RGeeProductions
06-28-2008, 10:59 AM
It was quite a feat that Tony Hanbury performed last Friday at Spencer Speedway on Charlie’s Paving Night. He flew across the finish line in first place in both Twin 25-lappers for the NASCAR Tour-Type Modifieds. However in the first 25-lapper contact with then leader, Terry Cheetham in the second turn, on the final lap, resulted in Cheetham being turned around and Hanbury being docked two positions for the contact. This moved Mike Leaty from second up to first, taking the victory in the first Twin 25.
Hanbury did win the second NASCAR Tour-Type Modified main. In victory lane he admitted, “I screwed up in that first feature. I got into Terry and I apologize.”
The regular 35-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified program saw Ryan Beeman claim his first ever NASCAR Weekly Modified feature win. In Street Stocks it was Billy Semmler taking the win, also his first in that division. In seven Street Stock races at Spencer there have been six different feature winners.
The Super Sixes also saw a first time feature winner. John Semmler crossed the finish line first but was penalized for not meeting weight in post race inspection. This moved Ryan Hillegeer up to first.
The Antique Vintage racers were also on hand. Mike McLaughlin, Fairport, NY, won the 12-lap feature and claimed first in the sportsman division. In the modifieds it would be Rob Casti, Mahopac, NY, taking the laurels. And in the Hobby class the plaque went to Bob Whipple from Romulus, NY.
All of this action happened in front of a large weekly crowd that paid just $6 admission on Fan Appreciation night.
In the first 25-lap NASCAR Tour-Type Modified feature Buck Catalano took the early lead. On lap 12 the yellow flew when Patsy Catalano looped around exiting the second turn. An attempted restart saw a multi-car accident on the back stretch eliminating Todd Smith and Tom Kinsella.
The restart saw Terry Cheetham duck low and Tony Hanbury take the high line, as both were trying to take the lead. Cheetham’s move worked and he seemed to be able to draw away from the rest of the field.
With just five laps remaining the yellow flew when Chris Ridsdale spun in the fourth turn. This bunched the field together for a five lap dash. As the leaders drove through the second turn on the final lap Hanbury made contact with Cheetham, sending Cheetham spinning. Hanbury cross the finish line first but was penalized two positions for rough driving.
This meant that second place finisher, Mike Leaty, was awarded the victory. Chris Finocchario, Hanbury, Patsy Catalano and Mark Tychoniewicz rounded out the top five. In victory lane Leaty drew a number to invert the start for the second 25-lapper. He picked number six.
The start of the second 25-lapper again saw Buck Catalano take the early lead. However a restart on lap seven saw Hanbury charge from fourth to first. Only one additional yellow slowed the pace of the race, that coming on lap 13 when Ridsdale looped out on the front chute.
Hanbury cross the finish line first. A wild charge for top five positions saw Buck Catalano, Terry Cheetham, Bill Hebing and Jim Storace claim those positions.
“We were racing really hard,” stated Hanbury in reference to the incident in the first 25-lapper. “I screwed up, that’s all.”
As for his win, Hanbury thanked his crew, “I have to thank the Lewis crew for getting this car working this good”.
The NASCAR Weekly Modified 35-lapper got off to a shaky start, with four yellows in just two laps. Up front Ryan Beeman would lead the entire distance. Once underway, only one yellow, lap 31, slowed the race.
Tony Hanbury secured second from Daryl Lewis Jr. on lap six and then dogged Beeman’s rear bumper for the rest of the distance until the yellow flew on lap 31. Under yellow officials found the Hanbury car leaking fluid on the track and sent him to the pits. This moved Kevin Timmerman up to second.
The final five laps saw Beeman trying his best to maintain a low line through the turns. He was able to hold the rest of the field off and take the win. Timmerman, Buck Catalano, Andy Jankowiak and Jeff Hamman rounded out the top five.
“I was really worried over those last few laps,” stated Beeman.
The Street Stock feature was shortened to just 15 laps as a small field of cars took to the half mile oval for their double point main event. Rookie Billy Semmler, took the lead at the drop of the green and was able to pull away from the field. By lap six Willie Strusz had closed the gap and was charging after Semmler. Semmler held on for the win in a race that went green-to-checkers. Strusz, Mitchell Wright, Don Stevens and Phil Alhart Jr. rounded out the top five. In post race inspection Wright was moved back one position for a ride height infraction.
