Duane Howard Records Short Track SuperNationals Victory on Saturday, October 8th.

News from the Short Track SuperNationals - 'The Working's Man Race'

Media Contact: Brett Deyo - 845.728.2781 or Deyo99H@aol.com

For Immediate Release/Oct. 8, 2011

Duane Howard Drives Petruska No. 66 To Short Track SuperNationals Victory And Earns $7,080 (Cash) & Special Awards; Outstanding Field of 79 Modifieds Sign In!

KIRKWOOD, NY - There wasn't room in the pit area at Five Mile Point Speedway for Duane Howard on Saturday night.

However, the Oley, Pa., driver found his way to Victory Lane at the fourth edition of the Short Track SuperNationals. With a huge field of 162 race cars - headlined by 79 big-block/small-block Modifieds - jamming the Kirkwood, N.Y., facility, Howard's Mike Petruska-owned No. 66 was parked outside the pits on an access road.

When it came time to race, the Atlas Paving Modified was at the ready. Howard led 49 of the 50 laps and pocketed $7,080 in cash including his $5,000 winner's share, Dale Smith Photography Halfway Bonus ($700), $100 from New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway as a first-time SuperNationals participant and $100 from the Long family as the first Berks County, Pa., driver across the line.

Additionally, Howard took home a six-foot sub from Mirabito Travel Center Subway in Castle Creek, N.Y., two cases of beer from Lakey's Tavern of Susquehanna, Pa., a redraw position for the King of the Can at Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway this Friday (Oct. 14), guaranteed starting spots for the New Egypt Rocktoberfest (Oct. 15) and Eastern States Weekend 358-Modified Championship at Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway Oct. 22, an American Racer Tire courtesy of Lias Tire and two FREE pit passes to the Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway Icebreaker in March 2012. The total value of Howard's victory, counting awards, was close to $9,000!

SuperNationals sponsors included VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings, Alpine Building & Post Supply, Bob Hilbert Sportswear and Trackside Products.

"This is an incredible race," Howard, 48, said following his first Five Mile Point victory and second ever appearance in the Petruska-owned car. "To have 79 cars here today really says something. This is a racy little track.

"I haven't run here a lot but it was a lot of fun tonight."

Howard started the event from fifth and charged into second on the opening lap behind outside-pole starter Eric Palmer of Cresco, Pa. Howard took command on lap two. Meanwhile, Accord (N.Y.) Speedway regular Danny Tyler and legendary Billy Pauch were on the move. Tyler had started fourth and bolted into the runner-up spot with 14th-starting Pauch riding the outside lane into third.

Pauch motored into second on the sixth lap, but Tyler battled back. The Cottekill, N.Y., driver reclaimed the position on the 14th tour of the quarter-mile oval.

Through a number of restarts and yellow-flag periods - including a final caution on lap 48 when Doug Manmiller's spectacular high-line run into the top five ended with a shredded right-rear tire - Tyler couldn't overtake Howard, who became the fourth different winner in the event's four-year history.

Tyler, 21, guided the family-owned No. 97T to a second-place result and earned an additional $400 as the first driver across the line not winning a feature this season. Pauch, of Frenchtown, N.J., drove the K&A Excavating No. 1 to third, followed by 24th-starter Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., in Norm Hansell's No. 357 and veteran Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, N.Y.

Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J., up from 32nd starting spot driving the Harvey Bitler-owned No. 88D (his own car lost an engine in qualifying), Joey Grammes of Kunkletown, Pa. (recovering from an early spin), 17th-starter Mike Ricci of Tillson, N.Y., early leader Palmer and 25th-starting Kevin Bates of Lake Ariel, Pa.

Manmiller Electric heat winners, earning $50 each, were Heotzler, Kevin Hartnett, Mike Bills, Michael Weinert, Gary Tomkins, Mike Gular and Pauch Sr. Consolation victors were Alan Johnson, Glenn Strunk and Jeff Strunk.

Kevin Albert Jr. topped the three-lap Ed Tauschman Memorial Money Run for drivers finishing one spot out of qualifying in the consolations and earned a feature starting berth. The other drivers, Chris Wood and Sam Martz, took home $100.

