By JAY SHIMEL – EVANS MILLS, NY – Another beautiful Saturday night welcomed race fans to the Evans Mills Raceway Park for their annual Vintage Night. The Classic Asphalt Modified Series made their first of two stops at the raceway and fans were greeted to a Vintage Car Show in the midway.
The Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends kicked off the features for the evening. A season high 10 cars took the green flag, led by Devin Thornton and Brayton Malbeuf. The completion of lap 1 saw Dalton Rombough take the lead in his first start of the season. Rombough quickly checked out to a 6 car length lead. Last week’s winner, Chris Malbeuf worked his way to second by lap 4. Rombough would work to a full straightaway lead, but was erased by a lap 18 caution. On the restart, Rombough would get a terrific jump and hold of Malbeuf to win his first feature of the season. Malbeuf settled for second and Brayton Malbeuf crossed the finish line in third place.
The Classic Asphalt Modified Series took to the track next. Tim Janes in his ‘37 Chevy led the group to the green flag and would be the early leader. By the halfway point, Bob “Rip” Ripley worked his way to the top spot, driving his George Kent replica #26. Ripley would continue to set the pace as John Semmler worked up to second place. The two would race side by side for the final 2 laps. Ripley would hold him off to take the checkers. Semmler finished second and Janes would finish third.
Next onto the speedway were the Caskinette Ford Modifieds led by Scott Dinzler and John Ramsey. On the start, Ramsey spun after contact from behind sending Ramsey to the back. Dinzler would control the race on the restart, but by lap 3 Taylor Caprara would get by Dinzler on the bottom. Caprara would continue to lead as Bryan Sherwood and Kreig Heroth would work their way to the front. Caprara’s led would be nullified by a lap 21 caution. On the restart Caprara chose the inside and Sherwood would take the outside, but in row 2. Caprara got a great restart and Sherwood would get by Brad Winters on the outside to take over second place. One lap later, Sherwood used the same lane to get by Caprara and take the lead. Heroth would take the high side around Caprara as well, 5 laps later. Heroth would run out of time as Sherwood won his first race at Evans Mills and continue his streak of 5 top 5’s this season. Heroth would finish second, Joel Hargrave finished third, Caprara would settle for fourth and Tony Pettinelli rounded out the top 5.
17 Sport Compacts and Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks started the next feature. David Liscum and David Paige made up the front row. Liscum led the first 3 laps before last week’s winner Joe Pettinelli took over the top spot. Pettinelli pulled away from the field as the other Sport Compacts worked their way to the front. The only caution came on lap 13 which allowed Mike Durham to start on the outside of row 1. Pettinelli would get the jump and cruise to his second victory in a row. Durham would finish second and Justin Coachman would finish third. Joe Orvis continued his hot streak winning his fourth feature of the year.
The final feature of the evening were the Excess Storage Pro Late Models. Rylee Gill would start on the pole, which proved to be too much for the rest of the field. Cole Perry would challenge Gill on the outside for the opening laps. Gill would take the lead on the bottom on lap 5 and pull away. Perry would be challenged on the closing laps by newcomer Joe Papin. Gill would cross the finish line first, followed by Perry and Papin
Next weekend, Evans Mills Raceway Park celebrates Flag Day. The Caskinette Ford Modifieds, Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, Sport Compact/Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks will all be back in action. In addition to the great racing, there will be spectator races. Pit gates open at 3pm, General Admission at 5pm and racing starts at 6:30pm. Pit pass $35, Adults $15, Military $13, Children 10-17 $10 and under 9 free with paid Adult