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OSWEGO SPEEDWAY BEGINS SUMMER SEASON OF RACING
Oswego, NY -- This Saturday, June 28th, Oswego Speedway begins its summer season of racing under the lights. Grandstand gates will open at 4 pm with the first heat set to be flagged off at 6 pm. There will be a a 45 lap supermodified feature, a 30 lap limited spring championship main and a 20 lap super stock test preceded by a full card of qualifiers. To top off the evening there will be big demolition derby along the front straightaway.
It looks as though June 14 feature winner Joe Gosek will be piloting the Mike Muldoon prepared #50 for the balance of the season. Gosek commented, "Mike prepares a great race car and I think we can work out a deal for the rest of the year. I'd really like to add an Oswego track championship and a Mr. Supermodified title to my resume before I retire, but you got to have top notch equipment at Oswego to accomplish either of those goals."
"There's been a changing of the guard at Oswego over the last few years and the new crop of drivers graduating from the limited division are fast and tough," Gosek added. "We caught a couple of breaks two weeks ago to be in victory lane, but you can rest assured that on any given Saturday any one of ten or twelve drivers could pull up to the winner's circle."
The annual demolition derby, which follows this week's super stock feature, is always a crowd pleaser with crumpled metal, smoke and your basic automobile carnage the order of the evening. As you may recall, last year's demo derby was cut short when 2 participants were injured and required out patient treatment at the Oswego Hospital. Changes have been made to the car specs and size of the course to reduce the chance of a similar incident this year.
C&B Farm & Garden along with Pigger's Liquors will sponsor this weekend's activities at the Steel Palace. Both stores are right next to each other on Route 104 East in the Town of Scriba and both operations boast large inventories and the best prices found anywhere.
For all the information about Oswego Speedway, contact the box office at 315-342-0646 during normal business hours or log onto the Internet at www.oswegospeedway.com
Response to Oswego Speedway Fans Regarding the Cancellation of the Jim Shampine Memorial
The management of Oswego Speedway hates to lose it's second biggest event on the 2003 schedule, but after three consecutive rain outs we had little choice other than to cancel the event entirely.
This coming weekend (June 13 & 14) ISMA is scheduled to race at Toledo (OH) Speedway on Friday night and Sandusky (OH) Speedway on Saturday night.
The following weekend finds many of the high schools across New York State holding commencement exercises for their graduating seniors followed by numerous graduation parties among family and friends. Historically, race events scheduled on high school graduation weekend are the most poorly attended of the season for obvious reasons and that's why we scheduled an evening practice session rather than a race on Saturday, June 21.
The week after that (Saturday, June 28) Oswego moves into its regular weekly schedule with other special events already planned and sponsors committed for the balance of the season.
Unfortunately, a Sunday rain date is not an option either because race fans no longer commit themselves to the event by purchasing an advance sale ticket. You can rest assured that if there were 2,500 adult and student/senior tickets sold in advance for the Shampine Memorial, which is approximately ½ the seating capacity of Oswego's front grandstand, we would not hesitate to run that event on Sunday. But, the fact of the matter is that only a handful of general admission tickets were sold in advance resulting in the potential for a financial disaster by running the event on Sunday. And, those are the type of disasters that have closed a number of short tracks across the country in recent years.
Those of you trying to compare Oswego to NASCAR should keep in mind that when you go to a Cup race at Dover, Pocono or New Hampshire you purchase that ticket almost a year in advance. With the grandstand virtually sold out well before race day, it's certainly in NASCAR's best interest to do whatever it can to get the race in. Now, let's talk about getting the entire race in. At both Daytona and Charlotte this year, once they reached the halfway point of the race, NASCAR made little attempt to finish the advertised distance after the rain started, even though both tracks have state-of-the-art lighting systems. At Oswego, Classic events have been restarted after waiting in the rain for hours to make sure the fans got their money's worth.
For those holding 2003 season's reserved seat grandstand tickets, the price of $160.00 was determined by first adding $2.00 to the adult general admission price each week, which was the difference between a reserved seat and a general admission seat when we sold weekly reserved seats in the past, then discounting that figure by an amount which takes into consideration the possibility of a rain out.
Following that logic, the gross season's reserved seat ticket price for 2003 was $179.00 and then a $19.00 discount was subtracted from the gross for any losses due to inclement weather. So to date, the net effect of losing the Shampine Memorial event is only $5.00 ($24.00 reserved seat value minus $19.00 discount). To make this up to season's ticket holders, however, we will offer a number of options each with a value of approximately $20.00, including: two free admission to an upcoming Countryfest concert at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, August 9, a free 2003 Oswego Speedway T-shirt, three (3) discount passes good toward general admission seating during the season, or a free pit pass for the evening practice session on Saturday, June 21.
Those fans who did purchase an advance ticket to the Jim Shampine Memorial will be able to redeem their entire roll ticket and receive a rain ticket (due bill) for the dollar value of the ticket purchased, which can be used at the Speedway for the balance of the regular season.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this difficult period and we certainly share your frustration. We also wanted to take this opportunity to explain that, although we love open wheel racing at Oswego as much as you do, these are not the best of times economically in CNY and we have to make financially sound decisions to keep the Speedway in operation.
THE "KING of the SUPERMODIFIEDS" RETURNS TO OSWEGO SPEEDWAY
Oswego, NY - The best of supermodified racing will roll into Oswego Speedway on Saturday, May 31 when over 50 of the alcohol-consuming rockets - winged and non wing, will compete during the popular twin bill which began in 1999 as a tribute to the late Jim Shampine who was instrumental in founding ISMA as well as being a legend at Oswego Speedway.
Last season, J. Scott Martel fulfilled a dream as
he came home the winner of the ISMA portion of the program. Martel beat
out eventual ISMA champion Russ Wood for the honor - one Scott had been
striving for since he started racing. Mike Ordway is the defending champ
of the non-winged event and coincidentally, has already won the season
opener just as he did last year. Ordway will be tough once again, but
there are others looking to make the Shampine Memorial theirs.
