Dave Pangrazio Take His First Feature Win in the Bandit’s!!
A young Dave Pangrazio won his first feature event ever in the #36 Bandit car tonight at the Select Collision Night at Raceweay5. David has been steadily improving each week and this week was able to put it all together for the win. David’s father, Scooter, is the Race Announcer at the track. Listening to his call, it reminded me of when Ned Jarrett was broadcasting when his son Dale won the Daytona 500. There were no tears here, no television cameras, and I don’t think Ned told Dale to “wipe them goop off your face” after the race. But I’ll bet ya that Mr. Jarrett was no more proud of his son that Scooter and Gail were of David.
Another big win on the night was in the Sportsman division when Dick Park jr in the 3d car took control of the feature for his first win of the season at Raceway5. The added bonus here was that Dick said it’s his wife’s birthday today and he wanted to give special thanks and dedicated the race to her. Happy 30th (hahahahaha…sorry) birthday Michelle.
Well for those that didn’t know, half of Raceway5s track was half under water on Tuesday. A pump here, some heat there, a little wind and we were ready to run. For all the water the track had seen, the teams seemed pretty happy with the track condition. It did get a little rough in turns 3 and 4, but all but a couple drivers I spoke to said it wasn’t anything the y couldn’t drive around. Over all a great effort just to get the track above sea level, not to mention making it race-able.
The Yassess Trucking and Construction Street Stocks were first out and Doug Jones in the number 87, 2012 Camaro was the feature winner for the 6th time this season. Byron Dewitt in the 34 car started on the pole, but it was last week’s feature winner Jeff Bridge’s # 51 car that took the early lead. On lap 4 however Byron and Jeff touched and the 51 car spun in turn 4. Doug bobbed, Ron Mogavero weaved, and they came to the caution flag one and two.
For about the next 10 laps, the 75 of Ron with Doug put on a clinic for tight racing. Doug said “I can pretty much put all my faith in Ronny …if I could pick one driver to run door to door with, it would be Ronny”. These guys run all out, every lap, and can come away with a clean car ready to do it all over again next week. “I have to thank Dad, Leon, Missy, Wolfers Automotive, Lavory Concessions and Mike Twist (sp?) who has been helping us with it”. This win will again tighten up the point’s battle between Ron and Doug and promises to be an exciting battle to the end. Butch Zimmerman had an impressive 2nd place finish ahead of Byron Dewitt’s 34 car. Fourth was Ron Mogavero and Jeff Bridge came from the back of pack due to a flat tire to close out the top 5.
We had a new sprint car for the Original Pizza Logs Sprint 600 class, but it was Tyler Walker winning his 4 feature at Raceway5 this year. This was also his 11th overall feature win this season for a kid who’s clearly coming into his own element here. “The track was actually pretty smooth tonight and pretty racy, I had fun. I want to thank Original Pizza Logs, Spar Racing Engines, Hyper Racing, Guhl Motors and my parents”. Great to have such a talented kid want to keep coming back to race here.
Adam Tiffany returned to Raceway5 after flipping his car a few weeks back to finish second. Keith Heater, the current point’s leader was third ahead of Megan Allen in the 12 and Jerry Gurney’s 14j.
Here we are back at the A-1 Self Storage Bandit class where David Pangrazio got the checkered flags. Dave has been close a few times, but just couldn’t pull it off all the way. Not easy either with Carl Stephens dominating, but that was just the motivation that Dave needed to keep improving. Dave started fourth but was able to lead the first lap before Carl stormed back to the front, with Dave and Jason Kanalley’s making it 3 wide going into turn 3.
