Riverhead Raceway opened the season last night, featuring twin 30 lap features for the Modifieds to help competitors in their quest for NASCAR NY State points. While the format left questions in this reporters mind, it is a work in progress and that will hopefully be addressed before next week's events, when twin 30's will be featured once more. While most fans were expecting to see what ostensibly would be two races, it turned out to be just a continuation after a brief caution halted the race officially at lap 30, and the field then resumed, single file, to complete a 60 lap contest. That confused many fans who expected to see a different event, and we understand the reasoning behind helping the competitors for NY State Championship points, but many expect they'd see a different format, with a separate, second 30 lap race, which would be a fresh start for all competitors. For those who suffered misfortune in the first half of the event, they would not be 'reset' to being on the lead lap in the second half, but would instead be scored however many laps down they were at the finish of the first segment. That, in our opinion, negates their chance to be helped by a format such as this. As an example, if a driver dropped out of the first half with a flat on lap 27 and didn't complete the full 30 laps, that driver would start the "Second Portion" of the event with that 3 lap deficit against them, meaning if they completed the event, and another driver dropped out on lap 28 (58), THAT driver would still finish officially ahead of the driver who had returned and run all 30 of the second set of laps. That, in the overall scheme of things, is unfair and wrong in our opinion, and needs to be addressed. But enough of this, on to the racing stories.

    The first feature of the night was the Super Pro Trucks, Lou Maestri grabbed the early lead, followed by Mike Albasini and Frank Dumicich, Sr., leaving Maestri to run without challenge up front as Albasini and Dumicich, Sr. ran side by side in the battle for 2nd. Chris Turbush and Dave Koenig were side by side behind this duo as they contended for 4th spot, with C. Turbush taking the spot on lap 8. Koenig tried to get by C. Turbush on the outside, but he was unable to do so. Dumicich, Sr., meanwhile, was holding 2nd over Albasini by a nose as Albasini ran the outside in a valiant attempt to take the spot. Koenig now had his hands full as Roger Turbush battled with him side by side for 5th spot, while Frank Dumicich, Jr. watched closely in 7th. On the next lap, R. Turbush, Koenig and Dumicich, Jr. got 3 wide in the back stretch and continued into turns 3  & 4 that way, with Koenig being the one to get out of it, dropping back as R. Turbush and Dumicich, Jr. battled for 5th side by side. This battle continued, with R. Turbush holding the lead for 5th by a nose on the outside of Dumicich, Jr., but on the next lap, R. Turbush clipped the wall on the front stretch after contact with Dumicich, Jr. By the time he recovered, Dumicich, Jr. was solidly in 5th, with R.Turbush dropped to 8th spot. Back up front, the battle between Albasini and Dumicich, Sr. had finally been resolved, with Albasini firmly in 2nd spot by lap 16, but Dumicich, Sr. wasn't giving up. C. Turbush had 4th all to himself, while Maestri was cruising alone in the lead. At the finish, it was Lou Maestri, in the John Kirk # 1 taking the win, followed by Mike Albasini, Frank Dumicich, Sr., Chris Turbush and Frank Dumicich, Jr. For Maestri, it was his 2nd opening night win in a row.

    The Legends, with 36 cars signed in, had whittled that down to 27 starters after running 3 qualifying heats, almost caution free, to determine the starting field. In the feature, it started with a caution flag before the first lap was complete, as 'Wild Bill' Hiscock got punted into the first turn wall. On the next attempt, outside pole sitter Kyle Ellwood jumped out into the lead over Brandon Bock. Alex Urbina wasn't having any of that as he got by Ellwood for the lead on lap 2, but Urbina spun into the infield on the next lap, with Ellwood getting the lead back, with Paul Dodorico moving to 2nd as Bock ran 3rd, with Chris Young and Kevin Nowak battling for 4th behind him. Bock ran a line in 3rd that effectively held Young and Nowak at bay as Bock continued to hold 3rd spot. Ellwood built a 4 car length lead over Dodorico at that point, while Young and Nowak still battled for 4th side by side, with Kyle Soper following closely in 6th. On lap 7, Dan McNamara spun in turn 2, bringing out another caution. On the restart, Ellwood and Dodorico ran side by side, with Bock and Young also side by side right behind them. Ellwood pulled out into the lead, with Dodorico and Young side by side behind him battling for 2nd. Young, last year's Legends Champ, quickly got by Dodorico for 2nd, and set his sights on Ellwood for the lead. Soper took a look at getting by Nowak for 5th, but couldn't close the deal and settled back into 6th. On lap 10, Young got to Ellwood's inside, but Ellwood battled hard to hold the lead, but on the next lap, Young nosed out front, finally taking the lead on lap 12 coming out of turn 4. Dodorico, Bock and Nowak rounded out the top 5 at that point. Caution flew again on lap 13 when Jim Sylvester spun in turn 2, but Sylvester got going again quickly, rejoining the rear of the field. On the restart, Young took off with Ellwood and Dodorico chasing him, as Bock and Nowak battled side by side for 4th with Nowak on the outside, allowing Soper to pull right up on Bock's rear bumper. By the time they settled it, Bock held onto 4th, while Soper moved to 5th and Nowak dropped to 6th. Up Front, Young and Ellwood just pulled away from Dodorico, building a 5 car length lead, which quickly grew to about 12 car lengths as the laps ticked off towards the finish. At the finish, It was Chris Young in the Ray the Plumber # 49 taking down the win, with Kyle Ellwood, Paul Dodorico, Brandon Bock and Kyle Soper rounding out the top 5. 