The Jim Shampine Memorial in 2003 is once again expected to be an all
out battle of the open wheel titans. "Competition in both supermodified
divisions is just as strong as last year." said promoter Romey Caruso,
"Scott Martel will certainly be up for the challenge of defending his
title as will Ordway who is driving yet another fast Clyde Booth
creation."
With ISMA losing two 2003 shows at Star and Kawartha to "ordinances" already to date, Bentley Warren holds the sole win of the ISMA-Lucas Oil Super Series. On a positive note, With the postponing of the Shampine Memorial on May 24, due to rain, it allows Bentley Warren to compete in one of the Team Dunigan ISMA supers on Saturday, May 31st. Bentley had a commitment to run a sprint car in the Little 500 at Anderson (IN) Speedway on the 24th, but has no schedule conflicts this Saturday. The open wheel legend showed the "youngsters" the short way around at Seekonk Speedway with a victory in the first ISMA event on May 4th. But, you can bet the rest of the ISMA guys are ready for this 50 lapper!
Along with second year sponsor A&P Auto of Oswego and Cicero, Sam's Auto Body of Syracuse, joins the fold as a second backer of the big afternoon of racing. A&P's owner, Pat Abold, has returned to the racing wars and will surely be a contender in the Dunigan 26. Sam's - the One Stop Shop - has two convenient locations in Syracuse on West Genesee St. and Erie Blvd. East. Check them out at www.samsauto.org.
Oswego Speedway is definitely the place to be on May 31st if you want all the excitement of winged and non-winged supermodifieds packed into one night. Don't forget this is the second afternoon show of the season at Oswego, with gates opening at 11 am and racing slated to go at 2 pm. Rain Date for this show is Saturday, June 7. For information, 315-342-0646 weekdays and race day or go to www.oswegospeedway.com
OSWEGO SPEEDWAY TO GIVE FREE OPENING DAY ADMISSION TO LAID-OFF NESTLE WORKERS
Oswego, NY - The month of May in the Oswego area is traditionally one of excitement and anticipation of approaching good weather, and for many, good racing. Unfortunately, May 2003 brings another disappointing downturn in the area employment scene. The 100-plus-year-old Nestle plant - the country's oldest running chocolate factory - is closing its doors for good in May. This leaves hundreds of area residents without jobs, many of whom have been loyal race fans at Oswego Speedway.
Nestle had long been a dedicated supporter of Oswego Speedway racing. Whenever a parade or gathering occurred, Nestle always provided samples of their fine products to hand out. They sponsored races and racing activities, and in particular, the Steve Gioia 9. Who can forget the successful stint Steve Jr. had in the car which his dad owned? Steve Sr. also had ties to Nestle as a longtime employee of that Fulton firm.
It is with deep regret that the parent company has deemed the Nestle plant to no longer be of importance to them. It has been important to the many folks in the area - not only the workers - but to those affected in collateral ways. This closing is definitely a dark day for Fulton and for Oswego as well. One that we can ill afford.
So, it has been decided, to ease the pain of the closing in a very small way, that Oswego Speedway will give a FREE adult grandstand ticket to any laid-off Nestle employee. In addition, that employee's spouse will only have to pay $5.00 for his or her grandstand ticket while 2 children may join the group at $1.00 each. Thus, a family of four with one Nestle employee would only pay $7.00 for an afternoon of racing. If both spouses are former employees - as is the case in many families - then both will receive free admission. Just bring in a final pay stub as proof of Nestle employment. It is hoped that this goodwill gesture will provide a little break for these families.
And, just a reminder. Oswego Speedway's first three shows will begin at 2:00 pm with grandstands opening at 12 noon (11:00 am on May 24). With the weather just beginning to break out from what has been an horrendous winter, it was deemed that while the afternoons are beginning to be sunny and warmer, the nights have still maintained an uncomfortable 30's and 40's. "This early opening may help in several ways," said Oswego Speedway promoter Romey Caruso. "Finishing earlier in the evening will give fans ample time to perhaps stop by their favorite restaurant or tavern afterwards, giving the area economy a badly needed boost. It also allows travelers to be home at a decent hour and frees them to enjoy more of their Sunday."
Any further information may be obtained at www.oswegospeedway.com or by calling the track office Monday through Friday 8:30-4:00 at 315-342-0646.
OSWEGO BUDWEISER CLASSIC SATURDAY EVENTS FIND TIMMY JEDRZEJEK IN ISMA VICTORY LANE FOR FIRST TIME IN SUPER NATIONALS; DREW FORNORO BACK IN THE MIDGETS, GREGG DAVIS IN LIMITED SUPER NATIONALS WIN AND FRANK REAKES WINNING THE SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE
By Carol Haynes
Oswego, NY - Despite ominous forecasts earlier in the week, the prognostications changed and Saturday's race weather at Oswego Speedway was magnificent. So was the racing. A great field of cars and a large crowd filled the bill quite nicely to match the weather. Independence, Ohio's Tim Jedrzejek, whose supermodified race team lost their car owner Bill Kovacs recently, led the entire 50 laps of the ISMA Super Nationals to claim his first-ever Oswego win. Timmy J fought off the advances of ISMA point leader Russ Wood at race end. The pair each floored it coming off turn four of the last lap as a lap car approached, with Jedrzejek coming home the winner by a nose. The excitement of the $5,000 payday was dampened by the thought that their late car owner was not there too see the win.
Jedrzejek said in victory lane, " A lot of people said I could win and I'm here in ISMA victory lane. Our car owner, Bill Kovacs, just passed away a few weeks ago. I think we had a little help tonight. This one goes out to him! "
He continued on to describe his wire-to-wire win, "I knew lap traffic was going to hurt me or help me tonight. Early on, I think it hurt me but at the end I think it's what prevented Russ Wood from getting by when I picked that lap car off and he was stuck on the bottom. I'll tell you when I crossed the line I wasn't sure who had it. I thought I had it by a couple inches off four and I knew no one was going to lift that's for sure. I was giving it everything I had there. We struggled a bit with the setup yesterday and I have to thank David May and Jim Mayfield. They totally changed the setup. Truthfully we were strong in the heat race, but we blistered the right rear tire and knew we weren't going to make the feature finish that way. So they made some changes while I went and sat down in the shade. The adjustments they made worked. The car was just perfect."
