August 31, 2007

BEARDSLEY’S MISFORTUNE HANDS FEATURE WIN TO NEW BREWERTON CHAMPION WILLY DECKER
 

BREWERTON, NY – It was a night of drama on Friday at Brewerton Speedway as Sean Beardsley was the apparent DIRTcar Modified victor for his first ever 35-lap feature victory on Tired Iron Repair Night. The thrill of a first ever victory turned into yet another tough break as Beardsley was light on the scales and disqualified to last place, giving the win to Willy Decker of Vernon, who also claimed his first ever Brewerton Speedway DIRTcar Modified track title. Decker went into the evening with a brand new Westmoreland Golf Club / Bicknell chassis No. 1x, just eleven points ahead of defending champion Alan Johnson. Decker, who started eleventh, did what he had to do and finished ahead of Johnson in the final tally. Other winners on Tired Iron Repair Night were Rob Keller Jr. in the IMCA Modifieds, Lowell Zehr in the ESDCA Mod Lites, Claude Hutchings Jr. in the 4-Cylinder Super Stocks, and Josh Herbert in the 4-Cylinder Enduros.

Speedway management has declared the track champions as being Willy Decker in the DIRTcar Modifieds, Kevan Cook in the IMCA Modifieds, Doug Williams in the ESDCA Mod Lites, Claude Hutchings Jr. in the 4-Cylinder Super Stocks, and Josh Herbert in the 4-Cylinder Enduros.

At the start of the 35-lap DIRTcar Modified feature event, outside polesitter Sean Beardsley leaped out into the early race lead, with Jeff Isabell settling into second. Beardsley dominated the competition over the next bunch of laps and opened up a huge distance between himself and Isabell. As Starter Glenn O’Loughlin waved the halfway point of the event, Beardsley continued his commanding lead with Isabell, Alan Johnson, Dan Vauter, and Tom Sears the rest of the top five. Willy Decker had plenty of work to do in the last half, as he was only eleven points ahead of Alan Johnson with Johnson in the top five, and Decker further back in the lineup. Decker continued his charge and entered the top five on lap just after lap 20. Decker then took over second on lap 33 from Isabell, as the battle for the rest of the top five raged on as drivers went three wide all the way around the track. In the midst of this battle was Alan Johnson, who bobbled after contact with another car down further in the lineup.

At the finish, Beardsley crossed the line in first for his first ever Brewerton Speedway victory, but it only lasted for several minutes as he did not make the 2,500 pound requirement on the scales in the infield after several attempts. With the unfortunate circumstances and heartbreak for Beardsley, track management disqualified him and moved all drivers up one spot giving Decker his fourth win of the 2007 race season. Isabell was second, followed by Kevin Bates, Dan Vauter, and Chuck Bower. Tom Sears, Roy Bresnahan, Jim Witko, Mitch Gibbs, and Alan Johnson completed the top ten finishers.

The popular Decker was crowded in victory lane with throngs of supporters as he not only won the race, but the hard fought season long battle with the 2007 DIRTcar Modified track championship. Young Pennsylvania driver Kevin Bates took over second in the standings, a mere 20 points behind Decker with Alan Johnson faltering late in the race pushing him down to third in the points.

Rob Keller Jr. of Baldwinsville won his first 20-lap IMCA Modified feature event of the year, coming from the eighth starting position. Tony Finch blasted out into the early lead and appeared headed to his first victory of the year, until a lap car caused him to lose momentum. Keller, who had pressured Finch for most of the race, leaped into the lead with just two laps to go and cruised to victory lane. Finch was forced to settle for second, followed by Bill Anderson, invader Bob Banks, and Ricky Orton. The race was full of drama as track points leader and second place drivers Kevan Cook and Dale Caswell, respectively, fell out just after the start due to mechanical problems. Cook, however, has had a very consistent season and claimed his first ever track title with that strength.

Lowell Zehr won his second straight 20-lap ESDCA Mod Lite feature after taking the lead from Joe Garafolo with just four circuits to go. Chuck DeMott took the lead at the original green, with Jeff Barker leading the way on lap 3. Garafolo was looking for his first feature win in several seasons but Zehr took the top spot on lap 16 after starting twelfth. At the finish, it was Zehr, Garafolo, Barker, Rocco Leone, and Jeff Herbert. Doug Williams claimed the ESDCA Mod Lite track championship, the first of his career.

