(October 2) The final event to the 2004 OVDCA season was rained out.  Bill Hostetler was crowned points champion regaining the crown from 2003 champion Wayne Fitzpatrick, who finished in second.  Brandon Bayse was third, and won Rookie of the Year honors after moving from the Shady Bowl Compact division.  Greg Watson returned to full time action in Max Evans 2nd car, and finished fourth in points.  Max rounded out the top five.  A total rundown of points were as follows:

    Car #     Name     App     Pts
1.     9     Hostetler     9     627
2.     2     Fitzpatrick   8     474
3. 8/44    Brandon Basye 9 455
4.  4       Watson        8     440
5.  7       Evans           7     394
6.  6       Rector         4     212
7. 45      Bailey           5     197
8. 8       Bob Basye     4     168
9. 14     Weisberg      2     122
10. 98   Eaton           5     115
11. 15   Williams       2       93
12. O12 Coons          2       88
13. 911 Roney           1       67
14. 9x   Goff             1       57
15. 17   Steck           2       48
16. 0     Hicks           1       43
17. 18   Carter         1       39
18. 4     Daugherty   1       37
19. 8x   Bixler          1       35

(September 25) The make up DWARF car feature was won by Marengo OH’s Wayne Fitzpatrick in his IBEW sponsored coach. The win was the second of the year for Fitzpatrick. Greg Watson, Brandon Bayse, Max Evans and Bill Hostetler rounded out the top five. West Liberty’s  Hostetler bounced back to win the regular 20 lapper in his Trenor Motors backed racer. Rob Roney, Chad Goff, Watson and Fitzpatrick finished second thru fifth.

(September 19) A grinding crash on the front straightaway resulted in the remainder of the racing being cancelled Saturday (9/18) at Shady Bowl Speedway. The incident occurred on the opening laps of the Flying Stock feature. The safety barriers did their job, as they kept the car inside the racetrack. The crash however destroyed the lighting on one pole and damaged the fence too badly to allow racing to continue. No one was injured as a result of the melee. The Flying Stock, Dwarf Car and both Compact features will be made up this Saturday night (9/25).

(September 12) The 20 lap OVDCA feature held at Shady Bowl Speedway on September 4 was once again won by West Liberty’s Bill Hostetler in his Trenor Motors Ford truck. The win was the sixth of the year for the veteran driver. Brad Coons was second, followed by Brandon Basye, Max Evans and Mike Rector.  The race featured the debut of Urbana area racer Brent Williams, and saw the return of Brad Coons, who had not raced for several years.  Bob Basye debuted a new engine for the #8 car, significantly picking up the pace. Wayne Fitzpatrick's goal to duplicate his feature win the Dwarf's last appearance was cut short by a blown engine in the heat race. A blown engine also was the demise of Greg Watson's hopes for a feature win, taking him out of the feature while running second.  The OVDCA returns to the 'Bowl on September 18th.

Points as of 9/4

1. Hostetler 499
2. Fitzpatrick 348
3. Br. Basye 343
4. Evans 338
5. Watson 322
6. Rector 212
7. Bailey 186
8. Weisberg 122
9. Eaton 115
10. Bo. Basye 84
11. Coons 67
12. Steck 48
13. Williams 45
14. Carter 39
15. Daugherty 37

(August 28) Rain washed out another OVDCA event on August 28th.  The Dwarfs return to action on September 4th.

(August 11) Marengo OH driver Wayne Fitzpatrick stopped Bill Hostetler’s winning streak as he took top spot in the 20 lap DWARF car feature. The win a crowd pleaser, as Fitzpatrick is back in action and stronger than ever after a recent health scare. Hostetler was second, with Greg Watson third, Brandon Bayse fourth and Max Evans fifth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 8 - Fitzpatrick Victorious, Ends Hostetler Streak

Shady Bowl Speedway

Marengo OH driver Wayne Fitzpatrick stopped Bill Hostetler’s winning streak as he took top spot in the 20 lap DWARF car feature. The win a crowd pleaser, as Fitzpatrick is back in action and stronger than ever after a recent health scare. Hostetler was second, with Greg Watson third, Brandon Bayse fourth and Max Evans fifth.

