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Written by Chris Moore
Photo: Jesse Carberry/Myracenews
GEORGETOWN, DE – Just enough.
The 2024 Northeast Modified racing season kicked off with a dramatic 40-lap affair Sunday afternoon at Georgetown Speedway, with Stewart Friesen claiming the $8,500 top prize in the Jake Marine Memorial.
The Sprakers, N.Y., resident earned his 43rd career Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled by Sunoco, at the top of the all-time win list.
Friesen survived a war of tire attrition over the 40-lap race and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour throughout the day at the Sussex County oval.
The Jake Marine Memorial kicked off the Ollie’s Overall Championship and the NJ Quality Drywall South Region for the ’24 season.
“It was a survival of the fittest, daytime, gnarly afternoon race,” Friesen said. “That’s how these go this time of year.
“We had just enough. Our right-rear tire went out going into turn one just after the checkered.”
Friesen rolled off from the third starting position after the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw, with Belle Mead, N.J.’s Brandon Grosso and Milford, Del.’s Jordan Watson making up the front row.
Friesen, however, didn’t appear at the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw in front of the Georgetown crowd, as he and his crew were under the hood of his racecar working out what they believed was an ignition issue.
At the drop of the green flag, Grosso jumped out to the lead and Branchburg, N.J.’s Ryan Krachun was the driver on the move.
Krachun quickly climbed from the sixth starting spot to take third away from Watson and set his sights on runner-up Michael Maresca.
By the conclusion of lap four, Krachun had taken the second spot, but it came at a price. Krachun clipped the infield wall exiting turn four as he took the position and flattened his left-front tire.
Krachun rode it out and continued to hold the second position, while Maresca lost the third position to Friesen on lap seven, and the fourth spot to Matt Sheppard on lap 10.
Friesen continued to march forward, slipping by Krachun for second on lap 17, just one lap prior to the race’s first caution flag.
Under the caution, it became apparent not only that Krachun had a left-front flat tire, but so did Sheppard.
The first sign of tire attrition came on lap 26, when Anthony Perrego limped to the pit area with a right-rear flat. Perrego was the first of many.
Five laps later, leader Grosso and third place-running Sheppard both simultaneously lost their right rear tires.
Other drivers to lose right-rear tires over the final nine laps included Watson, Mike Mahaney, Tyler Dippel, and Danny Bouc.
When the Sunoco checkered flags flew, it was Friesen outlasting the rest of the field to take the Jake Marine Memorial.
“I’ve been through this game so many times,” Friesen smiled. “I was kind of laughing under the yellows, I figured if it goes it goes but we gave it a shot.”
Maresca survived to claim the runner-up spot.
“I saw a piece of canvas fly off Friesen’s car on the last lap,” Maresca explained. “I’ve never seen that before, but I was hoping it was a good sign for us… we did everything we could.”
Boyertown, Pa.’s Mike Gular charged from ninth to round out the podium, with his right-rear tire going flat as the interview was taking place.
“Just tried to save my tires on the long green flag and make passes when I could,” Gular explained. “I guess we were like Stew and had just enough.”
Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown experienced a left-rear flat at the halfway point of the race. He and his team changed both rear tires allowing Godown to charge all the way to fourth.
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson climbed from 16th to round out the top five aboard the Behrent’s Performance Warehouse No. 3.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego, rebounding from a flat right-rear in the Vinnie Salerno owned No. 4*; Oley, Pa.’s Duane Howard aboard the Butch Getz-owned No. 15G; Krachun who ran the final 36 laps with a flat left-front tire in his family-owned No. 29; Sheppard, who also rebounded from a flat right-rear in his No. 9s; and Boyertown, Pa.’s Jeff Strunk, who rounded out the top-10 in Terry Fasnacht-owned No. 2x, teammates with Mike Gular.
Thirty-nine STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in for competition in the season opening event.
Heat winners were Sheppard, Gular, Michael Trautschold, and Friesen. Consolations were won by Austin Hubbard and Bobby Hackel IV.
