Auto Racing Roundup
Belle Vernon’s Opfer earns first career win “I’m getting too old for this,” laughed Harry Opfer as he climbed out of his Modified after the division feature race at Motordrome Speedway on Friday evening.
Opfer, from Belle Vernon, was obviously tired, but beaming with satisfaction as he stood in victory lane, checkered flag in hand, for the first time in his career.
Minutes earlier, the driver who fans sometimes like to call “Harry O” had his hands full holding off young gun Tom Frank, who bumped Opfer numerous times in an attempt to make a pass or move him out of the way. Harry wasn’t intimidated, as he thwarted the challenges of Frank, led every lap of the race, and survived five caution periods to pick up the win.
Opfer joined the Motordrome Modified ranks in 2002 after taking a break from racing part time on dirt tracks, which he pursued for approximately 10 years.
His friend, former racecar driver Ron “Skrinny” Skrinjorich of Elizabeth, convinced him to give Motordrome a try. The learning curve on the asphalt was steep, and Harry experienced his share of struggles.
He placed 20th in the final point standings that season, finishing a race in the top 10 only once.
The following year he advanced two positions in the final point standings, garnering one top five and three top 10 finishes.
He eventually teamed up with John “Peanuts” Yustince of West Elizabeth, a racecar builder and expert chassis man. Yustince has a wealth of racing experience.
He was a top-notch driver in the Claimer and Late Model classes at Heidelberg Raceway near Pittsburgh, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. When the track closed for good in 1974, Peanuts stepped away from racing.
In 1995, then Motordrome Speedway promoter Don Gamble made the Modifieds part of the weekly racing program.
It became a class that wasn’t cost prohibitive for the competitors.
Peanuts’ interest in racing was revived, and he began building Modified racecars for several drivers, including a couple for himself, as he came out of retirement and got back behind the wheel of a racecar.
To this day, the cars he constructs are called “J-Yerd Chassis.”
“The name actually means junk yard chassis,” said Yustince. “Years ago, we got parts for our race cars out of a junk yard. That’s the way we raced back then. We were always going to the ‘j-yerd’ for parts.
“That’s where the name came from.”
Under Peanuts’ guidance, Opfer’s on-track performance has improved yearly. Today, with his first feature win, he’s reaping the benefits of hard work and knowledge gained.
“Peanuts builds great cars,” said Opfer.
“I wrecked the car last Saturday at Jennerstown Speedway. It was junk. Peanuts and my crew chief Mike Daley worked their tails off all week long repairing the car. Without those guys, I wouldn’t be here.”
Harry utilizes a 602 cubic inch crate motor for horsepower.
Competitors purchase a crate motor directly from the manufacturer. It’s shipped in a crate (that’s why it was named as such).
The engine arrives race ready, and its components are sealed. This discourages tampering, modifications, and cheating.
Basically, racing teams remove the motor from the crate, install it in their racecars, and go racing.
Opfer’s victory proves that a driver doesn’t have to spend mega-dollars on an engine to win a race.
Harry’s crate engine was purchased for $3,000. Open motors, designed by private engine builders, sometimes cost upwards of $15,000. Harry’s teammate, Rick Huffman, of Jefferson Hills, also races a crate motor with J-Yerd chassis No. 9, and is having a stellar season.
Other J-Yerd chassis’ in the Motordrome Modified field include the No. 7 of young, up and coming driver Ben Easler, a Duquesne University student, and the No. 16 of Gary Scott, a multi-feature winner in his career.
Yustince, at 68-years old, plans to unveil his new J-Yerd chassis Modified at Motordrome Speedway soon, using his time honored No. 17. He intends to run a couple of races to get the bugs out of the car, then put Street Stock racer Dustin Blank in the driver’s seat. George Thomas Jr., will join the Modifieds this season in the No. 4, yet another J-Yerd chassis.
Although the competition is keen among the drivers in the tough Modified division, Peanuts Yustince is willing to help any competitor seeking assistance or advice.
Harry, Peanuts, and the rest of the J-Yerd gang will be back at Motordrome Speedway on Friday, along with the other Modified drivers. The Super Late Models, Street Stocks, Chargers, and American Flyers, will also be on the racing card.
The Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg will present regular five- division racing on Saturday night.
Members of the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club will enjoy all the racing action with the rest of the spectators.
The International Supermodified Association (ISMA) will make its annual visit to Jennerstown Speedway on Saturday evening.
The drivers will run twin 30-lap features.
The supermodifieds are hand-built winged machines that weigh around 1,850 pounds. Their engines, producing 800 horsepower, are mounted on the side. The cars are capable of reaching speeds of 160 mph or more. The Super Late Models, Street Stocks, and Hobby Stocks, will also put on a show.
As previously reported, NASCAR Nextel Cup point leader Jeff Gordon will make an appearance at the First Commonwealth Bank at the Waterfront complex in Homestead, Pa., on Tuesday, July 10, beginning at noon.
A NASCAR extravaganza will take place at Fuddruckers, located near the bank, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The Waterfront development is located on the former site of the United States Steel Homestead Works. The steel mill closed in 1983.
Dave Dragovich is a freelance motorsports journalist for the Herald Standard. A former competitor at Motordrome Speedway (1992-1998), Drago-vich can be heard on Mike Lysakowski’s “Motordrome Live” broadcast on WMBS Radio 590AM, Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Don Gamble’s “Rappin’ On Racin'” radio show on WEDO 810AM, Monday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. Dave may also be contacted via e-mail at somersetdave@comcast.net.