October 13
Ryan Susice Garners Gladiator Top Prize at Genesee
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (October 13, 2018)- Two months after its original date, the long-awaited return of the Big Block Modifieds at Genesee Speedway took to life on a chilly afternoon with a host of drivers hungry to claim the final checkered flag of the season at Genesee, in the end one driver proved to be the top gladiator, dominating the rest of the lions.
Ryan Susice, of Ransomville, took the lead from Todd Gordon on lap 15 of the forty lap feature and then set sail in Wally Wade’s No. 84 to drive way for the $2,000 top prize. Susice was able to utilize a line higher than what most others were able to run a half-second faster than any other driver could hang with.
“After the heat races I wasn’t really sure what we had for these guys, there are a lot of good guys here and we were a little off but we really got it for this feature,” said Susice in Victory Lane holding the Spartan Head Trophy. “I could tell by the lap counter that I had a pretty good lead so even when we got in to lapped traffic I knew I was in pretty good shape.
Susice started the feature in fifth and saw Todd Gordon and Joe August Jr battle it out for the early lead. Greg Martin and Boyd MacTavish were also part of the fray up top but on a lap 7 restart Susice rode up to second and then began to hound Gordon’s No. 28. Over the long 20-lap green flag run he moved in to the top spot and then build a massive lead. Two late restarts allowed Gordon to apply a bumper coming to green but nothing was enough to overtake Susice.
Todd Gordon’s final attempt to upset the leader would end up costing him second place, as Ron Cartwright Jr moved by to claim the runner-up spot after starting in 13th. Gordon would settle for third with Scott Wood moving by Body MacTavish to cross in fourth as the Niagara Frontier drivers rounded out the top five.
Four weeks ago in the Topless Crate Nationals, Kyle Inman used a sweetheart move to setup leader Cody Wolfe to move around him to win the Sportsman 40-lapper, on Saturday he made almost an identical maneuver to end the season $1,000 richer. Inman, of Darien, notched his fourth win of the year in the GRIT Series Finale amidst a wild three-car battle for the top spot.
“Cody and I talked about that battle before the race and I kept trying to show him low and show him low side and set him up and was finally able to get him up on the top,” said Inman in Victory Lane. “My car had a really bad push but we were able to work through it and tried it on the top and basically closed my eyes to make the pass off of turn two.”
Early in the race it was Wolfe and Dylan Zacharias exchanging the lead on a myriad of starts and restarts. After two laps the decision was made to add water to control dust, which was needed but also changed the dynamics of the surface drastically. As the race went green though, it was Inman and Rouse driving up through to go after the leaders. On lap 17, Zacharias pulled up in turn two with a problem and was done for the race. With a single-file restart, Inman began to stalk the leader but had to watch for Rouse who was ready to pounce on any misstep.
On lap 27, Inman looked low off turn four and almost saw Rouse drive around him for second but barely got back to the top side, where he set up his slingshot pass in to the lead for his fourth win of the season. A lap later Rouse would move up to finish second while Wolfe would settle for third. Dave DiPietro and Ricky Newton completed the top five.
Kurt Stebbins was pulling double duty on the night and looked to claim a Street Stock Mini Series Championship; after he failed to do that he turned his focus to his Late Model and said he stumbled on something, as he ran away to his first Genesee win in the division. Stebbins led all 25 laps without challenge to become the 8th different Crate Late Model winner in Batavia in 2018. The race ran off relatively caution-free which allowed Stebbins to amass more than a four second lead at points in the race. Scott Gurdak would make his long tow pay off with a runner-up finish, while local Billy DuBois had a career night, finishing in third. Kyle Murray and Chris Fleming rounded out the top five.
Doug Jones finished the 2018 season on an incredible hot streak, collecting $1,000 for his fifth straight win in the Street Stocks Feature. Jones started on the pole and led all 20 laps without much challenge for the top spot. As he was driving away to a comfortable victory, the battle was on for second and the Street Stock Mini Series Championship. Josh Pangrazio drove up to second and had to finish ahead of Kurt Stebbins to claim the title, but midway through the race, it appeared Stebbins would be able to drive up by him. With five laps remaining, Stebbins slid up high, lost a spot and allowed Pangrazio to drive away to second and claim the title. Track Champion Dennis Cummings drove up third while Stebbins fell back to fourth. Byron Dewitt rounded out the top five.
Brad Shepard claimed his third win of the season in the Mini Stock Feature and once again did it in dramatic fashion. Shepard, a three-time track champion, moved by Don Whiteside coming to two laps to go utilizing the bottom of the track for a series of laps to make the pass. It was a wild five-car-scramble for the lead as Shepard hounded the leader. Once Shepard got to the lead, he was able to drive away to claim a comfortable victory while Whiteside had to fight hard for second. Dante Mancuso crossed in third but did not meet post-race tech, which gave the spot to Cole Susice. Chris Leone and Rich Conte rounded out the top five.
A chilly afternoon was met with 100 cars in the pit area, including 23 for the Big Block/Small Block Modifieds. At intermission, a helmet pass was done for racer Rich Conte, whose infant daughter Meilla passed away Friday from Leukemia. Over $1700 were raised, including $500 from Dennis Cummings, who won the Street Stock Champions Dash and then donated the money to the fund. Next up at the Genesee Speedway is the 2018 Awards Banquet on Saturday, December 15. For more information, visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
Genesee Speedway Results: 10/13/2018-
A-Verdi Fall Finale Night
“The Gladiator” Modified Feature presented by Wraptile Graphics and Professional Drainage Systems (40 Laps)- RYAN SUSICE, Ron Cartwright Jr., Todd Gordon, Scott Wood, Boyd MacTavish, John Venuto, Jimmy Maier, Justin Wright, Phil Vigneri, Tom Neale, Tony Pangrazio, Phil Vigneri III, Chris Ostrowsky, Mike Bills, Joe August Jr., Greg Martin, Kyle Coffey, Ray Bliss, Shannon Whaley, James Sweeting, Dan Michaud, Jim Zimmerman, Bryan Faulkner.