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman were on hand to open the Belmont’s Garage South Region season.
Delaware local Adam White raced from the outside of the front row to lead all 25-laps and claim his first career STSS win, and the second of his career at Georgetown Speedway.
The win awarded White with a $1,850 payday to open the 2024 racing season.
Payton Talbot, Matt Peck, Ethan Bill, and Jacob King rounded out the top five.
Thirty-eight STSS Crate 602 Sportsman competed in the ‘Jake Marine Memorial.’
Jay Lowman was dominant in the 12-lap Feebs Distilling Delmarva Charger feature. Lowman led all 12-laps with Randy Galloway and Craig Kelly rounding out the top three.
In Delaware Super Truck action, Tony Guinta made a late race pass of Robert Smith to take the win. Cameron Benson and Smith rounded out the podium.
Racing continues for the STSS this weekend, March 15-16, at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa. The ‘Speed Showcase’ offers a $50,000 to the winner for the STSS Modifieds after 75-laps. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman go for 50-laps and a $4,000 winners share and the New York based Pro Stocks are on hand for 25-laps and a $1,250 payday.
Georgetown Speedway action resumes on March 29 for the ‘Mark “Coot” Williams Memorial.’ The Stockley Speed & Supply Super Late Models and Millman’s NAPA Modifieds co-headline the Friday night affair. Also on the card are the Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman, First State Chevrolet RUSH Late Models, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delaware Super Trucks, and Feebs Distilling Delmarva Chargers.
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
A website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact the speedway hotline at 302.563.GTWN (4896).
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.
‘JAKE MARINE MEMORIAL’ RESULTS SUMMARY – GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2024
‘Jake Marine Memorial’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco NJ Quality Drywall South Region Round No. 1 Feature Finish (40 laps): 1. 44-STEWART FRIESEN[3]; 2. 7MM-Michael Maresca[4]; 3. 2A-Mike Gular[9]; 4. 26-Ryan Godown[10]; 5. 3W-Mat Williamson[16]; 6. 4P-Anthony Perrego[13]; 7. 15G-Duane Howard[17]; 8. 29-Ryan Krachun[6]; 9. 9S-Matt Sheppard[5]; 10. 2X-Jeff Strunk[18]; 11. 1Z-Jessica Friesen[14]; 12. 14W-Ryan Watt[25]; 13. 32-Brandon Grosso[1]; 14. 28T-Michael Trautschold[8]; 15. 1D-Tyler Dippel[11]; 16. 7-Rick Laubach[19]; 17. 51-Jordan Watson[2]; 18. 97-Bobby Hackel IV[22]; 19. 35M-Mike Mahaney[7]; 20. 35C-Chris Curtis[24]; 21. 6B-Danny Bouc[12]; 22. (DNF) 1J-Dan Creeden[15]; 23. (DNF) 65-Austin Hubbard[21]; 24. (DNF) 91-Carson Wright[27]; 25. (DNF) 1-Billy Pauch Jr[23]; 26. (DNF) 11-Danny Hieber[20]; 27. (DNF) 6S-Matt Stangle[26]
Did Not Qualify: 6D-Dillon Steuer; 74W-John Willman; J24-Justin Grosso; 31-Ryan Riddle; 9x-James Introne; 9N-Greg Nailor; 70A-Alex Payne; 84Y-Alex Yankowski; 30W-H.J. Bunting; 96-Andy Graves; 10C-Tanner Van Doren; 28-Brett Hearn
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): Ryan Krachun (eighth) & Ryan Watt (12th)
ATL Fuel Cell ‘Hot Lap Hero ($100): Danny Bouc (18.997)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Ryan Godown (fourth) & Matt Sheppard (ninth)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Danny Bouc (Redrew 12th)
