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Bob Close Wins Super Late Model "Run for the Money" on Leroy’s Towing Opening Night at Stateline Speedway
By Glenn Slocum　

Busti, NY: Great spring weather filled the pits and the grandstands on Leroy’s Towing opening night at Stateline Speedway. Mike Moon survived several restarts to win the Spectator feature event. Greg Fenno led just two laps of the Outlaw Cadet feature, the final two, just nipping 2008 Champ Mike Moore at the checkers. John Boardman was the fourth and final leader of the Super Sportsman feature notching his first 2009 feature win on opening night. Bob Close lost the lead to Andy Boozel near the end of the Super Late Model "Run for Money" then charged back to win the event. Randy Hall won the E-Mod feature over Rich Michael and Tom Hagberg. Stephanie Hilyer came from fifth to win the Lady Challenger feature. Casey Burch won the first Super Challenger feature and Richard Langer won the second.

Ken Lamp Jr. and Mike Moon were on the front row for the Spectator feature followed by Damian Bidwell and Brandon Pierce. Moon led at the close of lap one with Pierce second and Kyle Bradigan third up from his sixth starting spot. The yellow flew with three laps complete for Skip Jackson facing the wrong way between turns three and four. Bradigan reported to the pits with a flat during the caution placing Aron Dascomb in the third spot. The yellow flew once more one lap later for Lamp. Moon, Dascomb and Bidwell were the top three for the restart. Another spin marred the restart this time it was Paul Nelson bringing out the caution. Bidwell reclaimed second for the restart with Dascomb third and Moon still on point. Bidwell lost two spots on lap seven slipping to fourth as Lester Shoff moved into second from his tenth starting spot. Another yellow with eight laps in bunched the field behind Moon. Shoff tagged the front stretch wall attempting to take the lead from Moon then stopped in the pit entrance one lap later relinquishing his second position to Dascomb with Bidwell up to third and the pole starter Davis in fourth for the fifth yellow with ten laps complete. Moon controlled the restart once again. The final yellow of the event flew with thirteen of the fifteen laps complete for Matt Harvey and Brian Wilson. Dascomb failed to catch Moon over the final laps.

John Cline led the Outlaw Cadets on to the speedway with 2008 Cadet Champion Mike Moore along side. Moore and Cline fan door to door for first circuit with Moore coming out on top on the back stretch of during lap two. Moore out distanced the field as Greg Fenno and Chad Carlson fought for second. Moore led Fenno by a straight away with ten laps complete. The first yellow of the event occurred with four laps remaining for debris on the speedway. It was Moore then the lap car of Brian Crandall then Fenno for the restart. Crandall fell back before the green allowing Moore and Fenno to battle for the lead. Lap twelve was completed by the leaders then the second yellow flew for Paul Hines in turn three. Fenno led by a nose with two laps to go and just barely held on for the win as both he and Moore dodged the slowing car of Mike Beatman at the checkers.

Bryan Ester and Mike Genco brought out the yellow on the initial lap of the Super Sportsman feature with Steve Kania on the pole. Ben Burgess was the leader after the first lap then Wade Watson grabbed the point on lap two. The caution flew for Joe Buccola stopped on the back stretch with three complete. One more lap then one more caution this time for Ron Burgun. Dan Nocero ran down Watson grabbing the lead at the half way point. Buccola’s troubles continued as he came to stop leaking oil with eight laps complete for caution four. John Boardman became the new leader on lap ten with Nocero falling the second and Burgess third. Boardman led Nocero by a car length with one lap to go but could not mount a challenge giving Boardman his first win of the season.

Bob Close and Chad Valone were on the front row for the first Super Late Model feature of the 2009 racing season. Bump Hedman lost the handle on the initial start causing a complete restart of the event. Chris Hackett lost power on the second attempted start for caution two. Hackett was pushed into the pits during the yellow. The third start was successful and Close was on the point. The yellow flew with two complete. Close hugged the inside to lead the first lap with Valone testing the high groove. Valone moved down the speedway as Close extend his lead to ten car lengths at the end of the first five laps. With ten laps complete Close was into lap traffic with fifteen car length lead over Valone. The yellow reappeared for Doug Eck who had slowed in turn four. Eck had challenged for the second spot early in the event. Close, Valone, Andy Boozel, John Volpe and Adam Ferri were the leaders for the lap eleven restart. Volpe nearly spun on the restart losing several spots and Close started to rebuild his lead. Valone and Boozel were side by side for second with Greg Oaked up on top in fourth. Dick Barton pulled into the infield with a flat on lap nineteen and Boozel used lap traffic to grab the lead from Close. The yellow appeared on lap twenty leaving only the top three to compete for the win. Close on the race to turn one to lead lap twenty one. Close dropped to the bottom and controlled the final circuits to win the event with Boozel second and Valone third.