On Lap 7 Carl’s 57c had a flat right rear and David would not be denied the victory tonight. I asked Dave who he had to thank, and he shrugged. Not sure if that is a chiropractic endorsement or not, but I know he gives a HUGE thanks to Mom Gail and his Dad Scooter, GioVannas’s Pizza, Performance Chassis, BEP Salvage, RA Wise Trucking, JMR, Mazur’s and Auto Repair. Great to see the improvement among the drivers of this class, and yes I know I say that a lot. Mikaela Rivers in the 33 was second ahead of Lauren Dubois in the 012. Fourth was the 3 of Jason Kanalley and Jena DeFazio came home in fifth place in her 22j.
When the Grease Lightning Sportsman took to the track, there was a good amount of real lightning to the west of us. Dan Norton in the 25 car started on the pole and led first 6 laps of the event. It was then that the 3D driven by Dick Park jr took over the top spot from his 4th place starting position. There would be just a few cautions during the event, and even pressure from the always strong p38 of Rob Pratt couldn’t wrestle the lead away from Dick.
There was action throughout the field so the fans were treated to another great race. Talking to Dick, “The car was awesome, very good…could drive wide open all the way around”. “We finally hit on something good”. Ummm, yeah I would say that he hit on something really good. Dick had to thank his crew and of course his sponsors, Macaluso Oil, Churchville Fire Equipment, Wadsworth Grill, and again special thanks to his wife on her birthday. Car looked good, driver looked good, and wife looked good (remember you owe me a 10 spot for printing that Dick). Rob Pratt finished in second just ahead of Dan Norton in the 25 car. Ricky Newton’s 11n was 4th while the 73g of Gordon Hermanson jr (nice run) closed out your top 5 finishers.
The Rivers Performance Mini Stocks again had a caution free event for their feature. Nick Snayczuk’s 12x Toyota started outside pole and wasted no time getting the lead and driving away from the field. Lap traffic would play a part in the event and allow Randy Barclay jr in the 41 car to close right on the 12x back side. According to Nick, “When I would come up on lap traffic I would let right off. I got smooshed up against the wall before and broke and axle and wasn’t doing that again.”
“It was kind of rough in the middle but nice and smooth on the top. I’d just hold the gas down and let er go”. The drivers are running clean and running hard and have stepped it up a lot”. This too was another race where you could look anywhere on the track and see cars competing. Nick thanked his Mom, Dad, Kevin, all the people that help on the car and sponsors Kless Boys, Klispie Motorsports. Val still has the points lead, but Nick is pecking away at it week after week. This looks to be a good battle right down to the last race.
Randy Barclay jr who has been running better and better each week came home in the runner up spot while Chad Dickinson was third, or Bronze if you will in honor of the Olympics. Val brought the 57v car home 4th and Tom “no I’m not related to Keith” Urban was 5th.
Last but certainly not least were the Johnny’s Bar 360 Late Models. We had some additional competitors and this just added to the excitement. JJ Mazur started on the pole but it was Mike Wonderlilng jr in the 57j that led the early laps. Jim Johnson in the 93 car had a hot new layer of skin on the car and even managed to lead a lap. That was at least until the familiar number 012 of Dave Dubois took his rocket to the front.
This however would be no easy walk on the beach. The 93 along with Jon Rivers in the 85 car
Attacked Dave like Ferris attacks an all you can eat buffet. Jon and Dave ran side by side for a few laps before Jon made it past. These two warriors gave it all they had and coming out of turn 4 it was Dave who just barely edged out Jon for the win. The crowd was on their feet cheering and even other drivers in the pits were talking about what a great race it was.
My apologies to Dave however. I didn’t find him in the pits between interviews and didn’t realize till I got home that I never interviewed him. So allow me to paraphrase. “The Batavia Starter, Patrick Plasma and Powder Coating, Scribners Tube Welding car was fast tonight. Jon and Jim were running hard and we had a great time out there tonight. I want to thank my crew and of course my lovely wife because without her, life has no meaning (too much?). I also wanted to thank Jim and Annette Mazur for hiring such a quality reporter. If I have another kid, I would name him after him” (or words to that effect).
