TUCSON, Arizona -- The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series returned to Tucson Raceway Park Saturday Night with three NASCAR divisions and the Super Modifieds in action. The Bud Five Star Series competition was supplied by the NASCAR Late Models, Mighty Compacts and Factory Stocks. Super Modified Racing League opened their season with a 40 lap hair raising feature .
The NASCAR Late Model Main Event saw Rookie Alan Levin win for the first time in his career in his third start in the division at Tucson Raceway Park in 2005.
Levin was making his 3RD start as a Late Model competitor and has been a winning Factory Stock driver. Alan, Father and patriarch of Levin Family Racing, took the wheel of son Matt Levin’s winning Late Model car while Matt concentrates on his Super Late Model effort. Alan “Butch” Levin used his expertise and tips from the family to power his Chevrolet to Victory Lane.
Levin started the 25-lap Main in the 6th position and never led the race until the last lap. David Nekula took the early lead from his outside front row starting position and held of Richard Kerr of Blythe, CA. Tim Blodgett moved past Kerr on lap 7 into second with Levin passing Kerr on lap 8 to gather third. Nekula and Blodgett fought for the lead and at lap 21 Blodgett muscles his way into the lead. Levin gets by Nekula for second with 3 laps to go and runs down Blodgett. On the last lap Levin dives to the bottom of the track and pulls along side Blodgett. As they come to the checkered Levin charges to his first win, Blodgett holds on for second, David Nekula in third, Richard Kerr in fourth and Robin ‘BoomBoom’ Boomgaarden rounding out the top 5.
Jerry Gaede wins for the 2nd time in the 20 lap Factory Stock main event starting from 5th. Gaede moved his way up to 2nd place on lap 10 following a run away Mike Shipyor. Shipyor took the lead from pole sitter Chris Smith on the first lap and pulled away from the field until unlucky lap 13 when smoke and water slowed his car and the caution flew. Gaede avoids the fluids from Shipyor’s car but Paul Gastreich and Mike Levin, running 3rd and 4th, get collected in the turn 4 retaining wall. Both are able to return to race after visits to the pit area. On the restart Gaede held off John Levin and rookie David Rooyakkers. Gaede pulls ahead to capture his second win of 2005. Mike Levin holds onto second, David Rooyakkers grabbing his first top 3, “Wild” Bill Harrington gets fourth and JP Tarabek rounds out the top 5.
The Super Modified Racing League opened their 2005 season with Troy Reiger claiming victory in the 40 lap main event. Pole Sitter, Mike McCann, of Creswell, OR., led the field to the green flag and held off AJ Russell for one lap as Russell powered by McCann on lap two and into the lead. Troy Regier, of Dinuba, CA., dove underneath Russell on lap 7 and powered his 800 horsepower Super Modified to the lead. Russell battled back into the lead on lap 13 with Regier in his wake. Caution flew on lap 18 and on the restart Russell managed to keep Regier behind him as the halfway mark flew. Regier took the lead from Russell and held it to crab the victory. AJ Russell held onto 2nd as the hard charging Ken Hamilton, of Boise, ID., came home in 3rd with Jeff Russell of Boise, ID. In 4th and Mike Baisch of West Valley City, UT rounding out the top 5.
The Dodge Weekly Series action continues next Saturday, April 16 as the Bud Five Star Series divisions hit the 3/8 mile asphalt with the Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Mighty Compacts, Legends and Bandoleros. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m., Racing begins at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for Adults, $7 for Juniors/Seniors/Military and Kids 11 and Under are ALWAYS FREE!
NASCAR Late Models: Main Event: 1. Alan Levin, 2. Tim Blodgett, 3. David Nekula, 4. Richard Kerr, 5. Robin Boomgaarden, 6. Scott Strachan, 7. Brad Moyer Heat Race: 1. David Nekula, 2. Brad Moyer, 3. Richard Kerr, 4. Tim Blodgett, 5. Robin Boomgaarden, 6. Alan Levin, 7. Scott Strachan
Mighty Compacts: Main Event: 1. Mike Vaughan, 2. Jim Bates, 3. Robert VonColln, 4. David Bosley, 5. Steve Douglas, 6. Jason Neve, 7. Tammy Lynn
Heat Race: 1. Mike Vaughan, 2. Jim Bates, 3. Robert VonColln, 4. David Bosley, 5. Jason Neve, 6. Tammy Lynn, 7. Dan Rittenour
Factory Stocks: Main Event: 1. Jerry Gaede, 2. John Levin, 3. David Rooyakkers, 4. Bill Harrington, 5. JP Tarabek, 6. Ben Sheppard, 7. Buddy Tuttle, 8. Mike Levin, 9. Becky Harrington, 10. Mike Shipyor, 11. Paul Gastreich, 12. Chris Smith
Heat Race One: 1. Mike Shipyor, 2. Paul Gastreich, 3. Bill Harrington, 4. Becky Harrington, 5. Buddy Tuttle, 6. Ben Sheppard
Heat Race Two: 1. Mike Levin, 2. Jerry Gaede, 3. Chris Smith, 4. John Levin, 5. David Rooyakkers, 6. JP Tarabek
Super Modifieds: Main Event (Top 5): 1. Troy Reiger, 2. AJ Russell, 3. Ken Hamilton, 4. Jeff Russell, 5. Mike Baisch
Heat One: 1. Troy Regier, 2. Mike Baisch, 3. Bobby Dalton, 4. Ken Hamilton, 5. Rick Cameron
Heat Two: 1. Jeff Russel, 2. AJ Russell, 3. Jim Birges, 4. Mike McCann
Fastest Qualifier: Mike McCann, Creswell, OR.