    The Blunderbusts, 25 cars strong, took to the track next, with Scott Sepe jumping out in front of pole sitter Jessica Cohan to take the lead, with Bill Wegmann coming right up to challenge for the lead as he moved into 2nd, with Bryan Quilliam moving into 3rd. Wegmann moved up alongside of Sepe to battle him for the lead, as Tim Mulqueen moved up into 4th spot, and Paul Parisi also moved into the top 5. Behind them, Tommy Walkowiak and Tom Pickerell ran 6th and 7th, but were clearly seeking higher spots in the field. Parisi and Walkowiak made a little contact, with Parisi slowing and Walkowiak moving to 5th, as Pickerell tagged along to move to 6th. Sepe still held the lead by a nose over Wegmann, but lapped cars were about to come into play on lap 5, as Sepe clipped (or was clipped by) a slower car, blowing his right rear tire and bringing out a caution flag as Sepe spun. On the restart, Quilliam was punted into the turn 1 wall at the start, with yellow flying once more. On the next restart attempt, things went better as Wegmann and Mulqueen led the field to the green, with Walkowiak and Pickerell right behind them. Wegmann pulled out into the lead down the back stretch, with Walkowiak right on his bumper and along side of Mulqueen. On the next lap, Walkowiak got under Wegmann, who'd gotten high coming off turn 4, and they ran side by side, with Wegmann doing all he could to hold off Walkowiak's charge, but to no avail, as Walkowiak pulled ahead on lap 9 to take the lead as Wegmann got stuck behind a lapped car. Wegmann was able to stay right with Walkowiak after he cleared  the lapped car, with Jack Handley, Jr. taking advantage of the lapped traffic to move into 3rd spot, while Pickerell remained 4th, locked in a battle with Mulqueen for that spot. Pickerell won that one, getting by Mulqueen to take 4th cleanly, as Walkowiak and Wegmann pulled away from Handley, Jr. by about 4 car lengths, while Pickerell caught up to Handley, Jr. to battle him for 3rd. Pickerell got by Handley, Jr. to take 3rd, while Wegmann stayed about 1/2 car length behind Walkowiak as Walkowiak continued to lead. Behind them, Rob Bader was finally making his move, catching up to Mulqueen in 5th by lap 15, and once they got by lapped traffic, Bader would make his move under Mulqueen and take 5th away on lap 18, with Scott Maliszewski following Bader through to take 6th as Mulqueen dropped to 7th. Tommy Walkowiak held on in his Unique Golf #00 to take the victory, with Bill Wegmann, Tom Pickerell, Jack Handley, Jr. and Rob Bader, Jr. rounding out the top 5. It was Walkowiak's 49th Blunderbust victory, and he also repeated his opening night victory streak, as he won opening night in 2011.

     Then we came to the Charger race, all 10 of them. I'm going to have to guess that all who said they "wouldn't come back to race until Jim Maggio was gone" haven't finished work on their cars yet. Anyway, John Baker and CJ Lehmann led the field to the green, running side by side, as the next 5 cars behind them were, running that way for the first few laps, with Baker nosing out front and Lehmann charging back to challenge once more. On lap 3, Jeremy McDermott got loose, coming into contact with Chris Turbush, and as they checked up, the field separated somewhat. Turbush recovered to move to 4th, with Brian Doyle moving from 7th to 5th by the time all was straightened out.  Baker continued to hold the lead over Ray Minieri, who'd gotten by Lehmann to move to 2nd, as Turbush and Doyle followed at lap 5. Turbush then started to put pressure on Lehmann for 3rd, getting side by side under him, and making the pass on lap 8, leaving Lehmann to deal with Doyle's challenge for 4th as the race continued under green. On lap 9, Doyle got by Lehmann to take 4th, while up front, Minieri was glued to Baker's rear bumper, while Turbush started closing in on Minieri's rear. Eric Zeh, in his newly built #34, got along side Doyle and took 4th away on lap 10, with McDermott also getting by to take 5th spot. That left Doyle and Lehmann to battle for 6th spot, while Baker continued to run just the right line to hold Minieri at bay. Suddenly, on lap 12, Turbush and Minieri got together, and spun in turns 3 & 4, bringing out the caution. Minieri pulled away immediately, getting 2nd spot back for the restart, as Zeh was 3rd, McDermott 4th and Doyle in 5th. When the green waved again, Doyle faltered and Lehmann hit him, dislodging something from Lehmann's car, and the caution came out for debris. Both Doyle and Lehmann pitted, but returned in time for the restart. This time, Baker took off like a shot, but Turbush faltered a bit, getting hit hard enough to dislodge his R/F fender, but it stayed with the car, and the race stayed green. The jumble helped Doyle move up quickly into the top 5. Baker still maintained a small 1/2 car length lead over a very determined Minieri by lap 17, but the battle on the track was between Doyle and Turbush for 5th, with Turbush getting under Doyle and taking him high in the turns. In a brilliant move, Lehmann took advantage of this and moved under both of them to take 5th off turn 2 late in the race. At the end, John Baker, in the Staria Auto #07, held on for his very first victory at Riverhead, with Ray Minieri, Eric Zeh, Jeremy McDermott and CJ lehmann rounding out the top 5.

     The Late Models, with 10 cars, rolled out next for their feature, with Chris LaSpisa and Roger Oxee leading the field to the green, with Peter 'Buzzy' Eriksen and Shawn Patrick right behind. LaSpisa and Oxee ran side by side until LaSpisa edged out front as Oxee and Eriksen followed. Behind them, Patrick and Kevin Metzger ran side by side for 4th, until Patrick squeezed Metzger high and Metzger made contact with the wall and had to back off. Then Metzger got a challenge from Rob Tribuzio, and they made contact, with Metzger backing off once more and losing another spot as Tribuzio moved to 6th. Up front, LaSpisa, Oxee and Eriksen had pulled away from the rest of the field, and Oxee started to look to LaSpisa's outside to make a move for first, but LaSpisa was able to hold him at bay as Oxee fell in behind him once more. Metzger, meanwhile, got by Patrick to move up into 7th once more. By lap 10, the field had settled into single file formation. On lap 11, Oxee made a move on LaSpisa on the outside coming off turn 4, coming into contact with him, and as LaSpisa got loose and tried to recover, LaSpisa sandwiched Oxee up against the turn 1 wall as Eriksen sailed by and the caution flew. LaSpisa was able to pull away, but Oxee left on a wrecker, his evening finished. On the restart, with Eriksen now the leader, Tribuzio and Mike Bologna found themselves in a battle for 2nd, with Bologna being forced up into the wall and scraping it, but Tribuzio got hit by Metzger, spinning him, and the caution flew once again before a lap was completed. On the next restart, Eriksen and Bologna led the way, and Bologna showed just how well his car was running as he pulled away from Eriksen into the lead on lap 11. Kevin Metzger ran 3rd, with Scott Kulesa in 4th, and Patrick in 5th. Bologna built a 2 car length lead by lap 14 as the rest of the field followed mostly single file once more. Bologna stretched his lead to 4 car lengths by lap 20, but Kulesa got spun on lap 22, and he rejoined the race, slowly, as the race continued, going a lap down by the time he got back to race speed. But in the end, Mike Bologna, in the PCHS Race Engine #00, took the win, with Peter 'Buzzy Eriksen, Kevin Metzger, Shawn Patrick and Chris LaSpisa rounding out the top 5. Rob Tribuzio was relegated to 9th for rough riding after the finish.

