Wall Finally Breaks Thru at NES, Wins Career First
New Egypt, NJ (August 25, 2007) - Pat Wall of New Egypt, NJ has been close to winning his first feature on several different occasions this year only to fall short. On Saturday night that all changed for the Modified rookie, as he led the final 22 laps of the 30 lap Modified feature to record his first career win in any division at New Egypt. It was not easy for Wall to collect the top prize of $3000 though, as the top six finished right on his rear bumper.
"We have been close before, but it feels really good to finally put it all together," stated a jubilant Wall in the winner's circle, "I kept waiting for the big guys to appear but they never did."
Jim Robertson brought the field to the start and quickly jumped out in front. Robertson, who also won his heat race for the second week in a row, led thru lap 8 as he raced smoothly around the 1/2 mile D-shaped oval. Wall, who started 3rd, was getting faster and after several laps of pulling under Robertson in the corners, completed his pass for the lead as they completed lap #8. Once in front, Wall started to pull away from Robertson who now had his hands full with John Keller. Keller moved into second and chased Wall until the races' only yellow appeared on lap #15. On the restart, Wall continued to lead, but Keller was right there applying the pressure. All eyes were now clearly on Ryan Godown, who had charged up from deep in the pack and was now in the top five. Godown looked fast and moved into third with just 8 laps to go as the top five battled two and three wide at times right behind the leader. With five to go, point leader Matt Sheppard joined in the fun as he caught the front group and made it a six car race. With the top six racing together under a blanket, Godown thru everything he had at Keller, who was also looking for his first win. As the battle raged on behind him, Wall hit all of his marks as he flawlessly drove to his first ever checkered flag by one car length. Keller ran the best race of his career as he bested Godown for second. Keith Hoffman also had to run as hard as he could to finish fourth, beating Matt Sheppard for the spot by just a couple of inches. With just 1 week left in the New Egypt Speedway DIRTcar Modified point chase, just 10 points separate point leader Sheppard and second place Ryan Godown. The championship will be decided in next Saturday night's 35 lap double point event.
The 25 lap ARDC Midget tour event found last year's winner Andy Martin of Gordonville, PA putting on a driving clinic. The current point leader on the tour, Martin showed all in attendance why he is, as he used the outside groove to drive from 13th starting spot to the lead in just 8 laps. When the first and only caution flew on lap 17, he was almost a half a lap ahead of second. The battle for second was a torrid one as three cars traded the spot back and forth. Ryan Watt found himself in second on the lap 17 restart and tried to put pressure on Martin, but Martin was just too strong on this evening and cruised to the victory. Watt finished second followed by Eric Heydenreich, Bruce Buckwalter and Frank Polimeda.
The 20 lap Sportsman feature saw another first time winner, as Dave Hunt of Ringoes, NJ drive to his first win of his career. Hunt held off the persistent challenges of Mike Krachun to record the win as Krachun settled for second. Rich Scagliotta took over the point lead from early retiree Willie Osmun racing home in third, Glenn Hisko took fourth with opening night winner Mike Howardson completing the top five.
George Quinlan of Brick, NJ used his front row starting spot to his advantage as he won his fourth of the season in the 25 lap Super Stock feature and padded his point lead. Steve Davis ran a strong but distant second, while Billy Bauer finished third. Jason Bubeck and Matt Kall rounded out the top five.
The Lucas Ford SS Sprints 20 lap main event found Ken Carberry winning his fourth of the season. Lee Taylor Jr. posted his best finish to date in second, while current point leader Art Liedl finished third, Ian Borden was fourth and Rich Janney came home fifth.
Next Saturday night, September 1st, the URC Sprints come to town for their fourth appearance of 2007. It will also be "Modified Championship Night" as the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds will compete in a 35 lap double point event to decide the 2007 champion. The Sportsman and Super Stocks will also be in competition. Gates will open at 4pm with the first race at 6pm. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.
