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Chemung
Speedrome 2010 Press Releases
July 18th,
2010
Pit Strategy Worked for Hirschman in ROC Tour 150 at Chemung; Osgood Makes it 2 in a Row in NASCAR Sunoco
Mods
- by Carol Houssock
(Chemung, NY) Bring a driver back to a track he loves and let the magic happen. That was the story for Matt Hirschman, who pitted at the right time for a new tire and chased down Erick Rudolph with 5 laps to go in the 150-lap Race of Champions tour show. The event highlighted the action at WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome, and this one may well be talked about for years to come. And for all the right reasons. Other winners on a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon were Bobby Osgood (NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds), Mike Nichols (Street Stocks), Daren Scherer (INEX Legends) and Phil Haner (4 Cylinders).
Over the first 50 laps or so of the ROC Championship 150 some wondered why Matt Hirschman wasn’t a factor. They would learn later that it was all part of his strategy, and on this day it worked to perfection. Hirschman, winner of heat #1 and the first to draw his starting position, drew the worst number available (12). Erick Rudolph, who won the 4th heat, drew #1 and started from pole position. The race was slowed just 7 times for cautions, only the last of which involved more than 1 spinning car. Rudolph, JR Kent and Earl Paules, the top 3 when the final caution came out with 36 laps remaining, had all opted to keep their track position and not pit for a new right rear tire. Hirschman, however, pitted during the 5th caution period on lap 82. That gave him the extra grip he needed to work his way through the traffic a second time, with sights set on the lead trio. As the laps wore down, so did the tires on the leaders. No so for Hirschman, who took over 2nd on lap 144 and ducked under Rudolph on the 146th lap. Once in front he pulled away and then pulled into victory lane. “I love this track,” he said when he exited his car. “We watched the video from the last time we were here and knew we had to take on a tire around the halfway point if the opportunity presented itself.” Rudolph led 145 of the 150 laps but had to settle for 2nd in this one. Kent was 3rd, followed to the line by Paules and Scherer. Jan Leaty and Andy Walko won the other heat races and Rusty Smith claimed the consi.
The beginning of the 30-lap NASCAR Sunoco Modified feature was also the end for JR Kent, who is in a close battle with Jimmy Zacharias for this year’s title. Kent, who had won his heat race, saw his day end on the opening lap when he ran out of racing room and spun on the backstretch. Zacharias made a power move on the outside of Zack Curren and led the way early. Bobby Osgood, who left a week ago with extensive damage to his car, found an opening under the 71 and he took the lead on the 5th lap. Once in front he began to pull away, but the best battle on the track was for 3rd involving Al Chapman and heat winner Rusty Smith. The 2nd, and final, caution came out while working lap 11. On the restart Zacharias had the advantage in turn 1 but Osgood led off turn 2. When they completed the lap Zacharias was in command, but it was for just lap 11. Osgood again passed for the lead and this time it was for good. Smith, meanwhile, got around Chapman and was dueling with Zacharias for 2nd. When this one was over it was Osgood who celebrated his 2nd win, something he attributed to his dedicated crew. Zacharias was 2nd, followed by Smith, Chapman and Matt Clemens.
Mike Nichols might not be invited over to Terry Potrzebowski’s anytime soon, unless it’s to rehash the lap 17 restart in the Street Stock feature. Terry Ostrander, who started on the pole, led the first 5 laps, leaving Joe Bennett behind to battle it out with Jeff Goodwin, Terry Potrzebowski and Nichols. Brittany Jack spun off turn 4 and before the caution was thrown fans witnessed Ostrander, Bennett, Goodwin and Potrzebowski successfully maneuvering through turn 1 four-wide. Potrzebowski took the lead on the restart, but it was Nichols who was on the move and up to 2nd at the halfway point. When Brandon Ameigh slowed and came to a stop on the backstretch it brought Nichols up beside Potrzebowski for the restart. As they came through turns 3 and 4 they got together and Potrzebowski pitted with a flat tire. Nichols, the new leader, had to survive one final restart and the 6 laps that remained in the 25-lap race. He did, and parked in the Horseheads Pick-A-Part victory lane for the 7th time this year. Goodwin held on for 2nd, followed by Derrick Tarbox, Potrzebowski and Bennett. Nichols and Goodwin were heat race winners.
