Pocono Mountain Speedway Season Opener 2000-04-02

St. Johns, PA . . . . . . . The weather held out and opening day at Pocono Mountain Speedway is in the books. With the forecast calling for a chance of showers and overcast skies, fans filled the new grandstands and the new era began with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the start finish line with new owner Joe Callavini, his staff and representatives of Butler Township.

Pro Stock Driver Blaine Barry, Bath, PA had the distinction of leading the first official lap recorded under the Pocono Mountain Speedway Banner. Blaine Barry went on to win his heat race and the Pro Stock Feature.

Frank Greco and Jack Cassidy battled side by side for many laps as Blaine pulled away from the field. Several cautions slowed down the event to bunch the field up and in the end Blaine held off a hard charging Mike Higgins and Frank Greco.

The Factory Stocks are the newest division and the field will continue to grow as the season goes on. Paul Monkoski and Jim Ciampi were battling for the lead on the last lap when they were involved in an accident and the third place running car Andy Zvorsky, Orwigsburg, PA inherited the win.

The Street Stock Feature had William Hunara lead the field to the green and he led for the first few laps till Rich Spaide took over. From there Bruce Long and Rich Spaide gave the fans several laps of side by side racing till Bruce Long, Hunlock Creek, PA grabbed the lead and never looked back.

The Late Models showed why racing can be summed up with the saying "The thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat". Todd Cooper led for the first 10 laps but the best race on the track was for second place with Barry Gommer and Larry Fisher battling side by side and Richie Coy right there waiting to see who was going slip. Gommer and Fisher eventually got by Cooper and continued to swap positions. On the White Flag lap the leaders came up on a slower car and they had to slow up between turns three and four, as they slowed up the leaders got together. Barry Callavini, Humbolt, PA, the third place runner, was the benefactor of this and brought home the victory.

The Modifieds saw a familiar face in victory lane. Eric Beers, from Northampton, PA, and a former track champion held off Russ Frantz and drove his car into the Fairway Chevrolet Victory Lane Circle. The race began with Gary Wentz on the pole and holding that position for the first 9 laps. Following the next caution, Chuck Schartzer made the move of the race and went from fifth to second in one lap and then took over the top spot. The next lap saw three wide racing between Schartzer, Wentz and Beers going into turn three, someone had to give. Beers let up and went back to fifth place. Schartzer now had the lead and looked tough to beat, however on the next lap, he had a tire going down and Wentz had to hit the brakes to avoid a slower car in the leaders way. This opened the door for Eric Beers in the #94. With Russ Frantz on his bumper Beers held off the veteran, John Markovic, C.J. Jones and Chuck Schartzer.

See all the same divisions and great action next Sunday, April 9th at 2:00 P.M. For more info call the track at 570- 788-7544 or visit www.poconomountainspeedway.com. FACTORY STOCKS FEATURE FINISH: Andy Zvorsky, Jim Campi, Paul Monkoski, Mark Dispirito

PRO STOCKS

Heat Winners Heat #1 Blaine Barry, Heat #2 Jack Cassidy

FEATURE FINISH: Blaine Barry, Mike Higgins, Frank Greco, Jack Cassidy, David Whitenight, Alan Decker, Shawn Gallucci, Albert Kerns, Eileen Weaver, Joe Berrreta,

STREET STOCKS

Heat Winners Heat #1 Bruce Long

FEATURE FINISH: Bruce Long, Rich Spaide, Jr., Stan Mahelek, Donny Hartzell, Michael Kowalck, John Tomasco, Robert Fink, William Hunara, Ron Babula

MODIFIEDS Heat Winners Heat #1: Jim Hauser, Jr. Heat #2: Chuck Schartzer Heat #3: Russ Frantz

FEATURE FINISH: Eric Beers, Russ Frantz, John Markovic, C.J. Jones, Chuck Schartzer, Tim Santee, Chris Clemens, Jim Hauser, Jr., Don Biegley, Gary Wentz, Brian DeFebo, Ed Rehrig, Sean Kehley, Andy Szapacs, Chris Ammon, Danny Knoll, Jeremy Martzall, Michael Adams, Adam Horwith, Barry Baran

LATE MODELS

Heat Winner: Heat #1: Gary Fisher

FEATURE FINISH: Barry Callavini, John Cool, Barry Christman, Todd Cooper, Dean Kline III, Barry Gommer, Richie Coy, Larry Fisher, Mike Raocha