7-24-03 Lebanon Valley Press Release
"PRESS RELEASE" For Immediate Release July 24, 2003 Contact: Kevin Wright Phone: 518-794-9606 HEARN HITS JACKPOT IN THUNDER IN THE VALLEY V West Lebanon, NY- Brett Hearn was the victor of "Thunder in the Valley V" Thursday night at Lebanon Valley Speedway. The victory in the 100-lap feature was worth $4,000 for Brioschi-Madsen Motorsports #20. It was also Hearn's third victory of 2003 in the Turning Stone Casino's 358-Modified Super DIRT Series. NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Dave Blaney were on hand to sign autographs and race on Thursday night's card. Both Stewart and Blaney competed in a special 12-lap dash, while Blaney also ran in the Turning Stone 100. Once again a huge thank you to Rich Pallai and CARQUEST for yet another great night of racing on the high banks. J.R. Heffner and Dale Planck led thirty-one 358-modifieds to the green flag of the 100-lap event. Heffner got the early race lead and look strong on the point. Matt Quinn powered into second on the initial start and was looking to get to the front early. Hearn and Kenny Tremont raced hard for the fourth position and Hearn took the advantage on lap eight. The leaders encountered lapped traffic for the first time on lap eight. The caution flag flew only four times in the event for a mere eleven laps. The first of those caution periods came on lap 18 as Matt Sheppard spun out in turn two, but was able to continue on to finish 11th. Dave Blaney's night came to an early end just before that caution flag flew on lap 18. Overheating problems in the Smith Bros. #74 ended the NASCAR veteran's chance at victory. When green flag racing resumed Hearn made his presence felt as he took over the runner up position from Quinn on the restart. Near disaster for the lead duo when they made contact going down the backstretch on lap 22, but both driver continue unscathed. Hearn made the pass stick coming off turn four to lead at the one-quarter mark of the event. The lead pack ran up a slower traffic for a second time on lap 32. Alan Johnson started the race in 14th and was quietly working his way towards the front taking eight from Eddie Marshall on lap 36. The second caution flag flew on lap 44 as Matt Quinn came to a sudden halt on the speedway. A broken left rear brake caliper ended a real good chance at a top five finish. Alan Johnson moved into fifth on the restart. At the halfway point of the race it was Hearn, Bachetti, Planck, Heffner and Johnson. Lapped traffic came into play for a third time on lap 61. The very next lap saw A.J. pass Planck for third. The final caution of the race came out on lap 76 when Donnie Corellis broke a motor while running in the top ten. Marshall and Rich Ricci Jr got caught up in the incident ending top ten runs for both. Lapped traffic became a factor in the final stages of the race, which allowed Bachetti to close in a Hearn's back bumper, but he could not mount a serious challenge and had to settle for the runner-up finish. It was a gusty performance for Bachetti who was battling food poisoning on Thursday night. He was rewarded with a guaranteed starting spot in the Sunoco-Aplus 150 at Syracuse during Super Dirt Week. Andy Bachetti also won the JE PISTONS Quick Qualifier award Thursday night with a time of 20.967 and he won the $1000 12-lap dash for cash. Hearn set second fast time at 21.064. . Dickie Larkin, J.R. Heffner, Dale Planck and Bachetti and Jerry Higbie won the heat races. Chris Schultz and Matt DeLorenzo won the two consolation events. end