Daren Scherer methodically worked his way from 7th to 1st in the non-points INEX Legends feature, and an INEX rule virtually ensured his win. Pole-sitter Van Michael took the early lead while Richie Vanderpool and Scherer survived a 3-way battle for 2nd and 3rd. On a lap 8 restart Scherer got the better of Michael and he was in command, while Vanderpool was locked in good battle for 3rd with Michael. The 3rd and final caution came out with 6 laps remaining. During that yellow INEX officials sent Scherer to the pits to have his bumper fastened. He would get the lead back provided they secured it in one lap. Working faster than the 200 MPH tape they used, he returned and held the lead over the remaining 6 laps. Scherer now has 3 wins in his 5 appearances this year. Vanderpool had to settle for 2nd again, this time finishing ahead of Matt Priscott, Art Priscott and Brandon Michael. Art Priscott and Vanderpool won the 2 heat races.
The 4 Cylinder division ran a rare caution-free 20-lap feature. Phil Haner, who started outside row 1, had the lead by turn 3. Early on in this one he had steady pressure from Gene Purvis, while Archie Haner was on the move and up to 3rd. At the halfway point A. Haner was reeling in Purvis, who began to lose ground on P. Haner. With 5 laps to go Haner’s lead was a comfortable one and he sailed over the finish line to record his 3rd win of the 2010 season. Purvis finished 2nd, followed by A. Haner, Milton Price and Frank Morich. Haner picked up a Sunday sweep, also winning the heat race.
This Friday’s Fan Appreciation Night got a whole lot sweeter two weeks ago when the scheduled double-points 35-lap NASCAR Sunoco Modified feature was rained out. Fans will watch that one first, followed by a full regular program of Modifieds, Street Stocks, INEX Legends and 4 Cylinders. Pits open at 4, with practice and grandstand gates open at 5:30. The 35-lap Modified feature gets the green at 7:30 PM. Admission is just $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and kids ages 5-16, and always free for kids under age 5. Fans are reminded to bring their ticket stubs from July 18th for a $2 discount.
Anyone wanting more information can call track manager, Jody Buckley, at 607-738-1125 or check the track’s website, www.chemungspeedrome.net. WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome, part of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series – Short Track Racing At Its Best!
Results:
Race of Champions Modifieds (150 Laps) MATT HIRSCHMAN, Erick Rudolph, JR Kent, Earl Paules, Daren Scherer, John Markovic, Rusty Smith, TJ Potrzebowski, Tommy Cloce, Kyle Ebersole, Jan Leaty, Bill Hebing, Mike Leaty, Andy Walko, Mike Speeney, Rick Kluth, Doug Reaume, Barry Callavini, Pete Brittain, John Ramsey, Jim Storace, Bobby Jones, Patrick Emerling, Terry Markovic, Brian Defebo, Bryan Chew, Matt Clemens (DNQ), Jimmy Zacharias (DNQ)
NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds (30 Laps) BOBBY OSGOOD, Jimmy Zacharias, Rusty Smith, Al Chapman, Matt Clemens, Zack Curren, Jesse James, JR Kent (DQ for tires, Corey Mosher, Jesse Kent, TJ Zacharias)
Street Stocks (25 Laps) MIKE NICHOLS, Jeff Goodwin, Derrick Tarbox, Terry Potrzebowski, Joe Bennett, Ken Evans, Terry Ostrander, Jim House, John Lane, Brandon Ameigh, Brittany Jack
INEX Legends (25 Laps) DAREN SCHERER, Richie Vanderpool, Matt Priscott, Art Priscott, Brandon Michael, Beth Scherer, Van Michael, Joe DeGracia, Brett Coon, Matt Maring, Greg Rittenhouse, John Bacon, Corey Mosher, Matt Price, Zach Truesdail, Andrew Bickford (DNS)
4 Cylinders (20 Laps) PHIL HANER, Gene Purvis, Archie Haner, Milton Price, Frank Morich, Ryan Purvis, Kyle Ferris
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