Lap Leaders- Gordon 1-14, Susice 15-40.
Heat Winners- Sweeting, Bliss, Wood.
GRIT Sportsman Feature (30 Laps)- KYLE INMAN, Brad Rouse, Cody Wolfe, Dave DiPietro, Ricky Newton, Zach George, Adam Leslie, Robbie Johnston, Zack Sam, Butch Zimmerman, Dalton Martin, Tim Schram, Mike Denning, Gordy Hermanson Jr, John Sekoll, Dylan Zacharias, AJ Custodi, Mike Fraiser, Anthony Muscato, Jim Harbison, Austyn Fugle, Doug Smith, Ray Bliss.
Lap Leader- Zacharias 1, Wolfe 2, Zacharias 3-10, Wolfe 11-26, Inman 27-30.
Heat Winners- Newton, Leslie, Harbison.
Did Not Qualify- James Michael Friesen, James Henry (DNS).
Crate Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- KURT STEBBINS, Scott Gurdak, Billy DuBois, Kyle Murray, Chris Fleming, Alan Chapman, Jimmy Johnson, Dave DuBois, Doug Ricotta, Greg Mrzywka, Bill Holmes, Beamer Guzzardi, JJ Mazur, Ryan Hoolihan, Jon Rivers, David Pangrazio, Paul Norman, Zach Weich (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Stebbins 1-25.
Heat Winners- Guzzardi, Chapman.
Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DOUG JONES, Josh Pangrazio, Dennis Cummings, Kurt Stebbins, Byron Dewitt, Pat Powers, Bill Taylor, Tommy Kemp, Jason Quigley, Dan Brumsted, Mike Kelly, Jesse Qutermous, Vic Behrens, Glenn Whritenour, Bob Babbitt, Jeffrey LaLundy (DNS), Damian Long (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Jones 1-20.
Heat Winners- Jones, Stebbins.
Champions Dash- Cummings.
Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- BRAD SHEPARD, Don Whiteside, Cole Susice, Chris Leone, Rich Conte, Andrew Doran, Allison Dewitt, Joshua Oles, Chuck Cala, Brandon Close, Brian Gregory, Craig Vlasic, Eric Brumsted, Eric Weis, Olivia Coniber, Fabio Olivieri, Dante Mancuso (DQ).
Lap Leaders- Brumsted 1-2, Whiteside 3-12, Shepard 13-15.
Heat Winners- Whiteside, Brumsted.
__________________________________________________________________________________
September 16th
Jason Genco and Kyle Inman Top Topless Crate Nationals Main Events at Genesee
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (September 16, 2018)- After his win on Saturday Night in the preliminary Late Model feature, Jason Genco declared that he had unfinished business to take care of, looking for redemption on his heartbreak in 2017; on Sunday Night he refused to give up the lead and score a win that was his primary race to win in 2018.
Genco, of Jamestown, NY, held off three fierce challenges from Brady Wonderling to win the Late Model portion of the 2nd Annual Topless Crate Nationals. Along with sweeping the weekend and picking up the $3,000 payday, Genco was able to pick up his fifth-straight win at Genesee.
“We took care of business,” declared a jubilant Genco in Victory Lane. “I wanted this one more than any other race and just so glad to have it.”
Genco started the night off a little slow, only timing fourth fastest in his group, but good fortune allowed him to get a restart on the outside of the front row and win his heat and gain a redraw opportunity, which put him on the outside pole for the 40-lap event. After quickly jumping to the lead and pulling ahead smoothly, Brady Wonderling started to reel him in during the long green flag runs that dominated the race. On three occasions, the Z1 would charge to the inside, but just could not move by the No. 29J to steal away the win.
“I used a 25 (softer tire) and he was on a 55 (harder tire), so I knew I was a sitting duck late in the race and had to play defense,” admitted Genco, the Rush Series Point Leader. “His car just kept coming on and the lapped traffic was really tricky.”
One year ago in the Sunday Night finale, Genco was penalized with two laps remaining for contact with the leader while running second. He and his team took that in stride and now end the season with five wins in eight races at the 1/3-mile oval.
Brady Wonderling would fight hard all the way to the finish but would have to settle for second. Early in the race, Wonderling would have to hold back the advances of Max Blair, who would fall in to the clutches of Mike Pegher Jr., who moved by the No. 111 late to claim third. Behind Blair was Beamer Guzzardi, who rounded out the top five.
When Kyle Inman’s wife redrew the 10th starting spot in the 10-car sportsman redraw, he said things were quiet around his pits before the feature, but there was plenty of noise being made when he parked his No. 20k in Victory Lane after winning the 40-lap feature.
Inman, of Darien, scored the $3,000 top prize after making a nifty move on a lap 23 restart to get by second place Josh Wilcox and then leader Cody Wolfe a lap later. It was a vintage move the three-time champion as he wound his momentum up on the top of the track, the groove that was not the primary lane to be in during longer green flag runs.
“This track was awesome tonight,” stated Inman in Victory Lane, echoing Genco’s sentiments from earlier. “It was a racer’s track tonight and put it back in our hands.”
As Inman drove off to the victory, Cody Wolfe would hang on to second, which felt like a win for the rookie driver. Wolfe had built over a six second lead by the halfway point in the race when he slammed in to the frontstretch wall with his No. 80. Wolfe was still able to continue but admitted after the race his car was not right from that point on. Josh Wilcox was also solid, crossing in fourth, while Saturday Night winner Brad Rouse moved up to fourth in the final two laps, bringing fellow Canadian Jay Mallory with him to complete the top five.
