Oakshade Raceway hosted its last race of the season on Saturday afternoon with an exciting 200-lap enduro race.

Brad Baklund who had won the last enduro race took command early and set a fast pace in the first 50 laps.

This week, luck was not on Baklund's side. Mike Kimpel got turned around in turn one in front of a pack of cars that included the leader. Baklund ended up hooked together with Kimpel's car and sat in the corner for many laps.

Jake Rendel was also caught up in the incident making heavy contact with Kimpel. Rendel was running in the top three, but the accident ended his afternoon early.

Baklund finally got separated and continued on, but not until after Jeremy Grover took the lead. Grover maintained the lead until shortly after the halfway point in the race when the right rear wheel came off and almost caused Grover to roll over, but luckily for him the car came back down on the three remaining wheels.

Grover dragged his car back to the pits and made a quick stop to add a fourth wheel to his car. He appeared to maintain the lead after the fast stop, but a few laps later the right rear wheel fell off and again almost sent Grover's car rolling over. Grover's car came back down hard right side up, but his day was over.

Mike Lauharn was next to lead and held on to it for over 50 laps with Craig Dippman closing in. Just as Dippman was about to catch Lauharn, Lauharn dove into the pits.

Dippman took over the lead within the final 25 laps and appeared to have the win locked up with at least a five lap lead over his nearest competitor. Then bad luck struck again with less than two laps to go. Dippman limped down the backstretch and into the pits a lap and a half shy of the checkered flag.

Eventually Chris Williams completed enough laps to take the lead with Brad Baklund behind him on the same lap.

Williams held on to take the checkered flag with Baklund settling for second. Craig Dippman maintained a third place finish with Chris Joy fourth. Both drivers completed 198 laps. Mike Lauharn fell back to finish fifth after completing 188 laps.

 

It felt more like a Sunday afternoon in August for the second of three 200-lap/2 hour enduro races this fall at Oakshade Raceway with bright sunny skies and temperatures soaring to near 90 degrees.

The heat did not stop the action on the track as the field took the green flag shortly after 3pm. Craig Dippman had to be an early favorite driving the car that Dan Dippman had dominated in a week ago. But Craig was not as fortunate, suffering mechanical problems with a broken rear end finally ending his afternoon before he could complete 75 laps.

Brad Baklund on the other hand had a good run early in last week's enduro until he had to make several lengthy pit stops that took him out of contention. This week, Baklund had the 39 car looking stout, taking the lead early and running the entire distance without making a stop.

Baklund had a few close calls. The first one happened when he got hooked together with a lapped car coming off turn four and both cars spun. They got unhooked and both drivers continued on. There were a couple other incidents where Baklund had contact with other cars, but not enough to keep him from taking the checkered flag well ahead of his nearest competitor.

Ryan Desgrange had a strong run in second most of the afternoon and seemed to be the only competition for Baklund though he was several laps down. Desgrange's luck ran out shortly after the 150 lap mark as a lapped car shot out from the inside and directly into his path. Desgrange could not get slowed up in time and plowed into the car and broke the steering on his vehicle ending his day.

That allowed Jacob Dick to overtake second before the end of the race. Dick finished over 30 laps behind Baklund. Desgrange completed enough laps to hang on to a third place finish with Nate Goodman's car holding together just enough to finish fourth. Jacob Lazier survived to finish fifth.

The final race of the season happens on Saturday, October 20 with another 200-lap/2 hour enduro race starting at 3pm. The Oakshade Raceway Swap Meet takes place that morning. Also, the haunted hay rides continue every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month of October at the track. Check out www.oakshaderaceway.info for more information

 

 

Dan Dippman made a clean sweep this weekend winning the UMP Bomber Spectacular and the special Bomber Dash for Cash on Saturday night and then dominating the 200 lap Enduro Race on Sunday afternoon at Oakshade Raceway.

The 7th Annual Bomber Spectacular paying $1,000 to win highlighted the final Saturday night racing program of the year at Oakshade Raceway. Eighty cars battled to be one of the 24 cars to earn a starting spot in the 30-lap feature.

Dan Dippman grabbed the lead from Jim Scout at the start and began to pull away from the rest of the field early.

Chris Henry started 10th and methodically worked his way towards the front. By lap 10, Henry was up to third and appeared to have the fastest car.

Dippman began to work through lapped traffic and Henry closed in. Henry took the lead from Dippman on lap 14, but his lead was short-lived. Just three laps later, Henry abruptly dropped out of competition pulling into the infield and relinquishing the lead back to Dippman.

The final 10 laps of the race were marred by multiple incidents that brought out the caution flag. That kept the field tight and gave Jim Scout a shot at the win.

Scout managed to keep the pressure on Dippman for the lead and had a good run coming off turn four to get to the inside of Dippman with two laps remaining. At the same time, the yellow flew for the final time for Jeremy Grover who had come to a stop in turn two.

Scout couldn't manage another bid for the lead in the final laps and Dippman went on to the victory. Scout settled for second followed by Jake Rendel, Brad Miller and Brett Miller.

Brad Mills and Joe Derbeck put on a great battle for the lead early in the final UMP Sportsman Feature of the year. Mills finally got the better of Derbeck and led the first part of the race.

Chris Smith mounted a challenge for the lead and got to the outside of Mills. Smith then got loose in turn two and spun which brought out the caution flag and ended his chances at a win.

Brian Fisher then took over second behind Mills for the restart. Fisher passed Mills on the inside on lap nine to take over the lead. It was a lead he would not give up as he went on to take the checkered flag.

Brad Mills continued his string of strong finishes settling for second. Mike Jessen was third. Joe Derbeck slipped back to finish fourth and Steve Mills was fifth.

Finally Saturday night, S. Wilson Trucking, Racers Connection, Mike Anderzack and Swanton Sports Center put up some sponsorship money for a 10-lap Dash for Cash for the top ten in Bomber points that were in attendance.

Dan Dippman was highest in the points of the drivers at the track and although he started last, it only took him only two laps to move into second behind Randy Roseman.

Roseman held off Dippman for a couple laps, but Dippman finally got by and went on to win even more money.

The Dan Dippman weekend wasn't over yet. Sunday afternoon, Dippman fielded a car in the first of three scheduled 200-lap/2 hour Enduro Races this fall.

Tim Bernard looked strong at the start of the race as he led over Brian Prezpiora and Brad Baklund. Baklund took over the race lead by lap 25, but gave it up to Prezpiora when he made his first of many stops in the pits.

Prezpiora led for a short time and then he too made a stop in the pits and that turned the lead over to Dan Dippman. Dippman made all 200 laps without making a pit stop and went on to win again for the third time this weekend.

Prezpiora and Bernard traded the second position a few times during the race, but in the end it was Bernard taking second, 15 laps down to the race winner. Prezpiora made several quick pit stops and finished third with 179 laps completed.

Tom Roller finished 164 laps, one lap ahead of Jeff Geis, to finish fourth.

Oakshade Raceway returns to action this Sunday, October 7 with another 200-lap/2 hour Enduro Race. Gates open at 12pm with the race starting at 3pm. Country Charm Cafe will sponsor the race so fans will get $2 off adult general admission tickets.

 

 

Michigan driver David Hilliker set a blistering pace in his Outlaw Late Model on the fastest night of racing of the year at Oakshade Raceway. Hilliker turned a lap in qualifying at just over 12 seconds around the 3/8 mile track earning him quick time of the night.

The huge lexan side boards towered up from the left side of most of the Outlaw Late Models which helped produce some incredible speeds. With the field inverted for the feature based on qualifying times, Hilliker had to start at the back, but the rest of the competitors would have probably liked him to start even further back if it were at all possible.

Josh Montague started on the pole and led the first lap. Chuck Hummer then grabbed the lead very briefly until Rody Schroyer flew by and began to pull away from the rest of the field.

Schroyer was trying to put as much distance between himself and the 21 car of David Hilliker who was rocketing through traffic toward the front. Schroyer's lead quickly evaporated and Hilliker closed in and took the lead away on lap nine.

Schroyer tried to stay close to Hilliker and got into the lapped car of George Laney. Laney spun and the yellow flag came out.

With Brian Koebbe in third behind Schroyer on the restart, Koebbe and Schroyer made contact and Koebbe spun and had to restart at the tail.

Terry Sroufe took advantage and got by Schroyer for second on the next restart, but David Hilliker was by far the class of the field lapping all but just a few cars in the extremely fast Outlaw Late Model Feature.

