Chemung Speedrome

”Zack Curren Back in Chemung’s Sunoco Modified Victory Lane”

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by Carol Houssock

(Chemung, NY) Race fans at Chemung Speedrome witnessed some great racing on Friday night with a 5-division program sponsored by ServiceMaster of the Tri Counties. This new sponsor also took on sponsorship of the 4-race Super Stock Challenge, with event #3 held on Friday. The Midstate Basement Authorities-sponsored victory lane was visited by winners Zack Curren (Sunoco Modifieds), Cameron Nichols (Insinger Performance Super Stocks), Monica Robinson (4 Cylinders), Josh Parker (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), and Derrick Vogler (INEX Bandoleros). All of Chemung’s regular divisions will be idle this week as the Race of Champions takes over the track for their own 3-division program of Modifieds, Super Stocks and 4 Cylinders on Saturday evening.

His fans knew it was just a matter of time when they’d celebrate another Zack Curren feature win in the Sunoco Modified division. To do so he had to put an end to the win streak that Tony Hanbury had going. To do so on Friday he had to keep Hanbury behind him. “Everybody raced clean,” he said after exiting his car. It was a Zack sweep, as he had won the heat earlier in the evening. In the 30-lap feature, he chased early lead Charlie Sharpsteen for the first five laps but got ahead of him on lap six. He pulled away and left Sharpsteen to deal with both Hanbury and TJ Potrzebowski, both of whom passed him over the next four laps. The only caution came out a lap short of halfway for a solo spin by Lee Sharpsteen. Curren had Hanbury alongside for the restart, but he was able to keep his lead and, by lap 20, had a bit of breathing room. Curren held on and picked up his first win this year over Hanbury, Potrzebowski, Keith Youngs and C. Sharpsteen. “We can run side by side as long as everyone races clean, and we did,” Curren added.

Many knew it was just a matter of time when Cameron Nichols, Mike’s son, would win. He earned it, passing veteran racer Lee Sharpsteen for his career-first win. The 25-lap race represented event #3 in the ServiceMaster of the Tri Counties Super Stock Challenge. Cameron first showed his muscle when he won his heat, then started fifth in the 25-lap feature. Lee Sharpsteen started from pole position and quickly put some distance between himself and the rest of the field. That distance was wiped out when the only caution flag came out. That brought Nichols, who had worked his way up to second, to the outside of Sharpsteen for the restart. Sharpsteen led the next lap, but Nichols made his race-winning pass on lap 16 and he, then, put distance between himself and a three-way battle for third. Sharpsteen had heat winner Nick Robinson and Tim Gullo right behind him. As the crowd reacted to Cameron’s win, they also watched the trio finish in that same order, with Mike Nichols rounding out the top five. “This feels great. We work long and hard and I can’t even explain it. I’m speechless,” Cameron told the crowd.

Fans have seen Monica Robinson win many 4 Cylinder races and a pair of track championships. What they saw Friday night was one of her toughest wins ever as she had to hold off two of her teammates. “I tried to make sure I held my line. There’s a lot of respect out there,” she said after winning for the third time this season. Greg Moldt and Tom Shaffer won their heats to help set the field for the 20-lap race. Joey Bevacqua started second but led early over Robinson and Moldt. Robinson fought hard and took the lead on lap eight. A lap later Moldt took over second and the intense race was on. With no caution to reset the field, it was up to Robinson to do exactly what she said and hold her line. She got the win over Moldt, Bevacqua, Zack Jaynes and Shaffer.

The Marion Decker Hobby Stocks hit the track for their 20-lap feature. Earlier in the evening Dave Decker won the heat, started the feature from pole position, and looked as though it might be his night to celebrate. Josh Parker, the winningest driver in the division brought out the only caution when he tapped the wall and flattened a tire. When racing resumed Decker’s car drifted high coming off turn. It was there that Parker made his race-winning move with two to go. “I got through after that flat. Everyone helps here,” he said. Decker was second with Randy Mathews third.

Derrick Vogler returned to victory lane in the INEX Bandolero division after a rough start in their 10-lap feature. A lap into the race he, Kalysta DeMark and Cullen Sharpsteen got together and brought out the first of two cautions. Vogler worked his way back to the front, passed Chase Sinsabaugh for the lead, and left him in a battle for second with DeMark. When it was over, Outlaw racers Vogler had the win, followed by Sinsabaugh (Bandit winner), DeMark, Devin Gullo and Joey Allowatt.

This week Chemung runs on Saturday evening for the annual Night Before the Glen event. The big race card includes the Race of Champions Rod Spalding Classic, a 75-lapper run in Rod’s memory. This year’s race will feature Ryan Preece, who will make the short haul from Watkins Glen International to run in one of Eddie and Connie Partridge’s cars. Also on tap are a 51-lap Ed McGuire memorial for the ROC Super Stocks and a 25-lapper for the ROC 4 Cylinder Dash Series. Gates open at 4, practice gets underway at 5:15 and opening ceremonies begin at 6 PM. Admission is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and Military, $10 for kids ages 5-11 and free for kids ages 5 and under.

