BEN SATTERLEE PICKS UP HIS CAREER FIRST LATE MODEL WIN AT THE $2,000 MIKE EBERL MEMORIAL; RUSTY MARTZ BACK IN VICTORY LANE IN SUPER STOCK ACTION; RAY HICKOK TAKES HOME HIS FIRST ENDURO WIN AT THUNDER MOUNTAIN
June 27, 2008
Knoxdale, PA
With his father Dave having much success during his storied career, Ben Satterlee finally broke into victory lane for the first time by claiming the $2,000 Mike Eberl Memorial Open Late Model feature at Thunder Mountain Speedway. Rusty Martz returned to victory lane after his Super Stock win non-points win in Super Stock action while Ray Hickok picked up the extra money Thunderbolt Enduro feature win. The program was in honor of Mike Eberl, the former Thunder Mountain Speedway track photographer who passed away during the off season. Thanks to a Chinese auction headed by Lisa Lindemuth, a 50/50 drawing, proceeds of gate admission, and Thunder Mountain Speedway, $3,500 was raised to “Make-A-Wish” in Mike’s name for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Special trophies featuring an image of Mike were donated by Andy and Sherry Watt of Race 1 Motor Speedway in DuBois, PA.
After a dominating performance en route to a heat race win, Ben Satterlee parked his #97 in Horizon Homes Victory Lane after holding off a late charge from Ed Connor. “That was a long race, I just wanted it to be over.” commented the Rochester Mills, PA driver. Satterlee continued, “My crew was all sick and stayed home, so I borrowed dad’s crew tonight.” Dave Satterlee had carburetor problems after his heat race and was a scratch for the rest of the night.
Heat winners Cody Shultz, Luke Hoffner, and Ben Satterlee headed the top 12 drivers from qualifying for the redraw on the front stretch. With Dwayne Tanneyhill and Ben Satterlee drawing positions 1 and 2 respectively, the field was set for the 35 lap shootout. Satterlee bolted to the lead from the start with Tanneyhill settling into 2nd. Behind the front two cars, Hoffner and Shultz were side by side for 3rd before Hoffner took the spot in turn 3. Hoffner began to challenge Tanneyhill for 2nd before Jeremy Newcome brought out the first yellow with a spin in turn 4. The restart was negated with a Jerry Redden spin heading to the green. While Redden was being hooked to the wrecker with rear end damage, Hoffner stopped in turn 3 with the same fate. Both were done for the night.
When racing resumed, Satterlee remained the leader and was opening breathing room between himself and Tanneyhill who were both pulling away from the battle for 3rd with Shultz and Matt Gaston. The battle for 5th was heating up with Rick Maxim and Jason Witherite swapping the position on lap 5 with Witherite holding the spot after lap 6. Back up front, the top 2 cars of Satterlee and Tanneyhill were still pulling away as Shultz drifted high in turn 2 allowing Gaston to sneak under the #7 into 3rd on lap 9. Satterlee entered lapped traffic on lap 11, but his path was cleared with a caution for Bob Sheesley. Witherite took 4th from Shultz on the restart before a lap 15 caution for Bruce Raybuck reset the field once again. Under yellow, Tanneyhill headed to the pits ending his fine run.
Satterlee lead the lap 16 restart ahead of Gaston who inherited 2nd from Tanneyhill’s exit. Witherite was in 3rd and engaged in a battle with Ed Connor for the position. Connor took the spot and was on the back bumper of Gaston at the halfway mark. The battle for 2nd was side by side until a lap 21 caution flew as Connor nipped Gaston at the line for 2nd. With action back underway, Satterlee continued leading Connor as Gaston had his hands full with a Witherite challenge. Witherite took 3rd on lap 23 as yellow flew for Bobby McMillen who slowed on the front stretch. It was an unfortunate end to McMillen’s night as he was perhaps the driver who received the most support from Mike Eberl in his career.
Connor looked under Satterlee on the restart, but Satterlee had the momentum out of turn 2 and maintained his lead. While the leaders were battling, Witherite made up ground and was poised to join the fight for the point. With 10 laps to go, action was slowed with a Denny Fenton spin in turn 2. Satterlee had a good restart and lead Connor into turn 1 as Witherite pressured Connor for 2nd. John Chesnalavich moved into 5th ahead of Shultz before losing the handle in turn 2. As caution flew, Chesnalavich continued on as the cars of Raybuck and Maxim were tangled. Both cars were done for the night after 27 laps were in the books.
Satterlee lead the ensuing restart over Connor, Witherite, Gaston, and Darrell Bossard. With 5 laps to go, the field begun to string themselves out, apparently preparing for a 2 lap fight to the finish. As the twin sticks were displayed, Connor drove under Satterlee in turn 4 and were side by side at the line. Satterlee held off the charge in turn 1 and lead down the back stretch. With the white flag waving, Connor closed on Satterlee in turn 4 once again as Witherite made it a three car battle for the win. Gaston and Bossard were 4th and 5th right behind the lead trio. Satterlee was solid through turns 1 and 2 allowing him to gain a 5 car length advantage heading into turn 3. Connor made up the distance in turn 4 and was right behind the leader as the checkered flags were in the air.
Satterlee had a single car length advantage at the finish line over Ed Connor, Witherite, Gaston, and Bossard. Keith Witherite held off Todd Baumgardner for 6h with Raybuck, Chesnalavich, and Donnie Connor completing the top 10. Satterlee had a victory lane celebration with the family of Mike Eberl who was awarded several tokens of appreciation from the track, fans, and drivers including a framed checkered flag autographed by all drivers in attendance. Satterlee also collected an additional $200 in lap money for his win.
