Evans Mills, NY-The final July night of racing at the Evans Mills Raceway Park saw three of the most exciting finishes in recent memory. The 4-Banger Nationals presented by Coca-Cola of Watertown was the headline event, which saw extra lap races and higher purses for the 4-cyclinder classes. The evening started with a revamped spectator races. This installment saw a double elimination bracket with each race being 2-laps. 11 cars entered the tournament, but it was Dan Estal in his powerful Ford Mustang that took home bragging rights as he outlasted all of his competitors.
The Stewart Shops Sport Compacts took to the track first to kick off the evenings features. Kevin Greenfield and Ethan Halsey led the field to the green flag. Halsey would lead the first two laps but on lap 3, he would find company. Tony Pettinelli, making his first start of the season in the Sport Compacts, would drive by Halsey and Greenfield on the outside of the track coming out of turn 4 to take the lead. Pettinelli would quickly expand his led until the only caution flew on lap 10. On the restart, Greenfield elected to start behind Pettinelli. Greenfield would pressure for the lead for a few laps before Pettinelli would drive off and extend his lead. The final 10-laps would remain caution free as Pettinelli extended his lead and take the checkered flag. Post-race it would be determined that Kevin Greenfield was the official winner of the race.
Sport Compacts Results: 1)Kevin Greenfield, 2)Mike Cole, 3)Chuck Powelcyk, 4)Nick Galusha, 5)Ethan Halsey, 6)Sam Curcie, 7)Mike Greenfield, 8)Bridget Austin, 9)Ryan Wurtz, 10)Mike Durham, 11)Trevor Halladay, 12) Tony Pettinelli
Aaron Wilmont and Quillon Dann made up the front row for the Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends. An opening lap caution scrambled the lineup, with Brayton Malbeuf claiming the lead on the restart. Malbeuf would set the pace early as Joel Hall worked up to the second position. At the halfway point, the race was plagued with five cautions over four scored laps. On every restart, Malbeuf held off a strong and hard charging Hall. The final restart would come on lap 18 as Malbeuf would again hold off Hall and take the white flag as the leader. As Malbeuf exited turn 2, he would have a small bobbled that let Hall pull along on the inside. The two would race side by side into the final corners with Hall maintain the bottom side. Malbeuf would lose traction on the exit of 4 as Hall pulled away to win his second feature of the season.
INEX Legends Results:1)Joel Hall, 2)Brayton Malbeuf, 3)Devin Thornton, 4)Aaron Wilmot, 5)Todd Tolton, 6)Jayden Hall, 7)Landen Herring, 8)Damon Bush, 9)Fred Siebert, 10)Josh Oomen, 11)Carrie Carr, 12)Quillon Dann
20 Kinney Drugs Sportsman Modifieds took the green flag led by Tony Pettinelli and Geoff Sharkey. Pettinelli would open up a healthy led during the first 19 caution free laps. Pettinelli would still be at the point on the restart, but would have a contender in Jeff Pringle. Pringle appeared to be faster, however could not get by the leader. Another restart on lap 26 would let Pringle take the lead, as Taylor Caprara would flow Pringle into the second position. Pringle would maintain his lead on another restart, but with two laps to go, things would change. Caprara started the pass on Pringle on lap 34 and would complete the pass on the white flag lap coming out of turn 2. Pringle would stay in the gas and closed the gap heading into turn 3. Pringle would be on the bumper of Caprara into turn 3 as they locked up their tires. The two leaders would push up the track in the final corners opening the door for Andre Roggie. Roggie would drive by on the bottom of the track and cross the line first to win his first feature of the year.
Sportsman Modified Results:1)Andre Roggie, 2)Jeff Pringle, 3)Taylor Caprara, 4)Joe Papin, 5)Kreig Heroth, 6)Tony Pettinelli, 7)Kyle Hart, 8)Randy Brunelle, 9)Dylan Bancroft, 10)Paul Flye, 11)Geoff Sharkey, 12)John Ramsey, 13)Matt Sharkey, 14)Corey Trombley, 15)Kaden Rogers, 16)Kevin Warren, 17)Rick Brunelle, 18)Madison Knapp, 19)Joel Hargrave, 20)Jason Rarick
The biggest race for the Fenix U-Pull U-Save Thunderstocks took to the track next. Mike Marcinko started on the pole and took early control of the race. He would race out to a 10-car lead when the first caution would slow the field on lap 10. Marcinko would reclaim the lead on the restart, which David Liscum settling into the second position. With two laps to go, the leaders would be racing hard out of turn 4, as Marcinko and Liscum would lose traction and spin down the front stretch. Colby Goodale would be the benefactor and inherit the race lead. Goodale would lead the final two laps to go on to win his third feature in a row.
Thunderstocks Results:1)Colby Goodale, 2)Jared Gilson, 3)Justin Burns, 4)Tim Greenfield, 5)David Liscum, 6)Mike Marcinko, 7)Jason Owens, 8)David Paige
The final feature of the evening were the Excess Storage Pro Late Models with Tyler Papin and Terry Gardner making up the front row. Papin would take the lead early with Rylee Gill quickly working into the second position. Papin would led until the first caution on lap 6. Gill would use the high side on the restart to take the lead. On lap 9, an odd chain reaction occurred on the front stretch. Gill would get loose coming out of turn 4 and almost spin, but would regain control. The field behind would not be as lucky. Papin, Chuck Meyer and Matt Larrivee all would check up but lose control and spin down the front stretch. Gill would remain the leader on the restart and hold of Gardner to take home the checkered flag.
Pro Late Models Results:1)Rylee Gill, 2)Terry Gardner, 3)Tyler Papin, 4)Matt Larrivee, 5)Jeff Kirkby, 6)Chuck Meyer
The racing action takes a break next week as the 2X Monster Trucks invaded the historic 3/8 mile for a two day show on August 3rd and 4th. Racing will resume on August 10 for Military Appreciation Night with a full card of racing and the Classic Asphalt Modified Series will make their final appearance at the speedway.