RACING EXCITEMENT HEATS UP AT BETHEL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

July 31, Bethel, NY--- With the second half of the 2011 season in high gear, the pit area at Bethel Motor Speedway was once again packed with cars, as points battles continued to heat up and drivers crowded the track looking to capture wins. 

Alcaro & Alcaro Sportsman division driver Mike Houghtaling heads into every season with the goal of capturing at least one feature event win. In 2011, that task may have taken him a little longer than expected, but it was accomplished this past Saturday as the second-year Sportsman competitor took home the checkers. 

Houghtaling started on the pole, but the journey to the finish was not an easy one by any means, as he and outside pole sitter Milton Mann swapped the top spot as the laps clicked off. Lurking in the wings was defending division champion Dan Conklin, who was patiently biding his time. Houghtaling took the lead back from Mann for good just past the halfway point of the event. As the laps wound down, Conklin made his move past Mann and set his sights on Houghtaling but was unable to wrestle the lead away. Jeff Richardson, who headed into the event second in points, grabbed third on the final lap. Mann and Bryanna Hurban rounded out the top five. 

The Legends took to the track for the final time before the prestigious LegendStock 2011 INEX Asphalt Nationals qualifier slated for Saturday, August 6^th, and the finish may have been just the boost Stephen Hershey needed to take down to North Carolina. Hershey, who won an entry to the Legends Big Money 100 at Charlotte Motor Speedway August 1^st and 2^nd in a raffle at Bethel just two weeks ago, has had several near-misses this season, but he was “spot on” this past weekend, and he notched his first career Legends win at Bethel. Joe DeGracia started on the pole, but Richie Coy shot out to the early lead until a spin resulted in Hershey inheriting the lead. Hershey’s mirror was full of talented and hungry drivers, as the field behind him included Raven Schrantz, Andrew Stotler, David Garbo, Jimmy Sylvester, and others. Hershey was first to cross the line, followed by Schrantz and Garbo. Sototler was fourth, and Van Michael was credited with fifth in the final rundown. 

The JTR Enterprises Bandoleros were also busy getting seat time prior to their LegendStock feature event, and Rudy Roth IV seemed to have gotten his season back on track as he collected his fourth win of the season. Roth’s previous three wins came in three consecutive weeks in June, and Roth had been winless in the month of July heading into the event. After winning his heat race, Roth started on the pole, and he led every lap on his way to the win. Roth did not go unchallenged, though, as defending division champion Mikey Policastro and four-time 2011 feature event winner Max Evans took up space in Roth’s rearview mirror. Neither was able to mount a challenge that would knock Roth from the lead, and Policastro had to settle for second with Evans third. Joseph Graf Jr., the 2009 champion, came across the line fourth. David French was fifth. 

A healthy field of cars took to the track in the Sam’s Towing Pro Stock feature, providing some intense action that kept fans on the edges of their seats. Jim Helt, who is still seeking his first 2011 win, took off from the outside pole and grabbed the early lead. His time out front was short-lived, however, as Gene Morton worked his way past on the third lap. Even in second, Helt had his hands full, as Larry O’Donnell was on his bumper before mechanical woes forced him out of the race and Charlie Howe Jr. came to third. Morton was chased to the line by Helt and Howe. Beryle Herman came to fourth on the last lap, and John Hager crossed the line fifth. 

In the Shakelton’s Auto and Truck Centers Street Stock division, Vinny Stanton became the third different winner in as many weeks when he wound up in Victory Lane. Stanton started on the outside of the front row, alongside rookie Amber VanOrden. Stanton shot out to the lead with VanOrden in tow. Before long, Gary VanOrden was wrestling with his sister for the second spot, which he took. Stanton and G. VanOrden then put on an exciting battle for the lead, swapping the spot before Stanton took it back for good just past the halfway mark. Bobby VanBlarcom, who has six feature wins to his credit this season, would have to settle for second. G. VanOrden finished third. A. VanOrden and Jonathan McGibbon finished fourth and fifth, respectively. 

It took Active Towing & Recovery BMS Modified division driver Norman Barnes until the third week of July to collect his first win of the season, but the 2009 division champion backed it up when he collected his second consecutive win this past weekend. Barnes started on the outside pole, but he quickly overtook pole sitter Skip LaPolt. LaPolt had to contend with defending division champion John Cote and Elliott Wohl in a field where any driver is capable of winning each week. Barnes drove on to the win over LaPolt and Cote. Wohl crossed the line fourth. 

Victory Lane was a family affair for the two 4 Cylinder divisions. Tim Curry started the night off with his first 2011 win in the 4 Cylinder Advanced division, while the nightcap 4 Cylinder Novice race was the stage for his daughter Kayla’s first career win. 

Jerry Kingeter started on the pole in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature, but Curry got out to the lead on the initial lap. Curry led every lap, but not without having to fight for it, as plenty of competition applied pressure. Walt Henry ran in second for nearly the entire race. On the final lap, the top three drivers were jockeying for position when they encountered a lapped car, setting the stage for four-side racing heading to the checkers. When all was said and done, Curry took the win followed by 2010 4 Cylinder Senior champion Eddy Lindstadt. Paul Curry crossed the line third, followed by Gary Magie and Ivan Guerra. 