HEAT: 1. Max Evans, 2. Wayne Fitzpatrick, 3. Bill Hostetler, 4. Greg Watson, 5. Brandon Basye, 6. Keith Bailey, 7. Donnie Eaton

FEATURE: 1. Wayne Fitzpatrick,  2. Bill Hostetler, 3. Greg Watson, 4. Brandon Basye, 5. Max Evans, 6. Keith Bailey 7. Donnie Eaton (DNS)

Updated OVDCA points
Hostetler--436
Fitzpatrick--337
Watson--285
Evans--283
Br. Basye--278
Bailey--186
Rector--157
Weisberg--122
Eaton--115
Steck--48
Carter--39
Daugherty--37
Bo. Basye--35

(July 31) Great Lakes Asphalt Series Results - Rockford Speedway

The third and final leg of the Great Lakes Asphalt series was held at Rockford Speedway, hosted by the BIDCA club of Illinois. 

A-Main -- 1. Tom Schnabel, Yorkville; 2. Todd Shepherd, Manhattan; 3. Bill Hostettler, West Liberty, Ohio; 4. Matt
O'Hagan, New Lenox; 5. Roger Osborne, Beloit, Wis; 6. Brandon Bayse;; 7. John Meyers, Bensenville; 8. Vicki
Wall-Schnabel, Yorkville; 9. Al Claps, Roselle; 10. Terry Slayton;; 11. Jeff Slayton, Battle Creek, Mich.; 12. Junior
Gould;; 13. Brian Insley, Battlecreek, Mich.; 14. Max Evans, East Liberty, Ohio; 15. Harold Mitchem;; 16. Ken Osborne, Janesville, Wis; 17. Wayne Fitzpatrick, Marengo, Ohio; 18. John Wylie, Fowlerville, Mich.; 19. Eric Hoffman, Grand Rapids, Mich.; 20. Steve Dixon, Joliet; 21. Mike Weisberg;; 22. Greg Ihrke, Cary; 23. Bill Reardon;.

Heat 1 -- 1. Todd Shepherd, Manhattan; 2. Greg Ihrke, Cary; 3. Mike Weisberg;; 4. Harold Mitchem;; 5. Bill Hostettler, West Liberty, Ohio; 6. Brandon Bayse;; 7. Steve Dixon , Joliet; 8. Terry Slayton;.

Heat 02 -- 1. Wayne Fitzpatrick, Marengo, Ohio; 2. Al Claps, Roselle; 3. Tom Schnabel, Yorkville; 4. John Wylie,
Fowlerville, Mich.; 5. Matt O'Hagan, New Lenox; 6. Junior Gould;; 7. Brian Insley, Battlecreek, Mich.; 8. Bill Reardon;.

Heat 03 -- 1. Ken Osborne, Janesville, Wis; 2. Max Evans, East Liberty, Ohio; 3. Eric Hoffman, Grand Rapids, Mich.; 4.
Roger Osborne, Beloit, Wis; 5. Jeff Slayton, Battle Creek, Mich.; 6. John Meyers, Bensenville; 7. Vicki Wall-Schnabel,
Yorkville.

Time Trial -- 1. Todd Shepherd, Manhattan; 2. Tom Schnabel, Yorkville; 3. Jeff Slayton, Battle Creek, Mich.; 4. Greg Ihrke, Cary; 5. Matt O'Hagan, New Lenox; 6. Eric Hoffman, Grand Rapids, Mich.; 7. Mike Weisberg;; 8. Junior Gould;; 9. Ken Osborne, Janesville, Wis; 10. Bill Hostettler, West Liberty, Ohio; 11. John Wylie, Fowlerville, Mich.; 12. Roger Osborne, Beloit, Wis; 13. Brandon Bayse;; 14. Al Claps, Roselle; 15. Max Evans, East Liberty, Ohio; 16. Harold Mitchem; 17. Wayne Fitzpatrick, Marengo, Ohio; 18. John Meyers, Bensenville; 19. Steve Dixon, Joliet; 20. Brian Insley , Battlecreek, Mich.; 21. Vicki Wall-Schnabel, Yorkville; 22. Terry Slayton;; 23. Bill Reardon;.

