A forecast of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening was enough to pull the plug on Chemung Speedrome’s scheduled program Saturday night. While the skies remained partly cloudy for most of the day the sky opened up and it poured at what would have been race time. With so few races remaining on the schedule and so many close point chases, drivers had hoped it would not all boil down to a double points race. Unfortunately for some competing in the three NASCAR divisions, that is how 2017 will shake out.

Things are looking pretty good for Jimmy Zacharias, who takes a 76-point advantage over Connor Sellars into the final. Zacharias is looking for his 6th Sunoco Modified championship and he also leads the NY State NASCAR standings. While 76 is more than the points available in any given week, double points do leave a small window of opportunity for both Sellars and Zack Knowlden. Currently second and third in points, the pair is separated by just 24 points going into the finale. The chase to finish in the top five is also hotly contested by Gene Sharpsteen, Jesse Kent, and Paul Johnson, currently fourth through sixth with just 21 points the difference among them.

Two consecutive feature wins vaulted former Super Stock champ, Tim Gullo, to the top of the points. Defending champ, Nick Robinson, is just 17 back, while 34 points separate Frank Chapman, Jim Lamoreaux and RJ Zacharias in third, fourth and fifth. Jason Duke, John Lane and Terry Potrzebowski are also within striking distance of those coveted spots.

Jacob Gustafson takes a healthy lead into the final 4 Cylinder race. His FWD machine leads overall, while Zack Bennett is second and right now best of those in RWD cars. They have won most of the races this year, as the track celebrates in victory lane with the top finisher in each drive class.

Points for the INEX divisions will be settled at the season finale on Sunday, September 3rd. Kevin Youngs leads Pat Judson in the Legends, while defending champ, Garrett Zacharias (Outlaw), and Evan Rygielski (Bandit) are ranked first and second overall in the division. While they will have one additional race week to settle things they will also be gunning for double points this week.

This Saturday night starting at 6 PM (August 26th) the track presents a 4-division program of NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds, Super Stocks and 4 Cylinders, along with INEX Legends paying double points for all. Champions will be determined in the three NASCAR divisions. Pits open at 4 PM, grandstand gates open and practice gets underway at 5. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors 65+, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.

For more information, log on to www.chemungspeedrome.net or “like” us on Facebook. Chemung Speedrome and NASCAR, Asphalt Racing at its Finest!


Carol Houssock