Grandview (Pa.) Speedway/Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway champion Jeff Strunk earned $650 in the VP Racing Fuels Champion's Challenge, defeating Penn Can champ Kevin Hartnett, Woodhull (N.Y.) title winner Billy Van Pelt and New Egypt king Billy Pauch Sr.

Bob Buono topped the 25-lap event for the Trackside Products Race of Champions Street Stocks. Buono took the lead on the final circuit from race-long leader Nathan Peckham, who finished second. Gene Sharpsteen, Brenton Miller and Rich Talada completed the front five.

With a huge field of 30 Four Cylinders signing in, twin 15-lap feature were run and the victories went to Klem Underwood and Nick Griest. The $1,000 Figure Eight winner was Rob Warner.

The next BD Motorsports Media event is set for Friday (Oct. 14) with the 'King of the Can' Modified special paying $5,000 to the winner for 50 laps at Penn Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa.. The Crate (602) Sportsman and Trackside Products Street Stocks complete the card. For more, visit: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

SUPERNATIONALS SIDE NOTES: A total of 162 race cars took part in the program: 79 Modifieds, 48 Street Stocks, 30 Four Cylinders and five Figure Eights. An overflow crowd filled the Point with ideal weather conditions for Saturday's event and Friday's practice. Auxiliary parking was needed to accomodate race fans....

Seven heat races and three consolations were needed to trim down the Mod starting field to 32. Guaranteed starters were Nick Rochinski (Five Mile qualifier), Billy Pauch Jr. (Big Diamond qualifier), Mitch Gibbs (Brewerton, N.Y., qualifier) and Justin Holland (most recent SuperNationals winner)....

Pauch Jr. lost an engine in his self-owned No. T102 and hopped into the Harvey Bitler No. 88D for the main event when Meme DeSantis failed to qualify. Pauch Jr. started 32nd, pitted for a flat on lap on the 18th lap and charged to sixth. He has been a top-10 finisher in each of the last three SuperNationals runnings....

More than $10,000 in bonus money was paid out to Modified drivers during the weekend....

SHORT TRACK SUPERNATIONALS RACE SUMMARY - OCT. 8, 2011

Short Track SuperNationals Modified Feature Finish (50-laps): DUANE HOWARD ($7,080 plus), Danny Tyler, Billy Pauch Sr., Jeff Strunk, Jeff Heotzler, Billy Pauch Jr., Joey Grammes, Mike Ricci, Eric Palmer, Kevin Bates, Brian Weaver, Gary Tomkins, Mike Gular, Alan Johnson, Danny Creeden, Justin Holland, Joey Colsten, Michael Weinert, Glenn Strunk, Nick Rochinski, Brad Grim, Jim Gabriel Jr., Doug Manmiller, Billy Van Pelt, Kevin Albert Jr., Mike Bills, Willie Osmun, Mike Clapperton, Shaun Walker, Ray Bliss Jr., Kevin Hartnett, Mitch Gibbs.

Did Not Qualify: Mark Frankhouser, Chris Esposito, John Juhl, Steve Babicek, Kyle Cicio, Chris Wood, Barry White, Scott Ferrier, Craig Whitmoyer, Bob Hamm Jr., Chris Shupp, Dave Rosa, Alan Barker, Marc Johnson, Scott Van Gorder, Jeff Crambo, Scott Brady, Wade Hendrickson, Jesse Hill, Donnie Lawson, Richard Smith, Bobby Puckett, Bob Henry Jr., Colt Harris, Jordan Umbenhauer, Kevin Hirthler, Meme DeSantis, Bobby Varin, Elmo Reckner, Mel Schrufer, Brett Tonkin, Rich Ricci Jr., Ray Bliss Jr., Paul Jensen, Mike Ruggiero, Glenn Knapp, Mike Colsten, Eric Stephens, Stewart Friesen, Mike Nagel Jr., Dan Hineline, Ken Titus, Rob Rowe, Sam Martz, Alan Rudalavage, Mike Austin, Frank Yankowski, Mike Mahaney.