Sroufe held on to finish second ahead of Schroyer. Koebbe was the second fast qualifier of the night and recovered to finish fourth after his spin earlier in the race. Mark Wagner was fifth.

Mike Jessen, the unofficial state of Ohio UMP Sportsman Champion started on the outside of the front row in the UMP Sportsman Feature and took command early.

Ky Harper, looking to make up for some bad luck suffered a week earlier in the Twin 25's, moved his way up through the field after starting eighth.

Harper got by Brad Mills for second and then took the lead from Jessen on lap seven. Jessen managed to hang with Harper and keep the pressure on. Smoke began to billow from out of the back of Jessen's car entering the corners as he continued to stay right with the leader, but soon began to fade back through the running order.

Harper pulled away and went on to pick up the easy victory over Brad Mills, Brian Fisher and Tim Bernard. Jessen wound up finishing in fifth.

Dan Dippman and Tom Ordway put on a great show in the Bomber A Main with the two drivers trading the lead back and forth for much of the race. Dippman led the most laps as the two drivers battled the entire race until Dippman got held up just a bit by a lapped car with less than two laps to go.

Ordway capitalized on Dippman's misfortune and snatched the lead away. Ordway had just locked up his second consecutive Bomber track championship a week ago and added another Bomber A Main win to his already successful season.

Dan Dippman had to settle for second with Craig Dippman third. Jim Scout and Brad Miller rounded out the rest of the top five finishers.

Cody Tredway had a great run in the UMP Bomber B Main. The young driver from Berky, Ohio led most of the race with Ron Tolles putting the pressure on.

It wasn't Tolles that Tredway needed to be concerned with as the 12 car of Garry Domoe closed in and past both drivers, taking the lead on lap nine. Tredway did all he could to stay with Domoe, but Domoe was too strong and went on to the easy victory. Tredway held on to finish second ahead of Tolles, Ron Bloomfield and Jeremy Grover.

Chris Williams led flag to flag after starting on the pole of the Bomber C Main. A big wreck right in front of the flag stand that involved Bill Vorce, Richard Riffe, Brad Brehm, Chas Sentel and Jeff Grochowski resulted in one of the multiple complete restarts.

Joe Overmyer was running third and suffered mechanical problems on lap five which brought out the caution and put an end to his night.

Williams continued to lead and held off Jeff Strock on his way to the checkered flag. John Gamber finished third followed by Jim Plotts and Corina Belcher.

The final Saturday night racing program of the 2007 racing season at Oakshade Raceway takes place on September 29 with the 7th Annual Bomber Spectacular paying $1000 to win. The UMP Sportsman will also be back in action for a final time with gates opening at 4pm and racing at 7pm. Sunday, September 30, Oakshade will host the first of the three afternoon 200 lap/2 hour enduro races starting at 3pm with the gates opening at 12pm.

 

Joe Derbeck was the big winner of the UMP Sportsman Twin 25's at Oakshade Raceway with Rusty Schlenk winning the first 25-lap segment.

The night started off with the rained out Season Championship UMP Bomber Features from the previous week. The UMP Bomber A Main picked up where it left off with five laps complete and Chris Henry leading.

Jim Scout put the pressure on Henry for the lead after the drop of the green flag and the two drivers put on a great race for the lead until the yellow came out on lap eight after Cliff Bernard spun in turn four.

Henry was leading the field back to the green flag and had something break in the rear end and drove straight back to the pits putting an end to his night.

Jim Scout assumed the lead and went on unchallenged until the end of the race. Craig Dippman worked his way up to second and began to close in quickly on Scout but ran out of laps as Scout captured the victory. Ron Bloomfield had a career best third place finish followed by the unofficial 2007 Oakshade Raceway UMP Bomber Track Champion, Tom Ordway. Dan Dippman finished fifth.

Curt Lancaster carried a large lead in the UMP Bomber B Main make up race all the way to the checkered flag over Billy Brown and Ron Leonard. Karl Spores started deep in the field and finished fourth ahead of Josh Montague.

Dan Manor was the leader of the first lap of the final make up race in the UMP Bomber C Main with Matt Henschen hot on his tail, but in the end it was Dustin Sauter who worked his way up after starting deep in the pack that got to the front to take the victory with Ron Tolles in second.

Manor held on to finish third ahead of Henschen and Cody Tredway.

The Links Zone Smackdown Challenge took to the track just before the Sportsman Twin 25 main event of the night. The race featured Cliff Smithers from K100 radio (WKKO) and Ryan Vetter from WTOL Channel 11 News in a race against Oakshade's announcer Scott Hammer and Links Zone intermission host Dan Rice. Donation cans were set up in each of the drivers names with all proceeds going to the Children's Miracle Network and despite a somewhat sparse crowd due to the chilly conditions, over $1000 was raised with the biggest chunk coming out of Vetter's donation can.

Vetter started on the pole and grabbed the lead at the start with Hammer hounding him the entire distance.

Mystery driver “Water Boy” was a late edition to the race and got by Smithers who appeared to have a very loose handling car and Rice who had a close call with the front stretch wall.

In the end of the 10-lap race, it was Ryan Vetter holding off Hammer for the win.

Then it was time to get back down to business with the first half of the UMP Sportsman Twin 25's. Joe Derbeck started on the pole and had a great battle with Tim Fisher for the lead early on. Fisher took the lead on lap three shortly after a restart from a caution for a Ky Harper spin.

Last year's winner of both 25-lap segments Josh Steinacker suffered mechanical problems and retired from competition on lap 6 after moving up to second position.

A few laps later Derbeck got held up by a lapped car and lost two more positions to Rusty Schlenk and Brad Mills.

Schlenk got to the outside of Fisher for the race lead and the two raced side by side for several laps until the yellow flag flew for another spin. Just as the front runners were slowing, Fisher's car let out a big plume of smoke. Fisher pulled to the infield and was done for the night after his strong showing.

Schlenk then took over the lead and went on to win the first half of the Twin 25's over Mills, Mike Jessen, Rob Liaeff and Chris Smith.

The drivers then had some time during a couple Bomber Features to work on their cars in preparation for the final 25 laps with the inversion of the top 10 finishers putting Schlenk in the tenth starting position.

While the Sportsman drivers took a break, the UMP Bomber A Main rolled onto the track with Dan Dippman dominating early.

Ron Bloomfield spun in turn three on lap nine to bring out a caution and on the ensuing restart Cliff Bernard who was running second couldn't turn his car as it went straight toward the wall coming off turn four.

Once back under green, Dippman proceeded to pull away again with the lead.

Jody Burton climbed up on the back end of Dustin Sauter as the white flag flew. The cars separated and continued on with Dan Dippman picking up the easy victory over Jim Scout, Tom Ordway, Brice Luttrell and Wade Rick.

Next out was the UMP Bomber B Main with Jeff Strock getting by Billy Brown for the early lead.

Curt Lancaster and Jeff Geis started in the middle of the pack and made an impressive charge to the front with Lancaster getting by Strock for the lead on lap seven.

Lancaster went on to pick up his second UMP Bomber B Main Feature win of the night with Geis taking second. Strock held on to a respectable third place finish ahead of Toxic Moe and Bill Vorce.

The Sportsmen then made their way back out with the top ten inverted for the final 25 laps. Joe Smith, Rusty Smith and Rob Anderzack raced three wide for the lead with Anderzack finally taking command by lap two.

Anderzack had opened up a good lead, but Joe Derbeck began to close. Derbeck went to the outside of Anderzack after a restart for a caution and took the lead a pulled away.

Ky Harper had a very fast car and got by the race leader, but started the second segment seven laps in arrears after suffering problems in the first segment of the race and getting towed back to the pits on lap 18.

With Derbeck continuing to lead, Mike Jessen began to make up ground in the closing laps. Jessen made a final bid for the lead on the last lap with Derbeck just holding him off for the win. Just behind them, Rusty Schlenk had spun in the final corner giving up a top five finishing position.

Chris Smith took third with Anderzack falling back to fourth. Brian Fisher finished fifth.

The racing wasn't over yet as the final event of the night took center stage after the Sportsman trophy presentations. Trevor Reed took advantage of starting on the pole to take the lead at the start of the UMP Bomber C Main.

Jake Gamber started putting pressure on Reed for the lead just as the yellow flag came out for Brian Drewes' spin.

Todd Smitley, Jesse Burgett, Walt Helsel, Greg Detray and Matt Rose were all involved in a big crash coming off turn four on the restart forcing another yellow flag.

