
Welcome to The Official 2011 Paules Motorsports Website!

H&S Enterprises

2011 NEWS

Paules Finishes 11^th in Mahoning Valley Finale

(LEHIGHTON, PA 11-13-11) A day after their wedding, Earl and Danielle Paules headed to Mahoning Valley Speedway with the intent to win. Although things didn’t fall into place for the race victory, Paules finished in the eleventh spot out of 32 cars that were also vying for victory.

It took nearly two months since twice being rescheduled but the curtain finally came down on the 2011 season at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway and judging but the filled grandstands and pit area it was well worth the wait.

Bobby Jones of Palmerton picked up the win in the star-studded 100-lap Modified feature along with $3000 while newly crowned track champion Tyler Haydt from Kunkletown annexed a second title by winning the Modified Poker Series.

Jones, the 2011 Mountain Speedway champion, started twelfth in a field of 27 and needed until lap 79 before taking the lead from John Markovic. He then had to fend off the relentless pursuit of Don Wagner in picking up the popular verdict.

“I can’t believe this. I didn’t think we were close enough to being as fast as some of these guys today,” said Jones who was making only his second Mahoning start of the year.

“Not being here with this car all year I really felt I was in trouble. We qualified tenth and I thought that was great for us. We decided to make an adjustment before the feature and it was the right choice, we got lucky.”

A season high 32 Modifieds came out to do battle with Wagner setting fast time in time trials with a best lap of 9.851at 91.361 mph. A redraw of the top-12 saw prerace favorite Matt Hirschman snag the pole with Kevin Rex, Jr., alongside.

At the outset Hirschman took quick control of the race while a bevy of two-wide action unfolded behind him. Tommy Flanagan held down second with Markovic third.

Markovic looked very strong as he seized second by lap 13 and then zeroed in on Hirschman. He was all over the leader, finally moving to the helm at lap 29. Leading for the first time this season, the multi-time Mahoning champ was sailing ahead with the look of confidence as he kept all on comers at bay.

By the halfway mark it was still in the hands of Markovic while second spot was hotly waged between the likes of Hirschman, Jones, Wagner, Haydt and Earl Paules.

Over the next 25 caution free laps Markovic ran a blistering pace. Jones took sole control of the runner-up spot and stuck closely to the leader’s rear bumper.

A lap 78 caution put the front pair side-by-side for the restart, however, Markovic wasn’t able to ignite the same fire as he used up his tires from the previous stretch run. Jones was still in good shape and overpowered him to become the new race leader.

“He (Markovic) was tough and tried hard and I knew he wanted it bad but I also knew I was just as good as he was. I had to get a run on him on that restart or else the outcome may have been a bit different,” said Jones.

Markovic held on for another ten laps but then gave way to Wagner.

“There is no better person to lose to then Bobby Jones. He’s a great competitor. We had fun and it just wasn’t my night. I was too good to early. I needed just a little bit more race track,” said Markovic.

Over the final 10 circuits Wagner did all he could to pass Jones but to no avail.

“Bobby Jones is a good runner here and congratulations to him and his team. It was good clean racing and that’s the way it is here. It was a good cap to a good season,” said Wagner.

“I did feel someone behind me toward the end I knew I just couldn’t relax. I knew early on that he (Wagner) was quick on the outside because he had gone past me earlier and made it look easy,” added Jones.

“Winning the championship at Mountain this year and then to just come down here and enjoy ourselves and be around all these people that I missed all year and race with these guys who are all a bunch of good guys who always race hard and then to do as well as I did tonight and win it’s just awesome.”

This was the 13^th career Modified win at Mahoning for Jones, his last two coming in 100-lappers.

Haydt was third and put together the winning poker hand over the special five race series with three Kings. He collected the $2500 top prize over Hirschman who had three Queens and Paules who ended with pair of Aces and Kings. Mike Carroll, Jr., earned the $1000 bonus for having to worst poker hand.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1. Bobby Jones , 2. Don Wagner, 3. Tyler Haydt, 4. John Markovic, 5. Chip Santee, 6. Eric Beers, 7. Lonnie Behler, 8. Brian Romig, 9. Matt Hirschman, 10. Billy Weichert, 11. Earl Paules, 12. Kevin Rex, Jr., 13. Mike Carroll, 14. Andy Szapacs, 15. Matt Higgins, 16. Tom Flanagan, 17. Chip Wanamaker, 18. Todd Baer, 19. John Bennett, 20. Terry Markovic, 21. Matt Wentz, 22. Roger Hefflefinger, Jr., 23. Joe Mooney, 24. Frankie Althouse, 25. Brian DeFebo, 26. Rick Reichenbach, 27. Brandon Ultra Did not qualify: Keith Mullineaux, Shawn Sitarchyk, Nick Shaw, Rick Kirkendall, John Udes

Paules Settles for Second in “King of the Mountain” at Mountain Speedway

(10/9/2011)- In conjunction with Day two of the 12^th annual “King of the Mountain” (KoTM) event at Mountain Speedway, a slew of race cars and fans headed to the track on Sunday to not only see who will claim the $5,000 Modified prize, but also to see who the 2011 track champions would be in the final points event of the season. When it was all said and done, Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA rebounded from a spin earlier to claim the big money and his first KoTM victory since 2001

With 34 Modifieds in the pit area, qualifying was important to the drivers, as the top 15 fastest time trailers were assured a spot in the big 150-lap show. Matt Hirschman timed fastest with what is believed to be a new track record at a time of 13.188 seconds. The top ten drivers redrew for starting spots, which put Chuck Hossfeld on the pole position.

Hossfeld led the 29-car starting field to the drop of the green flag and led the opening circuit over Todd Baer, Earl Paules, Roger Coss and Justin Gumley. However, only one lap later, Baer took the top spot and Paules followed through to take second.

Content to run to the finish, Paules didn’t put much pressure on the leader early on, but he did take the lead on a lap 22 restart following the first yellow flag. Hossfeld also got by Baer on the restart and grabbed second.

With Paules still in command, the red flag waved on lap 30 when Travis Fisher and Brad Van Houten tangled in turn four following a restart. Several drivers pitted under the lap 30 caution periods, including Rusty Smith, Matt Higgins, Eddie Brunnhoelzl III and Kyle Ebersole.

Green flag racing resumed and with 40 laps complete, Paules led over Hossfeld, Matt Hirschman, Zane Zeiner and Nick Pecko. However, the yellow flag waved six laps later when the leaders were racing in lapped traffic. A lapped car slid up the track and slowed up Hirschman, which caused many of the other front-runners to instantly check up, including Zeiner, John Fortin and Brian DeFebo. Hirschman was the only one of the three that was able to continue.

With the green back out and Paules in command, the yellow struck once again, this time on lap 66 when Tommy Wanick III got into Hirschman and took him around in turn four. Despite the spin, Hirschman didn’t pit for tires.

Paules continued out front following the restart, but a quick yellow slowed the action once again on lap 72. With a great restart, Hossfeld took the race lead. Paules dropped to second and was hounded by Pecko, followed by Ebersole and Gumley.

It appeared that Hossfeld had the car to beat, but that all changed following a lap 91 yellow, which involved a spin by John Markovic. Several of the front-runners pitted for tires, including Hossfeld, Paules, Pecko and Gumley. Hossfeld got back on track first, but only to find his right rear wheel chasing him down the backstretch. Hossfeld did head back to the pits and retuned to the speedway.

The pit stops moved Barry Callavini to the point for the restart and he led a lap before Bobby Jones on lap 92 overtook him. Jones then led two circuits before Paules overtook him. With 50 laps remaining, Paules was out front, with Pecko, Hirschman and Darren Scherer in tow. During the same lap and while racing three-wide for the fifth spot, Coss, Gumley and Callavini took things three-wide. The end result was a very tore up racecar for Coss, who found himself in the turn four fence.

Green flag racing resumed and it became apparent that Hirschman was on a mission. He overtook the strong running Pecko for second on lap 112 and then slipped underneath Paules for the race lead in turns three and four 16 laps later.

Despite three yellow flags after taking the lead, Hirschman remained out front and could not be denied his second career KoTM victory. Paules was forced to settle for second, followed by Jones, who won raced his way in through the consi and also clinched the Modified title two weeks prior. Pecko and Gumley completed the top five.

Hirschman reminisced in victory lane about what he called his best career victory, his KoTM victory in 2001.

“This win is huge and that first King of the Mountain victory in John Markovic’s back up car in 2001 is what first got me noticed and helped me land a lot of good rides since then”, noted Hirschman.

Modified (150-laps) 1. MATT HIRSCHMAN 2. Earl Paules 3. Bobby Jones 4. Nick Pecko 5. Justin Gumley 6. Todd Baer 7. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 8. Allen Creveling 9. Barry Callavini 10. Andy Walko 11. Chuck Hossfeld 12. John Markovic 13. Daren Scherer 14. Rob McCormick 15. Jason Hearne 16. Roger Coss 17.Kyle Ebersole 18. Travis Fisher 19. Tommy Wanick III 20. Jim Storace 21. Matt Higgins 22.Zane Zeiner 23. John Fortin 24. Brian DeFebo 25. Brandon Oltra 26. Rusty Smith 27. Brad Van Houten 28. Ken Vogel, Jr. DNS: Shaun Carrig DNQ: Brian Sones, Terry Markovic, Dean Gulick, Randy Richard, Joe Mooney

Paules Gets Wrecked in Heat and Salvages 6^th Place Finish at Mountain

(9/25, 2011)- After being rescheduled several times since July, Autograph and Camera Day took place for the “A Program” Sunday at Mountain Speedway. Fans received treats and autographs from many of the tracks stars before they had the opportunity so see some great asphalt racing action, which included victories by Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, who claimed top honors in the Modified division.

Lenny Fischer led the Modified field to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap feature. He led the opening circuit over Nick Pecko, Eddie Brunnhoelzl III and Allen Creveling.

Matt Hirschman started eighth and moved into the fourth spot when he got by Creveling on the second lap. One lap later, Pecko made a pass for the lead on Fischer stick and he took command of the event.

The first yellow flag waved when Barry Callavini, Matt Wentz, Kyle Ebersole and Creveling tangled in turn four. From the second spot, Hirschman lined up alongside Pecko for the restart. One lap later he climbed to the lead.

The yellow waved again, this time on lap six, when Fisher made contact with Todd Baer. Several others had contact in the incident, including Earl Paules and Roger Coss.

Green flag racing resumed and only eight laps in, Ebersole attempted to get underneath Pecko in turns three and four. Ebersole’s left front tire caught the apron of the track, which shot him up into Pecko.

By this point in the event, Bobby Jones, who appeared to be driving a rocket, held the second spot behind Hirschman. Brunnhoelzl retained third, followed by Ken Vogel, Jr. and 20^th place starter, Brad Van Houten.

With the green still flag back in the air, Dave Brigati cracked the top five on lap 22 and then lost the position to Baer three laps later.

Despite many challenges for the lead, Jones was forced to settle for second, as Hirschman claimed his first win at the speedway in his first start of the season. Vogel finished third, followed by Baer and Brunnhoelzl.

Dave Brigati, Bobby Jones and Matt Hirschman were heat race winners. Earl Paules won the consi.

Modified (40-laps) 1. MATT HIRSCHMAN 2. Bobby Jones 3. Ken Vogel Jr 4. Todd Baer 5. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 6. Earl Paules 7. David Brigati 8. Nick Pecko 9. Lenny Fischer 10. Brad Van Houten 11. Allen Creveling 12. Tommy Wanick III 13. Jarred Nace 14. Pat Verwys 15. Kyle Ebersole 16. Joe Mooney 17.Barry Callavini 18. Roger Cross 19. Matt Wentz 20. Tom Casagrande DNS: Brian DeFebo

Paules Settles for Top 10 Finish at Mahoning

(LEHIGHTON, PA 9-17-11) In a matter of minutes Tommy Flanagan of Bethlehem blistered his way around the Mahoning Valley Speedway and dominated his way to victory in a nonstop 35-lap Modified feature.

Starting second in a field of 20, Flanagan went right to the front at the waving of Dick Brown’s race commencing green and thus began the fast and furious trek. Pole sitter Kevin Rex, Jr., tucked into second with Terry Markovic holding down third.

In a time of 5:53 Flanagan cruised to a solid 1.624-second margin of victory or nearly 10 car lengths.

“I couldn’t ask for a better car. I think anyone could have drove it was that good. It was like a Sunday drive,” said Flanagan a winner for the first time this season.

With no cautions it was a race of strength and no one had more power on this night then Flanagan.

“You always pray for these green to checker races, that way when you lead you don’t have to worry about no restarts,” noted Flanagan.

Restart or not in this case it may not have mattered as Flanagan was in his own league.

For Rex, he too had a domineering run. Although he could not keep pace with Flanagan, he still drove strong enough to keep a safe distance in front of everyone else and earned his career best finish in a Modified.

“The car was just slightly loose at the start but as the run went on it got much better. This was a blast to be able to race the way we did tonight. Tommy (Flanagan) was fast and he had us covered,” said Rex.

John Bennett was making headway near the end as he came from 10^th to third with point leader Tyler Haydt fourth and Markovic notching a season best fifth.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. Tommy Flanagan, 2. Kevin Rex, Jr., 3. John Bennett, 4. Tyler Haydt, 5. Terry Markovic, 6. Lonnie Behler, 7. John Markovic, 8. Chip Santee, 9. Earl Paules, 10. Joe Mooney, 11. Ed Brunnhoelzl, 12. Don Wagner, 13. Frankie Althouse, 14. Brian DeFebo, 15. Brian Romig, 16. Mike Carroll, 17. Rob Shultz, 18. Matt Higgins, 19. Matt Wentz, 20. Keith Mullineaux

Did not qualify: Ron Missmer

Paules Earns Runner up Mahoning Finish

(LEHIGHTON, PA 9-10-11) Tyler Haydt took the lead away from a very impressive running Frankie Althouse just past the midway point and went on to score his fourth Mahoning Valley Speedway Modified win of the season. Earl Paules was second but had nothing for Haydt while Althouse held on for his best finish to date. In scoring the win the Kunkletown driver also padded his point lead with just three races remaining and has his eyes a possible track championship.

For Haydt and everyone else, the night started out in question. Despite perfect racing weather, earlier in the day things were somewhat doubtful about running. Due to the recent flooding from Hurricane Lee, the track just two days before was water stricken.

However, thanks to the untiring effort by promoters Doug and Gena Hoffman and the unselfish help from a multitude of racers and team members, everyone was determined to get the track surface in race ready condition. In the end the laboring paid off after plenty of water pumping and track sweeping. A drivers meeting confirmed that the track was deemed safe enough to compete on and thus the show went on. There were cones set up inside of turns three and four where some remnants of water were still evident.

“You know, I don’t mind it, it was the same for everybody. It’s one of those things where you get guys like Earl (Paules) and guys who will really hang it out. There are guys who will tip-toe around too but you can really go fast if you want to,” said Haydt.

“It is what it is and they made the best of what they had to work with and we raced on it and it seems that everyone’s happy and not much to complain about and we got another week in.”;

Rookies Althouse and Kevin Rex, Jr., shared the front row with Rex motoring his way to the opening lap lead. On the next go-around Althouse, running inside of Rex, powered his way to the front. It would be his first time leading in a Modified and was doing so with assertion.

Rex ran second until a lap 10 restart which is when fifth starting Haydt overtook him. He was then glued to Althouse’s rear bumper and although he would try several times to make a pass, Althouse stood his ground, each time showing the determination of a driver hunger for a win.

On lap 18 the race was slowed due to debris and it would become the turning point as well. When the action resumed Haydt knew that would be his best shot at going for the lead and indeed he seized the opportunity and was able to make his way by.

Fourteenth starting Earl Paules had been in tow with Haydt and followed suit while Althouse slipped to third. The trio would run in that order the rest of the way.

“I figured the only way I had a shot was on a restart where I could try and beat him to the line,” said Haydt, who now has 31 overall wins at Mahoning.

“I ran behind him for about 10-12 laps, feeling him (Althouse) out and looking for a hole. He would have really had to have made a mistake for me to just drive by and get him. I certainly wasn’t going to just drive up on the top and drive around him. I wasn’t good enough even if the track would have been perfect to do that.”

Tommy Flanagan and Chip Santee completed the top five. As for Paules it was his ninth top five finish in ten starts as nearly each time he has raced this year he has been a contender for the win.

“He (Haydt) was better than I was tonight. I made a couple changes on my car to tighten it up and we got up to second which wasn’t bad,” said Paules.

“I’m glad Doug (Hoffman) got this show in. It was the same track for everybody. The track conditions made it more even for everyone.”;

Both Haydt and Paules noted about the fine run turned in by Althouse.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. Tyler Haydt, 2. Earl Paules, 3. Frankie Althouse, 4. Tom Flanagan, 5. Chip Santee, 6. John Markovic, 7. Brian Romig, 8. Terry Markovic, 9. Kevin Rex, Jr., 10. Rick Reichenbach, 11. Matt Higgins, 12. Rob Shultz, 13. Andy Szapacs, 14. Lonnie Behler 15. Don Wagner, 16. Todd Baer

Earl Paules Continues Mahoning Dominance

(LEHIGHTON, PA 8-20-11) Two of the best Tour-Type Modified drivers in the region waged a high-speed game of "can you top this?" Saturday night at Mahoning Valley Speedway. And when the checkered flag waved over the 100-lap feature, Earl Paules, Jr. took home the $3,000 first-place prize.

Paules, of Palmerton, Pa., spent most of the race battling back and forth with Dover, N.J., ace Don Wagner. The two swapped the lead eight times in a spellbinding battle before Paules pulled ahead for good on a lap 91 restart. The win, worth $3,000, was Paules' fourth at Mahoning this year and his second in the Poker Series. He now has two Aces (wins) and two Kings (seconds) in his quest for the series title.

"That's respectful driving," Paules said afterward. "You got to have that respect and Don (Wagner) has that. I'd lead for a while and he'd drive by me on the outside. I'd let him go because he was better than me. He seemed better than me the whole race, so the only time I could get him was on restarts."

The 100-lapper began with pole starter Matt Wentz zooming into the lead. On lap three, third-starting Wagner moved past Wentz to take the top spot. Meanwhile, Paules, who had set fast time at 9.827 seconds (91.584 mph) earlier in the night, moved to third behind Wagner and Lonnie Behler after starting from seventh. The top 12 drivers from time trials redrew for feature spots.

The first 21 laps ran caution-free until Wentz and John Bennett tangled in turn two, with Bennett hitting the wall. Under the caution, Behler pulled to the pits, giving Paules second and setting up the battle that dominated the rest of the event.

Paules moved by Wagner on the lap-21 restart, then Wagner passed him back on lap 25. And so it went for the next 65 laps, Paules and Wagner running side-by-side and exchanging the lead. Making their battle even more exciting was the fact that track points leader Tyler Haydt and Poker Series standout Matt Hirschman ran side-by-side inches behind Paules and Wagner for most of the distance.

The race's deciding moment came on lap 91 when a spin by Mike Carroll Jr. brought out the final caution flag. Paules outgunned Wagner on the double-file restart and stayed in front to the end. Haydt got by Wagner for second, with Hirschman and Brian DeFebo completing the front five.

"During a red flag (on lap 43), I was yelling to Wagner that he was too fast, and if we ran side-by-side nobody could pass us," Paules said. "Then before that last caution I saw him wiggle a little there going into turn three, and it made me wonder if he was losing his tires a little bit."

Said Wagner: "Earl is the best. We gave each other plenty of room and he was pushing harder at the end. I'm sure it was a good show." Wagner is a one-time 2011 Poker Series race winner.

Runner-up Haydt had the best seat in the house for most of the Paules-Wagner tussle. "I'll tell you what, it was neat watching those guys," he said. "They kept it clean. It was good racing."

The second-place finish gives Haydt three Kings in the Poker Series championship chase with two series races left (a "Wild Card" 35-lapper this Saturday and a 100-lapper on Oct. 1). Haydt's run also helped him extend his track points lead over Bennett, who finished 23rd and last after the lap 21 wreck.

