10/12/2003

JOE JENTILE WINS BRE 250 NEETS GRAND FINALE

 Former Flemington enduro driver #41 Joe Jentile only entered into about half the NEETS events in the 2003 season, but out of those he has two wins, one at his latest hometrack, Mahoning Valley Speedway in June and newest being the largest payout he has had in the North East Enduro Tour Series "Bartley Racing Enterprises 250" at Mountain Speedway. Joe took home $2000 for his efforts in this race.
   This race was the Grand Finale for the new tour series. With double points on the line for its members, $1,000 to win guaranteed being paid by Billy Bartley and about $2,000 in lap money up for grabs...it was bound to be a "barn burner" and did not prove otherwise.
   35 cars entered to try and win the BRE250. Joe started exactly mid-pack in the 17th position. On the 3 wide rolling start the #13 of NEETS member Jim Erdbrink quickly took the lead but forfeited it after 3 laps being black flagged for a fuel leak to #02 of Pappy Herman which held on until lap 7 showed the muscle of #75 Howie Bott and #43 Richard Petey passing and each leading the next few circuits.  On came the strong #86 car of Daryl DeBetta passing both the #75 and #43 at lap 16. It looked as if he had the fastest car out there and would go on to win. Daryl led almost 30 laps and was running away with it when he too developed a fuel leak and was black flagged to the pits to get it fixed turning the lead back to Richard Petey. On came Jentile...by lap 55 Joe had done away with 15 cars, then caught and passed the #43 for the lead. He never looked back, staying out of trouble and expertly weaving in and out of lapped traffic, Joe led every lap till the end.
  The race was a fast one, completing 250 laps in 1 hour and 25 minutes. Only one red flag for the burning car of #13 Erdbrink which had rejoined the field after his bad luck in the start of the race. Attrition was surprisingly very low for a 250 lap race with still over 25 cars taking the checkered. Points leader #16 Ray Fitzgerald of Manorville, NY held his own, starting 16th and finishing a respectable 9th to win the first ever NEETS Champion title. Ray was as high as 3rd in the race at a certain point. Ray will be honored at the first NEETS Awards Banquet on November 15th at the Best-Western/ Genettis Manor in Hazleton as well as the top ten NEETS members all receiving beautiful trophies and sharing in the point fund.

   The Day also showed a 100 lap 4cyl race with over 30 entrants. Bill Verwys Jr was the winner of the guaranteed $500 prize.

    There are many plans on the table for Billy Bartleys' tour series in 2004 and will be announced over the winter months. For all NEETS info go to www.speedwaytech.net or you can e-mail Billy at billyb@speedwaytech.net.

Sources:  NEETS PR
Posted:  October 16, 2003