Gamber got by Reed for the lead in the final three laps of the race to pick up the checkered flag. Donovan Paskin was third followed by Corina Belcher and Brad Brehm.

Oakshade Raceway will host an Outlaw Late Model show on Saturday, September 22 with the UMP Sportsman and UMP Bomber divisions back in competition. Gate open at 4pm with racing at 7pm

 

 

Threatening skies loomed over Oakshade Raceway on Season Championship Night for the UMP Sportsman and UMP Bomber divisions and even though a light rain fell for much of the evening, almost the entire program, including double features, was completed.

Josh Steinacker began the night with a huge lead in the UMP Sportsman points at Oakshade thanks in part to his previous eight feature wins this year as the night began. Unfortunately, Steinacker suffered some bad luck early and had to borrow a car from Jackie Sheldrick for the first race of the night which was a make up feature from August 18. Steinacker was late making it onto the track as the rest of the field had already taken the green flag.

Joe Smith started on the pole and led the pack into turn one and then slid up high in turn two allowing a bunch of cars to get by.

Billy Ruff and Tim Fisher then battled for the lead with Fisher eventually getting the upper hand. Fisher then began to pull away.

Just as Fisher closed in on the tail end of the field, Rusty Schlenk closed in on the rear bumper of Fisher. Schlenk dove to the inside coming off the final corner to try to steal the victory away, but Fisher held on to win by just a couple feet over Schlenk.

Chris Smith finished third with Amy Bernard taking fourth. Billy Ruff slipped back to finish fifth in the caution-free event.

Next on to the track was the make up UMP Bomber A Main in which Chris Henry elected to take the Racers Connection Tail Start Challenge, giving up his starting position to start at the rear for a chance at an extra $900 if he could get the win.

Craig Dippman started on the outside of the front row and led much of the race.

Henry had weaved through traffic to work his way up to fifth by the halfway point.

Dustin Sautter and Jeff Foks Jr. brought out the first caution flag of the night after a hard crash. That tightened up the field behind Dippman for the restart.

On lap 16 of the 20-lap race, Chris Henry got by Dippman to take the lead.

A caution for last week's feature winner Brett Miller one lap later would give Dippman one last shot to reclaim the top spot, but Henry was the class of the field and went on to become the first Bomber driver to win the Racers Connection Tail Start Challenge and an extra $900 for his efforts.

Dippman settled for a second place finish followed by B.J. Gregory, Brian Przepiora and Tom Ordway.

Cliff Bernard led flag to flag in the make up UMP Bomber B Main. He opened up a big lead at the start and never looked back. If he did he would have seen Chris Howard put on a heck of a run working his way up to fourth after starting at the tail with three laps remaining.

Bob Rendel and Jody Burton were battling for second and bounced off each other near the end of the race allowing Howard to duck underneath and take the second position which is where he would finish.

Bob Rendel managed to get by Burton for the third position with Jarrett Rendel rounding out the top five finishers.

Ted Goetz Jr. copied off Cliff Bernard and also led from flag to flag after starting on the pole of the UMP Bomber C Main.

Joe Flower, Roscoe Stetton and Steve Morris bounced off each other down the front stretch as they race three wide which resulted in Chuck Faller sliding to a stop in turn one to bring out the caution flag.

With Morris maintaining his position in second, Goetz pulled away with the lead after the restart and went on to pick up the win over Marty Bloomer, Bill Vorce, Jesse Burgett and Roscoe Stetton.

With the make up features out of the way, the Season Championship Night preliminary events began and about halfway through, a light but persistent drizzle began to fall making the track a bit slippery. The show continued on with a few short delays for the light rain.

The 25-lap UMP Sportsman Season Championship Feature took to the track and the unofficial 2007 Oakshade Raceway UMP Sportsman Champion Josh Steinacker passed Bob Gregory on lap three for the lead.

Steinacker opened up a big lead and began to work through slower traffic until Mike Sudeth slid to a stop down the inside of the backstretch. Once the green flag waved for the restart, Steinacker shot out to a big lead once again.

A few more cautions for spins kept wiping out Steinacker's leads, but Gregory who was running second, could not mount a challenge.

Steve Mills' good run came to an end a bit early after losing a drive shaft on a restart while running in third.

Steinacker went on to the easy victory, his ninth of the year solidifying the championship for the Grass Lake, Michigan driver.

Bob Gregory finished a distant second and Brian Fisher held off Rusty Schlenk in a great battle for third that lasted much of the race. Mike Jessen was fifth.

Chris Henry fresh off this Tail Start Challenge UMP Bomber A Main win from earlier in the night drew to start on the pole of the Bomber Season Championship A Main. Henry got the jump on Jim Scout to take the lead at the start, but the rain began to fall a bit heavier and the yellow flag waved on lap five of the 20-lap race.

The cars continued to circulate around the track, but the rain didn't let up and the track became too wet to continue and the rest of the Bomber Features were postponed until next week.

In addition to the 6th Annual Sportsman Twin 25's, there will be double features for the Bombers picking up with lap five of the Bomber A Main to kick off the night. Also, the Links Zone Smackdown Challenge will take place at intermission as Cliff Smithers from K100 radio and Ryan Vetter from WTOL Channel 11 will strap into a couple cars in a race against Oakshade's announcer Scott Hammer and Links Zone host Dan Rice to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Gates will open at 4pm for this event-filled evening with racing starting at 7pm.

 

The UMP Late Models capped off their season at Oakshade Raceway with a great show for the fans with double features and excellent racing. In addition to it being Season Championship Night for the UMP Late Models, $2,000 was on the line for the winner of the American Late Model Series Feature later in the night.

Things started off with the rained out UMP Late Model Feature from two weeks ago with Brian Ruhlman taking the early advantage in a car usually driven by Herb Reich. Second in the early running was Rick Delong who entered the night with a commanding lead in the points, but had to at least start to secure the championship.

The first yellow flag flew on lap four after Joel Wildermuth spun in turn three.

Ronnie Perrine Jr. was third on the restart behind Ruhlman and Delong. Perrine dove to the inside and took over the lead by the completion of lap five.

Ruhlman tried to battle back and the two leaders put on a side by side battle for a few laps. Perrine held off the challenge and Dusty Moore, who had an outside shot at the points title coming into the night, took over second on the track.

After a caution for debris, Moore suffered a flat right rear on the restart and tried to get out of the way as the entire pack scattered around him. Moore couldn't limp the car back to the pits and spun in turn two to bring out another caution which also gave him time to pit and get the tire changed.

Ronnie Perrine Jr. went on to pick up the victory over Ruhlman, Rusty Schlenk, Rick Delong and Tyler Boggs.

Later in the night, the 30-lap American Late Model Series Feature began with Kevin Reeve looking strong at the start.

Rick Delong had carburetor problems in his heat event and didn't make the start forcing him to take an ALMS provisional to make the feature and unofficially securing his first Oakshade Raceway Late Model Championship.

The only caution came out on lap two after Herb Reich spun in turn four. The final 28 laps all ran green.

Reeve continued to lead with Jeep Van Wormer in pursuit. Reeve caught the tail end of the field just as Van Wormer had closed in on him. Van Wormer dove to the inside and took the lead on lap 11 and never looked back.

Van Wormer went on to smoke the competition taking the checkered flag well ahead of the rest of the field.

Ronnie Perrine Jr. had to borrow a back up car from Kris Patterson because of engine problems after his earlier feature win. Perrine started in the middle of the field and worked his way up to finish second, just ahead of Zack Olger. Kevin Reeve slipped back to finish fourth with Casey Noonan fifth.

Rusty Schlenk switched rides out of his UMP Late Model and into his 28Z UMP Sportsman to start on the pole of the UMP Sportsman Feature event.

Bruce Stuart was near the front of the pack when he lost control and did a 360 coming off turn four in the middle of heavy traffic. Everyone got by and the race continued green until Tim Fisher suffered a flat tire and came to a stop to draw the caution flag on lap two.

Schlenk continued to lead the way until UMP Sportsman points leader Josh Steinacker got to the outside and took the lead on lap seven.

Ky Harper closed in on the front runners as Schlenk began to fade back. Mike Jessen then joined the group and hounded Harper for second just behind Steinacker.

A late caution set up a two-lap shootout to the finish. Jessen had gotten by Harper and got to the inside of Steinacker for those final two laps.

Steinacker held on to win by a nose at the checkered flag over Jessen who came up just a few inches short.