In the 15-lap 4-Cylinder Super Stock feature, 15-year old Claude Hutchings Jr. of Sauquoit won his seventh feature of the year and the track championship. Hutchings took the lead on lap 13 from Chuck Powelczyk who was having problems the last several laps. Matt Fay led the opening three circuits until Powelczyk took control. Jessica Herbert had her best ever finish in second, followed by Aron Backus, Matt Fay, and Stephen Denton.

Josh Herbert won the 20-lap 4-Cylinder Enduro feature after a fierce race long battle with father Jerry, who was forced to settle for second in a photo finish. Witt Chilson, Devon Rookey, and Art Dupra completed the top five, with Josh Herbert the track champion.

Coming up this Friday September 7 at Brewerton Speedway is the long awaited return of the Victoria 200 Rules Modified Mini-Series in a 35-lap, $2,000 to win special. Also in race action will be the IMCA Modifieds, 4-Cylinder Enduros, and the 25-lap New York State Championships for the 4-Cylinder Super Stocks that will offer an Oswego Race of Champions guaranteed starting spot. Gates will open at 5:30pm, with racing at 7:30pm. For more information, contact the track office at (315) 668-6906, the raceline at (315) 668-RACE, or visit www.brewertonspeedway.com.

PIT NOTES…Track conditions continue to be fantastic on the spacious 1/3-Mile “D-Shaped DIRT Demon”. The track was wide, smooth, and offered multiple 3 and 4-wide lanes to race on as new track preparer Jeremie Corcoran is doing his magic.

BREWERTON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY
TIRED IRON REPAIR NIGHT
RACE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2007
 

DIRTcar MODIFIEDS (35-Laps) – WILLY DECKER, Jeff Isabell, Kevin Bates, Dan Vauter, Chuck Bower, Tom Sears Jr., Roy Bresnahan, Jim Witko Jr., Mitch Gibbs, Alan Johnson, Kyle Lewis, Tim Sears, Jeremy Smith, Paul Kinney, Rick Rogala, Johnny Hill, Roy Sheilds, Sean Beardsley (DQ). Track Champion – Willy Decker.

IMCA MODIFIEDS (20-Laps) – ROB KELLER JR., Tony Finch, Bill Anderson, Bob Banks, Ricky Orton, Greg Kimball, Rich Townsend, Aaron Jacobs, Calvin Painter, Les Hubbard, Dave Talbot, Bob Ridgeway, Rich Riggs, Bill Anderson Jr., Coleen Finch, J.J. Courcy, Steve Coit, Mike Jones, Pete Anderson, Dale Caswell, Kevan Cook. Track Champion – Kevan Cook.

ESDCA MOD LITES (20-Laps) – LOWELL ZEHR, Joe Garafolo, Jeff Barker, Rocco Leone, Jeff Herbert, Ken Gamlen, Tod Simons, Doug Williams, Terry Lapham, Chuck DeMott, Mike Mullen, Mike Virginia, Barry Virts, Tommy Felicia, Frank Sobotka, Luke Lonergan, Kevin Donhauser, Lisa Thomas, Jeff Blackburn, Lorrie Herbert, Andrew Schartner, Matt Magner. Track Champion – Doug Williams.

4-CYLINDER SUPER STOCKS (15-Laps) – CLAUDE HUTCHINGS JR., Jessica Herbert, Aron Backus, Matt Fay, Stephen Denton, Chris Kranz, Chuck Powelczyk, Chad Dupra, Jerry Curcie Jr., Lorraine Powelczyk, Sam Curcie, Sam Carista, Andy Kieffer, Eric Kranz, Matt Wetterer. Track Champion – Claude Hutchings Jr.

4-CYLINDER ENDURO (20-Laps) – JOSH HERBERT, Jerry Herbert, Witt Chilson, Devon Rookey, Art Dupra. Track Champion – Josh Herbert.