     Now it was time for the first "Twin 30" modified feature of 2012 for the modifieds. 26 cars took time earlier in the evening, with Dave Brigati setting fast time with a lap of 11.805. Second fastest was Ron Silk with a lap of 11.926, and Howie Brode, the last to take time, was third with a lap of 11.951. The top 6 redrew for stating spots, with Eddie Brunnhoelzl III getting the pole, and Howie Brode to his outside. Brunnhoelzl jumped into the lead, with Brode just to his side, as Timmy Solomito rode right near Brunnhoelzl's bumper. The inside seemed to be the place to be, as Brunnhoelzl and T. Solomito pulled well ahead of Brode, with Tom Rogers, Jr. moving to 3rd spot as Brode fell to 4th, only to lose that to Ron Silk by lap 2. There was an early yellow before lap 3 was complete, when John Fortin, Jr. and Glenn Logan, Jr. got together, but that was cleared up quickly and racing resumed with Brunnhoelzl and T. Solomito side by side, but Brunnhoelzl started to use his inside lane advantage to get the lead, even as T. Solomito battled to stay with him. Silk and Rogers had their own battle just behind this for 3rd, with another caution coming out on lap 4 as a couple of cars tangled in turn 4. Green was out again in a few minutes, and Brunnhoelzl did his level best to hold the lead, even as T. Solomito did all he could to get it for himself. Rogers rode tight on Brunnhoelzl's bumper, meaning Solomito had to do his best to keep up in the outside groove, and he did just that, adding to the excitement of the event in its early laps. Brunnhoelzl pulled out ahead a few laps later, leaving T.Solomito and Rogers side by side battling for 2nd, as Dave Brigati and Ron Silk battled for 4th. Brunnhoelzl built a 2 car length lead over the battle for 2nd, giving him some breathing room as T. Solomito and Rogers continued to vie for the 2nd spot, until Rogers pulled away and took sole possession of 2nd, with T. Solomito settling into 3rd. By now, Brigati had won the battle with Silk for 4th, and the front runners settled into a single file formation. Brunnhoelzl still held about a 3 car length lead as lapped traffic started to come into play by lap 12, with the whole lead lap group running single file. It continued on this way, with little change for position, except for Silk taking 4th from Brigati, as the race entered into the final of the first 30 laps. On lap 26, Silk got under T. Solomito to challenge for 3rd, with Silk getting by and T.Solomito spun in turn 3 on lap 27, just as Silk and Rogers made contact ahead of him, with Silk spinning in turn 4, and the caution flying for the 3rd time in this segment. There was some confusion among the officials at this point as to what the caution was for, but it was decided it was for Silk, who was put to the rear of the lead lap cars for the restart, as everyone else got their positions back, with T. Solomito in 2nd, and Rogers, who'd not spun at all, in 3rd. The field was lined up for the restart, and Brunnhoelzl pulled away at the appearance of the green, with T. Solomito and Rogers right behind, but Ted Christopher hit the turn one wall after contact, and the caution was out again on lap 28. One more restart, this time single file, and Brunnhoelzl did what he had to do to hold on to win the first 30 lap segment, with T. Solomito, Brigati, Rogers and Frank Vigliarolo rounding out the top 5.

     The second segment was started single file (I disagree with that), and was begun on lap 31, not as a separate race at all. Brunnhoelzl took off at the drop of the green, but T. Solomito dove under him to take the lead away off turn 4 at the start, with Brigati then challenging Brunnhoelzl for 2nd. Suddenly, Brunnhoelzl slowed, stuck running slowly on the outside groove against the wall in the front stretch, and was almost instantly rear-ended by Silk at the end of the straightaway, also involving John Beatty, Jr. in the incident. One (or both) of Beatty's rear nerf bars was torn off the car, run over by someone, and catapulted up into the turn 2 grandstands, hitting a spectator in the chest. (It happened right down to my left), and the caution flew. The spectator seemed stunned, but otherwise not badly injured, and was attended to by track personnel and ambulance officials before being transferred to the care of first-responders who came because someone called 911 to report the incident. The gentleman was able to walk down 6 rows of the stands and be placed on a gurney for transport to the hospital to be checked out. We know nothing more of his condition as of this writing, and wish him all the best. (Update - The injured spectator, Robert Beattie, 41, of Islip, was treated and released from Peconic Bay Medical Center, according to a report on riverheadlocal.com. We are glad he is okay.)