Brian Fisher finished third and knocked Harper back to finish fourth. Schlenk held on to a fifth place finish.

Brian Przepiora once again elected to give up his starting spot to take the Racers Connection Tail Start Challenge and a chance to take home an extra $800 if he could get to the front and win the UMP Bomber A Main.

A couple of heavyweights started in the front row and put on a heck of a battle for the lead early. Chris Henry and Tom Ordway were side by side the first few laps of the race with Henry eventually getting the advantage.

Brett Miller worked his way to the front getting by Ordway for second and then took the lead from Henry on lap 15. Miller then went on to the easy win over Dan Dippman, Tom Ordway, Chris Henry and Craig Dippman.

Ron Tolles was the early leader in a crash-filled Bomber B Main with Dan Bleikamp hot on his tail.

After a couple of cautions, Bleikamp took the lead from Tolles on lap seven and went on to pick up the victory. Tolles held on to finish second ahead of Curt Lancaster, Jarrett Rendel and Jeff Grochowski.

The Bomber C Main also had a hard time getting laps in with multiple caution periods.

Joe Overmyer survived the shortened race due to the time limit running out and held off Matt Henschen at the finish to take the checkered flag. Chuck Faller finished third with Cliff Bernard and Ron Bloomfield rounding out the rest of the top five.

Saturday, September 8 is Season Championship Night for the both the UMP Sportsman and UMP Bomber divisions at Oakshade Raceway and there will also be double features run in each division to make up for the races from August 18. Gates will open at 4pm with racing at 7pm.

 

Feature race action at Oakshade Raceway was washed out Saturday night by rain.

Persistent light rain earlier in the evening finally intensified as the UMP Late Model Feature was about to go green. The green flag did wave once with Brian Ruhlman and Oakshade points leader Rick Delong on the front row.

Ronnie Perrine Jr. spun on the high side of turn one to bring out the yellow setting up a complete restart that would never happen. The track began to become too slick for racing and the field continued to run caution laps to try to keep the track from getting worse.

Eventually the cars were sent to the pits and with no end in sight for the rain, the rest of the evening's features were canceled.

The UMP Late Model and UMP Sportsman Features will be made up on Saturday, August 25 in addition to the entire Season Championship Night program for the UMP Late Models. Bombers Features will be made up at a later date yet to be determined. Please visit www.oakshaderaceway.info for more information.

 

 

Oakshade Raceway honored former driver Jack MacKenzie who passed away a few weeks ago from cancer at the age of 49 with the Jack MacKenzie Memorial on Saturday night. The event was highlighted by Brian Ruhlman picking up his second UMP Late Model Feature win of the year.

Oakshade's UMP Late Model points leader Rick Delong assumed the lead at the start of the feature and led just the first three laps.

Brian Ruhlman closed in after starting inside the third row. Ruhlman looked to the inside of Delong and then darted to the outside to took the lead and began to pull away.

The only caution of the race came out on lap nine for Ronnie Perrine Jr. That negated the advantage Ruhlman had opened up over Delong, but once the green flag waved again, Ruhlman took off and no one could catch him.

After suffering engine problems that knocked him out of the race while leading last week, Ruhlman shook the monkey off his back this week and captured the easy victory.

Kris Patterson and Delong put on a great show for the second position in the closing laps as the two kept trading positions, but in the end Patterson began to fade allowing Delong to finish second. Rody Schroyer took third as Patterson slipped back to finish fourth. Zac Davis started on the pole and finished fifth.

A few cars made contact in the middle of the UMP Sportsman Feature field on the first lap that caused some drivers to check up and Rusty Smith ended up spinning out on the backstretch. That brought out the yellow flag and a complete restart.

Once things got going the caution flag never flew again. Joe Derbeck and Ky Harper both started on the front row and battled early for the lead. Harper won the battle and began to pull away.

Harper who is just 16 never looked back and the went on to win his first UMP Sportsman Feature win at Oakshade Raceway.

Once again the most exciting racing was for second as Joe Derbeck tried to hold off Tim Fisher and Josh Steinacker. Fisher got by Derbeck to finish second with Steinacker settling for fourth. Rusty Schlenk finished fifth.

Brett Miller was trying to make up some of the points he lost after taking last week off in the UMP Bomber division. Miller was in the top five in points but fell to sixth after last week's hiatus.

Miller started on the outside of the front row and grabbed the lead at the start over Chris Henry who was going for his third consecutive Bomber A Main win.

Rick Dixon got sideways in turn two on lap three. Craig Dippman and Jim Scout, both in the top five in points, piled in and brought out the first yellow flag.

A lap after the restart, Henry moved to the inside of Miller to take the lead. Henry then began to pull away and looked to have that third feature win well in hand.

A late caution with three laps to go would give Miller one last shot at Henry for the lead. Miller didn't let Henry get away after the restart and stayed glued to his rear bumper. The two drivers made contact that sent Henry spinning and brought out the yellow flag with one lap remaining.

A frustrated Chris Henry had to restart at the tail of the field as Brett Miller went on to victory over Wade Rick and Bomber points leader Tom Ordway. Kevin Hanford was fourth and B.J. Gregory came home fifth.

Dustin Sautter led the most of the UMP Bomber B Main with Jody Burton following right in his tire tracks.

Dan Bleikamp temporarily took second from Burton, but some damage due to contact forced Bleikamp to retire to the pits and turn second back over to Burton.

Rusty Schlenk had driving duties in all three classes and had his best finish of the night in his Bomber as he battled with Burton, Sautter and Danny Nighswander on the final lap to be first to the checkered flag.

Nighswander finished second followed by Burton, Sautter and Cody Tredway.

Ron Bloomfield held on to win a crash filled UMP Bomber C Main that had less then half the field left running at the finish.

Bloomfield had an early challenge from Bill Vorce, but managed to fend him off and pull away en route to his first UMP Bomber Feature win of the year. Vorce finished second followed by Jarrett Rendel, Matt Rose and Brian Plotts.

The exciting racing action continues Saturday, August 18 with UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsman and UMP Bombers. Gates open at 4pm with racing at 7pm. Check out www.oakshaderaceway.info for more information.

 

Oakshade Raceway hosted its third American Late Model Series event of the year on Saturday night that featured a group of nearly 50 UMP Late Models competing for the big $2000 check going to the winner. Casey Noonan was the recipient of that check after a great run in the feature.

Ronnie Perrine Jr. started on the pole and held off Rick Delong to lead the first lap, but Delong managed to get by to take the lead by lap two.

Brian Ruhlman closed in and got by Delong on the outside on lap six of the 30-lap event. He then proceeded to open up his lead until Rick Green and Justin Paxton spun just in front of Ruhlman bringing out the third yellow flag of the race.

Ruhlman seemed to have the car to beat as he continued to open up big leads even after a couple caution periods tightened up the field behind him. That is until lap 20 when Ruhlman appeared to have a motor let go as he exited turn four.

That turned the lead back over to Rick Delong with Casey Noonan hot on his heels. Noonan jumped to the inside of Delong and two laps later took the lead for good.

Noonan continued to hug the inside through the corners and went on to the checkered flag uncontested.

Rusty Schlenk and Dusty Moore got by Delong and had a pretty heated battle for second that wasn’t settled until the final lap with Schlenk taking the position.

Todd Schroyer came out of retirement to finish fourth ahead of Rick Delong who fell back to finish fifth.

Ryan Gorey made things exciting on the first lap of the UMP Sportsman Feature as he got loose coming off turn four and spun in front of a bunch of cars causing a big crash on the front stretch. Ky Harper, Rob Anderzack and Bob Gregory were also involved, but Gorey's car suffered the most damage and could not continue.

Joe Derbeck tried to hold off Josh Steinacker and last week’s feature winner Tim Fisher for the lead early on. The three drivers raced three-wide with Fisher leading by lap three. Steinacker took over the lead for good one lap later.

Steinacker went on to add to his UMP Sportsman points lead with another feature victory over Tim Fisher who fended off Brian Fisher for second. Rob Liaeff and Chris Smith were the rest of the top five finishers.

Last week’s UMP Bomber A Main winner Chris Henry took advantage of starting on the pole this week and led the entire distance to pick up his second consecutive A Main victory.

Behind him Chris Howard slid up in front of B.J. Gregory in a battle for second coming off turn four which began an interesting chain of events. Gregory checked up to keep from getting into the rear of Howard and Dan Dippman who was directly behind Gregory got into the rear of Gregory and lifted the rear of his car off the ground. That contact sheered the hood pins off the front of Dippman’s car causing his hood to fold back blocking his view from inside the car. Dippman slowed and the caution eventually came out.

