Four divisions ran green to checkered without a caution and two divisions were plagued with one yellow flag each. Many drivers commented they believed that there were fewer cautions because the track was so smooth and tacky. Cautions or not two of the features were hot and contested on the last lap. In the Wickes Lumber Kids Karts division Jeff Haefke from Berlin Center took another feature event followed by Cameron Nastasi, Warren and Chelsea Magrell of Atwater. Brandon Smith, Leetonia and Jade Rosan rounded out the top five. Heats went to Magrell and Smith.

In the Mustang Salliz Micro Sprint division, driver, crews and fans were wondering if Mike Himes, Somerville, PA was beatable. Himes won the last race of ‘08 and the first two in ‘08 and looked to be dominating this exciting division. Himes who was Deerfield’s 2007 Hoosier Tire Point champ started the night winning his heat. DJ Furney from Malvern took his heat as well, but when it came to feature time a new hero arose this night with the name of veteran Mike Borawiec Jr. Borawiec not having a good run in his heat race came out swinging come feature time. Jr. had the lead on lap one and maintained a solid run with challenges from Todd Reusser, Minerva ending fourth, and Bob Robertson finishing a solid second. Himes came from eighth to finish third and Shawn Hubler of Seville; Deerfield’s 2008 Rookie of the Year completed the top five.

In the Wally Armour Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Mod Lite division outside pole sitter Anthony Gillespie, Warren, Deerfield’s 2008 Rookie of the Year in the Mod Lites took home the first feature win of his young career. Pole sitter, Ron DeBolt of Deerfield, finished in the third slot setting himself to be a front runner this your season. Dave Innes, Cuyahoga Falls, 2008 season opener feature winner took home fourth and Jay Dye, Niles, Deerfield’s 2008 Hoosier Tire Point champ with a 2008 feature win under his belt finished in the fifth slot. Sixth place starter Paul Miller, Uniontown, put on a show for the fans methodically working his way past four very quick race in a feature with no cautions. On lap 12 Miller caught Gillespie and began to work. Gillespie remained poised and held his lead. On the white flag lap in turn two Miller pulled even with Gillespie. After contact, Gillespie maintained his lead for his first ever feature win at Deerfield Raceway. In his post race interview Gillespie thanked God for the opportunity to race. He also thanked car owner, long time race and previous point champion in the Mod Lite division Mark
Williams for giving him a great car. Heats went to Miller and Dye.

In the Stitch n Tyme Sportsman division, the feature event would not be over
shadowed by the other exciting feature events, because it held its own. Ed Bixler, Ravenna, came from the fourth sot and took the lead on lap five and looked like a sure winner this Saturday evening. On the white flag lap, Todd Rhoads of Leetonia has traveled from the seventh position to Ed Bixlers back bumper. Again this race, like the Mod Lites did not have a caution, so a portion of the cars were strung out. On the last lap in turns 3 and 4 Bixler chose the inside, Rhoads went high. Rhoads historically sticks in the upper grooves and running second had nothing to lose. Bixler having been in the lead for nine laps was coming down to the last turn for the win. The end result was that Bixler was low and subsequently the car bound up coming off turn four. He hit some loose stuff and turned it around crossing the checkered in sixth place on the grassy infield. Rhoads stuck on the tacky track with plenty of room on the outside and took the win from the 2007 Hoosier Tire Point champ, Bixler. Kyle Lawrence of Ravenna kept his nose clean and didn’t waiver from what he saw in front of him and finished in the runner up spot. Art Williams of Leavittsburg grabbed the third position in this highly competitive division. Steve Mix, Haverton and Larry Rhoads finished in the fourth and fifth spots respectively for great runs. Heats went to Jeff Eboch and Rhoads.

In the Cashland E-Mods division James Gatto from Berlin Center made it three in a row.

In the Mel’s Towing Compact division, a driver who has made his presence know is young driver, Jason Miller, Diamond. Miller led the first three laps in this
popular fan fave division; until Chuck Magrell, Atwater, powered his way past four cars to take the lead on lap four. On lap six Rich Hartzell, Ravenna, and former Deerfield Hoosier Tire Point champ moved into second past Miller. The top three stayed in line until lap 18 when Magrell appeared to experience mechanical failure and war forced to retire to the pit area. Hartzell took the win and Miller grabbed second. Shaun Loy, Alliance, and coming form the eighth starting spot took home third in this one caution event. Uncle Steve Loy claimed the fourth slot and newcomer Ryan Amato made the top five complete. Heats went to Magrell and Steve Loy.

With the checkered flags hanging out Werschy led Haefke into turn three again
dealing with lapped traffic. Werschy went high and Haefke drove low to steal the deal.

Finishing third was Cameron Nastasi, fourth went to Brand Smith while Chelsea
Magrell finished fifth. Haefke won the heat.