Next week’s Late Model race should be even better. Better wear “Depends” cause it may be so exciting you’ll probably wet yourself. The evening’s event will be sponsored by Marx Signs and Designs and American Cancer Society. However it is also the Late Model Fallen Hero’s Race with $1200 to win and $190 to start the 29 lap feature. My body is buzzing with anticipation already. Oh wait, my phone was vibrating. Still excited about the race though.
Not to forget the kid’s bike races that was held tonight as well. For the 6 and under kids it was Emma Pangrazio that took home the trophy. With her big brother winning his race, it’s bound to be a late night of partying in the Pangrazio home tonight. Great job Emma. I guess you are as fast as you are cute!! For the 7 – 9 year olds it was Zachary DiGiacomo who was the winner in a close race. With over 10 bikes in this race, it was anything but easy for him, but he made it happen. Finally in the 10 – 12 age group it was Karlie Stymus holding off a close second for the 2 lap feature event. Congratulation to Karlie and all the kids who participated in the bike races.
Depending on your class, you only have 4 or 5 weeks left of points racing for the 2012 season. We expect the racing to be even closer and the battles on the track more intense. Remember this isn’t just about the $$ and the trophy. This gives you bragging rights for entire year that you and your team were the best in your class at a quality race track like Raceway5. For you single guys and gals that could mean groupies hanging around you. For you married guys, it would mean sharing this special moment with the one…hahaha. Sorry, almost got that out with a straight face.
Any who, we look forward to see you all again next week, and bring a friend with you. If it’s anything like last year race, this will be a great night that you’ll be talking about for quite some time.
Giddy up!
Grease Lightning Sportsman
Heat Winners: Dan Norton, John Venuto
Feature Finish: Dick Park jr, Rob Pratt, Dan Norton, Ricky Newton, Gordon Hermanson jr., Andrew Patton, Tim Downs, Tony Pangrazio, John Venuto, Chris Brown, Matt Richmond, Ed Diltz, Joe Lamintia, TJ Newton
Johnny’s Bar 360 Late Models
Heat Winners: Mike Wonderling jr, Jon Rivers, Dave Dubois
Feature Finish: Dave Dubois, Jon Rivers, Jim Johnson, Jeremy Wonderling, Brian Knowles, Mike Wonderling, Mike Wonderling jr, Carl Shetler, Tom Baker, Bob Babbitt, Jim Johnson jr, Jason Bridge, JJ Mazur, Tom Kemp, Jared Hill, Brian Farnsworth, Rich Hale, Brian Kotarski
Yasses Trucking and Construction Street Stocks
Heat Winners: Pat Powers, John Gagner, Doug Jones
Feature Finish: Doug Jones, Butch Zimmerman, Byron Dewitt, Ron Mogavero, Jeff Bridge, Nate Arnold, Jason Babbitt, Tom Bansmer, Pat Powers, Don Newton, Mike Jackson, Dave Bohm, John Gagner, Darrell Moyer, Tom Brinser
Original Pizza Logs Sprint 600’s
Heat Winners: Tyler Walker
Feature Finish: Tyler Walker, Adam Tiffany, Keith Heater, Megan Allen, Jerry Gurney
Rivers Performance Mini Stocks
Heat Winners: Doug Brown, Nick Snayczuk, Val Stephens
Feature Finish: Nick Snayczuk, Randy Barclay jr, Chad Dickinson, Val Stephens, Tom Urban, Doug Brown, Ed Neil, Josh Diltz, Samantha Burch, Brett Rowles, Troy Collings, Wayne Johnson, Brad Shepard?, Matt Hartsock, Brandon Oddo, Mike Robb
A-1 Self Storage Bandits
Heat Winners: Carl Stephens, Dave Pangrazio
Feature Finish: David Pangrazio, Mikaela Rivers, Lauren Dubois, Jason Kanalley, Austin Kotarski, Jena DeFazio, Tiffany Ramsey, Carl Stephens, Cameron Vargo, Riley McPherson