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By Carol Houssock
(Chemung, NY) Another gamble, another win for Chemung Speedrome promoter Ray Hodge. While raindrops did fall and halted the action for 45 minutes, the show went on to its conclusion. Winners on the track’s first Friday night program included Jesse Kent (Modifieds), Ajay Potrzebowski (Hobby Stocks), Tim Gullo (Super Stocks), Gene Purvis (4 Cylinders), and Easton Houghtaling (Bandoleros).
Jesse Kent worked on his car all week and got it dialed in to perfection. Kent parked the #26 in victory lane after some amazing racing with heat winner Lee Sharpsteen. Three cautions slowed the race, the first – and most serious -involved DJ Shaw. When his throttle stuck, he was hard on the brakes but slammed into the turn one foam blocks. He immediately indicated he was ok, and the blocks prevented severe damage to the car. Sharpsteen took the lead from Nick Morich, who led the first five laps, and he began to pull away. At the halfway point, Kent was closing the gap, which went away with just four laps remaining for an incident involving Morich and Kevin Youngs. Kent took the lead coming off turn two on that restart, but another caution was about to come out when Youngs tapped the inside wall. Kent prevailed, but he and Sharpsteen impressed the crowd with their driving excellence weaving in and around lap cars. “We knew we were fast; we’re gaining on it every week,” Kent said. Sharpsteen finished second, followed by heat winner TJ Potrzebowski, Zach Knowlden, and Zack Curren.
Versatile driver Ajay Potrzebowski has joined the growing Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock division full-time this year. In a car he and his father, Terry, prepared, he scored a sweep. He lined up third for the start of their 20-lap feature and made a three-wide move to claim the top spot following an opening lap caution and restart. Cullen Sharpsteen came along with him, as did Anthony Gullo, Mike Bailey, and Devin Gullo. The race had four additional cautions for multi-car spins, but the last 12 laps were all green and all Potrzebowski. A good battle for third involved the Gullo brothers, Anthony and Devin, along with Brain DeMark. When it was over it was Potrzebowski celebrating the win over Sharpsteen, DeMark, Anthony Gullo and Devin Gullo. “We tore the car apart last week and we’re getting closer to where we want and need to be,” Potrzebowski said while in victory lane.
The Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders ran a clean and caution-free 20-lap feature. Heat winners Gene Purvis and Greg Moldt started up front and stayed there. Behind them, Monica Robinson was third, while Ryan Purvis and Brandon Measheaw ran together for fourth. Matt Jenkins came along and took the spot they had been after. Up front, the leaders caught the tail end of the pack and started lapping cars. When it was over, Gene Purvis earned his second win of the season. Moldt was second, and those two are also first and second in the points. Robinson, Jenkins, and Measheaw all posted top five finishes.
Light in number, the Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks ran just a 10-lap feature. By virtue of their first and second place finishes in the race, Tim Gullo and Joe Lane are now also first and second in the standings. Tom Barron was on hand to run Brian DeMark’s car and finished third.
He rolled into town a little late but made the 8-lap Bandolero feature. Fellow competitors know that Easton Houghtaling is a force to be reckoned with. Defending champion Leevi Sharpsteen led the first lap, before caution came out when Tori Miller and Dallas Harbst spun in turn four. Four laps later it was Sharpsteen who spun. Easton Houghtaling restarted from the front row and pulled away from the others to easily score his second win of the season. Miller, Sharpsteen and Harbst finished behind him.
Friday night action continues June 20th. Pits open at 5 PM, grandstand and practice at 6, and racing starts at 7 PM sharp. Adult admission is $15, $13 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5.
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:
John from Horseheads pocketed $308 in 50/50 winnings.
The 07 Collectibles trailer is the only place to buy 2025 Chemung Speedrome apparel.
This was the latest in the season we’ve ever run our first Friday evening show.
Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): JESSE KENT, Lee Sharpsteen, TJ Potrzebowski, Zach Knowlden, Zack Curren, Jody Buckley, Charlie Sharpsteen, Nick Morich, Kevin Youngs, Lucas Bartlett, Dakota Anderson, DJ Shaw
Heats: L. Sharpsteen, Potrzebowski
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (10 Laps): TIM GULLO, Joe Lane, Tom Barron
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): AJAY POTRZEBOWSKI, Cullen Sharpsteen, Brian DeMark, Anthony Gullo, Devin Gullo, Josh Parker, Dennis Beardslee, Sidnie Decker, Tom Shafer, Mike Nickels, Mark Taylor, Jr., Mike Bailey, Ben Perry, John Widrig, Ethan Roberts, Mark Taylor, Sr., Mike Kinner, Paul Bailey, Camden Wheeler, George Nichols, Jr., Michael Bast
Heats: Parker, Sharpsteen, Potrzebowski
Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders (20 Laps): GENE PURVIS, Greg Moldt, Monica Robinson, Matt Jenkins, Brandon Measheaw, Ryan Purvis, Augustine Worden, Adriana Purvis, Troy Hodge
Heats: G. Purvis, Moldt
Bandoleros (8 Laps): EASTON HOUGHTALING, Tori Miller, Leevi Sharpsteen (Bandit winner), Dallas Harbst
Jesse Kent with son, Levi, in Victory Lane (Clayton Vargeson photo)
