Hostetler Wins OVDCA Season Finale
Saturday October 12, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
2002 Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association Champion Bill Hostetler ended the season in much the same manner he started, as he used a late race pass to claim feature win number seven in the OVDCA's season finale.
As has been the case on many occasions throughout the year, Hostetler faced quite a challenge from a competitor more than half his age. This time the 69-year old wonder had to deal with 20-year old Chad Goff of Whitmore Lake, Mich., who led all but five of the race's 20 laps.
Bringing the field to the green were first heat race winner Mark Jamison, along with dwarf car veteran Max Evans. Jamison got the jump, with Goff immediately moving into the second position. After winning the previous two Shady Bowl features, Hostetler was relegated to the seventh starting position, joined in row four by Holly, Michigan's Rob Roney, the winner on August 17.
Goff wasted little time showing the form that earned him runner-up honors at the Great Lakes Asphalt Series race at Shady Bowl earlier this year. The visiting hotshoe took the lead from Jamison on lap three, as Hostetler and Roney fought through traffic further back.
Caution flew for the first of three times on lap seven, involving the second and third place cars. Roney made a challenge for second, trying to slide by Jamison going down the backstretch, but contact between the two, sent the latter into a spin that caused him to graze the backshute wall.
With Jamison retired to the pits and Roney placed on the tail of the field, racing resumed, with Goff still showing the way ahead of Evans and Hostetler. Just two laps after the restart, Donnie Eaton got into the back of a hard charging Roney, spinning the Michigan driver and ending his evening.
Behind the front running trio, another good battle was brewing between Mark Bernard, Wayne Fitzpatrick and Knoxville, Tennessee's K.D. Knoedler. That battle ended abruptly on lap 12, when the final yellow flew for a Knoedler spin between turns one and two. Also on the move from the 12th starting position, was sprint car star J.R. Stewart, driving his uncle Bob's car in his dwarf car debut. Stewart made a steady drive to the front, passing John Miller on lap 10 to take over seventh and inheriting the sixth position when Knoedler spun.
The remaining laps appeared to belong to Goff, as he opened up a sizable advantage over the balance of the field. Hostetler finally made a pass for second on lap 14, but it appeared he would run out of time as Goff continued to pull away.
As the laps wound down, lapped traffic came into play and proved pivotal in shaping the outcome of the race. Hostetler finally caught up to Goff as the latter fought traffic and took over the top spot on lap 18. Goff still had an opportunity to challenge for the win, but Hostetler used his experience advantage to navigate the traffic better than Goff allowing him to pull into victory lane for the seventh time.
At the checkered Evans trailed the front running duo, with Bernard and Fitzpatrick rounding out the top five. Stewart hung on to sixth ahead of 2002 OVDCA Rookie of the Year Chris Weeks. Knoedler recovered from his spin to claim eighth place money, with Miller ninth and Jerry Davis, in his first Shady Bowl appearance in a year, 10th.
The evening's two preliminary events turned into flag-to-flag wins for Jamison and Goff. In heat one, Jamison opened an enormous lead as Hostetler fought through traffic after starting next to last. At the checkered, Hostetler was catching Jamison but had to settle for second ahead of Bernard and Miller. Heat two was all Goff as he held off the challenges of Roney, Evans and Fitzpatrick to take the win.
With the culmination of the 2002 season, Hostetler becomes the first three-time champion in series history. Just 11 points separated positions two through four, as the 1998 champion Fitzpatrick edged Evans and Bernard. Quite possibly the most improved driver of the year, Josh Sell, rounded out the top five, despite missing five races with school-related commitments. The rookie of the year Weeks took sixth in the points, ahead of Jamison, Eaton, Mike Rector and Miller rounding out the top 10.
Heat 1: Jamison, Hostetler, Bernard, Miller, Morgan, Eaton, Briggs, Knoedler.
Heat 2: Goff, Roney, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Weeks, Stewart, Davis.
Feature: Hostetler, Goff, Evans, Bernard, Fitzpatrick, Stewart, Weeks, Knoedler, Miller, Davis, Eaton, Morgan, Roney, Jamison. DNS-Briggs
Hostetler Paces OVDCA at Flat Rock
Saturday September 21, 2002
Flat Rock Speedway
By Shawn Sell
For the third time this year, many of the midwest’s finest asphalt dwarf car racers gathered, this time at Flat Rock (Mich.) Speedway for the Great Lakes Asphalt Series. As was the case in round one at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, Michigan’s Eric Hoffman took top honors as he was victorious in both heat and feature action at Flat Rock, bettering a field of 40 other cars who made qualifying attempts.
The Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association was represented by six of it’s regular competitors, including three-time series champion Bill Hostetler. The 69-year old wonder once again showed the way for the Ohio group, with a top finish of eighth place.
The format for the evening’s festivities locked the top-20 qualifiers into the A-Main, with the remainder of the field locked into the B-Main. Only Hostetler and John Miller earned A-Main spots, with Miller getting in an early incident that damaged his ride and placed him 16th.
The B-Main was marred by a high attrition rate that knocked three of the Buckeye state representatives out early. When the smoke had cleared, former Flat Rock street stock competitor Jerry Davis, out for the first time since late 2001, was the highest Ohio finisher in fourth place. Max Evans ended up 13th, with Wayne Fitzpatrick and Mark Bernard, 15th and 16th, respectively. Michigan’s Chris Hill survived the fiasco to score the win.
The evening’s four heat races paired the field by qualifying speed, with Davis and Bernard in the first heat. As he would show again in the B-Main, Davis was strong in the event, placing second behind Mike Hicks. Bernard finished fifth in the preliminary competition.
Heat number two went to former OVDCA rookie of the year Mike Weisberg. Weisberg, now an MCR member, bettered a field that included Fitzpatrick (fifth) and Miller (ninth).
The third preliminary event had no OVDCA drivers competing and Michigan’s Rich Sliwa picked up the win. Heat number four, which featured the evening’s 10 fastest qualifiers went to Hoffman, with Hostetler scoring a third place result.
Heading into this Saturday’s season-finale at Shady Bowl, Hostetler has already locked up his third consecutive OVDCA crown. In addition, 14-year old Chris Weeks has already put the wraps on the Rookie of the Year title, as he sits in sixth place in the point standings. However, the rest of the final points positions are still up for grabs. The dwarfs will join the Outlaw Modifies, Pro Stocks, Flying Stocks and Compacts on the card for Shady Bowl’s last event of the 2002 campaign.
Heat 1: Hicks, Davis, Findlay, Dolbee, Bernard, J. McManman, R. Sliwa, Pote, Sr., Glagow. DNS-Meyers.
Heat 2: Weisberg, Hill, Zarkis, Schultz, Fitzpatrick, Dalton, Evans, Scherer, Miller, Shepherd.
Heat 3: T. Sliwa, Balcom, Ausmus, Claps, S. Ihrke, Slayton, Reiter, G. Ihrke, M. McManman, Jr.
Heat 4: Hoffman, C. Curtis, Hostetler, Wylie, Roney, Goff, T. Curtis, Close, Mott.
B-Main: Hill, Zarkis, R. Sliwa, Davis, J. McManman, Glagow, Dolbee, Weisberg, Hicks, Pote, Sr., Findlay, Schultz, Evans, Scherer, Fitzpatrick, Bernard, Meyers, Dalton. DNS-McManman, Sr., Reardon.