“I was doing my best to stay low on that final lap,” stated Semmler.
The Super Six feature saw that division’s best car count to date. Eleven cars took the green. Up front Craig Butler took the early lead. As the leaders exited the second turn on lap five, John Semmler ducked low and drove underneath Butler for the lead.
A couple of yellows flew on lap seven, but each time Semmler maintained his lead. In the closing laps Semmler pulled away from the field. He was being chased by Ryan Hillegeer, who was substituting for Kris Hillegeer, who was driving a Tour-Type Modified for the night.
Semmler took the checker first. In victory lane he was asked about driving for the first time. “Eighteen years ago I drove in the Super Stocks division here at Spencer and even won a feature then. I had a lot of fun with this car tonight, but it is still up for sale.”
Semmler’s fun ended in tech when his car was found underweight and was disqualified. This handed the win over to Ryan Hillegeer.
This Friday, July 4th will be celebrated when the NASCAR Weekly Modifieds will make up their 35-lap feature carried over from June 13. This will make for Twin 35-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified races, plus a complete program of Super Six and Street Stock action. Race time begins at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Adult admission will remain at $12 even with double features. Monroe Extinguisher Company will be hosting the night, which will feature double points for all divisions. The NASCAR Weekly Modified make up feature will be a regular point event.
Spencer Speedway is located just fifteen minutes east of Rochester, NY, along Route 104 in the Town of Williamson. Spencer Speedway is the local “NASCAR Place to Race” for upstate New York. Points earned each week at Spencer are counted into the national NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship.
CHARLIE’S PAVING NIGHT SUMMARY
NASCAR TOUR-TYPE MODIFIEDS
FEATURE (25-laps): MIKE LEATY, Chris Finocchario, Tony Hanbury, Patsy Catalano, Mark Tychoniewicz, Buck Catalano, Jimmy Zacharias, Kris Hillegeer, Matt Lees, Terry Cheetham, Chris Ridsdale, Tom Wiest, Jim Storace, Todd Smith, Tom Kinsella, Bill Hebing.
FEATURE (25-laps): TONY HANBURY, Buck Catalano, Terry Cheetham, Bill Hebing, Jim Storace, Jimmy Zacharias, Mark Tychoniewicz, Patsy Catalano, Kris Hillegeer, Matt Lees, Tom Wiest, Chris Finocchario, Chris Ridsdale, Mike Leaty, Todd Smith (DNS), Tom Kinsella (DNS).
SUPER SIXES
HEAT 1: K. Butler, P. Davenport, C. Butler, T. Bennett, B. Malin.
HEAT 2: J. Parks, R. Hillegeer, J. Bailey, V. Grant, F. Parsons.
FEATURE (20-laps): RYAN HILLEGEER, Patti Davenport, Keith Butler, Jesse Parks, Craig Butler, Bill Malin, Frank Parsons, Van Grant, Joe Bailey, Tammi Bennett, John Semmler (DQ)
STREET STOCKS
FEATURE (15-laps): BILLY SEMMLER, Willie Strusz, Don Stevens, Mitchell Wright, Phil Alhart Jr., Dan Scott.
ANTIQUE VINTAGE RACERS
HEAT: M. McLaughlin, R. Casti, M. Scott, S. Morton, B. Litzenberger.
FEATURE (12-laps): MIKE LAUGHLIN (Spt), ROB CASTI (Mod), Brad Litzenberger (Mod), Matt Scott (Spt), BOB WHIPPLE (Hob), Paul Yassello (Hob), Gordie Wood (Spt) (DNS), Shirley Morden (Spt) (DNS).
NASCAR WEEKLY MODIFIEDS
HEAT 1: R. Beeman, A. Jankowiak, J. Hamman, S. Malin, P. Wehrheim.
HEAT 2: K. Timmerman, A. Lewis, M. Lees, F. Taylor, E. Hawkins.
HEAT 3: B. Catalano, J. Polaski, D. Lewis Jr., T. Hanbury, E. Stritzel.
FEATURE (35-laps): RYAN BEEMAN, Kevin Timmerman, Buck Catalano, Andy Jankowiak, Jeff Hamman, Daryl Lewis Jr., Andy Lewis, Matt Lees, Jason Hearne, Fred Taylor, Jeff Polaski, Eddie Hawkins, Tony Hanbury, Erich Stritzel, Scott Combs, Russ Brown, Steve Malin, Phil Wehrheim, Mark Tychoniewicz, Ron Wildey II (DNS), Chris Finocchario (DNS).