    With the track cleaned up, racing resumed on lap 32 (2?) with T. Solomito leading Brigati, with Rogers, Vigliarolo and Eric Goodale rounding out the top 5 of the 19 cars left out of the original 26 starters. Further back, a battle for 8th broke out between Dave Sapienza and Ryan Preece (driving Bill Park's #20), and after contact, Preece pulled down by the apron and into the infield with what appeared to be a bent rim on the right front, finished for the night. T. Solomito was setting a torrid pace, and as the lead pack caught up to the lapped car of Vincent Biondolillo, T. Solomito clipped him trying to pass him on the outside, and Biondolillo spun, bringing out the caution on lap 37, none too soon, as Solomito himself spun in turn 4 just as the caution flew after a little tap from Brigati's car. T. Solomito got the car righted and rejoined the front of the field for the restart. With green back out quickly, T. Solomito took off once more with Brigati glued to his bumper, and the whole field running single file. T. Solomito and Brigati just simply left everyone else behind by the time lap 54 had been reached, building a ten car plus margin over Vigliarolo, who'd gotten by Rogers earlier to take 3rd spot. Howie Brode did the same, dropping Rogers back to 5th spot. On lap 57, a couple of cars came together, with one spinning in turn 3, the other in turn 4, and the caution came out. The next attempt saw a 3 car wreck in turn 4 before things got started, but they quickly lined up for one more try at a finish. On the restart, Brigati was right on T. Solomito's bumper, looking high and low over the last 3 laps, as Vigliarolo, Brode and Rogers tagged along, completing the last 3 laps in that order, with Timmy Solomito in the Al Lee Installations #99 taking the victory in the race, as Dave Brigati, Frank Vigliarolo, Jr., Howie Brode and Tom Rogers, Jr. finished out the top 5 in the race.

    The last event of the evening, the Figure-8's, saw 8 cars take the green, led by Mike Mujsce and Dennis Scott. Kenny Hyde, Jr. moved quickly to 2nd, with Scott falling to 3rd after one lap, and Arne Pedersen and Roger Maynor passed Scott on the 2nd lap as he fell further back. On lap 3, Tim Mulqueen and Tim Farrell got together off turn 2, bringing out the first caution of the race, and suddenly there were only 7 cars, as Farrell was towed off the track before racing resumed once more. The race quickly turned into 2 car battles, as Mujsce and Hyde contended for the led, while Pedersen and Maynor battled for 3rd, and Tom Ferrara and Scott, while Tim Mulqueen brought up the rear in an ill-handling car. On lap 11, Hyde got by Mujsce for the lead, but Mujsce quickly took it back a half lap later. On the last lap, in turn 3 of the race course, Hyde got into Mujsce trying to pass him, with Pedersen and Maynor sailing by to cross the line in first and second. Arne Pedersen took the win, with Mike Mujsce, Tom Ferrara, Dennis Scott and Kenny Hyde, Jr. rounding out the top 5. Roger Maynor, reportedly too light at the scales, was DQed from the official finish and received no points or money.

News and Notes: Not a good night for WMT regulars, as all but Eric Goodale were eliminated in various wrecks during Twin 30's Mod feature. None will be at next week's event, as there is a scheduled WMT race at Monadnock Speedway in New Hampshire. Welcome to Long Island's version of Mad House!….. 29 Modifieds signed in, one more than last week's WMT race elsewhere.  Justin Bonsignore had his #51 at the track, but it was more to check an engine problem the team had been experiencing the week before in a WMT race. He looked good in practice and loaded up before time trials. Al Ermmarino and Marisa Neiderauer also entered, but withdrew before time trial also for reasons unknown….  Car counts in other divisions expected to be a bit higher next week as finishing touches are put on a few cars not in attendance tonight…. 36 Legends cars in attendance, but 9 had to pack up after missing the cut in qualifying… Nice to see Paul Parisi make it out, as he'd told me at the 2nd practice he might not make opening night, lacking a motor and the funds to race. Guess he found what he needed, and we're glad he was there…  Eddie Brunnhoelzl, after running so well, was felled by a carburetor problem, and someone's spotter not paying attention…  Dennis Krupski borrowed Kevin Metzger's back-up #23, renumbered #12, as he continues to clean up damage at his shop after being a victim of the Long Island wild fires last month. His inventory of damage complete, he awaits payment from the insurance company to put his race team completely together again…. That's all I can do this week, it's late and I'm tired of writing. Join us again next week for another thrilling Twin 30 Mod feature story, and all the rest of the news. Hope they tweak the format a bit. Until then, live well and be safe. ~ Walter Johnston

THOMPSON, CT.  The Valenti Modified Racing Series will top the bill at the Thompson International Speedway on Sunday, May 20^th. The popular VMRS will compete in a 75-lap main event as the highlight of the day’s racing activity.

                Defending VMRS champion, Chris Pasteryak, will lead an impressive field of Modified racers for this special Sunday afternoon race event. He will be joined by drivers like Rowan Pennink, Less Hinkley, Doug Coby, Norm Wrenn and Jon McKennedy. The 2012 season has been very good to McKennedy after having logged victories in both of the VMRS races run to date. The Chelmsford, MA driver won the season opener at the Waterford Speedbowl and then went on to repeat his winning ways at the Monadnock Speedway.  All bets are off, however, when the VMRS arrives at Thompson which is the largest and fastest track on their race schedule.

                When the VMRS last raced at Thompson, it was veteran Mike Stefanik who claimed the win and lead the entire 75-lap event. The battle for positions behind Stefanik was tremendous as Chris Pasteryak, Rowan Pennink and Steve Massey diced it out lap after lap. At the finish line, however, it was Pennink in for second followed by Pasteryak, Massey and Les Hinckley.

                Joining the Valenti Modifieds will be Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions including the brand new LKQ/Keystone Lite Modifieds. This new weekly division will appear for the first time and will compete in a 20-lap feature event. Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds, Xtra/Mart Limited Sportsman, Late Models and Monster Minis make up the other exciting racing divisions on the program.

                Many race teams are looking to gain on the momentum they picked up at the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson. Sunoco Modified standout, Ryan Preece, will look to repeat his winning ways after a convincing win over Woody Pitkat, Todd Ceravolo, Ted Christopher and Kerry Malone. Pitkat, competing in two divisions, found himself in second place at the end of the Late Model feature event which was won by Tommy O’Sullivan.

                Scott Sundeen opened his season with a win in the Xtra/Mart Limited Sportsman division and Glenn Boss showed everyone the quick way around in his Thompson Modified. Tyler Poulin bested a tough field of racers and drove to victory in the Monster Mini Stock division.

