, Art Hill, Dave Russell, and Darryl McKay. 

BOBCAT OF BUFFALO SPORTSMAN 
Heat Winners – Jerry Gradl Jr., Joey Manko 

Feature – JOEY MANKO, Bobby Holmes, Chris Finocchario, Justin Shepker, Russ Gian, Frank Booker, Mike Rogers, Ed Grimmer, Jerry Gradl Jr., Ken Heckler, Mike Florio, Roger Baranyi, Neal Dietz Jr., and Moose Rutherford. 

JERRY GRADL MOTORS SUPER STOCKS 
Heat Winners – Rich Skora, Jay Mudra 

Feature – WAYNE BERNHARD, Jay Mudra, Dave Milbrand, Craig Orr, Ed Lechner, Ed Collver, Mark Hoch, Mike Scott, Tom Carney, Jay Canonico, Paul Alberti, Rich Skora, and Jim Nowinski. DNS: AJ Cole. 

GLEN CAMPBELL CHEVROLET STREET STOCKS 
Heat Winners – Jim Offhaus, Frank Batista 

Feature – FRANK BATISTA, JR., Kyle Sharpe, Pete Hackett, John Shurmatz, Joe Light, Mark Pew, Joe Mergl, Paul Swatsworth, Gary Light, Neal Poodry, Jim Offhaus, Jeff Zahm, Jason Lovell, Kyle Volk, Rick Widmer, Jim Stroehlein, Tim Garlock, Paul Tessier, Scott Mutka, Tom Deville, and Tom Agen.  

Source:  Dave Buchanan/Lancaster Raceway Park PR
Posted:  May 2, 2004