In turn Wood acknowledged the winner saying, "Those guys deserve to win. They've had a rough couple weeks, losing Bill. They can have this one tonight. Second definitely helps out the team with Joe not starting. We've been in a bit of a slump. We changed a motor yesterday. The guys did a heck of a job on that. I had a good car. It was close there at the end. I was getting loose. He was getting a little loose. I could see him right at the line. They just beat me. Maybe if I had a couple more laps we'd have got it. This helps me for tomorrow. I can get a good night's sleep. I have a good car for tomorrow and I hope to time trial well. I hope to be there at the end. There are a lot of tough cars, but we're looking forward to the Classic."
Twenty eight of supermodified's finest winged drivers were set to take the green for the Super Nationals when Joe Gosek's 26 suddenly would not start. Gosek, whose car housed a brand new motor, said that water in the engine was found and it would not turn over. While the three-abreast winged super formation traversed the track on a wave lap, Gosek's team struggled to get the car going, but had to park it, leaving 27 to take the flag.
Timmy J, off the pole, grabbed the lead and never let go. Mark Sammut, Nokie Fornoro, Ken Bell and Lou Cicconi were early challengers.
Jedrzejek put the pedal down right from the start and was putting slower cars down by lap 14.
A yellow flag flew on lap 17 for the 49 of Pat Shullick who had tried to get into the pits with an ailing car but failed. Howie Page, John Payne and Jamie Letcher pitted here. Payne tried to make it back but couldn't complete but a few laps. Page and Letcher filed in at the tail.
Timmy J was off like a shot on the green with Fornoro getting a jump on Sammut who soon found himself behind Bell, Cicconi, and Russ Wood.
Jedrzejek was in command at the halfway mark with Fornoro, Bell, Cicconi, Wood, Sammut, Dave McKnight, Jamie Timmons and Chris Perley strung out behind intermingled with lap cars that were victim's of the 77's onslaught.
On lap 30, Sammut's fine run desisted and he would pit followed by Howie Page, who had arrived late at the track after working on the car's motor.
On lap 35, Joey Payne exited the field while Timmy J still held a strong lead over Fornoro. Moving into third by this time was Wood who passed Bell in traffic. Bell said later, his car was good. We were fast. We just ran into lap traffic and didn't get the breaks. I screwed up a couple times and then Russell got by me in two when I went up and got in the loose stuff a little. I was quick when I was by myself. This is a momentum track. If you let up a little, the guy behind will blow by. But finishing fourth was better than the first time we were here. The guys did a heck of a job. They work real hard for me."
As the the Ohio driver saw the end nearing, Wood got by Fornoro and made a charge.
By lap 47, traffic was still a factor as Wood closed on Jedrzejek, running his heart out in and out of traffic. He was looking for his first ISMA win and something else besides.
On lap 48, the 77 skated a bit off turn four and Wood closed the gap to inches. On the last lap, Wood actually got by the leader for a brief time, but Timmy was able to get right back by. As the pair came off four, neither gave. Timmy J had his first win for the car owner who would never see it. Wood, Fornoro, Bell and Cicconi finished up the top five. Fornoro, in Brad Lichty's 84 for the first time, was pleased with his third place run to top off his brother Drew's first place in the midget main.
"This is great" said Nokie, choking on his words.. "My son and family are here. My son's been through a lot and he's doing excellent. I'd like to thank everyone who sent cards and letters of cheer to my son in his time of Hodgkins Disease and my wife for everything she's done. I wouldn't be standing here without her. She's my backbone. Thanks to Brad Lichty and the whole Patco crew for giving the opportunity to run this car. It's absolutely a fantastic car. We had a power steering leak and it got hard to steer past the fifteenth lap. But still it's such a baby carriage of a car and they are such a great team. I'd like to have another opportunity with them. It would have been nice to win with my brother Drew. I think I could have had a chance if I could have steered it, but hey, I'll take third. We're in one piece and everybody seems happy. Thanks for everyone coming out and supporting us. Hope we have a safe race tomorrow.
McKnight, Perley, Greg Furlong, and Scott Martel, winner of the Oswego ISMA show on Memorial Day, completed the top ten.
ISMA SUPERMODIFIEDS
ISMA SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #1
1. Tim Jedrzejek (77) 2. Joe Gosek (26) 3. Lou Cicconi (75) 4. Chris Perley (11) 5. Scott Martel (14) 6. Pat Shullick (49) 7. Wade Litt (07) 8. Jack Smith (09) 9. Mike Brubaker (36) 10. Jon Gambuti (88)
ISMA SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #2
1. Nokie Fornoro (84) 2. Mark Sammut (78) 3. Russ Wood (29) 4. Greg Furlong (72) 5. Howie Lane (97) 6. John Payne (67) 7. Jennifer Chesbro (33) 8. Denny Fisher (81) 9. Joe Grunda (1)
ISMA SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #3
1. Kenny Bell (32) 2. Jamie Timmons (27) 3. Dave McKnight (94) 4. Jim Shirey (16) 5. Bentley Warren (7) 6. Joey Payne (9) 7. Eric Shirey (72) 8. Howard Page (18) 9. Jamie Letcher (58) 10. Rusty Ryan (28)
ISMA SUPERMODIFIED CONSI
1. Denny Fisher (81) 2. Howard Page (18) 3. Jamie Letcher (58) 4. Joe Grunda (1) 5. Mike Brubaker (36) 6. Jack Smith (09) 7. Rusty Ryan (28) 8. Jon Gambuti (88)
ISMA SUPER NATIONALS FEATURE (50)
1. Tim Jedrzejek (77) 2. Russ Wood (29) 3. Nokie Fornoro (84) 4. Kenny Bell (32) 5. Lou Cicconi (75) 6. Dave McKnight (94) 7. Chris Perley (11) 8. Greg Furlong (72) 9. Jamie Timmons (27) 10. Scott Martel (14) 11. Jim Shirey (16) 12. Bentley Warren (7) 13. Eric Shirey (72) 14. Wade Litt (07) 15. Jennifer Chesbro (33) 16. Mike Brubaker (36) 17. Denny Fisher (81) 18. Joe Grunda (1) 19. Howie Lane (97) 20. Joey Payne (9) 21. Jamie Letcher (58) 22. Howard Page (18) 23. Mark Sammut (78) 24. John Payne (67) 25. Pat Shullick (49) 26. Jack Smith (09) 27. Jon Gambuti (88)
FORNORO IN MIDGET WIN AS STOEHR CRASHES HARD AT START
Mike Luggelle and Ben Seitz led the 27-car midget field down to the green in the 6th annual Bud Light Midget Championship, but yellow flew almost immediately as a four-wide maneuver saw Russ Stoehr, starting in tenth place, catch a wheel off turn three and plant his Gene Angelillo number 45 hard into the wall, hitting above the foam blocks at initial impact. Stoehr was transported to the Oswego Hospital and later released. Also involved were the Fred Schell, Bertrand and Luggelle.
