July 12th, 1997

DAVE TRYTEK BEATS OUT HIS CAR OWNER FOR FIRST SUPERMODIFIED WIN

Oswego, NY - Dave Trytek, of Syracuse, NY, took the lead of the 45-lap supermodified feature from up and coming Jamie Letcher Saturday night on lap 23. But, rookie Trytek's big headache came when his car owner, Mike Muldoon, moved into second on lap 29 and hounded him to the finish of the Andrews Auto-Carquest-Pennzoil 45. Trytek held out, however, to take his first career supermodified victory after moving up from the limited class this year. In the Mr. Limited $1000 to Win feature, Andy Jodway took the title in a strange twist of events when the leaders Mark Regan and Andy's brother Tom, tangled on the last lap, bringing out the caution and putting both to the rear. Andy, who had been running third, came home the victor. It was Andy's first of the 1997 season.

Kirkville's Jamie Letcher once again led the way as the green unfurled on the supermodified main. Coming up to meet Letcher was Todd Stowell who quickly took over second from Andy Powell. Also on the move was Dave Trytek in the Muldoon 40 who was into third by lap 7. By lap 16, he was up to second as Stowell battled off Steve Gioia.

The first yellow of the race came out on 17 when the 0 of Tim Snyder and the 01 of Jeff West came together sending both to the pits. Howard Page made the first of several pit stops at this juncture. Snyder and West returned, but West came out late and did not fire, bringing out the yellow again. Eddie Bellinger, after much work all week on the 02, exited the race at this point with a badly overheating car.

When the racing resumed, Letcher was able to fight off Trytek's charge, as Stowell, Dan Soule, Steve Gioia, Mike Muldoon and Doug Didero had moved into challenging spots.

Yellow flew again on lap 22, on two occasions, the first for Joe Hawksby Jr. who needed the hook and another for Dave Mazzoni, who also was taken off the track.

On the restart of this lap, Jamie Letcher held off Trytek until the fourth turn when he slipped to the high side, and Trytek was by underneath. Trytek began to lengthen his lead but yellow flew again for Andy Powell's 12, slowing the action two laps later.

This was the next to last slowdown of the race, however, and Trytek's next green flag began the run of his life. As the race resumed, Todd Stowell and Jamie Letcher ran side by side for second as Mike Muldoon pulled alongside Dan Soule to join the battle for third. Right behind were Doug Didero, Steve Gioia, Tim Gareau and Greg Furlong.

One lap later, Stowell was second but Letcher, Muldoon and Didero were wheel to wheel for third.

Trytek was able to put a little distance on Stowell , but on the 28th circuit, Mike Muldoon moved the 35 into second to launch a charge at his teammate's 40. Doug Didero, who had been right behind Muldoon, suddenly pulled into the pits and nosed his car into the pit stall. The rear end of the Matczak 3 had broken, putting Didero out of the action entirely. Back on the track, the two immaculate white machines from the Muldoon stable had the crowd transfixed. Stowell, Letcher and Soule held the top five spots as the leaders battled. Moving up past Gioia for sixth was Tim Gareau, another graduate of the limited super division who was having another great run after a second place the previous week.

Trytek held off Muldoon into the waning laps, but with five to go, Jeff West's 01 had something break bringing out the yellow for the final time. On the restart the question of which Muldoon car would be the winner was answered when Trytek was able to pull away slightly from his mentor Muldoon. An intense battle ensued for third between Gareau and Stowell, with Gareau stealing the spot on lap 43. Stowell and Letcher remained the top five as the checkers fell two laps later. A huge cheer erupted for the happy Trytek as he climbed from his car. "This is great," said Dave, "I just want to thank the guys who work so hard on these cars and the people who sponsor us. I knew Mike was right there. It was an exciting race."

Muldoon was equally pleased in second. "These cars are running great. The crew is doing a great job," said Mike, a four-time feature winner thus far in 1997, "I guess I felt just as good seeing Dave win. This was his first time, and I've got some behind me and more to come. It's exciting to see someone win his first."

Three awesome runs were also turned in by Gareau, Stowell, who had also won a heat, and Letcher, who produced some very competitive racing for top fives. All three agreed that while their cars were improving with weekly changes, that they were a tick off yet. All three concurred that hard work by their crews had made the improvements possible.

Rounding out the top ten were Dan Soule, Greg Furlong, Steve Gioia, Bob Goutermout and Shannon Groves.

Trytek received the Universal Joint Sales Up and Comer award while unofficially, Muldoon was the SCS Installations Hard Charger.

Heat 1: Greg Furlong, Dave Trytek, Doug Didero, Jamie Letcher, Jeff West, Dan Soule, Dave Heitzhaus, Dave Mazzoni

Heat 2: Todd Stowell, Bob Goutermout, Howard Page, Jamie Moore, Eddie Bellinger, Joe Hawksby Jr., Shannon Groves.

Heat 3: Mike Muldoon, Steve Gioia, Andy Powell, Kenny Bell, Tim Gareau, Gary Syrell, Tim Snyder, Bill Sharkey