Chad Ruhlman swept the weekend in the inaugural appearance of the Rush Sprint Cars to Genesee Speedway. Ruhlman, of Bemus Point, NY, took the lead from Brian Woodhall on lap seven with a well-timed pass, a lap after getting by Zack Bealer with a narrow pass down the backstretch. Bealer would eventually move up to second while Woodhall finished third for the second straight night. Rounding out the top five were Zach Morrow and Shawn Smith. A scary moment earlier in the night occurred when Joe McEwen flipped his No. 9J in heat race action. He was able to walk away.
Doug Jones was able to sweep the weekend as well in the Street Stock division, which allowed him to win his last four races at the track. Jones, of LeRoy, took the initial lead but then lost it to Pat Powers on lap 3. On a lap 7 restart Jones was able to get back by and never looked back to claim the $1,000 top prize. Powers fought off Josh Pangrazio to hold on for second while Dennis Cummings got by Ryan Allen late as they rounded out the top five.
To complete the night, Dante Mancuso moved by Chris Leone on lap 12 of the 20-lap Mini Stock Feature to win his fifth race of the season. Mancuso, the 2018 Track Champion from Batavia, survived a host of restarts to win on Topless Crate Nationals Weekend for the second year in a row. Things got wild on the final lap as Brandon Shepard drove back up to finish in second, ahead of Casey Burch, who was disqualified in post-race technical inspection. Inheriting third place was Bill Weller Jr., who also moved by Chris Leone on the final circuit. Andrew Gayton drove up to complete that top five.
For the second night in a row, over 130 cars filled the sun-baked pits at Genesee. There is one race left on the docket in 2018 with the Big Block Modifed “Gladiator” Highlighting the five-card event on Saturday, October 13. For more information visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
Genesee Speedway Results: 9/16/2018-
Champion Racing Oil/ Stirling Lubricants Topless Crate Nationals Night #2
Topless Late Model Feature (40 Laps)- JASON GENCO, Brady Wonderling, Mike Pegher Jr, Max Blair, Beamer Guzzardi, JJ Mazur, John Waters, Kurt Stebbins, Chris Fleming, David Pangrazio, Dave DuBois, Andy Proper, Jason Knowles, Ward Schell, Jeremy Wonderling, Bill Holmes, Wayne Robertson, Brian Knowles, Kyle Murray, Steve LaBarron, Billy DuBois, Jamie Freeman, Jon Rivers, Paul Norman, TJ Downs.
Did Not Qualify- Doug Ricotta, Randy Ralyea, Darin Horton, Ryan Hoolihan, Mike Jackson, Scott Gurdak.
Lap Leader- Genco 1-40.
Heat Winners- Guzzardi, Pegher Jr., Genco, J. Wonderling.
Consolation Winner- B. Knowles.
Topless Sportsman Feature (40 Laps)- KYLE INMAN, Cody Wolfe, Josh Wilcox, Brad Rouse, Jay Mallory, Brett Senek, Zack Sam, Brian Bellinger, Ray Bliss, Jim Harbison, James Henry, Austin Susice, Jonathan Reid, Robbie Johnston, Austyn Fugle, Anthony Muscato, Jimmy Johnson, Ricky Newton, Luke Carleton, Zach George, Scott George, AJ Lloyd, Dave Conant, Bryan Faulkner, Cameron Tuttle.
Did Not Qualify- Brian Sadler, Kyle Wendt, Tony Pangrazio, Dave DiPietro, Jim Zimmerman, Mike Denning, Orval Harris, Rick Martin, Matt Steffenhagen, Shawn Hazlitt, Bill Taylor, Gordy Hermanson Jr, Noah Walker, Ray Bliss Jr, AJ Custodi
Lap Leader- Wolfe 1-33, Inman 34-40.
Heat Winners- Inman, Newton, Senek, Wolfe, Reid.
Consolation Winners- Harbison, Sam.
Rush Sprint Cars Feature (20 Laps)- CHAD RUHLMAN, Zack Bealer, Brian Woodhall, Zach Morrow, Shawn Smith, Brian Ruhlman, Brandon Hawkins, Dave Hawkins, Gale Ruth Jr., Steve Pedley, Scott Hawkins, Arnie Kent, Steve Cousins, Kevin Mohney, Brad Blackshear, Joe McEwan (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Woodhall 1-6, C. Ruhlman 7-20.
Heat Winners- D. Hawkins, Bealer.
Topless Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DOUG JONES, Pat Powers, Josh Pangrazio, Dennis Cummings, Ryan Allen, Dan Brumsted, Jason Quigley, Bob Babbitt?, Kurt Stebbins, Glenn Whritenour, Matt Tracey, Brandon Sherwood, Phil Schepis, Jesse Qutermous, Darren Phippen, Bill Demick, Adam DePuy, CJ Guererri, Nate Arnold (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Jones 1-3, Powers 4-6, Jones 7-20.
Heat Winners- Pangrazio, Guererri.
Mini Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DANTE MANCUSO, Brandon Shepard, Bill Weller, Chris Leone, Andy Gayton, Chad Jesso, James Gayton, Anthony Hermanson, Craig Vlasic, Randy Gregory, Tony Kulesza, Cole Susice, Brandon Close, Nick Tarnowski, Eric Weis, Brian Gregory, Olivia Coniber, Dalton Martin, Brad Shepard, Josh Dietrick, Chris Walton, Eric Brumsted, Jessica Schleede (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Leone 1-11, Mancuso 12-20.
Heat Winners- Leone, Susice, Brandon Shepard.
____________________________________________________________________________________
September 15th
Jason Genco and Brad Rouse Open Up Topless Crate Nationals at Genesee on the Right Note
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (September 15, 2018)- Jason Genco continued his amazing season at the Genesee Speedway on Saturday Night, as he captured the opening night of the Topless Crate Nationals for the second year in a row. Genco, of Frewsburg, NY, dominated the 25-lap, $1,500-to-win feature, holding a healthy lead throughout the event to claim his fourth win of the season at the 1/3-mile oval.
