Precision Crankworks Junior Shootout draws 21 cars; Matt Forbes cleans house at Skyview Drags

TIOGA CENTER - Twenty-one Junior Dragsters entered the Precision Crankworks Junior Dragster Shootout held Saturday, July 24, at Skyview Drags. With two races on tap, and a runoff for the overall championship, all drivers were eager to get the show rolling and try for the extra prizes posted for the huge event.

Additionally, a Wii Action Resort and Sports game package was up for grabs, a prize posted by Amy Culver, track director of Skyview Drags, as extra incentive. The driver with the lowest reaction time and closest to the dial in would win. In case of a tie when subtracted out, the driver with the lower reaction time would win the Wii game package.

In race one, Matt Forbes, Esperance, faced off against recent winner Danny Morris, Prattsburg, for the title and right to run in the championship run against the winner of race two. Forbes coupled a good .540 reaction time (.500 perfect) at the start, and then went 8.18 on an 8.09 at 74.49 for the win while Morris settled for runner-up honors with his .603, 10.78 on a 10.65 at 58.52. Lucy Lilientnal, a New York-based "invader" racer looking to take home the crown, took home the semi-final honors in a fine effort.

Race two found an "outsider" winning the title, as Kyle McMartin took the automatic win when Jared Baker, Newfield, fouled away his chances in his Bounty Hunter entry. McMartin went 8.04 on an 8.04 at 80.95 with a .651 light for the win. Kimberly Klein took home the semi-final honors.

The two winners then met for the overall championship, with point leader Forbes lining up against McMartin for the top crown. In a very close race, Forbes was off first with a .610 light, and then went .05 off at 8.20 on an 8.15 at 80.64 to squeak out a win over McMartin. The runner-up was right there with a .638 and .02 off 8.06 on and 8.04 at 80.37.

With one prize left up for grabs, track officials met and went over all the runs and found that Cody Reome and Matt Forbes had identical, .47 off (reaction time and closest to dial in) runs, with Forbes winning the title with a .513 light to Reome's .535 effort. Forbes thus took home the Wii game package to put some extra icing on his cake.

Kathy and Don Kiekel, both respected Super Pro drivers who operate the Precision Crankworks business in Kirkwood, couldn't have been more pleased.

"This was a big day for the kids, and I'm thankful the rain held off until we were finished. It's all about the kids, and today was their day. We had prizes for each and every one, and I want to thank everyone who helped or donated something," said Kathy Kiekel.

Culver also thanked all the junior drivers for racing in the biggest field ever at Skyview for Junior Dragsters, and for the support of the Kiekels.

"When you have a great sponsor like Precision Crankworks the extra effort work that Kathy and Don put into this race, it results in a big day for everyone."

The IHRA Summit Series/Interstate Auto Parts 660 event was a complete washout as heavy rain hit during round one of eliminations. This weekend, the IHRA Pro Am will run two days on Saturday and Sunday with its touring point series. Complete information is available on the IHRA or Skyview Drags Web sites.

KENT IN CHEMUNG MODS; CAUGHT ON TAPE - VIDEO

CONFIRMS JEFF GOODWIN'S STREET STOCK WIN

The camera doesn't lie. In this case it was a video camera that caught the 05 of Jeff Goodwin just edging out the 45 of Chris Daugherty in the action-packed Street Stock feature. JR Kent held off Bobby Osgood for his third win in the headline NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds. Mike Alcaro really had to work for his ninth win in the INEX Legends division after a super battle with Justin Petcosky. Archie Haner (RWD) and Clayton Weaver (FWD) scored the 4 Cylinder feature wins on Fan Appreciation Night at WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome.

When he arrived at the track, Kent trailed Jimmy Zacharias by 20 points in the chase for the NASCAR Sunoco Modified title. Kent did all he could - won his heat race and the 40-lap feature - and when he left he had that lead down to just 10 points. Starting from outside pole, Kent powered around Zack Curren and led the way. A three-way battle for second enabled Kent to build up a sizeable lead over Al Chapman, Zacharias and heat winner Osgood. Once Zacharias claimed the spot he began to chop away at Kent's lead while Osgood, who had taken over third, followed suit. Chapman then lost another position when a hard-charging Rusty Smith chased him down in his charge toward the leaders. The only caution came with 27 laps complete, ending momentarily a great battle for the lead. Zacharias lined up beside Kent for the restart, with Osgood and Smith behind them. Osgood was the big winner, using the inside line to get the better of Zacharias. Kent's car was up to the task and he maintained the lead over the remaining dozen laps and cruised to his third win this year. Osgood, Zacharias, Smith and Dan Kurzejewski posted top-five finishes.

