7/15/06

NURMI, DOLPHIN, SCOTT, GARLOCK RACK UP WINS ON ROBOSAURUS NIGHT

 
An old friend returned to Lancaster Raceway Park after a year away. The metal-eating, fire-breathing dinosaur Robosaurus thrilled the capacity crowd with his spectacular show during intermission. He has been coming to Lancaster for over 15 years to thrill fans of all ages, as LRP has become a home away from home for “Robo” and his caretakers.

Ron Nurmi highlighted the regular racing program with his first win of the season in the Bobcat of Buffalo Late Models. Nurmi started third, but took the lead from pole sitter Mark Pennell on lap four.

Scott Skora moved into the second spot on lap 10, and tested Nurmi’s ability to stay out in front. Nurmi held off Skora, and was able to pick up his 39th career Late Model win at Lancaster.

Points leader, Bobby Weber, finished third behind Nurmi and Skora. George Skora III and T.J. Johnson rounded out the top five.

Craig Dolphin became the newest winner in the SST Sportsman. Dolphin passed Ed Weber for the lead on lap four and stayed there the rest of the way.

Frank Booker, Jr. was Dolphin’s toughest challenger as he was right in the tire tracks of the leader in the final laps. Booker Jr. had a chance on the final lap to get around Dolphin, but came up short allowing Dolphin to get the win.

Dolphin is the seventh different winner this season in the Sportsman as this division is having one of its most competitive seasons ever.

Russ Gian, Justin Shepker, and Eddie Murray rounded out the top five finishers. Points leader, Nick Cappelli, ran into some trouble, literally. Cappelli piled into Mike Stevenson and Jake Sapio who had spun out in turn one. He returned to the race after going several laps down in the pits, but finished 13th.

Mike Scott became the eighth different winner this season in the Jerry Gradl Motors Super Stocks. Scott started on the outside pole and led all 20 laps of the feature. Doug Evans tried reeling in Scott in the late stages of the race, but ran out of time. Evans settled for second, followed by Wayne Bernhard, Frank Batista Jr., and George Roesch.

Tim Garlock bested a field of 33 cars in the Glen Campbell Chevrolet Street Stocks for his first win of the season. To get the win Garlock had to get by the driver he finished second to the week before, Jim Bryant.

Bryant and Garlock were once again running first and second respectively, but this time Garlock would come out on top. The pair battled side by side before Garlock took the lead for good on lap 14. Garlock held on for the win, despite feeling under the weather.

Jim Offhaus finished third in his first start of the season. Jeff Madill and Gary Bartella rounded out the top five. Rich Hoch, Scott Mutka, Kevin Mendel, Gary Light, and Rob Bulger finished inside the top ten.

Next week, July 22, the 2006 schedule hits the midway point, as all divisions will run in the Mid-Season Championships. The Mighty Taco Skydivers will also drop in for a visit. Racing start at 6:30.

RESULTS

BOBCAT OF BUFFALO LATE MODELS
Heat Winners – Mark Pennell, Ron Nurmi

Feature –
1. (3) RON NURMI
2. (5) Scott Skora
3. (6) Bobby Weber
4. (4) George Skora, III
5. (2) T.J. Johnson
6. (7) Rich Skora (black #56)
7. (1) Mark Pennell
8. (8) Tommy Reese
9. (9) Mike Ticco
DNS: Tim Windnagle, Darryl McKay.

SST SPORTSMAN
Heat Winners – Nick Capelli, Bill Burd

Feature –
1. CRAIG DOLPHIN
2. Frank Booker, Jr.
3. Russ Gian
4. Justin Shepker
5. Bill Burd
6. Eddie Murray
7. Kirk Rutherford
8. Ed Weber
9. Sherri Hogan
10. Ed Grimmer
11. Luke Wozniak
12. T.J. Petrie
13. Nick Cappelli
14. Mike Stevenson
15. Jake Sapio
DNS: Jerry Gradl, Jr.

JERRY GRADL MOTORS SUPER STOCKS
Heat Winners – Mike Scott, Wayne Bernhard

Feature –
1. (2) MIKE SCOTT
2. (3) Doug Evans
3. (5) Wayne Bernhard
4. (6) Frank Batista, Jr.
5. (4) George Roesch
6. Paul Alberti
7. Dave Johnson
8. Rick Widmer
9. Tom Carney
10. Kyle Sharpe
11. Jay Canonico
12. (1) Jason Gwin
13. (7) J.W. Flagler
DNS: Jay Mudra, Ed Lechner.

GLEN CAMPBELL CHEVROLET STREET STOCKS
Heat Winners – Tim Garlock, Joe Mergl, Tom Agen Sr.

Feature –
1. TIM GARLOCK
2. Jim Bryant
3. Jim Offhaus
4. Jeff Madill
5. Gary Bartella
6. Rich Hoch
7. Scott Mutka
8. Kevin Mendel
9. Gary Light
10. Rob Bulger
11. Tom Agen, Jr.
12. Andy Cryan
13. Wayne Lavis
14. Mike Maggiore
15. Dennis Pieczynski
16. Cory Gallagher
17. Mike Fedele
18. Kaz Toracek
19. John Julicher, Jr.
20. Ed Nowak
21. Paul Tessier
22. Steve Cochran
23. Matt Jurek
24. Tom Agen
25. Bob Blaszak
26. Tom Deville
27. Russell Knutsen
28. Bobby Hanel
29. Jim Stein
30. Joe Light
31. Joe Mergl
32. Jeff Guidotti
33. Rick Ortwein.

Source: Dave Buchanan/Lancaster Raceway Park PR
Additions: Mark Southcott/NYRaceZone.com
Posted: July 16, 2006