“I wasn’t sure if the bottom was going to be the place to be but clearly it wasn’t because the top was just so good for me tonight,” said Genco in Victory Lane.
Genco was strong from the start of the night, turning the quickest lap in timed hot laps, winning his heat, and then drawing the outside pole for the feature. The No. 29J quickly pounced on the lead at the initial green flag then used a safe but steady line 2/3 of the way up the track. The race required some restarts, but nothing seemed to phase the Rush Series point leader as he kept hitting his marks to drive away to the win.
Doug Ricotta recorded his best run of the season with a fine second place showing. Ricotta had to fight off some fast competitors on double-file restarts to hang on to the runner-up position and then drive away during the long green flag runs. Scott Gurdak made his first appearance at Genesee count with a third place showing, holding back Jeremy Wonderling, who crossed in fourth. Track Champion JJ Mazur rounded out the top five.
Brad Rouse and Kyle Inman battled one another for much of the 2018 around the Northeast, and they were able to duke it out once again on Saturday Night in the 25-lap Sportsman Feature. Rouse, of St. Catharine’s, Ontario, was able to hold off late-race advances of Inman to claim the $1,500 top prize.
“When the track gets slick we are on our game and the track was great,” stated Rouse in Victory Lane. “Kyle is a good competitor and I knew he would be right there the whole way.”
Inman started on the pole, but Rouse had the preferred line on the outside and was able to win the dual with the No. 20k coming to the complete the first lap. The first caution of the race did not occur until lap 14, but on the restart Inman started to show signs of life going after the leader, one lap later though he would slide up high and lose any forward momentum he would gain. On the final restart of the race with three laps remaining, Inman stayed close but was unable to get by and had to settle for second. While the top two had a fine battle for the win, Ray Bliss and James Michael Friesen ran side-by-side for third place for much of the race, with Bliss coming out on top. Austyn Fugle would round out the top five.
In the first ever performance by the Rush Sprint Cars to the Genesee Speedway, series point leader Chad Ruhlman put on a clinic, leading all 20 laps to stay nearly perfect for the season. Ruhlman, of Bemus Point, NY, took the lead from the pole and thought the top line would be the place to run, but quickly found that he had to get to the bottom line and hit his marks in his No. 87R to pull away from fellow heat winner Shawn Smith, who ran strong to finish in second. Brian Woodhall was steady all night to place in third, while Zackery Bealer had a strong drive forward to finish in fifth. Steve Cousins would round out the top five.
Doug Jones stayed hot late in the season as he won his third-straight feature in the $1,000-to-win Street Stock Feature. Jones took the lead from Adam DePuy on lap eight and then held off Kurt Stebbins and Josh Pangrazio to claim the third race in the street stock series. The win was the fourth overall on the year for Jones in the No. 11x. The race had a great five-car battle for the lead. Kurt Stebbins appeared at times that he might be able to steal away the win, but as the laps closed out, Stebbins had to focus more on holding off Josh Pangrazio, who charged hard but would come across just behind Stebbins in third. Early Leader DePuy fell back to fourth while track champion Dennis Cummings drove up to round out the top five.
Brad Shepard made a slick move on a lap 13 restart to move by Chris Leone for the lead in Mini Stock Feature and drive away to capture his second win of the year in the 20-lap special. Shepard, of LeRoy, chased Leone for the first dozen laps but just did not have enough momentum to get on by. On the restart, Shepard timed the jump perfectly and moved to the inside of the No. 62, using the bottom line to finally get in to the lead after a full two laps of battling. The three-time track champion survived some late race restarts to win on Crate Nationals weekend for the second year in a row. Leone would settle for second while Bill Weller Jr drove up to finish in third. Casey Burch got back by James Gayton in the closing laps to cross in fourth.
An impressive 130 cars were in the pits for the opening night of the Topless Crate Nationals. For more information, visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com. ciu
Genesee Speedway Results: 9/15/2018-
Topless Crate Nationals Night #1 presented by Dale Valley Diecast
Topless Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- JASON GENCO, Doug Ricotta, Scott Gurdak, Jeremy Wonderling, JJ Mazur, Ward Schell, Brady Wonderling, David Pangrazio, Brian Knowles, Kurt Stebbins, Beamer Guzzardi, Dave DuBois, TJ Downs, Billy DuBois, Andy Proper, Darin Horton, Randy Ralyea, Damian Bidwell, Chad Homan, Steve LaBaron, John Waters, Mike Pegher Jr.
Did Not Qualify- Mike Jackson, Paul Norman, DJ Krug, Greg Mrzywka, Alan Chapman, Tony Finch II, Billy Eisele.
Lap Leaders- Genco 1-25.
Heat Winners- Genco, B. Wonderling, Gurdak, Homan.
Consolation Winner- Proper.
Topless Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)- BRAD ROUSE, Kyle Inman, Ray Bliss, James Michael Friesen, Austyn Fugle, Matt Steffenhagen, Zach George, Ricky Newton, Dylan Zacharias, Anthony Muscato, Jay Mallory, AJ Lloyd, Austin Susice, Scott George, Ed Cain, Dave Conant, Dave DiPietro, Robbie Johnston, Byron Dewitt, Luke Carleton, Cody Wolfe, Adam Leslie, Zack Sam, James Henry, Cameron Tuttle.
Did Not Qualify- Kyle Wendt, Dalton Martin, Gordy Hermanson, Mike Denning, Adam Chaddock, Bryan Faulkner, Tim Schram, Jim Harbison, John Sekoll, Cameron Tuttle, Brian Sadler, Ray Bliss Jr, Jim Zimmerman, Noah Walker, Rick Martin (DNS).
Lap Leader- Rouse 1-25.
Heat Winners- Leslie, Rouse, DiPietro, Bliss, Johnston.