With his fourth place tally Hirschman now has the best poker hand with four Queens.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1. Earl Paules, 2. Tyler Haydt, 3. Don Wagner, 4. Matt Hirschman, 5. Brian DeFebo, 6. John Markovic, 7. Rob Shultz 8. Brian Romig 9. Chip Santee, 10. Mike Carroll, 11. Bobby Jones, 12. Kevin Rex, Jr., 13. Andy Szapacs, 14. Matt Higgins, 15. Terry Markovic, 16. Anthony Sesely, 17. Matt Wentz, 18. Tom Flanagan, 19. Todd Baer, 20. Troy Bollinger, 21. Frankie Althouse, 22. Lonnie Behler, 23. John Bennett

Paules Notched Third Mahoning Victory Last Saturday!

(7-30-11) Earl “The Hurricane” Paules stormed from 10^th spot en route to his third Modified win of the season at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Paules had worked to second after a lap-14 restart and then faced off against a very much improved Brian Romig.

Paules was persistently trying to clear Romig from the high side but it was evident that the lead car was just to solid in that lane to make it happen. After coming to terms that it was just too tough to make an outside pass Paules rethought his strategy and made a slingshot move underneath Romig with eight laps to go. He stayed steady the rest of the way for the win.

“He (Romig) was a tough racer tonight. I was trying to get around him on the outside but the car was getting really tight so the only move I really had was to go back underneath him. It was good clean hard racing,” said Paules.

“Two weeks ago I felt as though I should have won here but I wrecked myself and that was my own fault so tonight I said that I just want to come back here and finish the race and get back on the winning track again. This feels great. This is my home here and I love this place.”;

Since 2002 when Romig was point’s runner-up to Chip Santee, he had been only a part-time racer and not often seen running against the front pack. As of late, however, Romig has turned s few heads. This was the second straight feature that he led laps and made Paules labor hard to gain the top spot.

“I’m a little worn out but otherwise feel great. It was awesome and I know this could have been our win. It was great to race against Earl but I want that spot where he’s parked right now. I’ve been runner up plenty of times before and I want to be there where Earl’s is, Victory Lane at Mahoning Valley,” said Romig who notched his best feature finish in over a decade.

John Markovic went by Don Wagner with four laps to go and took third while Joe Mooney completed the top five.

“Brian did one heck of a job for being a part-time racer. This is one tight little wicked place to race at and he ran a fantastic race,” said the Markovic, a multi time track champion.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. Earl Paules, 2. Brian Romig, 3. John Markovic, 4. Don Wagner, 5. Joe Mooney, 6. Chip Santee, 7. Lonnie Behler, 8. Tommy Flanagan, 9. Matt Wentz, 10. Frankie Althouse, 11. Kevin Rex, Jr., 12. John Bennett 13. Rob Shultz, 14. Terry Markovic, 15. Keith Mullineaux, 16. Matt Higgins, 17. Tyler Haydt, 18. Mike Carrol, 19. Matt Clemens, 20. Gary Wentz

Did not qualify: Jon Kumernitsky

Great Run Goes Sour When Car Breaks for Paules at Mahoning

(7-16-11) When John Bennett brings his A-game to the track he is nearly impossible to beat. That game plan has been a good one too as he yet again added another victory to his extraordinary list of accomplishments at Mahoning Valley Speedway.

Starting seventh, Bennett, who hails from Lehighton, roared past early leader Brain Romig on lap five and then stayed in front the rest of the way for his second Modified win of the season.

The three-time and defending class champion was the first driver at Mahoning to reach 40 career wins then 50 and with Saturday’s verdict it pushed him closer to 60 with the 57^th time parking in Victory Lane, 27 of those in a Modified.

“It’s all about the work in the garage during the week and here’s where it all pays off,” said Bennett.

When Bennett took the lead he pulled out to a nearly half track lead until a caution at lap 18 gave the rest of the pack a chance to see his rear bumper.

“I was just trying to keep a nice steady pace that I can maintain the whole race and that’s kind of what I did. I wasn’t sure what everyone else was doing behind me.

What they were doing was running in a very tight bunch. Romig, Chip Santee, point leader Tyler Haydt, Don Wagner and Rob Shultz raced in amazingly close formation.

Haydt had lined up next to Bennett on the lap-18 restart but instead of him going after the leader it was Wagner who stepped up to challenge. However, Bennett was the mark of perfection with each passing lap and not to be denied.

“These are some of the best guys to run against. You run them clean and they run you clean and it’s just good racing,” said Bennett.

Wagner was runner-up for the second straight week with Lonnie Behler third, Kevin Rex, Jr., getting a Modified career best fourth and Haydt fifth.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1. John Bennett, 2. Don Wagner, 3. Lonnie Behler, 4. Kevin Rex, Jr., 5. Tyler Haydt, 6. Rick Reichenbach, 7. Terry Markovic, 8. Joe Mooney, 9. Frankie Althouse, 10. Chip Santee, 11. Brian Romig, 12. John Markovic, 13. Tom Flanagan, 14. Matt Higgins, 15. Stacey Brown, 16. Rob Shultz, 17. Earl Paules, 18. Andy Szapacs

Paules Scores Top 10 in RoC Tune-Up

(July 9, 2011)- For the first time in fourteen months, the Race of Champions Modifieds competed at the half mile high banked concrete oval, Shangri-La II Motorspeedway in Tioga Center, NY last Saturday night. The race was the fourth RoC race scheduled at the ASA member facility during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, but the last two scheduled events have been lost to rain. The RoC Modifieds and Speed STR's joined the RoC Modifieds, ASA Latemodels, Sportsman and Street Stocks in a full night of racing activity. The competitors showcased their talents before the largest grandstand crowd of the season on a beautiful and comfortable summer night. The on track action began following the singing of the national anthem by 7 year old Baylee Morrison. Baylee is a student at the Hochstein School of Music and is a National American Miss state finalist. Her parents are avid RoC Tour and NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour fans, and the family made their first trip to Shangri-La II.
There were 29 RoC Modifieds on hand, competing in three heat races. All of the divisions made it through the heat races with little to no problems. 12 Modified drivers took part in the re-draw with heat race winners Jimmy Zacharias, Chuck Hossfeld and Chris Whitenight drawing starting positions 6, 10 and 9 respectively. It took until the ninth driver to re-draw to pull a top 4 starting spot. Oxford, NY's Rusty Smith was that ninth driver, and he drew the Pole. The final driver to draw, Kyle Ebersole, started on the outside of the front row.

The 26 car Modified feature began under Gary Folk, Jr's green flag. Ebersole quickly captured the front spot by passing polesitter Smith in turn two of the first lap. The first of nine cautions flew on lap 17 after Chris Whitenight and Doug Reaume got together in turn 4. The field remained under the green flag until the second caution flag appeared on lap 41. Five more cautions slowed the racing through lap 62. Hirschman followed Ebersole for 30 laps, but had a run on lap 72 and took the lead when Ebersole slipped coming off turn four. One final caution on lap 97 set up a tremendous restart with Ebersole right on Hirschman's rear bumper. Hirschman held off Ebersole on for his second Tour win of the season, and his first ever win at Shangri-La II. Ebersole's second place finish was also his best finish at Shangri-La II. Ebersole finished fifth in the May 2010 RoC event and third during a regular feature on August 5th, 2010.

Erik Rudolph started in the fifteenth position, and used patience in working his way toward the front. The Ransomville, NY driver passed cars on the inside and on the outside, but could not take advantage of the late race restart to make a bid for the win and took the checkers in third. Rudolph finished fifth in the May, 2010 event. Rusty Smith tried to have everyone think he was disappointed when he drew the Pole starting position, but Smith had a good run, remaining in the top 5 all race long, finishing fourth. Jan Leaty improved three spots from where he started to finish in fifth place. Daren Scherer captured the Hard Charger Award, passing 14 cars from his twentieth starting spot to finish sixth.

Earl Paules and Chuck Hossfeld pitted for a right rear tire change on lap 62, and quickly began working toward the front of the pack. Paules finished eighth. Hossfeld was involved in the final caution on lap 97, and wound up finishing fourteenth.

(100-laps) 1. 60 Matt Hirschman 2. 5 Kyle Ebersole 3. 98 Erick Rudolph 4. 34 Rusty Smith 5. 6 Jan Leaty 6. 3 Daren Scherer 7. 47 Jim Storace 8. 8 Earl Paules 9. 69 Tommy Cloce 10. 53 Brian DeFebo 11. 95M John Markovic 12. 14 Doug Reaume 13. 55 Steven Reed 14. 22 Chuck Hossfeld 15. 7 Eric Kocher 16. 88 Billy Putney 17. 2 Patrick Emerling 18. 25R John Ramsey 19. 17C Chris Whitenight 20. 26 Scott Conover 21. 25 Mike Leaty 22. 27 Andy Walko 23. 51 Wilbur Hebing 24. 07 T-J Zacharias 25. 71 Jimmy Zacharias 26. 44 Rick Kluth DNQ : 17 Ken Canestrari 1 Chris Risdale 56 Rick Coyle

Another “Almost” Victory For Paules at MVS

(7-2-11) The record will show that Kunkletown’s Tyler Haydt led all 100 laps in Hand 3 of the Modified 100 Poker Series event Saturday night at Mahoning Valley Speedway but yet it was a race decided by inches. Just like Hand 2 from two weeks ago, the outcome came down to the last lap, last turn which again included Earl Paules and Matt Hirschman.

Haydt was steadily holding off Hirschman and with the laps dwindling down a caution waved with six to go. Many felt this was a last chance for Hirschman to make his move especially with a two abreast restart.

Indeed there was a move but it instead came from Paules. With two laps to go he was running topside over Hirschman and brought the crowd to their feet as he sailed past and went after Haydt on the final circuit. Both ran virtually dead even as they headed to the checkers.

Haydt made it across first but just barely as he edged Paules by a scant .019-second margin of victory.

“It really feels good to get one of these (100-lapper). We had a good car in a couple of these races and if a couple of things would have went right we would have won one or two already,” said 26-year Haydt.

Prior to the race during the redraw Haydt, who picked second starting spot, noted how he would love to get a 100-lap Mahoning win. He had had numerous chances in the past but always fell short when it counted most.

This time around he made it his race to lose as he showed all race long. He out-jumped Rob Shultz at the initial start and right away let everyone else run for positions behind him.

Although not a dominating run, Haydt did have enough power to keep a safe enough distance on second place which was held between Shultz, Paules, Zeiner and Hirschman. Then came that final restart which led to the exciting shootout to the finish.

“I ran too hard in the beginning and that hurt the tires. I had to lean on Earl (Paules) coming off of (turn) four on that last lap. Another two laps and he would have been going by me because I was done. I was holding on for dear life,” noted Haydt who won $3000 and also moved back on top of the weekly point standings after incoming leader John Bennett dropped out on lap 31 and finished 16^th.

In the last two 100-lap races Paules has lost by a combined total of .412-seconds.

“Tyler ran me clean there at the end and he did what he had to do. He got into my skid rail a little bit but we all came out of here clean. We needed just one more lap,” said Paules.

With his third place tally Hirschman takes control of the Poker Tournament with three Queens.

Don Wagner was fourth. He set fast time and ran in the top five all night while Zane Zeiner, who was making his first Mahoning start this year, completed the top five.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1. Tyler Haydt, 2. Earl Paules, 3. Matt Hirschman, 4. Don Wagner, 5. Zane Zeiner, 6. Kevin Rex, Jr., 7. Joe Mooney, 8. Terry Markovic, 9. Rob Shultz, 10. Brian Romig, 11. Mike Carroll, 12. Frankie Althouse, 13. Troy Bollinger, 14. Brian DeFebo, 15. Matt Higgins, 16. John, Bennett, 17. CJ Jones, 18. John Markovic, 19. Chip Santee

Did not qualify: Doug Bell

Paules Loses One by Inches at Mahoning Valley

(LEHIGHTON, PA 6-18-11) Mahoning Valley Speedway has become infamous for their 100 lap Modified races and Saturday night was yet another prime example as Northampton’s Matt Hirschman came from third to first in a spectacularly wild finish over Earl Paules on the final circuit in Hand 2 of the Modified 100 Poker Series in a night of racing that won’t soon be forgotten.

Even though fans had sat through 100 laps of action, the race came down to the final turn of the final lap when Anthony Sesely attempted to squeeze underneath Paules but in the process caused them both to spin.

With not much room to spare, Paules was holding his line yet Sesely still forced the issue as he turned to the very bottom of the track in an attempt at the lead. With racing room at a minimum, they made contact with both losing control. Paules went into a tailspin while Sesely slid off track.

Although moving backwards Paules was still heading towards the finish line as the race leader while at the same time third running Hirschman had taken evasive action to the very top grove. As they headed to Dick Brown’s waving checkers, Hirschman eked ahead by mere inches and it would be the only time in which he led.

John Markovic emerged home in third with John Bennett and Mike Carroll completing the top five. Sesely never recovered and wound up a disappointing 11^th.

“What a race! I was so excited once I crossed the line and we were just one adjustment from having a car that would have outright won the race. But you never give up in these. When the checkered flag is in sight you just put it to the floor and it just all worked out,” said Hirschman who pocketed $3000.

“It’s always good hard racing here. Mahoning Valley Speedway at its best with another fantastic finish.”;

Fast timer Don Wagner redrew the pole and was joined at the front by Sesely who was making his first Mahoning start of the season. Once under way Wagner was far and away the dominating force as he built substantial leads throughout the first 50 laps.

Pushing a hard pace, however, would be his pitfall as his tires went away and during a lap 54 restart Sesely was able to stay even with him and four laps later slipped into the top spot.

Over the next 10 laps Bennett and Wagner swapped second spot. Paules then took the position on lap 65 and quickly went to work on Sesely. He needed only four laps to do so as he moved inside of Sesely in turn two with 30 laps left to run.

Over that remaining span Paules and Sesely ran bumper-to-bumper until the ill-fated final go-around.

“What do you do? I’m just going to keep it under my breath. The difference between the opening when I went under him it was clean. When he went under me he ran into my skid rail and turned me sideways. That’s the difference right there,” said Paules.

For Paules it was not only a tough pill to swallow but a costly one as well. Long time sponsor John Schneider of Schneider and Sons, Inc., Scrap Medal of Allentown was again on hand and set to match the first place take which would have been worth $6000.

“In a situation like that anyone of the three of us could have been here in Victory Lane. It’s just fortunate that it worked out for us,” added Hirschman.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1. Matt Hirschman, 2. Earl Paules, 3. John Markovic, 4. John Bennett, 5. Mike Carroll, 6. Terry Markovic, 7. Kevin Rex, Jr., 8. Chip Santee, 9. Joe Mooney, 10. Don Wagner, 11. Anthony Sesely, 12. Lonnie Behler, 13. Matt Higgins, 14. Tyler Haydt, 15. CJ Jones, 16. Scott Adams, 17. Ed Heim, 18. Jason Collins

Earl Paules Runner-Up at Airborne Speedway Race of Champions Event

Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Airborne 100
Unofficial Race Finish – Saturday, June 4th

1. 22 Chuck Hossfeld Lockport, NY
2. 8 Earl Paules Palmerton, PA
3. 69 Tommy Cloce Potsdam, NY
4. 5 Kyle Ebersole Hummelstown, PA
5. 2 Patrick Emerling Orchard Park, NY
6. 07 Jimmy Zacharias Candor, NY
7. 25 Mike Leaty Williamson, NY
8. 27 Andrew Walko Flemington, NJ
9. 1 Wilbur Hebing Ontario, NY
10. 14 Doug Reaume Syracuse, NY
11. 3 Daren Scherer Binghamton, NY
12. 6 Jan Leaty Williamson, NY
13. 17 Ken Canestrari Mechanicville, NY
14. 98 Erick Rudolph Ransomville, NY
15. 1 Chris Risdale Rochester, NY
16. 26 Scott Conover Brooktondale, NY
17. 34 Rusty Smith Oxford, NY
18. 44 Rick Kluth Brockport, NY
19. 84 Greg Frutchey Oxford, NY

Paules Settles for Second at Mahoning Valley

By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 5-28-11) For the first three weeks of the 2011 season at Mahoning Valley Speedway, Kunkletown’s Tyler Haydt was within reach of the checkered flag as in each of those Modified features, finishing a close second.

Haydt is an exceptionally talented driver with an always fast car under him and those factors all came together perfectly as the 26-year shunned the bridesmaid role and wheeled his Bill Teel owned #16 to victory. In doing so he assumed the division point lead over Earl Paules, who ironically he had been runner-up to twice thus far.

Starting 9^th, Haydt took the lead from Brian DeFebo with ten laps remaining and then held off Paules and John Bennett for his sixth career Modified win and 28^th at the track.

“We’re here to win and finishing second is not what we come here for. This really feels good,” said Haydt.

Pole sitter Troy Bollinger jumped out to the early lead with DeFebo hot on his heels. By lap three DeFebo went to the inside lane and two laps later accelerated into the lead. Joe Mooney also surpassed Bollinger by lap eight and was tagged on closely with DeFebo.

DeFebo was then setting a torrid pace as the race’s first 20 laps went caution free. By lap 15 Haydt had advanced to third.

On lap 20 the fast action was slowed when Bollinger and Stacey Brown came together on the front straight. When the race resumed Haydt was quick to overhaul Mooney likewise so did Paules and previous week winner Don Wagner.

Now honing in on DeFebo, Haydt kept looking underneath as the leader who was beginning to fight with his mount due to tightening.

By lap 24 the door came open for Haydt coming off turn two when DeFebo could not keep low enough to protect his line. Paules, as well as John Bennett and Wagner, also took advantage and lined up behind the new leader.

“It’s not often when you can run 20 laps straight through like that and don’t get a caution and sometimes it works out for you and sometimes not but everything went good tonight,” said Haydt.

“Brian (DeFebo) was fast but he was getting a little bit tight the longer we ran and I just was trying to wait it out until I could get a clean opening.”

For the remaining laps Haydt led what was Mahoning’s version of a Race of Champions as the top five runners represented a combined 18 championships and nearly 200 feature wins.

“This team is only getting better. It’s awesome to drive for Billy (Teel). Whatever we need he’ll get it and it’s cool to have this opportunity and it’s cool to run this good,” said Haydt.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1.Tyler Haydt 2.Earl Paules 3.John Bennett 4.Don Wagner 5.Brian DeFebo 6.Rob Shultz 7.John Markovic 8.Chip Santee 9.Terry Markovic 10.Joe Mooney 11.Matt Higgins 12.Lonnie Behler 13.Franke Althouse 14.Brian Sones 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Stacey Brown 17.Andy Szapacs 18.Doug Bell 19.Ken Sones

Earl Paules Fends Off Rusty Smith in Modified Thriller at Mountain

(May 22, 2011)- Even with a quick rain delay during the Modified main event, Earl Paules of Palmerton, PA held off Rusty Smith of Oxford, NY to claim his first win of the season at Mountain Speedway on Sunday. For the second straight time this season, Steve Shultz of Drums, PA went on to claim victory in the Street Stock division and Harry O’Neill of Mountaintop, PA scored his second career FWD victory in only his second start of the season. Kevin Nowak of Long Island, NY drove to a division leading third INEX Legends victory of the year and Bruce Carman of Shaftsbury, VT drove to the Atlantic Coast Old Timers win in his 1948 Midget racecar.

David Schneider started from the pole position and led the opening circuit of the 40-lap Modified feature over Todd Baer, CJ Jones, Allen Creveling and Rusty Smith.

Baer grabbed the race lead on the third lap and CJ Jones moved into the second spot until several yellow flags slowed the even on lap eight. The worst of the lap eight yellows came when Nick Pecko spun in turn three. Several other were involved in the incident, including Kyle Ebersole, Ken Vogel, Jr., John Markovic, Jarrod Nace, Darren Scherer and Barry Callavini. Callavini needed assistance back to the pit area and was unable to continue.

