Story By: MIKE LEONE / SHARON SPEEDWAY – HARTFORD, OH – After losing two of the last three events to Mother Nature, sunshine returned on Saturday as Sharon Speedway hosted the second annual “Bill Gabrielson Memorial” as part of the “Steel Valley Thunder” program presented by Sunburst Environmental and A&MP Electric.
Celebrating in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply victory lane with wins were Dave Hess, Jr. (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply UMP Modifieds presented by A&MP Electric), Jeremy Double (Whelen Econo Mod Mania Tour presented by Alcon Mechanical), Bobby Whitling (Gibson Insurance Agency Pro Stocks), and Chas Wolbert (HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds). An even 100 race cars filled the pit area for the four-division program.
Dave Hess, Jr. continued to show why he’s one of the region’s all-time greats and most versatile drivers. With more than 375 career victories, including a $20,000 RUSH Crate Late Model win at Lernerville in June and a $10,000 Super Late Model win on Tuesday at Stateline Speedway, Hess continued to add big victories and hardware to his resume on Saturday. For the second straight year, Hess was the winner of the “Bill Gabrielson Memorial”. After winning more than $4,100 at last year’s event, Hess dominated all 25 laps of the $2,558 to-win Hovis Auto & Truck Supply UMP Modified feature presented by A&MP Electric. With his dash victory, Hess took home $2,816 on Saturday bringing his two-year event total to nearly $7,000!
“This is awesome,” expressed the 40-year-old Waterford, Pa. driver. “We really look forward to this race and only make it down here a few times a year. The Late Models aren’t as fun as running the modified here- the smaller tires make it better racing in my opinion. Man the track was great again. I love running around the top of this place- it’s so fast, and tricky. It’s tough because it’s slick in the middle, traction up top and fits my driving style. There are so many people behind the scenes that make this go for me and thanks to every one of them. It’s been a great year for us and the results just keep coming. Thanks to the Gabrielson Family for making this one of the biggest Modified races we get to run in the area. I know there’s a lot of hard work that goes into that. I want to thank Sharon and all of the fans.”
Four cautions were all that slowed Hess’ run to the victory. Andre Layfield started second and ran in the position until getting into the fence on lap 24 ending his great run, which garnered him the hard luck award. Even with the one-lap shootout, Hess drove away in the final lap and still took the checkered flag first by 1.475 seconds in his Plyler Entry Systems/Sanger Investments/Ballentine Electric & Construction/Everhart Asphalt-sponsored #44 for his sixth career Sharon win.
After starting 13th, June 22 winner, Bud Watson, raced his way up to second at the finish to earn the $158 hard charger award in addition to his $1,058 payday. Ty Rhoades ran in the top five for the duration, but was never in contention for the win as he settled for third. Nate Young, who won his first career Sharon feature at the last event on July 20, was fourth. Zachary Carr was fifth in his first ever Sharon start. The Athens, Ohio driver won the $158 long tow award and also received the Performance Bodies “Nosed Out” contingency for beating out Michael McGee by 0.188.
Casey Bowers, Josh McDonald, Greg Johnson, and Garrett Calvert completed the top 10. Ty Rhoades set fast time overall in qualifying against the 30-car field with a lap of 17.601. Winning the $158 heats were Carr, Greg Johnson, and McDonald. Andrew Beatman won the last chance B main.
The Econo Mod Mania Tour made their first of two visits of 2024 with a whopping 34 cars in the pit area for the highest car count in over three years! When the checkered flag flew, it was Jeremy Double finally picking up his first win of 2024. Double started eighth and passed Coleton Longwell on lap 14 then held off a furious charge by 13th starting Dennis Lunger, Jr. to become the division’s all-time winner at Sharon with 22 victories. Double earned $1,058 in the 20-lap Whelen feature presented by Alcon Mechanical.
“I wasn’t really sure if it was going to happen this year,” acknowledged the 28-year-old Bristolville, Ohio racer, who broke his tie with Brandon Blackshear for most wins in the division. “I’m happy to finally get there. I’ve started on the front row twice this year and not have a win was pretty frustrating. My parents are home and I think this is the first time since 2014 I’ve won when they’ve been both here. I have to thank Tom Sok for giving me an opportunity to drive this car and everyone that helps out.”
Early on it was a tremendous battle up front between Longwell, Jarrett Young, Jacob Eucker, and Garrett Calvert. The four racers traded the top four positions numerous times before Double made his way forward and got to second on lap 12 before a pair of cautions with 13 laps completed. When racing resumed, Double raced into the top spot with Lunger following in second one-lap later. The duo pulled away from the pack and put quite a show on for the fans over the final five circuits.
