By Dave Medler
Defending Modified Track Champion Willy Decker out of Vernon, NY took the lead on Lap-4 and from there was never seriously challenged the rest of the way in the 35-Lap Feature. Kevan Cook did something that doesn’t happen very often in a IMCA Modified Feature, pass Dale Caswell when leading. Cook did just that picking up his first win of the year. Doug Williams grabbed another win in the ESDCA Mod Lites. Claude Hutchings Jr made it nine wins in the Four Cylinder Super Stocks with Josh Herbert grabbing the win in the Four Cylinder Enduro on A&P Auto Parts Night.
The DIRTcar Modifieds took the green for their 35-Lap Feature, but before a lap could be completed a multi-car tangle took place bringing out the yellow making for a complete restart. Alan Johnson and Kevin Bates headed pit side, both would continue.
When the feature went back to green Mike Bowman out raced Steve Hulsizer to lead the opening lap. As soon as the leaders went by the flag stand the yellow flew once again for another tangle. Once again Alan Johnson headed to the pits, his crew thrashed on the front end but to no avail as Johnson exited his car for the night.
Once the race got up to speed Willy Decker who started eighth blasted by Mike Bowman on the outside exiting turn four to take the lead on Lap five. Bowman, Hulsizer, Matt Sheppard and Larry Wight chased Decker.
By Lap-10 Decker was able to open up a straightaway lead as Sheppard was trying to chase the leader down. By this point Modified Rookie Larry Wight moved into third with Bowman and Hulsizer still in the top five.
Just before halfway Decker was still on cruise control with Sheppard and Wight having a side by side race for second. Finally on Lap-16 Wight found some bite on the outside and got around Sheppard for the runner-up spot.
With 20-Laps in the record books Decker still maintained a comfortable lead putting lapped cars between him and Wight. Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps and Billy Decker, both who started deep in the pack were the top five.
At Lap-25 Decker had a four second lead but still had to deal with heavy lapped traffic. Wight and Sheppard again ran side by side for second with Phelps right there in the mix.
When the starter gave the five to go sign Decker still led by a full straightaway, you could of thrown a blanket over Sheppard, Phelps and Wight for second.
At the checkers it was Decker for his first win of 2008, Phelps was able to get by Sheppard on the last lap for second, Wight and Billy Decker rounded out the top five.
“I didn’t think we’d ever get back here this year, we have been struggling,” Said Decker after exiting his Westmoreland Golf Club No.1x. We brought a new car out, the car we run at Utica Rome (Small Block) and try something out, we haven’t been going anywhere with the other car.”
Calvin Painter Grabbed the early lead in the IMCA Modified 20-Lap feature followed closely by Les Hubbard and Brian Evenden.
By Lap-6 Painter still led by a slim margin, Evenden and Rich Townsend hounded the leader with Dale Caswell closing fast. On Lap-8 Caswell was able to get around the top three and grab the lead.
When the race hit the halfway point Caswell still led with Evenden, Rich Keller and Kevan Cook in a tight battle behind the leader.
By Lap-15 Cook was able to move into second and be on the back bumper of leader Caswell. One lap later Cook used momentum on the outside to blast around Caswell. Even late yellows that put Caswell on Cooks back bumper wasn’t going to stop Cook on this night as he grabbed his first win of the year. Caswell, Evenden, Rob Keller who started deep in the pack after a heat race incident and J.J Courcy rounded out the top five.
It was awesome to drive by him (Caswell) I’ve beaten him before, but never drove by him, it’s pretty awesome,” related a happy Cook. He finished up by saying he didn’t want to see those late yellows because he thought his tires were going to glaze over, the Hoosiers held up to the finish.
Jeff Barker took advantage of an up front starting spot and immediately opened a lead in the 20-Lap ESDCA Mod Lite Feature. By Lap-5 Ken Gamlen cut down Barkers advantage and took over the lead on Lap-9, Dan and Doug Williams plus Tommy Felicia ran third through fifth.