A-Main: Hoffman, Wylie, Roney, McManman, Jr., C. Curtis, G. Ihrke, Goff, Hostetler, Slayton, Mott, Ausmus, Balcom, S. Ihrke, Shepherd, Claps, Miller, T. Curtis, R. Sliwa, Reiter, Close.
Hostetler Claims OVDCA Crown With Double Wins
Saturday-Sunday Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
The ageless Bill Hostetler made good use of a Labor Day weekend doubleheader as he swept both feature events to clinch the 2002 Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Championship. With the title, Hostetler becomes the first three-time champion in the 10-year history of the OVDCA, as he has claimed titles in each of the past three campaigns.
The first of the weekend's two events provided a spirited battle between the 69-year old Hostetler and 18-year old Josh Sell. Sell, on a weekend visit home from school at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, paced the field early, but fell victim to timely cautions that allowed Hostetler to close up Sell's advantage.
Pacing the field to the green were Mark Jamison and leading OVDCA rookie Chris Weeks. Sell wasted little time in jumping to the front from his inside second row starting position, putting his Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson-backed ride on the point on the event's first circuit. Hostetler, who rolled off fourth in his Trenor Motors-sponsored entry, got bottled up in traffic early on, finding himself in fourth when the first yellow flew for a Donnie Eaton spin on lap three.
On the restart, Hostetler began his hard charge to the front, as Sell drew out to a bigger lead. Hostetler finally found his way around the rapidly improving Weeks for second on lap five, beginning his pursuit of Sell. The veteran got the break he was looking for when caution flew on lap nine for oil on the track dropped by the blown motor in Wayne Fitzpatrick's #2 truck. The event's final lead change came on lap 10, when Hostetler worked past Sell to take command. Hostetler could not shake Sell however, as the youngster fought tooth and nail for the top spot.
Also moving through the pack in the race's middle stages was Max Evans. Evans, who started the event sixth, took third away from Weeks on lap 10 and was hot on the heels of the front running duo.
The high-flying battle up front came to an abrupt halt just two laps from the checkered as Sell's motor erupted in a cloud of smoke, bringing out caution number three and ending his evening and weekend prematurely. The yellow allowed Jamison a chance to advance in the standings as he took the number four spot away from Weeks.
At the checkered, Hostetler was the man headed for victory circle, with Evans claiming runner-up honors and Mark Bernard taking third. Jamison held on for fourth ahead of Weeks, in a career-best effort for the 14-year old. Jack Morgan, Jr. and Eaton were the final two cars running in seventh and eighth.
The evening's preliminary event provided a great preview for the main event as Sell and Hostetler contested the top spot. Fitzpatrick jumped to the early advantage, but a lap three caution for a spin by Evans brought the field back together. Sell quickly jumped into the lead on lap four and held off the challenges of Hostetler to claim his second heat win of the season. Weeks placed third in the event, with Bernard fourth.
The second show of the weekend evolved into the "Bill Hostetler Show" as he dominated both the heat and feature races. Hostetler led flag-to-flag from the pole position in the heat race, topping the duo of Bernard and Jamison. Fitzpatrick finished fourth in the event after an overnight motor change that allowed him to return for the second half of the doubleheader.
After winning on Saturday night, Hostetler was forced to start seventh on Sunday, allowing Fitzpatrick to pace the field early on from his pole starting slot. Hostetler stalked the field throughout, moving into fourth by lap three and passing Bernard for third three laps later. Evans was Hostetler's next victim on lap nine and the ageless one took over the top spot on lap 11 as the caution free laps clicked away.
Once in front, Hostetler checked out from the rest of the field, opening up nearly a half-track lead by the finish to stake his sixth feature win of the year. Positions two through six ran in a tight bunch for the duration, with Fitzpatrick coming away with runner-up honors. Evans posted another strong run in third, with Jamison and Bernard holding off Weeks for top five finishes.
With the conclusion of the two-day holiday show, the OVDCA now has but two races remaining on the 2002 docket. The next event is the final leg of the Great Lakes Asphalt Series, to be held September 21 at Flat Rock (Mich.) Speedway. The dwarfs wrap up the campaign on October 12 in the season finale at Shady Bowl.
8/31 Results
Heat: Sell, Hostetler, Weeks, Bernard, Jamison, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Morgan, Eaton. DNS-Stewart.
Feature: Hostetler, Evans, Bernard, Jamison, Weeks, Morgan, Eaton, Sell, Fitzpatrick. DNS-Stewart.
9/1 Results
Heat: Hostetler, Bernard, Jamison, Fitzpatrick, Evans, Weeks, Eaton. DNS-Watson.
Feature: Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Evans, Jamison, Bernard, Weeks, Eaton, Watson.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 9/1:
1. Bill Hostetler 785 6. Chris Weeks 398 11. John Miller 201
2. W. Fitzpatrick 671 7. Mark Jamison 387 12. Keith Bailey 163
3. Max Evans 629 8. Donnie Eaton 289 13. D. Carrigan 150
4. Mark Bernard 617 9. Mike Rector 281 14. Mike Weisberg 120
5. Josh Sell 476 10. J. Morgan, Jr. 208 15. C.E. Daugherty 115
Out of Towner Roney Tops Shady Bowl Field
Saturday August 17, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
Fenton, Michigan's Rob Roney invaded Shady Bowl Speedway and came away with the top prize in the most recent Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at the southwest Ohio oval. Roney held off the hard charges of point leader Bill Hostetler, breaking the latter's two-race stranglehold on the top spot.
Roney took advantage of his outside front row starting position and Hostetler's seventh starting spot to lead all 20 laps and claim his first win at the Bowl since last October's Mini Indy event. Hostetler charged through the field to earn runner-up honors, falling just short at the checkered.
Max Evans joined Roney on the front row brining the 12-car field to the green. While Roney jumped into the lead, Evans held the second spot for the first six circuits. Lap seven saw Michigan's Tom Sliwa slip past Evans and begin his pursuit of Roney.
The man on the move throughout the event was no doubt Hostetler, forced to roll off seventh after last weekend's feature win. The 69-year old wonder cracked the top five for the first time on lap four, passing Mark Bernard. Hostetler picked off Wayne Fitzpatrick for fourth on lap eight, moving into third two laps later.
Caution flew on lap 14 slowing the high-speed race when debris was spotted on the backstretch. Hostetler wasted little time in taking advantage of the yellow, moving into second past Sliwa on the restart. The high flying field was slowed again just a lap from the checkered when the motor of Keith Bailey exploded, laying a track of oil around most of the speedway.
The final yellow set up a two-lap shootout for the top spot. When the green flag flew, Roney took off much faster than Hostetler, fending off the veteran and scoring the win. Hostetler earned runner-up honors, with Sliwa holding off Evans and Fitzpatrick for third. Michigan's Chuck Zarkis finished sixth in his first ever Shady Bowl appearance, with seventh going to Bernard. Leading rookie of the year candidate Chris Weeks was eighth, with Jack Morgan, Jr. ninth and Donnie Eaton rounding out the top 10.