"Starting up front sure helps," Kent said in victory lane. "But you're only as good as your car is, and it's been really good lately." The under-funded driver then put out a pitch for any help to get them through the final five weeks of racing.

The 25-lap Street Stock feature will be remembered for a lot of things - the rough riding that brought out the black flag, and the near dead-heat finish that was ultimately decided when officials viewed the videotape shot by D&J Foots. It started out harmless enough, with Terry Ostrander leading the way from the pole. Goodwin, who started sixth, was charging hard and found an opening underneath Ostrander and he took command on the fifth lap. Mike Nichols came along with him and they were running first and second, leaving Ostrander and Ken Evans in a battle for third. Nichols took over the top spot on the 12th lap while Goodwin and Evans were holding off Daugherty. Evans lost a tire in turn four with 15 laps complete, and Goodwin pitted so the crew could work on his right rear. The restart had Nichols and Daugherty in row one, and Ostrander and Terry Potrzebowski in row two. With five laps to go it appeared that Nichols was on the way to his eighth win, but Ostrander spun and bunched up the field for a restart. When racing resumed, Potrzebowski and Nichols, who had on-track problems just a week prior, engaged in a paint-swapping, hard-charging duel. As they approached turn three, more contact occurred and Potrzebowski found himself facing the field. Officials gave Nichols the black flag for rough riding, and that action also gave Daugherty the lead with three laps remaining. But it was far from over. Joe Lane had contact with Joe Bennett and brought out the fourth and final caution a lap later, setting up a green/white/checkered finish. Again, it was far from over. Daugherty and Goodwin lined up side by side for the restart and Daugherty prevailed. Goodwin, however, seemed to have the better car in the corners. As the pair came off turn four on the last lap it was a classic drag race to the start/finish line. Initially it appeared Daugherty won, but it was so close that officials opted to view the videotape. What the camera caught was a win - by possibly 2 inches - by Jeff Goodwin. Daugherty had to settle for second, with Potrzebowski, Dylan Terry and Lane all in the top five. Brittany Jack won the other heat race, a career-first. As of this writing the results were unofficial.

In eight prior INEX Legends wins this year Alcaro almost made it look easy. That all changed Friday night, as Justin Petcosky gave him a hard fight and nearly denied him his ninth win. Earlier the pair had won their respective heat races. Richie Vanderpool may have started fourth lap in the 25-lap feature, but he had the lead when the field got to turn three on the opening lap. Petcosky, who started behind Vanderpool, was going for second when he slipped in turn three and lost several spots. By lap nine, Alcaro had caught Vanderpool, leaving behind a three-way battle for third. AJ Griffin's spin put the field under its only caution and Petcosky, who restarted third, had the lead on the 12th lap. Alcaro got the better of Vanderpool and reeled in Petcosky. On the 17th lap Alcaro snuck to the inside of Petcosky in turn three, held the spot, and beat him to the line. Petcosky wasn't done. He stayed with Alcaro and had the fans watching one of the most exciting Legends races ever. As the white flag waved, Petcosky reclaimed the lead, but then it was Alcaro's turn in the final corners. The pair drag-raced to the stripe, with Alcaro inching ahead and taking the win. Petcosky finished second, ahead of Vanderpool, Art Priscott and Cody Frantz.

It was sweep time for Haner, winner of the 4 Cylinder heat and the 20-lap feature. Gene Purvis went from third to first in turn two on the opening lap and he led early. Haner got underneath Purvis and they battled for the lead, which went to Haner on the seventh lap. Milton Price, running third, was closing in on Purvis. As the pair entered turn two, Purvis slowed when his car broke. Price dove to the inside but spun coming off the turn. That brought out the only caution in the 20-lap event. Over the final six laps Frank Morich, who moved up to second, had a shot at the lead but stayed a car length back. Haner's fourth win came over Morich, Ryan Purvis and Price.

Clayton Weaver started from the pole, led all 15 laps, and picked up his first win in the 4 Cylinder FWD division. Zack Keeney stayed with him throughout and had several opportunities in turns one and two but Weaver held him off.