Consolation Winners- Henry, Dewitt
RUSH Sprint Cars Feature (20 Laps)- CHAD RUHLMAN, Shawn Smith, Brian Woodhall, Zackery Bealer, Steve Cousins, Zach Morrow, Gale Ruth Jr, Dave Hawkins, Brendan Hawkins, Scott Hawkins, Steve Pedley, Kevin Mohney, Brad Blacksheard, Brian Ruhlman, Joe McEwen.
Lap Leaders-
Heat Winners- C. Ruhlman, Smith.
Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DOUG JONES, Kurt Stebbins, Josh Pangrazio, Adam DePuy, Dennis Cummings, Glenn Whritenour, Mike Kelly, Jesse Qutermous, Phil Schepis, Matt Tracey, Bob Babbitt, Darren Phippen, Jason Quigley, Dan Brumsted, Ryan Allen, Vic Behrens, Pat Powers, CJ Guererri, Brandon Sherwood, Byron Dewitt.
Lap Leaders- DePuy 1-7, Jones 8-20.
Heat Winners- Whritenour, Stebbins.
Mini Stock Feature (20 Laps)- BRAD SHEPARD, Chris Leone, Bill Weller Jr., Casey Burch, James Gayton, Jessica Schleede, Nick Tarnowski, Brandon Close, Tony Kulesza, Shawn Hazlitt, Brian Gregory, Cole Susice, Randy Gregory, Eric Weis, Olivia Coniber, Dalton Martin, Allison Dewitt, Kyle Slapsadle, Chad Desso, Brandon Shepard, Tony Hermanson, Dante Mancuso, Chris Walton, John Mosher (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Leone 1-13, Brad Shepard 14-20.
Heat Winners- Susice, Brandon Shepard, Martin.
September 1st
For Immediate Release:
John Zimmerman Scores 360 Late Model Finale Special at Genesee
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (September 1, 2018)- In what is the final weekly event for the 360 Late Models at Genesee Speedway, John Zimmerman made sure to leave with good memories, as he led wire-to-wire to win the 25-lap, $1,000-to-win finale presented by Johnson Automotive. Zimmerman, of Burt, was able to score his second win of the season over Jeremy Wonderling and Dave DuBois, who hung with him but were never able to apply enough pressure throughout the feature. Only once did the caution flag have to wave, but that caution period on lap 16 was much-needed for “The Z-Man” as he was able to relax his fingers for the rest of the long extra-length race. Dave DuBois had already locked up his eighth Genesee Track Championship entering the night and he and his crew were sure to celebrate in style after the event. Rounding out the top five were Tommy Kemp and Tom Baker.
Jon Rivers captured his second career Crate Late Model Feature win in the 25-lap event. After finally breaking through for his first win in the division last month, the veteran was able to reel off his second win in the last three races by holding back JJ Mazur. The race ran off caution-free until just after halfway, allowing Mazur to close up on the No. 85. As the race wore on, Mazur began to reel in the leader and started to challenge in the final two laps, but it was “Jonzilla” would could not be dethroned on the night. Mazur’s second place finish was good enough to secure his second-straight Genesee Track Championship. David Pangrazio was third, just in front of Bill Holmes and Doug Ricotta, who completed the top five.
Ray Bliss put on a clinic in front of the field in the Sportsman Feature to score his second win of the season. Bliss, of Warsaw, took the lead from the outside pole and then was prolific on each restart to capture his first win at the Genesee since May 12th. It was the second time in the last three seasons that Bliss won the final point race of the season. The racetrack was fast and Bliss saw a host of drivers challenge him for the top spot, including youngster Cody Wolfe who was able to finish in second. Kyle Wendt drove up to finish in third while polesitter Tony Pangrazio crossed in fourth. Austyn Fugle rounded out the top five, just ahead of Kyle Inman, who placed in sixth, which was good enough to capture his third-straight Sportsman Track Championship.
Doug Jones scored his third Street Stock win of the season and his second in as many weeks, as he made a late-race pass on Bob Babbitt to collect the win in a competitive 20-lap event. Ryan Allen led the first 15 laps but was hounded by four fast cars and after laps of trying veteran Bob Babbitt finally was able to take the lead. Less than a lap later, Doug Jones, who also got by Ryan Allen on lap 16, drove underneath the leader and took the lead, setting sail on the pack to cruise to the victory. Babbitt would settle for second while Jesse Qutermous drove up to third. Dennis Cummings did not have his finest night, but his fourth-place showing was more than enough to claim his first career Genesee Track Championship. The Wellsville Driver won two races early in the season and then used consistent finishes to hang on to the point lead. Rounding out the top five was early race leader Ryan Allen.
The final race of the night was filled with drama as the Mini Stock Feature saw Cole Susice win and then have to wait and see how the points tabulated for the championship. Susice took the lead on a lap five restart and sliced through lapped traffic to capture his third win of the season. Brandon Shepard held off Brad Shepard for second while Chirs Leone crossed in fourth. Point Leader Dante Mancuso had a throttle linkage issue on lap five and had to surrender the lead but was able to make it back out and drove up from 21st to finish 5th, which was good enough to win his second-straight Genesee Track Championship in the division.
All Bailey Logsdon had to do was start the Bandit Feature to claim her first Genesee Track Championship, but she did plenty more than that, winning her seventh feature of the season in dominating fashion. Logsdon hit her marks throughout the caution-free event to defeat defending champion Jessica Traxler. Adam Jackson raced up to round out the podium.
The final night of the regular season at Genesee Speedway not only saw six drivers claim their hard-fought championships, but on a Chamber of Commerce night in Batavia, race teams and fans collaborated for a great cause. Fans and Drivers did a “Buck Pass” for Warrior House of WNY, the presenting sponsor of the night, and were able to raise $1,032 for the great cause. A total of 91 cars were in the pits on the night.