Bill Brown & Company Overall Heat Race Hard Charger ($50): Tyler Dippel (seventh to third)
Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Bonus (Oakley Sunglasses): Stewart Friesen (Winner)
EIBACH Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Anthony Perrego (sixth)
Etta’s Catering Qualifying Second Fast Qualifier Bonus ($50): Jessica Friesen (19.085)
Hard Clay After Hours Hard Charger ($300): Ryan Watt (25th to 12th)
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Jessica Friesen (11th)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Stewart Friesen (first – $150 certificate); Michael Maresca (second – $75 certificate); Mike Gular (third – $50 certificate); Ryan Godown (fourth – $25 certificate)
Schultz Racing Fuel Cells Bonus ($100 Certificate): Jeff Strunk (10th)
Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($100 Certificate): Duane Howard (seventh)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman Belmont’s Garage South Region Round No. 1 Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. 10-ADAM WHITE[2]; 2. 14T-Payton Talbot[1]; 3. 51-Matt Peck[9]; 4. 14B-Ethan Bill[3]; 5. 94J-Jacob King[5]; 6. 21-Greg Reed[7]; 7. 20-Ryan Simmons[10]; 8. 1R-Joe Toth[16]; 9. 123-Dale Welty[8]; 10. 52-Jason Musser[15]; 11. 59K-Dakota Kohler[13]; 12. 7J-Jarod Millman[19]; 13. 85-Luke Bunting[18]; 14. 43-Michael White[24]; 15. 27-John Redner[23]; 16. 117-Jesse Hirthler[22]; 17. 89-Dylan Madsen[25]; 18. 4M-Logan Watt[11]; 19. 97-Matt Smith[17]; 20. 142-Justin Zook[26]; 21. 64B-Brett Buono[14]; 22. 37-Chris Martinez[27]; 23. (DNF) 69K-Stephen Kemery[20]; 24. (DNF) 59-Colin Cox[21]; 25. (DNF) 02-Greg Humlhanz[6]; 26. (DNF) 15-Scott Hitchens[4]; 27. (DNF) J94-Jordn Justice[12]
Did Not Qualify: 17T-Kris Thompson; 5W-Pat Wall; 30T-Robert Tete; 23-Devin Dodson; 23H-Troy Hopkins; 86-Trey Hicks; 5WC-Chuckles Stone; 142-Justin Zook; 2-Johnny Burton; 43P-Stephen Puglisi, Jr.; 12-George Schweigart; 38L-Jared LaBagh
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonus (FREE Tire Certificate): Greg Reed (sixth)
Belmont’s Garage Hard Charger Award ($100): Michael White (24th to 14th)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($25): Jordn Justice (Redrew 12th)
Fastline Performance Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Payton Talbot (second) & Jarod Millman (12th)
Fastline Performance ‘Hot Lap Hero ($50): Dylan Madsen (20.261)
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Dakota Kohler (11th)
Feebs Distilling Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (12 laps): 1. 2A-JAY LOWMAN[1]; 2. 44R-Randy Gallaway[7]; 3. 10-Craig Kelly[8]; 4. 37-Josh Dahling[2]; 5. 62-Randy Merritt[11]; 6. 4-Tyler Hottle[9]; 7. 27W-Wyatt Cummings[3]; 8. 18X-Eddie Ashwell[10]; 9. 72-Billy Cummings[4]; 10. 12-John Healy[5]; 11. 92-Robbie Strain[6]
Delaware Super Truck Feature Finish (12 laps): 1. 68-TONY GUINTA[6]; 2. 29-Cameron Benson[9]; 3. 01-Robert Smith[7]; 4. 89-Thomas Jackson[1]; 5. 84-TJ Williams[11]; 6. 77-Tim Williams[4]; 7. 13-Joshua Wilson[15]; 8. 31-TJ Hazlewood[13]; 9. 327-Chase Carter[17]; 10. 7-Tyrell Burkett[18]; 11. 4-Carl Walker[16]; 12. 50-Erin Wilson[14]; 13. 71Q-Tim Quay[3]; 14. 27-Michelle Collins[2]; 15. 16-Nick Rust[12]; 16. 00-Mackenzie Williams[10]; 17. 34-Scott Trice[8]; 18. 23-Troy Hopkins[5]
