Mahoning Modified win to Chip Santee over Earl Paules in a thriller; Jacob Kerstetter claims career first in Late Models

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Mahoning Modified win to Chip Santee over Earl Paules in a thriller; Jacob Kerstetter claims career first in Late Models
By DINO OBERTO

(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 8-22-15) Saturday night’s racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway was indicative of the type of action that has made the Lehighton paved ¼-mile oval so popular among fans and drivers. And while all of the racing was spot on fantastic, it was the Modified feature that was the real cincher of the “Mahoning Product” as winner Chip Santee and runner-up Earl Paules gave a sterling performance in what side-by-side racing is truly all about.
Santee had taken the lead from the outset, however, when Paules moved to second on lap 15. It was then a nail-biting run to the finish and with no cautions both champion caliber drivers went lap after lap in two wide formation making for one of the more spine-tingling races of the year.
“I think that was one of the hardest races I ever won,” said Santee, who won his 30th career feature. “Earl (Paules) and I ran really close out there and we may have bumped a few times but it was nothing major.”
It’s been no mystery that Santee has been struggling this season. The car was not up to par and prior to this night he had only two top-5s, a victory on June 6 followed by a second a few weeks later. Other than that it has been a year of frustration. But a visit to fellow driver and chassis man Zane Zeiner of Zeiner Fabrications earlier in the week paid dividends. Going over a number of details, Zeiner worked his magic off the track while Santee did his part on.
“I really have to thank Zane Zeiner and his family for helping me get this car hooked up and of course my crew. I was just about ready to give up. Eric Beers also reassured me of my confidence to drive,” said Santee.
“The car was real good the first couple of laps and then it started to get a little tight. I saw Earl try to stick it to the bottom a few times and I have to thank him for giving me room. I saw his left side tires for nearly the last 15-20 laps. It was an awesome race, it was intense and close and that’s why people come to this race track to see this kind of racing.”
Paules indeed did all he could to try and get around Santee. For the most part he stayed to the outside although there were a few attempts to try a low line pass.
“It was fun out there. He (Santee) has been working on his car and it paid off. Zane helped him out and you can’t get a better guy then him,” said Paules.
“I thought I was going to wear him (Santee) down a little more then that but he held on. I got underneath him once on the back stretch there and I just didn’t feel like I was going to go in there hot without getting into him. That’s just the way you have to race around here.”
Paules maintains the point lead over Beers who was third at the finish and making a valid run towards the front pair before the checkers waved.
The Late Model feature was just as exhilarating as upstart Jacob Kerstetter held off perennial class kingpin Paul Koehler Jr., for his career first win.
Kerstetter started second but once the race began he dashed into the lead. Within in short order Jeremy Miller and Koehler where on his tail.
It has been a breakout year for the sophomore driver who has been consistently in the top five in points throughout the season and regularly shown that he is more than capable to get a win. Once the race settled in between the front three the stage was set for the memorable night.
Holding a solid line of defense, Kerstetter resisted the onslaught of Miller and Koehler attacks. Koehler, a master of the high line, would use that route to take second on lap 13. He would then make continue to stab and poke at Kerstetter but this soon to be 20-year old was not giving in. Despite being underfunded and undermanned, Kerstetter brought the crowd to their feet in the waning laps as the feel of him holding on was electrifying, taking the win by less than a half car length.
In the Street Stocks Gene Bowers beat out Kristy Arthofer for his first division win of the year. Bowers grabbed the lead from early pace setter Jillian Long on lap 18 and then fought back Arthofer and become the 15th different winner in 16 races.

“The Law” Ricky Yetter, made a serious statement toward his goal of winning the Dirt Mod championship as he drove to a solid third win of the season. Yetter passed Mike Stofflet on lap five and then cruised ahead of runner up Jack Ely for the verdict.
For a fourth time this year Bobby Kibler Sr., was the top finisher in the Pro 4s. Kibler Sr., inherited the lead on lap four after his son, Bobby Kibler Jr., was bumped out of the lead by Nick Baer. It was then smooth sailing the rest of the way.
Rich Mutarelli capped off the night of great racing by winning his third Hobby Stock main of the year.

Modified Feature Finish (35 Laps): 1. Chip Santee, 2. Earl Paules, 3. Eric Beers, 4. Kris Graver, 5. Terry Markovic, 6. Don Wagner, 7. Zane Zeiner, 8. Kyle Strohl, 9. Austin Kochenash, 10. Eric Kocher, 11. John Markovic, 12. Brian Romig Jr., 13. Rick Reichenbach, 14. Lou Strohl, 15. Kevin Rex Jr.,

Late Model Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1. Jacob Kerstetter, 2. Paul Koehler Jr., 3. Pat Hargan, 4. Jeremy Miller, 5. Mike Sweeney, 6. Broc Brown, 7. Darryl Bruenig, 8. George Ramos, 9. Kenny Hein, 10. Josh Oswald, 11. Troy Bollinger, 12. Frankie Althouse

Street Stock Feature Finish (30 Laps): 1. Gene Bowers, 2. Kristy Arthofer, 3. Aaron Kromer, 4. Jason Kuhn, 5. Todd Ahner, 6. Randy Ahner Jr., 7. Randy Schlenker, 8. Jillian Long, 9. Stacey Brown, 10. Zach Graver, 11. Jason Frey, 12. Jared Ahner, 13. Jonathan Tracey, 14. Brian Labar, 15. Josh Mooney, 16. George Ramos, 17. Bernie Uphold, 18. Logan Boyer, 19. Joe Mooney, 20. Lonnie Behler Sr., DNQ: Corey Edelman, Joe Stangle

Dirt Mod Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1. Ricky Yetter, 2. Jack Ely, 3. Mike Stofflet, 4. JP Curry, 5. Aleia Geisler, 6. Lorin Arthofer II, 7. Dave Gorbatuk, 8. Ray Deemer, 9. Billy Lasko, 10. Bill Sittler Jr.

Pro 4 Feature Finish (20 Laps): 1. Bobby Kibler Sr., 2. Cody Kohler, 3. JD Light, 4. Jake Kibler, 5. Josh Scherer, 6. Bobby Kibler Jr., 7. Shawn Kistler, 8. Johnny Bennett, 9. Bill Rooney, 10. Nick Baer, 11. Kailyn Beers, 12. Chad Miller, 13. Joe Stangle

Hobby Stock Feature Finish (15 Laps): 1. Rich Mutarelli, 2. Cody Geist, 3. Jeff Biegley, 4. Seth VanFossen, 5. Daniel Hargan, 6. TJ Kapish, 7. Lyndsay Buss, 8. Ken Reeder, 9. Ryan Berger, 10. Shayne Geist, 11. Michael Wambold, 12. Kyle Krempasky, 13. Jacob Oswald

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