Race teams and fans are reminded that this weekend's program will be on Friday rather than Saturday, as on the original schedule. It's a full 4-division program of Modifieds, Street Stocks, INEX Legends and 4 Cylinders plus a pair of winner-take-all Dash for Cash races for the Modifieds and Street Stocks. Pits open at 4 p.m., with practice and grandstand gates open at 5:30 p.m. Race time is 7:15 p.m. Admission is just $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and kids ages 5-16, and always free for kids under age 5. Fans are reminded to bring their grandstand ticket stubs from July 23 for a discount.

Anyone wanting more information can call Track Manager Jody Buckley at (607) 738-1125 or check the track's Web site, www.chemungspeedrome.net. WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome, part of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series - Short Track Racing At Its Best!

CHANGE IS ALL AROUND AS THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS TOUR RETURNS TO SHANGRI-LA II MOTOR SPEEDWAY ON SUNDAY, AUG. 1; NIGHT RACING AND 100-LAP DISTANCE POSE NEW CHALLENGES TO THE TOURING PROFESSIONALS

The Race of Champions Tour, the premier paved track modified series in New York State, makes it second appearance of 2010 at Shangri-La II Motor Speedway on Sunday night, Aug. 1. It's titled "Return of the ROC'n Concrete Rumble," but that doesn't mean it's the same show that thrilled a packed house back in May.

As part of the RoC Championship Series, the distance has increased from 75 green flag laps to a full 100 laps around the high banks of the half-mile Concrete Castle. And unlike the May event that was run on a hot, sunny afternoon, the return performance will be under the lights.

Pete Brittain led until he was passed by Chuck Hossfeld with a dozen laps remaining in the RoC debut race. The veteran from Oakhurst, N.J., sees the need for adjustment to the new conditions, but not radical change to the strategy that came so close to giving him victory in Shangri-La II's first touring series race.

"From what I've seen in the races last year and the one race this spring, tire wear just isn't going to be a factor," said the driver sometimes known as the Jersey Outlaw. "Running under the lights usually makes the track get a little tighter, so we'll have to account for that in our setup."

As for the extra 25 laps, Brittain noted that the extra fuel on board will change the handling more as it burns off than in the spring's shorter distance. Other than that, the pilot of the Martinelli Racing No. 22 will use the simplest strategy in the racer's handbook - go fast and turn left.

Featured along with the Race of Champions Tour on Sunday, Aug. 1, are the ASA Late Models and the Street Stocks. As several of the Shangri-La II Sportsman Modified teams also field tour-type cars, the Sportsmen have been given the week off. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m., which is also the time set for practice to begin. The first green flag flies at 6 p.m.

Shangri-La II Motor Speedway is located on top of the ridge off Route 17C, one mile east of Tioga Center. The track is easily accessed from Route 17, the Southern Tier Expressway, via Route 17C east from Exit 62 (Nichols) or Route 17C west from Exit 64 (Owego/Ithaca). For more information, visit shangrila-2.com or call (607) 330-2622.

Buzzie Reutimann Night at Thunder Mountain Speedway

People of all ages jam-packed Thunder Mountain Speedway to meet the legendary Buzzie Reutimann when he made a stop at the 3/8 mile oval during the 2009 racing season.

Buzzie Reutimann is the father of David Reutimann, who drives the No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine for Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Reutimann has competed in the Modified division all over the east coast. Reutimann was inducted into the Dirt Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Eastern Motorsport Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

Dick and Shelly Stark of Thunder Mountain Speedway are pleased to announce that Buzzie Reutimann will return to the Thunder Mountain Speedway on Friday, July 30. His stories and personality delighted the fans and track officials last season and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for us this season.

The racing action on this night feature the Carl Carpenter Memorial Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club, Modified Sportsman, Hurricane Street Stocks, DIRTcar Crate Sportsman (Qualifier for Super DIRT Week XXXIX at the New York State Fairgrounds), Road Bandits and Road Warriors.

Grandstand admission will be $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/students and kids 9 and under will be free. The family pass, which includes dad, mom and three students, will be $33. Gates open at 5 p.m., practice at 6:45 p.m. and racing is at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.thundermountainspeed.com or phone the speedway at (607) 849-7889 or (607) 533-4118. Thunder Mountain Speedway - Feel the Rumble, Hear the Roar!