“RAY’S RACE” AT MICHAELS MERCER RACEWAY’S LITTLE GUY SUMMER NATIONALS FINDS TIM BISH IN VICTORY LANE FOR THE HOMAK PENN OHIO PRO STOCK SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT!
For Immediate Release
June 23, 2019 (Sandy Lake, PA) With the cooperation of Mother Nature, the Homak Penn Ohio Series powered by Can-Am was able to finally get a full show in the books for the 2019 season. Under the new ownership of Edward Michaels, Mercer Raceway hosted the Series on Saturday, June 22nd for the first of two “Little Guy National” events in 2019. A total of 46 Penn Ohio pro stocks were on hand to compete for the $2,011 prize in the Series’ 2nd Annual “Ray’s Race”.
Ending the Homak Penn Ohio Series 2018 season with a win at Mercer Little Guy Nationals in October, Tim Bish, out of Ringgold, PA, was confident in finding his way back to victory lane for the Summer edition of the Little Guy Nationals. The Ringgold Plumbing & Heating and RPM Archery sponsored Pro-One Chassis #11B parked in Michaels Mercer Raceway victory lane after leading all 25 laps.
Five heat races had drivers battling their way to the main event with the top 4 from each heat advancing. Heat race winners included Rusty Moore #17M, Noah Brunell #31, Bobby Whitling #7W, Chris Schneider #55, and Tim Bish #11B. Two B Mains gave drivers one last chance to advance for an opportunity at the $2,011, as two advanced from each. Winners were Rusty Martz #16M and Curtis Bish #29. Those not advancing to the A Main would have a chance to race in a Non-Qualifier B Feature paying $250 to-win.
In memory of Ray Virgile, R & R Enterprises sponsored a “Ray’s Race” dash for the R.K. Virgile sponsored pro stocks paying $200 to the winner. Participants included Whitling, Martz, Curt Bish #00, Bish #29, Randy Wyant #11T, Jackson Humanic #17, Joe Stajnrajh #04, Pat Fielding #23, Charlie McMillen #61M, Josh Seippel #84S, and Tyler Wyant (Ray’s grandson) #24. Picking up the 6 lap dash win over the11 car field was Martz.
As a result of a pill redraw for the top 10, Tim Bish would lead the 24-car field to the green in the 25-lap “Ray’s Race” “Little Guy Summer Nationals” with Paul Davis #3 by his side. Bish took a quick lead over Davis with Tim Deutsch #20 in third over Randy Wyant. The first caution flag would fly on lap 3 as Curtis Bish #29 experienced mechanical issues as his driveshaft lay on the back stretch. Racing resumed with Tim Bish commanding the lead, but green lap racing was short lived as the yellow came out on lap 4 for Stajnrajh, who departed to the pits. In that one lap, Deutsch grabbed the runner-up spot, Bill Hurrelbrink #c8 advanced to third, Davis fell back to fourth, Whitling in fifth as Wyant slipped from fourth to seventh.
Tim Bish would lead the pack to the green with 4 laps on the books and Deutsch at his side. Although Deutsch made his presence known to the leader on occasion, Bish held the top spot as the rest of the field battled with the third caution coming on lap 16 for a spinning Andy Thompson #5. The restart did not fare well for several drivers as a slowing chain reaction at the start caused a pile up in turn three bringing out the fourth and final caution collecting Shaun Hooks #65, Chris McGuire #63, Jason Fosnaught #73, Humanic, and Fielding. Exiting to the pits as the crews worked to untangle the cars were Schneider, Hooks, Fielding, and Humanic with Hooks being the sole driver of the group to return.
The remaining 9 laps would be caution-free as Bish would cruise to the win over Deutsch, Wyant battled back to take home the third spot over Moore, and rounding out the top five was Hurrelbrink. Davis finished sixth, Brunell in seventh followed by Andy Buckley #965 in eighth, with 18th starter Joey Zambotti #948 capturing ninth over Whitling in tenth.