With the regular season now over, the postseason ramps up with the 2nd Annual Topless Crate Nationals on Saturday September 15th and Sunday September 16th. For more information, visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
Genesee Speedway Results: 9/1/2018-
Warrior House of WNY Night
MHL Performance Crate Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- JON RIVERS, JJ Mazur, David Pangrazio, Bill Holmes, Doug Ricotta, Beamer Guzzardi, Jeremy Wonderling, Billy DuBois, TJ Downs, Mike Jackson, Greg Mrzywka, Jimmy Johnson, Kyle Murray.
Lap Leader- Rivers 1-25.
Heat Winners- Mazur, Rivers.
2018 Champion- JJ Mazur
Cornerstone Eye Associates Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)- RAY BLISS, Cody Wolfe, Kyle Wendt, Tony Pangrazio, Austyn Fugle, Kyle Inman, Anthony Muscato, Cameron Tuttle, Dave Conant, Zach George, Jim Harbison, Austin Susice, Dalton Martin, Gordy Hermanson Jr., Adam Chaddock, Ray Bliss Jr, Sarah Johnson, Zack Sam, Carl Inman, Shane O’Grady, Brian Bellinger, Matt Steffenhagen, TJ Newton, Mike Denning, AJ Custodi, Rick Blech Jr.
Lap Leader- Bliss 1-25.
Heat Winners- Steffenhagen, Fugle, Wendt.
2018 Champion- Kyle Inman
Johnson Automotive 360 Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Jeremy Wonderling, Dave DuBois, Tommy Kemp, Tom Baker, Shawn Hazlitt, Jacob McConnell, Rich Hale.
Lap Leader- Zimmerman 1-25.
Heat Winner- Zimmerman.
2018 Champion- Dave DuBois
Yasses Trucking & Construction Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DOUG JONES, Bob Babbitt, Jesse Qutermous, Dennis Cummings, Ryan Allen, Kenny Begnouche, Phil Schepis, Dave Bansmer, Mike Kelly, Byron Dewitt, Gary Donnelly, Patrick Nash (DNS).
Lap Leaders- Allen 1-15, Babbitt 16, Jones 17-20.
Heat Winners- Dewitt, Jones.
2018 Champion- Dennis Cummings
Pellegrino Auto Sales Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- COLE SUSICE, Brandon Shepard, Brad Shepard, Chris Leone, Dante Mancuso, Eric Brumsted, Andrew Doran, James Gayton, Olivia Coniber, Jessica Schleede, Trinity Reynolds, Tony Kulesza, Elliott Arnold, Kyle Slapsadle, Chris Walton, Dominic DiLiberto, Tom Urban, Ruben Coffey, Nick Tarnowski, Rich Conte, Joe Kilby, Andrew Hoffman, Eric Weis (DQ), Andrew Gayton (DQ).
Lap Leaders- Conte 1-3, Mancuso 4, Susice 5-15.
Heat Winners- Mancuso, Susice, Conte.
2018 Champion- Dante Mancuso.
DML Sealing Bandits (12 Laps)- BAILEY LOGSDON, Jessica Traxler, Adam Jackson, Greenley George, Hailey Weis, Randy Gregory, Brian Gregory, Alexis Traxler.
Lap Leader- Logsdon 1-12.
Heat Winner- J. Traxler
2018 Champion- Bailey Logsdon
________________________________________________________________________________
August 25th
Bill Holmes and Kyle Inman Each Notch Second Wins of 2018 at Genesee
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (August 25, 2018)- A speedy night at the Genesee Speedway saw a slew of tight finishes on a perfectly-prepared race track for the Terry Pangrazio Memorial.
The Crate Late Model Feature saw Bill Holmes take the early lead and set out to a comfortable advantage for much of the feature; in the waning laps though, lapped traffic became dense and Holmes saw JJ Mazur run him down and make things interesting on the final circuit. Coming off the final corner, Holmes was stuck behind lapped cars battling three-wide off the corner for position. Holmes was able to keep enough momentum to claim his second win of the year, closing the gap slightly on the points lead held by JJ Mazur, who followed across closely in second. Beamer Guzzardi was also up with the lead duo and placed in third, with Doug Ricotta a solid fourth. David Pangrazio completed the top five.
Kyle Inman put on one of the craftiest and well-planned moves of the season to take the lead from Tony Pangrazio on lap 17 and then drive away to win his second Sportsman feature of the season and move one step closer to his third-straight track championship. Inman, of Darien, had to battle with Pangrazio since the initial green flag, as those two duked it out for second until what would be the races only caution on lap three. On the ensuing restart, Pangrazio took the lead from Cody Wolfe and Inman was quick to follow through to second. Inman hounded the 41 for a dozen laps, peeking to the inside on multiple occasions, but found that his motor was bogging down too much off the corner to complete a pass. On lap 15, he showed the nose to the inside of the leader enough to make him move another groove lower on the track. Two laps later, Inman worked up to the time and rode the rim around Pangrazio to take the lead. Once taking the top spot he checked out and ran away. Pangrazio crossed in second, only to be disqualified after the race for coming up light at the scales. Jim Harbison, who was in the mix for the lead for much of the race, would end up second while Austin Susice would place third. Zach George and Dave Conant would drive up to complete the top five.
Dave DuBois became the first driver to lock up a track championship for 2018 as he dominated the 360 Late Model feature for his eighth win of the year. DuBois took advantage of the top lane on a lap two restart and got in front of Rich Hale and then held a comfortable distance throughout the 15 lap feature. The championship for “The Outlaw” is his eighth career at Genesee, his seventh in a row. Rich Hale scored his best run of the year coming home in second. Tom Baker stole third away from John Zimmerman while Tommy Kemp rounded out the top five.
