08/24/2003

DAVE CHRISTMAN TAKES NEETS EVENT AT MAHONING

Lehighton, PA - It took Dave Christman a little more than 44 minutes to complete 150 laps at the Mahoning Valley Speedway last Sunday.  But Christman's route to victory, while it appeared easy, was filled with potential potholes in the Big-Car Enduro presented by the Northeast Enduro Touring Series (NEETS).

Others gracing the winner's circle during the Sunday afternoon program included Kevin Truszkowski in the 100-lap Small-Car Enduro, Todd Ahner and Mike Sweeney in Street Stock competition, Randy Ahner swept both of the Factory Stock features, and Corey Hill notched the win in the 4-Cylinder main event.

Christman started near the front of the 22-car field, then watched as Dave Shafnisky, Rich Johnson, and Joe Jentile took turns at the head of the pack.  Johnson and Jentile were dueling for the lead when they hooked bumpers, slowing the progress of both cars as they attempted to untangle themselves while navigating the maze of traffic on the race track.  As both cars slowly drifted to the infield grass, they suddenly unhooked from one another, and dashed back onto the racing surface.  Shafnisky and Christman not only passed the cars of Johnson and Jentile, but also put them a lap down before the duo was able to get back up to speed.

Christman took the top spot from Shafnisky and then sped away, opening up a huge lead by the time the crossed flags were displayed.  Dave eventually lapped everyone but second-place Richard Petey, and he was closing in on Petey when disaster struck Richard's no. 43.  Johnson lost the right-rear wheel on his no. 1 Chevy, and the wheel shot to the right and under the front end of Petey's car.  The errant tire launched Petey's machine up into the air, and it appeared as though Richard might wind up in the homestretch wall.  Somehow, the no. 43 stayed off the concrete, but Petey's brakes were gone and he had to retire from the race. 

Christman was now on a lap by himself, and he cruised to the win in spite of heavy lapped traffic that had to be negotiated during the second half of the event.  Jentile fought back to finish as the runner-up, with Glen Osborn taking third-place money.

Truszkowski romped to victory in the Small-Car portion of the NEETS program.  In doing so, Kevin captured his second Enduro win in less than two days at the Lehighton oval.  He also won the 75-lap race that was held as part of Saturday evening's show at Mahoning.  Strapped into his black no. 5, Truszkowski led most of the 100 lapper on Sunday, easily beating Kerry Boehm to the checkered flag.  Boehm also finished second on Saturday night.  Riverhead, NY invaders Peter and Patrick Verwys finished third and fourth, respectively, and Brian Kunkel was fifth.

Sources:  NEETS PR
Posted:  August 28, 2003