LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (April 13) – There were a number of firsts on Friday, April 13 at Clinton County Raceway.
It was the first time the IMCA Modified division raced at Lock Haven, it was the first visit for the World Products Empire State Series and eventual winner Jim Yoder was driving his first race in an IMCA Modified.
The victory was good for $1,000 and a spot on ballot for the 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star invitational.
Defending series champion Eddie Sites was about a straightaway off the pace in second while 2011 Eastern Region king Mike Smith, Shawn Bruce and Dale Schweikert rounded out the top five.
Rich Karlnoski and Jared Keeney drew front row starts for the series opener. Karlnoski grabbed the early lead with Keeney getting by on the next go round. The caution flew on lap two when Chris Fleming and Rich McNeal tangled in turn two; Gary Roberts took the lead on the ensuing restart and early on looked like he’d have the car to beat.
Roberts ran at the front until lap seven when Yoder, a former Clinton County late model driver, made a masterful move on the outside between turns three and four to take the lead.
Yoder then used his knowledge of the track to drive away from the field.
Meanwhile Roberts, George Fultz, Mark Griffin, Sites, Bruce and Smith battled well behind the leader. The final caution of the event flew on lap 10 as Roberts, Fultz and Griffin tangled in turn four.
The restart put Sites, Bruce and Smith on Yoder’s back bumper but to no avail as Yoder drove away to the win.
Yoder was also the recipient of the North Country Custom Rookie of the Race Award. The MR Graphix Hard Charger Award went to Bruce, who started 17th and wound up in fourth. The Ran¬dom Draw Award went to 17th place finisher Kevin VanAmberg
The second of nine events on the series schedule this season will be held Sunday, April 22 at Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. with racing at 4 p.m.
Feature results – 1. Jim Yoder; 2. Eddie Sites; 3. Mike Smith; 4. Shawn Bruce; 5. Dale Schweik¬ert; 6. Mark Griffin; 7. Kevan Cook; 8. Dave Yehl; 9. Rich McNeal; 10. Josh Van Tassell; 11. Chris Fleming; 12. Eric Palski; 13. Rich Karlnoski; 14. Rob Wilcox; 15. Gary Roberts; 16. George Fultz; 17. Kevin VanAmberg; 18. Jared Keeney; 19. Ray McClure; 20. Mike Stoddard.
Heat winners were Griffin, Roberts and Sites.
It was the first time the IMCA Modified division raced at Lock Haven, it was the first visit for the World Products Empire State Series and eventual winner Jim Yoder was driving his first race in an IMCA Modified.
The victory was good for $1,000 and a spot on ballot for the 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star invitational.
Defending series champion Eddie Sites was about a straightaway off the pace in second while 2011 Eastern Region king Mike Smith, Shawn Bruce and Dale Schweikert rounded out the top five.
Rich Karlnoski and Jared Keeney drew front row starts for the series opener. Karlnoski grabbed the early lead with Keeney getting by on the next go round. The caution flew on lap two when Chris Fleming and Rich McNeal tangled in turn two; Gary Roberts took the lead on the ensuing restart and early on looked like he’d have the car to beat.
Roberts ran at the front until lap seven when Yoder, a former Clinton County late model driver, made a masterful move on the outside between turns three and four to take the lead.
Yoder then used his knowledge of the track to drive away from the field.
Meanwhile Roberts, George Fultz, Mark Griffin, Sites, Bruce and Smith battled well behind the leader. The final caution of the event flew on lap 10 as Roberts, Fultz and Griffin tangled in turn four.
The restart put Sites, Bruce and Smith on Yoder’s back bumper but to no avail as Yoder drove away to the win.
Yoder was also the recipient of the North Country Custom Rookie of the Race Award. The MR Graphix Hard Charger Award went to Bruce, who started 17th and wound up in fourth. The Ran¬dom Draw Award went to 17th place finisher Kevin VanAmberg
The second of nine events on the series schedule this season will be held Sunday, April 22 at Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. with racing at 4 p.m.
Feature results – 1. Jim Yoder; 2. Eddie Sites; 3. Mike Smith; 4. Shawn Bruce; 5. Dale Schweik¬ert; 6. Mark Griffin; 7. Kevan Cook; 8. Dave Yehl; 9. Rich McNeal; 10. Josh Van Tassell; 11. Chris Fleming; 12. Eric Palski; 13. Rich Karlnoski; 14. Rob Wilcox; 15. Gary Roberts; 16. George Fultz; 17. Kevin VanAmberg; 18. Jared Keeney; 19. Ray McClure; 20. Mike Stoddard.
Heat winners were Griffin, Roberts and Sites.