To conclude the show, the Street Stocks were certainly the most drama-filled of the night. A host of incidents took top names out of the event, most notably on lap 15 when leader Byron Dewitt slapped the frontstretch wall coming out of turn four and then came to a stop a half-lap later. Doug Jones inherited the lead and had to work hard to hold back the advances of Josh Pangrazio, who had his tribute No. 7 car charging hard. The two had banged in to one another hard during the middle of the race, but were able to throw each other a thumbs-up under an ensuing red flag. On the final circuit, Pangrazio tried a crossover move in turns one and two, then went and used the high side in turns three and four to pull even with the No. 11x of Jones coming to the checkered. The two were locked together coming to the line with Jones beating Pangrazio back to the line by just .037 seconds. Pat Powers placed in third with Bill Taylor and Dennis Cummings rounding out the top five.
Dante Mancuso won another epic Mini Stock Feature, as nearly a half-dozen drivers had a look at the race lead at some point in the 15 lap feature. Cole Susice led early but on a lap 8 restart but slid over the berm in turn two to allow Mancuso to take the lead. Chris Leone then took a peek at the lead, only to suffer a similar fate on lap 11, sliding over the banking. The final challenger to Mancuso was Brad Shepard, who put a nose under the No. 1, but in lapped traffic Mancuso was too strong and picked up his fourth win to pad his point lead heading in to the final week. Shepard would settle for second, ahead of Eric Weis while Susice would rally to fourth, ahead of Brandon Shepard.
Jessica Traxler finally broke off her streak of runner-up finishes to claim her first Bandit Feature win of the season. Traxler, the 2017 division champion from Warsaw, held command of the event from start to finish without much challenge after taking the initial lead from Adam Jackson. Jackson would settle for second, holding off Greenley George while point leader Bailey Logsdon lost two laps with a flat tire.
Next Saturday is the final night of the regular season with all six divisions in competition, including the 29-lap Russ Prentice Memorial for the 360 Late Models. Race time is set for 6:00 P.M. For more information visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
Genesee Speedway Results: 8/25/2018-
Terry Pangrazio Memorial Night
MHL Performance Crate Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- BILL HOLMES, JJ Mazur, Beamer Guzzardi, Doug Ricotta, David Pangrazio, Kyle Murray, Mike Jackson, Jon Rivers, TJ Downs, Sam Pennacchio, Greg Mrzywka, Billy DuBois, Jimmy Johnson.
Lap Leaders- Holmes 1-25.
Heat Winners- Guzzardi, Mazur.
Cornerstone Eye Associates Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)- KYLE INMAN, Jim Harbison, Austin Susice, Zach George, Dave Conant, Matt Stefenhagen, Cody Wolfe, AJ Custodi, Austyn Fugle, Anthony Muscato, Cameron Tuttle, Kyle Wendt, Ray Bliss, Dalton Martin, Shane O’Grady, Sarah Johnson, Gordy Hermanson Jr., Zack Sam, Stubby Pangrazio, Mike Denning, Josh Ames, Carl Inman, Ray Bliss Jr., Tony Pangrazio (DQ), Rick Martin (DNS).
Lap Leader- Wolfe 1-3, T. Pangrazio 4-16, K. Inman 17-25.
Heat Winners- T. Pangrazio, Custodi, Wolfe.
Johnson Automotive 360 Late Model Feature (15 Laps)- DAVE DUBOIS, Rich Hale, Tom Baker, John Zimmerman, Tom Baker, Carl Shetler, Jacob McConnell, Shawn Hazlitt, Brian Kotarski.
Lap Leaders- Hale 1, DuBois 2-15.
Heat Winner- Kotarski.
Yasses Trucking & Construction Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- DOUG JONES, Josh Pangrazio, Pat Powers, Bill Taylor, Dennis Cummings, Bob Babbitt, Kenny Begnouche, Bill Kowsky, Byron Dewitt, Ryan Allen, Patrick Nash, Phil Schepis, Rick Crego, Mike Kelly.
Lap Leaders- Kowsky 1, Dewitt 2-15, Jones 16-20.
Heat Winners- Powers, Pangrazio.
Pellegrino Auto Sales Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- DANTE MANCUSO, Brad Shepard, Eric Weis, Cole Susice, Brandon Shepard, Chris Leone, Bill Weller Jr., Eric Brumsted, Olivia Coniber, Deanna Jackson, Trinity Reynolds, James Gayton, Chris Walton, Elliot Arnold, Dominic DiLiberto, Jessica Schleede, Andrew Doran, Tony Kulesza, Joe Kilby, Rich Conte.
Lap Leaders- Gayton 1, Susice 2-7, Mancuso 8-15.
Heat Winners- Susice, Brad Shepard, Leone.
DML Sealing Bandits (12 Laps)- JESSICA TRAXLER, Adam Jackson, Greenley George, Brian Gregory, Brandon Sheppard, Alexis Traxler, Bailey Logsdon, Randy Gregory.
Lap Leaders- J. Traxler 1-12.
Heat Winner- J. Traxler.
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (August 11, 2018)- In the 2017 ULMS race at Genesee, Max Blair saw his sure-fire win go out the window with a mechanical issue with under five laps remaining; on Saturday Night he took the lead away with under five laps left and made amends for his heartbreak a year earlier.
Blair, of Centerville, PA, drove around the outside of veteran Chub Frank coming to complete lap 25 and then drove off to claim the $3,000 top prize in the ULMS 30-lap feature vent. Despite being a little off early in the night, the series point leader proved why he is the standard on tour.
Early in the feature, the battle for the lead was contested between Chub Frank and Bryce Davis. Frank was utilizing a second Boom Briggs No. 99 on the night after damaging his car on Friday and was just a little off on the setup while Davis was primed to get his first tour win at a track he had run on multiple occasions. Lap after lap, Davis hounded “Chubzilla” but could not complete the pass. On lap 18, Davis looked under the leader going in to turn one, only to stab the breaks when the door was slammed shut. That encounter, broke the brake line on the No. 94 and forced the Canisteo driver to the pits 12 laps shy of the finish.
