By JAY SHIMEL – EVANS MILLS, NY – One of the largest crowds of the year was on hand for the warmest evening of racing of the 2022 season for FX Caprara Harley Davidson Bike Night. Evans Mills Raceway Park would like to extend a sincere “THANK YOU” to all the race teams, families and sponsors who donated bicycles that were given to the young race fans in attendance. An impressive, 30 children went home with a brand-new bikes to enjoy.
Starting the features on the evening were the Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, which were led to the green flag by Brayton Malbeuf and Camdin Cook. Malbeuf would take the early lead; however, Chris Malbeuf would make his way to the top spot by lap 3. Two consecutive cautions would slow the field on laps 8 and 9. One of them would include Cook, who encountered engine troubles. On the restarts, Chris Malbeuf would get the best of nephew Brayton each time and reclaim his lead. Chris would go on to lead the rest of the laps and win his 5th feature of the season. Brayton finished second, followed by Kyle Hart.
The Caskinette Ford Modifieds took to the racetrack next with Kaden Rogers and John Ramsey making up the front row. Rogers would take the early led and maintain his lead through a series of early cautions. Ramsey would make his move on lap 9 and take over the top spot. In the meantime, points leaders Bryan Sherwood and Kreig Heroth started to make their way to the front. By lap 22, Heroth would take over the lead. 3 laps later, Sherwood got by Heroth on the outside of the track. Heroth would keep constant pressure on Sherwood when the final caution flew on lap 31. On the restart, Sherwood and Heroth started on the front row. They would run side by side for 2 laps, before Sherwood could pull away. Sherwood went on to win his 3rd feature of the season. Heroth finished second, followed by Taylor Caprara, Tony Pettinelli and John Ramsey.
The race of the evening was up next with the Napa Auto Parts Sport Compacts and Next Level Excavation Thunderstocks. Ryan Wurtz and Colby Goodale started on the pole, but it was Joe Orvis who took over the top spot on the first lap. Orvis would lead until a caution flag flew on lap 5 for a spinning David Paige. On the restart, Justin Coachman would work the high side and pass Orvis for the lead. Coachman and Joe Pettinelli would be the leaders as the two closed in on lap traffic. On lap 15, Pettinelli made his move. Coachman would get held up behind a slower car, Pettinelli darted between two lap cars to take the lead. Two laps later, it was Coachman making the same move as he maneuvered around the lap traffic to reclaim the lead. Coachman led the 3 final laps to win his third win of the season. Pettinelli finished second and Billy Matteson rounded out the top three. Joe Orvis would be the first Thunderstock across the line and win his 10th feature of the season.
The final feature of the evening saw exciting side by side racing for several laps. Chuck Meyer and Cole Perry stared on the front row for the Excess Storage Pro Late Models feature. Meyer would take the early led as Rylee Gill started to work the high side of the racetrack. By lap 7, Gill would take the led from Meyer. Meyer fought back to lead the next lap when the only caution flew. On the restart, Meyer and Gill made up the front row. The two would race side by side for the remaining laps. Just when Meyer seemed to take control, Gill would fight back to take the lead. Meyer then would do the same on the bottom lane to reclaim the lead. Meyer would have a car length led heading into the final corners on the final lap as Gill tried to make a run on the outside. Meyer would hold onto the lead and beat Gill to the finish line, earning his first win of the season. Gill settled for second and Cole Perry finished third.
Next weekend, Evans Mills Raceway Park hosts Family Autograph Night sponsored by Watertown Savings Bank. 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. Also on the racing card will be the Classic Asphalt Modified Series for their final stop at the raceway in 2022. 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.