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Evans Mills, NY-The 2022 race season kicked off Saturday night at the Evans Mills Raceway Park in grand fashion. The 350 SMAC Series made their inaugural stop at the facility to the delight of race fans in attendance. The racing card was presented by TJ Toyota of Potsdam, NY.
The first feature of the evening saw the Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends take the racing surface. Defending track champion, Coleby Felber, returned to his championship form as he led the entire race from the pole position. Two cautions slowed the race, which allowed Chris Malbeuf a chance at the lead. However, Felber was too strong on the restarts, picking up his first win of 2022. Malbeuf finished second and Kyle Hart finished third.
The Sport Compacts and the Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks were next, for their 20-lap feature. Justin Burns and Joe Orvis led the field to the green flag. Orvis would get the early jump on Burns and set the early pace. Justin Coachman and Mike Durham started to work their way through the field from their 11th and 15th starting positions. The caution flag waved on lap 13 for a spinning Corey Mayer, erasing Orvis’ lead. On the restart, it was Orvis again getting the jump. Coachman would try to run down Orvis but could not catch him before the checkered flag flew. Orvis would win the Next Level Excavation Thunderstock feature, followed by Justin Burns and Tim Greenfield. Coachman would win the sport compact feature, followed by Mike Durham and Billy Matteson.
The invading 350 SMAC Series took the track next for their 50-lap feature. Michael Muldoon and Richard Eaton led the 18-car field to the green flag, which saw consistent lap times in the sub 13.5 second range, averaging speeds over 102 m.p.h. around the 3/8 mile track. An early caution saw Vern LaFave and Eddie Witkum Sr. came together in turns 3 and 4. Muldoon would take the lead and start to set sail. The man on a mission was Jeffery Battle in the #14. On lap 4, Battle would start making his was forward on the outside of the speedway. By halfway, Battle would be up to 4th place and closing in on the leaders. On lap 27, Bobby Holmes, running 3rd at the time, would lose a motor, dropping oil on the speedway. After the cleanup, Muldoon continued his healthy lead over the field. Battle would find Muldoon by lap 38. As Muldoon and Battle exited turn 4 on lap 40, they made contact, slowing Battle and resulting in a 15th place finish. Muldoon would lead the final 10 laps, picking up the feature win, followed by Eaton and Mike Keddy in 3rd.
The final feature saw 21 Caskinette Ford Sportsman Modifieds take the green flag. Several early cautions plagued the opening laps. Taylor Caprara would lead the first twelve laps from the pole. On lap 12, Trevor Catalano would pass Caprara on the outside to take over the top spot. Caprara would spin on lap 25 in turn 2, dropping the defending champion to mid pack. Bryan Sherwood would follow in Catalano’s tracks, looking to both lanes for a way around, but could not find a groove around. Catalano would pick up the win in the 40-lap feature. Sherwood would settle for second and Kreig Heroth, recovered from an early set back to finish third. Another exciting Saturday night is scheduled for May 14th. The Small Block Super Championship Series will make their first of two stop at Evans Mills Raceway Park, for their $1000 to win feature. Also in action will be the Caskinette Ford Sportsman Modifieds, Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, Sport Compacts and the Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks. Pit Gates open at 3pm, General Admission at 5pm, racing starts at 6:30pm. Pit Pass $35, General Admission $15, Military $13, Children 10-17 $10, Under 9 Free with a paid adult
