ST. JOHNS, Pa. -- The sun was still shining when the features got underway Friday night at Mountain Speedway. But under the lights, the sun shined on recent modified winner, Brian Defebo, and late model victor, Larry Fisher, as they both won two weeks straight.

The initial start of the 30-lap Balliet’s Country Corners modified feature was waved off when outside pole sitter, Mark Washko, made hard contact with the front stretch wall. Washko was finished for the evening, needing the ‘double hook’ to remove his car from the speedway.

Pole sitter, Jason Arthofer, wasted no time jumping out to the lead, with Alan Decker and Dave Pecko applying the pressure. Meanwhile, Mike Adams was busy working Donny Hartzell, trying to make his way to the front.

On lap two, Adams did just that, as he took command over Jim Long Jr. Adams led until lap five, when he spun in turn two, which brought out the caution once more.

Long assumed command, and Pecko took over second. As Pecko tried an inside maneuver coming off turn four on lap five, he too, found himself going in a loop. Pecko would restart at the tail end of the field.

Ninth place starter, Brian Defebo, patiently worked his way into the second spot. When the green flag flew for the lap six restart, Defebo overtook Long for the lead, with Hartzell and Decker in toe.

On lap twenty, Decker spun on the backstretch, allowing the field to bunch up again for another start.

Defebo never gave up command, distancing himself from second place, Jim Long, at the stripe. Pecko came back to finish third. Hartzell and Adams, in a side-by-side battle at the line, finished fourth and fifth respectively.

In victory circle, Defebo credited the driving abilities of his rivals. “I felt really comfortable racing with Long, Pecko, and Donny (Hartzell), They’ll run ya clean. It’s always fun to start toward the rear and win. Lately when we start in the front, we haven’t even finished”.

Jim Long Jr. inherited the point lead with his strong finish. Rusty Smith, the series leader, was not at the speedway for competition.

Heat winners were Mike Adams and Alan Decker

Joe Hoffman paced the field early on in the 25-lap late model feature, after starting on the pole.

Fifth place starter, Larry Fisher, wasted no time, effortlessly charging to the second spot. Fisher mounted a serious charge on Hoffman for the point on several occasions, but time after time, Hoffman slammed the door.

That all ended on lap fifteen, as Fisher completed the pass on Hoffman exiting turn two, bringing Joe Barbush along.

While trying to retake the second spot, Hoffman and Barbush got together on the backstretch. Both drivers were able to continue.

Rookie standout, Chris Whitenight, inherited the second position over Jerry Brighthaupt, but together, they would bring out the next yellow, with Whitenight spinning down the front stretch on lap twenty-two. Brighthaupt assumed second after the ordeal.

On the final restart, Brighthaupt attempted to catch Fisher, but could not mount the charge, settling for the runner up slot. Rounding out the top five were Joe Hoffman, Joe Barbush and Chris Whitenight.

During his victory lane interview, Fisher admitted he had the car to beat. “I knew once Joe (Hoffman) got loose and we got out front, they would have a hard time catching us. Two in a row is great!”

Larry Fisher was the heat winner.

Brad Barbush recently celebrated his 18th birthday, and also started on the pole for the 20-lap street stock feature. Barbush dominated the early part of the event, which was caution-free until lap twelve.

The caution flew on lap fifteen, when Eric Danyluk and Mark Deysher made contact on the front stretch. Both drivers were able to continue, but this allowed the field to close in on Barbush.

Brad Kline was lined up third on the restart, behind Scott Meckes and Barbush. Kline mounted a daring three-wide maneuver to the front, only to have it called back when the caution was thrown for a Chip Wanamaker, Paul Frantz, Frank Katona and Rick Smith incident on the back stretch.

By this point, current point leader, Jim Yamelski, had worked his way to fourth, but would soon be the reason for the next caution, as he spun in turn one.

Over the next few laps, Kline battled Barbush for the lead. Finally, on the final lap, coming off turn four, the two time champion (Kline) edged Barbush for the win by 7/100 of a second, picking up his third feature win of the season. Scott Meckes, Danny Cascioli and Brian Labar rounded out the top five.

Heat winners were Danny Cascioli and Brad Barbush

On the start of the 20-lap 4-cylinder thriller feature, pole sitter, Dale Shoemaker’s hood flew up over his windshield. Dale immediately pulled to the infield.

One driver’s misfortune benefited Shoemaker, when Travis Fisher brought out the caution on the same lap. Fisher was able to continue on, and Shoemaker headed to the pit for crew assistance. He rejoined the field prior to the restart. Unlike their heat race, this would be the only caution of the event.

Chris Walk held the early lead, but would find himself battling ninth place starter, Joe Grocholoski on lap two for the lead. By the time they crossed the stripe, Grocholoski had taken the top spot.

During the course of the event, many drivers experienced problems in this exciting paint-swapping fiesta, including Joe Heintzelman, Justin Nesbitt, Brent Witner, Jimmy White and Scott Adams.

By mid race, Grocholoski looked untouchable, but eleventh place starter, Pete Verwys, was ever so slightly gaining on him.

With two laps remaining, Verwys completed the turn four pass on Grocholoski, who would retaliate trying to regain the lead on the inside of turn one.

Grocholoski couldn’t make the pass stick, and Pete Verwys went on to win his second straight feature over Joe Grocholoski, Chris Walk, Travis Fisher and Nick Adams.

Joe Heintzelman was the heat winner.

RESULTS

Modified Feature (30 laps): 1. Brian Defebo 2. Jim Long 3. Dave Pecko 4. Donny Hartzell 5. Mike Adams 6. John Markovic 7. Alan Decker 8. Jarod Nace 9.Jason Arthofer 10. Stephen Nederostek 11. Ernie Dengler 12. Matt Clemens 13. Mark Washko

Late Model Feature (25 laps): 1. Larry Fisher 2. Jerry Brighthaupt 3. Joe Hoffman 4. Joe Barbush 5. Chris Whitenight 6. Billy Balliet 7. Jason Makarewicz 8.Jackie Ziegler 9. Barry Callavini

Street Stock Feature (20 laps): 1. Brad Kline 2. Brad Barbush 3. Scott Meckes 4. Dan Casicioli 5.Brian Labar 6. Ron Babula 7.Chip Wanamaker 8. Jim Yamelsk i9. Mark Deysher 10. Paul Frantz 11. Frank Katona 12. Eric Danyluk 13.Robert Fink 14. Todd Ahner 15. Rich Smith 16. Richard Petey 17.Geary Rinehimer

4 Cyl. Thriller Feature (20 laps): 1. Pete Verwys 2. Joe Grocholoski 3. Chris Walk 4. Travis Fisher 5. Nick Adams 6. Dale Shoemaker 7. Joe Heintzelman 8. Justin Nesbitt 9. Brent Witner 10. Jimmy White Jr. 11. Scott Adams