The track was cleaned up but green flag racing was delayed because of rain.

Baer encountered mechanical problems under the rain delay and was not able to rejoin the field for the restart. Green flag racing resumed with CJ Jones in command. Rusty Smith, who had moved into third prior to the restart, held second, followed by Earl Paules and Schneider.

Following a quick lap 15 yellow flag, Paules took the race lead and two circuits later Smith Disposed of CJ Jones for second. Meanwhile, Brian DeFebo and Jimmy Zacharias battled side by side for fourth.

Jones fell from the top five when he was sup on lap 25 and with Paules still in command the yellow waved six laps later with DeFebo encountered mechanical problems and slowed on the backstretch.

With the green back out, Paules held off several charges by Smith and went on to take the victory. Ebersole worked his way back to the front to finish third, followed by Bobby Jones and Zacharias.

Earl Paules and David Schneider were heat race winners.

Modified (40-laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Rusty Smith 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. Bobby Jones 5. Jimmy Zacharias 6. Matt Hirschman 7. Daren Scherer 8. John Markovic 9. Allen Creveling 10. Nick Pecko 11. CJ Jones 12. Mike Speeney 13. Ken Vogel Jr 14. Jarred Nace 15. Brian DeFebo 16. David Schneider 17.Todd Baer 18. Barry Callavini 19. Matt Clemens

Paules Finishes 5^th at Mahoning Valley

By Dino Oberto

(5-21-11) Don Wagner of Wharton, NJ has been yearning to win one of the infamous Mahoning Valley Speedway 100-lap features for years. He always seems to be in the mix at each event but the end results would always fall short of the top prize for the talented veteran.

Saturday night he finally got the job done with a sterling performance in Hand One of the Modified 100 Poker Series.

“We took an RoC race here a few years back and that was a 75-lapper and I never won anything longer so this feels great to win one of these 100-lappers especially against this feild,” said Wagner who also collected $3000 for his night’s work.

“These are such good cars here and it’s always a pleasure to come race with these guys and the fans here are some of the best, animated fans anywhere, they’re the greatest.”;

Wagner started seventh and passed Earl Paules for the lead on lap 58. Once in front he was the cream of the crop but getting there was a whole other story as an amazing array of close action had been unfolding prior to his top spot taking.

In time trials Paules ran the quickest lap at 9.876-seconds and then drew an eight for the inversion number. That put Chip Santee and Brian DeFebo on the front row and at the race commencing green it was DeFebo jumping out front first. Santee settled into second with 2010 Poker Series champ John Markovic third. Santee’s stay near the front would be short lived as he spun on lap two which than advanced Markovic and John Bennett.

On the restart DeFebo was holding down the lead while fending off Bennett and then Lonnie Behler who turned things into a torrid three car battle. Several cautions for minor incidents also kept the racing close during this period.

After one of those yellow flags on lap 25, Bennett was able to overpower DeFebo and the two-time and defending champ was now leading for the first time this season.

Paules had slithered his way to runner-up soon after Bennett took the lead and made the race a very intense duel as most times they ran side-by-side. Hot on their tails were Behler and Matt Hirschman while Wagner came onto the scene with his front five appearance on lap 33.

Just prior to midrace the top two where still running neck and neck and by running the top side Paules was able to eke into first.

His new challenger was now Behler who did his best to run alongside but could never squeeze out enough power to overtake the leader. While the front two kept busy with their dogfight their rear bumpers where occupied with Wagner and Tyler Haydt who were racing in much the same fashion.

Wagner then took advantage of a lap 55 restart to check into second. He then began to eye up Paules eventually striking two laps later with an inside pass in turn four. With Wagner now in control Behler found the path to get by for second. Haydt and Hirschman waged their own battle as well while Paules slipped back to fifth.

With a run of extended green flags laps it was clear to see that Wagner was the strongest car on track as he had steadily built a safe distance from the rest of the pack.

With five laps to go the caution was out for a final time which bunched the field and had Haydt and Hirschman behind Wagner, however, over the final circuits there was no denying him as the popular star drove to his first win of the year.

“There was a lot of good clean racing upfront. I saw some rubbing and banging and sparks but that’s why we have bumpers and that’s what makes this so exciting,” said Wagner.

“I love racing with Earl (Paules) and they don’t get any tougher than Lonnie (Behler) when it comes to getting around this place but they all ran me clean.”

For Haydt it marked his third runner-up finish in as many races held thus far and although he fell short of victory he did take the early hand lead in the Poker Series with a pair of Kings.

“That’s getting old. We’re close and it’s got to come soon,” said Haydt. “Donny (Wagner) was a really good car tonight. When we started out we were no good and had to come in early and try to work on it or else we weren’t going to be anything at the end,” said Haydt.

Hirschman’s third gives him a pair of Queens heading into the next Poker race on June 18. Mike Carroll put in a fine run to finish fourth while Paules rounded out the top five.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Don Wagner 2.Tyler Haydt 3.Matt Hirschman 4.Mike Carroll 5.Earl Paules 6.John Bennett 7.Rob Shultz 8.Terry Markovic 9.Chip Santee 10.John Markovic 11.Matt Higgins 12.Lonnie Behler 13.Brian DeFebo 14.Brian Sones 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Joe Mooney 17.Frankie Althouse 18.Doug Bell 19.Ken Sones

Paules Earns Fourth Place Modified Finish at Mountain

(5/8/2011)- On Checkered Flag Fan Club day and in a Mother’s Day classic, Brian DeFebo of Berwick took the checkered flag to post his first Modified victory at Mountain Speedway since 2008. Steve Shultz of Drums took the early Street Stock lead from Jeff McGrath and never looked back to clinch his first victory of the season and Eric Banashefski of Ashley claimed his first FWD win of the year. Kevin Nowak of Long Island notched his second INEX Legends win of the season.

Barry Callavini started from the pole and led the opening circuit of the 40-lap Modified main event over David Schneider, Allen Creveling, Jimmy Zacharias and Brian DeFebo. Following a quick yellow flag on lap six, Zacharias overtook Schneider for second.

Callavini held off Zacharias until lap 13. Zacharias maintained the lead at the mid point of the event over DeFebo, Todd Baer and Earl Paules, who had slowly crept toward the top five. Rusty Smith began to quietly make his way toward the front and sat just outside of the top five.

The caution flag flew on lap 22 when Schneider spun in turn three. Several drivers took evasive action to avoid the spun machine and some were collected, such as Ken Vogel, Jr. and Kyle Ebersole.

Green flag racing resumed and with a great restart, DeFebo took control of the event. Baer climbed to second before he lost the spot to Zacharias. Smith worked his way into third when he got by Baer on lap 29 and then He edged by Zacharias for second seven circuits later.

Smith challenged DeFebo for the lead with three laps remaining and while racing side by side in turn three, DeFebo and Smith touched wheels, which sent Smith up to the wall, bringing out the caution flag.

With the green flag back in the air, DeFebo held off Zacharias for his first victory in nearly two years at the speedway. Darren Scherer finished in the third spot, followed by Earl Paules and John Markovic.

Heat race victories went to Barry Callavini, Brian DeFebo and CJ Jones.

Modified (40-laps) 1. BRIAN DEFEBO 2. Jimmy Zacharias 3. Daren Scherer 4. Earl Paules 5. John Markovic 6. Bobby Jones 7. Nick Pecko 8. CJ Jones 9. David Schneider 10. Allen Creveling 11. Todd Baer 12. Barry Callavini 13. Rusty Smith 14. Jarred Nace 15. Terry Markovic 16. Ken Vogel Jr 17.Kyle Ebersole 18. Jim Bojonny 19. Travis Ayres 20. TJ Zacharias

Paules keep winning ways going at Mahoning Valley

By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 5-7-11) Palmerton’s Earl Paules is getting his bank account filled nicely while racing at Mahoning Valley Speedway. For the second consecutive week his sponsor, John Schneider of Schneider and Sons, Inc., Scrap Medal of Allentown matched his night’s winnings, giving “The Hurricane” another $3000 take home.

“I’m going to drive him (Schneider) to the poor house,” quipped Paules. “He’s a great guy and a big part of our race team.”;

Paules, who started third, passed Tyler Haydt for the lead on lap five. He then had to withstand the unrelenting blitz from Haydt en route to securing his 15^th career Mahoning Modified victory.

Haydt and defending champ John Bennett shared the front row with Haydt jumping out front first.

Matt Hirschman was on hand this night shaking down the Bob Horn owned #50 in preparation for the upcoming 100-lap Poker Series race in two weeks. At the end of lap one he was making a run at the leaders when he and Bennett touched and both went spinning which prompted a caution.

Paules advanced to second for the restart and when the race resumed he was hanging all over the leader.

Only one more circuit was run before the yellow waved again, this time for a multicar crash in turn three. When the action resumed Haydt and Paules ran neck-and-neck until lap five when the exchange for the top spot took place.

In a close third was John Markovic. Likewise a solid effort was being turned in by Joe Mooney and Chip Santee.

With the race moving on Paules continued to maintain his lead while fending off Haydt who was also doing the same with Markovic. It didn’t take long for Hirschman to work back through the pack and within the final ten laps he was among the front five.

Although he continued to pursue, Haydt could not find a way to pass Paules who took a scant .290-second margin of victory.

“Whenever you got Tyler (Haydt) behind you it’s going to be tough. We raced real close but he never tried to turn me sideways or anything like that and that makes it exciting,” said Paules.

“He’s a good clean driver like that. I wasn’t going to get off the bottom. If he was going to pass me he was going to have to go around me from the top. When you’re running 10-second laps things happen quick at this place. But it’s fun and I love it here.”

Just as Paules notched two consecutive wins, so too has Haydt with the runner-up spot.

“Things are going good so far and we have a real fast car. We were right on Earl (Paules) but I was just too loose in the beginning and got a little sideways and he got me. It’s only a matter of time,” said Haydt.

On the final lap Hirschman and Markovic were two-wide and at the checkers it was Hirschman by a nose. Completing the top five was Santee.

The race was also a 35-lap Poker Series event. Paules not only holds the early season division point lead but now the high hand in the popular Modified Poker Series Tournament as well. The first of five 100-lappers is set for May 21.

“We’re aiming at that (Poker Series) title. We’ve won some of those races but it’s the overall title we’re looking for now. I figure if we get all aces then we shouldn’t have a problem,” added Paules.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2. Tyler Haydt 3.Matt Hirschman 4.John Markovic 5.Chip Santee 6.John Bennett 7.Lonnie Behler 8.Joe Mooney 9.Mike Carroll 10.Stacey Brown 11.Matt Higgins 12.Scott Adams 13.Frankie Althouse 14.Ed Heim 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Don Wagner 17.Terry Markovic 18.Brian Sones 19.Rick Kirkendall 20.Brian DeFebo

Did not qualify: Doug Bell

Earl Paules Takes Mahoning Modified Opener

(4/30/11)- After back-to-back rainouts, the third time turned out to be the charm in kicking off the 2011 season at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway as a full pit area and a respectable sized grandstand of fans made for a resounding first night of racing.

Taking top laurels on the evening was Earl Paules of Palmerton who scored big bucks in claiming the Modified headliner worth $3000. That was the most money every won for a regular 35-lap Modified feature. Not only did he earn the $1500 first place prize but that amount was matched by his sponsor, John Schneider of Schneider and Sons, Inc., Scrap Medal of Allentown who offered to double his winnings if he would win the race.

Paules may want to consider taking Schneider to Mahoning more often too as this was the second such time he augmented his winnings, the previous time occurred in a 100-lap $3000-to-win race which increased to $6000, meaning Paules has twice walked off with the highest paydays for a Modified feature.

Paules’ fortune came at the expense of Don Wagner who been leading from the outset but on lap 14 he came upon the cars of Terry Markovic and Matt Higgins who had collided in turn three. Wagner had little time to react and was collected in the melee.

Runner-up at the time was Paules who then inherited the lead which he would not relinquish the rest of the way.

“This was the first time here with this race car so I didn’t know what it was going to do because my Mahoning car wasn’t ready yet with the motor. I’m not so sure I’m just going to bring this one from now on,” said Paules.

At the point when Wagner got trapped with the back markers, Paules was just high enough to miss the incident

“I was looking way ahead of Wagner and when we started coming up on lapped cars I was really looking for hole. I’m lucky to have John (Schneider) here. He doubles what I win. We want to get geared up for those 100-lappers and we’re going to try and be here as much as we can this year.”;

After taking the lead Paules was being followed tightly by defending champ John Bennett but on lap 30 he slipped out line and allowed Tyler Haydt to move to second. Bennett settled for third at the finish with John Markovic and Lonnie Behler completing the top five.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2.Tyler Haydt 3.John Bennett 4.John Markovic 5.Lonnie Behler 6.Brian DeFebo 7.Joe Mooney 8.Rick Kirkendall 9.Chip Santee 10.Brian Romig 11.Don Wagner 12.Mike Carroll 13.Terry Markovic 14.Matt Higgins 15.Frankie Althouse 16. Scott Adams 17.Jimmy Zacharis 18.Ed Heim 19.Brian Sones

Paules Third in Mountain Modified Opener

(4/30/11)- Following time trials two weeks ago, racers and fans alike came to Mountain Speedway on Saturday to enjoy some decent weather and finally, racing! When it was all said and done, Bobby Jones of Palmerton went on to take his first ever opening day win in his Modified. Chip Wannamaker of Walnutport cruised to take the Street Stock victory and Harry O’Neill of Mountaintop notched his first career FWD victory.

Kyle Ebersole turned the fastest lap during time trials for the opening day 40-lap Modified Main event. He started from the pole and led the opening lap over Todd Baer, Earl Paules, Bobby Jones and Nick Pecko.

Jones moved to third when he overtook Paules on lap five. Ten laps later he overtook Baer and the lap 15 pass moved him to the second spot. Meanwhile, Rusty Smith, who started the race in the fourteenth spot, began to mount a charge toward the front.

A quick yellow waved on lap 20 when David Schneider spun his machine on the backstretch. Ebersole held the lead for the restart, followed by Jones, Smith, Paules and Barry Callavini.

Green flag racing resumed and it only took a few laps of outside racing for Jones to pull even with the leader. Jones completed the pass on lap 25.

With three laps remaining, Smith finally found a way around Ebersole to take second. With only three laps remaining and with a five or six car length advantage, Jones took the $1500 victory over Smith, Ebersole, Paules and Pecko.

“This awesome”, said Jones in victory lane. “This isn’t only our first opening day win, it’s our first opening day finish”!

CJ Jones won the Modified consi.

Modified (40-Laps) 1. BOBBY JONES 2. Rusty Smith 3. Earl Paules 4. Kyle Ebersole 5. Nick Pecko 6. John Markovic 7. Ken Vogel Jr 8. Andy Walko 9. Todd Baer 10. Chip Wanamaker 11. David Schneider 12. Allen Creveling 13. CJ Jones 14. Brian DeFebo 15. Terry Markovic 16. Tommy Flanagan III 17.Jarred Nace 18. Danielle Buchek 19. Barry Callavini 20. Mike Sweeney 21. Jimmy Zacharias

2010 NEWS

Paules Notches Fall Fling Final Win at Shangri-La 2

(10/24/2010)- The Zacharias family from Candor, N.Y. leased Shangri-la 2 Speedway for what they billed as the Fall Fling Final. They secured sponsorship for a three-division event in a matter of days and held the event with no paid advertising. Word of mouth and social marketing worked, bringing in a nice field of cars on an iffy day, weather-wise. When it was over Earl Paules and Bryan Sherwood had won the Sportsman Modified races, Lee Sharpsteen and Jim Yamelski took the Street/Super Stock trophies, and Mike Alcaro won in the INEX Legends division. Much of the crew had been with the Zacharias family at the original Shangri-la and they welcomed the opportunity to work together again at the new facility.

The twin 35-lap features for the Sportsman Modifieds were fraternal, as neither resembled the other. Earl Paules and Bryan Sherwood left as winners, with Sherwood edging Scott Adams by one point for the overall win

Sportsman Modified Feature #1 (35 laps) 1. 8 Earl Paules 2. 68 Scott Adams 3. 0 Jody Buckley 4. 57 Andy Jankowiak 5. 95 Bryan Sherwood 6. 34 Rusty Smith 7. 42 Nick Pecko 8. 4 Barry Callavini 9. 35 Tom Shiner 10. 95m John Markovic 11. 3 Daren Scherer 12. 77 Paul Johnson 13. 12 Zack Truesdail 14. 21 Dan Kurzejewski 15. 23 Patrick Emerling 16. 72 Mike Nichols 17. 10 Brandon Ameigh 18. 42h Tony Hanbury 19. 40 Jake Rought dns - 99 Brad Smales

Sportsman Modified Feature #2 (35 laps) 1. 95 Bryan Sherwood 2. 21 Dan Kurzejewski 3. 34 Rusty Smith 4. 42h Tony Hanbury 5. 68 Scott Adams 6. 23 Patrick Emerling 7. 95m John Markovic 8. 57 Andy Jankowiak 9. 72 Mike Nichols 10. 42 Nick Pecko 11. 3 Daren Scherer 12. 10 Brandon Ameigh 13. 40 Jake Rought 14. 4 Barry Callavini 15. 35 Tom Shiner 16. 0 Jody Buckley 17. 8 Earl Paules 18. 77 Paul Johnson dns - 12 Zack Truesdail
dns - 99 Brad Smales

Heat Winners: Paules, Callavini, Kurzejewski.

Overall Combined Bonus Winner: Bryan Sherwood

Earl Paules Clinches Sundance Championship at “King of the Mountain”

(10/9/2010)- With $5000 to win for the Modifieds and double points on the line for all divisions, the Sunday portion of the championship deciding “King of the Mountain” was the show to watch in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. Zane Zeiner of Bath, held off several challenges from Matt Hirschman to take his second career King of the Mountain Modified main event and Earl Paules took the division championship.

Thirsty one Modified drivers ran time trials and the fastest time was set by Matt Hirschman. The top 15 drivers made it in the 150-lap $5000 to win show on time and five were taken from the consi, which was won by Eddie Brunnhoelzl III. The remainder of the field was filled with drivers who won race qualifiers and drivers that used provisional starting spots for being in the top ten in Sundance points.

The top ten redrew for starting spots and Pete Brittain led the field to the drop of the green. The yellow flag waved on lap 20 for a turn one spin. Brian DeFebo ran second at the time, followed by Zane Zeiner, Justin Gumley and Earl Paules. Green flag racing resumed and DeFebo took the lead.

Matt Hirschman started ninth on the grid and overtook Paules for fourth on lap 27. He then got by Zeiner for third a lap later and then overtook Brittain of second on lap 36. Four laps later he shot by DeFebo and into the lead.

Hirschman held the lead at the halfway (lap 75) fuel stop. Gumley gave up the fifth spot to pit for rubber and DeFebo, Zeiner, Paules and Anthony Sesely lined up behind the leader for the restart. Rusty Smith came in under the competition yellow as well.

Zeiner wasted no time and moved by DeFebo to take the second spot following the restart. Hirschman continued out front and fended off the second place driver as they approached lapped traffic. While trying to lap one of his competitors, Hirschman was tagged and spun in turn four. The yellow flag was displayed and nearly the entire field headed pit side for tires.

The change of events gave Smith the lead. Billy Weichert lined up in second with Tommy Farrell, Dave Schneider and DeFebo, who were the first driver out of the pits, in tow.

The green flag was back out and a turn two melee on lap 103 slowed the action. The cars that emerged from the turn two wreckage were Mike Speeney, Farrell, Schneider, Kyle Ebersole, Nick Pecko, Brittain and Matt Wentz.

Green flag racing resumed and Zeiner drove down to the bottom of Smith for the lead in turn one. The lap 106 pass for lead was risky, as contact was made and the two cars slid sideways. Both drivers held on to their machines and Zeiner came out with the lead.

Smith fell back a few spots following the contact and on lap 115 Zeiner led over Hirschman, who mounted a great late race charge back through the top 10. Sesely ran third, followed by DeFebo and Smith.