                Following the May 20^th VMRS event, Thompson will go through a huge transformation as it gets converted to the site of the annual Eve of Destruction slated for May 27^th. This Memorial Day weekend tradition features daredevils, thrills, spills, explosions, automotive carnage, fireworks and more. It is a fan favorite that attracts thousands every year.

                For more information on these or any events at Thompson Speedway, visit the track’s web page atwww.thompsonspeedway.com

May 6, 2012 – Wall NJ – In the first ever presentation of the North East Enduro Series (NEETS) “May-Ham” Enduros, three new faces sat in victory lane. Scott Adams (Lake Ariel PA) won the 100-lap Small Car Enduro, while Scott Riggleman (Manchester NJ) was victorious in the 100-lap Big Car Enduro. Melissa Mullin won the 25-lap Ladies Race.

     Adams, who also races an Asphalt Modified, took the early lead from pace setter Dan Birdsall and checked out from the field. It was his first career NEETS Small Car victory driving the powerful #27 machine. Scott Dunn (Yardville NJ) drove to a Wall season’s best of second after a good battle for that runner-up position. Paul Hartwig Jr. (Lakewood NJ) matched his season high of third while two-time race winner Mike Wahl (East Islip NY) charged from last to fourth. Birdsall (Farmingdale NJ) rounded out the top five.

     Only one stoppage took place in the 100-lap Small Car Enduro, as Andrew Krause lost a tire in turn four of lap 47.

     After a nice battle with early leader Matt Guadagno, Riggleman asserted himself into the race lead on lap 25 of the Big Car Enduro. In a fast paced event that found no red flags, Riggleman went on to claim the victory. Highly accomplished NEETS racer, Richard Petey (Hackettstown NJ) charged from last (17^th) to second. Tim O’Shea (Wall NJ) cruised to a season’s best of third. Season opener winner Howie Bott (Budd Lake NJ) kept his Wall top-five streak alive with a fourth place effort and the always consistent Lee Allen (Old Bridge NJ) rounded out the front finishing five.

     Mellisa Mullin powered the Ronnie Mullin owned #38 to the winner’s circle in the Ladies Race after exchanging the lead with eventual second place finisher Nisa O’Shea. Lisa Danish rounded out the top three. In a special 1-lap shootout race, Jessica Dunn emerged victorious.

     NEETS would like to thank Felix Ciattrailli of Value Towing for adding special bonus money to the afternoon’s festivities. Felix gave an additional $100 to the race winners of the Big and Small Car events. He also gave $50 to the seventh place finisher in each event.

     For complete news and information, check the official NEETS website located at www.neetsracing.com .

SUNDAY MAY 6, 2012 – WALL STADIUM SPEEDWAY MAH-HAM COMPLETE RESULTS

SMALL CAR ENDURO (100-LAPS): 1) 27-Scott Adams, 2) 12-Scott Dunn, 3) 73-Paul Hartwig Jr., 4) 18-Mike Wahl, 5) 32-Dan Birdsall, 6) 99x-Shannon Mongeau, 7) 69-Justin Dunn, 8) 16-Jay Conrad, 9) 27-Joe Deguilo, 10) 00-Howard Effron, 11) 47-Mike Dunn, 12) 17-Mike Dorrer, 13) 51R-Robby Dunn, 14) 7-Andrew Krause.

BIG CAR ENDURO (100-LAPS): 1) 09-Scott Riggleman, 2) 43-Richard Petey, 3) 55-Tim O’Shea, 4) 75-Howie Bott, 5) 97-Lee Allen, 6) 2-Ned Coolbaugh, 7) 83-Matt Guadagno, 8) 13x-Animal, 9) 357-Chris Felber, 10) 17-Robert Brown, 11) 44-Mike Parisi, 12) 38-Ronnie Mullin, 13) 78-Steve Haegele, 14) 50-Anthony Bell, 15) 310-Bill Stockert, 16) 005-Felix Ciatrelli, 17) 33-Frank D’Etremont.

LADIES RACE (25-LAPS): 1) 38-Melissa Mullin, 2) 55-Nisa O’Shea, 3) 25-Lisa Danish.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday May 27 @ Grandview (PA) Speedway – Memorial Day Madness. Big Car Enduro (100-laps), Small Car Enduro (100-laps), Ladies Race (25-laps) plus twin features for the Blast From the Past Vintage Race Cars. Racing – 1:00PM.

Saturday June 2 @ New Egypt (NJ) Speedway – Saturday Night Series Small Car Enduro #2 (50-laps). Racing begins at 7:30PM, enduro follows regularly scheduled card of events.

Saturday June 9 @ New Egypt  (NJ) Speedway – Saturday Night Series Big Car Enduro #2 (50-laps). Racing begins at 7:30PM, enduro follows regularly scheduled card of events.

Sunday June 10 @ Wall Stadium Speedway – Asphalt Series Enduro #5. Big Cars, Small Cars, Ladies Race.

May 5, 2012 – New Egypt NJ – Pat Hires of Levittown PA started on the pole in Saturday night’s 50-lap NEETS Big Car Enduro and led every lap. The veteran racer recorded an impressive victory at the New Egypt Speedway behind the wheel of his Monte Carlo bodied #2 machine.

     Hires, a former Crate Sportsman competitor at the Garden State based speedway, found his experience beneficial last Saturday evening. It was his fourth career NEETS Enduro victory with the previous three attained at Grandview Speedway. Once Hires grabbed the race lead on lap one, he never looked back.

     Drew Ott (Schwenksville PA), a one-time NEETS winner from 2011, throttled his Caprice #312 to a hard fought runner-up finish. Bill Stockert of West Babylon NY, a successful veteran racer for the past several decades, nailed down the third spot while young teenaged racer Robby Dunn of Yardville NJ placed in the fourth spot. Mike Dunn (Yardville NJ) rounded out the front finishing five.

     The Small Cars and Big Cars have each held an event this season at New Egypt Speedway. Race #2 for the Small Cars will take place on Saturday night June 2 following the regular card of events at the 3/8 mile speedway. The second Big Car 50-lapper will be held one week later on Saturday June 9.

     For complete news, rules, and other important information, check the official NEETS Website located atwww.neetsracing.com .

NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY – SATURDAY MAY 5, 2012 – NEETS ENDURO RESULTS

BIG CAR ENDURO (50-LAPS): 1) 2-Pat Hires, 2) 312-Drew Ott, 3) 310-Bill Stockert, 4) 51R-Robby Dunn, 5) 47-Mike Dunn, 6) 13-Justin Moench, 7) 70-Chuck Detweiler, 8) 13x-Animal, 9) 97-Lee Allen, 10) 75-Howie Bott, 11) 17-Robert Brown, 12) 412-Johnny Sacks.13) 4-Randy Nelson, 14) 39-Phil Levering, 15) 99-Tom Wolf, 16) 30-Joe Garey, 17) 503-Danny Serrano.

Sitterly, Hamilton Finish 1-2 in Oswego Supermodified Opener; JJ Andrews Claims Second Career SBS Main

OSWEGO, NY (May 6) – Otto Sitterly proved yet again that he is the man to beat in the Novelis Supermodified division at Oswego Speedway on Saturday May 5, by claiming his 21^st career victory and 4^th overall opening night (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) win at the Steel Palace.  The Canajoharie native, and defending Budweiser International Classic 200 champion, started from the 12^th position and sliced his way through the field to the lead on the 46^th circuit, propelling himself to Chris Nelson Insurance Victory Lane as a part of the 62^nd Annual Opening Night presented by Gater Racing News and the Palladium-Times.

Sitterly’s Nicotra Racing teammate, Davey Hamilton of Boise, ID, would finish in the runner-up spot putting the No. 7 and No. 6 cars at the top of the podium, beginning 2012 where they ended 2011. Canadian Mike Lichty drove the Nicotra No. 6 machine to a second place finish in the 2011 International Classic behind Sitterly.

Brian Sobus, with a brilliant run, Dave Gruel, and Jeff Abold would complete the Top 5 order ahead of Ray Graham, Shaun Gosselin, Tim Snyder, Randy Ritskes, and Pat Lavery.

“Dave had a left front tire going flat,” said Sitterly, in Chris Nelson Insurance Victory Lane.  “I’m sure that dampened the performance of his car.  I got him once and then that yellow came out, and the second time I wasn’t going to mess around because I figured if the caution came out again he could hold me off for a couple laps with only two tires, so I sort of made a bonsai pass there but it was open.  He couldn’t make the car turn out of turn 2 so I did my best to beat him into turn three.”

Sobus and Gruel would bring the 25 car Novelis Supermodified field to the Cam’s New York Pizzeria green flag, with Gruel gaining the early advantage in the No. 50.  As Gruel sped to the front, it was Indianapolis 500 veterans Hamilton and Joe Gosek making quick work of the first three rows to move into second and third respectively by lap 3.

The races first caution flag waved on lap 7 as Michael Muldoon slowed in turn three.  During the caution period third place running Gosek, the defending Speedway champion, would head pit side with the No. 00.  After looking under the hood of the Burke’s Home Center machine, Gosek would return to the Speedway for a couple circuits, but would ultimately call it a night with a 23^rd place finish although he did turn the races fastest lap with a time of 16.866 seconds at 133.404mph.

After the restart Hamilton immediately began working Gruel for the race lead.  As the two leaders began to distance themselves from the pack, a great race was also being wagered for 3^rd between Ritskes, Mike Barnes, Joey Payne, and Dave Danzer.  The four cars would run two-by-two at times as Barnes and Payne became comfortable in their new full-time rides for 2012.

Deeper in the field Sitterly was already beginning to make his presence known, as he moved around the outside of Sobus for the 7^th position on lap 13.

Just three laps later however, the complexion of the race would change entirely, as in a pit of irony the present and former drivers of the Strong Racing No. 99 would come together. 

On lap 16, Barnes lost the handle going into turn one and washed up the race track leaving Payne’s Muldoon Racing No. 20 nowhere to go.  The two cars made contact resulting in each being hooked off the Speedway.  Barnes would be credited with 20^th position, while Payne would end the night 21^st.

The restart order would be Gruel leading Hamilton, Ritskes, Danzer, Sitterly, Sobus, Abold, Pat Lavery, Jerry Curran, and Tim Snyder.

Curran’s night would end however just one lap after the restart as his No. 24 would power slide into the third turn foam removing the tail section of the Nuclear Banana.

As the 50-lap feature go again gained momentum, Gruel began to truly show his might as he gained a comfortable margin on Hamilton out in front. 

As the cross flags for halfway waved in the air the Top 10 pilon read Gruel, Hamilton, Ritskes, Danzer, Sitterly, Lavery, Sobus, Abold, Snyder, and Gosselin.

With just under 20 laps to go the Speedway crowd began to see the full deck of cards in the hands of Sitterly, who had ridden outside the Top 5 for the majority of the event.  On lap 31 Sitterly turned up the wick, pulling a slide job underneath Danzer in turn one for position number four.  The two cars would make contact as a result of the low side move, shoving Danzer way out of the groove, slipping him back to the 6^th spot on the track.

Sitterly would then make quick work of Ritskes, in the Darratt Farms No. 88, to move to 3^rd behind teammate Hamilton and leader Gruel.

Just after Sitterly made the move on Ritskes for 3^rd, Danzer would slow to a stop in turn two ending his evening.  The defending Cleaning for a Reason Oswego Speedway Novelis Supermodified Rookie of the Year was none too happy with Sitterly’s low side move and showed his displeasure under caution.

“I waited and waited on Danzer,” said Sitterly.  “He slipped up out of turn four and I got a late run on him down here in one and I tried to stay off him for all it was worth and I hit that drain and we just barely touched.  He sort of threw his arms up at me, but the cars are so even you can’t wait.  If you wait you are going to finish 10^th.”

When the field came back to green the Top 5 would now show Gruel, Hamilton, Sitterly, Ritskes, and Lavery. 

With 10 laps to go Sitterly surprised teammate Hamilton with another low side move into turn one to snag the runner-up spot.  Within seconds, the Sitterly No. 7 would draw right onto the back bumper of Gruel for the top spot.

