Stayed tuned to stories about Austin in the Hot News Section when he is racing at Mahoning - This pages is reserved for special moments or when racing at other tracks
2017
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Evergreen October 21
Jake Jones led the Four Cylinder field to the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap feature. Harry O’Neill kept his car glued to the outside and led the first circuit by a bumper over Jones, John Ayre, Scott Adams and TJ Kapish. A yellow slowed the show for the first time on lap nine and then another flew following the restart when Kapish and Shawn Kistler tangled in turn four. Neither driver was able to continue. With the green back in the air, Joe Barbush III began to advance. He moved into third on lap 14 and then overtook J. Ayre for second two laps later. There were several opportunities for J. Barbush to have a shot at the leader, but O’Neill pulled on each and every restart. O’Neill went on to take the victory, followed by J. Barbush, Adams, Tony Rispin and J. Ayre. Jones, O’Neill and J. Ayre were heat race winners. Kyle Krempasky was the consi winner. Four Cylinders (40-laps) 1. HARRY O’NEILL 2. Joe Barbush III 3. Scott Adams 4. Tony Rispin 5. John Ayre 6. Jeff Biegley 7. Ray Kochin 8. Austin Beers 9. Rebecca Barbush 10. Ed Wildes 11. Chris Elixson 12. Jay Skupski 13. Beau Drobot 14. Jake Jones 15. Kyle Krempasky 16. Jimmy Ayre 17. TJ Kapish 18. Shawn Kistler 19. Keith St Clair DQ: Joe Warren DNQ: Jesse Ehert, Don Rodgers, Peter Maier, Charles Zukowski, Preston Prydatko, Justin Hughes |
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Mahoning Speedway - September 23
The Hobby Stocks ran a pair of features, the first a make-up from August 19 which was claimed by point leader Austin Beers and then regular run show that saw rookie Trisha Connolly score for her second win this year. Make-up 8/19 Hobby Stock Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1.Austin Beers, 2. Devin Schmidt, 3. Al Arthofer, 4. Michael Wambold, 5. Beau Drobot, 6. Ryan Berger, 7. Avery Arthofer, 8. Justin Merkel, 9. Jacob Boehm, 10. Travis Solomon, 11. Samantha Osborn, 12. Todd Geist, 13. Paul Effrig, 14. Nikolas Kerstetter, 15. Rich Mutarelli, 16. Keith Boehm, 17. Trisha Conley, DNS: Shawn Kistler, Colton Breiner Regular Hobby Stock Feature Finish (25 Laps): 1. Connelly, 2. Wambold, 3. Effrig, 4. Schmidt, 5. Beers, 6. Markel, 7. Al Arthofer, 8. Osborn, 9. Drobot, 10. Berger, 11. Peyton Arthofer, 12. Buss, 13. Jacob Boehm, 14. Nicholas Kerstetter, 15. Keith Boehm, 16. Jeff Biegley, 17. Solomon, 18. Altemose, 19. Avery Arthofer DNS: Mutarelli |
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Evergreen Raceway - September 10
The always exciting and entertaining Four Cylinder division took to the stage with Jay Skupski on the pole. However, young Austin Beers started second and quickly took the lead. The led the opening lap over Skupski, Shane Troutman, Jake Jones and Shawn Kistler. The action was intense throughout the field and with eight laps complete, Mark Spencer held the lead. He encountered mechanical issues, which gave the lead to TJ Kapish and then Devin Schmidt, who was heavily pressured by Corey Edelman in the closing laps. Schmidt held on for the lucrative victory over Edelman, Kapish, Troutman and Jeff Biegly. Edelman was later disqualified for being light across the scales in post race tech inspection. Schmidt, Beers and Jones were heat race winners. M. Spencer was the consi winner. Four Cylinder (40-laps) 1. DEVIN SCHMIDT 2. TJ Kapish 3. Shane Troutman 4. Jeff Biegly 5. Brayden Spencer 6. Kyle Krempasky 7. Jay Kanor 8. Zeb Farber 9. Harry O'Neill 10. Austin Beers 11. Rebecca 12. Mark Spencer 13. Jimmy Ayre 14. Jake Jones 15. Cody Geist 16.Shawn Kistler 17. Jay Skupski 18. Joe Barbush III 19. John Banashefski DQ: Corey Edelman DNS: Bob Azarowicz DNQ: Matt Malachatki, Clint Halstead, Doug Ashford, Steve McDonough |
