Chemung Speedrome 2008 Press Release 

May 25th, 2008
Tony Hanbury Back In Championship Form In Chemung Headliner  by Carol Houssock

(Chemung, NY) Everything was perfect at Chemung Speedrome for defending modified champion Tony Hanbury. His sweep in the Nascar Weekly Modified division vaulted him to a comfortable place – top of the point standings after 2 races. Other winners Saturday night included Chris Daugherty (Super Stocks), Matt Kurzejewski (INEX Legends), Gene Purvis (4 Cylinders), Jody Buckley (North East Mod Lites), Zack Curren (Speedrome Juniors) and Ryan Polenz (Bandoleros). Racing continues this Saturday night with another regular show staring at 6:30 PM.

Luck of the draw put heat winner Dan Kurzejewski and John Wilber in row 1 for the start of the 40-lap Modified feature and Wilber led the opening lap. Kurzejewski’s spin off turn 2 on lap 2 was just the first of 9 cautions and the first of his troubles on this night. Hanbury wasted no time passing Bobby Osgood then set his sights on Wilber. What became Hanbury’s race-winning pass occurred on lap 5. JR Kent, who finished a strong 2nd in the season opener, was gaining ground from his 10th starting position and running with the leaders by lap 10. 

A lap 15 tangle resulted in heavy damage to Osgood and Tim Gullo, but both drivers were reported ok after the red flag came out. Officials parked Kurzejewski for climbing out of his car and heading toward the pits under the red. 

When racing resumed Kent tapped Wilber going into turn 1, bringing out a caution and sending both to the rear for the restart. Attrition brought Patti Pruitt, Hanbury’s teammate and Aunt, up to 2nd with rookie Zach Truesdail lined up 3rd. On that restart Truesdail tapped Pruitt, turned her around, and they then restarted from the rear.

Over the final dozen laps Hanbury showed his strength and cruised to the win, Josh Philpott had a solid 2nd place run, finishing ahead of Kent, Wilber and rookie Justin Petcosky. Chuck Lohmeyer won the third qualifying race. 

Defending Super Stock champion Chris Daugherty also found victory lane in week #2 but not without excitement. Jeff Goodwin, who lined up beside Daugherty for the start of their 20-lap feature, came down on him as they came off turn 4, and Daugherty spun backwards into the inside retaining wall. Officials parked Goodwin while Daugherty’s crew repaired the damage. Scott Reagan inherited the pole, led the first 4 laps, and never let the leader get too far out in front in his solid performance. Daugherty got the popular win in his sweep and treated the fans to another impressive burnout. Reagan finished 2nd, ahead of Brittany Jack, Dylan Terry and Brad Mosher.

Matt Kurzejewski also earned a Speedrome sweep in INEX Legends action. Jason Urso led lap 1 but lost it when Matt Priscott got around him on the 2nd lap. Kurzejewski used a lap 10 restart to move from 2nd to the lead, but he had his hands full holding off Priscott. He proved up to the challenge and scored the win. Priscott had to settle for a very strong 2nd. Former track champions Brian Terrell and Justin Petcosky were 3rd and 4th, with Mitteer rounding out the top 5. Petcosky won their other heat race. 

In 4 Cylinder action, former champ Gene Purvis and Bob Curren won the heat races and dominated the 15-lap feature. They swapped the lead on several occasions in the caution-free race, and it all boiled down to a matter of inches at the finish of the exciting race. Purvis, now 2-for-2, celebrated his win over Curren, Phil and Archie Haner, and AJ Lane.

Jody Buckley is undefeated in the track’s new North East Mod Lite division. Pole sitter Joe Lane led the first 7 laps but he drifted high in turn 4 and gave Buckley the inside lane and he made his race-winning pass on the 8th lap of the 20-lap feature.

Zack Curren again held off defending Speedrome Junior champ, Jesse Kent, in their 12-lap feature. Dusty Snell’s night ended on a rough note when his car broke, he hit the turn 2 wall, and the car sustained heavy front end damage. Curren is now undefeated. Kent was 2nd, followed by Mike Ferris, Snell and Fred Peters.

Ryan Polenz, whose family makes the haul from New Jersey, celebrated his 14th birthday in Chemung’s victory lane following his win of the 10-lap feature. Andrew Bickford made it exciting, often leading but not where the lap was scored. Polenz beat Bickford by half a car length for his first win this year.

The visiting 4 Cylinder Supermodifieds made their first appearance of the year and it was Kevin Ritchy who got the sweep. The Long Island driver took both his heat and their 20-lap feature.

The Speedrome closes out the month of May this Saturday night under the sponsorship of VP Fuel. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids 6-14, and always free for kids 5 and under. Pits open at 3:15 PM, grandstand and practice at 5 PM, and the first race hits the track at 6:30 PM. For the latest news log on to www.chemungspeedrome.net. Chemung Speedrome and the Nascar Whelen All American Series – Short Track Racing At Its Best! 

Results:

Nascar Weekly Modifieds (40 Laps) TONY HANBURY, Josh Philpott, JR Kent, John Wilber, Justin Petcosky, Matt Kurzejewski, Chuck Lohmeyer, Charlie Sharpsteen, Zach Truesdail, Patti Pruitt, Jake Snell, Larry Jaynes, Lee Sharpsteen, Bobby Osgood, Dan Kurzejewski, Tim Gullo, Paul Johnson, Chad McDonald (DNS: Bob Hanbury)

Super Stocks (20 Laps) CHRIS DAUGHERTY, Scott Reagan, Brittany Jack, Dylan Terry, Brad Mosher, Jeff Goodwin

INEX Legends (20 Laps) MATT KURZEJEWSKI, Matt Priscott, Brian Terrell, Justin Petcosky, Tom Mitteer II, Matt Maring, Jason Urso, Kevin Wilkens, Andrew Stotler, Matt Price, Brandon Michael, Dave Flagg, Van Michael, Art Priscott, Ben Moore (DNS: John Shepherd, Eric Bostwick)

North East Mod Lites (20 Laps) JODY BUCKLEY, Joe Lane, Paul Brinkman 

4 Cylinders (15 Laps) GENE PURVIS, Bob Curren, Phil Haner, Archie Haner, AJ Lane, Richie Vanderpool, Marcus Wood, Tom Knapp, Kurt Knapp, Jim Chimileski (DNS: Ron Little, Joe Snell)

Speedrome Juniors (12 Laps) ZACK CURREN, Jesse Kent, Mike Ferris, Dusty Snell, Fred Peters

Bandoleros (10 Laps) RYAN POLENZ, Andrew Bickford, AJ Hamilton, Brent Michael, Robert Vassilatos

American TQ Midget Series (20 Laps) KEVIN RITCHY