Jun 26, 2008 By Dave Dragovich For The 5 min read

Jim Bendishaw, Jr., of Uniontown, won the extended 20-lap Street Stock feature race at the Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex on Saturday evening. He took the lead at the halfway point of the event after battling Mike Duritsky, Tom Newman, and brother Josh Bendishaw for the top spot.

“This feels good right now,” said Bendishaw in the winner’s circle. “I have so many people to thank for getting me here. I appreciate it.”

Bendishaw is the son of the late Jim Bendishaw, Sr., a popular and successful driver who died last year. Jim uses the No. 69 on his car, the number that carried his father to many victories.

Jim Jr. won the 2002 Street Stock championship at Roaring Knob. He put his career as a driver on hold for the next several seasons, while concentrating on serving as pit crew chief for his dad and brother.

He drove in only a few selected events during that time period. In 2008, he’s back running stronger than ever, and intends to run a full season.

Bendishaw won his feature on Dick Rugh Appreciation Night.

Rugh, an engine builder from Uniontown, helps many racers, not only at Roaring Knob, but at other tracks as well. Dick has been in the machine shop business for over 40 years. He started out in drag racing, but eventually gravitated to stock cars.

He builds motors for several Street Stock drivers. While being interviewed by on-track announcer Lisa Gower during Bendishaw’s victory lane celebration, Rugh said, “First, I want to thank God. I want to thank my wife for putting up with me. Thanks to the fans, and thanks to the racers. We have a nice playground here at Roaring Knob.” Dick continued giving generously to the racers, even on the night that honored him. Before the Street Stock feature began, he decided to contribute $100 to the winner of the Street Stock feature, $100 to the second place finisher, and yet another $100 to the driver who finished last. Ironically, veteran Street Stock campaigner Jim “Jimbo” Byers, of McClellandtown, who spearheaded Dick’s night, finished second.

Marshall Coleman, from Shady Grove, made a nice comeback in the Street Stock feature. His car incurred significant damage in tight racing circumstances after he was spun out in his heat race. Fans were surprised to see him race in the main event. After he and his crew made the necessary repairs to his machine, Coleman started 16th in the feature, then charged through the pack to place 5th.

Billy Holbert, from Fairmont, West Virginia, was really happy with his Super Late Model win on Saturday night. He was also pleased with his starting spot. “When you start on the pole, that where you should finish”, he said. Acknowledging the strong challenge from Bob Gordon during the race, Holbert related, “I saw the nose of the number 31, and I thought, ‘oh-oh’, I better get up on the wheel and start driving.” Holbert sits in second place in Roaring Knob’s Super Late points contest. On Friday nights, he competes at Elkins Motor Speedway in West Virginia, where he ranks third in the point standings.

Charleroi’s Beau Glemba, who races a pavement Late Model at Motordrome Speedway on Friday nights, made his dirt Late Model debut at Roaring Knob on Saturday in a car formerly owned and driven by Clate Copeman. Glemba, the owner of an asphalt paving company, placed 5th in his heat race. He was attempting an inside pass on Uniontown’s Gary Sisson for sixth position during the feature, when he lost the handle exiting turn four. The ensuing crash saw the car of Jeff Ferguson, of Uniontown, end up on Glemba’s hood. Beau’s machine was towed to the pits.

The brand new L.J. Dennis Grandstand is proving to be very popular with the fans of Roaring Knob. The grandstand was named in honor of Dennis, a legendary driver and life-long resident of Markleysburg, who won hundreds of races during a career that spanned four decades. He was especially tough at the now-defunct Morgantown Speedway and other West Virginia tracks. Every now and then, the ageless driver jumps into a car to have fun. When doing so, he’s always very competitive.

Five-division action continues at Roaring Knob on Saturday, June 28. Appalachian Timber Products, the sponsor of multi-Super Late Model Champion Gary Dalton, will present a fireworks display for everyone’s enjoyment. Gates open at 5pm, with racing starting at 7pm.

Motordrome Speedway will have a regular show on Friday night, June 27. The grandstand gates open at 5:30pm. Racing starts at 7:30pm.

It’s Fan Appreciation Night at Jennerstown Speedway on Saturday, June 28, as grandstand admission will be only one dollar. The Super Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and Super Mini-Cups will be on hand.

There will be no racing at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 28. However, the track will be in action the following day, Sunday, June 29. Six- division racing, plus a Figure-8 demolition derby for four-cylinder cars, will take place, beginning at 7pm. The gates open at 5pm.

Dave Dragovich may be contacted at somersetdave@comcast.net