Gary M. Spaid
Hanbury did win the second NASCAR Tour-Type Modified main. In victory lane he admitted, “I screwed up in that first feature. I got into Terry and I apologize.”
The regular 35-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified program saw Ryan Beeman claim his first ever NASCAR Weekly Modified feature win. In Street Stocks it was Billy Semmler taking the win, also his first in that division. In seven Street Stock races at Spencer there have been six different feature winners.
The Super Sixes also saw a first time feature winner. John Semmler crossed the finish line first but was penalized for not meeting weight in post race inspection. This moved Ryan Hillegeer up to first.
The Antique Vintage racers were also on hand. Mike McLaughlin, Fairport, NY, won the 12-lap feature and claimed first in the sportsman division. In the modifieds it would be Rob Casti, Mahopac, NY, taking the laurels. And in the Hobby class the plaque went to Bob Whipple from Romulus, NY.
All of this action happened in front of a large weekly crowd that paid just $6 admission on Fan Appreciation night.
In the first 25-lap NASCAR Tour-Type Modified feature Buck Catalano took the early lead. On lap 12 the yellow flew when Patsy Catalano looped around exiting the second turn. An attempted restart saw a multi-car accident on the back stretch eliminating Todd Smith and Tom Kinsella.
The restart saw Terry Cheetham duck low and Tony Hanbury take the high line, as both were trying to take the lead. Cheetham’s move worked and he seemed to be able to draw away from the rest of the field.
With just five laps remaining the yellow flew when Chris Ridsdale spun in the fourth turn. This bunched the field together for a five lap dash. As the leaders drove through the second turn on the final lap Hanbury made contact with Cheetham, sending Cheetham spinning. Hanbury cross the finish line first but was penalized two positions for rough driving.
This meant that second place finisher, Mike Leaty, was awarded the victory. Chris Finocchario, Hanbury, Patsy Catalano and Mark Tychoniewicz rounded out the top five. In victory lane Leaty drew a number to invert the start for the second 25-lapper. He picked number six.
The start of the second 25-lapper again saw Buck Catalano take the early lead. However a restart on lap seven saw Hanbury charge from fourth to first. Only one additional yellow slowed the pace of the race, that coming on lap 13 when Ridsdale looped out on the front chute.
Hanbury cross the finish line first. A wild charge for top five positions saw Buck Catalano, Terry Cheetham, Bill Hebing and Jim Storace claim those positions.
“We were racing really hard,” stated Hanbury in reference to the incident in the first 25-lapper. “I screwed up, that’s all.”
As for his win, Hanbury thanked his crew, “I have to thank the Lewis crew for getting this car working this good”.
The NASCAR Weekly Modified 35-lapper got off to a shaky start, with four yellows in just two laps. Up front Ryan Beeman would lead the entire distance. Once underway, only one yellow, lap 31, slowed the race.
Tony Hanbury secured second from Daryl Lewis Jr. on lap six and then dogged Beeman’s rear bumper for the rest of the distance until the yellow flew on lap 31. Under yellow officials found the Hanbury car leaking fluid on the track and sent him to the pits. This moved Kevin Timmerman up to second.
The final five laps saw Beeman trying his best to maintain a low line through the turns. He was able to hold the rest of the field off and take the win. Timmerman, Buck Catalano, Andy Jankowiak and Jeff Hamman rounded out the top five.
“I was really worried over those last few laps,” stated Beeman.
The Street Stock feature was shortened to just 15 laps as a small field of cars took to the half mile oval for their double point main event. Rookie Billy Semmler, took the lead at the drop of the green and was able to pull away from the field. By lap six Willie Strusz had closed the gap and was charging after Semmler. Semmler held on for the win in a race that went green-to-checkers. Strusz, Mitchell Wright, Don Stevens and Phil Alhart Jr. rounded out the top five. In post race inspection Wright was moved back one position for a ride height infraction.
“I was doing my best to stay low on that final lap,” stated Semmler.
The Super Six feature saw that division’s best car count to date. Eleven cars took the green. Up front Craig Butler took the early lead. As the leaders exited the second turn on lap five, John Semmler ducked low and drove underneath Butler for the lead.