(July 17) Saturday the best in the Midwest met at Owosso for the second leg of the 2004 Great Lakes Asphalt series, and the MCR Tommy Boles Memorial race.   30 cars arrived to test the fast high banked 3/8 mile Michigan oval and
the action was fast and furious.  Heat races were won by G. Irke -BIDCA   Junior Gould- MCR   and Todd Sheppard - BIDCA.  Top honors in the B-Main went to Craig Curtis - MCR  24 cars started the main event which was eventually won by Holly, Michigan's Rob Roney

Top 10
1-Rob Roney - MCR

2-Chad Goff-MCR
3-Eric Hoffman-MCR
4-Todd Sheppard- BIDCA
5-Bill Hostetler- OVDCA
6-Greg Irke-BIDCA
7-Jeff Slayton- MCR
8-Wayne Fitzpatrick- OVDCA
9- Tom Schnabel-BIDCA
10-Steve Dixon- BIDCA

Many thanks go out to the MCR group for hosting such a great event and to
all the drivers from the three clubs for their continued support of this
series. With Fuel prices as high as they are it's a testimonial to the
dedication of the drivers that race this series, that so many drivers make
these trips. Thank you all, it's always a pleasure to race with such nice
people.
  

We will all come together once again Saturday the 31st. of July to race
with our friends again, with the BIDCA club hosting the final Glas event for
the year.  Looking forward to seeing as many as possible at this premiere track in Illinois.

 

Jack Van Dyke  OVDCA

(July 17 - Owosso Speedway press release)

Roney wins 6th annual Tommy Bowles Memorial at Owosso Speedway

by Matt Prieur 

OVID, Mich. -- It was the 6th annual Tommy Bowles Memorial featuring the Great Lakes Asphalt Series for Dwarf Cars at the Owosso (MI) Speedway as by far the biggest and loudest crowd of the season saw a season high 109 cars jam the pit area and they witnessed some outstanding racing in five divisions on the racey 3/8s mile high-banked paved oval. The Big "O" honored Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Tommy Bowles who passed away in February 1998 down at Charlotte County Speedway in Port Charlotte FL during a dwarf car event. Since that time the MCR Dwarf Cars have honored the former series champion with a Memorial race in his honor and the prestigious event has and will always be held at the Owosso Speedway. Bowles' former teammate, Rob Roney paid tribute to his late teammate by winning the 20-lap feature for the MCR Dwarf Cars.

The MCR, OVDCA and BIDCA Dwarf Cars lined up first for their biggest race of the season, the 20-lap 6th annual Tommy Bowles Memorial. Mike McManman Sr., and Harold Mitchem led the stout field to the green flag. Eric Hoffman, from his inside second row starting spot, jumped underneath the front row on the opening lap to take the early lead. Hoffman would lead for three laps until Illinois/Badger Dwarf series competitor, Todd Shepherd got around on lap four. Hoffman wouldnt give up however and retook the lead a lap later. Soon Rob Roney began his charge to the front from his outside fifth row starting spot and the defending MCR Dwarf Car series champion began to challenge Hoffman for the lead. Roney would get by on lap eight and was seemingly on his way to the win. Fast Qualifier, Chad Goff was also on the move though and with a few laps to go, began to mount a challenge for the lead. Roney was determined however as the Holly MI driver, a former teammate of the Bowles, would honor his late friend and teammate by winning the 6th annual Tommy Bowles Memorial! Goff settled for second as Hoffman, Jon Wylie, Bill Hostetler, Greg Ihrke, Jeff Slayton, Wayne Fitzpatrick, Tom Schnabel, and Steve Dixon were the top 10. Goff was the fastest of a strong 31-car field on hand as he toured the high-banked 3/8s mile paved oval with a 16.435 in qualifying. Ihrke, Junior Gould, and Shepherd won the heat races while defending Tommy Bowles Memorial champion, Craig Curtis won the B Main ahead of Ihrke, John Miller, and Brandon Basye to transfer to the feature.