After working Gruel for just three circuits, Sitterly found the low lane again, this time in turn three to take the lead on lap 44, but at the same time the caution would wave for debris in turn two.  As a result, Gruel would return to the point.

The lap 44 restart would prove to be another pivotal point in the event.

As the green flag waved it was clear Sitterly was the fastest car on the Speedway.  Just one lap after the race got back underway, Sitterly would slip under Gruel for the lead into turn three as he had done before the caution.  Another lap later a tangle would occur in turn one involving Shawn Muldoon, Bobby Haynes, Graham, and Stephen Gioia. 

After the incident the red flag would be displayed for re-fueling.

Under the red flag Lavery’s No. 22 was informed he would have to move to the tail side of the lead lap for jumping the lap 44 restart, shuffling the top of the running order.

With just a handful of laps remaining Sitterly would now officially be displayed as the race leader ahead of Hamilton, Gruel and Ritskes.  Sobus would now move into the Top 5 trailed by Abold, Snyder, Gosselin, and Tim Devendorf.

As the green flag hit the air Sitterly steamed ahead in the race lead, leaving a comfortable margin between himself and Hamilton.  However, with the Super Moon looming large over turn three the race’s final caution would wave on lap 48 for the No. 44 machine of Haynes.

Once again under caution a driver was informed he was going to be penalized for jumping a restart, and this time it was 4^th running Ritskes in No. 88.  Ritskes would too have to fall to the tail side of the lead lap in the restart order.

With a two lap dash for cash on the line for the win Sitterly led Hamilton, Gruel, Sobus, Abold, Snyder, Graham, Gosselin, Lavery, and Devendorf.

With the green flag flying it was evident that Gruel was clearly having issues with his left front tire, which opened the door for Sobus on the high side of the Speedway on the race’s final circuit.  Sobus would mount a tremendous charge on the outside of the Speedway, breezing passed Gruel for the 3^rd position as the two drivers hit the line.

Meanwhile out front it was all Sitterly as he led teammate Hamilton across the line for his 21^st career Novelis Supermodified victory. 

“You know these cars are great and Otto does such a good job of putting these things together,” said Hamilton, on the front straight after his runner-up finish.  “Finishing one and two is great and it gives us a great head start on what I want to do when I come back.  Week in and week out you see these cars out front and they are there for a reason that’s for sure.”

After arriving to the Speedway late and getting limited practice, Brian Sobus wowed the crowd with a tremendous podium finish, his best career result in the Novelis Supermodified division.  Saturday night’s late hot laps were the only laps Sobus had in his new ride, the former Kody Graham No. 21, now No. 60.

“You wouldn’t believe from where this car was this morning, that we even came to the racetrack today,” said Sobus.  “We got to Hawksby’s shop at 10:30am and he changed everything on this car you could imagine.  We missed half the warm ups and got here and the car was awesome right out of the box turning 16.9’s, faster than I have ever gone.  I’m not even comfortable in the car yet, we still have a lot to do.”

JJ Andrews Storms the Starter’s Stand, Taking Second Career SBS Main Event

When joining Team Tapout for the 2012 season, JJ Andrews had one goal in mind.  That was to win his second career Oswego Speedway Pathfinder Bank SBS main event, and first since June 30, 2001. Andrews may now have to readjust his goals, as he led 29 of the 30 circuits on Saturday May 5, grabbing the Gater Racing News and Palladium Times checkered flag on Opening Night at Oswego Speedway.

Andrews worked his way past second year driver Nate Sitterly on lap 2 of the event and never looked back en route to the victory.  Jack Patrick, Mark Castiglia, Andrew Schartner, and Kreig Heroth would complete the Top 5.

“This car was so good tonight, I can’t stand it,” exclaimed Andrews in Chris Nelson Insurance Victory Lane.  “I can’t put this into words.  In 1995 I started driving here and I have put my heart and soul into it, and I started to bail out of it recently running out of money, motivation, and energy.  Jason Simmons bought this car from me and put me in it and bailed me out, he’s like the little brother I never had.  It’s a huge deal for a guy my age to win one of these races, after all the years I have been trying to do it again, it’s great.”

Before the SBS main event took the green flag, defending Speedway champion Mike Bond would run into trouble.  Bond, who was scheduled to start in the 11^th position, had a rear suspension piece break resulting in him losing 13 laps in the pit area.  The driver of the No. 26 would eventually enter the race, finishing 18^th.

Sitterly and Castiglia brought the Pathfinder Bank SBS field to green as the No. 27 Teddneck Racing car blasted to the point.  Before the field could complete their first circuit Bryan Haynes and rookie Josh Kerr tangled in turn one.  Kerr would pull away, while the No. 87 of Haynes was hooked off the Speedway.

On the restart Sitterly would again race into the lead as Andrews followed through in the runner-up position underneath Castiglia.  Just one lap later Andrews would again move low, pulling past Sitterly to take the point on lap 2.

As Andrews pulled away from the field, Charlotte, NC resident Schartner began moving to the high side in the No. 18 picking his way through the pack.

A great early run for Sitterly would come to a close on lap 9 as the No. 27 pulled pit side off the back straight. 

With 10 laps showing on the beautiful Speedway scoreboard, Andrews managed to create a 10 car length lead.  Patrick, Castiglia, David LaTulip, Schartner, Jason Simmons, Rob Pullen, AJ Bernys, Heroth, and Cameron Rowe would all be in tow.   

The lead for Andrews would be erased on lap 12 as Will Hadcock brought out the caution in turn three. The yellow lights would allow the Patrick No. 9 back on the rear deck of the Andrews No. 93, but again as yellow turned green Andrews was able to draw out a sizeable lead.

By lap 14 the Schartner No. 18 was mounting a real challenge for the top three positions.  Schartner worked his way past LaTulip for 4^th and immediately drew in on Castiglia for the podium spot.

As Schartner worked Castiglia high and low, Rowe and Simmons would come together in turn three. Brad Haynes and Dalton Doyle would also be involved in the caution.  Rowe and Haynes were done for the day, while Simmons and Doyle rejoined the pack.