Rusty Martz enjoyed a rare pole-position start and went on to win another Super Stock feature. Martz thanked his crew and sponsors in victory lane next to his Faster Chassis #16M. Martz also thanks Race 1 Motor Speedway for the special trophy.
Heat winners Martz and Gary Little lead the field to green with Martz taking the lead over Chad Rougeux who dropped Little to 3rd into turn 1. Little tried to regain 2nd and did so on lap 5 as 13th starter Fuzzy Fields moved to 5th. Caution flew for Chad Obrien who spun in turn 3, collecting Dale Yeaney. Obrien went off on the hook while Yeaney continued on lap 6.
Martz took command of the restart over Little and Rougeux as Fields took 4th from Tim Bish on lap 7, but a caution for debris erased the pass. On the next restart, Fields not only re-passed Bish, he took 3rd from Rougeux at the same time and closed on Little. Little went high in turn 4, allowing Fields to look at the back bumper of the #2.
At the halfway mark, Martz was cruising out front while Fields and Little battled for 2nd. Fields took the spot on lap 17. Little slowed with a flat right rear tired and exited the track without a yellow. Rougeux also headed to the pits under green. Bish was up to 3rd ahead of Yeaney and Johnny Lindenpitz. With 5 laps to go, Martz was out front all by himself as Fields desperately tried to close on the leader.
The final laps clicked off as Martz won by nearly a full straight stretch over Fields. Bish finished a solid 3rd while Yeaney and Lindenpitz were 4th and 5th. 6th through 10th went to Jim Handyside Jr., Tom Greeley, Larry McDonald, Little, and Rougeux.
Ray Hickok picked up the Thunderbolt Enduro win, his 2nd of the season. In victory lane, Hickok commented “My brother (Chris) won here last week, so I had to win the big one tonight.” With 3 wins between the brothers, the Hickok’s have plans to compete weekly at Thunder Mountain the rest of the season.
By virtue of their heat wins and a straight up invert, Ray Hickok and Aaron hill made up the front row with Hickok taking the lead. Hill was 2nd as Chris Hickok moved into 3rd. The field was unchanged at the halfway mark at lap 6. With 2 laps to go, Shawn Lindemuth brought out the only caution of the event, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.
Ray Hickok lead the field for the restart as Hill and Chris Hickok battled into turn 1. Heading out of turn 2, Hill drove inside of the leader and was between the 2 Hickoks as the leaders were 3 wide down the back stretch. Ray Hickok picked a good line going into turn 3 and entered turn 4 with the lead. Hill held 2nd over Chris Hickok as the white was displayed. Ray Hickock made sure the 3 wide challenge didn’t happen again as he drove hard into turns 1 and 2 and had a sizeable lead down the back stretch.
Ray Hickock was first to cross the line ahead of Hill and Chris Hickok. Jamey Lee and Chuck White completed the front 5. Rounding out the top 10 were Randy Holliday, Wayne Terwillinger, Lindemuth, Devin Dempsey, and Chris Woodel.
Thunder Mountain Speedway would like to thanks everyone for their support in honoring the memory of Mike Eberl on this special night. Mike is missed by everyone each and every week. Very special thanks to Andy & Sherry Watt of Race 1 Motor Speedway in DuBois, PA for the trophies, plaques, and banners for the night.
The speedway will be idle on Friday July 4th, but will return on July 11th with Mid Season Championships up for grabs and all 5 divisions racing for double points.
The highly anticipated 410 Sprint Special has been the buzz in the entire area during recent weeks. The highly potent machines will make their first ever appearance at the speedway, and the entire Jefferson County area, on Friday July 25 with a 25 lap feature in store for fans. The sprints will headline the program with a $1,000 to win feature and will be joined by the late models, super stocks, and enduros with Andy & Sherry Watt of Race 1 Motor Speedway providing trophies for all winners.
Visit the track’s web site at www.thundermountainspeedway.net for the latest news and information.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
LATE MODELS: 22 CARS
BEN SATTERLEE, Ed Connor, Jason Witherite, Matt Gaston, Darrel Bossard, Keith Witherite, Todd Baumgardner, Bruce Raybuck, John Chesnalavich Jr., Donnie Connor, Denny Fenton, Brian Smith, Bob Sheesley, Cody Shultz -DNF, Rick maxim -DNF, Bobby McMillen -DNF, Dwayne Tanneyhill -DNF, Jeremy Newcome -DNF, Luke Hoffner -DNF, Jerry Redden -DNF, Chuck Kennedy -DNS, Dave Satterlee -DNS.
HEAT WINNERS: Shultz, Hoffner, B. Satterlee
SUPER STOCKS: 13 CARS
RUSTY MARTZ, Fuzzy Fields, Tim Bish, Dale Yeaney, Johnny Lindenpitz, Jim Handyside Jr., Tom Greeley, Larry McDonald, Gary Little -DNF, Chad Rougeux -DNF, Neil Wilson -DNF, Chad Obrien -DNF, Steve Cook -DNF.
HEAT WINNERS: Martz, Little
ENDUROS: 14 CARS
RAY HICKOK, Aaron Hill, Chris Hickok, Jamie Lee, Chuck White, Randy Holliday, Wayne Terwillinger, Shawn Lindemuth -DNF, Devin Dempsey, Chris Woodel -DNS, Sam Orf Jr. -DNS, Derek Dezelan -DNS, Scott Brocious -DNS.
HEAT WINNERS: R. Hickok, Hill