The complete restart found the 17 of Seitz now on the pole with Ed Breault on the outside.
Mike Roselli came up from third to take the lead at the green as a yellow flew for the 44 of Breault who sat against the inner hub rail.
Once thing got started, the action was fast and furious. Roselli held the lead by a slim margin over Fornoro in the Campanale 54 while Kyle Carpenter, Seitz and young Bobby Santos, in the Seymour 9 was up to the fifth spot ahead of Randy Cabral and Dave Baumgartner.
Roselli put his 98 slightly head of Fornoro who was fending off the advances of the 12 of Carpenter.
The lead trio slipped away from the next set of racing midgets, but on lap 12, Santos came abruptly into the front pit entrance with a broken midget.
By lap 14, Fornoro and Carpenter had moved up on the leader Roselli and on lap 15 Drew, a multi-time Oswego winner in the past, put the 54 out front. Carpenter followed the 54 around Roselli and now the lead duo left Roselli behind in third. A tight pack consisting of Seitz, Cabral, Baumgartner and Howard Bumpus, running nose to tail, followed Roselli.
Suddenly on lap 21, Roselli brought out the caution with a spin off turn 4. Some oil was detected on the track at this junction and red dropped. The culprit of the fluid leaks was either Tommy Spada's 3 or Randy Mausteller's 21 . The 12 of Carpenter exited the field under this yellow. Whatever the cause, those three were all pitside as the cleanup ensued.
Drew Fornoro had just six laps to glory in front of him and he used his time wisely. On the green, he powered away from the now second place car of Ben Seitz.
Fornoro was able to hold onto his lead as Seitz held off Cabral, Bumpus, Baumgartner and Tim Heath. Cabral got by Seitz for second at race end.
An overjoyed Fornoro exited his car in victory lane to the cheers of his car owners, crew and wife and daughter. Drew acknowledged that he missed racing with Stoehr who was the defending race champion. "It was a shame to see Russ (Stoehr) go out," said Drew.. I hope he's okay. I think he and Gene had us covered. I had a little bit of a problem there. I had that were bad. In fact on the last white flag lap, I didn't have any. It was guess as to whether they were going to be there or not. The door opened for me to pass for the lead. A lot of times it looks a lot hairier out there than it is. Mike got jammed up and the door opened for me. We were lucky getting through there. I didn't need brakes. When the red came out there I had seen the oil and went high. Kyle (Carpenter) saw me move up but it was too late. He's a good young driver. We've got a lot of good young drivers. We've got a lot to look forward to in this club."
Randy Cabral, Seitz, Bumpus and Baumgartner were the top five. while Bobby Seymour, Monnie Wonder, Mike Roselli and Pete Pernesiglio finished up the top ten in the midget field.
MIDGETS
MIDGET HEAT #1
1. Mike Roselli Jr (98) 2. Drew Fornoro (54) 3. Ryan Dolan (15) 4. Tim Bertrand (47) 5. Ben Seitz (17) 6. Fred Schell (75) 7. Larry Cheetham (5) 8. Tommy Spada (3) 9. Joey Payne (49)
MIDGET HEAT #2
1. Ed Breault (44) 2. Kyle Carpenter (12) 3. Howard Bumpus (2) 4. Russ Stoehr (45) 5. Mike Luggelle (77) 6. Randy Mausteller (21) 7. Bob Bradbury (57) 8. Adam Cantor (7) 9. Pete Pernesiglio (50)
MIDGET HEAT #3
1. Mark Buonomo (76) 2. Randy Cabral (35) 3. Bobby Santos III (9) 4. Dave Baumgartner (38) 5. Monnie Wonder III (51) 6. Matt O'Brien (16) 7. Richard Gerbe (18) 8. Tim Heath (81) 9. Bob Seymour (4)
MIDGET FEATURE (25)
1. Drew Fornoro (54) 2. Randy Cabral (35) 3. Ben Seitz (17) 4. Howard Bumpus (2) 5. Dave Baumgartner (38) 6. Tim Heath (81) 7. Bobby Seymour (4) 8. Monnie Wonder III (51) 9. Mike Roselli Jr. (98) 10. Pete Pernesiglio (50) 11. Fred Schell (75) 12. Matt O'Brien (16) 13. Bob Bardbury (57) 14. Kyle Carpenter (12) 15. Larry Cheetham (5) 16. Randy Mausteller (21) 17. Tommy Spada (3) 18. Bobby Santos III (9) 19. Richard Gerbe (18) 20. Mike Luggelle (77) 21. Ryan Dolan (15) 22. Ed Breault (44) 23. Tim Bertrand (47) 24. Russ Stoehr (45) 25. Mark Buonomo (76) 26. Adam Cantor (7) DNS 27. Joey Payne (49) DNS
DAVIS COPS FIRST LIMITED SUPER NATIONALS
Oswego, NY's Gregg Davis held the pole for the 28-car Limited Super Nationals, the third feature event of the evening. Sitting outside of the 89 was the 19 of Andy Noto. A quick yellow regrouped the field, but Davis held the point when the first circuit was complete. Another yellow for the 36 of Brian Nappa slowed things again almost immediately. The biggest race of the year for the limited supers was producing some anxiousness as things sorted out.