Fast Qualifier: 9 Chad Goff 16.433

Heat 1: 11 Greg Ihrke

Heat 2: 65 Junior Gould

Heat 3: 32 Todd Shepherd

B Main: 74 Craig Curtis

Feature (20 laps): 1. 911 Rob Roney, 2. 9 Goff, 3. 18 Eric Hoffman, 4. 29 Jon Wylie, 5. 9H BillHostetler, 6. 11 Ihrke, 7. 5 Jeff Slayton, 8. 2 Wayne Fitzpatrick, 9. 20 Tom Schnabel, 10. 22D Steve Dixon, 11. 7 Harold Mitchem, 12. 65 Gould, 13. 75 John Miller, 14. 16C Al Clapps, 15. 10 Vicki Schnabel, 16. 12 Roger Balcom, 17. 44 Brandon Basye, 18. 19 Joe McManman, 19. 16 Mike McManman Sr., 20. 32 Shepherd, 21. 1 Paul Arft, 22. 7E Max Evans, 23. 43 Brian Inlsey, 24. 74 C. Curtis.

Lap Leaders: 16 M. McManman Sr.-Pole, 18 Hoffman 1-3, 32 Shepherd 4-5, 18 Hoffman 6-7, 911 Roney 8-20. Cautions 7.

DID NOT TRANSFER: 71 Larry Dolbee, 78 Craig Meyers, 27 Terry Slayton, 22 Doug Miller, 66 Bill Reardon, 67 Troy Spellman, 34 Tim Curtis.

(July 10) The 20 -lap Dwarf car main got off to a rough start, when on lap two C.E. Daugherty hit the wall at the exit of turn two, with the car ending up on its side. Donnie Eaton exited the track via pit road at full speed to avoid Daugherty. Both drivers were OK and everyone scrambled out of harms way in the pit area. Wayne Fitzpatrick put the hammer down when racing resumed and appeared to have a win in the bag. But, in a repeat of a race earlier in the year, West Liberty’s Bill Hostetler sped by on the last lap in his Trenor Motors sponsored racer to notch still another win. Fitzpatrick was second, with Max Evans, Brandon Basye and Mike Rector rounding out the top five.  Read Shawn Sell's race recap.

Saturday July 10, 2004 - Last Lap Pass Gives Hostetler Fifth Win

By Shawn Sell

For the second time this season, three-time OVDCA Champion Bill Hostetler used a last lap pass to take a feature win from Wayne Fitzpatrick as the 72-year old Hostetler picked up his fifth straight checkered flag in racing action at Shady Bowl Speedway.

Fitzpatrick, the points champion in 1998 and again last season, looked to have his first feature win of the year locked up as he paced the field for the first 19 circuits of the race.  But after taking flagman Mike Stapleton’s white flag, Hostetler made his move coming out of turn two and beat Fitzpatrick to the line for the victory.  Fitzpatrick took second place money, while a hard charging Max Evans rounded out the top three.

Following a complete inversion from the heat race finish, C.E. Daugherty, subbing for a vacationing Greg Watson in the Evans owned #4 car, along with Keith Bailey brought the nine-car field to the start.  Fitzpatrick didn’t waste any time as he jumped to the lead from his outside third row starting spot on the very first lap.

The field got just two laps of racing in the books before the first yellow flew for a vicious turn two crash by Daugherty.  An unidentified steering problem sent Daugherty hard into the turn two concrete, causing his mount to roll to a stop on its side.  Daugherty emerged from the accident unhurt, but the ride sustained heavy right front damage.  Also collected in the incident was Donnie Eaton, who took a wild ride up the pit road trying to avoid the wreck.  Along the way, Eaton’s car was collected by the trailer of another track competitor, causing front end damage and the end of Eaton’s evening.

Once back underway, Fitzpatrick sped away again as Hostetler moved into the second spot after lining up on the grid ninth.  Behind the front running trio, rookie Brandon Basye in his first ride in the car formerly owned by Sell 5 Motorsports and piloted by Josh Sell was turning in the strongest run of his short dwarf car career, as he held down the third spot.  Evans finally used his years of experience to work past the rookie on lap nine, just one marker before the event’s final caution for debris on the front stretch.

The second yellow proved to be the break Hostetler was looking for as he moved up to the bumper of Fitzpatrick for the restart.  But Fitzpatrick continued to show the way during the event’s latter stages, only to see Hostetler speed by on the final lap of the night.  Trailing the front three of Hostetler, Fitzpatrick and Evans across the line was the rookie Basye in a career-best finish.  Longtime OVDCA competitor Mike Rector rounded out the top five, with Bailey the last car running in sixth place.