On Lap-13 Doug Williams was running fourth, by time the next lap was completed Williams swept around the top three into the lead. From there his brother Dan tried to run down Doug’s lead but could get no closer than a few car lengths at the finish. Dan Williams, Lowell Zehr, Rocco Leone and Gary Jeffries completed the top five.
After exiting his “Purple Hayes” No.2 Williams was all smiles saying, “The track was perfect tonight, wow, fast. The car was perfect I didn’t even have to lift much. They were going to have to drive really hard if they were going to get around me.”
Aron Backus ran in the lead for the first four laps in the Four Cylinder Super Stocks 15-Lap Feature before Glen Erwin took over the lead. Erwins lead was short lived as smoke started to show from his car ending his night. From there Claude Hutchings Jr cruised to his ninth win of the season. Chuck Powelczyk, Matt Wetterer, Aron Backus and Matt Fay chased Hutchings across the line.
Josh Herbert out ran Jerry Herbert to win the Four Cylinder Enduro Feature, Art Dupra, Ben Rabin and Jon Shumway completed the top five.
This Friday August 1st at the Brewerton Speedway will be the last tune-up for the Modifieds before the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series comes to town one week later, August 9th. Joining the Modifieds on Motor Cycle Appreciation night will be the IMCA Modifieds, ESDCA Mod Lites, Four Cylinder Super Stocks and Four Cylinder Enduro. Gates open Friday at 5:30 with the first heat set to go at 7:30. Admission Prices are Adults 15 and over- $12, Children 10 to 14 -$5 with Children 9 and under Free. For more information contact the Speedway office at 315-668-6906 or visit www.brewertonspeedway.com.
(MODIFIEDS 35-LAPS) – Willy Decker,
Jimmy Phelps, Matt Sheppard, Larry Wight, Billy Decker, Steve Hulsizer, Bob Henry Jr., Pat O’Brien, Kevin Bates, Kyle Lewis, Jim Witko, Mike Bowman, Chad Phelps, Chuck Bower, Jeremy Smith, Tom Sears Jr., John Ramsey, Tony Steiner, Stephen Planck, Johnny Hill, Bill Shantel Jr., Ryan Bartlett, Pat Ward, Tim Harris, Alan Johnson.
(IMCA MODIFIEDS 20-LAPS) – Kevan Cook,
Dale Caswell, Brian Evenden, Rob Keller, J.J Courcy, Rick Keller, Jerry Beck, Calvin Painter, Larry Bezner, Dave Talbot, Les Hubbard, Bill Anderson Jr., Tony Buffa, Greg Kimball, Art Wilson, Mike Jones, Pete Anderson, Bill Anderson, Jason Amidon, Rich Townsend, Jimmy Walsh, Jeff Amidon, Tony Finch.
ESDCA MOD LITES 20-LAPS) – Doug Williams,
Dan Williams, Lowell Zehr, Rocco Leone, Gary Jeffries, Frank Sobotka, Jason Broedel, Ken Gamlen, Justin Crisafulli, Matt Magner, Jeff Barker, Andrew Schartner, Joe Gwilt, Rick Donovan, Luke Lonergan, Sam Morse, Ricky Yelle, Tommy Felicia, Chris Lane, Jeff Blackburn, Bob Garafolo, Kelly Skinner, Mike Virginia, Lorrie Herbert, Lisa Thomas, Terry Lapham, Matt Virginia, Joe Garafolo, Tim Devendorf, Mike Bruce. (DIG SAFELY NEW YORK CONSI WINNER) – Mike Virginia.
(FOUR CYLINDER SUPER STOCKS 15-LAPS) – Claude Hutchings Jr., Chuck Powelczyk, Mat Wetterer, Aron Backus, Matt Fay, Bill Tice, Randy Knight, Stephen Denton, Sam Curcie, Michelle Britton, Wendall Washington, Jerry Curcie Jr., Lorraine Powelczyk, John Goldman, Glen Erwin, Jerry CurcieSr., Jessica Herbert.
(FOUR CYLINDER ENDURO) – Josh Herbert, Jerry Herbert, Art Dupra, Ben Rabin, Jon Shumway
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