Henry went on to the easy victory over Oakshade Raceway Bomber points leader Tom Ordway, Jim Scout and Garry Domoe. Chris Howard fell back to finish fifth.

The UMP Bomber B Main got off to an ugly start after Ron Bloomfield got turned around on the first lap in turn two after starting on the pole. Bloomfield’s spin caused a big wreck involving Todd Smitley, Chuck Faller, and Ron Tolles that resulted in a complete restart.

Bob Rendel took command of the race and opened up a big lead early, but multiple cautions kept tightening up the field. Rendel went on to pick up the victory with Joe Overymyer and Rob Kast finishing second and third respectively. Ron Leonard blew out a left rear tire that took him out of his heat race earlier in the night, but managed a fourth place finish in the B Main. Jody Burton was fifth.

Paul Leonard was the early leader in a caution filled UMP Bomber C Main with Gregg Detray close in pursuit.

Eric Potridge got loose in turn two and almost had it saved, but eventually lost it coming off the corner and ended up facing oncoming traffic. Justin Gamber had nowhere to go and smacked Potridge head on ending both drivers nights.

Detray took the lead from Leonard on lap five and held off Leonard in a one-lap shoot out at the finish to win his first feature of the year. Jason Deshler wound up third followed by Brad Brehm and Roscoe Stetton.

Get $2 off adult general admission tickets to Oakshade Raceway on Saturday, August 11 thanks to Leo's Metal and Wood and check out some great UMP Late Model, UMP Sportsman and UMP Bomber racing. Gates open at 4pm with racing at 7pm.

 

Rody Schroyer made a late race pass to capture his second UMP Late Model Feature win at Oakshade Raceway Saturday night.

Swanton Sports Center sponsored a great night of racing action at the wide, 3/8 mile high-banked dirt oval with Rick Delong assuming the lead of the UMP Late Model Feature on the first lap as the outside pole sitter Kevin Reeve bounced off the backstretch wall. Reeve gathered up his car, but fell back through the field.

Kris Patterson ran second and didn't let Delong get away the first ten laps of the race even as the leaders began to lap slower cars.

The caution flag flew for the first time on lap 10 for a spin which would tighten up the leaders for the restart. Delong went on to open up some room between himself and the rest of the field until Ronnie Perrine Jr. spun and brought out the only other yellow flag in the race.

Schroyer had been closing in on Delong just before the caution and had his sights set on the lead once the green flag waved again. Schroyer looked high and then dove under Delong to take the lead with just two laps to go.

Rody Schroyer went on to pick up his second feature win of the year with Rick Delong settling for second. Last week's feature winner Brian Ruhlman started 10th and worked his way up to finish third ahead of Dusty Moore and Rusty Schlenk.

Tim Fisher dominated the UMP Sportsman Feature leading every lap after starting on the outside of the front row. Fisher hugged the inside around the turns and went on to pick the easy victory and his first UMP Sportsman Feature win of the year.

A great battle for second on back ensued behind Tim Fisher with Brian Fisher just holding off Ky Harper for second at the finish. Oakshade's Sportsman points leader Josh Steinacker was also in that battle and ended up fourth. Bruce Stuart ran second most of the race, but fell back to finish fifth.

Brian Przepiora took the Racer's Connection Tail Start Challenge in the UMP Bomber A Main and elected to give up his starting position to start at the tail and had a chance at a lot of extra bonus money if he could win the race.

Brett Miller led the first half of the race with Jeff Foks Jr. and Chris Henry racing side by side for second for quite a few laps with Henry eventually completing the pass.

Henry then began to pressure Miller for the lead and those two then raced side by side for a number of laps with Henry finally completing the pass and taking the lead for good.

A late caution tightened the field for a two lap shootout and gave Miller a final shot and Henry to try to reclaim the lead. Miller got alongside Henry, but Henry held him off at the finish.

It was Chris Henry's second feature win and will help him in the Bomber points chase after entering the night in fifth. Bret Miller had to settle for second with Josh Montague, Jim Scout and Dan Dippman rounding out the rest of the top five finishers. Brian Przepiora only managed to work his way up to finish eighth.

Brent Hartsworm led the first lap of the UMP Bomber B Main, but spun into the infield coming off turn four just before completing lap two turning the race lead over to Joe Overmyer.

Overmyer's lead didn't last too long as Wade Rick forced his way to the point and then began to pull away.

Wade Rick never looked back and won his first feature of the year over Jody Burton, Joe Overmyer, Karl Spoores and Ronnie Leonard.

The UMP Bomber C Main had trouble getting going early with two complete restarts.

Chris Howard had a very fast car and was a little two quick at the start and passed before the start cone once the race finally got going. Howard led the field, but the penalty for jumping the start is to be docked two positions which is enforced at the next caution or the conclusion of the race, which ever comes first. Unfortunately for Howard, there would be no more cautions.

Howard was the first to take the checkered flag, but Jim Plotts and Cliff Bernard had a great race going on behind him with the two drivers side by side at the white flag with lapped traffic directly in front of the them.

Bernard was able to get by and was scored as the winner with Jim Plotts taking second. Chris Howard received credit for a third place finish followed by Cody Walls and Jeff Strock.

Saturday, August 4 will mark the third American Late Model Series event of the year at Oakshade Raceway paying $2,000 to win. UMP Sportsmen and UMP Bombers will also be back in action with gates opening at 4pm and racing at 7pm.

 

 

 

Brian Ruhlman finally found his way back to victory lane for the first time this year in the UMP Late Model Feature at Oakshade Raceway on Saturday night.

Two-time Late Model Feature winner Ronnie Perrine Jr. suffered from some bad luck with a spin on lap five to bring out the only caution period of the race. Then later Perrine Jr. spun again but kept going without a yellow, but not before going a lap down to the leaders.

Ruhlman started on the outside of the front row in the Zeller's Towing number one car and led the entire distance and was uncontested at the checkered flag.

Casey Noonan got by points leader Rick Delong to finish second. Rusty Schlenk borrowed a car from Dusty Moore for the second week in a row and finished fourth with Rusty Seaver taking fifth in his first appearance of the year.

Mike Sudeth had trouble on the first lap of the UMP Sportsman Feature when he spun in turn two and collected six other cars just about blocking the track which resulted in a complete restart with the cars involved in the incident going to the tail.

With Josh Steinacker leading, Scot Mills spun on the second lap and Rob Liaeff had significant contact with his car bringing out another yellow and causing a little fire under the hood of Liaeff's car. Liaeff later rejoined the race 12 laps down.

Back under the green, Steinacker pulled away with the lead, but Ky Harper soon began to close in.

Another caution on lap 13 tightened up the field behind Steinacker for a final time. After the restart, Steinacker and Harper pulled away from the rest of the pack with Harper pressuring for the lead.

Oakshade's UMP Sportsman points leader Josh Steinacker fended off the challenge en route to his sixth feature win of the year relegating Harper to a second place finish.

Rusty Schlenk recovered to finish third after being involved in the pile up on the first lap of the race and having to restart at the tail. Mike Jessen and Brad Mills rounded out the rest of the top five finishers.

Brett Miller got by Wade Rick for the the lead early in the UMP Bomber A Main with Garry Domoe and Tom Ordway close behind. By lap three, it was Domoe at the front of the field and eventually Ordway took second from Miller and then closed in on Domoe for the lead.

Josh Montague started 12th and worked his way up to third by lap 17, but Brett Miller got into the back of Montague going into turn three sending Montague spinning which brought out the yellow flag.

Ordway got up alongside Domoe on the final lap, but could not make the pass as Domoe went on to post his second consecutive Bomber A Main win with Ordway settling for second again as he did a week ago.

Brett Miller held on to finish third and Craig Dippman took the Racer's Connection Tail Start Challenge, but came up a few positions shy in fourth. Jeff Geis was fifth.

Jake Rendel started on the pole of the UMP Bomber B Main and went on to pick up the victory over Brian Przepiora who started deep in the field. Dan Bleikamp also started deep in the field and finished third ahead of Toxic Moe, Bob Rendel and Dave Sibberson.

Jerry Signor took the lead at the white flag in the UMP Bomber C Main and held off Kyle Light at the checkers to win his second feature of the year. Dustin Sauter led much of the race, but had to settle for a third place finish ahead of Chris Tressler and Trevor Reed.

