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EVANS MILLS, NY – Racing returned to the Evans Mills Raceway Park Saturday night with perfect weather after many consecutive rain outs. Coming off the heels of Relay for Life of the North Country at the race track the night before, Legends Night presented by Thomas Trash Service in Adams, NY was on tap with legendary drivers and representatives of pioneers of motorsports in the North Country coming back to visit the facility. As part of Legends Night the 3rd annual Zeigler ’67 Memorial race for the Kinney Drugs Modifieds would be the main event accompanied by a Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends National Qualifier, Classic Car Show, Spectator Drag Racing, and all other weekly divisions.
With help from the Zeigler family of Scott, Rodney, Steve, Patti, and sponsors they recruited to join the night there was a healthier purse on the line for Modifieds, and plenty of cash prizes to other divisions including heat and feature race winners.
Spectator Drag races would kick the night off with the first round of their double elimination bracket. Tournament favorite Dan Estal in his white 2017 Ford Mustang would have gear trouble and need assistance exiting the track. Newcomer Ryan Purcell looked like his yellow Corvette could win the first round, but it was Brendon Fone’s experience in his green Dodge Charger that would take round 1.
Later in the night round two would work through driver’s that lost in round one. Purcell would have to leave early and miss round two. With Dan Estal getting loaded on a rollback, his brother Andrew Estal would work his way to the Championship round by beating Brendon Fone’s second entry, a white Honda Civic and Tim Keyes in his black Jeep. A. Estal would then face Fone in his green Charger where Fone would take the race and claim the title of the first Spectator Drags of the season.
Spectator Drags Results: 1) Brendon Fone (Charger), 2) Andrew Estal (Subaru), 3)Ryan Purcell(Corvette), 4) Tim Keyes (Jeep), 5)Brendon Fone (Civic), Dan Estal (Mustang)
dozens of vintage cars would join the show in the midway and then hit the track before feature races for a cruise-in parade and burnout session.
The Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends rolled off for their first of two INEX National Qualifiers in 2025 with loyal EMRP fan Jimmy Albanese waving the green flag. The race would be an incredible battle between Dalton Rombough and Brayton Malbeuf picking up where it left off on May 10th. Midway through the 30 lap feature both drivers would cross each other over for the lead for three consistent laps. A hard hit to the turn 1 barrier for Devin Thornton would bring out a yellow and Breanne Gilligan would take that opportunity to join the battle and secure the second spot from Malbeuf as Rombough charged to Thousand Island Bait Store victory lane.
Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends Results: 1) Dalton Rombough, 2)Breanne Gilligan, 3) Brayton Malbeuf, 4) Joel Hall, 5) Landen Herring, 6) Josh Oomen, 7) Jayden Hall, 8) Damon Bush, 9) Aaron Wilmot, 10) Zach Christman, 11) Damian Goodnough, 12) Ian Siebert, 13) Tyler Mix, 14) Carrie Carr, 15) Brianna Berry, 16) Ray Davis, 17) Devin Thornton
The 3rd annual Zeigler’67 was set to pay $1,967 to the feature winner in honor of the first year the Evans Mills Speedway operated. Karen Atkinson, daughter of pioneer Doug Atkinson would send the field to green with Jake Christman and Bryan Sherwood battling for the top spot. Both cars looked to have the right stuff is the feature stayed green. Drivers looked aggressive and eager on the night. Perhaps, all the previous rain-outs built up tons of ambition. the spring crowd would see spins to the infield in each corner and a few pile ups through the race. After a few restarts Joe Papin would find his way to the front row and take control of the lead from there. Sherwood and Christman wouldn’t stay far behind looking to challenge in the closing laps. However it was Kaden Rogers from the 10th starting position that picked his way through the field through the inside and outside to find Papin’s bumper for the final few restarts. a closing laps caution would reset the field for a green-white-checkered leaving no doubt that Papin had the advantage to run to the victory.
The Kinney Drugs Modifieds performing a four-wide salute for the 3rd Annual Zeigler ’67
Kinney Drugs Modifieds Results: 1) Joe Papin, 2) Kaden Rogers, 3) Jake Christman, 4) Taylor Caprara, 5) Dylan Bancroft, 6) Geoff Sharkey, 7)Eddie Hawkins, 8) Kyle Hart, 9) Tony Pettinelli, 10) Kevin Warren, 11) Anthony Pettinelli, 12) Scott Dinzler, 13) John Sippel, 14) Bryan Sherwood, 15) Tyler Stevenson, 16) Eli Petzoldt, 17) Chris Finocchario, 18) Jake Brown, 19) Jeff Pringle 20) Terry Gardner, 21) Andre Roggie 22) Joey Clark, 23) Joey VanLare
The four-cylinder feature race proved Mike Cole’s speed is for real this year. To officially start the race, Haeley Austin, granddaughter of Larry Austin would wave the green flag for Bobby and Christine Thurston. Chuck Powelczyk’s return to the Mills saw him jump to an early lead for the Stewart’s Shops Sport Compacts and it appeared as if he had under control. However, Mike Cole would find his way around to back up his first ever feature win, with his second win in consecutive races.
Justin Burns start up front for the Thunderstocks and would run away to the win while Jared Gilson stayed close behind for second.
Stewart’s Shops Sport Compacts Results: 1) Mike Cole, 2) Chuck Powelczyk, 3) Sam Curcie, 4) Angela Pettinelli, 5) Bridget Austin, 6) Amy Seeley
Thunderstocks Results: 1) Justin Burns, 2) Jared Gilson, 3) Colby Goodale, 4) Mike Marcinko, 5) Jake Whitney, 6) Levi Goodale, 7) Christopher Wilson, 8) Blake Briggs, 9) David Paige, 10) Bill Gardner Jr.
The Excess Storage Pro Late Models closed out the night with an interesting twist. Dylan Bancroft jumped to the lead and was on his way to his first ever Pro Late Model win at Evans Mills until a jump to the inside of soon to be lapped car cleaned off his right fender. Bancroft stayed in the throttle after damaging his steering trying to hold on for the win but Tyler Papin and Chuck Meyer would sneak by underneath to finish the night.
Excess Storage Pro Late Models Results: 1) Tyler Papin, 2) Chuck Meyer, 3) Dylan Bancroft, 4) Rylee Gill, 5) Wyatt Held
Next week is Father’s Day Weekend on June 14th featuring the Kevin Ward Jr. Memorial Asphalt Spectacular for the Empire Super Sprints. The night will also host an exciting fundraiser for the local Children’s Miracle Network through Samaritan Medical Center by way of Walmart in Evans Mills. State CS Employees Federal Credit Union is also presenting the night. We look forward to hosting them in their first racing endeavor. The ESS drivers will host an autograph session on the track after heat races.
The evening will also include all EMRP divisions, Kinney Drugs Modifieds, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Stewart’s Shops Sport Compacts, and Thunderstocks.