Despite several attempts to make the race winning pass on the high side, Hirschman could not get around Zeiner, who took his second career Modified King of the Mountain victory. He also became the second driver in track history to win the season ending event in both a Modified and Late Model. With the win Zeiner earned a guaranteed starting spot in the upcoming North/South Shootout and also the Turkey Derby.

“We’ve had some great runs but couldn’t win one of these things for Gary Cretty (car owner)” said Zeiner in victory lane. “It feels great to win this race as the first for him”.

Hirschman settled for second, followed by DeFebo, Smith and Sesely. Earl Paules finished in the seventh spot and earned his first career Modified track championship.

Modifieds (150-laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Matt Hirschman 3. Brian DeFebo 4. Rusty Smith 5. Anthony Sesely 6. Todd Baer 7. Earl Paules 8. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 9. Chuck Hossfeld 10. David Schneider 11. Bobby Jones 12. Nick Pecko 13. Matt Wentz 14. Billy Weichert 15. Tommy Farrell 16. Kyle Ebersole 17.Pete Brittain 18. Mike Speeney 19. Jimmy Zacharias 20. Wayne Kocher 21. Justin Gumley 22.Barry Callavini 23. Allen Creveling 24. Daren Scherer DNQ: Joe Mooney, CJ Jones, Jim Storace, Brian Romig, Matt Higgins, John Ramsey, Dan Speeney

Paules Earns 7^th Place Sport Mod Finish at King of the Mountain

(10/10/2010)- With weather fit for a king, hundreds of racers and fans alike filled Sundance Vacations Speedway for the Saturday portion of the 11^th annual “King of the Mountain” weekend. The theme for the evening was simple- double points, large purse and extended laps for the final points show of the season. When it was all said and done, Rusty Smith of Oxford, NY took an exciting Sport Modified victory.

The Sport Modified drivers took to the track for time trials. “The Rocket”, Ricky Ross, Jr. turned the quickest lap of the afternoon before the top ten quickest drivers redrew for starting positions.

With double championship points on the line, Ross headed into the feature with a 29-point advantage over Jason Hearne. In other words, Hearne would have to be Ross by three positions to take the title.

Ken Wooley drew the pole position and led in the early going of the race. Ross held second following the first lap but Pete Brittain and Mike Skarbowski overtook him.

Following a quick lap nine yellow, Brittain took command of the show. Meanwhile, Ross climbed back to second with Anthony Sesely, Wooley and Hearne in tow.

Sesely climbed to second and mounted a charge on the leader. He completed the pass and took the lead on lap 19. Meanwhile, Ross rode in the fourth spot.

A pair of lap 43 yellows flew and trouble struck Ross on the second one when he spun exiting turn two. Luckily any other drivers did not tag him and he headed to the pits to replace a flat tire. The change of events put Hearne in the championship seat. Rusty Smith was running in the second spot at the time of the first lap 43 yellow and headed pit side for fresh rubber.

Green flag racing resumed with Sesely leading over Brittain, Zane Zeiner and Skarbowski.

An Earl Paules spin on lap 60 brought out another caution flag and Brittain gave up the third position to pit for tires. Barry Callavini was running fifth at the time and he headed to the pits as well.

Zeiner lined up behind Sesely for the restart with Skarbowski, Hearne and Nick Pecko in the top five. Zeiner, who appeared to have a car quicker than the leader began to apply some pressure for the race lead.

It didn’t take long for Smith to make his way back toward the front to challenge the front two. Following a terrific lap 85 restart for Smith, he swapped the second spot with Zeiner on several occasions while the to tried to find a way around Sesely.

The trio raced three wide down the backstretch for the lead and something had to give. The end result was a tangle between Sesely and Zeiner as Smith came out with the lead on lap 94.

Uncontested after the restart, Smith went on to take his first $2000 King of the Mountain win in a Sport Modified over Hearne. Ross rallied to finish in the third spot, which secured his first Sport Modified championship. Skarbowski and Pecko completed the top five.

Sport Modified (100-laps) 1. RUSTY SMITH 2. Jason Hearne 3. Ricky Ross Jr 4. Mike Skarbowski 5. Nick Pecko 6. David Reinhardt 7. Earl Paules 8. Jerry Hildebrand 9. Barry Callavini 10. Zane Zeiner 11. Todd Baer 12. William Schneider 13. Anthony Sesely 14. Mike Speeney 15. Dan Kurzejewski 16. Pete Brittian 17.Ken Wooley 18. Kevin Orlando 19. Pat Verwys 20. Adam Lacicero 21. Geary Rinehimer 22.Robert Geibel Jr. 23. Ron Frees DNQ: Dan Speeney, Dennis Krupski, Dave Garfinkel, CJ Lacatavia

Paules Nets 9^th Place All-Star Finish at Oswego Race of Champions

(9/25/2010)- The calendar said it was fall, but it was more like mid - summer conditions for the Friday night portion of the 60th Sunoco Race of Champions at the Oswego Speedway. With the weather being hot the racing was even hotter with feature wins going to Zane Zeiner in the Sportsman, Pete Brittain who claimed the Modified All – Star event, Andre Roggie in the Mini Stocks, and Tim Garlock in the Factory Stocks.
Rusty Smith and Pete Brittain brought the 13 car Modified field to green for the 30 lap All – Star feature. Brittain jumped out to the lead over Rick Kluth who was driving the Jamie Wolff owned entry, Smith, Billy Putney, and Chuck Hossfeld.
Putney was the car on the move early as he stormed into third on lap three. Soon after taking third the left front brake caliper started to turn cherry red and this hampered the effort of the defending Modified race winner.
Erick Rudolph was the car on the move as the race continued as he took fifth from Hossfeld on lap five and fourth from Smith on lap 17 and moved into third by passing Putney one lap later.
Hossfeld and Matt Hirschman started their charge to the front with ten laps to go as both finally cleared Putney to take third and fourth.
Up front Brittain was on a Sunday afternoon drive but Rudolph wasn’t giving up just yet as he reeled Brittain in for the lead. The full straightaway lead was now cut to single car lengths with a handful of laps remaining.
Rudolph ran out of laps as Brittain claimed the $2,000 win over him with Hossfeld, Hirschman, and Kluth rounding out the top five.
After the race the top five had a choice of either picking for their starting spot for the 200 tomorrow or run time trials and see where they line up from there. Brittain drew the pole for the 200 on Saturday with Rudolph, Hossfeld, and Hirschman all passing on the draw. Kluth decided to draw and ended up drawing 12th for the 200 tomorrow.

MODIFIED ALL – STAR RACE FINISH; Pete Brittain, Erick Rudolph, Chuck Hossfeld, Matt Hirschman, Rick Kluth, Billy Putney, Rusty Smith, Jan Leaty, Earl Paules, Daren Scherer, Wilbur Hebing, Karl Hehr, TJ Potrzebowski.

Paules Earns Top 10 Sport Modified Finish at Sundance

(9/19/10)- Nick Pecko led twenty other hungry competitors to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap Modified main event. Without a single lap complete, Dave Reinhardt and Bobby Geibel tangled in turns one and two. Harry Schaefer and Joe Schmutz slid into the mix as well. A second restart failed and then the third lap zero yellow flew when Jerry Hildebrand, who was running second, got turned into Jason Hearne. Both drivers had to restart from the tail end of the field.

Despite the slow going early on, Pecko led the opening laps over Geary Rinehimer, Earl Paules, Anthony Sesely and Adam Lacicero. Sesely got by Rinehimer and moved to second on lap two and Paules followed through for third.

Paules overtook the leader on the third lap and Sesely followed through.

The yellow was brought back out when Lacicero was forced into the front stretch wall on lap four following a solid performance.

Green flag racing resumed and it became evident that Zane Zeiner has a fast racecar. After starting twelfth, Zeiner got by Pecko for fifth and then overtook Rinehimer for the fourth spot. He ran third behind Paules and Sesely on lap 12. Just behind Zeiner, Ricky Ross, Jr. held the fourth spot, followed by Hearne, who had worked his way back up through the field.

Zeiner went to work and overtook Sesely for second on lap 21. He spent the next 10 laps trying to find a way around Paules, who was not planning on giving up easily. Zeiner dove to the bottom of the leader in turn one on lap 31 and just had enough to pull off of turn two with the race lead.

Paules’ car began to fall off over the closing laps.

Zeiner went on to take the victory over Sesely, Ross, Hearne and Barry Callavini, who ended up with a great finish despite troubles that he had in both the heat and consi races.

During his victory lane interview, Zeiner thanked Ricky Ross, Jr. for giving him a brake rotor earlier in the day, which in turn helped him get to victory lane.

Jason Hearne, Ricky Ross, Jr. and Jerry Hildebrand were heat race winners. Will Schneider took the consi victory.

Sport Modified (40-laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Anthony Sesely 3. Ricky Ross Jr 4. Jason Hearne 5. Barry Callavini 6. Nick Pecko 7. Jerry Hildebrand 8. Todd Baer 9. Geary Rinehimer 10. Earl Paules 11. David Reinhardt 12. Gordan Buchman Jr 13. Dan Birdsall 14. Dave Garfinkel 15. Scott Brannick 16. Adam Lacicero 17.Brian DeFebo 18. Robert Geibel 19. William Schneider 20. Harry Schaefer 21. Joseph Schmutz DNS: Pat Verwys

Mahoning Wins Get Paules Geared up for RoC

(9/18/10)- Earl “Hurricane” Paules of Palmerton and Austin Kochenash of Danielsville each picked momentum wins at Mahoning Valley Speedway heading into to the Race of Champions weekend coming up at Oswego Speedway. For Paules it was his third Mahoning Modified victory of the season and 11^th overall while Kochenash, who is a guaranteed RoC starter via a Mahoning win two weeks ago, raced to his ninth in the Late Models.

In the Modified feature Paules started 12^th and took the lead from Joe Mooney on a lap 24 restart. He then held off Rob Shultz and John Bennett for the verdict. Terry Markovic paced the first four laps before Mooney made his way to the front. For the second week in row Mooney, who is rookie with the class, was racing at the helm with confidence and it showed the most by fending off Mahoning’s Kingpin John Bennett during a torrid side-by-side battle.

Bennett, who came into the evening second in points and just one behind Don Wagner, was putting his years of experience to the test in trying to get around Mooney. It wasn’t until a restart on lap 16 that he was able to pull off the pass. The racing was still very close as Mooney kept running alongside from the inside lane. After completing one lap under green Mooney was forcing Bennett to the high outside and as they crossed the line to conclude lap 18, Bennett got loose and spun.

Back to the front went Mooney and this time he had Paules alongside. I took several tries to get the action resumed but once it did Mooney was again proving his worthiness as the new kid on the Modified block as he held off the much more experienced Paules. Once again it would be a caution that turned out to be Mooney’s downfall. On a lap 24 restart Paules got a great bite as he blasted by for the lead which he would hold the rest of the way. “The 62 (Mooney) was good tonight. Here’s the deal with Joe Mooney, he’s young and we’re old. Long after we’re done he’ll still be winning races but you have to pay your dues here and it takes a long time to get there. But he’s doing a hell of a job,” said Paules. “It seemed as though we had been in a drought for a bit. We’d like to get another win in the final 100-lapper and get another Ace. That’s why we were here tonight to get that practice in.” A win in the final Poker Series race on October 2 would assure Paules a share of the $5000 jackpot.

Rob Shultz had his best Mahoning finish to date. He ran in the top five all race long and nipped Bennett at the line for second. Bennett, who had pitted after his spin on lap 17, put on a drive in coming back through the pack. With just one race to go he has retaken the point lead by five over Wagner.“We had a heck of run going there and trying to go around Joe (Mooney) on the outside and he pushed me up a little bit. He’s new at this so I guess you have to forgive and forget. We were able to come back to third and you can’t complain about that,” said Bennett.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2.Rob Schultz 3.John Bennett 4.Joe Mooney 5.Brian DeFebo 6.Don Wagner 7.Todd Baer 8.Stacey Brown 9.Nick Pecko 10.Rick Reichenbach 11.Lou Strohl 12.Lonnie Behler 13.Terry Markovic 14.Keith Mullineaux 15.Jarred Nace 16.Matt Higgins 17.Billy Weichert 18.Roger Coss 19.John Markovic 20.Scott Adams 21.Chip Santee ~ Did not qualify: Troy Bollinger, Andy Szapacs

Paules Forced to Settle for 10^th at Sundance

(9/12/2010)- For the better part of the Modified feature at Sundance Vacations Speedway, Rusty Smith of Oxford, NY spent the better part of Sunday’s feature riding in the third position. Little did he know, the top two drivers would have a little run in, which put him in position to take his second win of the season. With $877 on the line, along with a huge trophy and plenty of lap money, Richie DiMarco of Quakertown took the checkers and became the first driver to score a repeat win in the 77-lap Mark Corbisiero Street Stock Memorial event and Dave Freundt of Lehighton extended his points lead by taking the feature in the FWD division.

Dave Schneider started from the pole and led the opening laps of the 40-lap Modified main event. Following the completion of the first lap, Tommy Wanick III ran second with Bobby Jones, Rick Parker and Brian Romig.

Jones moved into second and then overtook Schneider for the race lead on lap three. The first of seven yellow flags waved two laps later when Parker spun in turns three and four. Both Kyle Ebersole and Earl Paules had cracked the top five and the two lined up third and fourth respectively for the restart.

Green flag racing resumed and Ebersole grabbed second from Schneider. Paules followed through and the pair ran side by side for second.

With Jones still out front and with Paules in second, Ebersole tried to scoot underneath Paules for the position in turn three. The two bumped wheels and Ebersole spun from the lap 29 contact.

Paules lined up behind Joes for the restart. Rusty Smith held third, followed by Todd Baer and Nick pecko.

Green flag racing resumed and Paules was all over the leader. In an attempt to get the leader out of shape, Paules applied several shots to Jones, but he held on to the lead. That changed however and the two raced out of turn two on lap 37. Paules applied a little pressure to the leader and Jones went around.

All of sudden, Smith, who had spent most of the race patiently riding in third, became the race leader. Paules was forced to restart from the tail end of the field for the restart.

Smith was uncontested over the remaining laps and went on to score his second $1500 main event win of the season. Baer finished as the runner-up, followed by Ebersole, Pecko and Barry Callavini.

Modified (40-laps) 1. RUSTY SMITH 2. Todd Baer 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. Nick Pecko 5. Barry Callavini 6. Brian Romig 7. Keith Bachman 8. Tommy Wanick III 9. David Schneider 10. Earl Paules 11. Allen Creveling 12. Rich Parker 13. Bobby Jones 14. Tom Casagrande

Top 10 at Mahoning is a Good Hand for Paules

(LEHIGHTON, PA 9-11-10) It seemed for a while that Northampton’s Matt Hirschman could never come up with a win at Mahoning Valley Speedway, a track that is just a 30-minite drive from his home. Despite being always fast, victory continually eluded him for a variety of reasons.

But after picking up his career first Mahoning win at the end of 2009 it now seems that he can’t lose as for the fourth time in his last six starts Hirschman drove to a 100-lap, $3000 win.

In Saturday night’s Hand 4 of the 7 Card Stud Poker Series, Hirschman, once again behind the wheel of the Bob Horn owned #50, was unstoppable in much the same manner as he was in last month’s Poker Series race. Starting ninth, he powered his way to the front on lap 36 and in a repeat performance of his August 14 win he was virtually unchallenged after gaining the lead.

“This car has been hooked up and we really have it figured out here. I have to thank Bob Horn for bringing it. We haven’t really discussed it much but we had a plan and that was to come back just the way we were last time and just basically beat ourselves rather than someone else beat us because we had something that worked and we stuck with it,” said Hirschman. All of his Mahoning wins have come in 100 lap races.

The field was set by time trials with point leader Don Wagner (9.773) and John Bennett (9.774) laying down the top two times. An inversion of the top 12 put Joe Mooney and CJ Jones on the front row. At the outset both showed the way over a quality pack of cars with Mooney setting the pace. Both he and Jones looked good too as they remained in control over the first quarter of the race. All the while Hirschman was storming through the field and by lap 23 he had motored into second. From there he made Mooney aware of his presence as he trailed him closely until lap 36 when he made his move into the lead.

For the rest of the race it became evident that no one was able to hang with Hirschman especially under extended green flag runs when he pulled far enough ahead of any on comers. “We got one more shot to do it again in October and I think the way things are going we can win again,” added Hirschman.

Tyler Haydt turned in a solid effort with his second place finish but admitted there was no catching the leader.“He (Hirschman) was on top of it tonight and he’s the guy to beat right now in these 100-lappers. He was head and shoulders above the rest of us,” said Haydt has been a runner-up in his last two starts.John Markovic, Lonnie Behler and Bennett completed the top five. For Markovic it was his third time taking that spot in a Poker Series race giving him three queens heading into the final 100 lapper on October 2. However, Brian DeFebo and Earl Paules have the top hands with a full house after their respective finishes of eighth and ninth. With Bennett’s fifth place coupled with Wagner’s 11^th, there is just one point between the pair with two races remaining.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Matt Hirschman 2.Tyler Haydt 3.John Markovic 4.Lonnie Behler 5.John Bennett 6.Bobby Jones 7.Pete Brittain 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Earl Paules 10.Rob Shultz 11.Don Wagner 12.CJ Jones 13.Chip Santee 14.Eric Beers 15.Matt Higgins 16.Terry Markovic 17.Joe Mooney 18.Lou Strohl 19.Chris Hamilton 20.Anthony Sesely 21.Jarrd Nace 22.Roger Coss 23.Rick Reichenbach

Paules Fights for 6th at Sundance

(9/5/2010)- Following a DNF in his last outing, Ricky Ross, Jr., the Sport Modified points leader at Sundance Vacations Speedway set out on a mission- to win. That mission was accomplished on Sunday when Ross, of Mountain Top, took the lead just past the halfway point and was unchallenged to take his third $1000 win of the season. Justin Onderko stayed out of trouble, held off his competition and drove away with his first career Late Model victory and Matt Schlenker of Walnutport endured the Factory Stock feature to snag his first career victory.

Brian Sones started from the pole and led the first circuit of the 40-lap Sport Modified main event. Jason Hearne ran second, followed by Nick Pecko, Ricky Ross, Jr. and Todd Baer.

Appearing to be driving a rocket, Rusty Smith grabbed the fifth spot from Baer on the second lap and then overtook Pecko for fourth during the next time around.

Smith jumped to the outside to overtake Ross for third and meanwhile, another driver ducked underneath Ross as the trio raced through turn two. The car underneath Ross made contact and shot him up the track. Unfortunately, Smith was to his outside. The end result was a caution flag for Smith hitting the wall and retiring from the event after the lap 10 incident.

Green flag racing resumed and Ross overtook Hearne for second. Just after, Pecko and Baer battled with Hearne for third.

Ross climbed to the high side of the speedway and ran side by side with Sones for the race lead. It seemed that Sones had a better line out of the corners, but eventually Ross grabbed the lead on lap 22.

Mike Skarbowski cracked the top six to join the torrid battle between Hearne, Pecko and Baer.

With Sones tucked into the second spot he began to ride for what would have been his second best finish of the season. However, that changed with three laps remaining when he was forced to the infield with engine woes.

Ross held a sizable advantage over the closing laps and took his third feature win of the season. Somehow Skarbowski made his way up in the closing laps to finish in the runner up spot, followed by Hearne, Pecko and Baer.

Jason Hearne and Brian Sones took heat race victories.

Sport Modified (40-laps) 1. RICKY ROSS, JR. 2. Mike Skarbowski 3. Jason Hearne 4. Nick Pecko 5. Todd Baer 6. Earl Paules 7. Geary Rinehimer 8. Jerry Hildebrand 9. Woody Pitkat 10. Adam Gordon 11. Brian Sones 12. Pat Verwys 13. Rusty Smith 14. Scott Brannick 15. Barry Callavini

Paules Finishes 9^th at Mahoning

(LEHIGHTON, PA 8-28-10) One week was worth the wait for Wharton, New Jersey’s Don Wagner as he not only won the special Poker Series race but assumed the division point lead as well.

