Thank's to Dino Oberto

Rabenold Holds Off Paules for $3000 Modified Showdown at Mahoning Valley

(Lehighton, PA 7-29-06) After two straight rain-outs, an enthusiastic race hungry crowd came out to Mahoning Valley Speedway to watch the Hoffman Bros. Speed and Performance Modified 100 and they weren’t disappointed either as Kory Rabenold and Earl Paules put on a dazzling display of side-by-side racing. And it took all 100-laps for the 16-year Rabenold to edge veteran Paules for the $3000 first place prize.

It’s become a trend to finish near the front for the Slatington up-start ace whenever extra distance races are held at Mahoning Valley Speedway. It started with the final race of 2005 when Rabenold led all 100 laps, then on Opening Night of this year he finished second in another century mark run to Brain DeFebo. Last month he scored a huge win in the 75-lap Race of Champions (RoC) Tour event. Now add another 100-lapper to an already impressive resume and it’s clear to see why he is fast becoming a rising star of Modified racing.

Both Rabenold and Paules well earned their finishing spots as they each came from deep in the pack. Rabenold from 16th while further back came Paules, whose journey began from 19th on the grid.

After Bobby Jones led the brunt of laps, 44, Rabenold drove into the lead with an inside pass off turn two with 24-laps to go and was followed by Paulus. Thereafter the pair put on an exhilarating display of two-abreast racing with Rabenold holding a very slim verdict.

“It was great racing tonight. I started 16th and got up to the front with some good side-by-side racing with a couple of guys. There at the end I knew I had Earl (Paules) alongside me and he’s a great RoC contender and he’s been running good every time he comes here to Mahoning. I’m glad I had at least somebody like that I knew would run me clean,” commented Rabenold.

There was indeed plenty of race-long two-wide racing that involved Rabenold as he was continually running in heavy traffic while fighting his way frontward. He contended with a number of drivers including a spirited battle with point leader Don Wagner before in his attempt to enter into the top five. All the while Paules loomed in his path and shadowed him in the drive to the front.

The action really heated up after a lap-58 caution for a spinning Wagner. On that restart Rabenold was lined up third and made quick work of Kevin Graver, Jr., who had led the race from the pole and stayed out front until lap-31 when Jones overhauled him for the top spot.

Graver had then remained second.

      Once in the runner-up spot, Rabenold hounded Jones relentlessly, however, with his repeated tries came the defensive efforts of Jones. By lap-68 Paules had joined the fray and it became an outstanding three-car battle for the lead.

      One lap after taking third Paules snookered by Rabenold into second. Rabenold bounced right back and went wheel-to-wheel with the fast flying #8.

      With Rabenold on the low line and Paules riding high, they then set sail on Jones who was still logging laps out front. Trying to hold on as best he can, Jones finally gave way to the demanding pair with 24-laps to go.

      The intensity level rose to new heights as Rabenold and Paules dueled with absolutely no margin for error. Still running the outside groove, Paules tried countless times to get a run on the 63 car but was unable to build the needed momentum to complete the job.

      It wasn’t until the two laps to go that Rabenold actually got a slight bit of breathing room when Paules tried yet again to make a pass but slipped up just a hair and allowed to Rabenold to take a half-car length victory.

      “The car did start getting a little tight there towards the end probably because I was trying to run it really hard keeping Earl behind me,” said Rabenold.

      “It was great racing and he did not give up and that’s what you have to do in this game, you can’t give up. He just kept pressuring and pressuring me. I knew I had the car but his seemed like it worked really well too. I really like running these long races here.”

      It was the third win the last four starts for Rabenold. Paules in the meantime feel short on his bid for three straight wins.

      “He (Rabenold) ran a good race. We were by him once then the 10 car (Graver) moved up the track and he then got by us. It was just luck tonight, that’s all. I feel we had the better car but the luck went his way and he won the race tonight,” said Paules.

      Jones settled for third while Rod Snyder Jr., and John Markovic had steady runs in completing the top five. Glen Correll, Zane Zeiner, Scott Lesher, Graver and Pete Brittain rounded out the top ten. Wagner was 11th, the final car to complete all 100 circuits.

From Dino Alberto.

Aug. 26,06

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Rain Forces Another Cancellation at Mahoning Valley Speedway

      ( Lehighton , PA 8-26-06) 2006 is certainly becoming an enduring year to say the least at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Enduring in the fact that the weather has been a main factor and not for the good either.

      Saturday afternoon rain showers as well as thunder storms predicted for later in the evening left Mahoning’s husband and wife promotional dual of Doug and Gene Hoffman no other choice but to pull the plug.

      It has been a grueling year indeed as this was the second time in as many weeks and eighth overall in which the track stayed idle due to inclement conditions.