M.O.M report

Ervin Wins Memorial Day Weekend Race at Mountain Speedway


By Robin Ervin



Photo provided By Kevin Green Photagraphy

May 25th was the third race of the season for the Modified Outlaw Micro Stocks (M.O.M.) at Mountain Speedway in Hazleton PA.


On the start, Tom Ervin in the #99 K&K Express charged from 7th to 2nd on the first lap to challenge pole sitter Denny Hiddemen. Jim VanDine raced his #12 from 6th to 4th position on the same lap. On Lap 2 the Van Dine moved to 3rd place and the #99 made an unsuccessful outside bid to take the lead from Hiddemen. Last week's feature winner Brian Braddock also moved into 4th from his 8th place starting position.


On lap 3, the Ervin dove to the inside of Hiddemen to take the lead. For the remaineder of the race the Ervin and Hiddemen fought an exciting race-long battle for the top spot. The #6 of Hiddemen looked high and low trying to reclaim the lead from Ervin while both leaders pulled away from the field.


Teammates VanDine and Braddock fought a similarly spirited battle for 3rd place for much of the race followed closely by John Kasmierski in the #90.


On lap 12, Bill Kriegner Jr. grabbed 5th place from Kazmierski. On lap 14, Braddock faded in the #82, allowing Kriegner Jr. to take 4th place, a career best for Kriegner Jr. John Poulson moved up a position also to round out the top 5. Ervin’s margin of victory over Hiddemen was just .344 seconds.


The Hard Charger of the race was Ervin, who celebrated the re-signing of team sponsor C&M Automotive Warehouse by coming from 7th to 1st. Jean Hiddemen was the highest finishing controlled stock entry of the race, finishing 6th overall. The fastest lap of the race was set by Denny Hiddemen.


The race started with a three way tie for the points lead between Ervin, Denny Hiddemen and Braddock. After the race, Ervin now has a 10 point lead over Hiddenmen and Braddock dropped to third in points 60 points behind the points leader.
Currently there is a three way tie for the 4th position in points between VanDine, Kriegner Jr. and Nick Cottone.


Finishing order; Ervin, D. Hiddemen, Van Dine, Kriegner Jr., Poulson, J. Hiddemen, Braddock, Kazmeirski and A. Hiddemen.


The next race for M.O.M. will be at Oakland Valley Raceway's dirt oval on Sat July 5th. The Modified Outlaw Micro Stocks will return to Mountain Speedway on Sunday July 20.


There is no membership fee to race with M.O.M., and all modified and controlled stock microstocks are welcome to compete.