With 13 laps competed in the August 21, 35-lap 7 Card Stud Poker Series race at Mahoning Valley Speedway, John Bennett and Wagner where running one-two. Unfortunately rain put a halt to the action at the point and the event was resumed this past Saturday night.

When the race got back underway Bennett was again ahead of Wagner but never by much as the pair, who came into the night tied for first in points, ran virtually side-by-side. Six laps after the restart Wagner, running the outside, went by Bennett for the lead and ultimately the win.

“I love racing side-by-side with Johnny (Bennett). We’ve done it like that for a long time and he always runs you clean. We got it tonight and it felt good because we had been fighting some motor issues the past few weeks,” said Wagner, now a two-time winner.

In moving to the point lead Wagner is the first driver in the past two-and-one-half seasons to unseat Bennett from the top of the standings during the regular season.

“He is the king and unless you beat the best what do you have the gauge it against,” added Wagner.Chip Santee, Eric Beers and Lou Strohl completed the top five.

“Donny is a good competitor. Our car was a little down tonight and we weren’t able to keep it down were we wanted to be. He was able to get around the outside and it’s good to see him win,” said Bennett

Holdover Modified Feature Finish From 8/21, 35 Laps: 1. Don Wagner 2.John Bennett 3.Chip Santee 4.Eric Beers 5.Lou Strohl 6.Joe Mooney 7.Troy Bollinger 8.Matt Higgins 9.Earl Paules 10.Brian DeFebo 11.Ed Heim, Jr. 12.Terry Markovic 13.Rick Reichenbach 14.Tommy Flanagan 15.Andy Szapacs 16.Jarred Nace 17.Keith Mullineaux 18.Rob Shultz 19.Kevin Graver, Jr. 20.Lonnie Behler DNQ: Matt Clemens

Cone Doesn’t Fall in Earl’s Favor at Sundance

(August 28, 2010)- In what most would call the closest modified racing of the season at Sundance Vacations Speedway, the Jersey Outlaw, “Pistol” Pete Brittain held off Bobby Jones and company to score the $1800 cone race win Saturday on the 1/3-mile oval. In hard charger form, Steve Shultz of Drums came from the 13^th starting spot to notch his third Street Stock feature win of the season and Mike Kline of Lancaster claimed his fourth FWD main event victory of the year. Coplay’s Scott Hubler continued his winning ways and grabbed his seventh P.A.L. Legends victory of the season.

Time trails and then a redraw at intermission set the staring lineup for the 50-lap Modified main event.

Pete Brittain time trialed quickest with a lap of 13.619 seconds and picked the outside pole for his starting spot. Barry Callavini drew the pole position.

The green flag flew and Callavini led the opening lap over Brittain, Bobby Jones, Nick Pecko and Earl Paules. Paules moved to the fourth spot a few laps later and Kyle Ebersole joined the top five by lap 10.

Brittain hounded Callavini and jumped to the outside to make a bid at the lead. His outside pass was successful and he took the top spot on lap 17.

Several weeks prior to the event, track officials announced that the race would be a cone race, where drivers got to choose the inside or outside lanes for restarts, which can really shake up the positions for restarts. However, with 30 laps into the race and without a caution flag, it appeared that the fans might be let down.

That changed when Jim Bojohnny spun on the backstretch with 15 laps to go.

The drama was expected to unfold, but the only driver in the top six who chose to advance a position by taking the outside lane was Zane Zeiner, who gave up his fifth spot to line up fourth, in the outside groove.

Green flag racing resumed with Brittain in front over Jones, Ebersole, Zeiner and Paules. The top five ran hot and heavy, door-to-door, and wheel-to-wheel. The intensity rose as Jones continued to keep his car on the high side with hopes of finding a lane around the leader.

The yellow flag waved on lap 44 when Dave Schneider spun in turn one. While trying to avoid the spin, Geary Rinehimer made contact with the outside wall and retired from the event.

Most drivers chose the inside line for the restart but not Pecko. Instead, Pecko chose the outside and moved from seventh to fourth for the restart.

Despite several attempts to take the race lead from both Jones and Ebersole over the closing laps, Brittain went on to claim the victory for his first of the season at the speedway. Jones was forced to settle for a runner-up effort, followed by Ebersole, Pecko and Zeiner.

Modified (50-laps) 1. PETE BRITTAIN 2. Bobby Jones 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. Nick Pecko 5. Zane Zeiner 6. Earl Paules 7. Barry Callavini 8. Allen Creveling 9. Marc Rogers 10. CJ Jones 11. David Schneider 12. Todd Baer 13. Rich Parker 14. Keith Bachman 15. Jim Bojohnny 16. Geary Rinehimer 17.Wayne Szerencsits 18. Ryan Russo

Paules Struggles with 11^th Place Effort at Mahoning

(LEHIGHTON, PA 8-14-10) No one will argue the fact that the Modified Poker Series concept at Mahoning Valley Speedway has been a huge success, especially Matt Hirschman, who scored his third 100 lap win in the last five races. In the process he has also raked in a nice amount of cash to the tune of $10,000, including $3000 for winning Saturday’s race.
This was Hand 3 of the 7 Card Stud Modified Poker Series and Hirschman authored one of the most dominating race wins at the track in some time.
After shuffling the lead with Eric Beers after a lap 50 restart, Hirschman went ahead for good on lap 53 and then proceeded to head out into a zone all his own.
With no cautions over the final 50 tours, Hirschman easily had his way with the pack. Weaving inside and out and passing cars at will, he pulled away to a commanding 5 second win over Beers and early leader Lou Strohl. Rob Shultz and John Markovic completed the top five.
“I just had a perfect race car. We passed Eric Beers to win and lapped Earl Paules (last week’s poker winner) here at Mahoning, unbelievable,” said Hirschman, who drove the Bob Horn #50.
“We finally had won a race here at the end of last season and ended all that nonsense that we can’t win here. Three (wins) out of the last five here, that’s awesome. This was a good crowd that came out to support the races tonight and the management here does these 100 lappers that are wildly popular. The Poker Series is definitely been a good thing.”
After an inversion of the top 12 in time trials, Lou Strohl and Tyler Haydt had the front row for the start. Beers was the top qualifier with a lap of 9.745 with Anthony Sesely second quick at 9.757.
When the race began Strohl was in control. Haydt, CJ Jones and Don Wagner all had a stint at second spot but it was Beers and 15th starting Hirschman who were doing the most frontward movement. Both powered to second and third respectively and made matters tough on Strohl.
Beers was running alongside Strohl and aiming for the lead and was just about to do so until a caution waved on lap 49.
On the restart Strohl and Beers ran neck-and-neck. As they were exiting turn four and with Beers on the topside, Strohl got his right front into the side of Beers and went spinning. With a throng of oncoming traffic several cars got collected.
For the restart it was now Beers and Hirschman, who both hail from Mud Lane in Northampton, at the front and as expected from these two stars, they put on a thrilling duel for the lead. They went back and forth with the lead until Hirschman went to the front for keeps on lap 53. He then dazzled the crowd with his stellar performance the rest of the way.
“I want to document everything because I never had a car that worked as good as this. The car was just so perfect. Usually I’m out of breath at the end of a race here because I’m fighting the car. I was still running as hard as I could because I figured Eric Beers was going to be sticking his nose in there with those lapped cars out there,” said Hirschman.
“I gave it everything it had and it had a lot tonight. I want to thank Bob Horn from Connecticut for bringing it here.”
Hirschman drew the Ace of Clubs as the suite for the night.
For Beers it marked the third time this year that he has led a 100 lapper but fell short at the end. He does, however, have a pair of Kings heading into next week’s 35-lap wild card race.
“He (Hirschman) had a real good car tonight. I thought that we may have had the better car there for a little while but then Louie (Strohl) and I got together and it knocked my toe-in some but hats off to Matt and his guys, they had their act together. We’ll get more races coming up here and try next time,” said Beers.
Strohl’s third was his best effort to date, which came after storming back through the pack after pitting on lap 49. Likewise with Shultz who checked in the pits at midway and once again made a late race charge into the top five. Markovic has finished in the top five in each poker race this year.

1.Matt Hirschman 2.Eric Beers 3.Lou Strohl 4.Rob Shultz 5.John Markovic 6.Lonnie Behler 7.Anthony Sesely 8.Matt Higgins 9.Don Wagner 10.Brian DeFebo 11.Earl Paules 12.John Bennett 13.Bobby Jones 14.Tyler Haydt 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Chip Santee 17.Jarred Nace 18.Joe Mooney 19.Terry Markovic 20.CJ Jones

Earl Paules Does the Double; Race at Sundance and Mahoning in Same Night

(By: Dino Oberto 8-15-10) Earl Paules and Bobby Jones love to race their Modifieds at both Sundance Vacations and Mahoning Valley Speedways. They are winners at both. Problem is when each track runs on the same night it makes for some hard choices.

This past Saturday night that choice was made easier as they took in both. At Mahoning it was a 100-lap $3000 to win Poker Series event while Sundance had a 40-lap regular feature. Both are 45-minute ride between them.

For Paules he had a chance to make Eastern Pa. asphalt history by becoming the first driver to win a Modified race on the same night at each facility. He won at Sundance but unfortunately handling issues relegated him to an 11^th place at Mahoning.

“Victory Lane was very quick and I had to apologize to everyone and leave right after the pictures. I actually thought about finishing second so I wouldn’t have to go through that,” said Paules.

Paules’ weekend actually started the night before when he travel to Wyoming County Speedway in Perry, NY where finished third in a Race of Champions Tour event. He and the team then drove halfway back to Pennsylvania before bunking down for the night.

They arrived at Sundance around 11:30 am and unloaded and began prepping the car for that night. Meanwhile his Mahoning car was on its way to that track.

He practiced and time trialed at Mahoning then headed back to Sundance. He missed his heat race and was forced to start last. He passed Kyle Ebersole with two laps remaining en route to his fifth win of the season there. Then it was back to Mahoning for the 100-lapper

There was a slight holdup at Mahoning in waiting for them to arrive which added plenty of hype with the crowd.

“It was pretty crazy. Bobby Jones was right on our tail coming down the turnpike. We got a call that the Modifieds were going out on the track but Doug (Hoffman, Mahoning promoter) told me they’d wait and they did. I really appreciate that,” said Paules.

“Bobby and I support both race tracks as much as we can. I’m not asking for any favoritism but if someone is willing to do that then I feel we should have that opportunity to do that.

“Sundance Vacations Speedway did a great job with us. They kind of rushed through the Fan Appreciation Night. Our feature there took a little longer because of some cautions that we maybe didn’t need but they got me out of there.”

Jones also had two cars at his disposal. His own was staged at Mahoning while Tom Wanick gave him the use of his 1w for Sundance.

“It was something to experience and it was fun and exciting for us,” said Jones. “There was a lot of late nights this past week. We had our car all torn apart and also spent a whole night up in Hazleton getting Tom’s car ready for Sundance. The Wanick’s, whatever I needed, they took care of us and I thank them very much.”

Jones didn’t have the best of nights as he was 10^th at Sundance and 13^th at Mahoning. There was a bright spot as he did set fast time during the Mahoning feature with a 9.874-second lap.

“It wasn’t that bad racing back and forth. What was tough was having two ill-handling cars in one night,” said Jones.

“I thought it was great between the two tracks that were going to help us out and pull this off. They both changed their programs around for us. That says a lot about both tracks on what they think about their drivers.

“We have a passion for this and I really appreciate the effort that Doug (Hoffman) and Joe (Callavini, Sundance promoter) did for us.”

Paules and Jones weren’t the first to test the waters of doing the double. On July 24 Barry Callavini also pulled the fete.

“It’s doable and I’m sure we can do it again. It shows that both tracks can work together,” added Paules.

Earl Paules “Aces” the Field at Mahoning Valley Speedway

(LEHIGHTON, PA 8-7-10) Earl Paules picked up another Ace card Saturday night at Mahoning Valley Speedway and now heads into next week’s Hand 3 of the 7 Card Stud Modified 100 Poker Series as the top hand holder with a pair of Aces. Saturday’s race was one of two additional 35-lappers that have been added to this year’s Poker Series.

For Paules, who hails from Palmerton, it marked his second straight Mahoning win in as many starts as he most recently won a 100 lapper on July 24. He drove from 15^th starting spot and into the lead with three laps remaining which took an all-out effort to do so too as he had to fight past Lonnie Behler for the win.

Joe Mooney led the 20-car starting field to the green and jumped into the early lead. Second starting Behler then moved to the front on lap three and by lap eight was being confronted by Don Wagner. At times Behler looked to be the car to beat as he pulled ahead with a decent gap over Wagner.

But, after a restart on lap 19, Wagner got busy. He passed Behler on lap 20, however, the favor was returned two laps later. Behler was only ahead by inches as the pair ran two-wide with third running Tyler Haydt right on their heels.

With eight laps to go the caution was out for Lou Strohl. The restart took several tries. On one of the call backs Wagner had caught Behler sleeping and another saw Haydt power down to the inside for a brief peek at the lead.

When the race finally did resume Behler was on his toes as he kept his car at the front. Wagner got caught in a mesh of on comers and slipped back a few spots. Haydt was now second and Paules had weaved his way to third.

With five to go Paules got past Haydt and then turned up the pressure on Behler. He made his race wining pass by going to the inside off turn four.

Just as the lap was being completed a nasty front stretch crash unfolded. Collected in the melee where Haydt and point leader John Bennett. Both had to be towed from the scene.

Over the final three tours Paules stayed steady.

“That was really rough out there tonight. No one was giving anyone anything that’s for sure. We had to work for everything we got tonight,” said Paules who now has a dozen Mahoning wins. “There was a lot of hard racing out there but it was all clean.

Behler, second on Mahoning’s all-time win list with 40 victories, is still looking for that elusive first win with a Modified. In the last two seasons has come close with five runner-ups and four thirds.

“It wasn’t that bad. The biggest difference is that (Paules) is a $20,000 car and this (his) is a $5000 car,” said Behler.

Bobby Jones came in third while Wagner and Eric Beers rounded out the top five.

With the misfortune of Bennett, Wagner has closed the gap in the standings to just six.

Modified Feature Finish, 35 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2.Lonnie Behler 3.Bobby Jones 4.Don Wagner 5.Eric Beers 6.Rob Shultz 7.Brian Romig 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Tom Flanagan 10.Jarred Nace 11.Rick Reichenbach 12.John Bennett 13.Tyler Haydt 14.Matt Higgins 15.Troy Bollinger 16.Stacey Brown 17.Lou Strohl 18.Joe Mooney 19.Anthony Sesely 20.Chip Santee DNQ: Andy Szapacs

Paules Runner up at Sundance

(July 31, 2010)- After time trialing seventh quickest to start off the evening, Rusty Smith of Oxford, NY patiently made circles in his Modified Saturday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. When the time came to race hard and go for the $3000 victory in the 100-lap show, Smith wasted no time and blasted to the victory. Steve Shultz of Drums jumped from third to first in one lap to claim his second Street Stock victory of the season and Eric Banashefski of Hanover edged out Dave Freundt to notch his first FWD win of the season. Ian Cumens got by Robin Johnston with a handful of laps remaining and went on to take the TQ Midget feature victory.

Modified time trials were held to start off the afternoon and Matt Hirschman set the quickest time. The top six drivers redrew for position and CJ Jones picked the pole.

The green flag flew and Jones led the first lap before Earl Paules overtook him for the race lead. Kyle Ebersole worked into second. Jones ran third, followed by Pete Brittain and Dave Schneider.

The first caution flag waved on lap 25 when Jerry Hildebrand slowed on the speedway. Only four laps of green flag racing took place before the second yellow, in which Ebersole headed pit side for service.

Nick Pecko lined up third for the restart and overtook both Jones and Paules to move into the lead. However, it was short-lived, as Paules regained the spot a lap later.

The yellow flew on lap 57 when Jones spun in turn two. Paules continued out front with Pecko in tow. Bobby Jones held third, followed by Ebersole and Allen Creveling for the restart. Several drivers pitted under the yellow flag, including Brittain, Rusty Smith and Barry Callavini.

Peck got by Paules and took control of the race on lap 58. Twenty-two green flag laps ripped off before the yellow flew for Paules, who spun on the backstretch. Paules pitted for a tire under the caution period.

Ebersole lined up alongside Pecko for the restart, with Todd Baer in third. Hirschman held fourth, followed by Jones.

Green flag racing resumed and Ebersole grabbed the race lead on lap 80. Meanwhile, Hirschman overtook Baer for third and set his sights on Pecko. Brittain tried to squeeze by Baer to take a spot four laps later. Contact was made, which sent Baer into a turn two spin and brought out the yellow flag.

Green flag racing resumed and Smith overtook Paules for fifth on lap 86. He got by Hirschman for third on lap 91 before passing Pecko for second on lap 92. He snagged the lead from Ebersole on the following circuit.

The yellow flag was displayed for the final time with three laps remaining when Hirschman tried to overtake Pecko for third in turns three and four. The contact sent Pecko into a spin and both drivers were forced to restart from the tail end of the field.

The change of events moved Paules to third, followed by Jones and Callavini.

Smith was flawless over the final laps and went on to take the victory over Paules, Ebersole, Jones and Callavini.

Modified (100-laps) 1. RUSTY SMITH 2. Earl Paules 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. CJ Jones 5. Barry Callavini 6. Pete Brittain 7. Bobby Jones 8. Todd Baer 9. Matt Hirschman 10. Nick Pecko 11. Allen Creveling 12. William Schneider 13. Jerry Hildebrand 14. David Schneider DNS: Zane Zeiner

$3000 Mahoning Jackpot Goes to Earl Paules after Chip Santee’s Road to Victory Blocked

By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 7-24-10) Poker is a game of risk, chance and luck when it comes to winning. Just ask Chip Santee who, in the blink of an eye, saw his shot at the $3000 Poker Series jackpot in the Hand 2 Seven Card Stud Modified 100 slip through his fingers after the lapped car of Tommy Flanagan got in his path while leading and he was forced to back down to avoid a possible rear end collision with just under 30 laps to go.

Earl Paules was the lucky card holder when all was said and done as the Palmerton hot-shoe was positioned to the outside of Santee and Flanagan and had the clear lane to take the lead and score the popular win over Anthony Sesely, John Markovic, Eric Beers and Matt Hirschman.

Santee had been leading from lap 28 and although Paules was mounting a respectable challenge, it appeared be his race to lose.

On lap 71 a caution was out for Flanagan had spun. He then ducked into the pits and as he was returning to rejoin the race the field was charging out of turn four to get the green. Flanagan came out in front of Santee and Paules.

Santee suddenly found his inside lane blocked and Paules was able to take advantage and move to the front. Santee was never able to regain his spot and even spun at one point while trying.

“Chip (Santee) got a little short end of the deal when the 87 (Flanagan) came out of the pits but what can you do. You have to take advantage with things like that. I felt bad for him but I needed to get the lead right then because our car was tight and Chip was strong,” said Paules who notched his third 100 lap Mahoning win and 11th overall in a Modified.

Time trials locked in the top 12 with Rich Kuilkem, Jr. setting fast time with a 9.880-second lap. For his efforts he received a $100 cash bonus.

The field was inverted for the start with Matt Higgins and CJ Jones on the front row. When the race began Higgins led and was holding off Santee and Paules who were in a dogfight for second.

Higgins was impressive in the way he led as both Santee and Paules tried several times but could not get past. Santee finally got a good run on lap 25 as he was able to dip underneath Higgins and finish off the pass on lap 28. Two laps later Paules was in second and it was then a heated battle with him and Santee.

Lonnie Behler was running a strong fourth over proverbial favorite Beers. Beers got around Behler at lap 57 and then tucked in behind the top two. Sesely joined the front fray on lap 67.

Although Paules was making valid bids to get the lead, Santee was clearly better. He was finally starting to put distance between them until the ill-fated lap 71 caution arrived. It was indeed an unfortunate situation for Santee with the gaffe of Flanagan.