Twelve Penn Ohio pro stocks competed in the 12 lap Non-Qualifier B Feature. Chris Withers #21 and Gary Fisher #99F led the field to the green. Withers took the early lead and didn’t look back as he led all 12 laps taking home the $250 check and “Ray’s Race” trophy. Fisher went home in the runner up spot over Rod Laskey #1R, Terry Wheeler #2W finished in fourth, with Josh Seippel #84S in fifth.
The 2nd Annual “Ray’s Race” was brought to you by R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals, R & R Enterprises, and E & K Equipment, along with additional support from Eric A. Padin, Attorney at Law; Minich’s Towing & Recovery, Casey’s Restaurant & Lounge; Venango Towing and Recovery LLC; and Wayne H. Hundertmark, Attorney at Law.
Official results will be posted.
Homak Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series powered by Can-Am contingency prizes were awarded to the following drivers:
Hoosier/Precise Racing
Hoosier Tire
Tim Deutsch #20
American Racer/Lias Tire
American Racer Tire
Tim Bish #11B
SS Chassis & Supply
Wheel
Jason Fosnaught #73
Close Racing
$100 Certificate
Pat Fielding #23
Joe Willcox Performance Automatics
$100 Certificate
Gill DeMello #22
Genesis Racing Shocks
$75 Certificate
Leigh Wheeler #717
Dirt Defender
Funnel
Paul Davis #3
Precise
Air Cleaner Cover
Chris McGuire #63
Ultra Shield Race Products
$50 Certificate
Chris Schneider #55
Ultra Shield Race Products
Tearoffs certificate
Jamie Scharba #11S
Arbodies
$25 Certificate & shirt
Andy Buckley #965
Big Daddy's
$25 Certificate
Gary Fisher #99F
Big Daddy's
$25 Certificate
Bill Slade #A22
Wedge Motorsports
$25 Certificate
Jackson Humanic #17
Wedge Motorsports
$25 Certificate
Kyle Couchenour #299
Wedge Motorsports
$25 Certificate
Joey Zambotti #948
Wedge Motorsports
$25 Certificate
Shaun Hooks #65
Precise
$25 Gift Card
Randy Wyant #11T
STAAR Lubricants
Trick Shot
Noah Brunell #31
STAAR Lubricants
Trick Shot
Curt Bish #00
STAAR Lubricants
Trick Shot
Terry Wheeler Sr #2W
STAAR Lubricants
Trick Shot
Tim Bish #11B
STAAR Lubricants
Trick Shot
Josh Seippel #84S
Pro stock drivers can join the Series and reap the benefits all season – a $15,000 point fund with $3,000 going to the point champion, over $13,000-$15,000 in contingency prizes given away at Penn Ohio events, and over $20,000 in driver prizes given away at the banquet. The cost to join is $200 and forms are available online at -http://www.pennohiop...EGISTRATION.pdf.
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennohioprostocks and follow us on Twitter @Pennohiostocks. For more information on the Series visit our website at www.pennohioprostocks.com, email info@pennohioprostocks.com or call 724-730-1623. Correspondence can also be sent to 172 Tent Hill Road, Sandy Lake, PA 16145.
The 2019 Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series is brought to you by Homak, “Globally Known & Professionally Trusted since 1947” and powered by Can-Am, “We’re built for this”; along with the support of Wrapz by Reiser, Hoosier Tire, Precise Racing Products, American Racer, Lias Tire, E & K Equipment, Timber Lake Lodge, Les Frickshun, SS Chassis & Supply, Bish Heating & Cooling, Dirt Defender LLC, Blue Ox Timber, Close Racing Supply, Genesis Racing Shocks, ARbodies, Trick Shot Penetrating Lubricant, R & R Enterprise Auto Sales & Garage, Wedge Motorsports, Animal Graphics & Signs, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Ultra Shield Race Products, Joe Willcox Performance Automatics, Phantom Signs & Shirts, Three Rivers Karting, Power of Bowser and Jacob’s Towing.
Edited by PennOhio ProStocks, 24 June 2019 - 11:24 AM.