A couple of yellows flew on lap seven, but each time Semmler maintained his lead. In the closing laps Semmler pulled away from the field. He was being chased by Ryan Hillegeer, who was substituting for Kris Hillegeer, who was driving a Tour-Type Modified for the night.
Semmler took the checker first. In victory lane he was asked about driving for the first time. “Eighteen years ago I drove in the Super Stocks division here at Spencer and even won a feature then. I had a lot of fun with this car tonight, but it is still up for sale.”
Semmler’s fun ended in tech when his car was found underweight and was disqualified. This handed the win over to Ryan Hillegeer.
This Friday, July 4th will be celebrated when the NASCAR Weekly Modifieds will make up their 35-lap feature carried over from June 13. This will make for Twin 35-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified races, plus a complete program of Super Six and Street Stock action. Race time begins at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Adult admission will remain at $12 even with double features. Monroe Extinguisher Company will be hosting the night, which will feature double points for all divisions. The NASCAR Weekly Modified make up feature will be a regular point event.
Spencer Speedway is located just fifteen minutes east of Rochester, NY, along Route 104 in the Town of Williamson. Spencer Speedway is the local “NASCAR Place to Race” for upstate New York. Points earned each week at Spencer are counted into the national NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship.
CHARLIE’S PAVING NIGHT SUMMARY
NASCAR TOUR-TYPE MODIFIEDS
FEATURE (25-laps): MIKE LEATY, Chris Finocchario, Tony Hanbury, Patsy Catalano, Mark Tychoniewicz, Buck Catalano, Jimmy Zacharias, Kris Hillegeer, Matt Lees, Terry Cheetham, Chris Ridsdale, Tom Wiest, Jim Storace, Todd Smith, Tom Kinsella, Bill Hebing.
FEATURE (25-laps): TONY HANBURY, Buck Catalano, Terry Cheetham, Bill Hebing, Jim Storace, Jimmy Zacharias, Mark Tychoniewicz, Patsy Catalano, Kris Hillegeer, Matt Lees, Tom Wiest, Chris Finocchario, Chris Ridsdale, Mike Leaty, Todd Smith (DNS), Tom Kinsella (DNS).
SUPER SIXES
HEAT 1: K. Butler, P. Davenport, C. Butler, T. Bennett, B. Malin.
HEAT 2: J. Parks, R. Hillegeer, J. Bailey, V. Grant, F. Parsons.
FEATURE (20-laps): RYAN HILLEGEER, Patti Davenport, Keith Butler, Jesse Parks, Craig Butler, Bill Malin, Frank Parsons, Van Grant, Joe Bailey, Tammi Bennett, John Semmler (DQ)
STREET STOCKS
FEATURE (15-laps): BILLY SEMMLER, Willie Strusz, Don Stevens, Mitchell Wright, Phil Alhart Jr., Dan Scott.
ANTIQUE VINTAGE RACERS
HEAT: M. McLaughlin, R. Casti, M. Scott, S. Morton, B. Litzenberger.
FEATURE (12-laps): MIKE LAUGHLIN (Spt), ROB CASTI (Mod), Brad Litzenberger (Mod), Matt Scott (Spt), BOB WHIPPLE (Hob), Paul Yassello (Hob), Gordie Wood (Spt) (DNS), Shirley Morden (Spt) (DNS).
NASCAR WEEKLY MODIFIEDS
HEAT 1: R. Beeman, A. Jankowiak, J. Hamman, S. Malin, P. Wehrheim.
HEAT 2: K. Timmerman, A. Lewis, M. Lees, F. Taylor, E. Hawkins.
HEAT 3: B. Catalano, J. Polaski, D. Lewis Jr., T. Hanbury, E. Stritzel.
FEATURE (35-laps): RYAN BEEMAN, Kevin Timmerman, Buck Catalano, Andy Jankowiak, Jeff Hamman, Daryl Lewis Jr., Andy Lewis, Matt Lees, Jason Hearne, Fred Taylor, Jeff Polaski, Eddie Hawkins, Tony Hanbury, Erich Stritzel, Scott Combs, Russ Brown, Steve Malin, Phil Wehrheim, Mark Tychoniewicz, Ron Wildey II (DNS), Chris Finocchario (DNS).
Gary M. Spaid