Saturday, July 28 will be Swanton Sports Center Night at Oakshade Raceway featuring more great racing action with UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsmen and UMP Bombers. Gates open at 4pm with racing at 7pm.

 

 

A rain shower just after time trials delayed the start of Oakshade Raceway's 10th Annual Birthday Race and UMP Summer Nationals Finale by about three hours, but made for some very fast and very exciting UMP Late Model Feature race action with Jeep Van Wormer victorious.

Track crews and drivers worked diligently to get the moisture out of the track after the rain mucked things up. The track drying process was hindered by the lack of wind after the rain and the dampness in the air, but Oakshade officials were determined to give the packed house a show and to let the drivers race.

Van Wormer started on the pole of the 60-lap feature and led much of the race.

Matt Miller was the first to apply pressure to Van Wormer, but later fell back through the running order and retired to the pits just past the midway point in the race.

Steve Sheppard worked his way up to second by lap 10 and briefly challenged Van Wormer for the lead on a lap 12 restart, but A.J. Diemel was the man on the move picking off a bunch of positions and eventually took away second from Sheppard. Sheppard soon slowed on the track and stopped after falling back to fourth behind Brian Ruhlman which brought out the yellow flag. Sheppard pitted under the yellow and restarted at the tail end of the field.

Justin Paxton started 21st and worked the outside groove to work his way up to sixth, but on a lap 37 restart, Paxton took it a little too high and lost a ton of positions.

A few laps later, Diemel made a bid to the inside of Van Wormer for the lead and succeeded to take over the top spot on lap 44. Van Wormer then slipped up high in turn two which opened the door for Wes Steidinger to move into second.

Steidinger then closed in on Diemel and the two raced side by side on lap 54 with Steidinger assuming the lead with just five laps to go.

Jeep Van Wormer made a final charge back to the front in the final handful of laps staying in the high groove while Steidinger battled with lapped traffic down low in the corners. Van Wormer reclaimed the lead as the white flag flew and Steidinger tried to battle back alongside, but Van Wormer shot off turn four with the advantage in an exciting finish at the checkered flag. Van Wormer was presented with the Birthday Race check for $10,000 for the win.

Steidinger had to settle for second. A win would have put him in a tie with Don O'Neal for second in UMP Summer National points after both O'Neal and Dennis Erb opted not to race and packed up their cars early. Dennis Erb will claim the 2007 UMP Summer Nationals Championship.

Diemel from Navareno, Wisconson slipped back to finish third followed by Casey Noonan, Brian Ruhlman and Aaron Scott. Steve Sheppard worked all the way back to finish seventh after restarting at the tail earlier in the race and Paxton recovered back to eighth. Eddie Kirchoff and Hillard Miller were the rest of the top ten finishers.

Randy Roseman, Tony Tolles and Tom Ordway battled three wide for the lead early in the Bomber A Main with Tolles and Ordway getting by Roseman who slowed to a stop on the track which brought out the caution flag.

Ordway appeared to be on the way to another victory to add to his Bomber points lead, but Garry Domoe came out of nowhere and closed in on Ordway after starting back in 12th.

Domoe got around Ordway with two laps to go and went on to pick up his first Bomber A Main win of the year.

Brian Przepiora finished third behind Ordway followed by last week's A Main winner Dan Dippman. Tony Tolles fell back to finish fifth.

Dan Bleikamp took the lead from Danny Nighswander on the first lap of the Bomber B Main. It was the first night of competition for both of these familiar names this year at Oakshade.

The two drivers worked through lapped traffic much of the race and ended up finishing in that order. Bob Rendel finished third behind Nighswander followed by Jerry Signor and Jody Burton.

The final event, the Bomber C Main was marred by multiple caution periods.

Ron Bloomfield and Craig Turner got together on lap one and Curt Lancaster took advantage of the situation to take the lead and he never looked back. Lancaster went on to pick up the easy victory in the wee hours of the morning with Jim Plotts, Chris Tressler, Brad Brehm and Dawaine Slater filling out the rest of the top five finishers.

On Saturday, July 21, Oakshade Raceway will host another action packed racing program with UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsman and UMP Bombers in action. Gates open at 4pm with racing at 7pm.

 

Ronnie Perrine Jr. made an exciting last lap pass to win his second UMP Late Model Feature of the year at Oakshade Raceway's Don Williams Excavating Night.

Perrine started on the pole of the 25-lap feature and the action heated up right from the start as Casey Noonan raced him side by side for the first couple laps.

The only caution flag flew on lap two for a Bryan Koebbe spin in turn two. Brian Ruhlman took advantage of the restart and got by Noonan for second then began to pressure Perrine for the lead.

With Perrine and Ruhlman duking it out for the lead, Noonan had a great run and shot right though the middle between both cars to grab the lead on lap six. Noonan then began to pull away until he caught traffic at the tail end of the field.

Noonan got held up just enough behind Kris Patterson who was struggling to stay on the lead lap to allow Ruhlman to scoot by to the inside for the lead.

Perrine fought back past Noonan and then to the inside of Ruhlman on the final lap and took the lead on the backstretch. Ruhlman made one last desperate attempt to reclaim the point as he tried to dive back under Perrine in the final set of corners. There was not enough room and contact threw both cars sideways in the last turn. Perrine saved his car and maintained the lead to give the Lima, Ohio driver his second UMP Late Model feature win ever at Oakshade Raceway just three weeks after picking up his first.

Ruhlman ended up spinning after the contact, but kept going to finish back in seventh.

Noonan took advantage of Ruhlman's misfortune to finish third. Dusty Moore posted another top five finish in third followed by points leader Rick Delong and Rody Schroyer. Josh Steinacker also posted an impressive sixth place finish in one of Ky Harper's cars after starting 18th in the 20 car field.

Mike Jessen won his first UMP Sportsman Feature of the year in one of the most exciting races of the season.

Jessen started on the pole and immediately took command, but by lap two, Josh Steinacker got to his outside and the two drivers raced side by side for the lead for almost the entire race distance.

Steinacker nosed ahead of Jessen by lap five for the lead, but two laps later Jessen forged his way back to the lead as they continued the side by side racing.

Steinacker once again had the advantage on lap 10 and Jessen regained the lead on lap 14 as both drivers fought hard leading each lap by just inches.

Rusty Smith tore the front end off his car after a restart from a late caution when he got a little too close to the inside barriers. Smith was running fourth before the accident.

Jessen continued to hug the inside with the lead after the next restart with Steinacker pouncing back to the outside where he likes to run, but Jessen kept Steinacker from winning his fourth consecutive Sportsman Feature by holding him off at the checkered flag.

After a slew of strong finishes this year, Jessen from Berkey, Ohio, finally found his way to victory lane. Steinacker took second and still holds on to a commanding points lead in the Sportsman division at Oakshade.

Brad Mills posted a third place finish followed by Brian Fisher and Tim Fisher.

The UMP Bomber A Main featured another winner that started on the pole with Dan Dippman leading from flag to flag.

Bill Vorce lost a wheel on lap nine that tightened the field up behind Dippman with Chris Henry in second.

Last week's feature winner Craig Dippman started dead last and worked his way up to eighth by lap eight and then spun in turn two to bring out the yellow flag forcing him to restart at the tail again.

Dan Dippman went on to win his third Bomber A Main of the year with points leader Tom Ordway getting by Henry for second. Jeff Foks Jr. was fourth and Jim Scout ended up fifth.

Dan's brother Craig Dippman had to have passed the most cars in the race working back up to an eighth place finish.

The start of the Bomber B Main proved that Oakshade Raceway is indeed wide enough for some five-wide racing, but it is not always advisable on the first lap as it resulted in a pile up on the first turn after the drop of the green flag that involved Tim Zuver, Jeff Geis and Dennis Briegel among others.

Curt Lancaster opened up a big lead after the restart over David Goben and the rest of the field.

Kyle Light slid up just in front of Goben to take over second in turn two. Goben stuck his nose back to the inside when they exited the corner and contact sent Light spinning at the end of the backstretch. Light did a 360 and continued on without a caution, but lost about 5 positions on the track.

With Lancaster continuing to lead, Light closed back in on Goben and once again the two drivers made contact this time sending the 08 of Goben spinning in turn two setting up a one lap dash to the finish.

Kevin Hanford made things even more interesting than they already were by getting alongside of Lancaster on the final lap in a borrowed car. Lancaster managed to hang on by the nose of his car to capture his second Bomber B Main win of the year.