In heat race action earlier in the evening, checkered flags fell to Roney and Hostetler. Fitzpatrick grabbed the lead at the outset of heat one with Roney and Bernard in tow. Roney took a shot at the lead and got it on lap three. A lap seven pass by Sliwa gave him third, with Bernard holding on to fourth. Heat number two was all Hostetler as he rocketed from the outside pole to lead flag-to-flag for his eighth heat win of the year. Polesitter Evans ran second for the entire race, finishing ahead of Zarkis and Bailey.
With four events remaining on the 2002 docket, Hostetler holds a commanding 68-point lead in his quest for a third straight OVDCA championship. Fitzpatrick is second, a comfortable 56 points ahead of Evans. Bernard continues to hold down the fourth position, trailing Evans by just 12 points. Josh Sell remains fifth, despite missing the race after moving to Charlotte, North Carolina for the beginning of his freshman year of college. Weeks made the biggest move, advancing to sixth past an absent Mike Rector and Mark Jamison.
The OVDCA will now get geared up for a big two-race weekend coming up during the Labor Day holiday. The dwarfs return to competition on Saturday night, August 30 joining the E-Mods, Late Models, Compacts, and Pro, Mini and Flying Stocks on the Shady Bowl card. The Bowl will host a special Sunday evening show the next night featuring the 305 Sprint Asphalt Series, the USA Modified series, Compacts and Flying Stocks, along with the dwarfs.
Heat 1: Roney, Fitzpatrick, Sliwa, Bernard, Weeks, Morgan.
Heat 2: Hostetler, Evans, Zarkis, Bailey, Eaton, Watson. DNS-Miller.
Feature: Roney, Hostetler, Sliwa, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Zarkis, Bernard, Weeks, Morgan, Eaton, Bailey, Watson. DNS-Miller.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 8/17:
1. Bill Hostetler 637 6 . Chris Weeks 296 11. Jack Morgan, Jr. 165
2. W. Fitzpatrick 569 7. Mike Rector 281 12. Keith Bailey 163
3. Max Evans 513 8. Mark Jamison 277 13. Doug Carrigan 150
4. Mark Bernard 501 9. Donnie Eaton 212 14. Mike Weisberg 120
5. Josh Sell 423 10. John Miller 201 15. C.E. Daugherty 115
Hostetler Wins Again, Points Lead Continues to Grow
Saturday August 10, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
Bill Hostetler made it two wins in a row and four for the season as he captured the top prize in the latest Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at Shady Bowl Speedway. Hostetler also took the checkered first in the heat race, earning the maximum 75 points for the evening and cushioning his point lead to 56 over 1998 OVDCA champ Wayne Fitzpatrick.
The evening provided an interesting side note as former dwarf car frontrunner Chad Pendleton captured the first E-Mod feature win of his career. Pendleton made it pay off in a big way in the event billed as the Shady Bowl Shootout, paying $10,000 to the 100- lap event winner.
Following a six-car heat race invert, rookie Chris Weeks and Mark Bernard were paired on the front run to bring the nine-car field to the green. Bernard took control at the outset, with Weeks and Josh Sell running second and third. The calvary blew by on lap two as Weeks fell to sixth, with Max Evans moving into the second spot.
Bernard continued to lead through lap seven, with Evans, Sell, Hostetler and Fitzpatrick in hot pursuit. Minor contact between Hostetler and Sell loosened the latter and dropped him to fifth by lap nine, as Fitzpatrick also skated by.
Lap 12 proved to be the event's turning point as the top five cars entered lapped traffic. As rookie Bob Stewart tried to exit the track in turn two, the surprised frontrunners were forced to check up to avoid a major pile-up. The result was Hostetler moving from third to first and Sell from fifth to third. Evans ended up the biggest loser of the incident as he dropped from the runner-up spot to the number four position.
Two laps later, the race's only yellow flag flew as Oscar O'Dell's ride came to a stop in turn four. On the restart, Sell immediately went to work, passing Bernard for the number two spot and closing in on Hostetler.
The standings remained the same over the final five circuits, despite constant pressure by all of the top five drivers. At the checkered, Hostetler was the winner ahead of Sell in a career best finish. After leading much of the event, Bernard wound up third ahead of Evans and Fitzpatrick. Polesitter Weeks also logged a career-best effort in sixth, staying on the lead lap for the entire 20 lap affair. Another dwarf car rookie, Donnie Eaton was the last car running in seventh.
With just nine cars on hand, only one heat race was run and Hostetler dominated the event. After drawing the lucky pole starting position, Hostetler dominated the event, with Fitzpatrick running second for all eight laps. Sell made a frantic drive from the back of the pack, passing Bernard for fourth on lap five and Evans for third on the event's final circuit.
Prior to the evening's racing, a decision was made by the OVDCA drivers to count the Great Lakes Asphalt Series event at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway in the season point standings. That adjustment, along with the evening's results, caused quite a shake up in the standings. Hostetler continues to lead, with Fitzpatrick now comfortably sitting in second. Evans is third, 58 behind Fitzpatrick and just two ahead of fourth place Bernard. Sell rounds out the top five, 29 behind.
The OVDCA returns to action this Saturday, August 17, joining a full night of racing at Shady Bowl. Joining the dwarfs on the evening's card are the E-Mods, Late Models, Flying Stocks and Legends. In addition, the Vintage Auto Racing Club (VARC) will be making its annual appearance.
Heat Race: Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Sell, Evans, Bernard, O'Dell, Weeks, Eaton, Stewart.
Feature: Hostetler, Sell, Bernard, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Weeks, Eaton, Stewart, O'Dell.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 8/10:
1. Bill Hostetler 568 6. Mike Rector 28111. D.Carrigan 150
2. W. Fitzpatrick 512 7. M. Jamison 277 12. J. Morgan 124
3. Max Evans 454 8. Chris Weeks 251 13. Keith Bailey 122
4. Mark Bernard 452 9. John Miller 196 14. M. Weisberg 120
5. Josh Sell 423 10. Donnie Eaton 171 15. C.E. Daugherty 115
Hostetler Tops Great Lakes Series Field
Saturday August 3, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
Former NASCAR Champion and current FOX Sports broadcaster Darrell Waltrip has been known on many occasions to claim that "sperience" (or experience) is the reason that many veteran drivers are able to hold off their younger counterparts. Such was the case with the second round of the Great Lakes Asphalt Series as the ageless Bill Hostetler fought off the challenges of youngster Chad Goff to score the feature win in an event sponsored by People's Savings and Loan of West Liberty.
Hostetler took the lead from fellow Ohioian Wayne Fitzpatrick on lap five and held off the hard charging Goff in the closing laps, giving the Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association the win after Midwest Classic Racers member Eric Hoffman claimed round one last month at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway.
Bringing the field to the green to start the event were Illinois' Todd Shepherd and Fitzpatrick. The 1998 OVDCA Champion took the early advantage with Hostetler and Shepherd in tow. Making a move up after starting eighth was Michigan's Tom Sliwa who ran as high as third on lap five. Goff was also showing in the early stages that he would be a force as he slipped past Sliwa for third on lap eight and Fitzpatrick for the number two spot on lap 12.
Attrition forced two hometown drivers, Josh Sell and Mark Jamison to the pits in the event's first half. Transmission trouble prior to the green forced a broken hearted Sell to the pits after just two laps well off the pace. Jamison's night came to an early end with a broken shock mount on lap 10.
The event's first yellow flew on lap 11, when the turn four wall collected Shepherd and retired him to the pits.
