Mahoning Valley Speedway Dirt Mod champ Ricky Yetter looking to close out his career with a win
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Mahoning Valley Speedway Dirt Mod champ Ricky Yetter looking to close out his career with a win
(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 10-22-15) When Mahoning Valley Speedway presents its season finale this Saturday, October 24, which is day two of Octoberfast 2015, it won’t just mean the last time for cars to hit the paved ¼-mile oval but it also will be the swansong of newly crowned Dirt Mod champion Ricky Yetter.
Yetter made it known at the start of the season that win, lose or draw, 2015 would be his last as a driver. Two years ago he had a draw and took second via a tie-breaker then last year he fell second again to Kevin Graver Jr. This year it was mission accomplished.
Now with the title all his there leaves just one more task at hand, to win the special 60-lap feature, an event that he is the defending winner.
“Winning is the only thing on my mind to the point where it almost has me nervous because I want to go out with a win,” said Yetter.
“I actually set the car up a week early during the final race (October 4). We had clinched the week before so in my head I was thinking let’s go try something. We finished fifth that day and I wasn’t dogging it at all but we were also trying something which was to pick up more speed for this coming race.”
Speed will of course be essential for Yetter to attempt an Octoberfast repeat. But like any race there will be some luck needed as well.
Along with all the track regulars who gave Yetter a run for his money, this race generally draws a number of outsiders which makes for an exciting event as racers who never before ran a Dirt Modified on pavement make things interesting to say the least.
“Last year I was just in a zone for that race. I was focused and passed a lot of cars with the lapped traffic. And that’s the thing about this race. You have a lot of newcomers and you have to expect them to slide a little bit and wash-up. So if you’re on the outside of somebody don’t be in lane two, be in lane two-and-a-half in case guys wiggle up a little bit. I should know because I was that gut a few years ago,” said Yetter.
The 60-lap main will pay $1500 to win and Yetter won’t be the only one looking to score the victory, a feat he did a class leading five times this season including a record four in a row. Jack Ely won four times this year and finished second in points. Mike Stofflet, Aleia Geisler, Lorin Arthofer II, Ray Deemer and JP Curry also parked in Victory Lane on multiple occasions.
Others have come close and could break through this Saturday including the likes of Dave Gorbatuk, Scott Adams and Billy Lasko. Then there is the invaders which provide the added thrill.
Along with the Dirt Mods the Street Stocks will compete in a 40 lapper paying $800 to win and is the deciding race in the American Rental Street Stock Gamblers Series.
The Hobby Stocks will run in a 25 lap feature that awards the winner $300. Plus the ATQMRA TQ Midgets and All-Star Slingshots will be in action with a 25 lap events each. The TQ’s will be crowning their 2015 champion which will be determined between Ryan Tidman and Buddy Sload.
Also on hand will be the Vintage Division of the ATQMRA which will run an exhibition during intermission.
Gary Lee’s Brown Daub KIA of Easton is playing a big role in Saturday’s race by giving only lucky fan $500 cash and likewise to a Dirt Mod, Street Stock or Hobby Stock driver.
The final “Weekly Wheel Spin” will be used to award the lucky recipient. For the fans all they need to do is purchase a copy of the Thunder in the Valley program book and check out the Gary Lee’s Brown Daub ad page. There is a stamped number on the page and if their number is called they will be given the chance to win the $500. There will be six lucky numbers called. Program books will be solid on a limited basis.
As for the racers they will have a wheel spin take place during the drivers meeting. If the wheel stops on the designated class then one lucky finisher from that feature will get a shot at the $500.
Gary Lee will also have additional giveaways including an I-pad. There will be a tent set-up near the main ticket window for fans to register to receive prizes and giveaways.
Prior to the start of the races there will be a special releasing of purple and yellow balloons to honor the memory of Jennifer Flannigan Kutz.
Grandstands open at 1:00. Admission is $15. $2.00 off for students, seniors 65 + and active military. Must have ID. Kids 10 and under are free.
Pit sign-ins will take place from noon – 1:30. Pit admission is $30. There is a $20 entry fee for the All-Star Slingshots.
Any teams that wish to run an early practice can do so from noon to 1:00 pm. Early paid practice is $25 per car. Regular warm-ups will take place from 1:15 – 2:25.
Additional news can be found on the track’s official site at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway and on Twitter at twitter.com/MahoningSpeed.
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