Brian Przepiora finished third after starting deep in the pack followed by Kyle Light and Billy Brown.

Lee Buck tried to hold off Jackson, Michigan's Jerry Signor early in the UMP Bomber C Main, but lost the lead on lap three. Signor then checked out on the rest of the competitors and went on to his first feature of the year.

Jamie Grochowski was second followed by Robert Page, Ron Leonard and Craig Turner.

The biggest event of the year takes place this Saturday, July 14th with the 10th Annual Birthday Race. It is also the UMP Late Model Summer Nationals Finale wrapping up 30 consecutive nights of racing with only two days off. $10,000 will be up for grabs going to the winner of the UMP Late Model Feature. UMP Bombers will also be running with the UMP Sportsman division taking the night off.

The front gate will be open on Friday, July 13th from 11am until 9pm for campers and to reserve seats by putting blankets down on the bleachers. Everyone coming in Friday must purchase a ticket and/or a pit pass for Saturday's event. Gates will then be open Saturday morning by 10am and the pits will be open for everyone to meet drivers and get autographs until 4pm. After 4pm, you must have a pit pass to remain in the pits. Racing will begin a little later than normal at 7:45pm on Saturday night.

 

 

Oakshade Raceway honored long-time fuel man Howard Miller on Saturday night, along with all the fallen members of Oakshade Raceway's extended family that consists of drivers, crews, fans and staff. Todd Schroyer highlighted the evening with an exciting Howard Miller Memorial UMP Late Model Feature win after stepping into a race car for the first time in a couple years.

Todd Schroyer started on the outside of the front row in the car his brother Rody had won in the previous week and immediately took command of the 25-lap feature event.

Justin Paxton took a hit in the points after coming in to the night fifth in Oakshade's UMP Late Model point standings. Paxton spun on the first lap of the feature forcing a complete restart and retired to the pits later in the race .

Once again under green with Schroyer leading, Rusty Schlenk spun in turn one while running third just three laps into the race bringing out the yellow and forcing him to the tail for the restart. While still under the same caution period, Ronnie Perrine Jr. was running fourth but gave up that position when he went to the pits with a flat tire.

Unofficial Oakshade points leader Rick Delong mounted a challenge for the lead getting to the inside of Schroyer for a few laps on restarts after a couple cautions. Schroyer held off the challenges and continued to lead.

Chris Keller brought out the red flag on lap 20 after sliding up and over the turn one banking for a second time. Keller ended up rolling his car this time ending up on his roof. Keller was OK.

Schlenk worked back through the field all the way to second on lap 21 after his spin earlier in the race and began to pressure Schroyer for the lead. Schroyer kept his car running the high groove while Schlenk ran to his inside the final two laps of the race. Schlenk came up just short as Schroyer held on to pick the Howard Miller Memorial Feature victory. After the race, Todd Schroyer announced he is retiring from racing. His brother Rody will be back piloting the 70 car next week.

Delong was the third place finisher ahead of Aaron Scott and Dusty Moore.

The Howard Miller Memorial UMP Sportsman Feature produced some more exciting racing action with Josh Steinacker and Tim Fisher battling all the way to the the wire.

Bruce Stuart was running second to Steinacker early on and spun in turn two to bring out the yellow flag on lap three.

A few laps later Tim Fisher moved into second and then began to attack Steinacker for the lead. Fisher actually had the lead for a moment, but a caution for debris came out at the same time which saved Steinacker as the field was lined up by the way they were running the last completed green-flag lap.

Steinacker continued to try to find a way to hold off Fisher in the final stages of the race by changing his line in the corners a couple times, but Fisher got alongside on the final lap and came up just short as Steinacker held on to win his fifth feature of the year.

Rusty Smith posted a third place finish with Mike Jessen and Chris Smith rounding out the rest of the top five.

Craig Dippman celebrated his 33rd birthday with a Bomber heat race win and then went on to win the Howard Miller Memorial UMP Bomber A Main in the closest finish of the night.

Dippman took advantage of starting on the pole by opening up a big lead at the start.

The first caution came out on lap 12 for Kyle Light's car that had rolled to a stop on the backstretch. That allowed Dan Dippman to close right up on Craig Dippman with Tom Ordway lurking in third.

Ordway got by Dan Dippman and then tried to take the lead from Craig Dippman on the final lap getting to his inside in the final set of corners. They came off turn four side by side with Craig Dippman edging out Ordway by the nose of his car at the checkered flag. It was Craig Dippman's first feature win of the year.

Dan Dippman fell back to finish third followed by Chris Henry and Chris Joy who added an extra $50 to all Bomber Feature winners in memory of his father and Howard Miller.

Tony Tolles led the first part of the Bomber B Main until Randy Roseman got by on the inside on a restart after one of the many cautions.

Tolles retired to the pits while under caution on lap six relinquishing the second position to Jeff Geis.

Geis made a bid for the lead to the inside of Roseman near the end of the race, but then Geis fell back as Roseman pulled away en route to his first feature win of the year.

Jody Burton finished third followed by Jamie Grochowski and Billy Brown.

Justin Woodruff led the first eight laps of the Howard Miller Memorial UMP Bomber C Main until Jeff Krotzer got by on a restart.

Chris Tressler brought out another yellow just after the restart and reverted the lead back to Woodruff.

Once again his lead would be short lived as Krotzer went on to pick up his first feature win. Woodruff held on to finish second with Tim Fisher driving Duane Slater's Bomber to a third place finish. Trevor Reed and Lee Buck were the rest of the top five finishers.

The great racing action continues Saturday, July 7 at Oakshade Raceway with UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsmen and UMP Bombers back in action on Don Williams Excavating Night. Gates open at 4pm with racing at 7pm.

 

Race fans enjoyed an action packed night at the Butch Wildermuth Memorial American Late Model Series (ALMS) event at Oakshade Raceway on Saturday night that featured Rody Schroyer in victory lane for the first time in just over a year.

Emotions were high after a frightening incident earlier in the night in which contact sent Chuck Desgrange's Late Model out of control at the end of the backstretch and then clipped Oakshade's pit steward, “Billy Bob,” during the first lap of the third Wynn's Auto Parts Late Model Heat. Word came back from the hospital during intermission that, thankfully, the worst of his injuries turned out to be a broken ankle.

After a collective sigh of relief, it was time for the 30-lap Butch Wildermuth Memorial ALMS Feature event with a check for $3,000 up for grabs.

Rody Schroyer from Toledo, Ohio started on the pole and immediately charged to the lead over Duane Chamberlain who had won the previous night's ALMS event.

After a caution for Brad Eitniear's spin on lap seven, Schroyer began to open up a commanding lead as Chamberlain started to fall back. Last week's feature winner Ronnie Perrine Jr. and Brian Ruhlman both got by Chamberlain and set their sights on Schroyer.

Hillard Miller positioned himself to challenge the leaders after passing Perrine Jr. for third with a little contact between the two drivers in some very tight racing.

Ruhlman began to close on Schroyer in the closing laps as Miller was putting the pressure on for second, but Schroyer held on to win earning his first Oakshade UMP Late Model Feature win of the year.

Hillard Miller got held up slightly behind a lapped car on the final lap that kept him from challenging Ruhlman for second. Ronnie Perrine Jr. finished fourth with Chamberlain hanging on to finish fifth.

The UMP Sportsman Feature had some great racing action with Brian Fisher taking charge early on followed closely by Billy Ruff and Tim Fisher.

Ruff went to the lead on lap nine and then tried to fend off Tim Fisher who took over on lap 13.

Tim Fisher looked strong but Josh Steinacker closed in and with the help from a lapped car just in front of Tim Fisher, Steinacker took the lead with two laps to go and went on to post his fourth feature win of the year and increased his already impressive points lead in the UMP Sportsman division at Oakshade.

Tim Fisher finished second followed by Ruff, Mike Jessen and Even Myers.

Chris Henry was attempting to win his second UMP Bomber A Main and took the lead after starting on the pole. Dan Dippman made it three-wide just behind him going through the middle to take over second early in the race.

Dippman made a move around Henry for the lead on lap 10 and never looked back as he went on to pick up his second UMP Bomber A Main win of the year. Henry finished second and Brett Miller just beat Jake Rendel for third.

Oakshade's UMP Bomber points leader Tom Ordway finished fifth.

Josh Montague was leading the UMP Bomber B Main until he spun all by himself in turn four on the third lap of the race turning the lead over to Jody Burton.