Throughout the event three of Michigan's finest, Jon Wylie, Rob Roney and Eric Hoffman were on a march through the field. Wylie, who rolled off ninth, moved into the top five for the first time on lap 11, passing Andy Taylor. Roney and Hoffman, both forced to run the B-Main earlier in the evening were relegated to 16th and 17th place starting spots, respectively, but both made hard charges through the pack.
Contact between Michigan's Roger Balcom and Ohio's Mike Rector on lap 16 caused the final caution of the evening. As Rector spun in turn one, he collected the cars of Illinois drivers Greg Ihrke and Erik Close, ending the night for all three.
On the restart, Goff had his best shot at Hostetler and actually found his way past the two-time OVDCA champion for an instant, before Hostetler used his "sperience" to regain the lead. Also on the restart, Fitzpatrick fell back, allowing Sliwa and Wylie to sweep past for third and fourth. Both Hoffman and Roney had found a way around Fitzpatrick by lap 18, as the latter fell to seventh. Just a lap later, Sliwa fell back as Hoffman and Roney cruised past.
Last lap contact between Scott Ihrke and Taylor spun the latter in turn four, collecting Max Evans and heavily damaging the rides of both Taylor and Evans.
At the checkered, Hostetler, at 69 years young was the winner ahead of Goff. Michigan hotshoes Wylie, Hoffman and Roney rounded out the top five. Sixth place went to Sliwa, with Fitzpatrick seventh, Mike Weisberg eighth, Scott Ihrke ninth and Jeff Slayton rounding out the top 10.
With 16 cars locked in from the four heat races, the 12-lap Frisch's Big Boy B-Main set the final eight starting spots. Roney dominated the event, leading flag to flag to earn the win. Rector ran a solid second throughout, before losing the spot to Hoffman and ending up third. Balcom and Chris Reiter rounded out the top five. The event was marred by a nasty lap five crash involving Illinois' Dan Pote, Jr. and Michigan's Angela Ausmus. After contact in turn two, Pote, Jr. hit the turn two wall head on, breaking two bones in his right leg. Ausmus was uninjured, but forced from the event.
The first of the evening's four heats was presented by Sell 5 Motorsports and it looked like the event may go to Sell 5 driver Josh Sell. But Sliwa had other ideas as he moved from his last row starting position to take the lead on lap two and checked out from the rest of the field. Sell finally cleared traffic, moving into second a lap later and began to reel in Sliwa who had opened up a large lead. But the checkered flag flew before Sell could catch Sliwa, with Michigan's Mike Stuart and Illinois' Dan Pote, Sr. earning the final two transfer spots.
Jack's CarQuest Auto Parts of Mount Sterling was the second heat sponsor, with Taylor capturing the win. A lap one crash eliminated the cars of Oscar O'Dell, Hoffman and Illinois' president Al Claps, leaving just five cars to race for the four transfer positions. Once racing resumed, Shepherd took an early lead, with Taylor riding second and Close third. Taylor took over the top spot on lap three, with Ohio's Mark Bernard passing Close for third on lap five.
Hostetler was the man to beat in the CT Communications Incorporated third heat, as he passed Weisberg for the lead on lap three and never looked back. Wylie worked past Weisberg for the runner-up spot on lap five, with Scott Ihrke earning the final transfer position.
Lucky 7 Sports of Bellefontaine sponsored the final eight-lap heat, which was dominated by Goff. Goff led all eight laps from the pole position to score the win ahead of Slayton and Fitzpatrick. Evans made a lap five pass of Balcom to earn the final transfer spot.
Misfortune by many of the OVDCA drivers led to little change in the quest for the 2002 championship. Hostetler's dominance allowed him to open his lead to 65 points. A solid run by Fitzpatrick moves him into second past Bernard, with a cushion of nine points. Evans now has a bit more breathing room over Sell, as 40 points separate the drivers in the battle for fourth.
Round three of the GLAS is set for Saturday, September 21 at Flat Rock (Mich.) Speedway. The OVDCA returns to action this Saturday at Shady Bowl, running companion to one of the biggest races in track history. The dwarfs will join the $10,000 to win Shady Bowl Shootout for E-Mods, in addition to the Compacts on the evening's card.
Heat 1: Sliwa, Sell, Stuart, Pote, Sr., Weeks, Pote, Jr., Dolbee, Jamison.
Heat 2: Taylor, Shepherd, Bernard, Close, Reiter, Claps, Hoffman, O'Dell.
Heat 3: Hostetler, Wylie, Weisberg, S. Ihrke, Roney, Rector, Smithberg, G. Ihrke.
Heat 4: Goff, Slayton, Fitzpatrick, Evans, Balcom, Ausmus, Miller. DNS-Daugherty.
B-Main: Roney, Hoffman, Rector, Balcom, Reiter, G. Ihrke, Weeks, Jamison, Dolbee, Smithberg, Pote, Jr., Ausmus. DNS-Claps, Daugherty, Miller, O'Dell.
Feature: Hostetler, Goff, Wylie, Hoffman, Roney, Sliwa, Fitzpatrick, Weisberg, S. Ihrke, Slayton, Evans, Bernard, Balcom, Stuart, Reiter, Weeks, Taylor, Dolbee, Close, Rector, G. Ihrke, Shepherd, Jamison, Sell.
BOLD represents Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association members.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 8/3:
1. Bill Hostetler 469 6. Mike Rector 281 11. Donnie Eaton 130
2. W. Fitzpatrick 404 7. Mark Jamison 246 12. Jack Morgan, Jr. 124
3. Mark Bernard 395 8. Chris Weeks 206 13. Keith Bailey 122
4. Max Evans 389 9. John Miller 196 14. Mike Weisberg 120
5. Josh Sell 349 10. D. Carrigan 150 15. C.E. Daugherty 106
Fitzpatrick Leads OVDCA In First Great Lakes Event
Friday-Saturday July 19-20, 2002
By Shawn Sell
The first round of the Great Lakes Asphalt Series was a rousing success as 33 cars filled the Rockford Speedway pits in western Illinois for the first of three co-sanctioned events with members of the Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association, Midwest Classic Racers and Badger-Illini Dwarf Car Association. Michigan's Eric Hoffman was the evening's big winner as he set a new track record in qualifying and went on to capture the win over a tough 24-car field at the historic 1/4 mile oval.
The OVDCA's 1998 champion Wayne Fitzpatrick paced the Ohio contingent as he posted a sixth place finish in the A-Main. Current points leader Bill Hostetler (16th) and Mark Jamison (17th) also represented the OVDCA in the evening's feature event.
After qualifying, a six-lap dash was held featuring the two fastest qualifiers from each of the three participating clubs. Josh Sell and Hostetler represented the OVDCA, with Sell lining up on the pole position. The 18-year old jumped out to a lead that he would hold for the first two laps before Illinois' Al Claps sped by to take the lead and the win. Hoffman also worked past Sell late in the race to grab second, with the latter holding on to third, as Hostetler placed fifth.
Heat race action was chalk full of hard racing, but would prove to be tough going for the Ohio boys, as just two native Ohioans were able to earn a transfer spot from the 10 lap events. Jamison and fellow Buckeye C.E. Daugherty brought the first preliminary event to the green, with Jamison taking control early. He had to settle for third, though, behind Indiana natives Oscar O'Dell and Jamison Corn. A late spin by Max Evans relegated him to a spot in the B-Main.
