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Photo by Clayton Vargeson
by Carol Houssock
(Chemung, NY) Perfect weather provided the perfect setting for an action-packed Friday night at
Chemung Speedrome, presented by Ferrario Auto Team of Sayre, PA. In addition to the regular five-
division program, the track finished up business from the rained-out July 5 th show by running a pair of
races for the popular Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks. Winners included Jesse Kent (Buckley’s
Automotive Modifieds), Tim Gullo (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), Devin Gullo and Mike Nickels
(Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders), and Leevi
Sharpsteen (JRC Cleaning Bandoleros). While some titles have already been locked up, others are
extremely close heading into the final points race on September 6 th .
Jesse Kent’s season has been nothing short of ups and downs, with his highlight being three consecutive
runner-up finishes in the Buckley’s Automotive Modified division. Until now. Kent started outside the
front row and powered around Charlie Sharpsteen as he exited turn two on the first of 35 laps. That was
the race, as he never surrendered the lead. Two cautions slowed the field, for single car spins by Jody
Buckley and Zack Knowlden. Early on Sharpsteen stayed behind him but point leader TJ Potrzebowski
was on the move and up to second by lap seven. The two pulled away, leaving Kevin Youngs running
with the Sharpsteen brothers, Charlie and Lee. Youngs got away in third position and spent the
remainder of the race watching Kent and his Uncle, Potrzebowski, get further away. When it was over,
Kent celebrated in victory lane, clutching his son Levi and surrounded by family and friends. “The car
was getting tight, but I held on. I have so many to thank, but mainly my Grandpa (George Kent). He and I
do most of the work,” he told the crowd. Potrzebowski finished second, ahead of Youngs, Lee
Sharpsteen, and Keith Youngs.
When you enter a race as the points leader, it’s almost certain some want to change that. “I think
everyone out there tried to wreck me. It didn’t work,” said point leader and feature winner Tim Gullo.
His run in the Blauvelt Funeral Home seemed a whole lot less threatening, given the event was slowed
by just three cautions. Gullo started fourth in the 25-lapper, alongside Nick Robinson who’s second in
points. They ended up chasing Frank Chapman, Jr. early on. Two cautions, with three laps in, set up an
opportunity for Gullo and he capitalized on it. When Chapman drifted high, he lost four spots. Gullo led,
with Robinson and Geary Rinehimer, Jr. close behind. The final caution came 11 laps in, and Robinson
led lap 12. But Gullo reclaimed the lead on lucky lap 13 and he held off a relentless Robinson and won
the race over Robinson, Rinehimer, Chapman and Charlie Sharpsteen.
The remaining rained-out feature, for the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, is now in the history
books. Mike Nickels, who started third, went three-wide and got past both Mike Bailey and Doug DeKay
to lead the opening lap in the 20-lap race. The first of two caution came when Kalysta DeMark spun in
turn two while running second. Her car was off in this one, spinning again two laps later. Up front,
Nickels, looking for his first ’24 win, maintained the lead over Chuck Nichols, Gil Sharpsteen and Anthony
Gullo. As lap 20 neared, the gap widened between first and second, and when the checkered flag flew
on that 20 th lap, it was Nickels who scored the win. “It’s a good car and handled really good today,” he
said.
With 22 cars on hand for the regularly scheduled Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, four heats were
needed for the first time ever in the growing division. Devin Gullo, Dave Yehl, Cullen Sharpsteen, and
Doug DeKay picked up those wins. A big car count, and the absence of racing for a month, likely led to
the caution-filled 20-lap race. Devin Gullo led the way and he got lots of practice holding off others
during all the restarts, four of which came after three laps. Gullo lost the lead on lap six to Cullen
Sharpsteen, but he reclaimed the top spot by the halfway point with a bump-and-run. Dave Yehl
emerged as the leader on lap 14 after a restart. Gullo held his line and reclaimed the lead a lap later.
Likewise, for Yehl, who led lap 16. Again, 13-year-old Gullo saw his opportunity and got the lead back.
His older brother, Anthony, was also on the move and up to third. With two to go, Devin and Anthony
were running first and second, and they finished that way with Yehl third. “With all those cautions, I was
hoping it would stay green, but it was great racing between us three,” the first-time winner said from a
victory lane crowded with supporters. The win was especially satisfying, since Devin missed the first
feature due to a carburetor issue fixed in time for his sweep.