The heat race saw polesitter Eaton lead the first lap, before getting passed by both Hostetler and Fitzpatrick on the second lap.  Hostetler led from there to take the win, with Evans taking advantage of Fitzpatrick’s engine woes to take second.  Daugherty appeared to have fourth place locked up, before a last lap spin handed the spot to Rector.

With another event in the books, Hostetler continues to dominate in his quest for an unprecedented fourth OVDCA Points Championship.  The ageless one holds a 107 point advantage over Fitzpatrick in the latest rundown.  Positions three through five are separated by just two points as Watson holds a one-point edge over Basye and a two-point cushion on Evans.

The OVDCA will now hit the road for its next two events, taking part in the balance of the Great Lakes Asphalt Series (GLAS).  Round number two of the series takes to the track this Saturday at Owosso (Mich.) Speedway, with MCR serving as hosts.  A return trip to Rockford (Ill.) Speedway is on tap for Saturday, July 31 with Illinois-based BIDCA handling the hosting chores.  The OVDCA returns to Shady Bowl, joining a show that includes the popular American Modified Series on Saturday, August 7.

Heat: Hostetler, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Rector, Eaton, Br. Basye, Bailey, Daugherty.  DNS-Bo. Basye.

Feature: Hostetler, Fitzpatrick, Evans, Br. Basye, Rector, Bailey, Eaton, Bo. Basye, Daugherty.

OVDCA Point Standings Through 7/10:

1. Bill Hostetler 371                       8. Mike Weisberg 122

2. Wayne Fitzpatrick 264               9. Donnie Eaton 102

3. Greg Watson 226                     10. Randy Steck 48

4. Brandon Basye 225                  11. Steve Carter 39

5. Max Evans 224                        12. C.E. Daugherty 37

6. Mike Rector 157                       13. Bob Basye 35

7. Keith Bailey 139  

(June 12)  Rain strikes again, with the OVDCA race at Shady Bowl called for continued bad weather.  The Classic Modified/Dwarf cars take a break until July 10th at the Bowl, but the Michigan area Dwarf club MCR will be in action at Flat Rock Speedway just north of Toledo on June 19th, and at Toledo Speedway on July 2nd.  The Great Lakes Asphalt Race #2 is scheduled for Owosso (Michigan) Speedway on July 17th, and the third and final Race will be held at Rockford (IL) Speedway on July 31st.

The top five finishers at the recent Great Lakes Asphalt Series at Shady Bowl, hosted by the Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association.  Kneeling is the winner, Bill Hostetler, Veteran Racer from the OVDCA. Standing from right to left, Chad Goff, 2nd. place finisher from the Midwest Classic Racers, ( MCR) 3rd. place finisher is Wayne Fitzpatrick representing the OVDCA,  Tom Schnabel 4th. place finisher from the BIDCA group, and on the far left is John Wylie 5th. place finisher from  MCR.  All drivers did well in representing themselves and their respective clubs as well. This was a well mixed and evenly mixed group, with all drivers doing an outstanding job, with a nearly accident free event. (photo by Peggy Isaacs)

Trophies from the recent GLAS race at Shady Bowl:

(June 2)  After losing both May races to rain showers, The Ohio Valley Dwarf Car association finally returned to action, hosting the first leg of the GREAT LAKES ASPHALT SERIES (GLAS) event for the scaled down cars of yesteryear. The pit area was full, as 26 cars signed in to compete. Chad Goff led the early portion before West Liberty’s Bill Hostetler sped by in his Trenor Motors sponsored truck. The elder statesman of the class at age 71 then preceded to out-run the field the final counters. Goff was second, with Wayne Fitzpatrick third, Tom Schnobel fourth and Jon Wylie fifth. Wylie, Hostetler and Fitzpatrick won heats. The heat win for Fitzpatrick and his third place finish made for a memorable night, as he was back in action after a recent hospital stay.  Read Shawn Sell's complete rundown of the racing event. 