For information, log on to the track’s website: chemung-speedrome.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook: Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.

Of Note:
A fan from Spencer, NY held the winning 50/50 ticket and took home $537.
Wayne Wilcox, announcer at Antioch Speedway in Antioch, California, knocked Chemung Speedrome off his bucket list with a visit Friday night. A native of the Smithfield, PA area, he had also never called a race on a paved track. He can no longer say that, as he announced the INEX Bandolero feature. Catch his podcast, Wylie’s Race Report, on YouTube.

ServiceMaster of the Tri Counties Night Results:
Sunoco Modifieds (30 Laps) ZACK CURREN, Tony Hanbury, TJ Potrzebowski, Keith Youngs, Charlie Sharpsteen, Lee Sharpsteen, Scott Reagan
Heat: Curren
New York Super Stocks (ServiceMaster of the Tri Counties SS Challenge Race #3, 25 Laps) CAMERON NICHOLS, Lee Sharpsteen, Nick Robinson, Tim Gullo, Mike Nichols, Garrett Zacharias, DJ Shaw, Brian DeMark, JP Harbst, Jason Duke, Jr., Dennis Beardslee, Aaron Cornell, Chad Lane, Jason Duke, Sr.
Heats: Robinson, C. Nichols
4 Cylinders (20 Laps): MONICA ROBINSON, Greg Moldt, Joey Bevacqua, Zack Jaynes, Tom Shaffer, Matt Jenkins, Dustin Pruyne, Jason Peck, Ricky Lane
Heats: Moldt, Shaffer
Marion Decker Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): JOSH PARKER, Dave Decker, Randy Mathews, Luke Nickles, Rick Sinsabaugh, Tyler Harbst, Chuck Nichols
Heat: Decker
INEX Bandoleros (10 Laps): DERRICK VOGLER, Chase Sinsabaugh, Kalysta DeMark, Devin Gullo, Joey Allowatt, Reese Faulisi, Michael Bast, Cullen Sharpsteen
Heats: Vogler, Sinsabaugh

Oswego Speedway

Three for Three – Battle Comes From Tenth for Third Oswego Win

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OSWEGO, NY (August 1, 2021) – A record-breaking car count on Best Western PLUS, Clarion Hotel & Suites and LaGraf’s Pub King of Wings night set the tone for an exciting, action-packed display from the J&S Paving 350 Supermodifieds at Oswego.

2021 Spring Classic Champion Jeffrey Battle of Westford, Massachusetts, came from tenth to the win driving the Witkum Bros. Racing No. 14. 

Battle, who also won the 2nd annual 350 Supermodified Classic in 2019, has won in every 350 Super start he has made at the Speedway. 

“About seven or eight years ago, it was a privilege just to come out here and be a spectator, so I am pretty ecstatic,” offered Battle. “This is unbelievable. I can’t thank my Uncle Richard enough, the car has been so good. We didn’t know what it would do with that rain, but it ran well. This race is in memory of Steve Krupski. We lost a legend Friday and it was very sad. He was an awesome guy.”

Finishing second on a second occasion this year was 15-year-old rising star and Spring Classic runner-up; Chase Locke, who started back in ninth and drove up through the field with Battle for another podium. 

“I’m pretty excited,” stated Locke. “Starting in the back, it is cool coming up through the field and racing with Jeffrey (Battle) and all of them was a lot of fun. I love being up here. It’s an amazing track and finishing as well as we did two times in a row feels great.” 

Three-time Pathfinder Bank SBS track champion Dave Cliff drove the best race of his young 350 Super career with Tim Barbeau’s No. 50. Cliff led from the drop of the green until lap 26, when Battle was able to sneak by for the win in the closing laps. 

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Cliff said. “We definitely struggled with the move up to this class early in the season. These cars are pretty challenging, they are very finicky compared to what we are used to. I’m really thrilled with tonight though. We were finally really competitive and I am glad we were able to make Jeffrey (Battle) work for it. That car is a rocket and he does a great job, I saw him coming and knew he would run me clean. We almost had him.” 

After three of the most entertaining heat races in 350 Super history, it was the Oswego regulars Vern LaFave and Cliff leading the healthy mix of hometown drivers and New England invaders to green for 30-laps. 

From the outside lane, Cliff jumped out to the early advantage going into turn one with LaFave running second and Dalton Doyle moving into third.

An early yellow on lap 3 for Tom MacLeod losing a wheel down the backstretch would slow the field for the first time. 

Cliff elected the inside lane for the restart and was once again able to move out in front. 