Double though would cross the line first by 0.440 seconds in the T-N-T Motorsports LLC-owned, DF Precision Machine/Bala Management/Malone Diesel/Glunt Industries/Wedge Motorsports#83 over Lunger, who has won twice in an Econo and once in a UMP Mod this year at Sharon. Eucker was third over Garrett Calvert and 14th starting Eric Wilson. Young dropped from second to sixth at the finish as Zack Eller, Dennis Dellinger, Brian Toto, and Brendan Warner completed the first 10. Heat winners were Eucker, Andy Buckley, Gary Olson, and Longwell, while Gary Sullivan and Don Watson won the last chance B mains.
Making just his second start of the season at Sharon, veteran Pro Stock standout Bobby Whitling picked up the victory in the 20-lap Gibson Insurance Agency feature. Whitling passed Stephen Shelpman on a restart on lap 12 after leader Cody Koteles broke and went uncontested for the win.
“We were okay, but weren’t great; Koteles had the race, but I think his rear-end went,” stated the 51-year-old Franklin, Pa. driver. “That’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes in this sport so we’ll take them anyway we can get them. I want to dedicate this win to Scott Bloomquist, who passed away last Friday. My brother and I have watched races for years and he was our hero and favorite race car driver so this win is for him.”
Whitling started third and raced past Koteles and Jamie Duncan into the lead at the start of the feature. Whitling and Koteles raced side-by-side for the top spot over the next four laps before Koteles took control on lap five. Koteles, who won his first career race at Sharon last year on July 29 and was fresh off a first career Lernerville on Wednesday, looked good out in front. Koteles appeared as if he was headed for the victory until losing power under a caution with 11 laps completed.
Shelpman, who started seventh and was making his first career Sharon start, inherited the lead; however, would never officially lead a lap as Whitling made the pass on the ensuing restart. With the final eight laps going green-to-checkered, Whitling took the checkered flag first for his sixth career Pro Stock win and seventh overall at Sharon by a commanding 3.026 seconds in his Log Cabin Family Restaurant/Jed’s Racing Engines/Cranberry Beverage/Close Racing Supply/Wedge Motorsports/Virgile Scrap Metal-sponsored #7W.
Eighth starting Jim Fosnaught passed Shelpman on lap 18 to finish a career best second at Sharon. Shelpman was an impressive third. Ninth starting Nick Kocuba was fourth over Jamie Scharba, who made his 2024 debut. Marty Spade, Jr., Jacob Wheeler, Dalton Gabriel, Troy DeZarn, and Brian Lacey completed the top 10. Heat winners were Duncan and Koteles.
Chas Wolbert led wire-to-wire in the 20-lap HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modified feature. It was the division’s all-time winner’s second win of the season as the two-time RUSH Weekly Series Champion overtook Kole Holden for the Series points lead as he makes another run at a $3,500 title.
“The track changed probably 10 times tonight as we watched and waited,” explained the 30-year-old Warren, Ohio racer. “It was fun. Thanks to the crew and everyone at Sharon Speedway that makes this a great place for us to race every time we’re here. First off I have to thank God as without him, none of us would be here. I want to thank everyone that stayed and hung out to watch our race. I have to thank my family and we have a lot of great people that helps us to be here.”
Rutana and Wolbert led the 20-car field to green with Wolbert immediately racing into the lead. A caution for Darin Gallagher slowed action with two laps scored. When racing resumed, sixth starting Ayden Cipriano passed Rutana for second, while Wolbert pulled away. A caution for Dalton Gabriel and Brayden Beatty with seven laps scored was the final stoppage of the event.
Cipriano got a shot alongside Wolbert for the double file restart, but Wolbert took off in the lead. Wolbert caught lapped traffic on lap 17, but Cipriano could never mount a challenge. Wolbert took the checkered flag first by 3.456 seconds over Cipriano in his Alcon Mechanical/Ohio Intra Express/CT Wolbert Trucking/Dunkin of Warren/Russ King Racing/Race 1/ZM Excavating/Youngstown Powder Coating-sponsored #c3. Like Double, it was also Wolbert’s division-leading 22nd career win at Sharon.
Rutana matched his career best finish of third from two years ago. JC Boyer was fourth. Fresh off a win on Friday night at Raceway 7, Rob Kristyak raced from 18th to 5th to earn the $100 Summit Racing Equipment Hard Charger gift card. Rounding out the top 10 were Logen Lockhart, Jacob Rutana, Todd English in his 2024 debut, Karston King and Lucas Canon. Doug Rutana and Wolbert won the heat races.
There will be no racing over Labor Day weekend. The next events will be September 6-7 for the “Apple Festival Nationals” followed up by the rescheduled “Lou Blaney Memorial” on September 21 featuring the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars for $12,000 to-win/$1,200 to-start along with the BRP Modified Tour for $2,500 to-win, and finally the return by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on September 28. Stay tuned for more details.