8/25/07 MODIFIED RESULTS 1st Heat: 1. Rick Holsten 2. Tim Tanner Jr. 3. Ryan Godown 4. Sam Martz 5. Rich Rutski 6. Keith Hoffman 2nd Heat: 1. Jim Robertson 2. Frank Cozze 3. Jimmy Horton 4. John Keller 5. Brian Godown 6. Dominick Buffalino 3rd Heat: 1. Bucky Kell 2. Bob Drayton 3. Pat Wall 4. Art Lentini 5. Tad Cox 6. Tom Carberry B Main: 1. Ron John Koczon 2. Matt Sheppard 3. Ryan Watt 4. Randy Laird 5. J.T. Trstensky 6. Keith Fleming Feature (30 laps): 1. Pat Wall 2. John Keller 3. Ryan Godown 4. Keith Hoffman 5. Matt Sheppard 6. Tim Tanner Jr. 7. Sam Martz 8. Bob Drayton 9. Jim Robertson 10. Bucky Kell 11. Jimmy Horton 12. Tad Cox 13. Ron John Koczon 14. Brian Godown 15. Dominick Buffalino 16. Ryan Watt 17. Rick Holsten 18. Keith Fleming 19. Randy Laird 20. J.T. Trstensky 21. Frank Cozze 22. Art Lentini 23. Tom Carberry 24. Rich Rutski DNQ: Ken Carberry, Rick Wegner
SPORTSMAN RESULTS 1st Heat: 1. Rocco Infante 2. Mike Howardson 3. Steve Schmidt 4. Chad Barney 5. Ben Donaruma 2nd Heat: 1. Kenny Huchko 2. Glenn Pyatt 3. Tommy Carberry Jr. 4. John Romano Jr. 5. Donnie Kline 3rd Heat: 1. Brad Freeman 2. Art Liedl 3. Rich Scagliotta 4. Mike Krachun 5. Willie Osmun 4th Heat: 1. Dave Hunt 2. Gary Butler 3. Tim Apgar 4. Glenn Hisko 5. John McClelland 1st B Main: 1. Lou Farina III 2. Justin Hoffman 3. Chris Lane 2nd B Main: 1. Chris Bennett 2.Bobby Dumchowski 3. John Salvatore Jr. Feature (20 Laps): 1. Dave Hunt 2. Mike Krachun 3. Rich Scagliotta 4. Glenn Hisko 5. Mike Howardson 6. Art Liedl 7. Rocco Infante 8. Brad Freeman 9. Tommy Carberry Jr. 10. Chad Barney 11. John Romano Jr. 12. Glenn Pyatt 13. Tim Apgar 14. John McClelland 15. Justin Hoffman 16. Donnie Kline 17. Lou Farina III 18. Ben Donaruma 19. Kenny Huchko 20. Chris Bennett 21. Chris Lane 22. Gary Butler 23. Willie Osmun 24. John Salvatore Jr. 25. Bob Dumchowski 26. Steve Schmidt DNQ:. Alan Bleacher, Marc Herman, Steve Davis, Everett Taylor, Will Dupree, Joe Systo, Kevin McCoy, John Bohadel, Jason Dunn, Danny Bouc, Richie Cass Sr., Wayne Bechtel, Gene Stravinsky, Barry Christ, Jeff Marcucci, John Stangle Clay Butler
SUPER STOCKS RESULTS: Feature (25 Laps): 1. George Quinlan 2. Steve Davis 3. Billy Bauer 4. Jason Bubeck 5. Matt Kall 6. Kory Fleming 7. Ron Coverly 8. Mick Search 9. Don Shipley 10. Pete Fogarty 11. Anthony Bozowski 12. George Marrero 13. Bill Liedtka 14. Kevin Bifulco 15. Norm Saxton 16. Bryan Reed 17. Charlie Gunner 18. Bob Vaccaro 19. Al Cheney 20. Todd Cray
SS SPRINT RESULTS: Feature (20 Laps): 1. Ken Carberry 2. Lee Taylor Jr. 3. Art Liedl 4. Ian Borden 5. Rich Janney 6. Dan Biggs 7. Nick Bardsley 8. Tom Wyckoff 9. John Snook 10. Robert Liedl 11. Ed Hughes 12. Glenn Sinibaldi DNS: Rick Cozze, Dave Martin, Bryan Kuhl
ARDC MIDGET RESULTS: 1st Heat: 1. Phil Meisner Jr. 2. Ryan Watt 3. Bruce Buckwalter 4. Andy Martin 5. Steve Craig 6. A.J. Ernesto 2nd Heat: 1. Scott Zipp 2. Tracy Readinger 3. Frank Polimeda 4. Dave Shirk 5. Steve Lenig 6. Art Lawshe 3rd Heat: 1. Eric Heydenrich 2. Greg Robinson 3. Carey Becker 4. P.J. Gargulo 5.Ed Stimely 6. Ryan Smith Feature (25 Laps): 1. Andy Martin 2. Ryan Watt 3. Eric Heydenreich 4. Bruce Buckwalter 5. Frank Polimeda 6. Tracy Readinger 7. Carey Becker 8. P.J. Gargiulo 9. A.J. Ernesto 10. Ryan Smith 11. Scott Zipp 12. Scott Lenig 13. Brett Arndt 14. Nick Wean 15. Phil Meisner Jr. 16. Zack Martini 17. Greg Robinson 18. Dave Shirk 19. Randy Monroe 20. Stephanie Stevens 21. Chris Zrinski 22. Brett Conkling 23. Steve Craig 24. Mark Lawshe 25. Ed Stimely Jr. 26. Frank Cozze
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