Davis pulled away on the restart and despite some early pressure by Tony White, he maintained his lead.
On lap 7 a tangle between the 82 of Star Matteson and the 81 of Dick Woodley, sent both those cars off on hooks.
Davis took a couple laps to pull away from White this time, leaving Tony to try and hold off the 01 of Mike Bond and newly crowned 2002 limited super champion Mark Regan. Noto ran fifth with Billy Izyk, John Ketcham, Chris Proud and J.J. Andrews breathing down his neck.
On lap 20, Davis saw his lead expire when the yellow flew for a piece of metal debris on the track. Mike Bond and Mark Regan closed in on Davis on the green, but were not yet within striking distance.
Another yellow flew on lap 26 when Andy Noto lost the handle taking Proud and Ketcham in a mishap just out of turn two. All three were hooked while Jeff Bartlett was pushed back away. Proud tried to make it back into the field, but pitted soon thereafter.
Davis had Bond and Regan all over him on the restart but was up for the challenge. Tony White sat several car lengths back with J.. Andrews and Russ Bartlett his challengers. Steve Austin and Shawn Walker were moving into the mix.
On lap 30, the 24 of Jeff Bartlett called it a night with yet another yellow.
Off the top trio of Davis, Bond and Regan went on this restart, but Regan's hopes of capping a good season with a Limited Super Nationals win went up in smoke on lap 32 when he spun of turn four. A hook was required for the 69 with something breaking on the car a possible cause.
It was now the Davis-Bond show out front and that duo ran a racing clinic out front with Bond going high and low trying to get by. White, Andrews, Russ Bartlett, Austin, Walker and Kevin Battelle formed a freight train some distance away from the dueling duo.
At the checkered, Davis had a little larger advantage over Bond than he had held for many laps while White, Andrews and Austin settled into top fives. Battelle, up from 22nd starting spot, earned sixth and also the first annual Grace Bogwicz Hard Charger award. Russ Bartlett, Walker, Ed Watson and Danny Kapuscinski held up the top ten.
Davis was a tired, but happy Limited Super Nationals winner. "This is great," he said in victory lane.. "Mike (Bond) drove a helluva of a race. I knew he was right there. The car just loosened up a little at the end there. I really don't know what to say. I'd like to thank Hat Trick Charters, E-V Fuel, Grasso Auto Sales, Kay Lene's Convenience, Advance Auto Part, A&D Auto and Finger Lakes Machine - Doug Holmes - awesome motor. And my man Mike who sets the car up."
Battelle, who accepted a beautiful trophy and $300 from the Bogwicz family told how much the award meant. "To come here in front of my hometown crowd and to do this means a lot the way this season has been. I know they lost their mom and I'm really glad I got this award. This is a great place to run and the fans are great.. We're having a good time. I'd like to thank my wife and Tyler and all the guys who've helped me this year. Without them I wouldn't have gotten this award. And, also Pathfinder Bank. They've been standing behind me this whole season."
LIMITEDS
LIMITED HEAT #1
1. John Ketcham Jr (11) 2. Brian Nappa (36) 3. Mark Regan (69) 4. Russ Bartlett (26) 5. Ed Watson Jr (42) 6. Sam Bradford Jr (0) 7. Guard Nearbin (78) 8. Aaron Greene (90) 9. Mike Barnes (43) 10. Dave Cliff (06)
LIMITED HEAT #2
1. Mike Bond (01) 2. Star Matteson (82) 3. Dan Ferlito (55) 4. Kevin Knopp (94) 5. Steve Austin (66) 6. Mike Bozzuto (8) 7. Chip Wood (5) 8. Dick Woodley (81) 9. Terry Vezzose Jr (2)
LIMITED HEAT #3
1. Bill Izyk (1) 2. Andy Noto (19) 3. Chris Proud (3) 4. Jack Patrick (9) 5. Shawn Walker (68) 6. Dan Kapuscinski (00) 7. Jim Guyle (20) 8. Doug Cliff (6) 9. Bob Bogwicz (99)
LIMITED HEAT #4
1. Tony White (4) 2. Gregg Davis (89) 3. JJ Andrews (93) 4. Bill Moore (7) 5. Jeff Bartlett (24) 6. Wayne Wideman (15) 7. Kevin Battelle (29) 8. Rob Pullen (76) 9. Bob Kingsley (51)
LIMITED CONSI #1
1. Dan Kapuscinski (00) 2. Jim Guyle (20) 3. Guard Nearbin (78) 4. Doug Cliff (6) 5. Aaron Greene (90) 6. Dave Cliff (06) 7. Mike Barnes (43) 8. Sam Bradford Jr (0) 9. Bob Bogwicz (99) DNS
LIMITED CONSI #2
1. Mike Bozzuto (8) 2. Kevin Battelle (29) 3. Chip Wood (5) 4. Dick Woodley (81) 5. Terry Vezzose Jr (2) 6. Bob Kingsley (51) 7. Wayne Wideman (15) 8. Rob Pullen (76)
LIMITED SUPER NATIONALS (50)
1. Gregg Davis (89) 2. Mike Bond (01) 3. Tony White (4) 4. JJ Andrews (93) 5. Steve Austin (66) 6. Kevin Battelle (29) 7. Russ Bartlett (26) 8. Shawn Walker (68) 9. Ed Watson Jr (42) 10. Dan Kapuscinski (00) 11. Brian Nappa (36) 12. Jim Guyle (20) 13. Lou LeVea (0) 14. Jack Patrick (9) 15. Bill Moore (7) 16. Guard Nearbin (78) 17. Mike Bozzuto (8) 18. Chip Wood (5) 19. Kevin Knopp (94) 20. Mark Regan (69) 21. Jeff Bartlett (24) 22. Andy Noto (19) 23. Bill Izyk (1) 24. John Ketcham Jr (11) 25. Chris Proud (3) 26. Star Matteson (82) 27. Doug Cliff (6) 28. Dick Woodley (81) 29. Dan Ferlito (55)
REAKES TAKES THE SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE 30
With the previous two races going flag to flag for the winners, Frank Reakes had to work a little harder for his win in the super stock challenge 30, the finale of the night. Reakes, starting fifth on the field worked his way quickly into third behind leader Bobby Newman and Kelly Miller. Miller grabbed off the lead on lap 3 and looked to be headed for his second straight win in as many weeks until something broke on the 8 which sent it bouncing into the pits.