Twenty-eight E-Mods reported to the speedway for their twenty-lap feature event. Greg Johnson and Chad Silleman were in row one with Randy Hall and Vic Vena in row two. The yellow immediately followed the green after a ragged initial start. Johnson led lap one but the leader after two was Randy Hall. The yellow flew after the leaders completed the lap for a spinner in turn four. It was Hall, Silleman and Vena after the restart with Hall up against the wall and Vena down low. Hall struggled with lap traffic and Rich Michaels came from deep in the pack to take second just before a spinner right in front of the leaders brought out the third caution. Hall, Michaels, Tim Peterson, Vena and Silleman were the top five just two laps before the halfway point. Head Starter Mark Matthews waived off the first lap nine restart and accepted the second. One more lap was complete then yellow five occurred. Peterson surprised Hall on the restart to lead lap ten. Peterson clung to the outside with Hall up top. Hall regained the lead on lap fifteen as heavy lap traffic slowed the leaders. Debris brought out the sixth caution with five laps remaining. Yellow seven appeared as Mathews waived of the restart. Hall moved to the bottom and Michaels tried the top and Tom Hagberg took the third spot from Peterson. Hall won going away.

Heat 1: John Volpe Lakewood NY, Billy Henry Jr. Conneautville PA, Andy Boozel Clymer NY, Adam Ferri Pt Colborne Ontario, Nathan Short Niobe NY

Heat 2: Chad Valone Warren PA, Doug Eck Corry PA, Rod Maloy Panama NY, George LaBarbera Sugar Grove PA, Ed Carley Freedom NY

Heat 3: Bob Close Eldred PA, Chris Hackett Corry PA, Greg Oakes Franklinville NY, Ron Davies Warren PA, Scott Gurdak Spring Creek PA

Feature: Bob Close Eldred PA, Andy Boozel Clymer NY, Chad Valone Warren PA, Greg Oakes Franklinville NY, Billy Henry Jr. Conneautville PA, Bump Hedman Sugar Grove PA, Adam Ferri Pt Colborne Ontario, Rod Maloy Panama NY, Dennis Lunger Jr. Albion PA, Andy Kania Waterford PA, Scott Gurdak Spring Creek PA, John Volpe Lakewood NY, Ed Carley Freedom NY, Chevy Scott Garland PA, Ryan Scott Garland PA, Darrell Bossard Centerville PA, Nathan Short Niobe NY, Dick Barton Ashville NY, George LaBarbera Sugar Grove PA, Doug Eck Corry PA, Ron Davies Warren PA, Mike Coyle Jamestown NY, Randy Lobb Jamestown NY, Chris Hackett Corry PA

Heat 1: Greg Johnson Busti NY, Chuck Frye Ashville NY, Shane Crotty Corry PA, John Woodward Jr. Franklinville NY, Tom Hagberg Warren PA

Heat 2: Chad Silleman South Dayton NY, Richard Michael Jr. Ischua NY, Mike Eschrich Mt. Jewett PA, Justin Carlson Sherman NY, TJ Downs Albion NY

Heat 3: Randy Hall Olean NY, Troy Carr Kennedy NY, David Shagla Sugar Grove PA, Cale Crocker Pittsfield PA, Chris Couchenour Jamestown NY

Heat 4: Vic Vena Shinglehouse PA, Tim Peterson Wilcox PA, Alex Froman Lakewood NY, Justin Tatlow Franklinville NY, John Kelsey Sherman NYman NY

Consolation: Dan Davies Warren PA, Ron Seeley Youngsville PA, Gary Fisher North East PA, Steve Huling Kennedy NY, Jim VanCise Springboro PA, Andy Loomis Warren PA, Michael McGee Stockton NY, Anthony Marotto Ashville NY, Nathan Hall East Otto NY, Dana Wellington Russell PA

Feature: Randy Hall Olean NY, Richard Michael Jr. Ischua NY, Tom Hagberg Warren PA, Tim Peterson Wilcox PA, Vic Vena Shinglehouse PA, Justin Carlson Sherman NY, Chad Silleman South Dayton NY, David Shagla Sugar Grove PA, Shane Crotty Corry PA, John Woodward Jr. Franklinville NY