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Evergreen Raceway - August 18
Shane Troutman led the Four Cylinder field to the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap feature. He led the first circuit over TJ Kapish, Shawn Kistler, Corey Edelman and Austin Beers, With a lap in the books, Kapish moved to the front. He continued to hold the spot at halfway and Edelman made his way into second. Harry O’Neill joined the mix of action and made a three wide move stick on lap 16 to snag the lead. He remained out front over the closing laps to take the win in the caution free event over Edelman, Kapish, Kistler and Bob Azarowicz. Brayden Spencer, Kapish and O’Neill were heat race winner. Four Cylinder (20-laps) 1. HARRY O'NEILL 2. Corey Edelman 3. TJ Kapish 4. Shawn Kistler 5. Bob Azarowicz 6. Austin Beers 7. Brayden Spencer 8. Joe Barbush III 9. Kyle Krempasky 10. Jake Jones 11. Jon Ayre 12. Shane Troutman 13. Travis Solomon 14. Jay Kanor 15. Jay Skupski 16. Ray Kochin 17.Jeff Van Wickle 18. Zeb Farber 19. Frank Hughes |
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Evergreen Raceway - July 28
Austin won his heat and finished 10th After winning his heat race earlier in the evening, Shane Troutman started from the pole position and led the Four Cylinder field to the drop of the green flag. He led the opening circuit over Shawn Kistler, Brayden Spencer, Bob Azarowicz and Austin Beers. With Troutman still showing the way on lap four, Devin Schmidt worked his way into fourth before the yellow flag waved on lap six when several cars tangled between turns one and two. Following the incident, Kistler was the race leader for the restart, with Spencer to his outside. Green flag racing resumed and Spencer got a great run off of turn two. The high side pass moved him into the lead. Shortly after, Schmidt got by Kistler for second. The remainder of the show went caution-free and Schmidt reeled in Spencer. The two fought hard all the way down to the stripe, where Spencer earned his third win of the season by a half car length. Schmidt finished in second, followed by Azarowicz, Harry O’Neill and Kistler. Harry O’Neill started from the pole position in the 20-lap Strictly Stock feature and led the opening lap over TJ Kapish and Bob Wink. With two laps complete, Kapish made the pass, which ended up to be the race winning move, as he drove off to take the checkers over O’Neill and Wink. More than half of the cars didn’t start the feature due to problems following the heat races, which were won by Kapish and Wink. Four Cylinder (20-laps) 1. BRAYDEN SPENCER 2. Devin Schmidt 3. Bob Azarowicz 4. Harry O'Neill 5. Shawn Kistler 6. TJ Kapish 7. Jake Jones 8. Jay Kanor 9. Mark Schwalm 10. Jamie Presley 11. Shane Troutman 12. PJ Thomas 13. Austin Beers 14. Beau Drobot 15. Ryan Berger |
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Evergreen Raceway - July 6
Austin won his heat and finished 10th From the pole, Josh Oswald led the Four Cylinder field to the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap contest. Shawn Kistler took the top spot to lead lap one, followed by Oswald, Devin Schmidt, Austin Beers and Corey Edelman. The entire event was action packed, especially near the front. With Kistler still showing the way on lap five, Schmidt overtook Beers for third. He moved by Oswald a lap later to take second and then TJ Kapish slipped his way into third. Just past halfway, Kapish attempted several three wide moves to overtake the leads. He cleared Schmidt on lap 10 and then got by Kistler and moved into the lead on lap 11. Without a yellow flag to slow the show, Kapish managed to hold off his competition in the action packed six minute feature. He took the checkers for his first victory in the division over Schmidt. Jimmy Ayre made a late race charge to finish third, followed by Edelman and Harry O’Neill. Beers, Edelman and Brayden Spencer were heat race winners. Four Cylinders (20-laps) 1. TJ KAPISH 2. Devin Schmidt 3. Jimmy Ayer 4. Corey Edelman 5. Harry O'Neill 6. Brayden Spencer 7. Bob Azarowicz 8. Shawn Kistler 9. Shane Troutman 10. Austin Beers 11. Josh Oswald 12. Carl Altemose 13. Travis Solomon 14. Jay Skupski 15. Mark Schwalm 16. Ed Wildes 17.Steve Kreitzer 18. Jen Adams DNS: Kyle Laubach |