“He was good and I was just trying to save my car,” noted Paules.

After taking the lead Paules had to hold back Beers who tried on several restarts to overtake him and then Sesely who tried repeatedly near the closing laps but came up just short at the finish.

The race took just over 30-minutes to complete.

“I love that. There’s a great bunch of guys here and when these 100 lappers are held its good racing,” said Paules who drew an Ace of Spades as the suit for Hand 2.

Since his first start on June 26 which he won, Sesely continued on his trend of being a front runner with his runner-up finish and has been a crowd pleaser with his ability of coming through traffic.

“I’m just having so much fun here and be able race the way these guys do and run door-handle-to-door handle,” said Sesely.

Markovic stormed from 15th to third and in doing so has the lead poker hand with a pair of Queens heading into the next 100-lap race on August 14. He was also third in Hand 1 on June 12.

“It was a great night. Earl and Anthony did a great job and it’s always fun to come back to Mahoning,” said the former five time champion Markovic. “Doug (Hoffman, track promoter) has got a good thing going here. Everyone races fair, hard and clean.”

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Earl Paules 2.Anthiny Sesely 3.John Markovic 4.Eric Beers 5.Mat Hirschman 6.Rob Shultz 7.Bobby Jones 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Chip Santee 10.Matt Higgins 11.CJ Jones 12.Terry Markovic 13.Scott Adams 14.John Bennett 15.Barry Callavini 16.Tommy Flanagan 17.Lonnie Behler 18.Tyler Haydt 19.Rich Kuilkem, Jr. 20.Don Wagner 21.Jimmy Zacharias 22.Lou Strohl 23.Joe Mooney DNQ: Jarred Nace

New York Trip Nets 4^th Place Finish for Paules

By :JR Kennerup

(July 18, 2010)- There is no doubt that Matt Hirschman spends plenty of time before a race thinking about his strategy and how he is going to use it when feature time comes around. The three time and defending Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour champion has won features by not pitting and also has won features by making a pit stop.

On Sunday afternoon at the Chemung Speedrome Hirschman stuck to his strategy of saving his car early and not getting in trouble, which almost led him to being a lap down. After the field got strung out Hirschman started his move toward the front and during a caution period on lap 83 Hirschman pitted for a new right rear tire. Matt returned to the track in seventh with 67 laps left in the 150 lap feature and he knew he had the car to beat.

Hirschman bided his time in getting to the front as he didn’t move into the top five until lap 113 and stayed in fifth for the next 17 laps. Then with 20 laps to go it was “go time“ and that is exactly what Hirschman did as he used all outside passes to work his way into second by lap 144. Just after lap 145 was scored Hirschman ducked under race long leader Erick Rudolph entering turn one to grab the lead for good.

Rudolph settled for a disappointing second with JR Kent driving a Zacharias Racing entry finishing third with Earl Paules in fourth and Daren Scherer in fifth.

“Our plans right from the get go was to pit after half way“ said the Northampton, Pa. race winner. “I remember back to the race here in 2008 when Eric (Beers) and I pitted late and we were both strong and you knew one of us were going to win the race. Eric ended up winning as I tangled with Jan Leaty that day. So I went back a couple of weeks ago and watched the tape of that race and figured that I would do the same exact thing today and it worked out perfectly for us.“

Pistol Pete Brittain and Erick Rudolph brought the 26 car field to green with Rudolph getting the lead from his outside pole starting spot over Brittain, JR Kent, Jan Leaty, and Andy Walko.

Following a lap six restart it became obvious that there was something wrong with the setup on the Brittain machine as he dropped back through the field. Making the big move during the shuffle to get past Brittain was Walko who vaulted into second and applied immediate pressure on Rudolph for the lead.

Rudolph and Walko were setting a blistering pace on this hot afternoon and with the race staying green from lap six until lap 41. Many drivers who were thought to be in contention for the win were almost caught and placed a lap down. However a spin by Doug Reaume on lap 41 saved Rusty Smith, Matt Hirschman, Daren Scherer, and Mike Leaty from going a lap down to the fast running duo of Rudolph and Walko.

Another 20 lap segment of green flag racing took place between laps 41 and 61 and once again drivers’ almost going a lap down was the story. During the caution period Walko, Scherer, and Mike Leaty all pitted for fresh right rear rubber.

The next 20 laps stayed all green and when the yellow appeared on lap 83 you figured that everyone would pit. Almost everyone pitted with the exception of Rudolph, Kent, and Earl Paules who were the top three in the running order, Scherer was now fourth and Mike Leaty was fifth.

The top five would stay the same for the next 24 laps as you could tell that the drivers who pitted were waiting for the final 25 laps to make their move. Hirschman was the first driver who pitted on lap 83 to make his move as he got around Leaty for fifth on lap 113 and just before Walko got into Leaty and spun out exiting turn two. The Leaty machine suffered enough damage to the left rear corner that he rode around and collected points for the remainder of the race.

The race went back to green with 32 laps to go and all eyes were on Hirschman to see when he would make his move. The first move came on lap 131 as he got past Scherer in turn one for fourth and seven laps later he drove around Paules for third.

Now on the back bumper of JR Kent for second Hirschman made short work of the driver that is known for being tough to pass at the end of the race as he took second on lap 144.

Rudolph started to lift earlier entering the corners at lap 135 in an effort to save what little rubber he had left and this allowed Hirschman to close in rapidly on Rudolph. Hirschman used his superior strength to get under Rudolph exiting turn four to complete lap 145 and by the time they were side by side entering turn one Hirschman who had the preferred groove got the lead exiting turn two and never looked back.

FINISH; Matt Hirschman, Erick Rudolph, JR Kent, Earl Paules, Daren Scherer, John Markovic, Rusty Smith, TJ Potrzebowski, Tommy Cloce, Kyle Ebersole, Jan Leaty, Wilbur Hebing, Mike Leaty, Andy Walko, Michael Speeney, Rick Kluth, Doug Reaume, Barry Callavini, Pete Brittain, John Ramsey, Jim Storace, Bobby Jones, Patrick Emerling, Terry Markovic, Brian DeFebo, Byron Chew.

Great Run Ends in Disappointing Finish for Paules at Sundance

(July 17, 2010)- Summer Racefest continued at Sundance Vacations Speedway Saturday evening with 40-laps and double points on the line for the Street Stock division. When it was all said and done, Scott Meckes of Lehighton emerged as the victor. Barry Callavini of Harwood held off several charges by Bobby Jones to claim his first Modified victory since 2007 and Lehighton’s Dave Freundt earned his second FWD feature win of the season. In only his seventh career start, Carl Jones of Lehighton scored his first career P.A.L. Legends victory.

Nick Pecko started from the pole and led the opening lap of the 40-lap Modified event with Todd Baer, Barry Callavini, Bobby Jones and Kyle Ebersole in hot pursuit.

Earl Paules started sixth and got by Ebersole to take the fifth spot on lap two. He then overtook Jones two laps later to claim fourth and shot by Callavini for third on lap three. He overtook Baer and moved into the runner up spot on lap six.

With tight racing in the front running pack, the yellow flag was displayed on laps 10 and 11 for solo spins. By this point in the race, Jones had moved into third, followed by Ebersole and Baer.

Pecko retained the race lead and held off several charges from Paules. While trying to hold the race lead, Pecko spun while coming off of turn four. Pecko was forced to restart from the tail end of the field, as was Paules, who was belived to be the cause of the incident.

The change of events gave the top spot to Callavini. Jones lined up in second for the restart, followed by Baer and Schneider.

With the green flag back in the air, Callavini did all that he could to hold off several charges from Jones. Meanwhile, Paules began to work back toward the front and overtook the third spot with a handful of laps remaining.

Despite having a loose handling racecar, Callavini picked up the $1500 prize when he held off Jones to notch his second career Modified main event win and his first since 2007. Pecko rebounded to finish third, followed by Ebersole and Baer.

After a successful drive up through the pack, Paules was spun from the third position while racing toward the checkered flag and finished in the ninth spot.

Nick Pecko and Kyle Ebersole were heat race winners.

Modified (40-laps) 1. BARRY CALLAVINI 2. Bobby Jones 3. Nick Pecko 4. Kyle Ebersole 5. Todd Baer 6. David Schneider 7. Brian Romig 8. Tommy Wannick III 9. Earl Paules 10. Wayne Szerencsits 11. Tom Casagrande

Late Race Charge Earns Earl Paules a 3^rd Place Finish at Sundance

(July 11, 2010)- Postponed from a weather threatened Saturday, drivers took to the 1/3-mile asphalt oval on Sunday at Sundance vacations Speedway. It was a day of firsts, as all of the feature winners went to victory lane for the very first time in their division. Without pitting for tires, Todd Baer of New Tripoli grabbed the $1250 prize after picking up his first career Sport Modified victory in the 75-lap contest. Following a handful of runner up finishes this season, Lorin Arthofer of Bethlehem went on to claim the $800 prize and his first feature win in a Late Model at the speedway and Eric Wink of Palm capitalized on a late race tangle to score his first career Factory Stock feature win.

Seventy-five laps of action set the stage for the $1250 to win Sport Modified main event. Double points were also on the line, which made track position even more important for the drivers when decision time came for pit stops.

Will Schneider sat on the pole position and was overtaken by Dan Speeney for the race lead on lap one. Geary Rinehimer and Mike Speeney held positions in the top five early on but the yellow flag waved when Rinehimer spun in turn four on the twelfth circuit.

Green flag racing resumed and Todd Baer, who had fought his way to second after starting in the ninth spot, grabbed the race lead. Nick Pecko climbed his way past D. Speeney and into second a few laps later, with Barry Callavini and Jason Hearne entering the top five.

With Baer out front at halfway, Callavini ran in the second spot, followed closely by M. Speeney, Hearne and Ricky Ross, Jr.

The yellow flag waved once more when Jerry Hildebrand tagged Pat Verwys on the backstretch. Several of the top ten drivers pitted for rubber under the caution, including Earl Paules, Rusty Smith and Pecko.

Green flag racing resumed and with Smith right on his rear bumper, Paules began to dispose of the competition left and right. He grabbed the fifth spot from Ross on lap 57 and then took fourth from Hearne two laps later. Smith followed the entire time. Paules then overtook M. Speeney for third on lap 65 and then set sail for Callavini.

Meanwhile, Mike Skarbowski snuck by Smith to take the fourth spot.

Baer never pitted for tires, yet set a blistering pace over the final circuits to earn his first career Sport Modified win over Callavini, Paules, Skarbowski and Smith.

Baer said during his victory lane interview that the team’s initial plan was to pit for tires sometime past the halfway point. “We planned to pit, but we were leading and couldn’t afford to give up the track position”, he said.

The winning driver also thanked Paules, who Baer had finished second to on multiple occasions. “He (Paules) taught me a lot just by following him and this time we got him”, said Baer.

Heat race victories went to Mike Skarbowski, Jason Hearne and Dan Speeney.

Sport Modifieds (75-Laps) 1. TODD BAER 2. Barry Callavini 3. Earl Paules 4. Mike Skarbowski 5. Rusty Smith 6. Mike Speeney 7. Ricky Ross Jr 8. Jason Hearne 9. Dan Speeney 10. Nick Pecko 11. CJ Lacatvia 12. Pat Verwys 13. William Schneider 14. Bill Lowden Jr 15. Frank Scimeca 16. Jerry Hildebrand 17.Jim Zacharias 18. Dean Ficarro 19. Geary Rinehimer 20. Brian Sones

Earl Paules Unstoppable At Sundance Vacations Speedway

(July 3, 2010) After winning the Modified main event two weeks early and following it up a week later with two-straight Sport Modified features, it appears that Earl Paules of Palmerton is on a mission. Paules took the lead in the Modified feature on lap eight and cruised to his fourth victory of the season in the division Saturday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. Lehighton’s Scott Meckes extended his points lead by notching his first Street Stock victory of the year and Mike Kline of Lancaster scored his third FWD win of the season in the 30-lap, double-points event. Scott Hubler of Coplay notched his sixth-straight victory of the season in the Pennsylvania Asphalt Legends event.

Tommy Wanick III led the Modified field to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap main event. With Wanick in command after a lap, Harry Buchman held the second spot, followed by Nick Pecko, Todd Baer and Earl Paules.

Buchman took the lead early on and with five laps in, Paules worked by Baer to take third. Only three laps later, he overtook Pecko for second before passing Buchman and moving to the race lead.

Paules set a blistering pace from the onset and the battle for second heated up. Buchman retained the runner up spot at halfway and tried to hold off advances from Bobby Jones, Kyle Ebersole and Baer.

Jones tried to work the outside groove around Buchman for second, yet he seemed relentless to give up the spot.

With only a handful of laps remaining and with Jones working the outside, Ebersole got underneath Buchman and moved into the second spot. However, contact was made and it became obvious that Ebersole had cut a rear tire.

The only yellow flag of the event waved when Ebersole spun from contention with three laps remaining. Green flag racing resumed with Paules in command over Buchman, Jones, Baer and Pecko.

Jones overtook Buchman for second on the restart and Paules cruised on to his fourth straight victory and second-straight in the division over Jones. Buchman was disqualified in post race tech, which gave the third position to Barry Callavini. Wayne Szerencsits and Pecko completed the top five.

Heat race victories went to Earl Paules and Nick Pecko.

Modified (40-laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Bobby Jones 3. Barry Callavini 4. Wayne Szerencsits 5. Nick Pecko 6. Tommy Wanick III 7. Kyle Ebersole 8. Todd Baer 9. Tom Casagrande 10. Ken Vogel Jr 11. Jim Bojohnny DQ: Harry Buchman

Earl Paules Doubles the Glory At Sundance Vacations Speedway

(June 26, 2010)- Due to being postponed from two weeks earlier, the Sport Modified and Late Model drivers ran double features on a hot and muggy Saturday evening at Sundance Vacations Speedway. In dominating fashion, Earl Paules of Palmerton stormed to the Sport Modified make up win and he followed it up later that night with another feature victory. Mike Coll of Long Island and Mike Sweeney of Nesquehoning split the Late Model main events and Brandon Oltra of Alden notched his first career Factory Stock victory. After a last lap pass, Bob Wink of Palm found victory in the Father’s Day Factory Stock race and Scott Hubler of Coplay scored his fifth straight PA Asphalt Legends feature win of the season.

Paul Frantz led the Sport Modified drivers to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap make up feature from June 12 and was quickly overtaken by Todd Baer for the top position. Nick Pecko had worked his way into the second spot by the fifth lap and Frantz, Jason Hearne and Pat Verwys raced closely behind the leaders.

Contact between Frantz and Hearne brought out a lap nine caution. Several others were involved in the turn one and two incident, including Ricky Ross, Jr., Verwys and Mike Speeney.

Green flag racing resumed with Baer in front, followed by Pecko, Mike Skarbowski and Earl Paules. Paules, the seventeenth place starter wasted no time and began to claw further toward the top and two laps later he got by Pecko for second.

Paules drove to the inside of Baer in turn four on lap 15. The final yellow flew with seven laps remaining when Skarbowski and Baer tangled on a restart.

With the green back out, Paules never looked back as he took the checkered flag and $1000 payday over Jason Hearne, Ross, Pecko and M. Speeney.

Paul Frantz and Todd Baer won qualifiers for the event on June 12.

CJ Lacatvia led the Sport Modified field to the drop of the green in the regularly scheduled 40-lap feature. Paul Frantz quickly took command with Todd Baer in tow.

Baer and Frantz battled side by side for the lead on lap four and then Earl Paules joined the mix for a three-wide battle into turn one. The end result was a spinning Frantz and the yellow flag waved.

Baer inherited the race lead with Paules, who started in tenth, in second. Nick Pecko, Mike Skarbowski and Brian Sones followed.

The following laps were caution filled and excitement driven. First, Mike Skarbowski experienced a small fire from underneath his hood on lap 11 and was forced to pit.

With six laps remaining and while battling for fourth, Pecko and Sones tangled in turn two and set up the final restart.

Untouched, Paules drove off to his second $1000 feature win of the day and third overall this season in the division. Baer finished second, followed by Hearne, Skarbowski and Geary Rinehimer.

Mike Skarbowski and Nick Pecko were heat race winners.

Sport Modified Make Up from 6/13 (40-laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Jason Hearne 3. Ricky Ross Jr 4. Nick Pecko 5. Mike Speeney 6. Paul Frantz 7. Scott Adams 8. CJ Lacatvia 9. Todd Baer 10. Dan Speeney 11. Dennis Krupski 12. Brian Sones 13. Dean Ficarro 14. Geary Rinehimer 15. Mike Skarbowski 16. Pat Verwys 17.Frank Scimeca

Sport Modified (40-laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Todd Baer 3. Jason Hearne 4. Mike Skarbowski 5. Geary Rinehimer 6. Mike Speeney 7. Nick Pecko 8. Ricky Ross Jr 9. Dennis Krupski 10. CJ Lacatvia 11. Paul Frantz 12. Dean Ficarro 13. Brian Sones 14. Dan Speeney 15. Frank Scimeca 16. Pat Verwys

Modified Ace Paules Turns up the Heat to Pad Points Lead

By: Mike Odwazny

(June 19, 2010)- After a fifth place finish at Spencer Speedway in an R.O.C. event on Friday night, Tour Type Modified points leader Earl Paules of Palmerton, PA. towed into Sundance Vacations Speedway on Saturday with his favorite race car and proceeded to drive away to the $1500 top prize. Chip Wanamaker of Walnutport, PA. would lead all 25 circuits of the exciting Street Stock caution free feature event. And Dave Freundt of Lehighton, PA. would edge Robert Fink by .006 at the line for the thrilling FWD feature win.

In the Modified feature, Tom Wanick III would start from the pole position and lead early. Meanwhile, Earl Paules began rocketing toward the front from his 7th place starting spot. By lap 7, Paules would move into the 4th spot. The caution flag would wave on lap 8, for the #19A of Dave Schneider. The restart would see the #1w of Tom Wanick III, not get up to speed and after the field bottled up, several cars would be scattered in turn one including Schneider, Jim Bojohnny, and Pete Brittain, who would receive the most damage and end up in the turn 1 foam. Wayne Szerencsits would begin to mount a charge and enter the top five by lap 14, as the caution flew once again for Schneider and "Nitro" Nick pecko, who were tangled together and would take a brief delay to seperate them, with help from the track welder. A few more single cars spins would plague the Modified feature, but Earl Paules would prove to be dynamite on restarts and power his way to the top spot. Earl commanded the lead over the last last half of the event, as Bobby Jones was his only threat. Bobby Jones trailed Earl Paules at the line by just a car length, and continued his string of solid runs, despite no practice after an oil leak was discovered upon arrival at the speedway. Hazleton, PA.'s Tom Wanick would have a career best 3rd place finish, followed by Todd Baer, and Wayne Szerencsits at the checkered. Heat race winners were Baer and Paules in the Modifieds, Hawk and Wanamaker in the Street Stocks, and Fink and Freundt in the FWDS. Contingency winners were Josh Oswald, Mike Kline, and Todd Baer.

