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Welcome to Sweeney Racing |
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It's a sunny Saturday
afternoon, and Mike Sweeney is standing in Victory Lane. His
parents, Bernice and Vince, stand proudly on either side. Mike is
holding the checkered flag, a huge smile across his face. Behind
him, two crewmen hold up a banner proclaiming Sweeney as Sundance
Vacations Speedway's Late Model champion for two straight years.The picture, taken after Sundance's King of the Mountain 2009 season finale, shows the end result of an amazing two-year ride. It was in 2008 that Sweeney brought out a new car, a Late Model with a chassis built by Nate Correll and all the extras added by Sweeney and his crew.
For two years, that black Andy Jensen-powered No. D11 car has been Sundance's most consistent. In 2008, it led him to a first career title by 97 points over Ricky Ross Jr. Last year, it helped him become the fifth driver in track history to win back-to-back Late Model crowns (Bob Becker, Richie Jensen, Todd Geist and Paul Koehler Jr. are the others). He earned 11 top-five finishes in 12 races to top Jerry Hildebrand by 119 points.
So why are Sweeney and his team spending their winter evenings making major changes to a car that has a chance to make Sundance Late Model history this year? Easy answer: to go even faster.
"I'm proud of all my guys and what we've done," says Sweeney, 29, of Nesquehoning, Pa. "But even though we've won two championships - and it's tough to win a championship - I just haven't had the feel of the car. It's a very consistent car, but we need more speed."
Most of all, Sweeney wants to get back to Victory Lane on a more regular basis - and not just after a season-long points battle.
"Our win total hasn't been where I've wanted it to be," he says. "We won five races at Mahoning in 2005, then I broke my leg the next year, sat out half a year and still came back to win three races. In 2007 I switched to (Sundance) and won three times. But then we won twice in 2008 and just once last year. That's really bugged me. So we're cutting the car apart a little bit and trying some new things."
The fine line between big winner and track champion is one Sweeney has spent most of his nine-year career trying to balance. When he first started in Factory Stocks, then Street Stocks, he was a hard charger. His go-for-broke style even earned him the car number he uses today.
"When we first went to Sundance (with a Street Stock), there was another No. 11 car, and we had to come up with a different number," Sweeney explains. "I work for Radocha Excavating, and at the time the biggest bulldozer they had was a Caterpillar D11 model. So we put the 'D' in front of our number. It's always been an inside joke with me and (Mike) Radocha."
Once Sweeney moved to Late Models, he began to lift off the throttle a little more and became a more complete driver. Yet it's said to win a championship, you have to first lose one. Sweeney had that experience at Mahoning in 2005 when he narrowly lost the Late Model crown to his good friend and Nesquehoning neighbor Mike Radocha Jr. With that lesson learned, and with the new car at his disposal starting in '08, Sweeney took the final steps from contender to champion.
While his back-to-back Sundance titles have come by somewhat comfortable margins, Sweeney did have a bit of a scare with two races left last season, when a special Friday night makeup show, run quickly on a frigid night under the threat of rain, nearly spelled disaster. "I broke a spindle on the left front in warm-ups," he says. "That sent me into the wall with the right front and ripped apart every suspension piece on that side."
The car wasn't fixable by heat-race time, and sitting out wasn't an option. So he turned to his good friend and fellow Late Model racer Troy Bollinger, who let Sweeney borrow his car for the night. Sweeney finished that rain-shortened 21-lap race in seventh spot (his only non-top-five of the year), good enough to maintain his points lead, then wrap up the title with his own, repaired car at the King of the Mountain finale.
To earn an historic three-peat, Sweeney knows he and his team - which includes his mom and dad, his girlfriend Sarah Valentine, uncle Robbie Sweeney, crew chief Rick Foulk and crewmen Bruce and Eric - have to step up his program a bit. The 2010 Sundance Late Model field looks to be one of the toughest in recent memory. Two-time champ Todd Geist and Bollinger, a past Modified champ at Mahoning, have already announced plans to race Late Models full-time at Sundance for the first time in several years, and a few others are considering regular action at the third-of-a-mile asphalt oval as well.
Sweeney, who has been working two jobs this winter to enhance his racing budget, knows he'll be part of the mix. He and Bollinger have purchased pit spots next to one another. "Troy and I have been working together a bit this off-season," Sweeney says. "He was my crew chief for the (Sundance) NELMA 100 and (Wall) Turkey Derby last year. He acquired an older Howe car for this year and put a new rear clip on it. He's been at my garage and I've been at his to help out."
Sweeney has raced other cars in his career - an asphalt Modified part-time for Dale Troxell and even a one-time ride in a Super Sportsman at Big Diamond Raceway in 2008 - but Late Models remain his focus.
