RGeeProductions
05-04-2015, 12:52 PM
It couldn’t have been scripted better: race teams eager to race, fans eager to cheer, and Mother Nature tossing in perfect weather for the season opener at Chemung Speedrome. A big crowd saw a 5-feature program with victory lane celebrations for Chuck Hossfeld (RoC Modifieds), Tim Gullo (Super Stocks), RJ Mathews (4 Cylinders), Matt Kurzejewski (INEX Legends), and David French (INEX Bandoleros).
Sometimes it’s all about position. That was the case today for RoC winner Chuck Hossfeld. “I don’t think I had the fastest car today but when the other guys had mechanical issues it put me in a position to win, and for that I thank my whole crew,” Hossfeld said from victory lane.
Earlier in the day Patrick Emerling, Brian Defebo, Matt Hirschman and Tony Hanbury won the four heat races, while Tommy Cloce took the consolation race. Two buy-ins set the stage for all 28 cars to start the 75-lap feature.
Luck of the draw put Jimmy Zacharias on the pole, with Andy Jankowiak alongside. Zacharias took off and led Andy J until a lap 10 restart. That first caution came out when Daryl Lewis, Jr. found the turn one foam. Others involved included both Amy and Tommy Catalano, while Emerling and Brandon Oltra stopped. Jankowiak took the lead on the restart and held it for 5 laps until Zacharias reclaimed it. It was déjà vu for the pair. When Tommy Cloce slowed and brought out the caution Jankowiak got the lead on the restart. He held the lead through the next two caution periods but it was Hossfeld many were watching as he methodically moved closer and closer to the front.
It was a great day for the team cars of Lee Sharpsteen and TJ Potrzebowski, who were solidly among the top five for most of the 75-lap race. ‘A good day gone bad’ sums up things for Zacharias, whose #71 developed a problem. He slowed, headed to the pits, handed the lead over to Jankowiak, and parked in the pits.
A great battle ensued between Andy J and Hossfeld over the remaining 15 laps. However, it was obvious that Andy J’s car was losing grip in the corners, a situation that played right into Hossfeld’s hands. The final caution, for Doug Reaume’s spin, set up a green/white/checkered finish. Hossfeld held the position and picked up his career-first win at Chemung. Jankowiak finished 2nd, followed by Potrzebowski, Sharpsteen and Austin Kochenash.
“It’s great to see a nice crowd here and nearly 30 Modifieds. That says a lot for the Tour this year,” Hossfeld stated. He’ll continue his quest for another overall RoC championship this weekend at Oswego for round two.
Andy J took the blame for the leak his car developed. “I made a mistake in car preparation. To run on the level were running on you have to be perfect. It only takes one mistake to cost you a race,” he said. He’ll use this as a teaching moment and not make that same mistake a second time.
Potrzebowski, who finished 3rd, said he had trouble on restarts but he liked the longer runs. “My car got better as the race went on. I got around Lee and it felt really good to come home 3rd,” he stated.
The 25-lap Super Stock feature was slowed just once for a caution 18 laps in. Heat winners Tim Gullo and Rich Talada made up the front row and it was Gullo who led the way. Over those first 18 laps he had built up a nice lead over Mike Nichols, who advanced to second, and Talada. When Jake Snell slowed in turn 4 the field saw yellow lights and Gullo’s relatively comfortable lead was gone.
When racing resumed Nichols looked high and low but found no way around the track’s 2014 champion. At times both Gullo and Terry Potrzebowski, who was running third, demonstrated how to overcome being tapped and running sideways.
Gullo sailed across the finish line for his first win this year. Nichols was 2nd, followed by Potrzebowski, Talada and Charlie Sharpsteen. “I have to thank my crew and sponsors. The car ran great,” Gullo stated.
Three cautions slowed the 20-lap 4 Cylinder feature. Heat winners Monica Green and Eric Ellsworth started up front and Green led the way off turn two. Fred Mathews took over second but soon had Ellsworth knocking on the door in search of his spot. Ellsworth fell to fourth after being passed by RJ Mathews. Despite their tough battle they were closing the gap between them and Green.
Marcus Wood brought out the first caution when he spun in turn four. Steve Spaziani spun when the race resumed, bunching up the field once again. Green led the way into turn one but she wouldn’t hold that lead for long. RJ Mathews found an opening on the low groove and he passed her. The final caution came out when Ellsworth spun going for second in turn four. The Mathews boys restarted side by side and it was Fred Mathews who took the top spot when the race went back to green. Fred went wide coming off turn two, giving RJ Mathews the opportunity to pass. Over the final dozen laps Green’s car lost power and she slipped back. RJ Mathews took the career-first win, with Ellsworth, F. Mathews, John Maynard and Wood all in the top five.
