KRAFT, HAIRHOGER, PETROS, ZEDRECK TAKE WINS AT MEADVILLE’S SERTOMA TRUCK PULLS
PHOTOS BY Brian Seeley
On an evening that had an 80% chance of showers the first ever co-sanctioned pull between the USA-EAST Pulling Series and the National Association of Diesel Motorsports (NADM) was conducted at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Despite the weather forecast a huge throng of fans and an awesome display of pulling trucks were on hand for the first annual “Sertoma Truck Pulls”. The Meadville Sertoma Club was the beneficiary of the pull and put many dollars into their charitable operations in the Crawford County metro area.
The pulling event was sponsored by Griffin Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and Kia of Meadville and Dan ‘Boone’ Penfield from the dealership was on hand to present trophies to each of the class winners. Green Hill Farms of nearby Cambridge Springs provided all of the Kubota track equipment while Froggy Radio of Meadville was the media sponsor for this first time event that is sure to become a regular on the USA-EAST Pulling schedule in years to come.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special appearance by Calvin Miller of nearby Guys Mills, Pennsylvania with his “Runnin’ In The Red” Super Modified Dodge pulling truck. Calvin is arguably in the top ten in the United States with this unbelievably powerful machine that sports a Sygma Pump and huge 3.2 twin chargers. To the delight of the hometown crowd, Miller put down a spectacular run of well over 350 feet in the exhibition. Calvin and ‘RITR’ are expected to participate in a number of national level events in 2010.
Also on hand was the all new AirDog/Diesel RX Monster Truck of Dave Radziericz from eastern Pennsylvania. This beautiful Dodge machine is the number one diesel powered Monster in America and recently competed at the Springfield Jamboree Monster Truck event in Missouri. Dave had the truck on display at Griffin Motors and was a part of the radio remote at that location with Froggy Radio of Meadville on the morning of the pull.
PRO STREET GAS 4x4 TRUCKS
This is the all-new class for 2010 with USA-EAST. And it is fast becoming one of the most competitive classes. Gasoline trucks with up to 540 cubic inches under the hood compete in a ‘king of the hill’ type format that keeps the fans on the edge. Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge as well as GMC are all in the class so that the spectators can cheer for their favorites. Mark Petros the former SW Pennsylvania champion copped his first win with the Pro Street class with “Public Enemey” a very strong running 1973 Dodge with a 440 Mopar churning the power to the dirt. After that is was all Ford as Jeff Mitchell grabbed 2nd with his “Tragic Magic” in from Salem, Ohio. Mitchell has backed off from the RWYB class in 2010 and looks to have found a new home in the PS GAS division. Third went to Matt Moser and the “Marwood Express” Ford from Butler County Pennsylvania. This Ford truck has been completely redesigned and repainted and is one of the nicest looking machines in the class. Bud Shirey from Mayport, Pennsylvania, another truck moving down from RWYB, was fourth as the “Rough Rider” Ford appears poised to get a victory at some time this season.
2.6 STREET DIESEL FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCKS
This was the first ever co-sanctioned class between USA-EAST and NADM and the division drew a total of 34 entries from four different states. Due to sled issues the class was contested using a floating finish line and really seemed to work out very well. Dustin Kraft from Garrettsville, Ohio was the winner as the young Dodge driver seemed to know just where the best part of the track could be found and made the most of it. The runner-up was Casey Guildersleeve from Jefferson, Ohio with the Dodge named, “Wasted Wages”. Guildersleeve is the top NADM points truck after his win a week ago at National Trails in Hebron, Ohio. Bryan Pollock from central Ohio made it a sweep for the Dodge/Cummins trucks in this class as he finished 3rd while the top Chevy/Duramax was fourth under the handling of Tad Brogan from Minerva, Ohio.
HOT STREET SEMI TRUCKS – ‘THE PENNSYLVANIA POSSE’
Gerry Hairhoger from New Galilee, Pennsylvania is the undisputed ‘top dog’ in the street licensed ranks and in the famed Pennsylvania Posse. Hairhoger’s “Gerry-Atricks” won again in a five way pull-off at Crawford County. The 1973 Kenworth sports a KT-600 Cummins under the hood. The “Bad Influence” Peterbilt was the second place finishing truck with Cory Fox of Cabot, Pennsylvania doing the driving. Nathan August from Freedom, Pennsylvania was third on this night as the beautifully prepared Kenworth named “Work in Progress” shows great promise for 2010. The local favorite, Jack Griggs from Conneaut Lake, made a very nice showing in the newly refurbished 1987 Mack that purports to sport a Dale Francis engine under the hook.
‘RUN WHAT YA BRUNG’ – MODIFIED 4X4 TRUCKS
A super class of modified 4x4 trucks gathered at Meadville for the first hook of 2010 in the ‘Run What Ya Brung’ Series. Crystal Zedreck from Chicora, Pennsylvania was the ‘toast of the town’ as the little lady powered her “Little Irish II” Chevrolet to the winner’s circle. This was Crystal’s first ever win with USA-EAST although the truck was the 2008 champion with husband Eddie on the controls. Last year’s champion, Eric Berkey from Rockwood, Pennsylvania, ended 2nd in the gleaming 1950 Chevrolet with big block Chevy power under the hood. The “Brother’s Diesel” Dodge/Cummins driven by Joe Gambino from Springville, New York claimed third at Meadville and was the top diesel powered machine in RWYB. Local favorite Mark Tatalovic from Crawford County was 4th in the Dodge named “Mighty Mouse”.
Complete and official results can be found at: www.fullpullproductions.com
The 2010 season with USA-EAST is looking very strong in all divisions. The next pull will be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds near Brookville, Pennsylvania on this Saturday, June 19th at 7:00pm. The Keystone State Nationals will feature the first hook of the season for the Limited Pro and Super Farm Tractors and will bring the very best of these smoker tractors out to pull. The ‘Run What Ya Brung” 4x4 truck division and for the awesome Big Rigs Semi Trucks will round out this spectacular pull.