"The only real differences between a Modified and Late Model are the fenders on the Late Model and the (higher) cost of the tires in a Modified," he says. "With the Late Model, you're on scales and playing with setups every week. You have to know your equipment is capable of running that race and then some. When you come across the line for five-to-go, your equipment is there, you're up on the wheel, hopefully you're leading and nobody is gonna pass you."
Sweeney hopes he's the one leading more often than not this year. And if that leads him to a third consecutive Sundance Late Model crown, even better. 2009 NEWS Sweeney Finishes 7th in Turkey Derby XXXVI (November 27, 2009) Mike Sweeney didn't have the fastest car Friday at Wall Stadium on the Jersey Shore, but his crew went to work after time trials and Sweeney quickly motored toward the front runners. Held up by a car with a flat, Sweeney dropped to tenth. He began to work back towards the front and was spun out by another driver. Not giving up, he rejoined the race and had to check up for a car that was up against the wall. In doing so, the car behind Sweeney drove up on to his quarter panel, causing heavy damage. Despite the bad luck, he earned a respectable 7th place finish in Turkey Derby XXXVI. LATE MODEL STOCK CARS – 50 Laps – 1. WAYNE HELLIWELL, 2. Mike Coil, 3. Michael Bologna, 4. Dave MacOmbee, 5. Roger Oxee, 6. Greg Kleila, 7. Mike Sweeney, 8. Elliott Wohl, 9. Artie Pedersen, 10. Jimmy Blewett, 11. Travis Fisher, 12. Pete Ericksen, 13. Michael Mortimer, 14. Zane Zeiner, 15. Lorin Arthofer, 16. Rob Ormsbee, 17. Ken Matlach Fighting Illness, Sweeney Gets Caught up in NELMA Late Model Challenge Wreck
(October 25, 2009) Late Model drivers raced the clock during time trials prior to the start of the 100-lap main event and Kevin Metzger peeled off the quickest lap. A redraw followed and the invert put Jerry Hildebrand on the pole position for the show. Hildebrand set the early pace over Jarrod Hayes, Larry Fisher, Mike Coll and Kevin Metzger. The first of several yellows waved when Metzger spun in turns three and four. A successful restart was essential for the front-runners. Hildebrand got a good jump over Hayes. Meanwhile, Coll and L. Fisher rubbed fenders and doors as the duo battled for third. L. Fisher encountered a handling issue and headed pit side during the next caution. Travis Fisher overtook Hayes for the second spot on a lap 13 restart. Hayes began to fade and looped his machine in turn four on lap 37. The competition yellow flew on lap 50. The short period enabled drivers to re-fuel for the second 50-lap run. Hildebrand led at the break over T. Fisher, Coll, Dave Macomber and Mike Sweeney. Green flag racing resumed and T. Fisher wasted no time and took the top spot from Hildebrand. Meanwhile, Zane Zeiner came to life and charged toward the top five. It appeared that T. Fisher might run away with the race win but that was all about to change following a lap 80 caution that involved a multi-car tangle in turn one. The drivers involved were Sweeney, Francis Gross III, Scott Wylie, Metzger and Will Schneider. Green flag racing resumed and Zeiner shot by Hildebrand. He hounded T. Fisher for the race lead and got to the bottom of the leader with four laps remaining. In typical NELMA fashion, T. Fisher tried to hold his line and Zeiner in the process. The two finally tangled in three and four and as Hayes shot underneath and into the race lead, Hildebrand and Coll got a piece of the melee but continued to hold their positions. Uncontested, Hayes drove off to his second career NELMA Late Model Challenge Victory over Coll, Hildebrand, Mike Mortimer and Wylie. Coastal 181 sponsored the event and Hayes was presented with the first-ever Coastal 181 cup. Late Model (100-Laps) 1. JARROD HAYES 2. Mike Coll 3. Jerry Hildebrand 4. Michael Mortimer 5. Scott Wylie 6. Travis Fisher 7. Dave Macomber 8. Zane Zeiner 9. Kevin Metzger 10. William Schneider 11. Doug Renalds 12. RJ Oxee 13. Justin Onderko 14. Mike Sweeney 15. Francis Gross III 16. Larry Fisher 17.Tommy Spencer Jr 18. Johnny Electric 19. Geno Steigerwalt 20. Lorin Arthofer 21. Doug Kroata Mike Sweeney Earns 2009 Sundance Track Title! (October 10, 2009) Mike Sweeney hasn't been the fastest car every week this season, but consistency wins championships and Sweeney has been just that throughout the 2009 season. For the second straight season, Sweeney Racing will sit at the head table and be honored as champions at the 10th annual