May 11, 2007

TOM SEARS JR WINS FIRST EVER BREWERTON DIRT MODIFIED FEATURE
 

BREWERTON, NY – Tom Sears Jr. of Central Square won his first ever Brewerton Speedway DIRTcar Modified feature in a real feel good story last Friday on Syracuse.com Magnetic Schedule Night. Also winning features on the cool spring evening were Dale Caswell in the IMCA Modifieds, Dan Williams in the ESDCA Mod Lites, and teenager Claude Hutchings Jr. in the 4-Cylinder Super Stocks.

Tom Sears Jr. has been racing at Brewerton Speedway for over 20 seasons since 1986, moving up the ranks from the original Street Stock division to the headline DIRTcar Modifieds. Without a doubt, he’s always had the talent to compete with the best, and last Friday, he won his first ever DIRTcar Modified feature in convincing style over DIRT Motorsports all-time winner Alan Johnson. Sears, driving the Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal No. 83, came from the fourth starting position and took the lead from early leader Kenny Stafford on lap 16 enroute to the popular victory.

Kenny Stafford led the initial two circuits, with Sears taking command on lap 3. The battle for the lead was furious between the two, who were both looking for their first ever Brewerton win. Stafford wrestled it away on lap 11, when Sears took over for the final time on lap 16. Alan Johnson made his typical late race charge to finish a strong second behind Sears at the finish. Third was Jim Witko Jr. in his best ever Brewerton finish, followed by Willy Decker and Chuck Bower. Rounding out the top ten, it was Kenny Stafford, Tim Sears, Dan Vauter, Kevin Bates, and Chad Phelps.

Dale Caswell of West Monroe won his first IMCA Modified feature in dominating fashion after leading the entire 20-lap distance from the fourth starting position. Kevan Cook was second, followed by last week’s winner Pete Anderson, Tony Finch, and Greg Kimball.

Dan Williams of Pennellville won his second straight ESDCA Mod Lite 20-lap main event of the young 2007 race season after taking the lead on lap 11 from Matt Magner. Williams started fifteenth on the grid and had to hold off brother Doug, who finished second, for the victory. Lowell Zehr was third, followed by Matt Magner, and defending track champion Tim Devendorf. Mike Virginia was the early event leader until Magner took command on lap 5.

Young teenager Claude Hutchings Jr. of Sauquoit won his first ever 4-Cylinder Super Stock 15-lap feature, after leader Chuck Powelczyk broke on lap 11. Hutchings, driving a Saab, held off Matt Wetterer, Aron Backus, Chad Dupra, and John West at the race finish. Aron Backus led the opening two circuits, with Powelczyk leading laps 3-11.

Next Friday May 18 at Brewerton Speedway is Nationwide Insurance Night with the DIRTcar Modifieds, IMCA Modifieds, ESDCA Mod Lites, UMP Street Stocks, and 4-Cylinder Super Stocks all set to do battle on the fast 1/3-mile “D-Shaped DIRT Demon”. The IMCA Modified division will be highlighted with a special Keller Insurance Agency Dash for Cash and also the annual Dean Hubbs Memorial feature event. For more information, contact the track office at (315) 668-6906 or visit www.brewertonspeedway.com.

BREWERTON PIT NOTES… Syracuse WTVH Channel 5 was on hand in the pit area filming for future sportscasts, especially regarding the Brewerton/Fulton PA Posse drivers Jim Witko, Kevin Bates, and Dan Vauter. Ironically, the last victory at Brewerton Speedway for Tom Sears was on August 19, 1994 behind the wheel of a Street Stock. Willy Decker returned to Brewerton after a strong opening day finish of fourth. After tonight’s finish, Decker is two points out of the point lead of Alan Johnson. With this, it’s almost certain Decker will be back on a weekly basis. Last week’s winner Jimmy Phelps was driving the Troyer House Car #98h, but had a tough night, with a flat in the heat and a jingle in the feature. Chuck DeMott, the ESDCA Mod Lite driver who flipped and caught fire last week, returned to race action. The first Haro bike provided by Doyle’s Bike Shop in Fulton was given away. To enter, contestants are asked to bring in 50 aluminum cans for Novelis which are being collected for the Habitat for Humanity in Oswego County.

BREWERTON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY
SYRACUSE.COM MAGNETIC SCHEDULE NIGHT
RACE DATE: MAY 11, 2007

DIRTcar Modifieds (35-Laps) – TOM SEARS JR., Alan Johnson, Jim Witko Jr., Willy Decker, Chuck Bower, Kenny Stafford, Tim Sears, Dan Vauter, Kevin Bates, Chad Phelps, Michael Prentice, Russ Hefti, Kyle Lewis, Mike Bowman, Tom Juhl Jr., Matt Fink, Rick Rogala, Jimmy Phelps, Roy Bresnahan, Scott Prentice, Steve Hulsizer, Tony Buffa Jr., Tim Kerr.

IMCA Modifieds (20-Laps) – DALE CASWELL, Kevan Cook, Pete Anderson, Tony Finch, Greg Kimball, J.J. Courcy, Coleen Finch, Bill Anderson, Calvin Painter, Les Hubbard, Bill Anderson Jr., Steve Coit, Tim Hearne, Johnny Bell, Ricky Orton, Mike Jones, Rob Keller Jr., Rich Riggs, Bob Ridgeway.

ESDCA Mod Lites (20-Laps) – DAN WILLIAMS, Doug Williams, Lowell Zehr, Matt Magner, Tim Devendorf, Andrew Schartner, Dave Trytek, Rocco Leone, Justin Crisafulli, Mike Isabell, Mike Virginia, Gary Schug, Luke Lonergan, Jeff Barker, Jamie King, Keith Hotchkiss, Mike Mullen, Brenda Rice, Rich Rainville, Tommy Felicia, Lisa Thomas, Terry Latham, Mike Rainville, Chuck DeMott, Jeff Blackburn, Jeff Herbert, Frank Sobotka, Tod Simons, Ken Gamlen, Kelly Skinner.

4-Cylinder Super Stocks (15-Laps) – CLAUDE HUTCHINGS JR., Matt Wetterer, Aron Backus, Chad Dupra, John West, Chris Kranz, Lorraine Powelczyk, Steve Randall, Jessica Herbert, Chuck Powelczyk, Sam Carista, Sam Curcie, Matt Fay, Eric Kranz.