Heat 1: Greg Fenno Corry PA, Steve Moynihan Jamestown NY, Chad Carlson Lakewood NY, Mike Moore Russell PA, Paul Norman Jr. Gerry NY

Heat 2: Leonard Enos Russell PA, Kelly Frederes Russell PA, Chris Ottaway Sherman NY, John Cline Kennedy NY, Paul Himes Lakewood NY

Feature: Greg Fenno Corry PA, Mike Moore Russell PA, Chad Carlson Lakewood NY, Paul Norman Jr. Gerry NY, Leonard Enos Russell PA, Tyler Green Corry PA, John Cline Kennedy NY, Steve Moynihan Jamestown NY, Paul Himes Lakewood NY, Chris Ottaway Sherman NY

Heat 1: Joe Buccola Jr. Jamestown NY, Dan Nocero Jr. Jamestown NY, Jake Eller McKean PA, Pete Volpe Lakewood NY, Steve Kania Waterford PA

Heat 2: John Boardman Jamestown NY, Wade Watson Ashville NY, Ben Burgess Jr. Sherman NY, Justin Devereaux Lakewood NY, Stephanie Devereaux Lakewood NY

Feature: John Boardman Jamestown NY, Dan Nocero Jr. Jamestown NY, Ben Burgess Jr. Sherman NY, Jake Eller McKean PA, Steve Kania Waterford PA, Justin Devereaux Lakewood NY, Stephanie Devereaux Lakewood NY, Mike Genco Jamestown NY, Wade Watson Ashville NY, Joe Buccola Jr. Jamestown NY

Heat 1: Lester Shoff, Aron Dascomb Clymer NY, Kyle Bradigan South Dayton NY, Brandon Pierce Sinclairville NY, Mike Moon Brocton NY

Heat 2: Dave Tackett, Jr. Ripley NY, Stanley Davis Jr. Jamestown NY, Kevin Hill Gowanda NY, Damian Bidwell, Ken Lamp Jr. Erie PA

Feature: Mike Moon Brocton NY, Aron Dascomb Clymer NY, Damian Bidwell, Stanley Davis Jr. Jamestown NY, Chris Withers Waterford PA, Matt Harvey Jamestown NY, Skip Jackson Jamestown NY, Chad Schauers Frewsburg NY, Matt Palmer Rixford PA, Nathan Earle Garland PA

Heat 1: Jimmy Diabo Gerry NY, Jeff Lamb Panama NY, Travis Darling Jamestown NY, Brandon Troutman Jamestown NY, Stub Johnson Jamestown NY

Heat 2: Bobby Rouche Garland PA, Scott Perrin Garland PA,  Joshua Beckstrom Frewsburg NY, Dana Haner Sugar Grove PA, Bob Leonard Ashville NY

Heat 3: Casey Burch Randolph NY, Joe Karash Jamestown NY, Jamie Hebner Stockton NY, Randy Beckstrom Frewsburg NY, Steven Keith Jr. Clymer NY

First Feature: Casey Burch Randolph NY, Dana Haner Sugar Grove PA, Joshua Beckstrom Frewsburg NY, Steven Keith Jr. Clymer NY, Stub Johnson Jamestown NY, Bobby Rouche Garland PA, Joe Karash Jamestown NY, Brandon Troutman Jamestown NY, Travis Darling Jamestown NY, Bob Leonard Ashville NY

Second Feature: Richard Langer Sherman NY, Rory Hauser Westfield NY, Aaron Liberati Jamestown NY, Robert Hallowell Celeron NY, Curt Hansen Sugar Grove PA, Jon Pratt Jamestown NY, Dillon Titus Jamestown NY, Andrew Baker Falconer NY, Cody Bliss, Joshua Crull Garland PA

Heat 1: Stephanie Hilyer Jamestown NY, Angela McAvoy Fredonia NY, Brenda Jackson Jamestown NY, Elaine Best Jamestown NY, Tawny Crocker Pittsfield PA

Feature: Stephanie Hilyer Jamestown NY, Elaine Best Jamestown NY, Kourtney Hall Greenhurst NY, Tiffany Best Jamestown NY, Tabetha Howser North East PA, Sherrie Jackson Jamestown NY, Annemarie Reed Erie PA, Angela McAvoy Fredonia NY, Brenda Jackson Jamestown NY, Tawny Crocker Pittsfield PA