Sundance Vacations Speedway banquet in November. Joe Hoffman started from the pole and led the opening laps of the 50-lap Late Model feature over Zane Zeiner, Kevin Metzger, Travis Fisher and Jimmy Wismer. Zeiner started second and raced side-by-side with Hoffman before he overtook the leader on lap four. The caution flag flew on lap 15 when Metzger bounced off of the front stretch wall and shot across the track in front of Wismer and Mike Coll. Both drivers headed pit side for repairs and rejoined the field. Zeiner continued to be in command on lap 15, followed by Hoffman second and Fisher, Mike Sweeney and Tommy Spencer, Jr. Following a lap 16 restart, Hoffman worked the outside of the leader and retook the lead on lap 18. Will Schneider started deep in the field and had worked up to the sixth spot but a spin on lap 40 brought out the yellow and took him from contention. Fisher had overtaken Zeiner for second and Jerry Hildebrand held third, followed by Zeiner and Metzger by that point in the event. Green flag racing resumed and Fisher made a bid for the lead on lap 42. Hoffman slipped back to second and continued to regain the advantage until his car caught a piece of the front stretch wall on lap 45, resulting in a spin. Despite a hard charge out of turn four on the final lap, Fisher held off Hildebrand to take his first career King of the Mountain win. Zeiner finished in third, followed by Metzger and Sweeney. The fifth place effort for Sweeney earned him his second consecutive Late Model track title. Heat race wins went to Joe Hoffman, Zane Zeiner and Travis Fisher. Late Models (50-laps) 1. TRAVIS FISHER 2. Jerry Hildebrand 3. Zane Zeiner 4. Kevin Metzger 5. Mike Sweeney 6. Jim Wismer 7. Tommy Spencer Jr 8. Don Holland 9. Joe Hoffman 10. Kyle Harvell 11. Mike Coll 12. Austin Kochenash 13. Joseph Burns 14. Geno Steigerwalt 15. Bill Catania 16. Jennifer Kutz 17.William Schneider 18. Dave Macomber 19. Paul Monkoski Troy Bollinger Saves the Day for Sweeney Racing (October 2, 2009) Friday night at Sundance Vacations Speedway started out in a very bad way for Mike Sweeney, the points leader in the track’s Late Model division. Headed into the second to last race of the season, a left front spindle broke on Sweeney mount during the first round of practice. After breaking, the car shot into the turn three fence and sent Sweeney and crew scrambling for parts. Although they didn’t find all of the parts, plenty of crewmembers and racers jumped in to help Sweeney repair his #D11. That’s when Troy Bollinger stepped in. Bollinger, a friend and competitor of Sweeney’s offered him his car to use in the heat and feature. Sweeney said yes and salvaged a decent points day, thanks to Bollinger. Jerry Hildebrand overtook polesitter, Jennifer Kutz when the green flag waved in the 21-lap Late Model main event. Kevin Metzger shot into second, followed by Mike Sweeney, Zane Zeiner and Travis Fisher. Hildebrand began to check out from the field and the laps clicked off. Zeiner in the meantime had fought his way to second and Mike Coll cracked the top five. With rain beginning to move in, head flagger, Chris Walk, threw the yellow and checkered flags on lap 21, which made the race official. Hildebrand took his third win of the season over Zeiner, Fisher, Metzger and Coll. With the win, Hildebrand earned a guaranteed starting spot in the “Fall Brawl” at Shangri-La II Speedway. Heat race winners were Jerry Hildebrand and Kevin Metzger. Late Models (21-Laps) 1. JERRY HILDEBRAND 2. Zane Zeiner 3. Travis Fisher 4. Kevin Metzger 5. Mike Coll 6. Larry Fisher 7. Mike Sweeney 8. Joe Hoffman 9. Joseph Burns 10. Jennifer Kutz 11. Mitch Hawk 12. Todd Geist 13. William Schneider Sweeney Earns Top 10 Finish in Sunoco Race of Champions (September 12, 2009- By: JR Kennerup) Scott Wylie and Bob Weber brought the Late Model feature to green with Wylie grabbing the lead over Weber, Tommy Cloce, George Skora, III, and Todd Hoddick just before the yellow flew. On the restart Weber got the jump on Wylie to grab the lead and the top five running order stayed the same until the yellow came out on lap 19.
On the lap 20 restart Cloce glued himself to the rear bumper of Weber to take second from Wylie and at the same time Hoddick who was fifth was able to get past Skora for fourth. On a lap 33 restart Weber and Cloce raced side by side for three consecutive laps before Cloce got far enough ahead to grab the lead. Hoddick at the same time moved into third and Ron Nurmi moved into fifth.