Hovis Auto & Truck Supply UMP Mods presented by A&MP Electric “Bill Gabrielson Memorial” (25 laps, $2,558 to-win): 1. 44-DAVE HESS, JR.[1]; 2. 225-Bud Watson[13]; 3. 12R-Ty Rhoades[5]; 4. 42-Nate Young[3]; 5. 7C-Zachary Carr[7]; 6. 11M-Michael McGee[12]; 7. 20-Casey Bowers[10]; 8. 37-Josh McDonald[9]; 9. 05-Greg Johnson[8]; 10. 7G-Garrett Calvert[16]; 11. 5B-Andrew Beatman[22]; 12. 82-Andre Layfield[2]; 13. 105-Zach Johnson[14]; 14. 16C-Amelia Clay[24]; 15. 7-Coleton Longwell[15]; 16. 101-Jesse Wisecarver[4]; 17. 151-Jeremy Holbrook[11]; 18. 26D-Derek Deuesenberry[19]; 19. 17G-Brandon Grossman[17]; 20. 1-Vinnie DePizzo[18]; 21. 9T-Mason Canter[21]; 22. 21R-Randy Bauknecht[20]; 23. 92-Joel Watson[6]; 24. 17-Alan Dellinger[23].
DNQ for the feature: 4B-Chris Brockway, 23-Gary Olson, 5M-Donnie May, 4J-Jim Plance, 25T-Mark Titus, 71L-Dennis Lunger Jr.
Whelen Econo Mods presented by Alcon Mechanical (20 laps, $1,058 to-win): 1. 83-JEREMY DOUBLE[8]; 2. 71L-Dennis Lunger Jr[13]; 3. 64-Jacob Eucker[3]; 4. 12C-Garrett Calvert[7]; 5. 10-Eric Wilson[14]; 6. 21-Jarrett Young[2]; 7. 99E-Zack Eller[4]; 8. 17-Dennis Dellinger[10]; 9. 8B-Brian Toto[12]; 10. 12*-Brendan Warner[18]; 11. 56-Bryan Wagner[17]; 12. 26X-Carter Bidwell[11]; 13. 27-Nathaniel Arp[19]; 14. 55H-Gary Olson[6]; 15. 89C-Travis Carothers[16]; 16. 777-Jacob McConnell[15]; 17. 71A-Don Watson[22]; 18. 47S-Gary Sullivan[21]; 19. 89-Junior Mechling[24]; 20. 9G-Arianna Samuelson[23]; 21. 16-Coleton Longwell[1]; 22. 965-Andy Buckley[5]; 23. 25H-Casey Harmon[9]; 24. 777C-James Clay Jr[20].
DNQ for the feature: Gary Robinson (44R), Justin Cutshall (21J), Troy Pinch (12), Rick Wilson, Jr. (35), Buzz Seitz (B1), George Vestal IV (4), Eric Nellis II (15), Robert Simmons (4RJ), Devin Bliley (2B), Mike Bihler (24).
Gibson Agency Pro Stocks (20 laps): 1. 7W-BOBBY WHITLING[4]; 2. 20J-Jim Fosnaught[8]; 3. 17S-Stephen Shelpman[7]; 4. 10-Nick Kocuba[9]; 5. 11S-Jamie Scharba[10]; 6. 18S-Marty Spade[6]; 7. 1-Jacob Wheeler[5]; 8. 47-Dalton Gabriel[15]; 9. 21-Troy DeZarn[11]; 10. 51L-Brian Lacey[13]; 11. 67J-Jamie Duncan[1]; 12. 1K-Cody Koteles[2]; 13. 12M-Scott Malone[16]; 14. 8-Jonathan Davis[12]; 15. 3-Paul Davis[3]; 16. 14-Scott Stiffler[14].
HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds (20 laps): 1. C3-CHAS WOLBERT[2]; 2. 5C-Ayden Cipriano[6]; 3. 46R-Doug Rutana[1]; 4. 12-JC Boyer[5]; 5. 00-Rob Kristyak[18]; 6. 58-Logen Lockhart[4]; 7. 57R-Jacob Rutana[7]; 8. 711-Todd English[8]; 9. 165K-Karston King[17]; 10. 2LC-Lucas Canon[13]; 11. 29A-Anthony Antus[3]; 12. 10-Chelsie Gallagher[9]; 13. 4-Will Schaffer[15]; 14. 83-Brandon Tercho[20]; 15. 00K-Jackson Kristyak[16]; 16. 0-Mike Smith[14]; 17. B4-Brayden Beatty[12]; 18. 333G-Dalton Gabriel[11]; 19. 23-Darin Gallagher[10]; 20. 2-Kole Holden[19].