Reakes was in command now with Newman and Bill Moore trying to stay with him. But Reakes took off like a shot and was gone from sight by lap 10.
Bill Moore, the defending race champion, worked his way into second by lap 9, with Doug Reaume putting Newman back into fourth soon thereafter.
Moore tried to close the distance up on the high flying 14 but to no avail. Moore pretty much ran alone in second while Reaume did likewise in third. Newman, John Parkhurst, Joe Skilinski, Chris Lupa, Randy Storms and Dave Bock were the only cars left when the end neared.
While Reakes crossed under the checkered with a commanding lead, he was still working hard at the end as he stated, "I was running my tail off out there. I was pushing it a little bit trying to stay out there. It was a lot of fun. I tried to keep the same pace all the time. We're going to have a big party tonight with that magnum of champagne.. I'd like to thank everybody behind me - my wife, my mom and dad are here tonight. Gary, he's the guy who built the car, Vince, Scott, Jay, Melanie, Sandy - hope I didn't forget anybody. And, the fans here at Oswego. They are great!"
Moore, Reaume, Parkhurst and Newman rounded out the top five.
SUPER STOCKS
SUPER STOCK HEAT #1
1. Frank Reakes (14) 2. Kelly Miller (8) 3. Bobby Newman (77) 4. Chris Lupa (46) 5. Joe Skilinski (4) 6. Larry Muroski (17) 7. Eric Connors (88) 8. Joe Miller (9)
SUPER STOCK HEAT #2
1. Bill Moore (5) 2. Rob Pullen (2) 3. John Parkhurst (38) 4. Doug Reaume (99) 5. Randy Storms (22) 6. Steve Sixberry (85) 7. Lonnie Mills (43) 8. Rick Porter (80) DNS
SUPER STOCK CHALLENGE (30)
1. Frank Reakes (14) 2. Bill Moore (5) 3. Doug Reaume (99) 4. John Parkhurst (38) 5. Bobby Newman (77) 6. Joe Miller (9) 7. Chris Lupa (46) 8. Randy Storms (22) 9. Joe Skilinski (4) 10. Steve Sixberry (85) 11. Kelly Miller (8) 12. Rob Pullen (2) 13. Larry Muroski (17) 14. Eric Connors (88) 15. Lonnie Mills (43) DNS 16. Rick Porter (80) DNS
JOE GOSEK MAKES IT CLASSIC WIN NUMBER THREE IN MULDOON 50
By Carol Haynes
Oswego, NY – Multi-time Classic winner and Indy 500 veteran Joe Gosek sat in the pits Saturday night at Oswego Speedway when his ISMA supermodified did not fire just prior to the Super Nationals event. He was extremely disappointed not to run before his hometown crowd. Sunday, he made up for the disappointment when he drove the Mike Muldoon-owned 50 supermodified into victory lane at the 46th Annual Budweiser International Classic. It was the third win of the prestigious event in Gosek’s 22-year career. But it wasn’t the $35,000-plus payday that Gosek enjoyed. It was the win at his home track that meant the most for the native Oswegonian. And, it meant a lot to his enormous group of fans who have followed him throughout his long and illustrious career.
"This one feels just as good as the first one," said Joe at the post-race interview. "You work hard for this. Mike gave me a great car. I had a lot of confidence in his ability to set up a car for this race. I told him I’d stick with it. I’ve won this race twice in 1991 and 1992, but it was his call today. This hasn’t sunk in yet. It will when I get down to the see the fans. That’s what it’s all about. It’s nice to see all the people. I’ve had a good following all these years. It gives me a good feeling. The race is a long one and a tough one. You have to use your head. To come out on top is an accomplishment. But, that’s what I love to do and it all worked out today."
He continued, "I’ve got to thank all Mike’s sponsors – Hough Construction, Riccelli Enterprises, Seaboard Atlantic, Granby Discount Carpet, Law Offices of Ed Izyk, Darrell Coir Hardwood Floors, Laqua’s 481, Sandy’s Bumper Mart, and Tri R Karts. I have a couple that came on today – Burke’s Home Centers and of course all the Handley family who have been with me for almost twenty years. They stand behind me all the way. Fairway Manor and Breaker’s Bar also helped me out with this ride. Thanks to Irish at Hoosier also – my hats off to anyone else who has helped in this organization."
Gosek took the lead from Fulton’s Tim Gareau on lap 145 and never was really threatened until late in the race when several cautions caused the race to extend to 205 laps. This left the door open for Greg Furlong to close up Gosek’s large lead and make it a race at the end. Said Furlong, a two-time Classic winner himself, "It was the same scenario. You kind of wait and let the race come to you. You always think maybe you wait too long. At the end there, when I started to go, I looked up and my brother was violently waving go, go, go. The car was good. Joe was way out front and I thought maybe he’s out too far. Then we got one caution, but I had all those lap cars between. Then we had that other caution and it put me on his back bumper. That was my opportunity. He was tight, I think and I was loose. He gave me the opportunity and I just couldn’t capitalize on it."