 

Trophies from the recent GLAS race at Shady Bowl:

Saturday May 29, 2004 - Ageless Hostetler Wins GLAS Opener at Shady Bowl Speedway

By Shawn Sell

The OVDCA’s ageless wonder Bill Hostetler did it again as the 71-year old speedster collected the first round of the Great Lakes Asphalt Series at Shady Bowl Speedway over Memorial Day weekend.  Hostetler bettered a field of 25 of the Midwest’s top asphalt racers to take home the top prize.  His win was doubly impressive as it came just moments after the three-time OVDCA Champion finished 10th in the first Late Model start of his career.

Hostetler overtook early leader Chad Goff, a driver nearly one-third of his age on lap eight and never looked back, holding off a late charge by the Michigan hot shoe after a lap 19 caution set up a green-white-checkered finish.  Wayne Fitzpatrick finished a strong third in his first start since suffering a serious heart ailment in early April.  Last season’s BIDCA Champion Tom Schnabel came home fourth, just beating former MCR Champ Jon Wylie to the line.

In addition to Hostetler’s convincing win, attrition was the dominant storyline of the night as mechanical woes scratched many drivers from competition.  Donnie Eaton was the first to the trailer early as he blew a motor in practice.  Michigan’s Junior Gould also missed his heat race with a broken driveshaft but was able to return for feature action.

The evening’s main event got off to a rough start with the field slowed multiple times before a lap could be completed.  Attrition struck early as MCR youngster Craig Curtis missed the green with a broken axel.  In a strange event, pole sitter Eric Hoffman spun on the back stretch on the pace lap, with what was later revealed as a broken axel.  Hoffman, in Wylie’s second car fell to the tail at the start and rode for a number of laps before pulling off.

The first start was waved off for an incident on the front stretch that eliminated a pair of cars.  Michigan’s Brian Insley and Harold Mitchem got together coming off of turn four, also collecting Ohio rookie Brandon Boyse and Gould.  Both Insley and Mitchem were forced from the event with heavily damaged race cars, while mechanical woes struck both Illinois’ rookie Steve Nixon and Michigan’s Larry Dolbee.  On the second try at a start, the field was again slowed as OVDCA founder Greg Watson was forced from the show in the Max Evans-owned ride with a broken driveshaft.

With huge changes to the front of the line-up, the race finally got underway, but it was quickly slowed when Clyde Chapman’s motor went up in a cloud of smoke coming off of turn four on the event’s third circuit.

The race finally got going following the yellow for Chapman and the field put on a high-speed, fast-paced show for the balance of the evening.  Goff retook the lead following the yellow with Hostetler right on his tail.  The OVDCA’s elder statesman finally took the top spot on the eighth lap and started to open up a lead over the field.  Behind Hostetler, Goff was running a solid second with Fitzpatrick and Wylie just behind.  BIDCA’s president Al Claps was turning in a solid run, holding down fifth until Schnabel took the position on lap 11.  2003 MCR titlist Rob Roney was also on the move after falling back early on, moving into the sixth spot on lap 11.

The field was slowed just once more, as Jeff Slayton spun on the front stretch coming down for the completion of lap 18.  That set up the green-white-checkered finish and only Schnabel was able to take advantage as he darted under Wylie for fifth on lap 19 and then beat the Fowlerville, Mich. driver to the line.

At the conclusion of the event, all of the top-five finishers were presented with beautiful trophies at the start-finish line.  Roney chased the top-five across the line in sixth, with the Illinois duo of Claps and Todd Shepherd finishing seventh and eighth.  Roger Balcom made a steady drive through the field to finish ninth, while Slayton recovered from his spin to take 10th.

In a preview for the feature, the heat race action was also hotly contested.  Heat one was all Wylie as he led flag-to-flag from his outside pole start.  Roney, who got stuck in traffic early on, motored past Watson on lap four to take second, with the latter settling for the final redraw position.

The second heat featured an anxious moment for Shady Bowl track worker Ed Piersall as a spinning machine piloted by Tony DiLorenzo nearly clipped Piersall as it spun into the inside wall on the front chute.  Up front during the eight-lap affair, Hostetler overtook early leader Curtis on lap four and held off a spirited challenge by the recent high school graduate to take the checkered.  John Miller took third in the prelim.