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Evergreen Raceway - June 30
Austin won his heat and finished 4th Led to the line by Jay Kanor, twenty Four Cylinders took the green flag. Josh Oswald led the first lap, followed by Austin Beers, Jay Skupski, Shawn Kistler and Bob Azarowicz. Beers worked by Oswald for the lead on lap two and Devin Schmidt cracked the top five on the following circuit. Schmidt continued to go forward and overtook Oswald for fourth three laps later. Meanwhile, Brayden Spencer climbed to second and drove up to challenge Beers for the top spot. Shortly after, a pair of yellows waved. First, for a Skupski spin in turn three and then another for a tangle in the same turn involving Taylor Schmidt, Cody Geist and Kevin Behler. Green flag racing resumed and Spencer made his move on Beers for the lead stick. The action slowed for the final time just past halfway when the engine on Jake Jones’ mount expired in a big way. A quick fire erupted and then quickly extinguished itself. Jones exited his ride unscathed. Spencer retained the lead following the restart. Shortly after, D. Schmidt shot by Beers for second and Harry O’Neill followed through to take third. D. Schmidt worked his to the back bumper of Spencer and then gave him a shot in the final corned on the last lap. In exciting fashion, Spencer retained the lead and both O’Neill and Ron Heeter slipped by D. Schmidt for second and third respectively. D. Schmidt crossed the line in fourth, followed by Beers. Heeter was later disqualified in post race tech inspection, which moved Schmidt and Beers up one position and Jimmy Ayre advanced to fifth. Beers, TJ Kapish and O’Neill were heat race winners. |
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Evergreen Raceway - June 24
Austin won his heat and finished 6th Scott Adams started on the pole position in the 20-lap Four Cylinder feature. He led the opening lap over Austin Beers, Cody Geist, Ron Heeter and Kyle Krempasky. Following a pair of lap eight yellow flags, Heeter, who had been riding in second, made a move on Adams stick and he took the lead. Meanwhile, Spencer moved into third and got past Adams for second on lap 13. Heeter held the lead to the finish and was able to pull of the victory over Spencer, Adams, Krempasky and Cody Geist. Adams, Beers and Geist were heat race winners |
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Evergreen Raceway - May 28
Austin was running well today - but couldn't overcome 3 flat tires on the track while racing/ Austin Beers led the Four Cylinder field to the drop of the green in the 20-lap feature. He led the opening lap over Brayden Spencer, Ron Heeter, Jay Skupski and Shawn Kistler. With one lap in the books, Spencer worked around the outside of Beers and into the race lead. One lap later Skupski moved to second. The worst of three cautions occurred when Heeter tangled with Kistler while coming off of turn two. Both cars received damage, yet following quick crew work, both were able to continue. Spencer was flawless on the restart and drove away to earn his first feature win of the season over Bob Azarowicz, and Skupski. Making his first career Four Cylinder start, Ray Kochin was fourth, followed by Heeter. Beers and Heeter were heat race winners. With a seventh place finish, Jay Kanor was highest finishing car running under true Enduro rules |
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Austin Beers finishes 12th in Evergreen’s Opener