Behind Gosek and Furlong and several lap cars, was a battle for third between Bob Bond and Tim Snyder, the defending Classic champ. A bonsai move as the checkereds waved, saw Bond and Shawn Muldoon touch while Snyder stayed high and grabbed third. Snyder, who had started 29th in the field, fought his way to a top three and he was ecstatic in regard to what he had just done. "Holy shit what a race. Can I say that? We really screwed up during time trials and it put us back to starting 29th. There was a long pack of cars out there. The way the tires were we thought we’d have to burn them up and have to make a pit stop. The car felt pretty good there at the end. I lost a couple spots to Bobby Bond and Chris Perley there. They were running pretty good, but then I said I just have to conserve myself. On the last lap we just made that shot to try and get Bobby. We were racing Shawn. I guess he was a lap down in fifth. That was surprising. But, we got third out of it. We take it after the day we had. Oswego Quality Carpets, Raby’s, Amerigas – all of my sponsors – plus the crew. I couldn’t do it without them."
The 46th annual Budweiser Classic saw a strong field of 45 supermodifieds pared to 35 early in the afternoon with Russ Wood, in the Holbrook 35 taking the pole with Greg Furlong sitting alongside as the white dropped on the field at 4:00 pm. But, irony reared its head right at the start as the Mike Ordway 61 - the car that was said to be the one to beat, was pushed into the infield pit. It had not started. It would not. Magneto and motor incompatibility were the cause. Ordway climbed dejectedly from the car while the push truck pushed bubble car Pat Lavery into the field for his first-ever Classic. The race rookie would end up eleventh given the last minute reprieve.
Russ Wood took up the early lead but handed it over to Timmy Jedrzejek, who had been a first-time winner the previous night in the ISMA Super Nationals. Timmy J set a comfortable pace as things sorted out.
Yellow flew on lap 13 for the 97 of Vern LaFave and this restart found Otto Sitterly taking the point, then several laps later, it was 2002 Oswego champ Shawn Muldoon out front in the Gosek team car owned by Shawn’s brother Mike.
A couple more cautions flew on lap 21 for Mike Brubaker and then on lap 30 for the 00 of Dave Trytek and the 90 of Ray Graham.
Out front on the green were Muldoon, Tim Gareau and Timmy Jedrzejek as that trio pulled away from the pack, all laying down their game plans out back.
Bob Goutermout and Howie Page were next to tangle in a series of cautions that fell between lap 47 and 52. Also involved or making pitstops were Gary Morton, Pat Shullick and Dave McKnight.
On the green on lap 49, Tim Gareau took over the point from Muldoon to become the fifth race leader. Muldoon, Timmy J, Joey Payne, Furlong and Russ Wood were top runners at this juncture.
The race played out for a dozen or so laps with Gareau the leader, but coming up strong was Payne, in the Lane 91, and he took over the point on lap 66 in a low move on Gareau in turn one.
Payne took off in the lead, but never lost Gareau while Muldoon, Timmy J and now Jamie Moore were top five.
A scary incident involving the Ken Bell 32 brought the race to a halt on lap 75. Bell’s 32 caught the wheel of a car in front of him, probably Lou Cicconi’s 75, off turn 3 and he went airborne into the wall, flipping over and landing on his top side. Bell was shaken but okay. The car was destroyed. Refueling was allowed while the cleanup ensued.
Joey Payne continued his reign out front as he pulled Gareau behind him through lap cars. Slowly picking up the pace was Joe Gosek, who until this point sat about eighth in the field. Joe said later laughing, "I probably had Mike worrying a little for a while. I dropped back. The car was a little antsy early and a lot of guys were on the get go. I was afraid that was going to happen. You can’t let it bother you. You go back and run where you feel comfortable and if you don’t go back to far, you are fine. As the race went on, I just thought I’d pick guys off clean – don’t get in trouble - and it played out down the line. I don’t know what anybody had for me. I was loose at the end but you just have to puppy it to keep the tires at the end."
The field slowed once again on lap 103 for a Dave McKnight and Jerry Curran incident. The green dropped and Payne led the way once again with Gareau right behind, but Joey’s fine run ended shortly thereafter on lap 111 when the car suddenly slowed off turn four. Miraculously the leaders made it by as the 91 was hooked into the pits with a broken front suspension bolt. Heading for the pits for a tire here were Trytek and Chris Perley at a perfect pit time if the need was there.
As the clock showed 111, the green dropped and Tim Gareau reassumed the lead he had held previously. Timmy J and Joe Gosek were the main contenders now with Jamie Moore, Greg Furlong, Tim Snyder, Russ Wood and Shawn Muldoon, who had also pitted on lap 49, racing behind. A lap 87 yellow for Keith Gilliam brought in more drivers for shoes as the race wore down, and so did the tires. In came Bobby Santos, the 16-year-old race wonder from Franklin, Mass., Russ Wood, Muldoon again and more.
The race resumed with the lead battle settling into a Gareau-Gosek chase. Sliding back and out of the action was Tim Jedrzejek who lost his rack and pinion and a chance at a good Classic finish.
Gosek made his move on Gareau off turn four and the lead was his. At the 150 mark, Gosek held a healthy lead over Gareau, Furlong, Moore and Snyder. Moving up quickly was Chris Perley, who obviously benefited from his earlier pit stop.
Jamie Moore was the next to fly the yellow bunting on lap 169 and into the pits went the Auburn veteran to return later.
Gosek had half dozen lap cars in between his 50 and the 72 of now second place runner Greg Furlong on the restart. Tim Gareau lost his momentum here and would pit on lap 177 out of the action.
By lap 175, Gosek looked to be on cruise while Perley had picked his way through the pack to run third behind Furlong. A couple more laps for the Rowley Rocket and he’d be a main challenger. It was not to be however, as Perley, coming off turn four, caught the wheel of the 91 of Joey Payne who was laps down and just struggling behind some other lap cars. Perley was sent hard into the steel in four and his 11 was shortened a couple feet in the process. Chris was sore but okay. He said later that the motor and everything in the front end was gone.