The complexion of the race changed on lap 42 as Nurmi broke loose exiting turn two and got into the back stretch outside wall. Thomas was left no place to go and made contact with the right front and he was forced to pit with right front body and suspension damage. Thomas pitted for repairs and returned to the race on the lead lap. Back up front a three car battle for the lead emerged with Cloce, Weber, and Hoddick all racing hard for the lead. Thomas meanwhile was making his way back to the front after his pit stop. Thomas raced his way back into fifth on lap 89 and on lap 95 the car of Weber started to become loose and this allowed Hoddick to move into second. Two laps later Thomas powerfully moved into fourth and four laps later entered third. Weber continued to slip back through the field as Skora passed him for fourth on lap 107. The final yellow of the race came out on lap 108 and everyone knew the way Thomas, now in third was running that a 17 lap battle was going to take place for the win. Thomas made his move into second on lap 113 as the Hoddick machine got loose. Over the final 12 laps Thomas and Cloce pulled away from the rest of the field and many thought that Thomas would take a shot at the win. However with four laps to go the Thomas machine almost spun out exiting turn two and the advantage gained by his mistake allowed Cloce to go on and take the very popular win in a race sponsored by his sponsors.
Qualifying for the 22 car field saw Thomas set fast time in time trials with a quick lap of 18.811 and Travis Fisher won the heat race. 59TH SUNOCO RACE OF CHAMPIONS OFFICIAL TJ TOYOTA / WAITE TOYOTA LATE MODEL FINISH; Tommy Cloce, Will Thomas, Todd Hoddick, George Skora, III, Bob Weber, Chris Ross, Scott Wylie, Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr. Mike Sweeney, Jeremy Dineen, James Southard, Josh Lloyd, Andre Roggie, Patrick Hargan, Travis Fisher, Rich Skora, Scott Nurmi, David Macomber, Scott Nurmi, Brandon Kidd, Joe Berretta, Todd Geist. Sweeney Fights Race Car and Salvages Third Place Finish (September 6, 2009) Joe Burns Started from the pole position in the 30-lap Late Model feature and was quickly overtaken by Kyle Harvell for the race lead. Jerry Hildebrand moved into the second spot and Will Schneider and Mike Sweeney joined the top five. A quick yellow waved on the second lap when Bill Catania got into Austin Kochenash in turn one. The tow drivers rejoined the back of the field. Zane Zeiner grabbed the lead on the restart. Hildebrand grabbed second and Hoffman moved to third, followed by Harvell and Schneider.
A quick yellow flag flew on lap 21. Hildebrand attempted to get under Zeiner following the restart. Sideways, the pair rubbed fender and doors out of turn four. Hoffman had nowhere to go and tried going low. Unfortunately Hildebrand’s car finally spun and collected Hoffman. Both drivers involved retired from the event. Zeiner was flawless on the restart and led the final circuits to notch his fourth win of the season. Harvell, Sweeney, Burns and Paul Monkoski completed the top five. Heat race wins went to Jerry Hildebrand and Zane Zeiner. Late Models (30-laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Kyle Harvell 3. Mike Sweeney 4. Joseph Burns 5. Paul Monkoski 6. Austin Kochenash 7. William Schneider 8. Bill Catania 9. Jerry Hildebrand 10. Joe Hoffman 11. Jennifer Kutz 12. Geno Steigerwalt Sweeney Almost Gets the Win and Settles for Second (August 30, 2009) Kyle Harvell started on the pole and led the opening circuit of the 30-lap Late Model feature before the caution flew when Jerry Hildebrand and Jennifer Kutz tangled in turns three and four. Green flag racing resumed and sixth place starter, Joe Hoffman, overtook Harvell. Fifth place starter, Mike Sweeney, followed in second with Zane Zeiner in pursuit. Sweeney was unable to reel in the leader due to a long green flag run in the second half of the event. However, he did hold off Zane Zeiner to score the runner up finish. Hoffman, of Drums, cruised to his second win of the season over Sweeney, Zeiner, Harvell and Austin Kochenash. Late Models (30-laps) 1. JOE HOFFMAN 2. Mike Sweeney 3. Zane Zeiner 4. Kyle Harvell 5. Austin Kochenash 6. Geno Steigerwalt 7. William Schneider 8. Joseph Burns 9. Justin Onderko 10. Jason Zastko 11. Don Holland 12. Mitch Hawk 13. Todd Geist 14. Jerry Hilderbrand 15. Jennifer Kutz Sweeney Pulls Top 5 Finish out of Rough Night (August 1, 2009) Jennifer Kutz, a “Rookie of the Year” contender in the Late Model division led the Late Models to the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap feature before Kyle Harvell overtook her. Mitch Hawk worked into second and after a lap was complete Joe Hoffman moved behind Kutz to take fourth, followed by Joe Burns. Hoffman disposed of Hawk on the second lap and set his sights on the leader before completing the pass for the lead on lap four. Meanwhile, Zane Zeiner and Mike Sweeney cracked the top five. Zeiner quickly moved his way by Harvell on lap five and chased down Hoffman. He overtook the leader four circuits later. The caution waved on lap ten when Burns got into Kutz in turns three and four. Another caution followed after the restart, which involved Jerry Hildebrand and Harvell. Shortly after the yellow flew, Hildebrand slammed into the back of Sweeney, not realizing that the green flag wasn’t out. Both Sweeney and Hildebrand headed to the pits for repair. Still out front and looking for a record breaking three-peat in a Late Model (to match his previous three-peats in a Sport Modified and INEX Legends car), Zeiner went on to take the checkers over Hoffman, Hildebrand, Schneider and Sweeney.