Michigan's Chad Goff scored the win in the second heat, with Fitzpatrick grabbing a transfer spot after a fourth place finish. Sell's evening came to an early end when a stuck throttle caused him to spin into the turn one wall, cutting a brake line and forcing him out of further competition.
The evening's 10 fastest qualifiers lined up for heat three and when the dust settled, Hostetler, the OVDCA's lone representative in the event, was relegated to a 10th place finish and a spot in the semi-feature. Michigan's Brian See took the win ahead of Claps.
That semi-feature was also hotly contested, with Hostetler leading much of the 12-lap affair before settling for second, behind Michigan's Jeff Slayton. Evans (4th) and Daugherty (6th) both barely missed transfer positions.
Feature action was paced at the beginning by outside pole sitter Scott Ihrke from Illinois. A hard charging Hoffman was finally able to wrestle the lead away after advancing from his ninth starting position to take the victory. Ihrke held on for second with Goff nipping Wisconsin native Roger Osborne at the line for third. Two-time MCR champion Andy "The Sheriff" Taylor rounded out the top five, finishing just ahead of Fitzpatrick.
En route to the first of three GLAS events, the OVDCA contingent made a stop at Illiana Speedway in Schererville, Indiana for a regular BIDCA show. Three Ohioans placed in the top 10, led by Hostetler who overcame an early spin to post a fifth place finish. Evans placed a solid seventh, with leading OVDCA rookie of the year candidate Chris Weeks in tenth. Sell had what appeared to be a top five finish going until last lap contact with Corn spun the former out, resulting in a 15th place finish. Also in the event from the OVDCA was Daugherty in 11th, as well as Fitzpatrick (20th) and Jamison (21st) who both suffered from mechanical woes.
The heat races showed the Ohio drivers had come to play, as all three had a strong Buckeye flavor. Weeks had one of his best dwarf car showings to date, earning runner-up honors in the first heat after a last lap pass for the position. Jamison grabbed the win in heat two, with Fitzpatrick coming home third. Heat three was paced by Sell for the first four laps, before Claps and Ihrke found a way by. Racing for the second spot on the final lap, Sell drove too hard into turn four, spinning out and finishing seventh.
With one GLAS event in the books, members of the OVDCA, MCR and BIDCA will get geared up for event number two of three. The three clubs will converge at Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio on Saturday, August 3. The night should be full of action as the dwarfs are slated to join the previously rained out Neal Sceva Memorial for Late Models on the evening's card.
Rockford 7/20
Qualifying: 6. Hostetler (14.560), 11. Sell (14.669), 17. Fitzpatrick (14.901), 21. Evans (14.996), 29. Daugherty (15.914), 30. Jamison (16.044). Fast time-Hoffman (14.120)
Dash: Claps, Hoffman, Sell, Powell, Hostetler, Curtis.
Heat 1: O'Dell, Corn, Jamison, Ausmus, Balcom, Reiter, Pote Jr., Pote Sr., Bue, Daugherty, Evans.
Heat 2: Goff, Shepherd, Sliwa, Fitzpatrick, Osborne, Ihrke, Taylor, Gurganus, Sell, Slayton.
Heat 3: B. See, Claps, Close, Powell, Wylie, Hoffman, Roney, Curtis, J. See, Hostetler.
B-Main: Slayton, Hostetler, J. See, Evans, Bue, Daugherty, Pote Sr., Gurganus, Curtis. DNS-Sell.
Feature: Hoffman, Ihrke, Goff, Osborne, Taylor, Fitzpatrick, Powell, Roney, Close, O'Dell, Shepherd, B. See, Claps, J. See, Corn, Hostetler, Jamison, Balcom, Slayton, Pote Jr., Ausmus, Reiter, Sliwa, Wylie.
Illiana 7/19
Qualifying: 4. Hostetler (17.591), 7. Sell (17.845), 9. Evans (17.875), 10. Fitzpatrick (17.880), 13. Jamison (18.080), 18. Daugherty (18.419), 22. Weeks (19.153). Fast time-Powell (17.172)
Heat 1: Kullman, Weeks, Smithberg, Pote Jr., Petrizzo, Bart, Pote Sr.
Heat 2: Jamison, Shepherd, Fitzpatrick, Corn, Evans, Scherer, Gurganus, G. Ihrke.
Heat 3: Claps, S. Ihrke, Powell, Hostetler, Close, O'Dell, Sell.
Feature: Gurganus, O'Dell, Close, Corn, Hostetler, Shepherd, Evans, Scherer, Kullman, Weeks, Daugherty, Slayton, G. Ihrke, Pote Sr., Sell, Bart, Petrizzo, Powell, S. Ihrke, Fitzpatrick, Jamison, Smithberg, Claps (DQ).
Fitzpatrick Scores Shady Bowl Feature Win
Saturday July 6, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
Wayne Fitzpatrick found a faster way through lapped traffic than his front-running counterparts and that proved to be the difference as the 1998 Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association Champion picked up his first feature win in nearly a year in an action packed event at Shady Bowl Speedway.
Fitzpatrick, in his Elevator Services/Accurate Fabrication pick-up sped past front running Bill Hostetler and second place Josh Sell on lap 17 to take the lead as the high-speed trio entered lapped traffic. The win by Fitzpatrick moved him to within one point of second place in the quest for the 2002 OVDCA Championship.
Bringing the field down to the green were Sell in the Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson sponsored ride and Hostetler in his Trenor Motors backed entry. Hostetler wasted little time in grabbing the lead, with Sell and Fitzpatrick in tow. As the counters clicked away, Hostetler was unable to shake Sell from his rear bumper, with Fitzpatrick just a few car lengths behind the top two.
The battle for the fourth spot proved to be a great one throughout as Mike Weisberg and Mark Bernard fought it out for much of the event. Further back a great three-way battle ensued as Max Evans, Mark Jamison and Mike Rector dueled for position. Evans and Jamison swapped spots three times in the first eight laps of the event, with both moving past Rector on lap six.
Up front, the three front runners were clicking off caution-free laps at a torrid pace, putting on quite a show for the packed Shady Bowl grandstands. Things got a bit interesting on lap 14 as the top three worked through slower traffic. With rookie Donnie Eaton running low and fellow newcomer Chris Weeks running high, Sell made a daring three-wide move right in front of Fitzpatrick, barely avoiding sure disaster.
Lap 17 proved to the turning point of the event as Fitzpatrick took a lead he would not relinquish. Hostetler, still in the lead checked up behind the lapped car of Rector, as Sell plowed into the back end of the series point leader. Fitzpatrick, though, stayed on the gas, sweeping by all three cars on the outside to take over the top spot. On the very next lap Hostetler, trying desperately to regain lost ground, spun in turn four to bring out the first and only caution of the night.
The yellow flag set up a three-lap dash for the checkered between Fitzpatrick and Sell, with Weisberg, Bernard and Jamison also in the equation as the field bunched backed up. On the restart, Sell promptly took a shot at the lead, but Fitzpatrick was able to hold off the youngster. Coming to the white flag, bad luck struck Sell as his own oil started spraying on his tires, causing him to lose traction and allowing Weisberg to speed by into second. Sell was able to survive a three-wide attempt by Bernard and Jamison to hold onto the third spot. A post-race inspection by Sell and his crew revealed two loose valve cover bolts were the source of the leak.
