2007 Press Release

May 6th, 2007
TJ Potrzebowski Claims Chemung Speedrome SST Modified Opener, Mike Nichols Gets Super Stock Win

by Carol Houssock

(Chemung, NY) Opening day couldn’t have been scripted any better, weather-wise. And for six drivers it was perfect racing-wise. TJ Potrzebowski (SST Modified), Mike Nichols (Super Stock), Jason Urso (Legends), A Jay Potrzebowski (4 Cylinder), Zach Curren (Speedrome Juniors), and Zac Carter (Bandoleros) picked up feature wins. Fans were treated to some great racing, which continues on Saturday afternoons at 1 PM for the month of May. This weekend it’s a regular show plus the first of two Powder Puff races.

Defending SST Modified champion, TJ Potrzebowski, had a dream season last year. Not one to rest on his laurels Potrzebowski began the 2007 season determined to repeat, or improve upon, last year. His opening day win is a step in the right direction, but several others proved they’re serious contenders to shatter that dream at Chemung. Qualifying race wins went to Terry Zacharias, Tony Hanbury and Rick Zacharias, but it was rookie Paul Johnson who drew the pole with Phil Slater starting alongside. Johnson led the field off turn 2 but Slater got around him to lead the first lap. A caution on lap 2 set up a restart but it took 3 tries to get that 2nd lap in the books. When racing did resume Slater lost the lead to last year’s top rookie, John Wilber. Hanbury and Potrzebowski were working toward the front over the next dozen laps, with Potrzebowski passing Hanbury in his charge toward the front. When Jimmy Zacharias slowed on the front stretch the race went under its 4th caution. Potrzebowski was up to 2nd, lined up beside Wilber, and mounted a topside challenge that worked. With Potrzebowski out front Wilber knew he had to pick a spot to make his move. As the leaders came off turn 4 on the 31st lap Wilber had the inside line but had a bit too much speed to get through turn 1 and he spun out untouched. That brought Hanbury up to 2nd and he tried to set up a move on the high side, also to no avail. Potrzebowski repeated as opening day winner, something that had started his fabulous year in ’06. Hanbury finished 2nd, ahead of Rick Zacharias, Slater and Daren Scherer.

Former track champion and perennially tough competitor Mike Nichols, pulled off a sweep in Super Stock action. The car lacked detailing, but that was all it lacked. Nichols also drew the pole for the 25-lap race while last year’s points runner-up and heat winner, Chuck Lohmeyer, drew starting spot #2. Nichols immediately took off and had a nice lead, but it was Chad McDonald who broke free and took off after Nichols. Brittney Jack’s spin brought out the first of 3 cautions and, again, Nichols led the way when racing resumed. Three laps later Lee Sharpsteen dumped oil all over the entrance to turn 1, setting up a lengthy cleanup. The single file restart had McDonald, Jeff Goodwin, and Chris Daugherty in the top 4 spots. Henry Brown brought out the last caution when he spun in turn 2. With the same 4 leading the way, it was all up to Nichols to drive defensively and for the others to apply the pressure. Only Daugherty was able to advance, passing Goodwin for 3rd. Nichols got the win over McDonald, Daugherty, Goodwin and Brown.

With 20 cars on hand, track officials increased the length of the INEX Legends feature to 25 laps. Patrick Albor, Daren Scherer and Tom Mitteer II won their respective heats but the luck of the draw put former track champion Justin Petcosky on the pole and Scherer lined up beside him. The first of 5 cautions came out on the opening lap and the damage forced Jeff Decker out of the race. Two more cautions for single car spins came out before the halfway point but leader Petcosky kept his cool, and the top spot. A restart on lap 18 was pivotal for Jason Urso, who had been dogging Petcosky. He made his pass and took over the lead with 7 laps remaining. Petcosky eventually lost 2nd to Daren Scherer but it was David Polenz and Albor who were especially impressive in this one. At the checkered Urso got the win over Scherer, Petcosky, Polenz and Albor.

Heat winner A Jay Potrzebowski matched his brother’s luck in drawing the pole for the 15-lap 4 Cylinder feature. He also brought home the win, but not after some tough challenges. The race took 2 tries to get going, but when it did Potrzebowski led the way over defending champ Gene Purvis. Jody Buckley, who won the last race of the ’06 season, got around Purvis and began reeling in the leader. A caution just past the halfway point set up the final single-file restart. Buckley tried but was never able to pull off the pass, and it was Potrzebowski who took the checkered flag. Buckley, Purvis, Jim Chimileski and Bob Curren finished behind him.

In Speedrome Junior action Jesse Kent dove to the inside in turn 2, and the gutsy 3-wide move earned him the race lead. He built up a nice lead while the rest of the field was bunched up. Once Zach Curren broke out of that pack he had a huge gap separating him from Kent. As the laps clicked off Curren chopped away at Kent’s lead. Curren got within striking distance and made his strike in turn 4 of the 9th lap. Once in front he cruised to his first-ever win over Kent, Fred Peters, TJ Zacharias and James Lorows.

The Speedrome debuted the Bandolero division, the new entry-level class. Three cautions, for single car spins, slowed the race but not the #3 of Zac Carter. He inherited the lead when Matt Evans spun, survived a restart, and pulled into victory lane. Evans finished 2nd, followed by Andrew Bickford, Mikayla Rypkema, and Mike Smith.

Racing continues this Saturday at 1 PM, the starting time for all Saturday races during the month of May. Pits open at 11 AM, with practice and grandstand gates open at noon. For the latest news and information log on to the track’s website www.chemungspeedrome.net. Chemung Speedrome - Short Track Racing At Its Best!

Results:

NASCAR SST Modifieds (40 Laps) TJ Potrzebowski, Tony Hanbury, Rick Zacharias, Phil Slater, Daren Scherer, Terry Zacharias, Dan Kurzejewski, JR Kent, Charlie Sharpsteen, Dan Mathews, Richard Thomas, Chuck Anderson, John Wilber, Curtis Cowles, Larry Jaynes, Josh Philpott, Paul Johnson, Kevin VanValkenburgh, Wayne Lent, Dave Osgood, Jimmy Zacharias, Tom Shiner, Mike Nickles

Super Stocks (25 Laps) MIKE NICHOLS, Chad McDonald, Chris Daugherty, Jeff Goodwin, Henry Brown, Scott Reagan, Tom Cundy, Lee Sharpsteen, Chuck Lohmeyer, Brittney Jack

INEX Legends (25 Laps) JASON URSO, Daren Scherer, Justin Petcosky, Patrick Albor, David Polenz, Matt Kurzejewski, Brad Salatino, Tom Mitteer II, Steve Sunday, Art Priscott, Beth Urso, Zach Truesdail, Chris Bohlman, George Cushman, Jim Alexander, Brian Terrell, Matt Priscott, Brian Chambers, Jeff Decker, Ben Moore,

4 Cylinders (15 Laps) A JAY POTRZEBOWSKI, Jody Buckley, Gene Purvis, Jim Chimileski, Bob Curren, Jimmy Zacharias, Joe Lane, AJ Lane, Phil Haner (DNS: Charlie Garrison)

Speedrome Juniors (12 Laps) ZACH CURREN, Jesse Kent, Fred Peters, TJ Zacharias, James Lorows

Bandoleros (10 Laps) ZAC CARTER, Matt Evans, Andrew Bickford, Mikayla Rypkema, Mike Smith (DNS: Matt Bostwick)