Late Model (30-Laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Joe Hoffman 3. Jerry Hildebrand 4. William Schneider 5. Mike Sweeney 6. Joseph Burns 7. Mitch Hawk 8. Kyle Harvell 9. Jennifer Kutz
Sweeney Scores Podium Finish (August 1, 2009) Mitch Hawk paced the field of Late Models to the drop of the green flag in the double-points 50-lap feature event. Hawk lurched out from the gate with the race lead and held the top spot until lap six, when Jerry Hildebrand overtook him. Zane Zeiner raced into the second spot, dropping Hawk to third and Joe Hoffman and Mike Sweeney followed closely. The first of only two caution periods came when Jason Zastko spun in turn two on lap 12. Green flag racing resumed with Hildebrand leading over Zeiner, Hoffman, Sweeney and Hawk. Time and time again, Zeiner tried to find a line that would get him by Hildebrand. Hildebrand slid up the track a bit on lap 28 and Zeiner pounced on the opportunity and took command of the event. The yellow flag flew five laps later when Joe Burns spun after very intense racing with Hawk in turn one. Hoffman was running in the top five at the time and headed to the pits. He rejoined the field before green flag racing resumed. Zeiner, of Bath, PA was untouchable over the remaining laps and cruised to his second straight Late Model victory of the season over Hildebrand, Sweeney, Kevin Metzger and Hoffman. Heat race wins went to Mitch Hawk and Joe Hoffman. Late Model (50-Laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Jerry Hildebrand 3. Mike Sweeney 4. Kevin Metzger 5. Joe Hoffman 6. Mitch Hawk 7. Joseph Burns 8. Kyle Harvell 9. Jennifer Kutz 10. Jason Zastko Sweeney Fights Car to a Fourth Place Finish (July 18, 2009) Phil DeFranco led the Late Model field to the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap feature. Before a lap was complete, Zane Zeiner moved into second, followed by Joe Hoffman, Jerry Hildebrand and Mike Sweeney. Kyle Harvell spun in turn two with two laps complete, which lined Zeiner up alongside DeFranco. Zeiner took the race lead on the restart and DeFranco and Hildebrand tangled in turn two. Green flag racing resumed and as Zeiner began to pull away the rest of the field fought for position. Hoffman continued to hold second with Hildebrand, Sweeney and Mitch Hawk in his mirror. The caution flew on lap sixteen when DeFranco, Jennifer Kutz and Doug Bell collected in turn one. One quick caution followed and Zeiner, of Bath, PA, held off several attempts by Hoffman to score his first Late Model victory of the season. Hildebrand finished third with Sweeney and Hawk completing the top five. Joe Hoffman and Mike Sweeney were heat race winners. Late Model (30-Laps) 1. ZANE ZEINER 2. Joe Hoffman 3. Jerry Hilderbrand 4. Mike Sweeney 5. Mitch Hawk 6. Joseph Burns 7. William Schneider 8. Doug Bell 9. Frank Katona 10. Jennifer Kutz 11. Phil DeFranco 12. Kyle Harvell Sweeney Celebrates First Win of the Season on Independence Day (July 4, 2009) Despite being atop the points at Sundance Vacations Speedway, Mike Sweeney has not been happy with the 2009 season so far. That changed Saturday night when the crew found the right set up for Mike and the combination found victory lane for the first time this season. Will Schneider led the late model field to the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap feature. Mitch Hawk used his outside front row starting spot and powered into the race lead before a lap was complete. Hawk crossed the strip and led the first lap over Joe Hoffman, Mike Sweeney, Schneider and Jerry Hildebrand. Hoffman got by Hawk and took the race lead on lap two. Hildebrand attempted to get by Schneider and made contact, which sent Schneider into a spin on the backstretch. The lap five incident forced both drivers restarted at the rear of the field. Sweeney had moved into the runner-up spot by this point and overtook Hoffman for the race lead on the restart. Things didn’t get better for Hildebrand as the race went on. After winning the main event in his last outing, he was forced pit side with heavy damage on lap seven after collecting with Joe Burns in turns three and four. Sweeney, of Nesquehoning, PA was unchallenged over the closing laps and went on to score his first win of the season over Hoffman. After battling side-by-side with Hawk earlier in the event, Kyle Harvell finished third, followed by Kevin Metzger and Will Schneider. Joe Hoffman and Mike Sweeney won heat races. Late Model (30-laps) 1. MIKE SWEENEY 2. Joe Hoffman 3. Kyle Harvell 4. Kevin Metzger 5. William Schneider 6. Mitch Hawk 7. Jennifer Kutz 8. Rob Koller 9. Jerry Hildebrand 10. Joseph Burns Mike Sweeney Pulls Top Five in First Visit to the Jersey Shore (June 27, 2009) Mike Sweeney timed 3rd quickest in his first attempt at Wall Stadium in New Jersey. He held a