Planck scores third win of year at Fulton

FULTON, NY - Dale Planck returned to victory lane in the DIRT 358 Modified feature event Saturday night at Fulton Speedway on Pick N Pull Auto Parts Night. Greg Doust was a first time winner in the Sportsman, Jerry Holmes made a last lap move to win his second Pro Stock feature in a row, and Lou Levea came out of a wild final lap the victor in the Pure Stocks.

The 35-lap DIRT Modified feature event started with Roy Shields grabbing the early lead. Ryan Baye moved into the second position and challenged for the lead until lap 5, when John Barker stopped in turn one. On the restart, Shields spun going into turn one, sending everyone scrambling. When things settled down, Jason Barney had taken the lead after a battle with Jeff Rudalavage.

Jimmy Phelps and Dale Planck were moving up from their spots in mid pack to fight for the lead, with Planck making his move into the lead on lap 11. Steve Hulszier moved into second two laps later and chased Planck for several laps, closing in and nearly passing him a few laps later. Further back, Mitch Gibbs was locked in battle with Todd Burley and Alan Johnson, who qualified through the consolation race. Rudalavage also joined in this battle while holding his spot in the top five.

A restart on lap 25 gave Hulszier a chance to close up on Planck, and as the green flag flew, Hulsizer made a strong attempt to get by, but Planck was up to the challenge and held him off. In the final laps, Planck pulled away to record his third win of 1999 with Hulsizer in the runner-up spot. Jason Barney held third, followed by Alan Johnson and Jimmy Phelps. 358 Modified heats were won by Planck, Hulsizer, and Tommy Sears, with Rick Miller winning the consi.

The 20-lap Sportsman feature was led by Jeremy Pitcher in the early going with Russ Hefti right behind him. Further back, Howie Albrecht was moving up solidly. Through some early race restarts, Albrecht was able to pick up several spots and moved into the lead on lap 8.

Greg Doust moved into the second spot and was some distance behind the leader, but began to steadily close in on Albrecht. Albrecht seemed to have the measure of Doust, but with two laps to go, Albrecht slowed on the backstretch with a flat tire, handing the lead to Doust. In the one lap dash to the checkers, Doust held off Bill Shantel and recorded his first 1999 win at Fulton. Timmy Sears was third, followed by John McArdell and Willy Decker. Sportsman heats were won by Doust, Pitcher, and Mark Yorker, with the consi going to Dan Vail.

The 20-lap Pro Stock feature literally started off with a bang on lap 1 as a multi car pileup took out four cars. When the green flew again, Ray Maloney moved into the lead past Gerry Newman and began to pull away. A wild battle for second ensued as Jerry Holmes and John Cooper fought for position. Rick Breed, Bill Shantel Jr., and Mike Watkins were all battling some distance behind.

It looked like Maloney had the race in hand until his car faltered with two laps to go. On the restart, Holmes and Cooper ran side by side with Holmes just getting the advantage and holding it to the finish. Breed, Newman, and a late charging John Pietrowicz rounded out the top five. Pro Stock heats were won by Pat Hobbs and Newman.

The 15-lap Pure Stock feature started with Dan Butterfield leading lap one, losing the top spot to Lou Levea on the next trip around. Dave Mannise charged into second behind Levea and then took the lead two laps later. As that duo battled for the top spot, Ken Wentworth worked his way into third and settled in behind the leaders.

Mannise and Levea had a strong race for the lead that was interrupted on lap 13 by the yellow flag. On the restart, Mannise held off Levea until turn two of the final lap, when Mannise got sideways in turn two. Levea made contact with the sideways Mannise car after he spun, which sent the pack scrambling. Levea emerged with the lead as Mannise continued, having lost a few spots. Levea held on till the checkered flag followed by Wentworth, with Chad Ray, Mannise, and Kevin Raymond rounding out the top five. Pure Stock heats were won by Mannise and Levea.

This Saturday night, Bonanza Bus Races join the regular show of DIRT 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks. Gates open at 5pm with racing starting at 7pm.

RESULTS June 12, 1999

DIRT 358 MODIFIED Feature: Dale Planck, Steve Hulsizer, Jason Barney, Alan Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, Jeff Rudalavage, Todd Burley, Mitch Gibbs, Tom Kinsella, Gus Schmidt, Doug Fuller, Dave House, Tim Burnett, Pete Taylor, Roy Shields, Rick Miller, Jeff Kotary, Tommy Sears, J.J. Michaels, Roger Phelps, Ty Hunt, Ted Lamb, Ryan Baye, John Barker.

SPORTSMAN Feature: Greg Doust, Bill Shantel, Timmy Sears, John McArdell, Willy Decker, Clayton Brewer, Tony Buffa, Jim LaRock, Mark Yorker, Dan Vail, Mike Lavarnway, Mark Tily, Howie Albrecht, Jeremy Pitcher, Chad Phelps, Russ Hefti, Ron Richardson, Ron Davis, Tim Mayne, John Cunningham, Tim Johnson, Rich Keller, Jim Bowman.

PRO STOCK Feature: Jerry Holmes, John Cooper, Rick Breed, Gerry Newman, John Pietrowicz, J.B. Dockstader, Bill Shantel Jr., Mike Watkins, Herm Flowers, Dave Moyer, Ray Maloney, Bruce Hovis, Bret Belden, T.J. Fitzgibbons, Pat Hobbs, Jason Rood, Paul Stoneburg, Joe Jackson.

PURE STOCK Feature: Lou Levea, Ken Wentworth, Chad Ray, Dave Mannise, Kevin Raymond, Dan Hatch, Tom Loving, Darren Kelso, Phil Trim, Bruce Stanton, Dan Butterfield, Ron DeGroff, Joe Buske.