The restart here now put Furlong right on Gosek’s tail and with time running down, all eyes were up front. Several more yellows caused hope for Furlong and anxiety for Gosek. On lap 194, Bobby Santos’ 88 brought out the flag. Green fell on 196. Gosek was able to hold off Furlong. The white fell on Gosek, Furlong, Muldoon, who was fifth, but running a lap down behind the leaders, then Bond and Snyder, who were in the lead lap.
Everyone held their breath as the checkered was in hand and the end in sight or so they thought. Yellow flew instead on lap 200 when the 00 of Trytek spun down the front straight. Dave corrected, but Gosek had to go through the scene one more time. Joe said afterwards, "The restarts were killers especially because I was getting loose late in the race. When it went green and then white and then we were coming for the checkered and the yellow came out, we had to do the same thing again. There were three more laps to go. It plays on a driver’s mind. You don’t know where that guy behind is going to try you or whether he is or not. Basically you try to use the car up the best you can and get away as quick as you can on the green. It worked out. I was waiting for Greg to show me but it didn’t happen."
On lap 202, white finally flew for the last time as Furlong made a meager attempt at Gosek and that’s how they crossed one lap later when the crossed checkered flew, while Snyder, Muldoon and Bond came wildly across the finish line several car lengths behind. The top three – Gosek, Furlong and Snyder were the same trio standing on the podium as in 2001 but in a different order. The race had 8 different leaders with Gareau leading during two sequences. Only the top four were in the lead lap with Muldoon finishing fifth one lap down.
Said Bond as to his run. "It was a hectic one. We got hot there. We got lucky the red came out when it did because we wouldn’t have made it much further. We got back up to the front. I thought Shawn might have given me some room because he was a lap down, but he didn’t. I might have been able to catch Furlong. The car was pretty good, but Shawn got in the way. Snyder ended up getting by me there when Shawn and I touched. But, this is my best Classic finish and we’re definitely happy. This makes up for a bad season. This is a good way to end it.
Fifth place finisher and race rookie Shawn Muldoon indicated, . "I went to the front a little bit too soon and kind of burned some tires off it. I learned a lot. We’ll be okay. I didn’t even think I was in the top five there. I thought maybe the top ten. I don’t pay attention to the board. It was a good run for us."
Scott Martel, Russ Wood, Brian Sweeney, Jeff Holbrook and Holbrook’s third car, the 00 of Trytek, rounded out the top ten.
46TH BUDWEISER CLASSIC WEEKEND OSWEGO SPEEDWAY
FINAL RACE RESULTS 9/1/02 Updated 6:00 pm
CAR COUNT: Supermodifieds (45)
SUPERMODIFIEDS
TIME TRIAL RESULTS (TOP 24)
1. #35 Russ Wood (16.926) 2. #72 Greg Furlong (16.960) 3. #75 Lou Cicconi (17.080) 4. #7 Tim Jedrzejek (17.095) 5. #96 Gary Morton (17.147) 6. #79 Otto Sitterly (17.147) 7. #50 Joe Gosek (17.186) 8. #61 Mike Ordway (17.210) 9. #00 Dave Trytek (17.255) 10. #25 Bob Bond (17.275)11. #27 Joe Hawksby Jr (17.294) 12. #44 Jamie Moore (17.297) 13. #3 Brian Sweeney (17.304) 14. #1 Shawn Muldoon (17.309) 15. #91 Joey Payne (17.328) 16. #77 Bob Goutermout (17.331) 17. #11 Chris Perley (17.346) 18. #5 Tim Gareau Jr (17.365) 19. #88 Bobby Santos III (17.366) 20. #74 Dave McKnight (17.389) 21. #70 Jeff Holbrook (17.419) 22. #08 Doug Didero (17.419) 23. #32 Kenny Bell (17.440) 24. #90 Ray Graham Jr (17.450)
SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #1 (TOP 4 QUALIFY)
1. Vern LaFave (97) 2. Mike Brubaker (36) 3. Scott Martel (4) 4. Justin Belfiore (28) 5. Hal LaTulip (56) 6. Pat Lavery (99) 7. Bill Peri (14) 8. Mark Sammut (78) 9. Jack Smith (09)
SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #2 (TOP 4 QUALIFY)
1. Randy Ritskes (86) 2. Tim Snyder (0) 3. Jerry Curran (24) 4. Bill Sharkey (52) 5. Pat Shullick (49) 6. Craig Rayvals (94) 7. Robert Parrow (21) 8. Dave Halstead Jr (34) 9. Keith Gilliam (87)
SUPERMODIFIED B-MAIN (WINNER QUALIFIES)
1. Pat Shullick (49) 2. Pat Lavery (99) 3. Dave Halstead Jr (34) 4. Hal LaTulip (56) 5. Mark Sammut (78) 6. Bill Peri (14) 7. Craig Rayvals (94) 8. Robert Parrow (21) 9. Jack Smith (09)
46TH ANNUAL BUDWEISER INT'L CLASSIC (205)
1. Joe Gosek (50) 2. Greg Furlong (72) 3. Tim Snyder (0) 4. Bob Bond (25) 5. Shawn Muldoon(1) 6. Scott Martel (14) 7. Russ Wood (35) 8. Brian Sweeney (3) 9. Jeff Holbrook (70) 10. Dave Trytek (00) 11. Pat Lavery (99) 12. Justin Belfiore (28) 13. Jamie Moore (44) 14. Jerry Curran (24) 15. Bobby Santos III (88) 16. Chris Perley (11) 17. Joe Hawksby Jr (27) 18. Tim Gareau Jr (5) 19. Joey Payne (91) 20. Howard Page (18) 21. Vern LaFave (97) 22. Tim Jedrzejek (7) 23. Randy Ritskes (86) 24. Keith Gilliam (87) 25. Dave McKnight (74) 26. Bob Goutermout (77) 27. Doug Didero (08) 28. Otto Sitterly (79) 29. Lou Cicconi (75) 30. Kenny Bell (32) 31. Gary Morton (96) 32. Pat Shullick (49) 33. Bill Sharkey (52) 34. Ray Graham Jr (90) 35. Mike Brubaker (36)