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7-18-03 Press Release

Bolland Wins the BRP Modified Tour 03 at Lernerville Speedway

Sarver, PA

Kevin Bolland of New Brighton garnered the BRP Modified Tour 03 victory at Lernerville Speedway Friday, on a strange evening where Murphy's Law was in effect. Zelienople's John Flinner scored his fourth big Friedman's Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods win and collected an extra $1,000 for the E-Racer's Bonus Bucs. Carving out a two in the win column was Gary Kriess of Butler in the St. Barnabas Health System Sprints and Chicora's Greg Beach in the Dingbats Restaurant Pure Stocks. It was Ferrante Motor Cars Night at the Speedway.

"Trip sevens" won the jackpot in the 30-lap BRP Modified 03 race as Kevin Bolland defeated Ron Smoker in a stellar field of 40 cars.  The fans were on the edge of their seats the entire "action packed" evening wondering what was going to happen next, especially in the Modified events. At the start of the race, Brian Swartzlander and Mike Sutton were in the front row with Bolland and Jeff Hoffman (driving Bob Wearing Jr's #152) directly behind. Swartzlander immediately took charge. Four caution events were registered by lap three. On the fourth yellow, George Hobaugh's racer's throttle stuck and his car shot over turn three like a missile, wedging it into the fence. He was not injured. At the same time, Smoker got out of his racer to check his Modified and was penalized to the rear of the field. On lap 12, with Swartzlander guiding the field, Bolland went low to pass him and in turn three, Bolland and Swartzlander came together. Bolland's Brighton Hot Dog Shoppes/Cintas/Bolland Machine #777 survived the collision but Swartzlander was not as fortunate. Swartzlander's 83S went over the edge and hit the guardrail terminating his evening.  When the race resumed Bolland ruled with Dave Murdick second, Mike Sutton third, and Smoker back to seventh. On lap 18, the last caution flag was thrown for Dave Murdick's #61 that experienced mechanical problems in turn two. With three laps to go, Smoker was second but Bolland overpowered him in the race to the checker for his second 2003 victory, collecting $1,200.  Nick Chevrolet gave Smoker a $100 bonus for his outstanding run. Mike Sutton's third place was his best finish of the year. Coming from a 20th place start, JR McGinley placed fourth, and was trailed by Jim Weller III. Jim Weller Jr went to the pits in the second lap, and returned to claim the sixth spot. Mark Flick was seventh and was followed by Del Rougeux, Josh Skarzenski (substituting for Lonnie Riggs) and Joe Crawford. Rick Hall, Dave Murdick, Swartzlander, and Bolland won the heat races. Flick and Carl Weatherby checkered the B-Mains. In the first B-Main, Guy Griffin was injured in a three car collision. He was conscious and talking but had sustained a head injury and was life-flighted to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Griffin was admitted and reported in fair condition at this writing.

The resilient Gary Kriess returned to Sprint car racing after a recent Sprint accident and tonight came back with a 20-lap St. Barnabas Health System Sprint triumph. Leading the entire event Kriess' Vavoline #55J was pressured and even at one point was passed by runner-up Eric Smith. But, Kriess was not to be denied and went on to collect his second big win of the season. In victory lane Kriess said, "I have to tip my hat to Eric Smith. He had a good run tonight and if the caution hadn't come out, I don't know if I would have won." Chad Hill was third, point leader Ed Lynch Jr, 4th and Rod George, fifth. Hill and George are tied for second behind Lynch in the quest for the Championship. Sixth through tenth place went to Charlie Holben, Craig McGuire, Roger Bennett, Ralph Spithaler and Scott Barris.  Kevin Schaeffer blew a motor in hot laps, made a half hour trip to Kittanning, changed his motor,  returned in time to start "scratch" in the feature, and finish a respectable 11th. Smith and George won the prelims.

Flinner banks the "bonus bucks" in 20-lap Friedmans Supermarkets/Bi-Lo Foods Late Model main and regains the point lead. E-racers Go-Cart Track posted a $1,000 bonus before the main event if Flinner could win the feature; a very happy Flinner collected $2,100 for his 4th victory of 2003. Doug Eck was in charge laps one and two. Driving an excellent race, Jim Kurpakus took the helm laps three through 13, with Nick Jones and Flinner all in the mix. A caution event occurred for Jones as he left the race with a flat tire but did not return.  When the race resumed, Flinner took the advantage and held it the distance. Running strong with the "big boys" was runner-up Rob Kosecki who used the inside line to nip Kurpakus at the checker. Fourth through ten went to Doug Eck, Tom Tuite, Bob Wearing Jr, Jeff Henry, Gary Lyle, Bob Puz and Ben Miley. Chuck Kennedy and Flinner collected the heat wins. Flinner leads Nick Jones by 9 points.

It was a day at the "Beach" in the 15 lap Dingbats Restaurant Pure Stock feature! Greg Beach dominated the event, leading coast to coast in the Wellington Power/Fazio Mechanical/ WESCO #33. In the hard fought battle for second Rob Shook won over Robert McCall. Jeff Walters kept Jason Fosnaught and Scott Bochek, respectively, at bay. Seventh through tenth place went to Paul Schreckengost, Joe Kelley, Rick Burris and Chris Schneider. Beach's second feature shored up his fourth place standings in the race for the crown. Only 24 points separate the top four drivers in this class with Schneider leading Walters by a digit. Kelley, Schreckengost and Walters collected the preliminary events and Bob Egley was the B-Main winner.