July 5, 2014
By Jay Pees

BUSTI, N.Y. -- ‘Papa’ Don Frank was one of the original owners and builders of Stateline Speedway, carved out of a clearing on Kortright Rd. in Busti, N.Y., near the PA/NY state line. Bill and Lynne Catania made the decision to honor this racing giant with naming the first race under their leadership after one of the men who made it all possible.

Several of the legends of Stateline's past were present Saturday night at the Stateline Speedway, including Sammy LaMancuso with his restored 1972 Dodge Charger racecar that he drove to victory in Stateline's early days; Jim Scott and his 1974 Plymouth Duster replica; Austin Main with his restored 1970s-era Sportsman coupe racer; Weiner Anderson with a replica of his famed 'Double Dog' Cadet; and the all-time win leader, Bobby Schnars, and his restored 1956 Oldsmobile. Past champions Skip Furlow, Ron Blackmer and others were also in attendance.

One of the largest crowds in Stateline's 58-year history filled the newly-rebuilt bleachers, which can hold 5,850 fans plus countless fans standing against the fencing. With construction still performed even as fans filed through the gates, the assembled throng was treated to the awards for the 2013 top ten points finishers and seven hard-fought features. At the end of the ‘Papa’ Don Frank Memorial presented by Carter Lumber, it was Titusville, Pa.'s Robbie Blair at the front of the pack with Chub Frank winding up second and Mike Knight third.

After the command to start engines was given by the only surviving original owner, Jerry Frank, Dick Barton, the winningest active driver with 78 wins, and Darrell Bossard led the 30 Super Late Models to Tom Abbott's green flag. Abbott, stepson of "Papa" Don Frank, and his brother, Kevin, had contributed $1,000 to the $5,800 dollar purse. Niemeyer's garage in Wattsburg, Pa., donated an extra $500, making the first place purse $6,300.

Barton led lap 1 with Bossard and Chub Frank right behind. With three laps complete two drivers inadvertently got sideways and recovered but not before Spanky Hall had thrown the yellow flag. Barton and Bossard led the field back to the green with Frank and Dave Hess right behind. At green, Frank jumped into second.

Barton had stretched his lead to five car-lengths by lap 7 and caught the back-markers at lap 10 just as Chuck Parker looped his mount in turn 2, again bringing caution over the field. Barton sped away from the field at green with Frank, Bossard and Hess in hot pursuit. At lap 19, again as Barton had caught the back of the field, Dave Scott and Steve Kania got together coming out of turn 4, again slowing the event.

Barton again led but John Lacki turned around in turn 2, giving Frank another shot at the lead from the double-file restart. Under the yellow, fifth-running Dan Stone retired to the pits. Tenth-starting Robbie Blair was up to third at the end of 22 circuits complete.

Yellow again flew when Doug Eck suddenly slowed at lap 23. Mike Knight was fifth at this point after starting from the 14th berth in the line-up.

Barton and Frank ran side by side for a lap after green with Frank taking over at lap 24. Frank proceeded to open a lead over Barton, Blair and now Knight fourth and Bossard fifth by the halfway point. At lap 32 Blair got by Barton and began the arduous task of chasing down the leader. At 38 in, Knight got by Barton as well. At 40 laps Blair had caught Frank and two laps later was alongside on the outside, then taking over at the front at lap 43.

The leaders caught lapped traffic at 45. The traffic did not slow Blair as he continued to add to his lead. With five to go Blair had a half-straight-away lead over Frank, who was now under attack from Knight. Traffic worked in Frank's favor as Knight was unable to mount a charge.

Blair took the prestigious win with Frank settling for second and Knight third. Greg Oakes got by both Bossard and Barton for fourth. Barton wound up fifth.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Stateline Speedway, Busti, N.Y.
"Papa" Don Frank Memorial presented by Darter Lumber
Saturday, July 5, 2014

SUPER LATE MODELS

Heat #1: 1. Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, Pa.; 2. Darrell Bossard, Centerville, Pa.; 3. Brent Rhebergen, Clymer, N.Y.; 4. John Lacki, Sinclairville, N.Y.; 5. Andy Boozel, Clymer, N.Y.

Heat #2: 1. Dan Stone, Thompson, Pa.; 2. Dick Barton, Ashville, N.Y.; 3. Robbie Blair, Centerville, Pa.; 4. Mike Knight, Ripley, N.Y.; 5. Max Blair.

Heat #3: 1. Ryan Scott, Garland, Pa.; 2. Doug Eck, Corry, Pa.; 3. Greg Oakes, Franklinville, N.Y.; 4. Matt Urban, North East, Pa.; 5. Steve Kania.

Heat #4: 1. Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.; 2. Bump Hedman, Sugar Grove, Pa.; 3. Rich Gardner, Waterford, Pa.; 4. Chris Hackett, Jamestown, N.Y.; 5. Randy Lobb, Jamestown, N.Y.

Feature: 1. Robbie Blair, Centerville, Pa.; 2. Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.; 3. Mike Knight, Ripley, N.Y.; 4. Greg Oakes, Franklinville, N.Y.; 5. Dick Barton, Ashville, N.Y.; 6. Darrell Bossard, Centerville, Pa.; 7. Matt Urban, North East, Pa.; 8. Rich Gardner, Waterford, Pa.; 9. Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, Pa.; 10. Bump Hedman, Sugar Grove, Pa.; 11. Jason Dupont, Cyclone, Pa.; 12. Brent Rhebergen, Clymer, N.Y.; 13. Ryan Scott, Garland, Pa.; 14. John Volpe, Lakewood, N.Y.; 15. Jeff Hoffman, Clarendon, Pa.; 16. Chris Hackett, Jamestown, N.Y.; 17. Randy Lobb, Jamestown, N.Y.; 18. Scott Gurdak, Bear Lake, Pa.; 19. Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, Pa.; 20. Steve Kania; 21. Doug Eck, Corry, Pa.; 22. Chuck Parker, Ashville, N.Y.; 23. Andy Boozel, Clymer, N.Y.; 24. Dan Stone, Thompson, Pa.; 25. John Lobb; 26. David Scott, Garland, Pa.; 27. Brian Fardink; 28. Michael Oakes, Franklinville, N.Y.; 29. Bob Dorman, Stockton, N.Y.; 30. John Lacki, Sinclairville, N.Y.