Mahoning Valley Speedway: Kyle Strohl’s Modified win is no match for the veterans: Kris Graver continues his SpeedSTR dominance

(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 4-25-15) In 2014 then 14-year old Kyle Strohl burst onto the Modified scene at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway as the youngest driver to ever win a feature race with the division, that coming in just his third time out. By mid-summer he won again, finished fifth in points and was named Rookie of the Year.

Now a year older and nearly one year to the day of that memorable first victory Strohl notched a convincing triumph and firmly validated himself as a genuine contender among the many elite veterans. The 15-year old from Palmerton beat such notables as Jimmy Zacharias, Eric Beers and Earl Paules in a seamless effort.

After passing Zacharias for the lead on a lap 18 restart, Strohl was unchallenged en route to victory.

“The car was great tonight and it had so much power. I can’t thank my crew enough for all their work. Once I was able to get by Jimmy (Zacharias) we just hammered down and it was perfect from there on,” said Strohl.

When the race started rookie JP Curry jumped into the early lead and led his first laps in a Modified. Zacharias was up to second by lap two and for the third time in as many weeks was displaying impressive power. He used an inside tactic on lap four to advance to the lead and soon afterwards was pulling away from the pack.

While Zacharias was building on his lead Terry Markovic was controlling second spot and holding off Strohl. After numerous attempts to get by, Strohl finally progressed to the runner-up spot on lap 16. Two laps later the caution was out for Markovic who spun in turn two and it would be on that restart where Strohl would make his race winning move.

Getting a burst of momentum once the race restarted, Strohl powered around Zacharias for the top spot and was never headed from there on.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to beat these guys. They are some of the best Modified racers around. That restart was the key for us and Jimmy gave me plenty of room,” said Strohl.

Ironically Strohl is racing a car that was purchased from Zacharias.

While Strohl was cruising towards his conquest, there remained a hotly contested battle for second spot. Zacharias was in the midst of an intense four car battle with Beers, Paules and Austin Kochenash. All four ran closely bunched with little room to spare.

As Strohl comfortably took the checkered flag, Zacharias, Beers and Paules all fought for second spot. Zacharias would claim the position at the wire while Beers just eked third. Kochenash and point leader Don Wagner rounded out the top five.

“If it wasn’t for that restart I think we may have had something for Kyle (Strohl),” said Zacharias. “Once that restart came I knew I was going to hurdle a little bit. The car has been real good, the problem here is the driver. This is only my seventh race here but we’re getting better.”

The USAC All Pro SpeedSTRs raced for the first time this season and in a carbon copy performance of last when the popular open wheel racers invaded Mahoning, Kris Graver of Lehighton was again the winner, making it three for three on his home turf.

Driving the John Kovatch owned No. 01, Graver started second to his uncle, Kevin Graver Jr., and with the waving of Bobby Stull’s race commencing green, Kris blasted into the lead and over the next 40 laps was never headed.

The only time he was in jeopardy of giving up the lead was during a few restarts but each time the race got back underway there was no denying his incredible adaptation to the cars which he has limited seat time in.

His victory was worth $3000, however, Graver made note that all of his 2015 winnings with the SpeedSTR will be donated to the Sonny Kovatch Scholarship foundation.

Kevin Graver held off 2014 Bowman Gray Stadium Modified champion Danny Bohn for second. Steve Nederostek and Mike Bednar completed the top five.

In a very thrilling and very close run Street Stock feature, Troy Bollinger held off Josh Mooney by mere inches to score his first win with the class since 1999.

Bollinger used an outside pass on lap eight to take the lead from George Ramos. He would then have Mooney as his pursuer and the pair would soon engage in a torrid clash, running side-by-side and exchanging the lead in the process.

In the closing laps Bollinger squeezed out just enough power to nip Mooney for the win, his first in a Street Stock since June 26, 1999.

For Cody Kohler, winning the Pro 4 feature was as easy 3-2-1. Kohler was third on opening night and followed that up with a close second a week later. On week three the third time was the charm. Kohler and Jake Kibler battled hard for the lead over the first seven laps. Kohler then took charge with a dozen circuits to go and would not waver, despite a constant effort by Kibler. Thanks to the win Kohler is the new point leader.

Shayne Geist raced to his second straight Hobby Stock win. Geist passed Rich Mutarelli three laps into the contest and then had to fend off his younger brother Cody on his way to the win.

Brett Beiber was uncontested in winning the All Star Slingshot feature, as he led all 20 laps with little to no opposition. Dylan Hoch

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

SpeedSTR Feature Finish (40 Laps): 1. Kris Graver, 2. Kevin Graver Jr., 3. Danny Bohn, 4. Steve Nederostek, 5. Mike Bednar, 6. Kyle Lick, 7. Wayne Weaver, 8. Rick Kirkendall, 9. Matt Janisch, 10. Earl Paules, 11. Eric Beers, 12. Tim Iulg, 13. Jason Miller, 14. John Bockhorn, 15. Nick Baer

Street Stock Feature Finish (30 Laps): 1. Troy Bollinger, 2. Josh Mooney, 3. Jason Kuhn, 4. Corey Edelman, 5. TJ Gursky, 6. Justin Mooney, 7. George Ramos, 8. Randy Schlenker, 9. Randy Ahner, 10. Kristy Arthofer, 11. Todd Ahner, 12. Jason Frey, 13. Zach Graver, 14. Brian Labar, 15. Jared Ahner, 16. Stacey Brown, 17. Jillian Long, 18. Aaron Kromer, 19. Jonathan Tracey, 20. Joe Stangle, 21. Gene Bowers, 22. Paul Morgan Jr. DNQ: Tiffany Wambold, Logan Boyer, Dave Chapman, Cody Roth, Lonnie Behler Jr., Jamie Smith

Pro 4 Feature Finish (20 Laps): 1. Cody Kohler, 2. Jake Kibler, 3. Nick Baer, 4. Tyler Stangle, 5. Bobby Kibler,  6. Bobby Kibler Sr., 7. Joe Pritchard, 8. Chad Miller, 9. Kailyn Beers, 10. Jason Muffley, 11. Alton Snyder Jr. DNS: Johnny Bennett

Hobby Stock Feature Finish (15 Laps): 1. Shayne Geist, 2. Cody Geist, 3. Tom Oswald, 4. Rich Mutarelli,  5. Colin Bollinger, 6. Lyndsay Buss, 7. Daniel Hargan, 8. Kyle Krempasky, 9. Jacob Oswald

All-Star Slingshot Feature Finish (20 Laps) 1. Brett Beiber, 2. Dylan Hoch, 3. Jackson Ring, 4. Dakota Kohler, 5. Don Schmidt, 6. Louden Reimert, 7. Anthony Raisner