At the checkered, Fitzpatrick was out front with Weisberg and Sell in second and third. Jamison scooted by Bernard on the last lap to grab fourth place. Evans took sixth, with Hostetler in seventh following his spin and Rector eighth. Rookies Weeks, Eaton and Bob Stewart in his racing debut rounded out the field.
Heat race action provided a great preview for the feature as both preliminary events featured great battles for position. Weisberg paced heat one from the pole position, with Fitzpatrick slipping past Bernard for second on lap two. Fitzpatrick tried relentlessly to take the top spot from Weisberg but had to settle for second ahead of Bernard. Attrition struck the field on lap six as Mike Hicks lost an engine and spun in turn three. Heat two was all Hostetler as passed Jamison on the first lap and led all eight circuits. Sell tried to catch Hostetler after working past Jamison on lap three but had to settle for second. Evans edged Jamison by a nose at the line to take the final redraw position.
Despite his worse finish of the year, Hostetler continues to hold a 40 point lead over Bernard in the point standings. Fitzpatrick's best showing of the year, propelled him past Evans into third, just one point behind Bernard. Sell rounds out the top five, 25 behind Evans.
The first round of the Great Lakes Series is next on the docket for the OVDCA, as they will travel to Rockford Speedway in Illinois on July 20. The dwarfs will join with members of the Badger-Illini Dwarf Car Association and Midwest Classic Racers for the first of three co-sanctioned events. Round two will also mark the OVDCA's return to Shady Bowl on August 3.
Heat 1:
Heat 2: Hostetler, Sell, Evans, Jamison, Weeks, Eaton.
Feature: Fitzpatrick, Weisberg, Sell, Jamison, Bernard, Evans, Hostetler, Rector, Weeks, Eaton, Stewart. DNS-Hicks.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 7/6:
1. Bill Hostetler 394 6. Mike Rector 255 11. Donnie Eaton 130
2. Mark Bernard 354 7. Mark Jamison 229 12. Jack Morgan, Jr. 124
3. Wayne Fitzpatrick 353 8. John Miller 183 13. Keith Bailey 122
4. Max Evans 348 9. Chris Weeks 175 14. Mike Weisberg 120
5. Josh Sell 323 10. Doug Carrigan 150 15. Jordan Ferrell 102
Carrigan Does It Again at Shady Bowl
Wednesday July 3, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
Tennessee native Doug Carrigan made it two wins in a row as he scored yet another feature win in a special pre-Fourth of July Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at Shady Bowl Speedway. Carrigan, in his Forklifts Unlimited pick-up sped by series points leader Bill Hostetler on lap three and set sail for the victory.
Attrition stuck the 12-car field early, as the evening's only two yellow flags flew before a lap could be completed. On the event's first lap, outside polesitter Josh Sell had a throttle cable come loose, causing him to slow dramatically. Further behind, contact between dwarf car rookies Donnie Eaton and Jordan Ferrell sent the 14-year old Ferrell hard into the backchute wall, causing a lengthy delay. The stoppage in action along with the speedy work of car owner Mike Sell allowed the younger Sell to return to the race on the tail of the field.
On the restart, throttle cable trouble stuck again, this time to polesitter C.E. Daugherty as he was knocked out of the event. With Daugherty slowing on the front stretch, Max Evans and Mike Rector spun, bringing out the yellow.
Order was finally restored with Mark Bernard and Hostetler making up the front row. Hostetler wasted little time jumping into the lead, with Carrigan moving up to the second spot by the conclusion of the first counter.
The event's third lap saw a pass for the lead that would prove to be the last as Carrigan worked past Hostetler for the top spot. On the move from the back of the pack for the second straight race was Sell, who was up to sixth by lap three. The 18-year old moved to fifth two laps later when he passed 1998 OVDCA Rookie of the Year Mike Weisberg, out for the first time in 2002.
As the race neared its halfway point, the front two had broken away from the rest of the pack while Sell continued his march to the front. On lap nine, Sell slipped by Wayne Fitzpatrick into fourth. After a great battle with Bernard, Sell put his Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson-backed ride into third on lap 13, a position he would not relinquish.
At the checkered, Carrigan was out front, picking up the $215 winner's portion after track promoter Charlie Stapleton added to the dwarf's regular purse because of an increased pit pass cost due to a special E-Mod race. Hostetler hung on for second, with Sell in third, Bernard a strong fourth and Fitzpatrick rounding out the top five, the last car on the lead lap.
Weisberg took home sixth place honors, with Evans in seventh after a lap 10 pass of Rector. Rookies Chris Weeks and Eaton rounded out the top 10.
Heat race action proved to be the Hostetler and Carrigan show as each picked up victories. Bernard took control of the first heat race and led the first six counters before Hostetler took the lead and win, with Bernard and Rector grabbing the final redraw positions. Heat two was paced at the beginning by Sell as he controlled the first three circuits. But coming out of turn four, Sell got wickedly loose, allowing Carrigan to squeeze by for the lead and the win. Daugherty finished third in the eight-lap preliminary event.
Another top two run by Hostetler allowed him to stretch his points lead to 40 over Bernard, who passed Evans for second. Evans sits just four points behind, with Fitzpatrick and Sell rounding out the top five.
Heat 1: Hostetler, Bernard, Rector, Weisberg, Fitzpatrick, Weeks.
Heat 2: Carrigan, Sell, Daugherty, Eaton, Evans.
Feature: Carrigan, Hostetler, Sell, Bernard, Fitzpatrick, Weisberg, Evans, Rector, Weeks, Eaton, Daugherty, Ferrell.
Visiting Carrigan Tops Shady Bowl Field
Saturday June 22, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
When Doug Carrigan pulls into a racetrack, he isn't concerned about the money he wins or the points he earns. All the Tennessee driver wants is to drive his purple-colored rocket into victory lane as often as he can. It is that attitude that has allowed Carrigan to win many races across the country, including the latest Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at Shady Bowl Speedway.
Carrigan, in his Forklifts Unlimited pick-up led all 20 circuits from the pole position and held off challengers following a late caution that bunched the field back up to pick up his second career win at the Bowl. Current points leader Bill Hostetler finished second in his Trenor Motors-sponsored machine, while Josh Sell overcame heat race misfortune to post his second straight third place finish in his Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson backed ride.
From the time the green flag dropped, the event belonged to Carrigan as he jumped to a sizable lead, bringing Wayne Fitzpatrick and Hostetler along. Hostetler, relegated to a seventh place start after scoring the last OVDCA feature win on June 8, moved into the third position by lap three, passing C.E. Daugherty, subbing for a vacationing Mark Jamison.
Further back in the pack, the man on the move was 18-year old Sell. After moving into the 10th starting position when Max Evans made a quick trip to the pits prior to the green, Sell was on a mission throughout the 20-lap affair. Sell picked off two cars on the first lap to move to eighth and passed four more to secure fourth by lap nine.
Just a lap later, Hostetler found his way past Fitzpatrick for the runner-up spot and began his pursuit of front-running Carrigan. That would prove to be a daunting task, though as Carrigan rocketed around the 3/10 mile oval, leaving all but the top five cars at least one lap down.
Also moving through the pack was Evans, who was forced to the tail after a visit to the hill to turn his fuel on. Evans followed Sell through traffic, advancing to the fifth position by lap 13.