Feature – Haefke, Werschy, Nastasi, Smith, Magrell, Jeff Dunfee, Erin Fisher, Dylan Nicolino, Maranda Myers, Jade Rosan

2008 Mustang Salliz Micro Sprints - The 2007 Micro point champ Mike Himes was in a big hurry to start the 2008 season. Starting fourth Himes was whistled for jumping the start but a restart on lap three enabled him to take his two-position penalty. Todd Reusser, Minerva, led a lap before giving way to Himes who went on to win his first of 08. Reusser battled the remainder of the race with DJ Furney, Malvern, as the two finished second and third. Shawn Hubler finished fourth and JC Hay finished fifth. Himes won heat.

The second week of racing began with running four rain out features from the season opener at Deerfield Raceway. Dave Innes, Akron, started third, and took the lead on lap one and led every lap of the fifteen lap Wally Armour Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Mod Lite feature. Innes fought off challenges by Paul Miller Jr. who finished second ahead of the 2007 Hoosier Tire Point Champ Jay Dye. Kevin Nicolino finished fourth and James Gump fifth. Heat races went to Miller and Nicolino.

In the fan favorite Stitch n Tyme Sportsman division red-hot Todd Rhoads of Leetonia took home his first 2008 victory. Art Williams, Leavittsburg, coming from the ninth spot took home second, Steve Mix third and Steve Mix Jr. fourth. Father to Todd, Larry Rhoads completed the best five.

In the new Cashland E-Mod division there were three Pro’s who showed up for the
money. James Gatto, Berlin Center, won over Joe Hoy and Charlie Klingelhofer in the heat and feature.

In the Mel’s Towing Compact division Atwater’s Chuck Magrell advance 8 spots to take the lead from Rich Hartzell, Ravenna on lap 4. Hartzell ended the race second, while sophomore Jason Miller, Diamond, grabbed third. Chris Cagle, Uniontown, and Chuck Hutchinson, Louisville, completed the top five. Heats went to Shaun Loy and Hartzell.

April 26, 2008

On the second night of racing, in the Wickes Lumber (Ravenna) Kids Karts division, 2nd year driver Chelsea Magrell, Atwater, led every lap for her fist ever win at Deerfield Raceway. Jade Rosan followed her all 15 circuits ending the race in second, Cameron Nastasi of Warren shadowed Rosan to take third. Brand Smith and Alexis Werschy, Ravenna finished the top five respectively. Rookie Erin Fisher took a nasty tumble in turn four but let Deerfield staff know that she’d be back next week. Heat went to Nastasi and Jeff Haefke.

Mike Himes from Somerville, PA has been on a roll this young 2008 season winning his second race in just two weeks in the Mustang Salliz Micro Sprint division. Heats went to Shawn Hubler and Himes. George Hobaugh came from ninth to finish second catching Himes on lap three. Todd Reusser, Minerva, advanced one to finish third. Completing the top five were Shawn Hubler and Michael Kerr.

The Wally Armour Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Mod Lite division brought excitement to the night as usual. Pole sitter Jay Dye, 2008 Hoosier Tire Point Champ, won his first feature event of the year. Outside pole sitter Anthony Gillespie, Warren, challenged Dye several time but Dye was determined. Rained out feature winner, ran earlier in the evening Dave Innes, Akron, came from seventh to claim third. Deerfield’s Kevin Nicolino took home fourth in this competitive division and James Gump, Ravenna, grabbed the fifth spot for a great finish. Heats went to Innes and Ron DeBolt.

Todd Rhoads of Leetonia is two for two for the 2008 in the Stitch n Tyme Sportsman division. Reigning 2007 Hoosier Tire Point Champ Ed Bixler, Ravenna, was runner up. Steve Mix, West Farmington took home third coming from 11th. Jeff Eboch, Ravenna, and Steve Mix Jr. completed the top five. Lawrence led the first 4 laps, until 7th place starter Rhoads claimed the lead. Eboch, Rhoads, and Mix Jr. won their heats.

Feature – Rhoads, Bixler, Lawrence, Eboch, Mix Jr., Todd Walker, Jason Myers, Adam Buttermore, Larry Rhoads, Ed Harris, Mike Wilson, Ted Williams, Fred Bays, Tim Fowler, Art Williams, Michael McDonald, DNS - Gregory Davis, Dave Kothera, Chris Whan, Josh Walker, Cody Dye

In the Cashland E-Mods James Gatto of Berlin Center won his feature, Joe Hoy,
Alliance claimed second and Charlie Klingelhofer, Deerfield took third.

In the Mel’s Towing Compact Division, former Hoosier Tire Point Champ Rich Hartzell, Ravenna, took his first feature win of the 2008 season. Steve Loy of Alliance came from ninth to take the runner up spot. Sophomore Jason Miller of Diamond, OH was the polesitter and hung on for third. Chris Cagle, Uniontown and Jerry Miller rounded out the top five. Heats went to Cagle and Loy.