top 5 spot for the first half of the race, yet felt that the car needed to be adjusted on at the halfway mark for him to be in contention for the win. The crew made the adjustments that Sweeney needed, but instead of making the car better it was worse. Sweeney did pull out a top five finish, as he held the fourth spot just before the checkered flag flew. The championship driver did note that his experience at Wall was a memorable one and that he had a blast racing at the Jersey Shore. Race Recap (By Jeff Gravatt)- Long Island speedster Kevin Metzger jumped to the lead at the outset of the Late Model 100-lapper and held his ground through the first half of the contest as Wismer spent most of this time patiently running second. Metzger continued to lead after a restart at the half way mark, while Wismer suffered a bad restart and slipped from contention. Wismer then continued his patient driving style as he remained in the top five. Then, as the race neared the 80 lap mark, Wismer began to climb through the top five. Mike Coll in the No. 61 slipped into the lead at the lap 80 mark after Metzger and Jarrod Hayes tangled in turn four and spun from the top two spots, but Wismer was right on Coll’s bumper. Wismer then sized up the leader before charging to the lead for good on a lap 82 restart. From that point on Wismer stretched an advantage to the finish, while Coll hung on for second and Dave McOmbee crossed the line third. Metzger and Mike Sweeney completed the top five. LATE MODELS – 100 Laps – 1. JIM WISMER, 2. Mike Coll, 3. Dave McOmbee, 4. Kevin Metzger, 5. Mike Sweeney, 6. Jarrod Hayes, 7. Elliott Wohl, 8. Pete Brittain, 9. Roger Oxee, 10. Travis Fisher, 11. Greg Kieila, 12. Steve Senerchia, 13. Ken Matlach, 14. Tony Volpe, 15. Paul Koehler Sweeney Has Solid Top Three Finish in Largest Field of the Season (June 6, 2009) Will Schneider brought the Late Model field to the drop of the green in the 30-lap feature but the yellow waved before a lap was complete when Jennifer Kutz spun in turns one and two. Paul Monkoski grabbed the race lead on the restart and Jerry Hildebrand moved into second. Larry Fisher ran third with Joe Hoffman close behind in fourth. Schneider got out of shape in turn two on the second lap and collected Hoffman, Zane Zeiner, Rob Koller and Phil DeFranco. Several drivers hit the pits for service and rejoined the field. Green flag racing resumed and Hildebrand overtook Monkoski for the race lead. Tony Volpe moved into the second spot with Mike Sweeney and Travis Fisher in tow. Zeiner began to make his charge back towards the front and he overtook Sweeney for third on lap 13. Five laps later he got by Volpe for second. Hildebrand, of Wapwallopen, PA, stayed up front and went on to take his second victory of the season over Zeiner, Sweeney, Larry Fisher and Dave Macomber. Joe Hoffman and Justin Onderko were heat race victors. Late Models (30-laps) 1. JERRY HILDEBRAND 2. Zane Zeiner 3. Mike Sweeney 4. Larry Fisher 5. Dave Macomber 6. Tony Volpe 7. Joe Hoffman 8. Mitch Hawk 9. William Schneider 10. Kyle Harvell 11. Jennifer Kutz 12. Rob Koller 13. Justin Onderko 14. Paul Monkoski 15. Travis Fisher 16. Phil DeFranco Sweeney Wins Heat Race and is Forced to Settle for Top Five Feature Finish (May 23, 2009) Jennifer Kutz started from the pole position and was overtaken by Justin Onderko for the race lead early on in the 30-lap Late Model feature. The first of two cautions waved with three laps complete when Mitch Hawk made contact with Kutz in turns one and two. Green flag racing resumed, and Travis Fisher overtook Onderko for the race lead on lap five. Due to a passing rainstorm, the yellow flag flew shortly after. With track drying complete, green flag racing resumed and Fisher had his hands full with his father, Larry, Joe Hoffman, Onderko and last season’s champion, Mike Sweeney. Hoffman began to work on L. Fisher for second and finally made his charge to the outside on lap twenty-four. Realizing that “it was time to go”, L. Fisher dove to the bottom of T. Fisher in turn three with hopes of grabbing the race lead. The three drivers battled three wide for moments and Hoffman shot out of turn four with the race lead. Hoffman, of Drums, went on to take his first victory of the season over T. Fisher, L. Fisher, Sweeney and Onderko. Travis Fisher and Mike Sweeney scored heat race wins. Sweeney Nearly Gets First Feature Win of the Season (May 9, 2009) Justin Onderko sat on the pole position for the 30-lap Late Model feature and was overtaken by Mike Sweeney after the green flag dropped. Onderko slipped into second, followed by Jerry Hildebrand, Joe Hoffman and Travis Fisher. A few quick cautions occurred, including one on lap eight, when Fisher made contact with Hildebrand while battling for the third spot. Both drivers were forced