The final warm-up was all Fitzpatrick as he took off from the outside pole, fending off Goff for the win.  The field was slowed on lap five when Mitchem and Shepherd went off the track in turn two, but by the checkered Fitzpatrick was out front, ahead of Goff and Hoffman.

This is the first of three GLAS races on the 2004 schedule for the BIDCA, MCR and OVDCA groups.  Round two will be held on July 17 at Owosso Speedway in Michigan, with the finale rolling off two weeks later at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway.  The OVDCA is back in action with a regular event this Saturday, June 5 at Shady Bowl.

Heat 1: Wylie, Roney, Watson, Chapman, Nixon, Insley, Boyse, Hicks.

Heat 2: Hostetler, Curtis, Miller, Balcom, Slayton, Dolbee, DiLorenzo.  DNS-Gould

Heat 3: Fitzpatrick, Goff, Hoffman, Claps, Schnabel, Mitchem, Wall-Schnabel, Shepherd.

A-Main: Hostetler, Goff, Fitzpatrick, Schnabel, Wylie, Roney, Claps, Shepherd, Balcom, Slayton, Miller, Boyse, Wall-Schnabel, Gould, Hoffman, Chapman, Nixon, Watson, Dolbee, Insley, Mitchem.  DNS-Curtis, Hicks, DiLorenzo

(Thanks to Shawn Sell for assisting as race director for the event, and for submitting this report)  

 

 

(May 2)  April showers and a forecast of more thunderstorms claimed the racing at Shady Bowl on May 1st.  The OVDCA Dwarfs have a week off, returning to action on May 15th, which will be the last tune-up for the 1st GLAS race of the season to be held on May 29th, featuring competitors from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

 

(April 27)  Week two of the 2004 OVDCA season saw Bill Hostetler of West Liberty once again won the Dwarf car main in his Wirick Farms sponsored truck. Hostetler was clearly the class of the field, as he set a torrid pace to seal the win. Mike Weisburg was second, with John Miller third, Max Evans fourth and Greg Watson fifth. Watson carried the checker for the heat win.

April 24, 2004 - Two in a Row for Hostetler

Week two of the 2004 OVDCA race season saw a familiar face in victory lane, as Bill Hostetler collected his second feature win of the young season.  In their first appearances of the year, Mike Weisberg brought home second, and John Miller finished in the third position.  Steve Carter and Keith Bailey also made their 2004 debut, while the missing in action included Randy Steck, who was still resolving engine woes from week one, and Wayne Fitzpatrick, recovering from his recent heart attack.  Wayne was in the pits assisting with tech and lineups, and is expected to return very soon.  

The heat race action was a shocker, as Greg Watson scored an upset win from the outside second row starting position.  This was Watson's first heat race win at Shady Bowl, and in only his second race back after a lengthy absence from the sport.  Hostetler worked his way up from the back row to finish second, followed by Weisberg and Miller.  Donnie Eaton suffered a broken axle in practice, preventing him from returning the remainder of the evening.

The feature lineup had Bailey and Watson on the front row, with Hostetler lurking back in the eighth starting position.  The field experienced some anxious moments as the green flag fell when Watson spun in some oil laid down in the Late Model race which preceded the Dwarfs, but fortunately no contact was made.  On the restart Weisberg jumped into the early lead, with Miller in tow.  However, Hostetler quickly reeled in the leaders, and took control of the race.  Max Evans was able to overcome heat race mechanical gremlins to move into the fourth spot, while Watson worked his way back up through the field to finish fifth.  Following the lap one yellow, the remainder of the race went green to checkered with no other accidents or breakdowns.  Rookie Brandon Basye seems to have the bugs worked out of his newly acquired car, getting in some quality laps as he and Carter had a battle of the 750cc cars.  Mike Rector turned in another consistent performance as he and Watson once again fought for finishing positions in the closing laps.

There will be no time off for the Dwarfs this week, as the OVDCA returns to action at the 'Bowl on Saturday night.  Several MCR club members are expected, as their season has not yet begun and they are hoping to get in some track time before the first Greater Lakes Asphalt Series race is held at Shady Bowl in late May.