Three heat races for the INEX Legends were claimed by Daren Scherer, Owen Bednasz and Matt Kurzejewski. From the drop of the green in their 20-lap feature it was clear that Kurzejewski was after a win. Scherer led the opening lap before yielding to Matt. As Chuck Lohmeyer and Alex Bowen exited turn two while working the second lap their cars locked together and put the race under caution.
Kurzejewski prevailed on the restart while Alexandria Smith took second from Scherer. Things changed for her when Chase Purdy turned her around in his effort to take over second. Both restarted at the rear but with just seven laps remaining it would be tough to get back to the front. The race resumed but one lap later Purdy slowed on the track and the 5M of Nick Peterson went up in smoke. Over the final six laps Kurzejewski was perfect and left the others well behind. He got the win, followed to the stripe by Bednasz, Scherer, Jeremy Haudricort and Gary Ham.
A good field of INEX Bandoleros, including several newcomers, forced the running of two heats won by Lars McElravy and Bryce Bailey who made up row one for the 8-lap feature. McElravy took off and was quickly challenged by David French. At the halfway point Bailey and Garrett Zacharias got together working turns one and two. McElravy prevailed on the restart but the race went yellow again when Joey Bernatavitz slid off turn two into the infield foam.
This time when the race resumed French took the lead coming off turn two. A lap later Bailey spun to the infield but when the green came back out McElravy took over on lap six. French reclaimed the top spot while McElravy slowed a bit. French got the win while Teddy Bowen, Damon Frutchey, Sean Verwys and McElravy rounded out the top five.
Chemung will be quiet this weekend in honor of Mother’s Day, but racing will resume on Sunday, May 17th. All five regular divisions will be in action, with a pair of 25-lap features set for the Sunoco Modifieds. Grandstand gates open at noon, with practice at 1 PM and the first heat race starting at 2:15 PM. Fans presenting their adult or senior ticket stubs from May 3rd will have $2 taken off their admission. Regular pricing is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+, $5 for kids 6-12 and free for kids ages 5 and under. ‘Like’ Chemung Speedrome on Facebook or visit www.chemungspeedrome.net for all the latest news.
Of note:
During intermission the top 10 in RoC points for 2014 received hardware for their efforts.
Matt Kurzejewski got the non-existent “traveled the furthest award”. On Friday he ran the ARCA race at Talladega, Alabama where he finished 6th. After flying home on Saturday he was at Chemung on Sunday and parked his INEX Legend in victory lane.
Chris Clemens, whose brother Matt died suddenly one week prior, circled the track on the RoC parade laps in a modified that Jimmy and TJ Zacharias detailed to honor a special friend lost.
RJ Mathews and Tim Gullo were the first winners of the Buffalo Wild Wings “winner winner, chicken dinner” bonus of a dozen wings each.
Chemung Speedrome and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series: Asphalt Racing At Its Finest!
(continued)
Sometimes it’s all about position. That was the case today for RoC winner Chuck Hossfeld. “I don’t think I had the fastest car today but when the other guys had mechanical issues it put me in a position to win, and for that I thank my whole crew,” Hossfeld said from victory lane.
Earlier in the day Patrick Emerling, Brian Defebo, Matt Hirschman and Tony Hanbury won the four heat races, while Tommy Cloce took the consolation race. Two buy-ins set the stage for all 28 cars to start the 75-lap feature.
Luck of the draw put Jimmy Zacharias on the pole, with Andy Jankowiak alongside. Zacharias took off and led Andy J until a lap 10 restart. That first caution came out when Daryl Lewis, Jr. found the turn one foam. Others involved included both Amy and Tommy Catalano, while Emerling and Brandon Oltra stopped. Jankowiak took the lead on the restart and held it for 5 laps until Zacharias reclaimed it. It was déjà vu for the pair. When Tommy Cloce slowed and brought out the caution Jankowiak got the lead on the restart. He held the lead through the next two caution periods but it was Hossfeld many were watching as he methodically moved closer and closer to the front.
It was a great day for the team cars of Lee Sharpsteen and TJ Potrzebowski, who were solidly among the top five for most of the 75-lap race. ‘A good day gone bad’ sums up things for Zacharias, whose #71 developed a problem. He slowed, headed to the pits, handed the lead over to Jankowiak, and parked in the pits.
A great battle ensued between Andy J and Hossfeld over the remaining 15 laps. However, it was obvious that Andy J’s car was losing grip in the corners, a situation that played right into Hossfeld’s hands. The final caution, for Doug Reaume’s spin, set up a green/white/checkered finish. Hossfeld held the position and picked up his career-first win at Chemung. Jankowiak finished 2nd, followed by Potrzebowski, Sharpsteen and Austin Kochenash.
“It’s great to see a nice crowd here and nearly 30 Modifieds. That says a lot for the Tour this year,” Hossfeld stated. He’ll continue his quest for another overall RoC championship this weekend at Oswego for round two.
Andy J took the blame for the leak his car developed. “I made a mistake in car preparation. To run on the level were running on you have to be perfect. It only takes one mistake to cost you a race,” he said. He’ll use this as a teaching moment and not make that same mistake a second time.
