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17-year-old wins race held in honor of his late uncle
By DINO OBERTO
Richard Nelson Photo
(Tioga Center, NY 10-18-25) The rebirth season of Shangri-La II Speedway came to a fitting conclusion on Saturday afternoon with a special tribute to fallen racer Tony Hanbury.
The Tony Hanbury Memorial 42 for Sportsman Modifieds paid tribute the talented racer who passed away on August 31 from complications due to an ATV accident. On the line there was extra incentives in the form of lap and purse monies that every driver would have a share in.
And it seemed almost scripted when Hanbury’s nephew, 17-year-old Andrew Lewis Jr., claimed what was a very emotional victory. Despite a quality field of Sportsman Modifieds, Lewis, who hails from Ontario, NY, was far and away the class of field, especially over the waning laps when he was able to pull safely ahead of Nick Robinson en route winning in his first ever start at Shangri-la II Speedway.
“This is so special because Tony meant so much to us and this is for him,” said Lewis.
“It was fun and there was a lot of tough battles. We lost a clutch around lap five and we tried to save as much as we could but honestly, I don’t know what we could have done to lose the race we were that good. My spotter was saying, ‘Save, save, save,’ but I wasn’t doing any of that.”
The race ran over a 42-lap distance and set up in two-segments, with 30 laps then a five-minute break for adjustments followed by a final 12-lap shootout.
At the outset Lewis quickly shot to the lead and was being closely pursued by his father, Andrew Lewis Sr. However, the elder Lewis had his day abruptly end when he and third place running Jesse Kent made hard contact on the back straight. The damage was race-ending for Lewis Sr. while Kent was able to pit and return, although not a factor afterwards.
The subsequent restart would be the only time the lead changed hands as Nick Robinson out-dueled Lewis Jr. for the top spot, only it was short lived as a lap later the race was back in control of the No. 65Jr.
Prior to the lap-30 break Lewis was fending off an onslaught of antagonizing pressure that included the likes of Robinson, Lee Sharpsteen, Daryl Lewis, and Nick Morich. But try as they may the young lion was not giving in to their aggressiveness and remained solid in holding his line.
When the break at lap 30 took place, all teams surrounded their drivers but Lewis, Jr., had radioed to his crew that all was good with the car and little if any adjustments where needed.
“We pulled down pit road, and I said don’t touch anything, we didn’t make any adjustments.”
Unfortunately for Morich when the race resumed, he took a very hard hit against the back straight wall exiting Turn 2, ending his day. Also collected in the melee were Kent, Charlie Sharpsteen and Chris Finnochario.
After the wreckage was cleared Lewis Jr. kept just a car length ahead of Robinson who continued battling L. Sharpsteen and D. Lewis to the checkers.
In Victory Lane, Lewis Jr. was surrounded by a crowd of family and friends. The most moving part was when he shared an emotional, tear-filled hug with his aunt, Doniel Hanbury, who is Tony’s wife.
“Friday, we came here to get some practice laps in, and I wasn’t a big fan of this place, and it wasn’t my favorite track at that time but there’s no question I want to come back now,” said Lewis Jr.
Keeping it all in the family, Tim Lewis rounded out the top five.
The Late Models were part of the action-filled day, returning to Shangri-La II for the first time in over 10 years and for the longest spell it looked as tough recently crowned Evergreen Raceway champion Nick Ross was going to take home the win.
By the halfway mark Ross was cruising well ahead of the pack and appeared destined for victory, however, shortly thereafter he pulled off due to engine letdown and gave up the lead to Eldon King of Freedom, NY, who went on to score the win over Jacob Gustafson.
In the Super Stock feature Candor, NY’s Garrett Zacharias picked up right where he left off last month, parked in Victory Lane.
From the get-go Zacharias dashed right into the lead and there would be no looking back. Lap after lap he was widening his advantage and by the time he reached the finish line it was by nearly half a track.
While Zacharias was cruising his way to a second straight victory, Bill Frisbie Jr., was holding down second spot, fending off Frank Chapman III.
In the five races that made up the season at Shangri-La II Speedway, no one can boast more success than Chemung’s Gene Purvis. For the fourth time in five starts Purvis was the car to beat.
And this time it came against the biggest field with 21 cars taking the green. Yet no one could keep pace with the stout running Purvis. His only worries came following restates when BJ Wambold was able to stay with him but never more than a lap.
For Wambold, who was the only other winner this season with the class, he settled for runner-up, his third such time against Purvis.
The Hobby Stock feature was a highly competitive battle from start to finish and when all was said and done, Anthony Gullo of Horseheads, NY, was able to hold off AJ Potrzebowski and Cullen Sharpsteen, earning him his second win.
Sportsman Modified finish (42 laps): 1. Andrew Lewis Jr., 2. Nick Robinson, 3. Lee Sharpsteen, 4. Daryl Lewis, 5. Tim Lewis, 6. Lucas Bartlett, 7. Nick Morich, 8. Jesse Kent, 9. Charlie Sharpsteen, 10. Daniel Majchrzak, 11. Scott Reagan, 12. Zach Truesdale, 13. Gene Purvis, 14. JP Harbst, 15. Andrew Lewis Sr., 16. John Wilbur, 17. Chris Finnochario
Late Model finish (20 laps): 1. Eldon King, 2. Jacob Gustafson, 3. Matt Druar, 4. Rick Giannino, 5. Roger Maynor, 6. Mark Hudson, 7. Nick Ross
Super Stock finish (25 laps): 1. Garrett Zacharias, 2. Bill Frisbie Jr., 3. Frank Chapman III, 4. Derrick Vogler, 5. Abe Romanik, 6. Tim Welshans, 7. Brian Wozniak, 8. Cory Derr, 9. Jason Duke, 10. David Beck. 11. Frank Chapman Jr. DNS: Aaron Cornell
Four Cylinder finish (20 laps): 1. Gene Purvis, 2. BJ Wambold, 3. Greg Moldt, 4. Chris Norconk, 4. 5. Justin Merkel Sr., 6. Mike Greenfield, 7. Beau Baker, 8. Sam Ryan, 9. Maggie Wambold, 10. Justin Merkel Jr., 11. TJ Rex, 12. Dan Murray, 13. Agustine Borden, 14. Stephen Johnson, 15. AJ Frantz, 16. Connor Marvin, 17. Matt Jenkins, 18. Timothy Greenfield, 19. Austyn Meyers, 20. Caitlyn Makarewicz, 21. Brandon Measheaw
Hobby Stock finish (15 laps): 1. Anthony Gullo, 2. AJ Potrzebowski, 3. Cullen Sharpsteen, 4. Luke Nickols, 5. Ryan Osgood, 6. Mike Nichols, 7. Doug Dekay, 8. Dave Decker, 9. Tom Schaffer, 10. Paul Bailey, 11. Glen Lippolis, 12. Mark Taylor, 13. Ethan Roberts, 14. MR Taylor, 15. Mike Bailey, 16. Michael Bast, 17. Sidnie Decker, 18. Don Archbald