to restart from the tail end of the field. Both Hoffman, who pitted with car problems earlier in the event and Hildebrand, who restarted deep in the field, began to claw their way toward the leaders. Hoffman climbed to second and raced with Sweeney for the lead. Hildebrand patiently watched the duo battle and then made his move to the outside lane of the track and took the race lead with five laps remaining. Hildebrand drover off over the remaining laps and scored his first win at the track since 1998. Sweeny settled for second, followed by Hoffman, Fisher and Paul Monkoski. Heat race wins went to Jerry Hildebrand and Mike Sweeney. Sweeney Makes Great Drive to Finish in 3rd (April 26, 2009) Austin Kochenash led the Late Model field to the green flag in the 30-lap feature. After starting on the outside of the front row, Travis Fisher took the race lead and Mike Sweeney followed passed Kochenash for second. Kochenash dropped to third with Mike Coll and Ed Bauer in the top five. Sweeney began to pressure Fisher for the race lead and jumped to the outside line of the track. Just when he thought that he had the race lead, the second of four yellow flags waved when Will Schneider made hard contact with the front stretch wall. The dejected Sweeney had to restart from the second position. Slowly but surely, Jerry Hildebrand began to work toward the front from his eighth starting spot and moved by Kochenash for fourth on lap nine. He then raced side-by-side with Coll for third. With Fisher sill atop the field, Coll pressured Sweeney for second and the end result was a turn two tangle. Sweeney was forced to restart at the tail end of the field and Hildebrand moved into the second spot. Despite the great run by Hildebrand, Fisher held on to score his first late model feature win at the speedway. Sweeney made a great drive back toward the front, but ran out of time and settled for third. Kochenash finished an impressive fourth and after starting tenth, Paul Monkoski completed the top five. Sweeney Racing Welcomes Two More Sponsors for 2009! The 2009 season is right around the corner and Sweeney Racing is proud to announce that Tirpak Oil and also The Comfort Inn of West Hazleton, PA have teamed up with the championship Late Model team. The team and it's latest supporters recently inked the deal and Sweeney is excited about it. "Thanks to Jeaninne Motroni, the general manager of the Comfort Inn and with the added support from Tirpak Oil and all of the other Sweeney Racing supports, the upcoming season is looking great", he said. Tirpak Oil is owned by Greg Tirpak. Tirpak, his fiance Jess and his son David run the business and both Greg and David are crewmembers for the #D11 Late Model. Sweeney noted that his championship late model will be at Kemmer Graphics for lettering, which will force him to miss the first of three practice dates at Sundance Vacation Speedway. However, Sweeney and his team plan to be at the track for the second practice session. Short Track Drivers to Race Against Child Abuse Everywhere From the flat 1/3-mile asphalt oval at Sundance Vacations Speedway to the ¼-mile circle at Mahoning Valley Speedway and the 5/8-mile track in Oswego, NY, two close friends, Todd Baer of Palmerton and Mike Sweeney of Nesquehoning do battle in their stock cars. Although their primary goal is to win on the track, their ultimate accomplishment is to help prevent child sexual abuse, which is why the two drivers recently teamed up with the RAACE (Racing Against Child Abuse Everywhere) Foundation. Like a family, most short track racers tend to stick together, especially when they’re away from the race track. Family is important and each and every time a driver straps on his or her helmet to compete on the speedway, they keep their family in mind and hope for a great and safe race. Those family fundamentals are what helped propel RAACE, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to eliminating the epidemic of child sexual abuse by raising public awareness on the national level. The foundation was designed to promote awareness through the sport of auto racing and as the foundation’s popularity grew, so has the awareness of abuse. That’s where area “hot shoes” come in to play. Asphalt modified driver, Todd Baer, heard of the organization and recently jumped onboard. Baer feels that promoting child sexual abuse awareness isn’t only important, but he also thinks that the way the charity does it through racing is beneficial to both the parents and the children at the race track. “I think that this is great”, said Baer. “If this (the awareness program) only helps one child from being abused or helps educate one parent about child sexual abuse prevention, then it’s a winner” Mike Sweeney, an asphalt late model champion agrees. “I feel the same way”. What