May 21, 2017 Twenty Evan’s Roadhouse Four Cylinders lined the pit area and 19 took the green flag. Pete Verwys sat on the pole for the $450 to win, 40-lap feature, but he was overtaken by 13 year old Brayden Spencer before a lap was complete. Harry O’Neill sat back in third with Ron Heeter and Bob Azarowicz in tow. With four laps complete O’Neill moved by Verwys for second and he set his sights on Spencer. Meanwhile, TJ Kapish cracked the top five. O’Neill and Spencer battled side by side for the lead, which O’Neill took on lap 11. Spencer fought back to regain the spot to lead lap 19 and then O’Neill took it back again a circuit later. Verwys and Kapish tangled on the front stretch with eight laps remaining. Unlike Kapish, Verwys was able to pit and continue. Spencer applied heavy pressure to O’Neill following the restart and the duo fought tooth and nail to the checkers. O’Neill crossed the stripe first, followed by Spencer, Devin Schmidt, Heeter and Azarowicz. Verwys, Spencer and O’Neill were heat race winners. Four Cylinders (40-laps) 1. HARRY O’Neill 2. Brayden Spencer 3. Devin Schmidt 4. Ron Heeter 5. Bob Azarowicz 6. Shawn Kistler 7. Kevin Behler 8. Cody Geist 9. Pete Verwys 10. Jay Skupski 11. Travis Solomon 12. Austin Beers 13. Steve Kreitzer 14. Mike Snyder 15. Steve Tito 16. TJ Kapish 17.Josh Oswald 18. Mark Schwalm 19. Frank Hughes DNS: Kyle Krempasky |
APRIL 22, 2017
Austin Beers Hobby Stock Win - Mahoning Speedway - April 22, 2017
Thanks to our friends at Wambold Racing for the great video of the Hobby Stock Race on April 22, 2017
2016
Paul Mercante claims career first Enduro win in Sunday run at Mahoning Valley Speedway; Austin Beers picks up victory in Jr. Enduro
(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 10-9-16) Paul Mercante has been a solid supporter of Small Car Enduro racing at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway and finally his dedication paid off as he notched his career first win Sunday afternoon. Mercante used patience and keen driving to take the lead with just under 40 laps complete in the 1-hour event. He made his lead pass over Shayne Geist while negotiating heavy traffic. There would be more of that to contend with rest of the way but Mercante did a good job of steering clear of trouble although keeping Geist at bay as well as Dan Cascioli, who had led the early laps, was a whole different story. Cascioli was able to take up the fight with Mercante but not long after he saw his day come to an abrupt end when he and Bob Snyder crashed hard on the front straight. Afterwards Geist once again had second and was working his tail off to remain on the lead lap. Any chance of him looking to win went by the by the wayside when he made an unexpected pit stop and would fall off the pace by a few laps. Over the second half of the race Mercante was able to keep a one lap lead and more ahead of Randy Ahner Jr., and Devon Schmidt. However, over the final two minutes Schmidt, who was second at that time, found himself running next to the leader and the pair did make contact at least twice. Each time Mercante got loose and nearly spun but his focus remained ahead of him and he would go on to score the victory which was completed in a distance of 197 laps.
Schmidt and Ahner finished second and third two laps back. Rick Kirkendall and John Rose rounded out the top five.
In the Jr. Enduro run there was host of lap leaders who did well but in the end it was 13-year old Austin Beers who came out on top. Beers was running a lap down in second place when then leader Hunter Italese got a flat tire and had to pit. Beers was able to un-lap himself as well as move to the lead. With the clock winding down Lauren Gimbi was zeroing on Beers and just about to make a bid for the top spot when the race was stopped when Kassidy Altemose was put into the wall. On the restart Beers was much better and would hold off Gimbi the rest of the way. Altemose, despite being banged around several times, came back to finish a solid third.
Gimbi, Altemose, Italese and Tucker Muffley all took shares at the lead.
Gary Woodring was the winner of the Big Car Demo and Trisha Connolly took the win in the Small Car Demo.
