Ohio Caverns Cup to Valette
Saturday, September 6th, 1998
Shadybowl Speedway
Sept. 6 - The Ohio Valley Dwarf Car Association sponsored the "Ohio Caverns Cup" over Labor Day weekend at Shady Bowl Speedway, recognizing the contributions of the series sponsor, Ohio Caverns. Ohio Caverns is a tourist attraction located in nearby West Liberty. The owners of the caverns, Max and Vivian Evans, have supported the OVDCA touring series for the past two seasons. Following the feature, Max and OVDCA president Greg Watson presented trophies to the feature winner, Eddie Vallette, second place Bill Hostetler, and third place finisher Chad Pendleton. Max was then presented a plaque by the members of the OVDCA as an expression of the club's appreciation for the Evan's support and contributions. After a quick switch from the dirt set-ups used at Attica Raceway Park the night before, the Dwarfs took to the track for heat one. Tracy Fritter, fresh off his victory the night before, drew the pole position. Hostetler moved quickly to the front however, taking over the lead from Fritter on lap two. Mike Sell was also moving through the field, taking over second on the same lap. Ed Vallette, in his fourth OVDCA start of the season began pressuring the leaders, and moved past Sell on lap five, but was unable to run down Hostetler before the checkered. Wayne Fitzpatrick was fourth, with Rick Brown taking fifth. Heat two saw Greg Watson jump to the early lead from the pole, with Mike Weisberg outside, followed by Keith Bailey and Bob Miller. A spin by McBride on lap three brought out the yellow. On the restart Watson dropped off the pace with a brake problem, handing the lead to Weisberg. Miller and Pendleton had worked their way to second and third, and quickly found a way past Weisberg into the lead. Miller held off Pendleton for the win, with Wesiberg holding onto third, followed by Bill Vargo and Keith Bailey. Mike Sell and Vallette drew the front row starting positions, and Vallette jumped out to an early lead. He was chased by Miller and Pendleton, as the lead pack separated from the rest of the field. Hostetler was driving a steady race in fourth, leading a second pack also made up of Sell, Fitzpatrick, Weisberg and Vargo. The complexion of the race changed dramatically on lap 17, as Miller and Pendleton came together on the backstretch, ending Miller's night. The accident opened the door for Hostetler to assume the second spot. As the checkered dropped three laps later, Vallette had held off Hostetler, and Pendleton landed in the third spot. Fitzpatrick worked his way up to fourth, with Sell having another good run in fifth, followed by Vargo and Weisberg. The OVDCA dwarfs will return to Shady Bowl for their final asphalt points show on Sept. 12th, then wrap up the points chase at Crooksville Speedway on Sept. 18th.
Heat One: Hostetler, Vallette, Sell, Fitzpatrick, Brown, S. Miller, Bernard, Fritter, Rector,
Heat Two: B. Miller, Pendleton, Weisberg, Vargo, Bailey, McBride, Watson
Feature: Vallette, Hostetler, Pendleton, Fitzpatrick, Sell, Vargo, Weisberg, McBride, Fritter, S. Miller, Bernard, Evans, Watson, Brown, Bailey, B. Miller, Rector.