Modified (40-laps) 1. Earl Paules 2. Bobby Jones 3. 1W Tommy Wanick III 4. Todd Baer 5. Wayne Szerencsits 6. Allen Creveling 7. CJ Jones 8. Harry Buchman 9. Nick Pecko 10. Travis Fisher 11. David Schneider 12. Pete Brittain 13. Jim Bojohnny 14. Wayne Kocher

Paules Finishes Fifth in Spencer RoC Show

The Race of Champions Modified Tour took to the new asphalt surface at Spencer Speedway last Friday, June 18. Crazy as it may seem the top two were the same in three of the four races run and the top three finishers were the same from the last tour race at Oswego Speedway.
Up front it was Ransomville’s Chuck Hossfeld taking his third RoC victory of the season. Bill Hebing came home in second followed by Matt Hirschman.
“I have to thank the whole team,” commented Hossfeld in victory lane, “This thing drove like a Cadillac tonight.”
Hossfeld took the lead on lap 13, out dragging Hebing on a restart. From there on Hebing hounded Hossfeld but was not able to mustard up enough power to complete the pass for the lead.
“I think working at Troyer’s has helped me as a driver,” continued Hossfeld. He also commented on the new surface, “To see some one make improvements, even in these economic times, is great. This track will be good for a long time to come.”
Twenty-six cars started the main event, which would take one hour and ten minutes to complete. By luck of the redraw, Bill Putney and Kyle Ebersole brought the field down to the green. Putney immediately grabbed the lead, with third place starter, Hebing, taking second.
With just three laps in the books the first of eleven cautions flew. Unfortunately for the leader, Putney, he was tapped and spun around in the third turn. This allowed Hebing would had complete his pass down the back stretch, before Putney was tapped, to take the lead.
The restart saw Hebing hold off Hossfeld on the restart. Up front Ebersole joined the top three as they pulled away from the rest of the field. But the yellow flew, slowing the pace. This time Jan and Mike Leaty came together, with Mike looping around in the first turn. Both pitted for tires, however Jan’s car suffered more damage then thought and became the first to retire from the event.
Four laps later, lap 12, the yellow flew again. Four cars came together, looping around in the first turn. With the track blocked, the field was placed under red flag conditions. Involved in the first turn melee were Tim McMullen, T.J. Potrzebowski, Zach Shove and Daryl Lewis Jr.
The restart saw Hossfeld able to take the lead from Hebing. However only one lap was completed before the yellow was out again. This time McMullen and Bob Reis had come together. With just 22 of the 26 starters remaining the field raced a long green flag run. This allowed Mike Leaty to work his way back to 12th.
Up front Hossfeld and Hebing made for a two car break away, with Matt Hirschman in third, followed by Rusty Smith and Jeff Hamman.
On lap 25, the yellow flew when both Reis and Doug Reaume slowed on the back stretch. Both were lapped before the yellow flew.
Hossfeld held strong as now six cars broke away at the front of the field. Behind the top five was Earl Paules in sixth.
The race slowed on lap 42 when Tommy Cloce and Ebersole made contact in the first turn. At this time Putney and Ricky Kluth ducked into the pits to get new right rear rubber. The restart saw Jim Storace coast to a stop in the first turn causing the yellow to fly again.
Once under way, the top six remained the same. With the laps winding down many drivers were making their late race charges, when the yellow came out as Reaume looped in the first turn to bring out the yellow, lap 58. The last 17 laps saw some intense racing.
A five car spin in the third turn on lap 64 saw Kluth, McMullen, Reis, Patrick Emerling and Ebersole all involved. Mike Leaty’s great rebounding run was halted when he was sent to the rear for contact that caused that incident.
Two more single car yellows would follow for minor spin outs , laps 66 and 68. This set up a charge for the checkers. The final restart saw Hamman, who had run in the top six for most of the race, sputter, and fall back, losing a number of positions.

Up front Hossfeld held off Hebing and Hirschman. Smith finished in fourth followed by Paules.
“My father is not here tonight,” added Hossfeld. “I’d like to wish him and all of the fathers a happy Fathers Day this Sunday.”
As for Hebing, he stated, “I’ve been around this place for a lot of laps in my career. This track is really smooth and once a second grove develops completely this place will be great.”
Hebing also added, Finishing second for the third time this year is getting old.”
As for Hirschman, he commented, “This year we didn’t need to pit for tires like we had to do before. This was a good clean run for us.”

FEATURE (75-laps): 1) CHUCK HOSSFELD (4), 2) Bill Hebing (3), 3) Matt Hirschman (5), 4) Rusty Smith (7), 5) Earl Paules, 6) Michael Sweeney (6), 7) Terry Cheetham (18), 8) Billy Putney (1), 9) Daren Sherer (24), 10) Mike Leaty (19), 11) Ricky Kluth (12), 12) Kyle Ebersole (2), 13) Erick Rudolph (11), 14) Patrick Emerling (26), 15) Jeff Hamman (17), 16) Doug Reaume (22), 17) Bob Reis (16), 18) Tim McMullen (13), 19) Danny Knoll Jr. (25), 20) Tommy Cloce (8), 21) Jim Storace (9), 22) Chris Risdale (23), 23) T.J. Potrzebowski (15), 24) Daryl Lewis Jr. (18), 25) Zach Shove (21), 26) Jan Leaty (20).

Earl Salvages Top 10 at Mahoning

LEHIGHTON, PA (6-12-10) As a successful and seasoned veteran of Mahoning Valley Speedway, Bobby Jones knows a thing or two about winning races at the ¼-mile. His accomplishments include 10 Pro4 Late Model wins and the 1994 division crown and 11 Modified triumphs.

This past Saturday night the personable Jones furthered his endeavors with a rousing victory in one of the infamous 100-lap Modified races to his resume.

Jones, who started ninth in the 21-car field, did something that is tough to do in these Mahoning century runs, he passed Eric Beers for the lead and in doing so went on to notch his biggest career win in the Hand One 7 Card Stud 100. The Walnutport ace collected $3000 for his effort.

“I can’t believe this. This year just started out bad, I thought it was anyway and I was close to maybe thinking about taking a break and instead here we are winning again. We won last week (Sundance) and again tonight. This is good,” said Jones.

“I haven’t won and been in Victory Circle for a while and tonight we earned it because I’m tired.”

It was the first time Jones had won at Mahoning since July 9, 2005.

After an inversion of the top 12 in time trials, Tommy Flanagan and Lonnie Behler brought the field to Dick Brown’s race commencing green.

Flanagan led the opening circuit and on the next go-around it was Behler showing the way. Third starting Beers drove to the outside lane and went by Flanagan and then Behler for the lead with five laps in.

The first 23 circuits were clicked off in a fast pace as Beers was very strong and pulling away from the pack. Moments before he was attempting to go past the first of the back-markers, the first of six cautions waved.

On the restart Beers had Behler, Flanagan, Earl Paules and John Markovic sharing the top five. On the restart Behler faded back and Flanagan assumed second. Flanagan then kept within reach of Beers, never allowing pulling away as he did in the opening green flag stretch.

Jones emerged into the front five at the same time and ten laps later was fourth behind Markovic.

As Beers remained in command over Flanagan, Jones jumped to third a lap shy of the midway point which also saw a caution period.

On the restart he lined up behind Beers and followed his tire path to second and then went side-by-side.

What would turn out to be the final caution on lap 56 for a solo spin by Rick Reichenbach, Jones simply outgunned Beers for the lead at the restart. The rest of the way all Beers could do was watch as he never mounted a challenge. Jones went on to a .739-second margin of victory.

“I thought he (Beers) was just riding it and then on that restart (lap 56) I told myself I had to go for it. I knew the car was really good on the outside. That first 100-lapper (April 17), we where a lapped car and I vowed to come back tonight and redeem myself but this is beyond what I expected,” said Jones who then pulled the Ace of Diamonds for the suite for the opening poker hand.

Beers, Markovic, Flanagan and Brian DeFebo rounded out the top five with Chip Santee, Rick Kirkendall, Don Wagner, Paulus and Rob Shultz completing the top 10.

“We had the second best car here tonight,” bottom lined Beers.

“Bobby (Jones) was definitely better than us. He had a good restart there. We ran side-by-side, I gave him his lane and he gave me mine and he ended up just driving around me. Hats off to him and his guys they did a heck of a job.”

“I’d like to congratulate Bobby. He was spot on, drove the wheels off the car, ran everybody clean and that’s Mahoning Valley,” added Markovic.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Bobby Jones 2.Eric Beers 3.John Markovic 4.Tom Flanagan 5.Brian DeFebo 6.Chip Santee 7.Rick Kirkendall 8.Don Wagner 9.Earl Paules 10.Rob Shultz 11.Matt Hirschman 12.Lou Strohl 13.Rick Reichenbach 14.Jarred Nace 15.Lonnie Behler 16.John Bennett 17.Zane Zeiner 18.Tyaler Haydt 19.Andy Szapacs 20.Scott Adams 21.Matt Wentz Did not start: Matt Higgins, Terry Markovic

Paules Remains Consistent at Sundance With Runner Up Finish

(June 5, 2010) In conjunction with the third annual Evergreen Raceway Reunion and after finishing as the runner up in his last outing, Bobby Jones of Lehighton wheeled his Modified to his first feature win of the season Saturday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. Steve Shultz of Drums notched his first Street Stock victory of the season and East Stroudsburg’s Bill Verwys, Jr. scored his second main event win of the year. Robin Johnston held off his fellow ATQMRA competitors to notch his first win of the year at the speedway.

Alan Creveling started from the pole and led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap Modified main event. Dave Schneider took command before a lap was complete and with one lap in the books and from his fourth starting spot, Bobby Jones took the top spot.

Jones began to drive away from the field during the opening laps and Schneider retained the second spot. Nick Pecko ran third with Kyle Ebersole and Earl Paules in tow.

Ebersole overtook Pecko for the third position on lap five and then Paules took fourth from Pecko three laps later.

With Jones still in command and with Schneider in second, Ebersole and Paules ran door to door for third. Eventually Paules completed the third place pass on lap 17 and then moved by Schneider for second four circuits later.

The first of two caution flags waved on lap 25 when Wayne Szerencsits spun in turns one and two. Jones had a stellar lead prior to the yellow flag and knew that he’d have his hands full with Paules on the restart. Ebersole lined up third, followed by Schneider and Todd Baer.

Green flag racing resumed and Jones took off like a rocket. Meanwhile, Ebersole and Paules battled for second.

After finishing second to Paules two weeks ago, Jones cruised on to take the checkered flag and the $1500 prize for his first win of the second over Paules, Ebersole, Baer and Pecko.

Modified (40-laps) 1. BOBBY JONES 2. Earl Paules 3. Kyle Ebersole 4. Todd Baer 5. Nick Pecko 6. David Schneider 7. Alan Creveling 8. Harry Buchman 9. Tommy Wannick III 10. Tom Casagrande 11. Wayne Szerencsits

Paules Couldn’t Find Grip- Settles for 8^th in the Sport Mod at Sundance

(May 30, 2010)- After going a lap down and finishing his first Sport Modified Feature two weeks ago, Brian Sones of Sandy Valley asked his father to put his engine back in his Street Stock. Dad declined and Brian, a former two-time victor in the Street Stocks set out Sunday with hopes of earning a top ten finish at Sundance Vacations Speedway. To the surprise of many, Sones not only earned his first top ten, but also went on to capture the checkered flag, picking up his first career Sport Modified main event win. After weeks of frustration and disappointment, Mike Sweeney of Nesquehoning threatened to cut up his Late Model if it wasn’t competitive in the feature. It appears that Sweeney’s car will remain intact because he notched his first feature win of the season. White Haven’s Jeff Searfoss held off Paul Morgan, Jr. and scored his first Factory Stock win in nearly 16 years and Scott Hubler of Coplay pulled the hat trick and scored his third consecutive Pennsylvania Asphalt Legends Series victory.

Brian Sones led the Sport Modified field to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap main event. Todd Baer quickly tucked in behind the leader with Barry Callavini, Nick Pecko and Jason Hearne in tow.

Pecko slid back a few spots in the early going and Mike Skarbowski grabbed fifth before five laps were complete.

The first of four yellow flags waved when Pecko got turned around on the front stretch. Green flag racing resumed and from the outside line, Baer edged out Sones for the race lead on the following lap. However, Baer relinquished the lead to Sones and was also overtaken by Hearn for second.

A turn three spin by Scott Brannick brought out another caution on lap 21. Sones remained out front at that point in the event. Baer has since overtaken Hearne for second. Skarbowski quietly worked into the third spot with Hearn and Ricky Ross, Jr. in fifth.

The last 18 laps were run caution free and Sones, who had never scored a top ten finish while behind the wheel of a Sport Modified held off Baer to claim his first career open wheel victory. Skarbowski, Hearne and Ross rounded out the top five.

“We realized the other night that the car was badly bent in the rear”, said Kenny Sones who is Brian’s father. “We weren’t going to run today so we can get it fixed, but instead Gordy (Buchman) rented the track yesterday and allowed us to come up also”.

Along with straightening out the car and bolting on four fresh tires, the practice definitely paid off and helped the team the $1000 victory.

Brian Sones and Earl Paules were heat race winners.

As long as he meets the program requirements, CJ Lacatvia will pick up $50 because his finishing position was pulled in victory lane for the Sundance Vacations Contingency Program.

Sport Modifieds (40-Laps) 1. BRIAN SONES 2. Todd Baer 3. Mike Skarbowski 4. Jason Hearne 5. Ricky Ross Jr 6. Mike Speeney 7. Nick Pecko 8. Earl Paules 9. Barry Callavini 10. CJ Lacatvia 11. Rob Schultz 12. Paul Frantz 13. William Schneider 14. Scott Brannick 15. Pat Verwys DNS: Geary Rinehimer

Earl Paules Hits Big $5k with Sundance “Drive for Five” Victory

(May 23, 2010)- While competing with several of the top Modified drivers in the Northeast, along with “Jon Boy” Brown, one of the stars of Madhouse in competition, Earl Paules of Palmerton hit the pits for a right rear tire with 20 laps remaining and came back to take the $5000 “Drive for Five” victory Sunday at Sundance Vacations Speedway. Harry Sager of Hanover Twp. Notched this first career Street Stock victory and Mike Kline of Lancaster scored his second-straight 4 Cyl. FWD main event win.

Zane Zeiner ran the fastest lap of the day in time trials and the top eight qualifiers redrew for starting positions prior to the start of the 100-lap Modified main event. Coming off two straight victories at the speedway, Kyle Ebersole ran the sixth fastest qualifying time and pulled number one for his starting spot.

Dave Schneider lined up along side of Ebersole and the green flag waved. With one lap complete, Paules had worked into the second spot, followed by Zeiner, Schneider and Bobby Jones.

Matt Hirschman cracked the top five and took the fourth spot from Jones on lap 13. Not long after he overtook Zeiner for third.

The caution flag waved on lap 28 when Anthony Sesely slowed on the track. Green flag racing resumed and Paules edged out Ebersole for the race lead.

A Nick Pecko spin on lap 39 brought out another yellow and Ebersole headed to the pits. Paules stayed on the racetrack and retained the lead. Hirschman held second with Zeiner, Jones and John Fortin in tow.

A lap 44 yellow slowed the field and following the restart, Hirschman took advantage of Paules’ fading car and took the lead on lap 48. Zeiner followed into second. Paules slipped to third, followed by Jones. Ebersole worked back to fifth by mid race.

Hirschman surrendered the lead to Zeiner when he pitted for rubber during a lap 52 yellow. Several others hit the pits as well, including Rusty Smith, Pete Brittain, Paules, Larry Fisher and Danny Sammons. Jones moved up to the runner up spot when the others pitted. Todd Baer held third, followed by Alan Creveling and Ebersole.

Meanwhile, Ebersole and Paules began to charge toward the top five. They both got by Baer to take third and fourth respectively on lap 63. The following lap they overtook Jones for second and third and then Ebersole got by Zeiner for the race lead on lap 70.

A caution flew a lap 80 when Brittain spun in turn four while challenging for the third position. Paules was the only driver to pit under the yellow.

With only 12 laps remaining and while running in the runner up spot, Hirschman tried to make an inside pass work in turn three. The cars touched and Ebersole spun around. Zeiner was also collected and all three drivers were sent to the rear of the field for the restart. Fortin inherited the race lead, followed by Fisher, Jones, Pecko and Paules.

While racing hard in the top five, Pecko spun in turn two to bring out a lap 92 yellow. With a great restart, Jones overtook Fortin and appeared to be on his way to what would have been the best win of his career. However, the cards changed with the yellow waved with five laps remaining when Fortin and Fisher tangled in turns one and two.

With only with laps remaining following the restart, Paules overtook Jones and drove away with the $5,000 victory.

Pitting with 20 laps to go was risky for the winner, yet he proved that it was the right decision. “We didn’t have the best car today”, he said. “With 20 to go I called down to the guys to see if we had any tires. They said yeah, so I came in and they threw on one the right rear”.

Jones was forced to settle for a second place effort. Smith, Zeiner and Baer completed the top five. “Jon Boy” Brown fought a tight racecar all day and settled for a 13^th place effort in the Wanick Motorsports #1w.

Modified (100-Laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Bobby Jones 3. Rusty Smith 4. Zane Zeiner 5. Todd Baer 6. Matt Hirschman 7. Kyle Ebersole 8. Nick Pecko 9. Barry Callavini 10. John Fortin 11. David Schneider 12. Nick Gargiulo 13. Jonathan Brown 14. Lew Hallock 15. Larry Fisher 16. Alan Creveling 17.Pete Brittain 18. Anthony Sesely 19. Danny Sammons 20. Marissa Niederauer 21. Harry Buchman 22.Frank Russo 23. Tommy Wanick

Paules Finishes Second in Albany-Saratoga RoC Action

(May 21, 2010)- Huntington Valley, PA, modified racer, Rowan Pennink knows about comebacks. Been there, done that. Forced to restart races from the back of the field and drive his way to the front, Pennink did it again Friday night May 21, when he overcame a cut tire on lap 2 and came back to win the 100 lap “East-West Showdown” at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, New York.

The race was co-sanctioned by the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by the BobValentiAutomall.com and the Race of Champions DART Asphalt Series.

Pole sitter Pete Brittain, Oakhurst, New Jersey, led the first forty-seven-laps before yielding the top spot to fellow RoC competitor Earl Paules, Palmerton, PA. Paules then set a torrid pace until lap seventy-six when Pennink made a charge to the front and claimed the top spot. Pennink went on to score his second Modified Racing Series win. The victory was the third for car owner, Gary Cassela of Saugas, MA.

The race was marred by 15 caution periods including a crash that saw 2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year, Jacob Dore, Sanford, Maine, come together with second place car, Brittain, while battling for the position. Dore sailed up over the front of Brittain’s car. Neither driver was injured.

Like Pennink, Sean Bodreau, Claremont, NH., who started 27th in the 28 car lineup, overcame an early race mishap to finish a strong third ahead of Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT, Rob Goodenough, Swanzey, NH, Daren Scherer, Binghamton, NY, Norman Wrenn, Nashua, NH, Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT, and Kenny Barry, Preston, CT.

Qualifying races were won by Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA., and Paules.

Order of Finish – (1) Pennink (2) Paules (3) Bodreau (4) Hinckley (5) Goodenough (6) Sherer (7) Wrenn (8) Holdridge (9) Smith (10) Barry (11) Spiers (12) Brittain (13) Dore (14) Hirschman, (15) J.Jarvis (16) Speeney (17) Zachem (18) D.Jarvis (19) White (20) Goodale (21) Storace (22) McKennedy (23) Kluth (24) Perry (25) Annarummo (26) Ordway (27) Doucette (28).

Paules Wins Heat and Finished 6^th in RoC Feature at Shangri-La II

By: JR Kennerup (May 16, 2010) Any race car driver always likes seeing their name as the first winner of a new event or at a new race track. That was the case on Sunday afternoon at the Shangri–La II Speedway as Chuck Hossfeld won the Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour opener, the first RoC sanctioned event at the track.

Hossfeld of Ransomville, NY started sixth in the field of 28 ground pounding Modifieds. Chuck used the outside groove of the half mile concrete oval to get into second by lap five. For the next sixty laps Hossfeld kept working over leader Pete Brittain with a variety of outside and inside challenges. Just after lap 64 was completed Hossfeld darted to the inside of Brittain entering turn one grabbing the lead.

Brittain who started on the pole tried the same exact move with one lap to go but failed to make the pass for the lead. This failed attempt by Brittain bottled up the pack behind him setting off a wild scramble to the finish line.

Hossfeld in for the popular $2,800 win followed by Wilbur Hebing, Daren Scherer, Brittain, and Erick Rudolph who recovered nicely from a lap 25 spin to finish fifth.