In the middle of the pack a great battle for position was ensuing between Mark Bernard, Daugherty, Mike Rector and John Miller. Bernard worked past Daugherty for sixth on lap 13, with Rector moving past a lap later.
The race's first and only caution flew on lap 17, when Miller's tough night continued. After a heat race collision with Sell that sidelined both cars, Miller repaired his ride for the feature but sustained a hard shot into the turn four wall just four laps from the checkered.
The yellow flag allowed the five cars remaining on the lead lap, Carrigan, Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Sell and Evans the opportunity for a four lap shootout for the top prize. On the restart, Carrigan once again took off, leaving the remainder of the pack behind. Lap 17 saw Sell dart to the inside of Fitzpatrick and take the third position, a spot he wouldn't relinquish.
Following the top five cars was Bernard in sixth, with Rector, Daugherty, Jack Morgan, Jr. and rookie Chris Weeks rounding out the top 10. Long-time Shady Bowl mini stock competitor Donnie Eaton finished 11th in his dwarf debut.
The evening's two heat races were paired into a "faster heat," "slower heat" format to promote closer racing and allow for a first-time winner. The quicker of the two heats was paced at the beginning by Fitzpatrick with Bernard in tow. However, the front-running duo could not hold off the challenges of Hostetler and Carrigan, who slipped into second and third on lap three. By lap five, Carrigan was past Hostetler for second and found his way to the front a lap later. A last lap pass by Hostetler gave him runner-up honors, with Fitzpatrick third and Bernard fourth. The second heat was all Daugherty as he led flag-to-flag for the win ahead of Morgan, Jr. and Eaton.
A look at the quest for the 2002 OVDCA Championship shows little change as Hostetler continues his stranglehold on the top spot, now 22 points ahead of Evans. Bernard sits eight back of Evans, with Fitzpatrick moving up to fourth, 11 behind. Sell moved into the top five for the first time this season with another solid run, trailing Fitzpatrick by 32.
The OVDCA takes a break for the first time in five weeks, before facing a two-race schedule the following week. On Wednesday, July 3 the dwarfs will join a special $6,000 to win E-Mod show, along with the Legends on the Shady Bowl card. Saturday, July 6 sees the OVDCA right back at it for a Harley Davidson Night show with Late Models, Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks, Flying Stocks and Compacts.
Heat 1: Carrigan, Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Bernard, Evans, Miller, Sell.
Heat 2: Daugherty, Morgan, Eaton, Weeks, Ferrell, Rector.
Feature: Carrigan, Hostetler, Sell, Fitzpatrick, Evans, Bernard, Rector, Daugherty, Morgan, Weeks, Eaton, Ferrell, Miller.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 6/22:
1. Bill Hostetler 270 6. John Miller 183 11.Chris Weeks 91
2. Max Evans 248 7. Mark Jamison 174 12. Jordan Ferrell 82
3. Mark Bernard 240 8. Mike Rector 164 13. Doug Carrigan 75
4. W. Fitzpatrick 229 9. Jack Morgan, Jr. 124 14. C.E. Daugherty 58
5. Josh Sell 197 10. Keith Bailey 122 15. Robin Slaughter 57
Hostetler Regains Points Lead With Second Feature Win
Saturday June 8, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
Bill Hostetler took the lead from polesitter Max Evans on lap four and never looked back as he scored feature win number two of the season in the most recent Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at Shady Bowl Speedway. With the win, the two-time defending OVDCA Champion moves back atop the standings in the quest for the 2002 title.
After losing the points lead the previous week when his car wouldn't fire in time for the feature, Hostetler wasted little time in advancing to the front. Evans and Josh Sell brought the 12-car field to the green with Evans jumping into the early lead with Sell and Hostetler in tow. The ageless Hostetler took second from Sell on lap three, before passing his longtime friend a lap later to take the top spot.
The race for second evolved into a battle of age and experience against youth and exuberance as Evans and Sell fought for the remaining 16 circuits. The 18-year old Sell took many shots at the veteran throughout the remainder of the event, providing the best battle on the track as the laps clicked away.
The first of two yellows flew on lap five when Mark Jamison spun in turn four. Up front the standings remained the same through the first half of the race, as Hostetler led Evans, Sell, Wayne Fitzpatrick and Mike Rector.
The battle for fifth produced the event's final yellow on lap 12. Mark Bernard tried to work past Rector in turn four when contact between the two caused a pile-up and ended Bernard's evening. After a strong seventh place showing last week, Jack Morgan, Jr. had his night end early when he earned a "Shady Bowl stripe" courtesy of the turn three wall during the incident.
Following the restart, another frontrunner was forced to the pits early when a flat right front tire slowed fourth place runner Fitzpatrick. That moved John Miller into the number four position, with Jamison rounding out the top five.
As the event drew to a close, the best battle on the track was still for the second as Evans and Sell continued to contest the spot. Sell almost took runner-up honors on the last lap as the lapped car of rookie Jordan Ferrell came into play, but Evans was able to clear Ferrell and beat Sell to the line.
After last week's misfortune, Hostetler returned to his familiar white and red paint scheme in place of the black he has sported since near the end of last season. The change seemed to do the trick as he took top honors ahead of Evans and Sell. Miller came home in a season-best fourth, with Jamison rounding out the top five. After his contact with Bernard, Rector rebounded for a sixth place finish, ahead of Keith Bailey, the last car on the lead lap. Rookie Chris Weeks shook off a rough crash in the first practice to score an eighth place finish in his debut, ahead of another rookie Ferrell in ninth. Fitzpatrick rounded out the top 10.
For the first time this season, the OVDCA was able to run a pair of heat races, with Hostetler and Sell taking the wins. In the first preliminary event, Hostetler sped past Bernard on lap three and drove away for his third heat win of the season. A lap seven pass by Fitzpatrick gave him third ahead of Bernard. Rector led the second heat at the outset, but he could not hold off Evans and Sell who swept by on the second lap. Evans led the next three counters, before Sell slipped by for the lead and his first career heat win on lap five. Rector and Evans finished second and third.
With another victory, Hostetler jumps from third back into first in the point standings, six ahead of Evans. Bernard slips to third, eight points behind Evans, with Jamison and 1998 champ Fitzpatrick rounding out the top five.
The dwarfs string of five consecutive races continues with event number four this Saturday, June 15 back at Shady Bowl. It will be a full night of racing, as the dwarfs will be joined by E-Mods, Late Models, Flying Stocks, Mini Stocks, Legends and Compacts on the card.
Heat 1: Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Bernard, Jamison, Morgan, Ferrell.
Heat 2: Sell, Evans, Rector, Miller, Bailey, Weeks.
Feature: Hostetler, Evans, Sell, Miller, Jamison, Rector, Bailey, Weeks, Ferrell, Fitzpatrick, Bernard, Morgan.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 6/8:
1. Bill Hostetler 198 8. Keith Bailey 122
2. Max Evans 192 9. Mike Rector 119
3. Mark Bernard 184 10. Jack Morgan, Jr. 75
4. Mark Jamison 174 11. Robin Slaughter 57
5. Wayne Fitzpatrick 167 12. Jordan Ferrell 45
6. John Miller 145 13. Chris Weeks 43
7. Josh Sell 139 14. Greg Watson 26
Bernard Scores Feature Win, Takes Over Points Lead
Saturday June 1, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
A late caution that sent the top two cars to the tail proved to be the break that Mark Bernard needed as he scored his first feature win of 2002 in the latest Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association event at Shady Bowl Speedway. Bernard also took over the points lead by virtue of two-time defending OVDCA champion Bill Hostetler failing to start the feature when his car ride suffered mechanical woes prior to the green. .