On the ensuing restart, Blair, along with Boom Briggs, would chase down Frank for an amazing three-car battle. Once again, Frank made sure to make his No. 99 as wide as possible, but Blair was able to remain patient until Frank had no choice but to let him go off of the fourth corner coming to five laps remaining.
“To race your childhood hero and go after a win is all you can ask for,” stated Blair in Victory Lane. “This track was the best I’ve ever seen it tonight. There will multiple grooves and as smooth as glass.”
The win was Blair’s eighth on the ULMS tour this season. Chub Frank was able to cross in second, just ahead of Boom Briggs, who ran the quickest time of the night in hot laps at 15.562 seconds. Mikey Wonderling would outduel quick timer Mike Maresca as they rounded out the top five.
Matt Steffenhagen finally broke through to score his first win in the Sportsman Feature. Steffenhagen, of Delevan, fought hard to drive in front of Zack Sam on the original start and then never relinquished that position to claim his first win in his own No. 86. The race was slowed on multiple occasions due to caution flags, but Steffenhagen was never seriously challenged by Zack Sam on any of the ensuing restarts. When the caution flag flew with one circuit left, Steffenhagen was afraid of screwing up but he was flawless to become the seventh different winner in the division in 2018. Dave Conant would drive by Zack Sam on the final lap restart for his to capture second, while Jim Harbison and AJ Custodi ran strong throughout to complete the top five.
The 360 Late Model Feature event took a unique look halfway in to the 15-lap event as all three winners in 2018 had dropped out, allowing the rest of the field to battle for their first win of the season. John Zimmerman had the field under command early but broke on lap five to open up the event. With four laps remaining, Zack Carley was able to rim ride around the outside of Tommy Kemp and then hold off Tom Baker to capture the victory. Baker had his best run of the season to finish in second while Kemp settled for third. Shawn Hazlitt and Rich Hale completed the top five.
Josh Pangrazio stayed hot in the Street Stock division, winning his third feature in the last four races. Panrazio, of Elba, started in fourth but quickly moved up to second and began to apply pressure on early leader Doug Jones. Pangrazio took the lead on lap six and set sail until the only caution of the feature occurred on lap fifteen. The rest of the field was no match for Pangrazio as he cruised to his fourth win of the year. Jesse Qutermous would snatch away second on the final lap from Doug Jones while Mike Jackson and Dennis Cummings completed the top five.
Three-time track champion Brad Shepard scored his first Mini Stock Feature win of 2018, taking the lead from Cole Susice in lapped traffic on lap nine and then pulling away for a popular victory. The race had a host of restarts, and Shepard showed his strength throughout. On the final restart with two laps remaining, Dante Mancuso would drive up to finish in second, with Chris Leone stealing third from Cole Susice at the line. Brandon Shepard completed the top five.
Bailey Logsdon scored her sixth win of the season in the Bandit Feature, taking the lead from Riley Gordon on a lap four restart and then pulled away, despite thinking that she was being hounded for much of the race. Gordon was focused more on holding off Adam Jackson for second, and was able to do so by just a few feet at the finish line.
Next up at the Genesee Speedway is “The Gladiator” on Thursday, August 16th as Big Block Modifieds invade Batavia for the first time in recent memory. Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Bandits are also on the card. For more information, visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
ULMS Super Late Model Feature (30 Laps)- MAX BLAIR, Chub Frank, Boom Briggs, Mikey Wonderling, Mike Maresca, Greg Oakes, Bob Doorman, Doug Eck, Dave DuBois, Andy Boozel, Wyatt Scott, Nate Hill, Mike Smith, Al Brewer, Jason Dobson, Bryce Davis, Chris Hackett, Danny Kienitz.
Lap Leaders- Frank 1-24, Blair 25-30.
Heat Winners- Maresca, Briggs, Blair.
Cornerstone Eye Associates Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)- MATT STEFFENHAGEN, Dave Conant, Zack Sam, Jim Harbison, AJ Custodi, Kyle Inman, Shane O’Grady, Austin Susice, Zach George, Austyn Fugle, Chuck Mogavero, Cameron Tuttle, Ray Bliss Jr, Gordy Hermanson Jr., Chase Matteson, Cody Wolfe, Adam Chaddock, Dalton Martin, TJ Newton, Carl Inman, Ray Bliss, Sarah Johnson, Kyle Wendt, Dustin Gorhan, Josh Wilcox, Mike Denning.
Lap Leader- Steffenhagen 1-25.
Heat Winners- Custodi, Bliss, Sam.
Johnson Automotive 360 Late Model Feature (15 Laps)- ZACK CARLEY, Tom Baker, Tommy Kemp, Shawn Hazlitt, Rich Hale, Jacob McConnell, Brian Kotarski, John Zimmerman, Dave DuBois.
Lap Leaders- Zimmerman 1-4, Kemp 5-11, Carley 12-15.
Heat Winner- Baker.
Lap Leaders- Jones 1-5, Pangrazio 6-20.
Heat Winners- Cummings, Dewitt.
Pellegrino Auto Sales Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- BRAD SHEPARD, Dante Mancuso, Chris Leone, Cole Susice, Brandon Shepard, Bill Weller Jr., Eric Brumsted, Duane Powers, James Gayton, Trinity Reynolds, Deanna Jackson, Tony Kulesza, Olivia Coniber, Jessica Schleede, Ashley Blech, Elliott Arnold, Eric Weis, Dominic DiLiberto, Chris McGuire, Chris Walton, Joe Kilby, Ruben Coffey, Tyler Oakes.
Lap Leaders- Brumsted 1-3, Susice 4-8, Brad Shepard 9-15.
Heat Winners- Susice, Mancuso, Leone.
DML Sealing Bandits (12 Laps)- BAILEY LOGDSON, Riley Gordon, Adam Jackson, Greenley George, Hailey Wais, Randy Gregory, Alexis Traxler, Jessica Traxler, Brian Gregory.
Lap Leaders- Gordon 1-3, Logsdon 4-12.