Alpine Building & Post Supply "Gambler's Challenge" ($1,500): Howard
Manmiller Electric Heat Races ($50 each): Heotzler, Hartnett, Bills, Weinert, Tomkins, Gular, Pauch Sr.
VP Racing Fuels Champion's Challenge: J. Strunk ($650), Hartnett ($200), Van Pelt ($200), Pauch Sr. ($200)
King of the Can/Penn Can Speedway Redraw Position: Howard
American Racer/Lias Tire Giveaway: Howard
Long Family Berks County Bonus ($100): Howard
BPF Specialty $250 Bonuses: Creeden, G. Strunk
Mirabito Travel Center Subway Sub: Howard
Lakey's Tavern Lead A Lap, Have A Beer: Howard - 59, Palmer - 1
Selinsgrove Speedway Icebreaker V Pit Passes: Howard
First Non-Winner Bonus ($400): Tyler
Ed Tauschman Memorial Money Run: Albert (feature spot), Wood ($100), Martz ($200)
Ed Tauschman Memorial Hard Charger sponsored by Vogel Race Designs ($100): Pauch Jr. - 32nd to sixth
S&D Bodyline Outer Body Kit Giveaway: Nagel Jr.
Shiley Fabrications Hard Luck Award (bumpers, rubrails): Barker
Scotty Speed & Diesel Transmission Rebuild: Hill
Early Entry Free Pass Giveaway: Palmer
New Egypt Speedway Rookie of the Race: Howard
Eastern States 358-Modified Guaranteed Spot: Howard
New Egypt Rocktoberfest Guaranteed Spot: Howard
Dale Smith Halfway Award ($700): Howard
Lap Money Breakdown: Howard - ($1,880), Palmer - ($20)

Race of Champions Trackside Products Street Stock Feature Finish (25 laps): BOB BUONO, Nathan Peckham, Gene Sharpsteen, Brenton Miller, Rich Talada, Louie Gordinier, Kurt Decker, Butch Green, Shane Wolf, Nick Robinson, Tyler Yeagle, Jason Butler, Dave Pope, Neil Palladino, Rich Green, Dustin Harris, Jason Rhodes, Buck Mills, Jake Fowlston, Stan Clark, Larry Fenton, Dick Parkhurst, Mike Wilbur, Mike Codington, Scott Smith, Chad Sindoni, Paul Harrington.

Did Not Qualify: Scott Smith, Donald Cole, Earl Zimmer, Mike Seamon, Nick Nye, Doug Stack, Dan Wood, Shawn Boynton, Brian Knowles, Bill Leonard, Joel Batzel, Dave Bellis, Jeff Monroe, Buck Mills Jr., Rob Snow, David DeMorest, Steve Cooper, Todd Hayward, Josh Morrow, Dave Van Buren, Hank Rogers.

Four Cylinder Open Feature No. 1 Finish: KLEM UNDERWOOD, Rob Fiene, Todd Goldsteen, Frank Kennedy, Joe Warner, Dave Kinner, Travis Forrestt, Dennis Keesler, Bill Price Jr., Matt Mather, Gary Kinne, Scott Chapman, Troy Kress, Mark Van Valkenburg, Dave Desmond.

Four Cylinder Open Feature No. 2 Finish: NICK GRIEST, Chuck Wainwright, John Carpenter, Walt Henry, Buddy French, Tucker Harpell, Rick Sinsabaugh, Dave Bainbridge, Jason Colwell, Kenny Underwood, Adam Gilbert, Tom Desmond, Neil Elliott, Dave Simms, Ryan Lanfal.

Figure Eight Feature Finish: BOB WARNER, Buck Mills Jr., George Brown, Randy Richards, Derek Symonds.

For additional information please log on to the official Five Mile Point Speedway website at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or phone the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555 you can also find us on Facebook or email the offices directly at fivemilepoint1@aol.com. If you would like to receive updated text alerts regarding race day weather please text us at 607-775-5555.