It appeared that the event would evolve into either a return to victory lane for racing veteran Wayne Fitzpatrick or a storybook finish for 18-year old Josh Sell. Fitzpatrick, who hasn't been victorious since last July, battled the youngster who was looking for his first career win, tooth and nail throughout the latter stages of the race, before contact between the two just three laps from the checkered sent both to the tail.
The early stages of the race belonged to Mike Rector, who took advantage of his pole starting position to lead the first nine circuits. Outside pole sitter John Miller in the Chuck Engler-owned ride held on to second as Fitzpatrick and Sell challenged from their fourth and fifth starting spots, respectively.
Misfortune struck Miller on lap nine as he had a tire go flat while running in the third position. The result was a spin going into turn one and the first caution of the event.
Fitzpatrick wasted little time in taking the lead on the restart and put considerable distance between himself and the rest of the pack. Sell worked his way around Rector for second on lap 12 and began his pursuit of Fitzpatrick. By the time the second yellow waved on lap 16 as a result of Greg Watson coming to a stop in turn two, Sell was right on Fitzpatrick's back bumper.
With just five laps remaining, the stage was set for a great battle between Fitzpatrick and Sell. Further back, Bernard drove a steady race, moving up to fourth by lap nine, after rolling off eighth. The battle up front didn't disappoint as Sell took numerous shots at the lead, with Fitzpatrick able to fend off the challenges until lap 18. Battling in turn four, Sell got underneath Fitzpatrick and appeared poised to take the lead, but contact between the two spun the latter, bringing out the event's final caution. As a result of the yellow, Shady Bowl officials invoked their "spinner-spinee" rule, resulting in both drivers being sent to the tail for the final three laps.
The ruling allowed Bernard to inherit the lead with Rector in second, Max Evans in third and Mark Jamison in fourth. The final three laps saw the front four run the same with both Fitzpatrick and Sell able to work past Jack Morgan, Jr. to claim fifth and sixth, respectively. Morgan, Jr. drove a strong race throughout to claim seventh, with Keith Bailey the last car running in eighth.
The heat race proved to be a preview of things to come with Fitzpatrick taking control from the outside pole at the drop of the green. Hostetler worked past Miller for second on lap two and began to chase down Fitzpatrick. He caught him on lap five, taking the lead and the win. Sell made a hard charge from his sixth place starting position, passing Jamison and Miller in the span of one straightaway to claim third. Miller and Jamison rounded out the top five.
Bernard's win and Hostetler's misfortune allowed Bernard to take over the top spot in the chase for the 2002 OVDCA Championship, as the latter slipped to third in the standings. While Bernard holds a 16-point cushion over second place Evans, just five points separate drivers two through five in the rankings. Evans has accumulated 125 points, good for second, just two ahead of Hostetler. Jamison is fourth with 121, while Fitzpatrick rounds out the top five, just one point behind.
The OVDCA continues it's run of five straight weeks of action this Saturday, June 8 right back at Shady Bowl. Joining the dwarfs on the schedule will be the 305 Sprint Car Asphalt Series, along with the Mini Stocks and Compacts.
Heat: Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Sell, Miller, Jamison, Rector, Evans, Bernard, Bailey, Morgan. DNS-Watson
Feature: Bernard, Rector, Evans, Jamison, Fitzpatrick, Sell, Morgan, Bailey, Watson, Miller. DNS-Hostetler
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 6/1:
1. Mark Bernard 141 6. John Miller 90
2. Max Evans 125 7. Keith Bailey 75
3. Bill Hostetler 123 8. Josh Sell 74
4. Mark Jamison 121 9. Mike Rector 71
5. Wayne Fitzpatrick 120 10. Robin Slaughter 57
Defending Champion Hostetler Scores Opening Night Win
Saturday May 4, 2002
Shady Bowl Speedway
By Shawn Sell
Bill Hostetler overcame a back row starting position and early engine trouble that nearly put him a lap down to win the Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association's season-opener at Shady Bowl Speedway. Hostetler passed Mark Jamison on the event's final lap to secure the victory, while Jamison experienced engine problems of his own and fell to third behind early-race leader Mark Bernard at the stripe.
A complete inversion from the heat-race finish placed Keith Bailey and John Miller on the front row for the main event. Miller jumped into the early lead with second row starters Bernard and Jamison in tow. The race's first yellow flew on lap two as Max Evans tried to squeeze underneath Bailey and ran out of room, spinning in turn one.
On the restart, Miller reassumed the lead with Jamison and Bernard swapping the two and three spots. Bernard got past both of the front cars on lap three to take the lead. Further back in the pack, Hostetler was fighting an engine problem that would plague him for much of the first half of the race.
The front two ran the same as the laps clicked away, while back in the pack Wayne Fitzpatrick had moved into third after starting last by lap five. Jamison took a shot at the lead and got it on lap 10, with Bernard slipping to second. Fitzpatrick continued to run third, despite an obvious motor problem that seemed ready to end his night at any moment.
As the race entered it's second half, Hostetler finally got his car going, moving up to fourth by lap 15. On the next lap, Fitzpatrick's engine went up in a cloud of smoke that brought out the yellow and ended the 1998 OVDCA champion's evening. Before another lap could be completed, a broken axle spun Evans in turn two and ended his evening as well.
Up front Jamison continued to lead, with Hostetler moving into the second spot just two laps from the checkered. The event's outcome came down to the final counter as Hostetler moved past Jamison for the lead and the win on the backstretch. Coming out of turn four, engine woes struck again, this time to Jamison who relinquished the runner-up slot to Bernard. ARCA Truck Champion Robin Slaughter finished fourth in the Jack Morgan-owned machine, with Miller in fifth in the Chuck Engler-owned ride.
The heat race belonged to Fitzpatrick as he took advantage of a pole position start and led flag-to-flag for the win. Hostetler passed Slaughter on lap two and applied constant pressure, but had to settle for second, with Slaughter taking third and Evans fourth.
After one race, Hostetler is the points leader, 12 ahead of Bernard. Slaughter holds down third, with Jamison in the fourth position. Despite his feature misfortune, Fitzpatrick rounds out the series' top five.
The dwarfs remain idle until May 25, when they are back to the Bowl for a Memorial Day weekend show. The OVDCA will run companion to the 14th annual Neal Sceva Memorial Late Model race and will also be joined by the E-Mods, Pro Stocks and Flying Stocks.
Heat: Fitzpatrick, Hostetler, Slaughter, Evans, Bernard, Jamison, Miller, Bailey.
Feature: Hostetler, Bernard, Jamison, Slaughter, Miller, Bailey, Evans, Fitzpatrick.
2002 OVDCA Point Standings Through 5/4:
1. Bill Hostetler 73 5. Wayne Fitzpatrick 53
2. Mark Bernard 61 6. Max Evans 49
3. Robin Slaughter 57 7. John Miller 47
4. Mark Jamison 55 8. Keith Bailey 43