better way to promote the organization than through racing”, he said. Both drivers were the first of their class in asphalt racing to be signed through the organization and they both feel that it is important for more drivers across the nation to take a look at what information the foundation has to offer for race fans, both young in age and young at heart. Baer’s son, Nicholas is even involved with the organization. The 11-year-old races quarter midgets with the Keystone State Quarter Midget Club and his car carries the RAACE banner and colors. Neither driver knew what the horrific statistics were until they learned more about the charity. “I never realized that the statistics were so high- it’s crazy”, said Sweeney. Baer agreed and said, “We’ve already learned a lot from the organization and look forward to working with them and promoting them by advertising them on our race cars”. The statistics mentioned are true and are hardly believable. One in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused. Still, the subject of child sexual abuse is generally unspoken of, yet it lurks in the shadows and haunts the minds of abused children that never spoke up. According to the RAACE website and Brad Brickel, the foundation’s outreach director, until every child is safe from sexual abuse, their race has no finish line. The RAACE Foundation was created in response to the knowledge that child sexual abuse is tragically destructive, very common and is totally preventable. Sadly, child sexual abuse is often referred to as a “silent epidemic”. The RAACE Foundation believes that the first step to prevention is awareness in the Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere. The main goal of the foundation is, with the help of racers and fans, to educate adults so no other child has to suffer from sexual abuse. The foundation’s efforts will not cease until its ultimate goal has been fulfilled, which is to totally eliminate child sexual abuse everywhere. Both, Baer and Sweeney plan to pass out flyers at each track that they attend this season, Including Sundance Vacations Speedway in St. Johns, Pa. The track has plans of hosting at least one RAACE event this season. In an effort to help promote RAACE, the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix will help celebrate Child Abuse Awareness Month, which is in April. The go-kart facility in Allentown, Pa is hosting a celebrity indoor kart race on Thursday, April 16th from 5-10 PM. Todd Baer and Mike Sweeney will be in competition, as will Tony Hirschman, a five-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver. Tony’s son Matt, who finished a close second place in the tour points standings last season will also be in action, as will Jeff Strunk and Earl Paules. Many other popular racers are scheduled to compete as well. There will be a 28-car starting grid and two seats in a race car will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The proceeds will go directly to the foundation and the two highest bidders will go directly into the main event to compete with his or her favorite short track stars. Aside from all of the race action, the Lehigh Valley’s best “Chili Cook-off” will take place and there will also be live music and prizes, plus fans will be able to receive autographs from their favorite driver or drivers that are in competition. For more information about the RAACE Foundation, please visit www.raace.org. The Lehigh Valley Grand Prix can be contacted at (610) 432-7223. Story also appeared on page 40 of Area Auto Racing News on March 24, 2009 Story also appears on the RAACE website (Click this LINK) Sweeney Racing Teams up With RAACE Mike Sweeney and his race team recently are proud to announce that they have recently teamed up with the RAACE Foundation. The foundation stands for Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere. Sweeney is behind the organization 100% and looks forward to being the first asphalt late model driver to represent the organization. From the RAACE website, Until every child is safe from sexual abuse, our race has no finish line. That pretty much sums it up. The RAACE Foundation was created in response to the knowledge that child sexual abuse is tragically destructive, all too common, and totally preventable. Sadly, child sexual abuse is often referred to as a silent epidemic. Statistics indicate that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually abused. Yet the subject of child sexual abuse remains taboo and therefore thrives in the shadows of society. The RAACE Foundation is dedicated to changing that, because we believe that The First Step to Prevention is Awareness in the Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere. Please support the foundation. You can view there website by clicking on the link below.