By: Steven Petty
LANCASTER, NY (July 14, 2022) … A last-lap pass propelled second-generation driver Andy Jankowiak from Tonawanda, NY to the Sportsman feature win as part of the Thursday Throwdown at Lancaster Motorplex. Mark Hoch from West Seneca, NY won his second straight Street Stock feature. Recently engaged and reigning track champion David Brunka from Cheektowaga, NY picked up the 4 Cylinder win. Kyle Hutchinson from Alden, NY won the Mighty TQ Midget feature for his second Lancaster win of the season.
Mark Pennell and Andy Nye were on the front row for the 30-lap feature for the Sportsman, with Pennell showing the way. Andy Jankowiak would take over fourth place from Bobby Hanel on lap three, and then would go after Alan Bookmiller for third place on lap four. John Barber hit the turn three Thermal Foam to bring out the caution. Pennell would continue to show the way as Jankowiak would battle with Nye for second. Jankowiak would take second place away on lap six and would go to the rear bumper of Pennell for the lead. Alan Bookmiller spun in turn three to bring out the caution on lap 11. The restart would see Pennell continue to lead over Jankowiak, with Andrew Nye, Mike Fiebelkorn Jr, and Shawn Nye racing in the top five. The lead duo of Pennell and Jankowiak would pull away from Shawn Nye, Fiebelkorn, and Bobby Weber racing in the top five. The leaders would settle it amongst themselves and coming off turn four on the final lap, Pennell got loose and spun, allowing Jankowiak to get on by and score the win.
James Loveland and Frank Prell were on the front row for the Street Stock feature, with Loveland showing the early advantage. Mark Hoch would take second away from Prell on the opening circuit. Hoch would go to the outside of Loveland to take the lead on lap three, with Mike Dalfonso racing in third place. Rich Sharpe would take third away on lap six, as Hoch started to increase his lead. Sharpe would take second away from Loveland on lap nine, as Dalfonso would pass Loveland to move into third place. Dave Krawczyk would battle with Dalfonso for third at the halfway point and would move into the third spot on lap 17, just as Rich Sharpe would reel in race leader Hoch. Hoch would pull away in the late going to score his second straight win.
Ryan Hessler would take the lead away from Kyle Casper on the opening circuit of the 20-lap 4 Cylinder feature. Casper and Hessler would battle for the lead with Casper regaining the lead on lap three. Chris Deyoe Jr would battle with Casper for the lead and would take it away on lap six, and David Brunka would then take the lead away from Deyoe on lap seven. Brunka would pull away from the rest of the field as he would go on to score the win, his second of the season.
Vinnie Christiano III and Andy Jankowiak were on the front row for the Mighty TQ Midgets feature with Jankowiak showing the way. Kyle Hutchinson would move into second on lap two. Following a lap three restart, Hutchinson would take over the lead with Shawn Nye, Brian Schulz, Dave Wollaber, and Ronnie Flaim racing in the top five. The yellows would wave once again on lap seven for a Kenyon Zitzka spin in turn three. Dave Wollaber would take over second following the restart and would go after Hutchinson for the lead, as Nye raced in third. Hutchinson would increase his lead over the latter half of the race, as Hutchinson would pull away to score his second Lancaster win of the season.
During victory lane ceremonies, representatives from Nu-Way Auto Parts presented each feature winner with a cooler. Mike Hossfeld from 716 Stock Car Racers on Facebook presented each feature winner with a brand new 716 Stock Car Racers decal.
At all stock car events, the popular Big Wheel Races will be taking place during intermission. Kids aged 12 and under can sign up at the sign-up table located at the main gate each race night.
Stock Car Racing returns on Saturday, July 23 for Front Line Workers Recognition Night. Front Line Workers Recognition Night is being presented by First Out Rescue Equipment, 10-75 Emergency Vehicles LLC of WNY, JJ Supply of North Carolina, Whelen Engineering, and the New York Army National Guard. The New York Super Stock Series (NYSS) will return for their second race of the season as will the Late Models. The Sportsman, Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders, and the Mighty TQ Midgets will round out the racing card. Racing will get underway next Saturday night at 6:00 pm. Pit gates will open at 2 pm, with grandstand gates opening at 4:30 pm. Admission is $25 for adults, front line workers with ID $20, Seniors 65+ is $20, kids aged 9-15 are $15, with kids 8 and under admitted FREE.
Please stay up to date on all things Lancaster, by checking out our Facebook and Twitter page and soon, the brand-new speedway website.
RACE RESULTS – THURSDAY THROWDOWN
Sportsman: ANDY JANKOWIAK, Shawn Nye, Mike Fiebelkorn Jr, Bobby Weber, Bobby Hanel, Jake Lutz, Andrew Nye, Jake Vernon, Tom MacLeod, Alan Bookmiller, Mark Pennell, Tim Garlock, Andrew Cook, Dave Kozlowski, George Skora III, Tony Carbone, John Barber
Did Not Start: Todd Lorenzo
Qualifying Heats: Mike Fiebelkorn Jr, Alan Bookmiller, Mark Pennell
Street Stocks: MARK HOCH, Rich Sharpe, Dave Krawczyk, Mike Dalfonso, Jacob Gustafson, Nik Welshans, James Loveland, Tim Welshans, Dylan Carbone, Frank Batista Jr, Wes LaBar, Garret Cleversley, Russ Bulger Jr, Mike Rogers, Kyle Schosek, Matt Friend, Will Cloutier, Frank Prell
Did Not Start: Jerry Kosmowski
Qualifying Heats: Mark Hoch, Jacob Gustafson, Rich Sharpe
4 Cylinders: DAVID BRUNKA, Chris Deyoe Jr, Dan Dressel, Kyle Casper, Charles Palmer, Russ Bulger Jr, Ryan Hessler, Mason Offhaus, Casey Pew, John Byrd, Hunter McKay, Russ Bulger Sr
Did Not Start: Jacob Costa
Qualifying Heats: Chris Deyoe Jr, Kyle Casper
Mighty TQ Midgets: KYLE HUTCHINSON, Dave Wollaber, Shawn Nye, Brian Schulz, Nick Groff, Erik Musto, Ronnie Flaim, Andy Jankowiak, Vinnie Christiano III, Brendan Wallace, Tony Petrea, Jim Harbison Kevin Wilson, Chester Haywood, Kenyon Zitzka, Adam Brown
Qualifying Heats: Shawn Nye, Dave Wollaber