Modifieds racing for $5000-to-win in Mahoning Valley Speedway season opener
Modifieds racing for $5000-to-win in Mahoning Valley Speedway season opener
(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 4-4-15) Mahoning Valley Speedway completed an eventful final Test and Tune day on Saturday which saw nonstop activity with a variety of race cars getting in as many laps as possible in anticipation of the 2015 Opening Night slated for April 11 with a 6:00 pm start time.
And, if the three Test and Tune days are an indication of what is to come, fans of the Floyd Santee promoted paved quarter mile oval are in for a spectacular season lid-lifter as each of the six divisions are looking quite healthy.
Of course headlining the night’s agenda will be a 125-lap Modified feature paying $5000 to win. It is also race number one of the Central States Modified Gambler’s Series (CSMGS).
The CSMGS will be run under a poker game format whereas cards will be awarded to the top 13 finishers in each designated feature race. At the end of the six race series the top five card holders will share in a $6000 purse with $2000 going to the top hand, $1500 for second, $1000 to third, then $700 and $500 respectively. With first place prize money alone and winning the overall CSMGS championship it is possible for one driver to take home over $23,000 just from those half dozen races.
Saturday’s Modified opener will include some of the premier short track pavement aces of our time. Defending track champion Kris Graver leads the way along with past champs Eric Beers, Earl Paules, Chip Santee, John Markovic, Don Wagner and Roger Heffelfinger Jr.
The list also includes such significant weekly Mahoning notables Nevin George, Roger Coss, Bobby Jones, Kyle Strohl, Eric Kocher, Terry Markovic, Kevin Rex Jr., and JP Curry.
Big show stars Matt Hirschman, Zane Zeiner, Austin Kochenash and Brain DeFebo are in and expected to make a run for the money is former Mahoning D/A Mod champ Anthony Sesely. Long Island’s Vincent Biondilillo tested well and as did newcomer Calvin Carroll. Modified drivers are registered for the opening race from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
Three time and defending Late Model champion Earl Paules will begin another year of title defense and attempt to become the first driver since John Markovic to win four straight class crowns. Coming off one of the closest point battles ever, Paules will have his hands full fending off perennial contenders Frankie Althouse, Mike Sweeney and multi-time champ Paul Koehler Jr.
In 2014 TJ Gursky became the first driver to win three Street Stock championships and he looks poised to go for number four. However, as is the case with this deeply talented division, there will be any number of drivers that could easily make the crown their own. Once again the numbers in the Street Stocks are expected to hit 30 on average and Opening Night will reflect that.
With Kevin Graver Jr., not returning to defend his Dirt Mod title that leaves the door wide open for a solid handful of others, including Ricky Yetter who for the past two seasons was runner-up. Yetter is also hoping that the third time will be the charm as he has announced that 2015 will be his final season of driving.
The Pro 4 and Hobby Stock classes had great participation during Test and Tune days and will accent nicely the weekly card.
Opening Night 2015 gets underway with grandstand gates opening at 4:00. All classes will pick for starting spots. There will be an early paid practice from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Regular practice is from 4:00 to 5:00. Heats will get underway at 6:00. All times are subject to change.
Additional news can be found on the track’s official site at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