Small Car Enduro Feature Finish (197 Laps): 1. Paul Mercante, 2. Devin Schmidt, 3. Randy Ahner Jr., 4. Rick Kirkendall, 5. John Rose, 6. Shayne Geist, 7. Chase Carywiter, 8. Jack Ely, 9. Stacey Brown, 10. Ed Reeder, 11. Darryl Herman, 12. Kevin Behler, 13. Kory Stevens, 14. Tony Rispin, 15. Todd Geist, 16. Josh Scherer, 17. Hunter Italese, 18. Dan Cascioli, 19. Bob Snyder, 20. Steve Mooney, 21. Matt May, 22. Ricky Kirkendall, 23. Jay Kaner, 24. Kip George, 25. Cody Geist, 26. Nick Baer, 27. Brandon Oltra, 28. Corey Edelman, 29. Ron Haring Jr., 30. Fred Gimbi, 31. Jesse Ehret, 32. Anthony Drochowiski, 33. Greg Warden DNS: Matt Cascioli, Nick Bollinger
Jr. Enduro Feature Finish (104 Laps): 1. Austin Beers, 2. Lauren Gimbi, 3. Kassidy Altemose, 4. Hunter Italese, 5. Nick Bollinger, 6. Tucker Muffley, 7. Shane Aster, 8. Emily Doltry, 9. Collin
(LEHIGHTON, Pa. 10-9-16) Paul Mercante has been a solid supporter of Small Car Enduro racing at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway and finally his dedication paid off as he notched his career first win Sunday afternoon. Mercante used patience and keen driving to take the lead with just under 40 laps complete in the 1-hour event. He made his lead pass over Shayne Geist while negotiating heavy traffic. There would be more of that to contend with rest of the way but Mercante did a good job of steering clear of trouble although keeping Geist at bay as well as Dan Cascioli, who had led the early laps, was a whole different story. Cascioli was able to take up the fight with Mercante but not long after he saw his day come to an abrupt end when he and Bob Snyder crashed hard on the front straight. Afterwards Geist once again had second and was working his tail off to remain on the lead lap. Any chance of him looking to win went by the by the wayside when he made an unexpected pit stop and would fall off the pace by a few laps. Over the second half of the race Mercante was able to keep a one lap lead and more ahead of Randy Ahner Jr., and Devon Schmidt. However, over the final two minutes Schmidt, who was second at that time, found himself running next to the leader and the pair did make contact at least twice. Each time Mercante got loose and nearly spun but his focus remained ahead of him and he would go on to score the victory which was completed in a distance of 197 laps.
Schmidt and Ahner finished second and third two laps back. Rick Kirkendall and John Rose rounded out the top five.
In the Jr. Enduro run there was host of lap leaders who did well but in the end it was 13-year old Austin Beers who came out on top. Beers was running a lap down in second place when then leader Hunter Italese got a flat tire and had to pit. Beers was able to un-lap himself as well as move to the lead. With the clock winding down Lauren Gimbi was zeroing on Beers and just about to make a bid for the top spot when the race was stopped when Kassidy Altemose was put into the wall. On the restart Beers was much better and would hold off Gimbi the rest of the way. Altemose, despite being banged around several times, came back to finish a solid third.
Gimbi, Altemose, Italese and Tucker Muffley all took shares at the lead.
Gary Woodring was the winner of the Big Car Demo and Trisha Connolly took the win in the Small Car Demo.
Small Car Enduro Feature Finish (197 Laps): 1. Paul Mercante, 2. Devin Schmidt, 3. Randy Ahner Jr., 4. Rick Kirkendall, 5. John Rose, 6. Shayne Geist, 7. Chase Carywiter, 8. Jack Ely, 9. Stacey Brown, 10. Ed Reeder, 11. Darryl Herman, 12. Kevin Behler, 13. Kory Stevens, 14. Tony Rispin, 15. Todd Geist, 16. Josh Scherer, 17. Hunter Italese, 18. Dan Cascioli, 19. Bob Snyder, 20. Steve Mooney, 21. Matt May, 22. Ricky Kirkendall, 23. Jay Kaner, 24. Kip George, 25. Cody Geist, 26. Nick Baer, 27. Brandon Oltra, 28. Corey Edelman, 29. Ron Haring Jr., 30. Fred Gimbi, 31. Jesse Ehret, 32. Anthony Drochowiski, 33. Greg Warden DNS: Matt Cascioli, Nick Bollinger
Jr. Enduro Feature Finish (104 Laps): 1. Austin Beers, 2. Lauren Gimbi, 3. Kassidy Altemose, 4. Hunter Italese, 5. Nick Bollinger, 6. Tucker Muffley, 7. Shane Aster, 8. Emily Doltry, 9. Collin
Austin's 1st Win
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