Feature:
1. Hostetler
2. Weisberg
3. Miller
4. Evans
5. Watson
6. Rector
7. Bailey
8. Basye
9. Carter
10. Eaton (DNS)

Points as of April 24th: 

 

 

Wayne Fitzpatrick update: Wayne was released from the Hospital and will be recovering at his home over the next month. He said that he feels fine, and the doctors do not expect any further problems. He hopes to be able to race soon.

 

 

 

(April 13)  OVDCA/Shady Bowl regular Wayne Fitzpatrick driver of the yellow #2 Dwarf Car, suffered a heart attack this past week end. He was air lifted to Riverside Hospital in Columbus where he under went several procedures to eliminate blockage's. He is doing well and should be returning home later this week.

(April 12) Following a rainout on April 3, the OVDCA 2004 kicked off this past Saturday at Shady Bowl Speedway, with Bill Hostetler picking up the feature win.  However, Wayne Fitzpatrick and Max Evans sent a clear message that Bill will face some strong competition this season.  Greg Watson and Mike Rector rounded out the top five. Action resumes April 24th with more OVDCA action at the 'Bowl.

 

April 10, 2004 - Hostetler wins 1st Feature of the Year.

The Ohio Valley Dwarf Cars opened the new season on Easter weekend on a cold but clear night.  The club was represented at the high banks of the Bowl with a small but competitive field of cars. Randy Steck of Marengo, OH debuted a new Pro Chassis car, and former Compact competitor Brandon Basye of Covington, OH made his first appearance in the #8 car.  Longtime OVDCA competitor and former club president Greg Watson is also competing this season in the #4 Jaxport car formerly driven by K.D. Knoedler of Tennessee. 

The heat was decided early on when Max Evans of West Liberty jumped into the lead in his #7 Ohio Caverns sponsored car and never wavered, although challenged hotly as the cars maintained a two abreast formation through much of the race. Action was paused for a clean up after Steck blew an oil line, and laid down an oil slick half the length of the front straight making for some exciting moments for the competitors following in the cloud of smoke.  Evans was able to break away after racing resumed for a convincing victory.

The feature was great from start to finish as Wayne Fitzpatrick of Marengo moved quickly from his second row starting position to take the early lead in his I.B.E.W. sponsored sedan on lap two. "Mad Max" Evans showed his heat win was no fluke by coming from the tail on the inverted start to take second behind the #2 of Fitzpatrick.  Hostetler was also on the move, using the outside line to pass Watson, Steck and Evans to assume the second spot.  Misfortune hit Steck again in the feature ending a strong run, as engine woes ended his night and led to another oil slick for the competitors to contend with.  As action resumed Hostetler continued to apply the pressure, but Fitzpatrick effectively used the inside groove to hold him off.  Evans and Watson had their own battle for third, which turned into a three-car contest when Evans got out of shape in the oil, and Mike Rector jumped under Watson as he slowed to avoid Evans.  Fitzpatrick fought off the hard challenging Hostetler until the final lap when a lapped car caused Fitzpatrick to hesitate allowing Hostetler to make a bold move to take the front position in close wheel to wheel action. Watson also used a last lap move to grab fourth from Rector at the line by a foot.

1. Bill Hostetler 
2. Fitzpatrick 
3.  Max Evans 
4. Greg Watson 
5. Mike Rector 
6. Donnie Eaton
7. Randy Steck
8. Brandon Basye

 

The OVDCA recognized its members competing in the season long points chase at Shady Bowl Speedway at a banquet over the winter. 

(February 3) The 2004 race season is 3 months away, but the OVDCA has already finalized plans for the upcoming season.  The club has partnered with Shady Bowl Speedway for 15 race dates, from April to October.  In addition, negotiations continue with the Michigan and Illinois based Classic Modified Dwarf Car clubs to bring the always exciting Greater Lakes Asphalt Series (GLAS) back to Shady Bowl for the third consecutive year, with additional dates hosted by the other area clubs. 

Club members met this past weekend to review the rulebook and race regulations for the upcoming season. 

(January 14) The OVDCA is currently in negotiations with Shady Bowl Speedway to finalize the 2004 race schedule, and has been assured of receiving race dates from promoter Charlie Stapleton.  A full schedule of Shady Bowl and Great Lakes Asphalt Series races will be posted in the near future.