ARDC Flemington NJ Results 98-05-31

Rudy Boetticher Wins First ARDC Feature at Flemington

Flemington, NJ, May 31, 1998 --- The American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) CARQUEST Midget Series 20-lap feature was a spirited duel to the finish line and beyond! Rudy Boetticher, of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, and Gary Halteman, of Gilbertsville, Pa., battled to the finish line on the final lap. And, after they crossed the start/finish line, both cars tangled and crashed into the foam blocks in the first turn. Although Botticher walked to Victory Lane to be interviewed by announcer, Earl Krause, he appeared to have suffered an injury to his right arm. Late Sunday afternoon, Botticher's mother, Carolyn said, "Rudy spent the night at Hunterdon Medical Center and had a metal plate put in his right arm. He should be out of work for about six weeks."

Donnie Trent led the first lap of the feature, and then "Flyin" Phil DiMario went out in front. It looked as though DiMario would continue his domination of Midget racing at Flemington but a problem in the steering box of the McCabe Midget sidelined DiMario. Rudy Botticher then became the third leader of the race on lap five but then JR Booth drove the Skip Serridge No.5A around Botticher to lead laps eight and nine. Botticher kept the pressure on Booth until he regained the lead at the halfway mark when the motor expired in the No.5A. That's when the Botticher/Halteman battle began. Racing under the checkered flags, the two cars got locked together and slammed into the foam blocks in turn one.

Rudy Botticher won his career first ARDC CARQUEST Midget Series Feature and Gary Halteman turned in an impressive performance in finishing second. As both drivers walked to Victory Lane, away from their damaged race cars, the Flemington fans cheered to show their appreciation of the show they had put on. After the race Botticher said, "I'm very happy to get my first win at Flemington Speedway because this is one of the greatest tracks in the country." Bryan Kobylarz, Ed Stimely, Jr. and Robert Botticher completed the top five. Rookie Shawn Burke was the recipient of the Pennzoil award with his fourteenth place finish.

The ARDC CARQUEST Midget Racing Series returns to Evergreen Raceway in St. John's, Pa. on Sunday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m. for the first time since 1992.

Finally, the ARDC membership was saddened to learn of the passing of Fred Brink Sr. of West Berlin, New Jersey who was 80 years old and, also, Dot Dorer, age 81 of Sevierville, Tenn.

Fred Brink, Sr. had been a lifetime member of ARDC. His son, Fred Brink, Jr. is also an ARDC car owner. Dot Dorer's husband, Bill, owned a Midget known as the "Bulldog Offy". The car was campaigned in the 1960's with many drivers behind the wheel. The most recognized driver of the "Bulldog Offy" may have been Hall of Fame driver, Bobby Albert. Dot Dorer's daughter, Linda Fioretti, was a head scorer with ARDC. Her husband, Pete, was an ARDC flagman.

Mason Racing Ignition First Heat Race (10 Laps) - 1. Phil DiMario 2. Gary Halteman 3. Rudy Botticher 4. Donnie Trent 5. Bryan Kobylarz 6. Mark Wakefoose 7. Fred Schell 8. Mike Lapp 9. Bill Ertel 10. Craig Rochelle 11. Tim Dietz 12. Bill Keimel (DNS).

Hank's Performance Products Second Heat Race (10 Laps) - 1. Monnie Wonder III 2. J.R. Booth 3. Gary Mondschein 4. Walt Stearly 5. Mark Freeland 6. Ed Stimely Jr. 7. Shawn Burke 8. Billy Courtwright 9. Mark Lawshe 10. Robert Botticher 11. Doug Borger 12. Mike Piersig(DNS)

Feature (20 Laps): 1. Rudy Botticher 2. Gary Halteman 3. Bryan Kobylarz 4. Ed Stimely Jr. 5. Robert Botticher 6. Monnie Wonder III 7. Mark Freeland 8. Tim Dietz 9. Mike Lapp 10. Gary Mondschein 11. Walt Stearly 12. Fred Schell 13. Bill Ertel 14. Shawn Burke 15. Craig Rochelle 16. J.R. Booth 17. Mark Wakefoose 18. Donnie Trent 19. Billy Courtwright 20. Phil DiMario 21. Mark Lawshe 22. Mike Piersig.