June 8, 2008

WILLY DECKER RACES TO FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
AT UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY

VERNON, NY- In regular Sunday evening action, both defending 358-Modified champion Stewart Friesen and veteran Pat Ward have had a stranglehold on victory, with each owning two wins each in the four events run. But this past Sunday, June 8 on Mirabito Fuel Group and Keith Pylinski Appraisal/ Pylinksi Realty night, a handful of drivers seemed to have shot at breaking into victory lane besides Friesen and Ward. When the dust settled in the hard fought main, it was Willy Decker who was holding the checkered flag in victory lane.

Jeff Kotary got the early jump on the 358-Modified field from his pole starting position, with Jim Davis, Andy Bachetti, Willy Decker, and Paul Jensen falling in line behind him. Davis applied early pressure to Kotary, but Kotary was able to fend off his challenges as he continued to set a fast pace around the Vernon oval. Davis’ fine run came to an end on lap nine when his machine stopped in turn three, slowing the field.

The ensuing restart saw both Willy Decker and Bobby Varin rocket past Kotary as they began to race each other for the lead. By the halfway point, Varin was able to wrestle the lead from Decker, with Kotary still in third followed by 15th place starter Pat Ward and 23rd place starter Stewart Friesen giving chase.

Two quick yellows on laps 26 and 27 brought the field together of a short dash to the finish of the 30 lap main, with Varin still maintaining the top spot throughout, but after crossing the line for two laps to go, Varin slipped over the edge of turns one and two, giving Decker all the opportunity he needed to get by for the lead, with Ward, Friesen, Jensen, and Paul Kinney also getting by. Decker held off a late charge of Ward to capture his first win of 2008 with Ward, Friesen, Jensen, and Kinney hanging to finish within the top five positions. Rounding out the top 10 were Varin, Mitch Gibbs, Jamie Christian, Bob Henry Jr., and John Ramsey.

The Race of Champions Dart Dirt Sportsman Series had a familiar feel to it, as Utica-Rome Speedway regulars dominated the top of the field as Steve Way, Brad Alger, Casey Williams, Jim Rothwell, and Matt Janczuk all took turns leading the field in the 40 lap event. In the end, it was 14th place starter Rothwell getting by Janczuk on lap 30 and despite several cautions, Rothwell was able to hold off all of Janczuk’s challenges to capture his first win of the 2008 season with Janczuk, Justin Holland, Brad Alger, and Jeremy Vunk chasing. Rothwell’s win was worth $1000.

Third place starter AJ Digsby rocketed off with the lead in the 20 lap Pro Stock feature and never looked back to grab his first win of the season despite heavy pressure from point leader Jim Normoyle. Normoyle would have to settle for second with Mark Effner, Bill Knapp, and Shawn Frost chasing.

Defending Pure Stock Champion Russ Marsden is beginning to find his championship groove, as came from ninth to pass leader Chris Carr on lap 11 of the 15 scheduled to score his third consecutive win. Carr had to settle for second while Tim Janczuk, Ron Hawker, and Cale Hoffman filled out the top five at the finish.

Next Sunday, June 15, an action packed show is planned as the ESDCA Mod Lites and Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club both join the 358-Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks on the racing card. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with racing going off at 5:30 p.m.

MIRABITO FUEL GROUP & KEITH PYLINSKI APPRAISAL/PYLINSKI REALTY
RACE SUMMARY
358-MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 LAPS)- WILLY DECKER, Pat Ward, Stewart Friesen, Paul Jensen, Paul Kinney, Bobby Varin, Mitch Gibbs, Jamie Christian, Bob Henry Jr., John Ramsey, Larry Wight, Gus Schmidt, Jeff Kotary, Brian Murphy, AJ Romano, Andy Bachetti, Bill Shantel Jr., Brad Godshalk, Jim Davis, Joel Thomas, David Orr, and Ted Lamb.

RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT SPORTSMAN SERIES (40 LAPS)- JIM ROTHWELL, Matt Janczuk, Justin Holland, Brad Alger, Jeremy Vunk, Tim Nye, Mike Loney, AJ Filbeck, Jeff Crambo, Randy Shantel, Joey Colsten, Damien Reynolds, Todd Fey, Frank Doty, Steve Way, John Scarborough, Steve Yankowski, Casey Williams, Joe Slawiak, Jason Rood, Craig Pope, Ladd Yeomans, Jamie Batzel, and George Dyer. DNS- Jeff Leslie.

PRO STOCK FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS)- AJ DIGSBY, Jim Normoyle, Mark Effner, Bill Knapp, Shawn Frost, Rob Seavy, Tom Denton, Joe Palmer, Ivan Joslin, Jim Grippin, Ed Ostrander, Dan Peo, and Bret Belden.

PURE STOCK FEATURE FINISH (15 LAPS)- RUSS MARSDEN, Chris Carr, Tim Janczuk, Ron Hawker, Cale Hoffman, Waylan Wilczek, Phil Norman, Frank Hyatt, Kelly Pope, Bill Mason, Scott Wheelock, Robert Thieme, Andy Potter, Rick Breed, and Chris Cunningham. DNS-Keith Stevenson.