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RGeeProductions
05-16-2010, 09:44 AM
TEST & TUNE SESSION TWO: TIMES IMPROVE ON A “REALLY SMOOTH” TRACK

Better conditions were on hand for the second “Test & Tune” session for Spencer Speedway. The week before saw rains slicken the new pavement at Spencer Speedway. This week the sun shown and times improved on what many drivers called a “really smooth” speedway.

Thirty-eight cars were on hand representing five different classes. The Sunoco Modifieds saw 15 cars take times. Daryl Lewis Jr. was credited with the fast time in that division with a lap of 21.170 seconds, 85.025 mph. Four Race of Champion Tour cars were also on hand with Zach Shove turning in a lap of 20.591 seconds, 87.416 mph.

Observers around the speedway noted both Shove and Mike Leaty had mini-cameras mounted on their roofs during separate sessions on the track.

The second largest group at the track, were the popular Auto Value 4-cylinder Scorpions. Not surprisingly a Bradshaw recorded the best time, as five brothers compete in this class. Mike Bradshaw turned in a lap of 26.42 seconds.

The different classes were run in four separate rounds of divisional timing. During the first session a 20 minute red flag was generated when Jim Zacharias looped around in the first turn. He was unhurt, but his car had to be towed back to the pit area. He would later return and post fifth fastest time of the day in the Sunoco Modifieds.

During the first two sessions cones were placed in the turns, forcing the drivers to take a higher line through the turns. A number of spinouts were recorded during the time the cones were around the turns. Allison Knoepfler spun out twice once in each of the first two sessions. Newcomer Lexi Wilson also saw her Street Stock loop during the first session.

“We wanted the teams to lay more rubber up higher in the turns,” commented promoter John White . “That was our intent with placing cones in the turns.”

These cones were removed before the modifieds took to the track in the second session and times quickly improved as the drivers could take a line through the turns more familiar to them. Each session saw faster times posted.

“One factor that affected us some tonight were the stiff winds,” commented one racer. “I am sure we have even more speed available to us in that new surface.”

All of this was in preparation for this Friday, May 21, 56th annual season opener featuring a 100-lap Spencer-Holland NASCAR Sunoco Modified Challenge Series. Also on tap is a full program of NASCAR Street Stocks, Super Sixes and Auto Value Scorpions. Race time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Last year Tony Hanbury won a curfew shortened 100-lapper on opening night. An excellent field of Sunoco Modifieds is expected to be on hand for this year’s opener.

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.

All times are unofficial, as transponders were not used. Each record shows - car number, driver, and seconds- Not every car was able to receive a time based on time on the track and length of timing session.

Sunoco Modifieds
(10) Daryl Lewis Jr. 21.17, (6) Buck Catalano 21.35, (17) Kevin Timmerman 21.49, (8) Chris Finocchario 21.50, (23) Jim Zacharias 21.70, (00) Todd Bradshaw 22.13, (65) Andy Lewis 22.14, (99) Jeff Hamman 22.30, (13) Jim Steffenhagen Jr. 22.31, (9) Jeff Ruddy 22.67, (67) Jake Boerman 22.79, (05) Matt Lees 22.94, (33) Ed die Hawkins 23.10, (11) John Avery 31.79, (44) Fred Taylor NT.

RoC Modifieds
(2) Zach Shove 20.59, (10) Daryl Lewis Jr. 20.60, (25) Mike Leaty 20.81, (05) Terry Cheetham 21.17.

Street Stocks
(18) Kris Hillegeer 23.87, (21) Lexi Wilson 24.56, (32) Roger Worden 25.70, (25) Mitchell Wright 25.91

Super Sixes
(27) Patti Davenport 27.28, (89) Brandon Allen 27.65, (33) Chris Andolino 28.82

Auto Value Scorpions
(02) Mike Bradshaw 26.42, (0) Bro Bradshaw 26.54, (18) Kevin Bertolone 26.60, (5) Allison Knoepfler 27.05, (91) Russ Peets 27.11, (75) Zach Willis 27.61, (7) Joe Clark 27.74, (00) Otis Bradshaw 28.09, (25) Beth Dennie 28.25, (03) Dale Lazzaro 28.79, (01) David Bradshaw 28.79, (05) Andrea DeManna 29.84.

Gary M. Spaid