Burton then had his hands full as Karl Spores Jr. and Curt Lancaster made it three deep for the lead. Spores eventually came out on top, but Lancaster battled back and took the lead as the white flag flew.

Spores got back alongside Lancaster on the final lap, but Lancaster held on to win the B Main. John Roads took third followed by Burton, and Matt Henschen.

Toxic Moe grabbed the lead in the Bomber C Main on the first lap with Chris Tressler in tow until Tressler fell off the pace and retired to the pits.

Toxic Moe then had to contend with Chris Joy who overtook Moe on lap four and went on to pick up the victory. Toxic Moe held on to finish second with Donovan Paskin, Cliff Bernard and Trevor Reed rounding out the rest of the top five finishers.

On tap for Saturday, June 30 at Oakshade Raceway is the Howard Miller Memorial featuring UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsmen and UMP Bombers with gates opening at 4pm and racing at 7pm.

A packed house for the 18th Annual Barney Oldfield Race was treated to 40 laps of nonstop racing action without any caution periods and at the end, a new name was added to the prestigious list of winners of Oakshade Raceway's Barney Oldfield Race as Ronnie Perrine Jr. picked up his first ever UMP Late Model Feature victory.

Duane Chamberlain, last year's winner, drew a pole starting position and led early in the race. Rick Delong started on the outside of the front row and reeled Chamberlain back in and took the lead on lap five with Ronnie Perrine Jr. following into second.

Delong, Oakshade's UMP Late Model point leader, and Perrine Jr. pulled away from Chamberlain and the rest of the field. Perrine Jr. rode right on Delong's back bumper until lap 15 when he got to the inside and took the lead while they were working through lapped traffic.

Lima, Ohio's Ronnie Perrine Jr. continued to hug the inside groove and drove away from the rest of the field to post his first ever Late Model victory as well as earning the Barney Oldfield Cup trophy sponsored by Country Charm Cafe and a check for $4300.

Dan Wallace had a strong second place finish with Dusty Moore moving up to finish third. Delong slipped back to finish fourth with Duane Chamberlain rounding out the top five finishers.

Mike Jessen had another good run going in the UMP Sportsman Feature, leading the first half of the race after starting on the pole.

Josh Steinacker closed in and passed Jessen for the lead, but the caution flag would fly for debris at the same time which would give the lead back to Jessen.

Jessen then had something break in the rear end and fell off the pace just after the restart and the rest of the field scrambled around the limping 52 car. Jessen got his car to the infield out of harm's way and the race stayed green with Steinacker taking over the top position.

Steinacker went on to post his third UMP Sportsman Feature win of the year and added to his already large point lead.

Brian Fisher followed for a second place finish with Billy Ruff and Chris Smith taking third and fourth respectively. Amy Bernard was fifth.

One of the most exciting races of the night turned out to be the UMP Bomber A Main which featured five different leaders and more lead changes.

Dan Shaffer was the first to lead with heavy pressure from Tom Ordway, Brian Przepiora and Chris Henry just behind.

Przepiora was next to lead when he got by Shaffer on a restart on lap three after a caution for Jeff Geis' spin.

Chris Henry took his turn out front taking the lead on lap five, but his lead would be brief. Tom Ordway looked to the outside and Przepiora tucked back to the inside of Henry, making it three deep for the lead. Przepiora and Henry made contact sending the 68 car of Henry spinning which brought out the caution and ended Henry's hopes of capturing his second A Main win of the year.

Przepiora was back in the lead for the restart, but Ordway got by on lap seven.

Dan Dippman quietly worked his way up to the front and took the lead away from Ordway on lap eight and those two drivers would battle all the way to the checkered flag with Ordway getting it by a nose over Dippman at the finish.

Randy Roseman, Jim Scout and Tim Murphy got by Przepiora for the third through fifth finishing positions.

After an exciting and hugely entertaining A Main, the Bomber B and C Main were marred by multiple caution periods.

Tim Shelley led from flag to flag in the UMP Bomber B Main and stayed in front of all the incidents that brought out yellows that happened behind him. One of which cause a big pile up on lap three after Curt Lancaster and Danny Hogrefe got together while battling for second.

Shelley went on to take the checkered flag and Garry Domoe got by Lancaster to finish second. Brad Brehm was fourth and Karl Spores Jr. finished fifth after starting way back in the 11th row.

David Goben was in command of the UMP Bomber C Main early on until he slipped up high in turn four and then Tevor Reed, Chris Tressler and Jerry Signor battled three-wide for the lead until Reed spun in turn two to bring out a caution.

With Tressler leading, Jerry Signor gave up the second position when his car began to slow and eventually came to a stop on the track bringing out another yellow.

Tressler, Billy Brown and David Goben made it three-wide again for the lead with just two laps remaining. Goben slipped back from that battle leaving Tressler and Brown to duke it out to the finish.

Tressler over drove his car into turn four giving Billy Brown from Adrian, Michigan the victory. Goben took second followed by Justin Woodruff in third. Tressler recovered enough to finish fourth and Walt Helsel finished fifth.

The racing excitement continues Saturday, June 23rd at Oakshade Raceway with the Butch Wildermuth Memorial/American Late Model Series event paying $3000 to win. UMP Sportsmen and UMP Bombers will also be back in action and the Donnie Moran Race Simulator will be set up so that race fans can experience what it is like to drive a Late Model. Gates will open at a special time for this event at 3pm with races starting at 7pm. Check out www.oakshaderaceway.info for more information.

Justin Paxton became the first repeat UMP Late Model Feature winner of the 2007 season at Oakshade Raceway after a dominating performance on Saturday night.

Fans from as far away as London, England and Phoenix, Arizona packed the stands for Valvoline Instant Oil Change Night at Oakshade and action heated up early in the UMP Late Model Feature after Chris Keller spun on the first lap to bring out the caution flag. Dean Anderson and Bill Toedter were also involved.

Another incident occurred just after one lap was completed when Mike Miller got crossed up down the front straight and Ron Miller had no where to go and plowed into him ending the night for both drivers.

Justin Paxton, who started on the outside of the front row, began to open up a big lead once some green flag laps were run.

Rick Delong who was the unofficial Oakshade Raceway UMP Late Model points leader when the night began, got by Kevin Reeve for second but could not make up the distance between himself and the race leader Justin Paxton.

Paxton worked his way patiently through lapped traffic on his way to the checkered flag with Delong finishing a distant second.

Kevin Reeve, Ronnie Perrine Jr., Dusty Moore and Rusty Schlenk crossed the line in that order for the third through sixth finishing positions. Those drivers put on a tight battle the final half of the race with positions being swapped around each lap.

The exciting racing action continued into the UMP Sportsman Feature with Brian Fisher opening up a big lead early until Joe Smith spun on lap three to bring out the yellow flag.

Chris Smith got by John Laney on the restart to take over second behind Fisher. Josh Steinacker and Rusty Schlenk closed in on Smith to battle for the second spot.

A lap 12 caution for Tim Line would once again tighten up the field and Chris Smith got a good jump on the restart and took the lead from Brian Fisher.

A short time later, Schlenk moved to the outside of Smith as Tim Fisher went low to the inside making a three-wide race for the lead. Smith was shuffled back as Schlenk and Tim Fisher continued to vie for the top spot.

Schlenk was able to hold off Tim Fisher to earn his second UMP Sportsman Feature win of the year. Chris Smith held on to finish third ahead of Josh Steinacker who had his worst feature finish so far this year in fourth. Brian Fisher slipped back to end up fifth.

Dan Dippman took advantage of starting on the pole of the UMP Bomber A Main by leading the entire distance to claim his first A Main win of the year but he did have competition.

Tim Shelley looked to be a contender until he spun in turn two while running in the fourth position.

Dippman continued to lead with Jeff Foks Jr. right on his rear bumper for most of the race, but Foks lost second to Tom Ordway who finish second a few car lengths behind Dippman.

Craig Dippman once again had a great finish in fourth after starting deep in the field in the 15th starting position. Chris Henry was fifth.

Bob Rendel, Jody Burton and Curt Lancaster battled three-wide for the lead early in the UMP Bomber B Main with Rendel eventually coming out on top.

Danny Hogrefe, the winner of the B Main last week, closed in on Rendel and was able to get alongside the 06 car of Rendel in the corners, but could not complete the pass coming off the turns. Rendel continued to ride the high groove through the turns and the Adrian, Michigan driver went on to pick up his first feature win of the year.

Hogrefe had to settle for second followed by Lancaster, Burton and Jeff Grochowski.