Scherer wins Modified thriller at MVS; Althouse remains the hot ticket in Late Models with third win
Anyone who came out for the second annual Ward Crozier Sr., Memorial at Mahoning Valley Speedway on Saturday, saw a swiftly run program that was trying to beat the impending weather and featured some outstanding races. All of the mains where contested over a 26-lap distance, the signature number used by the Crozier.
Josh Scherer, now in his second full season in a Modified, led the way with a gripping win over Austin Kochenash and Kyle Strohl. Scherer wowed the crowd with a thrilling 3-wide pass for the lead on lap four when he slipped under John Markovic and Strohl. He then kept his car glued to the bottom in defense of Kochenash and Strohl, who gave him a torrid fight to the end.
“I honestly thought we would have won sooner because since the start of the season, our car was always up there. I saw the opening from Johnny Markovic and I dove in and I just held my own and kept it down low because I knew somebody was going to be lurking on the inside. If someone wanted to pass me, they were going to have to race around me,” said Scherer on his hard fought second career Modified win. “It’s unbelievable that we’re here from week to week, because we don’t have help and the sponsors.”
A former Pro 4 champion, Scherer noted that he turned to his days with that class to safeguard his line while fending off his chasers.
“Driving the Pro 4, Bryan Ahner helped me a ton and always said to keep it down low. I had lost too many races having people drive underneath me and I knew I had to protect the bottom. Knowing that with those cars I had to put that defense into play with the Modified tonight.”
Frankie Althouse remained hot as he sped away to his second straight Late Model win and third in four starts. Althouse was able to secure the victory after a restart with six laps to go, blasting by Samantha Osborn for the lead. Althouse had this night circled on his calendar, as he wanted the Crozier trophy added to his array of hardware.
“It was good, our car was good and the track was really good. Tonight, we were able to do something we have never done before, win two straight races at Mahoning. I also won the Ward Crozier Memorial, which is very special to us. Ward was a great guy and a longtime friend,” said Althouse.
Osborn, the 15-year-old in her sophomore season, clearly had the race going her way. She took the lead from the outset, and thanks to no interruptions, was able to hold a steady line while holding the veterans at bay. Behind her was Broc Brown and Althouse, who raced side-by-side. As they kept busy with one another, Osborn showed the way confidently.
On lap 19 Mike Seneca spun on the front straight to bring out the only caution of the race. On the restart, Althouse was lined up alongside Osborn and with his years of experience, darted to the lead.
“She (Osborn) did a good job. We were content with running second and staying there. Honestly, I told her in tech I didn’t want to beat her, but you have to win whenever you can,” stated Althouse. “She ran the right groove and a decent pace. She did everything she needed to do right.”
Mike Stofflet absolutely dominated the Dirt Mod feature. Taking the lead from teammate Colton Perry at the drop of the green and netting his first 2019 win, Stofflet also scored an unprecedented 40th time in a Dirt Mod.
When Jake Kibler and Cody Kohler tangled halfway through the Pro 4 main it elevated Bobby Kibler Sr., into the lead where he would stay the remainder of the way and enjoy a third consecutive win, holding off Randy Schaffer and Tyler Stangle.
Devin Schmidt was tops in the Hobby Stocks. Schmidt used a lap three restart to take away the top spot from Daryl Rex. Once in front he was unchallenged, pulling way ahead of the field en route to his first win of the year. Rex took a career-best second with Shawn Kistler holding on for third.
By the time the Street Stock feature was about to roll out, rain began to fall and officials had to call off the feature, which will be rescheduled at a later date.
In waiting was the Small Car Enduro, which was round two of the Mahoning Valley Speedway/Evergreen Raceway Small Car Enduro Series. Despite a driving rain the entire time, Don Rogers showed great driving ability to take his first Mahoning win.
Modified (26 laps)
1. Josh Scherer, 2. Austin Kochenash, 3. Kyle Strohl, 4. Brian DeFebo, 5. Gene Bowers, 6. Bobby Jones, 7. Kevin Rex, 8. Lou Strohl, 9. John Markovic, 10. Terry Markovic, 11 Ron Haring Jr., 12. Earl Paules, 13. Heath Metzger, 14. Jacob Kerstetter, 15. Lori Arthofer, 16, BJ Wambold
Late Model (26 laps)
1. Frankie Althouse, 2. Samantha Osborn, 3. Matt Wentz, 4. Mike Sweeney, 5. Jeremy Miller, 6. Broc Brown, 7. Kenny Hein, 8. Brian Romig Jr., 9. Dylan Osborn, 10. Seth VanFossen, 11. Avery Arthofer, 12. Mike Senica
Dirt Mod (26 laps)
1. Mike Stofflet, 2. Ricky Yetter, 3. Corey Edelman, 4. Jeff Parker, 5. Louie Horvath, 6. Colton Perry, 7. Bill Sittler
Pro 4 (17 laps)
1. Bobby Kibler Sr., 2. Randy Schaffer, 3. Tyler Stangle, 4. Jake Kibler, 5. Cody Kohler, 6. Matt Clark, 7. Colton Breiner, 8. Tucker Muffley, 9. Jeremy Guerra, 10. Steven McDonough
Hobby Stock (26 laps)
1. Devin Schmidt, 2. Daryl Rex, 3. Shawn Kistler, 4. Jacob Boehm, 5. Travis Solomon, 6. Tony Hilliard, 7. Tyler Nemeth, 8. Al Arthofer, 9. Cody Boehm, 10. Rich Mutarelli, 11. Taylor Schmidt, 12. Peyton Arthofer, 13. Terry Peters, 14. Trisha Connolly, 15. Tad Snyder, 16. Peter Maier, 17. Makenzie Adams, 18. Kassidy Altemose, 19. Philip Sabatine, 20. Ralph Borger Jr. DNS: John Petro DNQ: Mallory Kutz, Austin Ahner
Small Car Enduro (139 laps)
1. Don Rogers, 2. Steven Brooks, 3. Carl Altemose, 4. Jake Oswald, 5. Randy Parsons, 6. Kevin Kruczek, 7. Clem Underwood, 8. Kassidy Altemose, 9. Ray Kochin, 10. Larry Spencer, 11. Steven Kane, 12. Tony Rispin, 13. Raymond Kennedy, 14. Paul Mercante, 15. Richard Petey, 16. Tony Hilliard, 17. CJ Jensen, 18. Dan Cascioli, 19. Chris Rider, 20. Devin Gibson, 21. Harry O’Neill, 22. Randy Ahner Jr., 23. Devin Schmidt, 24. Cheyenne Andrews, 25. Doug Dehaven