As the race restarted with 13 laps to go, Andrews would never again be seriously challenged as he streaked across the line for this 2^nd career SBS triumph.  Patrick, Castiglia, Schartner, Heroth, Pullen, Mike Bruce, Bernys, Tim Barbeau, and John Ketcham would complete the Top 10 positions.

Next on the schedule is a Memorial Day Weekend triple header on Saturday, May 26 featuring the Jim Shampine Memorial 75 for Novelis Supermodifieds, the Tony White Memorial 35 for the Pathfinder Bank SBS Series, and the Richie Evans Memorial 75 for the Race of Champions Modifieds. 

Grandstand gates will open at 1pm, with racing getting underway at 4pm.  General admission tickets will be set at $25, with reserved seating priced at $30.

Kids 16 & under are admitted free, with paid adult, to all Speedway events excluding Race of Champions Weekend and Budweiser International Classic Weekend.  

Oswego Speedway events run May through September on most Saturday nights, culminating with the Fall Championship 75 on September 15^th.

For more information on Oswego Speedway be sure to visit www.oswegospeedway.com.  You can also LIKE the (Official) Oswego Speedway page at facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway, or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway.  To purchase tickets or order merchandise please call the Speedway box office at(315) 342-0646.

OSWEGO, NY (May 3) – Oswego Speedway will begin its 62^nd season of racing this Saturday night presented by Gater Racing News and The Palladium-Times of Oswego.

WHEN:

Saturday May 5, at Oswego Speedway in Oswego, NY.  Pit Gates will open at 1pm, grandstands at 3pm, with time trials scheduled for 5pm, and racing at 6:30pm.

WHERE:

Oswego Speedway is located at 300 East Albany St. in Oswego, NY

TICKETS:

Padded reserved seats $17, general admission $15, Price Chopper ‘Tickets to Go’ $14, Pit Passes $30. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (315) 342-0646.

ON THE INTERNET:

Oswego Speedway – www.oswegospeedway.com

Twitter - @OswegoSpeedway

Facebook – facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway

YouTube – OswegoSpeedwayOnline

Live Updates can be seen on Twitter, Facebook, as well as the Oswego Speedway website

ABOUT THE TRACK:

Oswego Speedway is a semi-banked 5/8 mile paved oval.  The non-wing Novelis Supermodified track record is held by Doug Didero with a time of 16.210 seconds at 138.786mph, established on September 5, 2009.

Previous Opening Night Winners: *

2003 - Mike Ordway
2004 - Mike Ordway

2005 - Joe Gosek
2006 - Otto Sitterly *
2007 - Joe Gosek
2008 - Otto Sitterly *
2009 - Ray Graham
2010 - Otto Sitterly *
2011 - Randy Ritskes

* Went on to become Track
Champion that year

26 times the opening night winner has gone on to win the track championship.

Jim Shampine leads all drivers with 7 opening night wins (1971-1976, 1979)

-      Bentley Warren, 5 – (1980, 1986-1987, 1989, 1994)

-      Joe Gosek, 4 – (1988, 1991, 2005, 2007)

-      Mike Ordway, 4 – (1990, 2002-2004)

-      Otto Sitterly, 3 – (2006, 2008, 2010)

SBS OPENING NIGHT WINNERS: *

2002 – Matt Wheeler

2003 – Mike Bond*

2004 – Kris Meyn

2005 – Russ Brown*

2006 – Josh LaRochelle

2007 – Larry Muroski

2008 – Mike Bond

2009 – Dave Gruel*

2010 – Steve Abt

2011 – Mike Bond*

*Went on to become Track Champion that year

6 times the opening night winner has gone on to win the track championship.

Mike Bond leads all drivers with 3 opening night wins (2003, 2008, 2011)

-      Russ Brown, 2 – (1993, 2005)

Ray Graham is the only driver to win an opening night feature in both the SBS and Supermodified divisions.

UP NEXT:

Saturday, May 26^th – Memorial Day Weekend Triple Header – Novelis Supermodified Jim Shampine Memorial 75, Pathfinder Bank SBS Tony White Memorial 35, Race of Champions Modified Richie Evans Memorial 75.  Grandstand gates open at 1pm, racing at 4pm.

For more information on Oswego Speedway be sure to visit www.oswegospeedway.com.  You can also LIKE the (Official) Oswego Speedway page at facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway, or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway.  To purchase tickets or order merchandise please call the Speedway box office at(315) 342-0646.

* Edited for space considerations

Speedway Committed to Racing Action on Opening Weekend

OSWEGO, NY (May 1) – While the weather for the 62^nd Annual Oswego Speedway Opening Day presented by Gater Racing News and The Palladium-Times looks positive, a rain date has been added for the weekend’s events on Sunday, May 6.  If weather were to postpone the events of May 5, fans can expect an afternoon start time on May 6 to allow time to travel home before the work week begins.

“We are committed to racing this weekend at Oswego Speedway,” said Speedway co-owner, John Torrese.  “The weather looks good for Saturday, better on Sunday, but we just want to let our fans and the community know that we will do whatever it takes to go racing this weekend, including racing on Sunday.  We look forward to welcoming everyone this weekend.”

Saturday night’s racing action will be highlighted by a Novelis Supermodified 50-lap feature as well as a Pathfinder Bank SBS Series 30-lap main.  Grandstand gates will open at 3pm, with racing action getting underway at 6:30pm.

General admission grandstand tickets are set at $15.  Tickets can also be purchased through the Price Chopper ‘Tickets to Go’ program for $14 at any area Price Chopper Supermarkets store.

Kids 16 & under are admitted free, with paid adult.  Active Military are also welcome free of charge.

Oswego Speedway events run May through September on most Saturday nights, culminating with the Fall Championship 75 on September 15^th.

For more information on Oswego Speedway be sure to visit www.oswegospeedway.com.  You can also LIKE the (Official) Oswego Speedway page at facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway, or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway.  To purchase tickets or order merchandise please call the Speedway box office at(315) 342-0646.