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By Carol Houssock
Photo by Clayton Vargeson
(Chemung, NY) Mother Nature continues to challenge track promoters in New York’s Twin Tiers, but Ray Hodge took her on and pulled off a great night of racing under nearly perfect weather conditions. A pair of area restaurants, Pick’s Pub and Zack’s Grill jointly sponsored the action. TJ Potrzebowski (Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), Anthony Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks) and Greg Moldt (4 Cylinders) parked in victory lane after winning their respective features.
The Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds ran a caution-free 30-lap feature, after point leader Lee Sharpsteen won the heat. When the green flag brought the field to life, the front two rows stayed intact. It was Jesse Kent and Sharpsteen ahead of TJ Potrzebowski and Zack Curren. Sharpsteen and Curren got to the inside and moved up to first and second while Kent fell to third. By the sixth lap Potrzebowski had taken third from Kent and he started to reel in Curren. Their battle was a great one, but it gave Sharpsteen time to build up a lead. On lap 13 Potrzebowski passed Curren and started to reel in the leader. The gap lessened on each lap, and he caught Sharpsteen. As flagger Gary Ham gave the five to go indication, it was Potrzebowski who saw it first. Once out in front, he took off. Behind him, the racing was first class, with positions two through five mixing it up. Potrzebowski scored his third win of the year, this time over Sharpsteen, Curren, Kent and Nick Morich.
Race teams bounce back. A week after being disqualified for actions after the feature, both Fank Chapman, Jr. and Tim Gullo rallied and won the two heats in the Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks. Chapman led the way in their 25-lap feature but his son’s spin while working lap two brought out the first of four cautions. The second occurred on the restart when Abe Romanik spun in turn two. Chapman, Jr. led Jason Duke, Sr., and point leader Nick Robinson when the race resumed. Chapman III spun a second time, forcing a lap seven restart. While working lap nine, Robinson passed Chapman and led the way for a lap. That’s when Duke turned Charlie Sharpsteen, and both restarted at the rear. Up front, it was Mike Nichols who was on the move, up to second and then in chase mode with Robinson. He let him know he was there a few times, but Robinson stayed out front and grabbed the win. Nichols, Chapman, Jr., Brian DeMark and Sharpsteen rounded out the top five. “He got me a little free. Side-by-side racing if fun and fine in my book,” Robinson said.
Anthony Gullo is a driver/car combo that can go anywhere on the track and produce results. Friday night he parked in victory lane after win number six this year in the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock division. A week ago, his car failed pre-race tech. They did what they needed to do and passed pre-race tech Friday night. “We tore it apart this week,” he said. Mike Lattimer led the opening laps, but Gullo wasted no time pulling off what has become a classic low dive into turn three to move up rapidly. Many have tried that move, and many have failed. Fans saw him do it twice during the 20-lap feature. The lead was his on lap three. He faced challenges on four restarts following caution periods. Challenges beside him included Lattimer and Brandon Ameigh. While the rundown changed from second on back, the leader stayed the same. Point leader and two-time defending champions Josh Parker finished second, ahead of Ameigh, Dave Decker, and Lattimer. “I’m having a blast, not running for points, I just want to win races,” Gullo said after a sweep of the action. Ameigh and Ethan Roberts won the other heats.
When Greg Moldt unloads his 4 Cylinder car, everyone else racing with him better be ready. He produced another sweep of the action, winning his heat and picking up his seventh win of the season. The 20-lap feature had Joey Bevacqua going around pole-sitter Matt Jenkins to lead the way. Moldt was in third, with Mike Ferris and Ricky Lane right behind him. Bevacqua’s lead ended on lap four when Moldt took over. Three laps later Ferris spun the dirt car he brought to the track to bring out the only caution flag. Moldt chose the outside of the front row for the restart, and he took off when he saw green. Over the remaining 13 laps Moldt was gone. But a great three-way battle ensued, among Bevacqua, Jenkins, and Kyle Mortimer. The race ended with Moldt, Bevacqua, Mortimer, Jenkins, and Jason Peck in the top five.
This Friday the Speedrome welcomes the New York Super Stock Series for a 50-lap race to go along with the Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds, Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks and the 4 Cylinders. The track will also host the second Powder Puff race of the season. Pits open at 4:00, grandstand at 5, practice starts at 6 and the first green flag flies at 7. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $13 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:
· Donnie Russell from the Duke Motorsports team was injured in the infield while working on Jason’s car. According to the team, the grassy surface was uneven. When the car tipped it put added stress on the jack, which then dropped the car. Greater Valley EMS transported him to the hospital. He has several shoulder fractures but is now home resting.
· Rachel, a race fan from Bath, NY won $438 in the 50/50.
· The decision was made after the races on July 28th to end the Bandolero season. Bandit driver Devin Gullo is the overall champion this year. Joey Allowatt finished second in total points, but he won the Outlaw title. Each had numerous stops in victory lane dating back to the May opener. They are the first of the champions to be congratulated this year.
Pick’s Pub and Zack’s Grill Night Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): TJ POTRZEBOWSKI, Lee Sharpsteen, Zack Curren, Jesse Kent, Nick Morich, JP Harbst, Tyler Harbst
Heat: Sharpsteen
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Mike Nichols, Frank Chapman, Jr., Brian DeMark, Charlie Sharpsteen, Frank Chapman III, Terry Potrzebowski, Abe Romanik, Jason Duke, Jr., Derrick Tarbox, Mark Taylor, Bradley Mister, Cameron Nichols, Jason Duke, Sr., Tim Gullo, Chad Lane
Heats: Chapman, Jr., Gullo
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): ANTHONY GULLO, Josh Parker, Brandon Ameigh, Dave Decker, Mike Lattimer, Ray Dann, Ethan Roberts, Mike Nickels, Sidnie Decker, Luke Nickels, Mike Bailey, George Nichols, Jr., Ben Perry, Cullen Sharpsteen, Gene Purvis, Mark Taylor, Ajay Potrzebowski
Heats: Ameigh, Gullo, Roberts
Four Cylinders (20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Joey Bevacqua, Kyle Mortimer, Matt Jenkins, Jason Peck, Ricky Lane, Joey Allowatt, Mike Ferris