Potrzebowski, who finished 3rd, said he had trouble on restarts but he liked the longer runs. “My car got better as the race went on. I got around Lee and it felt really good to come home 3rd,” he stated.
The 25-lap Super Stock feature was slowed just once for a caution 18 laps in. Heat winners Tim Gullo and Rich Talada made up the front row and it was Gullo who led the way. Over those first 18 laps he had built up a nice lead over Mike Nichols, who advanced to second, and Talada. When Jake Snell slowed in turn 4 the field saw yellow lights and Gullo’s relatively comfortable lead was gone.
When racing resumed Nichols looked high and low but found no way around the track’s 2014 champion. At times both Gullo and Terry Potrzebowski, who was running third, demonstrated how to overcome being tapped and running sideways.
Gullo sailed across the finish line for his first win this year. Nichols was 2nd, followed by Potrzebowski, Talada and Charlie Sharpsteen. “I have to thank my crew and sponsors. The car ran great,” Gullo stated.
Three cautions slowed the 20-lap 4 Cylinder feature. Heat winners Monica Green and Eric Ellsworth started up front and Green led the way off turn two. Fred Mathews took over second but soon had Ellsworth knocking on the door in search of his spot. Ellsworth fell to fourth after being passed by RJ Mathews. Despite their tough battle they were closing the gap between them and Green.
Marcus Wood brought out the first caution when he spun in turn four. Steve Spaziani spun when the race resumed, bunching up the field once again. Green led the way into turn one but she wouldn’t hold that lead for long. RJ Mathews found an opening on the low groove and he passed her. The final caution came out when Ellsworth spun going for second in turn four. The Mathews boys restarted side by side and it was Fred Mathews who took the top spot when the race went back to green. Fred went wide coming off turn two, giving RJ Mathews the opportunity to pass. Over the final dozen laps Green’s car lost power and she slipped back. RJ Mathews took the career-first win, with Ellsworth, F. Mathews, John Maynard and Wood all in the top five.
Three heat races for the INEX Legends were claimed by Daren Scherer, Owen Bednasz and Matt Kurzejewski. From the drop of the green in their 20-lap feature it was clear that Kurzejewski was after a win. Scherer led the opening lap before yielding to Matt. As Chuck Lohmeyer and Alex Bowen exited turn two while working the second lap their cars locked together and put the race under caution.
Kurzejewski prevailed on the restart while Alexandria Smith took second from Scherer. Things changed for her when Chase Purdy turned her around in his effort to take over second. Both restarted at the rear but with just seven laps remaining it would be tough to get back to the front. The race resumed but one lap later Purdy slowed on the track and the 5M of Nick Peterson went up in smoke. Over the final six laps Kurzejewski was perfect and left the others well behind. He got the win, followed to the stripe by Bednasz, Scherer, Jeremy Haudricort and Gary Ham.
A good field of INEX Bandoleros, including several newcomers, forced the running of two heats won by Lars McElravy and Bryce Bailey who made up row one for the 8-lap feature. McElravy took off and was quickly challenged by David French. At the halfway point Bailey and Garrett Zacharias got together working turns one and two. McElravy prevailed on the restart but the race went yellow again when Joey Bernatavitz slid off turn two into the infield foam.
This time when the race resumed French took the lead coming off turn two. A lap later Bailey spun to the infield but when the green came back out McElravy took over on lap six. French reclaimed the top spot while McElravy slowed a bit. French got the win while Teddy Bowen, Damon Frutchey, Sean Verwys and McElravy rounded out the top five.
Chemung will be quiet this weekend in honor of Mother’s Day, but racing will resume on Sunday, May 17th. All five regular divisions will be in action, with a pair of 25-lap features set for the Sunoco Modifieds. Grandstand gates open at noon, with practice at 1 PM and the first heat race starting at 2:15 PM. Fans presenting their adult or senior ticket stubs from May 3rd will have $2 taken off their admission. Regular pricing is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+, $5 for kids 6-12 and free for kids ages 5 and under. ‘Like’ Chemung Speedrome on Facebook or visit www.chemungspeedrome.net for all the latest news.
Of note:
During intermission the top 10 in RoC points for 2014 received hardware for their efforts.
Matt Kurzejewski got the non-existent “traveled the furthest award”. On Friday he ran the ARCA race at Talladega, Alabama where he finished 6th. After flying home on Saturday he was at Chemung on Sunday and parked his INEX Legend in victory lane.
Chris Clemens, whose brother Matt died suddenly one week prior, circled the track on the RoC parade laps in a modified that Jimmy and TJ Zacharias detailed to honor a special friend lost.
RJ Mathews and Tim Gullo were the first winners of the Buffalo Wild Wings “winner winner, chicken dinner” bonus of a dozen wings each.
Chemung Speedrome and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series: Asphalt Racing At Its Finest!
(continued)