By JAY SHIMEL – EVANS MILLS, NY – The string of beautiful weather at the Evans Mills Raceway Park continued on Saturday night as the raceway celebrated it’s 3rd Annual Nicole Berry-Garnsey Health and Wellness Night. Nicole devoted her life to health education and helping others when they needed it the most. A dozen non-profit organizations were in attendance providing information to race fans on the services that they offer. During prerace ceremonies, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends driver, Brody Beckwith, who was also celebrating his 13th birthday, was honored by Evans Mills Raceway Park and his parents, Jeremy and Melissa for his heroic actions during the week. Jeremy experienced a medical emergency and collapsed. Brody instantly stepped up and successfully performed CPR on his father, saving his life. Brody was presented a plaque from his mother and congratulated by fellow drivers and crew members.
The Napa Auto Parts Sport Compacts and Next Level Excavation started the features of for the evening with Justin Burns and Colby Goodale starting on the first row. Justin Burns would lead lap one, but David Paige would find the fast line around Burns and take the lead on the next lap. Paige would continue to set the pace as the Sport Compacts started their pursuit to the front. By lap 6, Joe Pettinelli had caught and passed Paige for the lead. The only caution flew on lap 8. Pettinelli and Chuck Powelczyk would make up the front row on the restart. Pettinelli would get the start he needed and clear Powelczyk by turn 1. Powelczyk would pressure Pettinelli lap after lap but could not get by the leader. Pettinelli would go on to win his fourth feature of the season. Powelczyk would finish second and Justin Coachman crossed the line in third. David Paige would lead every lap after he took the lead and win his second Thunderstock feature of the season. Joe Orvis finished second, followed by Francis White.
Next onto the raceway was the Excess Storage Pro Late Models which were led to the green flag by Mark Barker and Jason Rarick. On the start it was Chuck Meyer making his way to the front after making a move to the inside of the track to clear Barker and Rarick. Meyer would lead the next 5 laps until the only caution flew. On the restart, Rylee Gill got a terrific restart and would get by Meyer on the outside and checked out on the field. Gill would return to victory lane for the fourth time this season. Cole Perry recovered from a slow start to finish second and Meyer settled for third.
35 laps was the distance for the Caskinette Ford Modified as they took to the track next. John Ramsey was the pole sitter and would lead the first five laps. Last week’s hearbreak kid, Tony Pettinelli would pass Ramsey on the inside to take the lead on lap 5. Taylor Caprara, starting seventh, and Bryan Sherwood starting sixth would start to make their climb to the front. By lap 18, Caprara and Sherwood would be sitting second and third respectively. The only caution came on lap 21 as Andre Roggie and John Ramsey made contact on the frontstretch. Ramsey would get the worst of it as he slid on top of the wall down the frontstretch ending his race. On the restart, Caprara chose the outside lane and would clear Pettinelli by turn 1. Sherwood would follow one lap later to take over the second spot. Caprara however would be too strong as he collected his second win of the season. Sherwood finished second followed by Pettinelli. Kreig Heroth would move into the fourth position on the final lap as he passed Dyaln Bancroft, who would finish fifth.
The final feature of the evening was the Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends. Brody Beckwith and Brayton Malbeuf were the pole sitters, but it would be Kyle Hart who had a big run on the inside to take the lead on lap 1. Two early cautions slowed the field, but Hart would keep his lead on each restart. Chris Malbeuf would make his way into the second position. He would pressure Hart for the top spot, but each time, Hart would defend his position. The final caution came on lap 18, with two laps remaining for oil that was dropped all the way around the track. Race control deemed the clean up would be too lengthy and called the race complete. Hart would win his third feature of the season. Malbeuf finished second followed by Devin Thornton in third, but would later be disqualified after failing post-race inspection.
The racing action will be on pause next week as the 2Xtreme Monster Trucks invade the Evans Mills Raceway Park. This year, Bounty Hunter, Scarlet Bandit and more will put on a 2 Day show on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday July 31. Both days the show starts at 3pm. Presale tickets can still be purchased at evansmillsracewaypark.com.
The racing will resume on Saturday, August 6th with Bike Night. The Caskinette Ford Modifieds, Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, Napa Auto Parts Sport Compact/Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks will be back in action. 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.