Greg Moldt, who leads the Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinder division in feature wins again this year, got his
4 th win on Friday. He started the night by winning his heat, as did Kyle Mortimer. It was Mortimer who
led the opening lap, before Moldt found his way around him and proceeded to pull away. Zack Jaynes
was also on the move, and he took over second on lap 11. The only caution came out when Augustine
Worden spun. On the restart, Moldt took off and left behind a great battle between Jaynes and last
year’s champion, Joey Bevacqua. They kept it a tight race but Moldt held on a got the win. “I’ve got to
get a bigger motor and see how it goes,” he said. By all accounts, it’s already gone well for the veteran
racer.
Leevi Sharpsteen swept the action in the Bandolero division. Fresh off an A-Main win at Millbridge (NC),
he kept the momentum going. He also broke the tie in points between himself and Kamden Wheeler,
the only two racers to have won features this year. The race was a short one for Brynlee Sharpsteen,
Leevi’s sister, who went hard into the infield fence. Throughout the race, Wheeler stayed with him but
the gap widened as lap eight neared. Dallas Harbst finished behind Wheeler in third.
The Speedrome is quiet this Friday (August 30) but returns to action on Friday, September 6 th for
Championship Night, presented by Flynn Energy. Pits open at 4:30, grandstand at 5, practice at 6, and
racing at 7 PM. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors ages 65+, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and free for
kids ages 5 and under.
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:
Glen, from Waverly, won $525 in the 50/50.
The Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks division continues to grow, from four cars just four years ago,
to the need for four heats with 22 cars on hand.
Jesse Kent and Tim Gullo earned guaranteed starting spots for the DLM events at Oswego this coming
Friday.
Emergency vehicles responded quickly to a fan having a medical condition while going to his car after
the races were over. As of Saturday morning, he in in the ICU after suffering cardiac arrest.
Chemung Speedrome ’24 apparel (hoodies, t-shirts and hats, along with bumper stickers) are available
exclusively at the 07 Collectibles trailer on site.
Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (35 Laps): JESSE KENT, TJ Potrzebowski, Kevin Youngs, Lee Sharpsteen,
Keith Youngs,, Ajay Potrzebowski, Jr., Charlie Sharpsteen, Zach Knowlden, Nick Robinson, Nick Morich,,
Teddy Bowen, Jody Buckley, Chase Sinsabaugh, Dakota Anderson, JP Harbst, Aaron Dorman, Tyler Harbst
Heats: TJ Potrzebowski, C. Sharpsteen
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): TIM GULLO, Nick Robinson, Geary Rinehimer, Jr., Frank
Chapman, Jr., Frank Chapman III, Jason Duke, Sr., Charlie Sharpsteen, Aaron Cornell, Bradley Mister,
Chad Lane, Mike Nichols, Joe Lane, Abe Romanik, (DNS) Derrick Tarbox
Heats: Chapman, Jr., Duke
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): DEVIN GULLO, Anthony Gullo, Dave Yehl, Ajay
Potrzebowski, St., Gene Purvis, Doug DeKay, Mike Nickels, Sidnie Decker, Chuck Nichols, Mark Taylor,
Ben Perry, Dave Decker, Cullen Sharpsteen, Ethan Roberts, Kalysta DeMark, Gil Sharpsteen, Mike Bailey,
George Nichols, Jr., M T Taylor, Mike Kintner, W. Widrig, John Widrig, (DNS) Ryan Wolcott
Heats: D. Gullo, Yehl, C. Sharpsteen, DeKay
Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders (20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Joey Bevacqua, Zack Jaynes, Kyle Mortimer,
Matt Jenkins, Ryan Purvis, Jason Peck, Ricky Lane, Augustine Worden, Ron Mainwaring, (DNS) Adriana
Purvis
Heats: Mortimer, Moldt
JRC Cleaning Bandoleros (8 Laps): LEEVI SHARPSTEEN, Kamden Wheeler, Dallas Harbst,, (DNS) Brynlee
Sharpsteen
Heat: Sharpsteen
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (July 5 th race, 20 Laps): MIKE NICKELS
Heats: D. Gullo, M. Nickels, G. Sharpsteen
