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By Carol Houssock
(Chemung, NY) Another gamble. Another win. Track promoter Ray Hodge rolled the dice and went for it on a very iffy Friday night. While a slight shower did delay the action for a few minutes, the whole show is now in the history books. Winners included TJ Potrzebowski (Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), Anthony Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders), and Leevi Sharpsteen (JRC Cleaning Bandoleros).
TJ Potrzebowski celebrated his second 2024 win, as a sweep, in the Buckley’s Automotive Modified division. It was not without some drama, however. The 35-lap race took three tries to get going, after spins by Tom Shaffer and JP Harbst. Nick Morich, who started outside the front row, led until his car shut off in turn two after just four laps. Potrzebowski and heat winner/defending champion Lee Sharpsteen had front row seats for the restart and put on a show for the fans. Contact in turn one, side-by-side, then contact again in turn four. Both went into the foam blocks then pitted under caution. Jesse Kent then took over the top spot, while Jody Buckley and Charlie Sharpsteen pressured Potrzebowski back to fourth. With five laps remaining TJ was up to second, closed the gap, and set up a drag race with Kent off turn four on the final lap. Potrzebowski prevailed over Kent, C. Sharpsteen, Buckley, and L. Sharpsteen.
Things got rough during qualifying in the Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks. On the first of eight laps Mike Nichols, who had won the first two features this season, and Tim Gullo got together. Gullo hit the wall and was towed to the pits with damage. Nichols went on to win that heat while defending track champ, Nick Robinson, won the other. It was the first half of a Speedrome sweep for Robinson. He, along with Jim Steffenhagen, Charlie Sharpsteen and Nichols ran together for the first few laps until Sharpsteen spun off the front bumper of Nichols. Both restarted at the rear, leaving Robinson pretty much alone in this one and he scored his first win of the year. Brian DeMark was back and his solid run resulted in a runner-up finish. Frank Chapman, Jr., Nichols, Joe Lane rounded out the top five.
In Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock action Kalysta DeMark, Cullen Sharpsteen and Gene Purvis won the three heats. Chuck Nichols and Mark Taylor led the way early on, with side-by-side action in the first several rows that ended, briefly, when the first caution came out. Back to green meant back to two-wide and sometimes three-wide racing. Devin Gullo, Anthony Gullo, Gil Sharpsteen and Dave Yehl were running among the top six. DeMark was charging through the field but a lap 11 multi-car pileup in turn four took her, Yehl, Joe Lane and Mike Nichols. On the restart, D. Gullo and Gil Sharpsteen led the way until A. Gullo made it a three-wide battle for the lead. He did take over the top spot while his brother was holding off Sharpsteen. With six laps remaining, Sharpsteen got into young Gullo and turned him around. Both restarted at the rear. Over those remaining laps A. Gullo pulled away and left behind a great battle for second. He got the win over Mark Taylor, Chuck Nichols, Bruce Kintner and Dave Decker.
Greg Moldt may have won the Gene’s Automotive war/feature, but heat winner Herb Green won the battle. Longtime Speedrome fans remember the late Herbie Green tearing up the track in his famed #88. In just his second time ever in a race car, he won the heat race. The crowd loved it. Last year’s champ, Joey Bevacqua, started last in the feature and drove to second, getting alongside Moldt a couple times. But Moldt is tough to pass when caught, and no one did. He won the 20-lap race, his scored win in three weeks. Bevacqua was second, followed by Matt Jenkins, Green, and Jason Peck,
Leevi Sharpsteen also swept the JRC Cleaning Bandolero action. He won the 5-lap heat, then started their 10-lap feature from pole position. The caution-free event denied Dallas Harbst and Kamden Wheeler the opportunity to go for a win in this one. Harbst tried in the closing laps but the gap was too large with too little time remaining. However, both Sharpsteen and Wheeler did park in victory lane – his for the completed feature, and hers for the last feature when she had been transported to the hospital following a race-ending wreck.
The Speedrome is now in ‘go’ mode for a big weekend double-header, and the weather looks perfect. On Friday Skyworks Equipment Rental presents the Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds, Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks, Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders, and JRC Cleaning Bandoleros, all going to season points. Pits open at 4:30, grandstand at 5, practice starts at 6 and racing begins at 7 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $3 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids ages 5 and under.
But that’s not all! On Saturday, the roar of the ROC Modifieds returns to Chemung for the 75-lap race rained out earlier this year. Joining them will be the ROC FOAR Score 4 Cylinders and the track’s Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks running for track points. Pits open at 2 PM on Saturday, grandstand at 4, and racing at 6 PM. Admission is $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $15 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under. Free camping is available starting Thursday night.
For information, log on to the track’s website: chemung-speedrome.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook: Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.
Of Note:
A fan from Elmira took home the 50/50 proceeds.
Thanks to Morgan Colegrove, who filled in for announcer Carol Houssock and provided the race details included in this recap.
Chemung Speedrome ’24 apparel (hoodies, t-shirts and hats, along with bumper stickers) are available exclusively at the 07 Collectibles trailer on site.
Chemung Speedrome is proudly sponsored by Jim Bronson and Ferrario Auto Team of Sayre, PA.
Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (35 Laps): TJ POTRZEBOWSKI, Jesse Kent, Charlie Sharpsteen, Jody Buckley, Lee Sharpsteen, Chase Sinsabaugh, Tom Shaffer, Tyler Harbst, JP Harbst, Dakota Anderson, Nick Morich
Heats: Potrzebowski, L. Sharpsteen
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Brian DeMark, Frank Chapman, Jr., Mike Nichols, Joe Lane, Tim Gullo, Frank Chapman III, Chad Lane, Charlie Sharpsteen, Abe Romanik, DJ Shaw, Bradley Mister, Jim Steffenhagen
Heats: Robinson, Nichols
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): ANTHONY GULLO, Mark Taylor, Chuck Nichols, Bruce Kintner, Dave Decker, Josh Parker, Doug DeKay, Mike Bailey, Kalysta DeMark, George Nichols, Jr., Gil Sharpsteen, Devin Gullo, Ethan Roberts, Benn Perry, Mike Kintner, Cullen Sharpsteen, Dave Yehl, Mike Nickels, Gene Purvis, Randy Mathews
Heats: DeMark, C. Sharpsteen, Purvis
Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders (15 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Joey Bevacqua, Matt Jenkins, Herb Green, Jason Peck, Ricky Lane, Augie Worden, Dustin Pruyne, Ryan Purvis Kyle Mortimer, Jason Peck, Ricky Lane, Augustine Worden, Ryan Purvis, Matt Jenkins
Heat: Green
JRC Cleaning Bandoleros (10 Laps): LEEVI SHARPSTEEN, Dallas Harbst, Kamden Wheeler
Heat: Sharpsteen
Photo by Clayton Vargeson