The 4 Cylinder Novice race turned into a battle up front between K. Curry and her sister, Tasha, who won her first career feature just weeks earlier. Both Mike Travis and Keith Henry attempted to get past the pair, but neither was successful for any length of time. K. Curry crossed the line ahead of T. Curry, and Henry came home third. Kody Welsh came to fourth on the final lap, and Travis was fifth. 

This coming Saturday, August 6^th, Bethel Motor Speedway will play host to LegendStock 2011, touted as the most exciting and highest paying Legends race in the Northeast. The 50-lap event is a qualifier for the INEX Asphalt Nationals, and is sure to draw in talent from across the Northeast and beyond. Entries have already been received from as far away as Virginia, North Carolina, and Minnesota. The Bandoleros are also a part of the LegendStock event, traditionally providing a showcase for some of the best young talent around. Also on the schedule for the night are the Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Grandstand gates open at 1 pm for spectators and early pit registration. The concession stand is open for lunch, enabling fans and drivers to relax until the pit gates open at 3 pm. Hot laps take to the track at 5 pm, with racing slated to begin at 7 pm. More information and online registration for LegendStock can be found at www.legendstockshootout.com. For more information about Bethel Motor Speedway, visit www.bethelmotorspeedway.com, or call (845) 319-7908. 

SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (16 laps): 1. Mike Houghtaling, 2. Dan Conklin, 3. Jeff Richardson, 4. Milton Mann, 5. Bryanna Hurban, 6. Greg McCloskey, 7. Roy Crespo, 8. Pete Booth, 9. Greg Morgan, 10. Dan Curry, 11. Kimberlee Morgan, 12. Kyle Moon, 13. Jim Halpin, 14. Rich Coons, 15. Jerry Curry. 

LEGENDS FEATURE FINISH (12 laps): 1. Stephen Hershey, 2. Raven Schrantz, 3. David Garbo, 4. Andrew Stotler, 5. Van Michael, 6. Bill Johnston, 7. Jesse Hilger, 8. Jimmy Sylvester, 9. Eugene Drew, 10. Ed Evans, 11. David Schilling, 12. Robert Silver, 13. Ronny Conklin, 14. Barry Schrantz, 15. Richie Coy, 16. Rich Wheeler, 17. Joe DeGracia, 18. Russell Sniffen, 19. Joe Graf, 20. Matt Evans, 21. John Bacon, 22. Johnny Demarmels. DNS – David Dempsey. 

BANDOLERO FEATURE FINISH (15 laps): 1. Rudy Roth IV, 2. Mikey Policastro, 3. Max Evans, 4. Joseph Graf Jr., 5. David French, 6. Troy Houghtaling, 7. Christian Eckes, 8. Courtney Lefcourt, 9. Jared Palmer, 10. Matt Forsythe, 11. Joshua Zieres, 12. Mason Reimer, 13. Christina Policastro, 14. Alexandria Smith. 

PRO STOCK FEATURE FINISH (20 laps): 1. Gene Morton, 2. Jim Helt, 3. Charlie Howe Jr., 4. Beryle Herman, 5. John Hager, 6. Willy Auchmoody, 7. Ed Butler, 8. Gene Palmer, 9. Wayne Kmieczak, 10. Kenny Atkins, 11. Ron Lane, 12. Ken Hopkins Jr., 13. Larry O’Donnell, 14. Chris Greene.

STREET STOCK FEATURE FINISH (15 laps): 1. Vinny Stanton, 2. Bobby VanBlarcom, 3. Gary VanOrden Jr., 4. Amber VanOrden, 5. Jonathan McGibbon, 6. Jeff Hager, 7. Kyle Welsch, 8. Glenn Pallom, 9. Brent Shaddock, 10. Shawn Maloney. 

BMS MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (12 laps): 1. Norman Barnes, 2. Skip LaPolt, 3. John Cote, 4. Elliott Wohl. 

4 CYLINDER ADVANCED FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS): 1. Tim Curry, 2. Eddy Lindstadt, 3. Paul Curry, 4. Gary Magie, 5. Ivan Guerra, 6. Walt Henry, 7. Patty Falkena, 8. Steven Schmitz, 9. Britani Houghtaling, 10. Charlie Houghtaling, 11. Jerry Kingeter, 12. George VanAiken, 13. Van Ritshie, 14. Richard Smith. 

4 CYLINDER NOVICE FEATURE FINISH (10 laps): 1. Kayla Curry, 2. Tasha Curry, 3. Keith Henry, 4. Kody Welsh, 5. Mike Travis, 6. Josh Mendez, 7. Paige LaPolt, 8. Tisha Curry, 9. Heather Fennell, 10. Daniel VanAiken, 11. William Smith, 12. Brittany Curry, 13. Sarah Smith, 14. Lucas Price, 15. Scott Quick.