0
0
By Carol Houssock
(Chemung, NY) Despite a horrible forecast for Friday, Ray and Ellen Hodge took a chance to go for it. This time, the promotional team won, as the track conditions were near perfect for a five-division program. Firehouse Subs sponsored the night, and their District Manager enjoyed being part of the victory lane with the top three in each feature. Race winners included TJ Potrzebowski (Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), Anthony Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (4 Cylinders), and Joey Allowatt (Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros). Fans are reminded that Chemung will be racing this coming Saturday evening instead of the usual Friday nights.
Nick Morich got things going in the Buckley’s Automotive Modified division by winning their heat race. He and Jesse Kent made up the front row for the start of the 30-lap feature, with track veterans Lee Sharpsteen and TJ Potrzebowski right behind them. Kent got the advantage when the green flag dropped, and he led the first three laps. Morich took over on lap four and he held the top spot for 13 laps. Just short of the halfway point Kent bobbled a bit, allowing Potrzebowski and Sharpsteen to close in. Potrzebowski waited until lap 17 before clearing his nephew’s #26 and he started to reel in leader Morich. With five to go, it was a three-man race and one that ended with Potrzebowski, Morich and Kent lined up in that order for post-race interviews. “I’ve had some issues with the car, but my guys did a lot of work to get it running good again,” Potrzebowski said after winning for the first time this year since the May 6th season opener.
Six cautions flew in the 25-lap Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stock feature. Earlier in the evening Charlie Sharpsteen and Jason Duke, Jr. had won their respective heats. Handicapping put the father-son duo of Jason Duke, Jr. and Sr. in row one for the start. Jr. held off his father initially, but Sr. led by inches on the opening lap. The second caution, with four laps complete, came when Frank Chapman, Jr. blew. He spun in his own oily fluid and hit the turn one foam blocks. Like being on ice, the oil also led to spins by Chad Lane, Mark Taylor, and Bradley Mister. Chapman and Lane were done early. When the race resumed, Frank Chapman III powered to the front, followed by Nick Robinson. After ten laps, Robinson overtook Chapman for the lead. The most serious moment came while working lap 19. Taylor got loose in four and, in the process of correcting his car, collected Duke, Sr. He was able to pull away, but Taylor slammed the front stretch wall hard, on the driver’s side. Fortunately, he exited under his own power, but his car was badly damaged. The final caution came with four laps remaining. Abe Romanik got into the Chapman 98, and both restarted at the rear. With Robinson up front, Chapman worked his way to the front and got as far as third. At the stripe it was point leader Robinson with the win over Duke, Jr., Chapman III, Duke, Sr., and Bradley Mister.
The Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks continue to provide exciting action on the track. Point leader Anthony Gullo and two-time track champion Josh Parker won their heats. The 20-lap feature had Mike Bailey on the pole and Brandon Ameigh alongside for the start. Ameigh prevailed, with Tom Shaffer going from fourth to second on the opening lap. Their time up front was short-lived, as Shaffer got into Ameigh in turn two and brought out the caution. That allowed Gullo and Parker to restart from the front row. Gullo’s stout #51 led the way and, over the next 12 laps, had built up a nice lead over Parker and a hard-charging Mike Nickels. With 17 laps complete, the race went yellow for the second time when Ethan Roberts spun in turn four. The restart was the same as the other one, with Gullo leading the way. He won, followed by Parker, Nickels, Dave Decker and Shaffer.
The 4 Cylinder division ran caution-free in their 20-lap feature. It was another sweep for former track champion Greg Moldt, whose dominant car is seemingly in a class of its own. Point leader Joey Bevacqua was the first off turn two, but Moldt passed him on the back stretch and had the advantage by the time they reached turn three. From there, it was a super battle for second, between Bevacqua and Matt Jenkins. Moldt, who now has five wins in his five 2023 appearances, was joined in victory lane by his favorite sidekick, his daughter Emily. Bevacqua was second, followed by Jenkins, Ricky Lane and Jason Peck.
Joey Allowatt (Outlaw) and overall point leader Devin Gullo (Bandit) have the victory lane speeches down pat, as both won in his age group. Allowatt was the first to negotiate turns one and two, and he never looked back in the 8-lap race. Gullo, who finished second, said they made some changes to his car and need to try some other things for next week. Lily Gullo finished third in her first year of racing.
This Saturday, July 15th, CVS Health Chemung Distribution Center presents an exciting, must-see program. Honoring the late Ed McGuire, two ROC divisions make a return to Chemung to run a pair of 51-lap features. The ROC Sportsman division last visited Chemung in 2019, while it has been two years since the ROC Super Stocks last ran at the track. Chemung’s Hobby Stocks will also be in competition in a non-points, Speedrome-rules race. Pits open at 2:00 PM, practice and grandstand at 4, and the first green flag flies at 6. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 5 to 12, and free for kids ages 5 and under.
For information, log on to the track’s website: chemung-speedrome.com, go to Facebook, go to Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome on Facebook, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.
Of note:
· Raegan, an excited fan, claimed $342 in the 50/50 with the winning ticket.
· Kenny Shupp, host of Life in the Fast Lane Rewind and correspondent for AARN, visited the track again Friday night. Chemung is a supporter of his show, and he provides the track with great coverage each Monday night on his radio show.
· Announcer Carol Houssock joined the fans in the grandstand to call a pair of races, something she hasn’t done in a few years.
· The track is now including the top three in post-race interviews, representative of podium finishes for the racers.
Firehouse Subs Night Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): TJ POTRZEBOWSKI, Nick Morich, Jesse Kent, Lee Sharpsteen, Jody Buckley, Tyler Harbst, Charlie Sharpsteen
Heat: Morich
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Jason Duke, Jr., Frank Chapman III, Jason Duke, Sr., Bradley Mister, Abe Romanik, Charlie Sharpsteen, Mark Taylor, Tim Gullo, Donnie Russell, Chad Lane, Frank Chapman, Jr., Brian DeMark (DNS)
Heats: C. Sharpsteen, Duke, Jr.
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): ANTHONY GULLO, Josh Parker, Mike Nickels, Dave Decker, Tom Shaffer, Brandon Ameigh, Gene Purvis, Bruce Kinner, George Nichols, Jr., Mike Lattimer, Mike Bailey, Cullen Sharpsteen, Ethan Roberts, Jimmy Hill, Ben Perry, Luke Nickels
Heats: Gullo, Parker
Four Cylinders (20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Joey Bevacqua, Matt Jenkins, Ricky Lane, Jason Peck
Heat: Moldt
Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros (8 Laps): JOEY ALLOWATT, Devin Gullo, Lily Gullo
Photo by Clayton Vargeson