Meanwhile, Battle and Locke had already gotten by Eddie Witkum Jr, Bobby Timmons III, Mike Bruce, and John Leonard to take over fifth and sixth in quick order. 

Third starting Nick Kinney also made a nice move on the restart to get around the Doyle No. 08 and into third. 

Battle and Locke were next to go by Doyle, taking over positions four and five with Doyle falling to sixth. 

After moving into fourth, Battle only needed half a lap to ride to the outside of Kinney and into a podium position, driving from tenth to third in just five laps. 

With five in the books it was Cliff out in front, LaFave second, Battle now third, Kinney fourth, and Locke in fifth. 

Next to give way to Battle was LaFave on lap 10, with Jeffrey using the outside of the Speedway to go by Vern’s No. 97 headed into turn three. 

Despite taking over the runner-up spot, Battle had a long way to go to reel in leader Cliff, who had built nearly a straightaway advantage on the field. 

However, a caution flag at the halfway mark for fifth running Kinney bunched the field up again, giving Battle a shot on the outside of Cliff for the double-file restart. 

Battle was able to inch out in front on the restart, but he would have to relinquish the position as a nasty crash on the front stretch involving LaFave, Witkum, and Leonard brought out a red flag. 

All three cars were significantly damaged, but fortunately, all three drivers walked away uninjured. 

For the next 15 laps, Cliff showed just how good his race car was, as he kept Battle and Locke behind him until the lap counter showed 26. 

That was when Battle and Locke were both able to sneak by in back-to-back laps for first and second. Cliff would settle for third while Timmons and Bruce completed the top five. 

Filling in the top ten were Dave Helliwell, Kyle Perry, Jon Tesoriero, Barry Kingsley, and Kali Spaulding. 

Danny Lane, LaFave, Kinney, Witkum, Leonard, Bob Magner, Doyle, MacLeod, and Tyler Thompson all ended their evening’s in the pit area. 

Only three events remain in Oswego Speedway’s 2021 championship battle beginning this Saturday, August 7 as JP Jewelers presents ‘Retro Night’ at the races featuring the Novelis Supermodifieds, Pathfinder Bank SBS, and J&S Paving 350 Supers. 

It is also Autograph Night at the Speedway with the session taking place on the front stretch at 5pm before racing takes the green flag at 6:15pm. 

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit OswegoSpeedway.com, LIKE on Facebook at Facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway or Instagram @OfficialOswegoSpeedway. 

RESULTS

Best Western PLUS and Clarion Hotel & Suites Jack Murphy Memorial King of Wings X 

J&S Paving 350 Supermodifieds

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Oswego Speedway

Oswego, NY

Feature (30-laps): 1. 14 JEFFREY BATTLE, 2. 88 ® Chase Locke, 3. 50 ® Dave Cliff, 4. 13 Bobby Timmons III, 5. 22 Mike Bruce, 6. 45 Dave Helliwell, 7. 20 Kyle Perry, 8. 47 ® Jon Tesoriero, 9. 06 Barry Kingsley, 10. 23 ® Kali Spaulding, 11. 9 Danny Lane, 12. 97 Vern LaFave, 13. 7 ® Nick Kinney, 14. 21 Eddie Witkum Jr, 15. 12 John Leonard, 16. 72 ® Bobby Magner, 17. 08 Dalton Doyle, 18. 32 ® Tom MacLeod, 19. 98T Tyler Thompson, DNS 5 Ralph Clark (Crash in time trials) 

Heat 1 (10-laps): 1. 14 Jeffrey Battle, 2. 13 Bobby Timmons III, 3. 45 Dave Helliwell, 4. 12 John Leonard, 5. 23 ® Kali Spaulding, 6. 98T ® Tyler Thompson, DNS 5 Ralph Clark 

Heat 2 (10-laps): 1. 97 Vern LaFave, 2. 22 Mike Bruce, 3. 9 Danny Lane, 4. 7 ® Nick Kinney, 5. 72 ® Bobby Magner, 6. 32 ® Tom MacLeod, 7. 06 Barry Kingsley 

Heat 3 (10-laps) 1. 88 ® Chase Locke, 2. 21 Eddie Witkum Jr, 3. 08 Dalton Doyle, 4. 50 ® Dave Cliff, 5. 20 ® Kyle Perry, 6. 47 ® Jon Tesoriero

Group Time Trials: 1. 14 Jeffrey Battle – 16.909, 2. 88 ® Chase Locke – 17.106, 3. 22 Mike Bruce – 17.174, 4. 13 Bobby Timmons III – 17.212, 5. 08 Dalton Doyle – 17.327, 6. 7 ® Nick Kinney – 17.331, 7. 45 Dave Helliwell – 17.366, 8. 50 ® Dave Cliff – 17.388, 9. 9 Danny Lane – 17.399, 10. 12 John Leonard – 17.425, 11. 21 Eddie Witkum Jr. – 17.438, 12. 97 Vern LaFave – 17.448, 13. 98T ® Tyler Thompson – 17.562, 14. 72 ® Bobby Magner – 17.677, 15. 20 ® Kyle Perry – 17.738, 16. 23 ® Kali Spaulding – 17.825, 17. 06 Barry Kingsley – 17.831, 18. 47 ® Jon Tesoriero – 18.089, 19. 5 ® Ralph Clark – 19.203, DNS 32 ® Tom MacLeod 

D&S Landscaping Hard Charger: #06 Barry Kingsley

Lighthouse Lanes Up & Comer: #88 Chase Locke ®

ISMA, Oswego Speedway

King Mike X: Lichty Holds Off Muldoon to Wear King of Wings Crown for Third Time

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By CAROL D. HAYNES, ISMA PR

OSWEGO, NY (July 31, 2021) – The starting lineup of the King of Wings Jack Murphy Memorial, a co-sanctioned winged Supermodified event at Oswego Speedway, found two hot shoes on the front row in Trent Stephens of Ohio and Mike Lichty, Innerkip, Ont. Right from the drop of the green, the duo put on a torrid battle upfront with Lichty taking the lead and then swapping it with Stephens. A restart yellow on lap 25 found Lichty back in command.

As the upfront battle ensued, Mike Muldoon, Tyler Thompson, Otto Sitterly, AJ Lesiecki, Ben Seitz, Moe Lilje, Aric Iosue, and Dan Connors were in the top ten as the halfway mark approached.

It was now Stephens back in the number one spot with Lichty glued to the back of the 19. But, the halfway lap came and went with Stephens suddenly fading off the pace. The 19, with a broken rocker arm, pulled pitside, leaving Lichty out front with a couple of car length lead.

With 20 to go, Muldoon had the 15 gaining ground on the leader. Thompson, Sitterly, Lesiecki, and Chris Perley were not far behind.

At the lap 50 mark, Lichty continued in pursuit of the 3rd King of Wings title while Muldoon and Thompson were trying to fend off a charging Sitterly, who took over the third spot soon thereafter.

As Lichty reached traffic, Muldoon was able to close the gap significantly and challenge for the top spot in the closing laps but was unable to make the pass with Lichty getting the win, Muldoon second, and Sitterly third.

Thompson and Perley filled in the top five as Lesiecki, Moe Lilje, Ryan Locke, Iosue and Rich Reid filled out the top ten at the checkered.

Heat winners took home bonus awards sponsored by Precision Welding, Dennis and Randy Nadar, and Ted Pittsley of $100 (1st), $30 (2nd), $25 (3rd).

The Hard Charger was Otto Sitterly who received $100 courtesy of the 4th Turn Crazies.

The Last Car Running award of $150 sponsored by Quest Restoration, went to Joe Gosek.

RESULTS

Best Western PLUS, Clarion Hotel & Suites and LaGraf’s Pub Jack Murphy Memorial King of Wings X

ISMA Supermodifieds / Midwest Supermodified Series

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Oswego Speedway

Oswego, NY

Jack Murphy King of Wings X (60-laps): 1. 84 MIKE LICHTY, 2. 15 Michael Muldoon, 3. 7 Otto Sitterly, 4. 98T Tyler Thompson, 5. 11 Chris Perley, 6. 88 AJ Lesiecki 7. 32 Moe Lilje, 8. 37 Ryan Locke, 9. 27 Aric Iosue, 10. 55 Rich Reid, 11. 00 Joe Gosek, 12. 11E Kyle Edwards, 13. 41 Russ Wood, 14. 97 Ben Seitz, 15. 19 Trent Stephens, 16. 01 Dan Connors Jr, 17. 99 Jerry Curran, 18. 22 Mike McVetta, 19. 8 Jonathon Lesiecki, 20. 49 Dave Shullick Jr, 21. 0 Tim Snyder, DNS 61 Mike Ordway Jr. (Blown engine in practice).

Heat 1 (10-laps): 1. 88 AJ Lesiecki, 2. 27 Aric Iosue, 3. 01 Dan Connors Jr, 4. 15 Michael Muldoon, 5. 37 Ryan Locke, 6. 11E Kyle Edwards, 7. 55 Rich Reid

Heat 2 (10-laps): 1. 7 Otto Sitterly, 2. 98T Tyler Thompson, 3. 32 Moe Lilje, 4. 84 Mike Lichty, 5. 11 Chris Perley, 6. 41 Russ Wood, DNS – 99 Jerry Curran

Heat 3 (10-laps): 1. 49 Dave Shullick Jr, 2. 19 Trent Stephens, 3. 97 Ben Seitz, 4. 22 Mike McVetta, 5. 00 Joe Gosek, 6. 0 Tim Snyder, 7. 8 Jonathon Lesiecki

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