“ It’s good to win the first one here “ said the smiling winner in the post race tech inspection area. “ In this day and age where you go to tracks and they’re deteriorating, it’s discouraging. Then when you go to a nice new race track like here and Albany – Saratoga, it shows me that there is a future in our type of racing which is great. “

Running behind leader Pete Brittain for sixty laps Chuck did find out one big item that enabled him to set up his winning pass. “ It took him three or four laps to really get going after a restart; I figured that I had to attack right after a restart ( lap 62 ). He did what he had to do by holding and protecting the bottom, but I worked him over high and low all day and it paid off in the end. “

Hossfeld faced another factor in making his winning pass and that was oil dry all over the track due to complete track oil down by Brian DeFebo. “ Yes I was concerned with all of that oil dry on the track. But I was running higher on the track and I figured that he had to protect the bottom and with all of that oil dry down there that would be an advantage for me. “

The win was special for Chuck but he knew that he wouldn’t have made it to the winners circle without his hard working crew and powerful engine under the hood. “ I want to thank my team as they put a lot of hours in, don’t get a lot of recognition, and I think they are one of the best teams out there right now. I have a lot of talented people on my team and I have a great motor program with Ron Hutter right now. Every track you need horsepower and I know with a Hutter you have that horsepower when you need it the most especially here with the long straights. “

Ontario, NY driver Wilbur Hebing ended up second in the Ed McGuire owned car. “ We’re very happy with the way the car went and I’m happy for Ed as he was supposed to stay home ( operation this past week ) but I saw his van up there outside of turn one and I knew he couldn’t stay home. “

Wilbur who started fifth had one of, if not the fastest car during the feature. “ The longer the race stayed green the more the car would come to me. I know the guys in front of me started to get loose late in the race and I figured that the 22 cars would get together and I wasn’t sure that if they did I could stay out of it or not. But I did and came home in second which is a good finish for us and a nice way to bring the car home in one piece instead of on a wrecker. “

Binghamton, NY driver Daren Scherer started second and hung around the top five all race long and got a break at the end to finish third. “ Our car was getting real loose at the end and all of those cautions late in the race helped us out. We’ll take a third as that is a good way to start the year out on the Tour. “

Qualifying heat races for the 30 car field saw heat wins captured by Matt Hirschman, Rudolph, Brittain, and Earl Paules.

RoC N’ CONCRETE RUMBLINGS; Many first time racers and race fans packed the facility making it unofficially the largest attended event in the history of the track that opened last summer. Many long time attendees of the old Shangri–La Speedway were on hand trading racing stories while checking out the new facility. The Modifieds were turning laps on the half mile oval in the mid to low 17 second bracket all day long. Track builder, owner, and promoter George Swansbrough decided to add all Modifieds that made it through the heat races due to the tremendous support on the day. Chris Risdale suffered mechanical woes in hot laps ending his day. Ken Canestrari and Tommy Cloce got together at the start of heat number three with both drivers ending up hard into the homestretch outside wall, Canestrari called it a day at that point while Cloce repaired his car to make the feature only to have smoke from the engine ending his day. Doug Reaume who wrecked his car severely here two weeks ago was back in the same machine. After blowing a right front tire in the feature and slamming the turn three outside wall Jim Storace complained of neck pain, he was removed from the car and transported to a local hospital for observation. There was no update on his condition at press time. The late race left front flat of Jan Leaty cost him a top five finish while defending and two time RoC Champion Matt Hirschman got tapped which blew his left rear at the same time taking a top ten away from him. The show was taped for Trackwide Thunder and will be shown on Time Warner Cable Sports on June 3rd with Doug Elkins and Dan Harpell calling the action.

The Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour is proudly sponsored by; Dart Machinery, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Gater Racing News, Total Seal Piston Rings, Dura – Bond, Competition Engineering by Moroso, Afco, Melling Performance, CV Products, Erson Cams, Dynatech, Xceldyne Technologies, PBM Performance Products, and LA Sleeve.

The next event is the postponed April 18th show at the Albany–Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY that takes place this Friday night. The show will resume when the rain hit at the start of the third heat, RoC cars that show up will receive their 50 bonus points.

The next full point show for the RoC Tour is Saturday May 29th at the Oswego Speedway with the running of the Richie Evans Memorial.

FINISH; Chuck Hossfeld, Wilbur Hebing, Daren Scherer, Pete Brittain, Erick Rudolph, Earl Paules, Kyle Ebersole, Steven Reed, Andy Walko, Mike Leaty, Billy Putney, Rick Kluth, Byron Chew, Mike Speeney, TJ Potrzebowski, Rusty Smith, Matt Hirschman, Jan Leaty, Scott Conover, Zack Shove, Doug Reaume, Brian DeFebo, Jim Storace, Bob Reis, John Markovic, Lenny Fischer, Tommy Cloce, Matt Clemens.

DID NOT START; Ken Canestrari, Chris Risdale.
LAP LEADERS; Brittain (1-64), Hossfeld (65-75).
DART MACHINERY AWARD ( FROM ALBANY – SARATOGA ) $1,500 SET OF HEADS; Shove.
GATER RACING NEWS DRIVER BONUS DRAW ( FROM ALBANY – SARATOGA ) $500; Hirschman.
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD CHARGER AWARD; Ebersole 20th to 7th.
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD LUCK AWARD; Storace 4th to 23rd.

Paules Earns Third Straight Top 2 Modified Finish at Sundance

(May 9, 2010) After crashing out of the opening day feature last month at Sundance Vacations Speedway, Kyle Ebersole of Hummelstown, PA rebounded with a feature win. He doubled that feat again on Mother’s Day when he beat Earl Paules to the checkers to score his second straight Modified feature win. Joe Barbush of Drums started ninth in the Street Stock main and drove off to score his first victory of the season and 14-year old Mike Kline of Lancaster, PA picked up his first career victory in the 4 Cyl. FWD feature.

Allen Creveling started from the pole position and was overtaken for the race lead by Bobby Jones following the initial start of the 40-lap Modified main event. Barry Callavini held third, followed by Earl Paules and Kyle Ebersole.

Callavini overtook Creveling for second and both Paules and Ebersole followed. Paules shot by Callavini and into the second spot on lap four. Ebersole grabbed the third spot from Callavini two laps later. Meanwhile, after started back in the eighth spot, Zane Zeiner cracked the top five.

Zeiner overtook Callavini for fourth on lap eight. Meanwhile, Paules tried to find a line around Jones. While working the outside in turn four, Paules push up the speedway, which allowed Ebersole, Zeiner and Callavini to get by. The caution flag flew a lap later when Dave Schneider spun in turn three and Paules headed to the pits for adjustments.

Green flag racing resumed and Ebersole hung on the outside of Jones. The pair battled for a couple of laps before Ebersole took command of the event. Meanwhile, Zeiner attempted to overtake Jones and contact between the two on lap 18 brought out a yellow flag and both drivers had to restart at the tail end of the field.

With Ebersole in the lead, Callavini held third, followed by Nick Pecko, Harry Buchman and Todd Baer.

Peck got by Callavini to grab the second spot following the restart and Baer slipped into third. While racing hard for the runner up spot on lap 26, the pair touched wheels and Pecko went around. The turn one incident brought out another yellow flag. Paules, who had pitted earlier found himself in second for the restart, with Jones, Zeiner and Buchman in tow.

It appeared that Paules didn’t have anything to challenge Ebersole for the $1500 win over the closing laps. The win is Ebersole’s second straight of the season. Paules settled for second, followed by Zeiner, Jones and Baer.

Modified (40-laps) 1. KYLE EBERSOLE 2. Earl Paules 3. Zane Zeiner 4. Bobby Jones 5. Todd Baer 6. Allen Creveling 7. David Schneider 8. Harry Buchman 9. Lew Hallock 10. Nick Pecko 11. Barry Callavini 12. Tom Casagrande 13. Jim Bojohnny 14. Tommy Wanick III

Earl Paules Notches First Sport Modified Win of the Season at Sundance

(May 2, 2010) After being caught up in a pile up on the second lap of the Sport Modified feature, Earl Paules of Palmerton, PA stormed through the field to take the checkers Sunday at Sundance vacations Speedway. Dave Macomber of Long Island, NY scored his first Late Model victory at the speedway and following an early race skirmish, Paul Morgan, Jr. of Mountaintop, PA raced up from the back of the field to win his second straight Factory Stock feature.

Todd Baer started from the pole and led the opening circuit of the 40-lap Sport Modified feature over Jason Hearne, Ricky Ross, Jr., Nick Pecko and Will Schneider.

Paul Frantz began to mount a challenge for the fifth position and while battling on the outside of Schneider, Frantz was squeezed into the front stretch wall as the pair of drivers exited turn four. Several cars were collected in the lap two melee, including Barry Callavini and Earl Paules. Frantz needed the double hook to the pit area and many laps down, Callavini did rejoin the field in the latter stages.

Green flag racing resumed and Ross overtook Hearne for second and after restarting at the tail end of the field, Paules grabbed the fifth spot on lap five.

Hearne retook the second spot after the restart and began to apply pressure to Baer. Baer tried to block an inside pass in turn one and the top two drivers touched wheels, which sent Baer around. Both drivers were forced to the tail end of the field and Paules inherited the race lead under the lap eight caution.

Paules continued to hold the lead on lap 19 with Ross, Mike Speeney, Pecko and Anthony Sesely in tow and then another yellow waved with Hearne and Baer tangled in turn one.

Sesely spun and brought out the caution with eight laps remaining, but Paules was flawless on the restart, as he went on to take the $1,000 prize for his first Sport Modified feature win of the season over Ross, Hearne, Speeney and Pecko.

Heat race wins went to Todd Baer and Barry Callavini. Callavini picked up $50 when his finishing position was pulled in victory lane for the Sundance Vacations Contingency Program.

Sport Modified (40-laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Ricky Ross Jr 3. Jason Hearne 4. Mike Speeney 5. Nick Pecko 6. Anthony Sesely 7. Joe Wielgosz 8. Kevin Ritchie 9. Todd Baer 10. William Schneider 11. Barry Callavini 12. Brian Sones 13. Dennis Krupski 14. Amanda Sesely 15. Paul Frantz 16. Mike Mangini

Kyle Ebersole Edges Earl Paules for First Modified Win of the Season at Sundance

(May 1, 2010) Kyle Ebersole of Hummelstown, PA overtook Bobby Jones for the race lead in the Modified feature and never looked back, as he claimed the checkers for his first win of the season at Sundance Vacations Speedway. Richie DiMarco completed a last lap pass on Scott Meckes to claim his first points paying Street Stock win since 2008 and Robert Fink notched his first victory of the season in the Four Cylinder FWD division.

Jim Bojohnny started on the pole and led the opening lap of the 40-lap Modified main event. Jones tucked into the second spot with Allan Creveling, Ebersole and Harry Buchman in tow.

Jones overtook the leader on the second circuit and then Ebersole followed to take the runner-up position. Meanwhile, Barry Callavini got by Creveling to take fourth.

Ebersole quickly found his way around Jones and overtook the leader on lap five. Not long after, tenth place starter, Earl Paules cracked the top five and then passed Bojohnny for the fourth spot.

The first yellow flag waved when Todd Baer got into Buchman on the backstretch. Both drivers were forced to restart from the tail end of the field.

Green flag racing resumed and Paules wasted no time, as he overtook Callavini for third on lap 14 and then shot by Jones for second five laps later.

By halfway, Marissa Niederauer grabbed fifth and began to battle with Callavini for the fourth position.

Uncontested over the second half of the event, Ebersole cruised to his first win of the season and a $1500 payday over Paules, Jones, Callavini and Niederauer.

Kyle Ebersole and Allan Creveling scored heat race wins and Harry Buchman picked up $50 when his finishing position was pulled in victory lane for the Sundance Vacations Contingency Program.

Modified (40-Laps) 1. KYLE EBERSOLE 2. Earl Paules 3. Bobby Jones 4. Barry Callavini 5. Marissa Niederauer 6. Allan Creveling 7. Tommy Wanick III 8. Todd Baer 9. Harry Buchman 10. Jim Bojohnny 11. David Schneider 12. Nick Pecko 13. Brian Sones 14. Joe Wielgoez

Paules Finishes Second in Mahoning’s 100-Lapper and Earns Second in "Poker Series"
By Dino Oberto

(LEHIGHTON, PA 4-17-10) In what has become the norm in 100-lap Modified races at Mahoning Valley Speedway, it was another wild and exciting showdown with the outcome being played out right down to the final laps.
    With two laps to go Eric Beers was not only eyeing the $3000 first place money but he also was in a position to take home the lion’s share of the poker series tournament, an additional $2500. This event was the holdover finale of the 2009 Modified Poker Series that had been postponed due to inclement weather. As has been the case in most every extra distance Mahoning races, this one was a true barnburner.
   From lap 50 to lap 98 Eric Beers and Earl Paules staged a fierce dogfight for the lead but in the end it was 18th place starter Matt Hirschman who parked in Victory Lane. Beers tangled with lapped traffic and Paules had to back down in order to avoid being part of it.
   Running a close third at the time was Hirschman who was able to drive around the encounter and score the popular win.
   “Not bad for a borrowed ride. The car we normally race here got wrecked a couple of weeks ago. This car is from Connecticut and owned by Bob Horn and he towed it all the way out here by himself just to give me a ride tonight and I appreciate all he’s done for me and I can’t thank him enough,” said Hirschman who won an additional $1000 for placing third in the Poker Series. It was also the second straight 100-lapper that the Northampton star had scored at the paved ¼-mile.
   “The guys did a great job. We made a bunch of pit stops just to fine tune on it and we made it right and made it count.”
   Time trials locked the top 12 into the grid with Beers setting fast time at 9.756-seconds and New Jersey’s Anthony Sesely second quick at 9.786. An inversion then saw Bobby Jones and Chip Santee on the front row and with the drop of Dick Brown’s race commencing green Jones shot into the lead with Paules in chase.
   Paules had his car working very well from the high groove although Jones did a nice job of holding him at bay. Meanwhile John Markovic, Zane Zeiner and defending track champion John Bennett had a very close battle going on behind the front duel. By lap 29 Zeiner had broke free and reeled in the top two. On lap 32 he was able to dip down inside of Jones and take over the lead.
   One lap later Paules and Bennett got together and had to restart from the rear. An impressive run by Sesely was being turned in as well as the former D/A Mod champ ran second. Kory Rabenold was also in the top five at this time.
   As expected Beers was also making his presence felt as he cracked the top five on lap 34. Driving the DeLange Racing #76, Beers was his usual hard charging self to the front as he disposed of Jones and Rabenold and then did the same to Sesely by lap 39. He was now hunting down Zeiner and as the 44th tour was going into the books, Beers used his rhythm off turn four from the outside to sail into the lead.
   By midrace Paules had worked back to second and began his clash with Beers. For the next 48 laps it was nip tuck and side-by-side. All the while there wasn’t much noticed paid to Hirschman who was mired back in 10th spot after several pit stops.
   Thanks to some savvy driving Hirschman was able to pick his way through a very stout pack of cars and with ten laps remaining found himself riding behind the leaders.
   Traffic was everywhere which played a key role in the conclusion of the race. As the two to go signal was given Beers and Paules where near even and approaching lapped cars. In the path of Beers was Rabenold who was busy negotiating back markers himself.
   Racing room was sparse and as Beers and Paules came roaring up on Rabenold contact ensued. Beers got the worst of it as he collided into the back of Rabenold. Paules just slipped by but it was Hirschman who avoided all the action and vaulted into to the lead.
   With two laps remaining he was able to fend off Paules and notch his second straight 100-lapper. Don wager had a great race and registered third while Markovic and Rick Reichenbach completed the top five.
   “That was some great racing there. Earl (Paules) had a real good car to be able to fight like that on the outside and all I could do is really watch and keep close there in case something happened,” said Hirschman.
   “Eric (Beers) is usually dominant here for the most part and normally no one would have that opportunity but he just wasn’t as good. Earl was real good or even a little better and I felt I was just as good. Eric had him (Paules) choked down there just enough to keep us all in there and then even Donny (Wagner) showed up there in the end.
   “But that’s Mahoning Valley and I’m just glad that I can now be a part of it instead of always being back in sixth or so watching it.”
   Paules was indeed one of the fastest cars all night and despite coming up one spot short, he did get double second place money as he also earned the runner-up hand in the Poker Series worth an additional $1500.
   “Well, it all started in the beginning. Bobby (Jones) had a really good car and I was just pacing myself there in second and I was bidding my time. We definitely had the best car out there tonight but you can’t complain about second here at Mahoning Valley,” said Paules.
   With his eighth place tally Brian DeFebo won the Poker Series Tournament and $2500. His winning hand was three sevens.

Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Matt Hirschman 2.Earl Paules 3.Don Wagner 4.John Markovic 5.Rick Reichenbach 6.John Bennett 7.Stacy Brown 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Tony Hanbury 10.Rich Kuiken, Jr. 11.Zane Zeiner 12.Eric Beers 13.Kory Rabenold 14.Bobby Jones 15.Lonnie Behler 16.Chip Santee 17.Matt Higgins 18.Andy Szapacs 19.Anthony Sesely 20.James Pritchard, Jr. 21.Jimmy Zacharias

Did not qualify: Bill Teel, Rob Shultz

Earl Paules Snags Modified Event at Sundance Vacations Speedway

(April 11, 2010)- As the old saying goes, ‘the fastest car doesn’t always win the race’. That was definitely the case Sunday at Sundance Vacations Speedway when Earl Paules of Palmerton walked away as the winner in the Modified feature event after the fastest car, Kyle Ebersole crashed out of the event. Always a nail biter to the finish, Joe Barbush of Drums edged out Richie DiMarco to take the Street Stock verdict and Bill Verwys, Jr. of Stroudsburg overtook his brother Pete to notch the 4-cyl. FWD victory. Matt Janisch took no mercy on the Wingless Micro Sprint field and drove away in a dominating performance.

Kyle Ebersole ran the quickest lap during time trials on Saturday and had to roll the dice, which decided the invert for the feature lineup. Ebersole rolled a nine, which put Jimmy Zacharias on the pole for the 40-lap main event.

Zacharias led the opening lap over Brian DeFebo, Andy Walko, Earl Paules and Rusty Smith before the yellow flag waved for a pair of lap four cautions. Green flag racing resumed and Walko overtook Zacharias for the race lead.

Another pair of yellows came next when Pete Brittain encountered problems and slowed on the speedway and another followed when Dave Schneider spun in turn three.

The lap seven restart gave DeFebo the opportunity that he needed, and he overtook Walko for the lead on lap eight.

Larry Fisher started the race in seventh and quickly cracked the top five, as he ran behind DeFebo as the runner up on lap 11, with Walko, Ebersole and Paules in tow.

It was evident that DeFebo didn’t have the quickest car mid race, yet the three time Modified champion continued to hold off his competition. That changed when Ebersole and Paules overtook Walko for second and third with ten laps remaining.

Both Ebersole and Fisher appeared to be driving rockets and began to challenge for the lead. Paules was right in the mix as well, sitting in fourth. With only five laps remaining and while trying to block the two behind him off of turn 2, the three cars tangled. When it was all said and done, both Fisher and DeFebo were forced to restart from the rear off the field, while Ebersole’s car was delivered back to the pit area by two tow trucks.

Paules inherited the race lead and never looked back as he took the opening day victory over Walko. Todd Baer pitted earlier in the event and drove toward the front to finish third, followed by Darren Scherer and Nick Pecko.

Pete Brittain won the consi.

Modified (40-Laps) 1. EARL PAULES 2. Andy Walko 3. Todd Baer 4. Daren Scherer 5. Nick Pecko 6. Larry Fisher 7. Jimmy Zacharias 8. Tommy Wanick III 9. Brian DeFebo 10. Mike Speeney 11. Marissa Niederauer 12. David Schneider 13. Barry Callavini 14. Kyle Ebersole 15. Harry Buchman 16. Lew Hallock 17.Rich Parker 18. Rusty Smith 19. Pete Brittain 20. Bobby Jones DNQ: Jim Bojohnny, Allan Creveling

Dashboard

Website designed by and maintained by Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing