GASTON, MARTZ, MATKO, AND GREELEY SNARE FEATURE WINS AT THUNDER MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY ON MAY 21; GASTON, SHANNON, AND A CAREER FIRST FOR KEMMER MARK MAY 14 MAKE-UP WINNERS

May 21, 2010
Brookville, PA

Matt Gaston swept the night in Steel Block Late Model action by picking up from lap 4 during the May 14 make up feature and dominated the field. He then went on to win his heat and the regular feature later on. Rusty Martz returned to victory lane after a hard earned Super Stock feature win as Kyle Shannon (May 14) and Steve Matko (May 21) garnered Pure Stock honors. Ryan Kemmer captured his first ever Thunderbolt Enduro feature win for the May 14 make up race while Chad Greeley took home the nightcap Thunderbolt Enduro win.

After giving the Steel Block Late Model field a thorough shellacking during the make up feature, Matt Gaston started 12th and took the lead from Bruce Raybuck on lap 9 for his 2nd win of the night. Raybuck used his outside pole starting spot to lead the early stages of the race, while several cautions kept the field close as Gaston was marching through the field. Chris Clark was victim of an early caution after contact with newcomer John Brady at the flagstand, but he was the only car of the night that gave Gaston a scare. On lap 16, Gaston went high in turn 2, allowing Clark to peek under the leader down the backstretch. The duo was side by side at the completion of lap 17, but Gaston flexed his muscle and opened breathing room as he went on for a comfortable win. Clark was a solid runner up with Jake Shady, Rick Maxim, and John Chesnalavich completing the top 5. Raybuck slipped to 6th after a lap 9 spin as Gaston drove by for the lead. Completing the top 10 were Ray Ferrell, opening night winner Bobby McMillen, John Reed, and John Brady. Gaston and Denny Fenton were heat winners.

Rusty Martz wasted no time going from his 4th starting spot to take the lead from polesitter Tim Adamson on lap 3 and cruising to his first Super Stock win of the season. As Martz was running a race of his own out front, 14th starter and opening night winner Eric Baun was putting on a show charging through the field. Baun was 5th after 2 laps, 3rd after 5 laps before nearly looping his mount. After gathering it back up, Baun set after the 3 cars he let by. At the halfway mark, Martz had a half-lap lead over Skip Lindemuth and Brandon Conner. Baun took 4th from Gary Luzier as Adamson’s run came to an end after contact with a spinning Denny Fenton. Fenton continued, but Adamson wasn’t as fortunate. Back under green, Martz maintained his lead over Lindemuth while Baun took the 3rd spot from Conner. With 5 to go, Baun passed Lindemuth for 2nd and started to reel in Martz. The final laps clicked off with Martz beating Baun to the finish. Lindemuth, Conner, and Luzier were 3rd through 5th with Jamie Price, Fuzzy Fields, Steve Barnes, Jamie Barber, and Dale Yeaney rounded out the top 10. Fields and Martz were heat race victors.

Opening night Pure Stock winner Steve Matko started 13th and was the benefit of race-long leader Zach Gustafson’s misfortune as he lead the only lap that counts and took his 2nd feature win of the season. Gustafson started on pole and swapped the lead with fellow front row starter Steve Arthurs for 2 laps. Arthurs spun at the end of lap 2, resetting the field. Mike Van Zandt and Jason Joiner followed Gustafson until Mike Calhoun passed them for 2nd on lap 4 as Matko was up to 5th. Matko picked off Joiner, Van Zandt, and Calhoun a lap at a time and was in pursuit of Gustafson on lap 9. With the white flag waving, Gustafson had a rear view mirror full of Matko’s #F1 as they made their way through turns 1 and 2. Down the backstretch, Gustafson slowed as he watched Matko drive by for the win. Gustafson coasted to a disappointing 2nd with Calhoun, Joiner, and Shawn Lindemuth the top 5 finishers. Van Zandt, Arthers, Lori Weaver, Chuck Rittenhouse, and Justin Kanouff rounded out the top 10. Lindemuth and Matko picked up heat race wins. Kyle Shannon captured the make up feature win, but lost a driveshaft during the regular feature resulting in a rare DNF for the defending champion.

After following Ryan Kemmer to his first ever Thunderbolt Enduro feature win during the make-up portion of the program, opening night winner Chad Greeley started 2nd and took home his 2nd feature win of the season. Shawn Hadden gave the 2008 champion all he could handle after a late restart, but Greeley held on for the win over Hadden, Kemmer, Rusty Murray, and John Campisano. Rounding out the top 10 were Chris Arnold, Corey Silvis, Mike Fields, Randy Holliday, and Scott Brosius. Greeley and Kemmer won the preliminaries.

Next on the Thunder Mountain Speedway schedule is the annual Michael J. Tully Memorial Day Salute to the Troops, which honors the memory of local soldier Tully who gave his life fighting the war on terror. The Tully Family is honored during the night with military personnel, past and present performing opening ceremonies.

Also on the card will be the return of the venerable 410 Sprint cars, making their first of 4 appearances during the 2010 summer. Can any one of the winged warriors knock off 2-time winner “Showtime” Dan Shetler? Being a neutral speedway, Thunder Mountain provides a rare opportunity for fans to see central PA cars as well as western PA and Ohio invaders compete together on the fast 3/8 mile speedplant.

The TMS Kids Club will hold its second even of the season as they host the popular Sign Design night. The kids will be able to express their creativity as markers and signs will be provided at the track. Kids are encouraged (for free) to show their support for their favorite weekly driver or any of the fan-favorite 410 sprint drivers.

Gates open at 5:30 with sprint hot laps slated for 7:00. The first heat race will kick off at 7:30. Adult admission is $15 with family passes also available. 2 adults and up to 3 kids age 12-16 admitted for $30. Pit passes are $25. Drivers are reminded this is a double point even for all regular divisions. Check the tracks web site at www.thundermountainspeedway.net for the latest information.

COMPLETE RESULTS:
Steel Block Late Models:
5/14/2010 Make Up Feature: 1. MATT GASTON, 2. Jake Shady, 3. Rick Maxim, 4. Jason Witherite, 5. Bobby McMillen, 6. Bruce Raybuck, 7. Chris Clark (DNF), 8. John Chesnalavich Jr (DNF), 9. Chuck Kennedy (DNF).

5/21/2101: 1: MATT GASTON, 2. Chris Clark, 3. Jake Shady, 4. Rick Maxim, 5. John Chesnalavich Jr, 6. Bruce Raybuck, 7. Ray Ferrell, 8. Bobby McMillen (DNF, 9. John Reed (DNF), 10. John Brady (DNF), 11. Jason Witherite (DNF), 12. Denny Fenton (DNF).
Heat Winners: Gaston, Fenton

Super Stocks:
5/21/2010: 1. RUSTY MARTZ, 2. Eric Baun, 3. Skip Lindemuth, 4. Brandon Conner, 5. Gary Luzier, 6. Jamie Price, 7. Fuzzy Fields, 8. Steve Barnes, 9. Jamie Barber (DNF), 10. Dale Yeaney (DNF), 11. Denny Fenton (DNF), 12. Dan Henry (DNF), 13. Tim Adamson (DNF, 14. Bruce Hartzfeld (DNS).
Heat Winners: Fields, Martz.

Pure Stocks:
5/14/2010 Make Up Feature: 1. KYLE SHANNON, 2. Mike Calhoun, 3. Zach Gustafson, 4. Jason Joiner, 5. Shawn Lindemuth, 6. Mike Van Zandt, 7. Lori Weaver, 8. Steve Arthurs, 9. Bob Geer (DNF), 10. Chuck Rittenhouse (DNF), 11. Josh Fields (DNF), 12. Jason Young (DNF), 13. Jim Challingsworth (DNS), 14. Dustin Challingsworth (DNS).

5/21/2010: 1. STEVE MATKO, 2. Zach Gustafson, 3. Mike Calhoun, 4. Jason Joiner, 5. Shawn Lindemuth, 6. Mike Van Zandt, 7. Steve Arthurs, 8. Lori Weaver, 9. Chuck Rittenhouse (DNF), 10. Justin Kanouff (DNF), 11. Jason Young (DNF), 12. Josh Fields (DNF), 13. Kyle Shannon (DNF), 14. Adam Brink (DNS).
Heat Winners: Matko, Lindemuth

Thunderbolt Enduros:
5/14/2010 Make Up Feature: 1. RYAN KEMMER, 2. Chad Greeley, 3. Corey Silvis, 4. Shawn Hadden, 5. Randy Holliday, 6. Scott Brosius, 7. Mike Fields, 8. Chris Arnold, 9. John Campisano, 10. Josh Frantz (DNS).
5/21/2010: 1. CHAD GREELEY, 2. Shawn Hadden, 3. Ryan Kemmer, 4. Rusty Murray, 5. Steve Arthurs, 6. John Campisano, 7. Corey Silvis (DNF), 8. Mike Fields (DNF), 9. Randy Holliday (DNF), 10. Scott Brosius (DNF).
Heat Winners: Kemmer, Greeley.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 28- Michael J. Tully Memorial Day Salute to the Troops. Regular Show + 410 Sprints (Double Points)

June 4- Regular Show (Little League Night).

June 11- Regular Show + 1-on-1 Spectator races.