Evans Mills, NY-The 2023 Racing Season kicked off on Saturday night at the historic Evans Mills Raceway Park. Race fans were treated with pleasant weather, clear skies and over 20 Caskinette Ford Modifieds in the pits for opening night.
The Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends were the first feature of the season with Camdin Cook and Devon Thornton slated to start on the front row. Thornton would have mechanical issues and would not be able to take the green flag. This moved Cody Draper to the outside pole for the initial green flag. Cook would lead the first five laps before seeing pressure from a hard charging Chris Malbeuf. Coming out of turn 3 Malbeuf would power by Cook on the inside to take the lead. The feature would run caution free as Malbeuf lead the final 10 laps to take home the checkered flag. Cook would finish second and Brayton Malbeuf would finish in the third spot.
The combined features of the Sport Compacts and Thunderstocks would take to the track next. Billy Matteson and Chuck Powelczyk were the pole sitters for the 20-lap feature. Powelczyk would quickly take the top spot on the start and Matteson would settle into second. The only caution was displayed on lap 5 for a stopped car of David Paige in turn 4. On the restart, Powelczyk showed his muscle and quickly built a commanding lead. Kevin Greenfield would get by Matteson to take over second place. Following Greenfield would be Mike Durham to move into the top three. The remaining laps would be caution free as Powelczyk would win the Sport Compacts class, followed by Durham and Matteson. The Thunderstock feature would be won by Greenfield, with Daivd Liscum and Tim Greenfield rounding out the top three.
22 Caskinette Modifieds were slated to start their 35-Lap feature. Andre Roggie and Bryce Bailey would lead the pack to the green flag. On the start, Bailey took control of the race and showed he was the car to beat. Roggie settled into second with Kreig Heroth and Tony Pettinelli swapping positions for third and fourth multiple times. Two quick cautions would slow the field on laps 14 and 21. Bailey would select the inside front row on both restarts as Heroth would try the outside front row. Bailey maintained his lead on both restarts as Heroth would try to take the lead on the top side. Heroth couldn’t gain enough momentum to get by Bailey. The high school senior, from Waverly, NY would lead all 35 laps as he cruised to his first victory at the track. Heroth would settle for second, followed by Roggie, Jeff Pringle and Bryan Sherwood.
The Excess Storage Pro Late Models would wrap up the evening. Tyler Papin would start on the pole and lead every lap as Rylee Gill would maintain constant pressure on the back of Papin. Gill would try to find the fast lane around on the top side before dropping to the bottom of the track and trying the low side. Papin would keep Gill in the mirror each time as he took home the checkered flag. Gill would have to settle for second and Ray Bancroft finished third.
Next weekend EMRP welcomes race fans for their Mother’s Day Special present by IBEW Local 910 and Northern NY NECA. The Jake’s Automotive Small Block Supermodified Championship Series makes their first of two stops at the track. The Caskinette Ford Modifieds, Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends and the Sport Compacts and Thunderstocks will be in action as well. Pit gates open at 3pm, General Admission at 5pm and racing starts at 6:30pm. Pit pass $35, Adults $18, Military $16, Children 10-17 $13 and under 9 free with paid Adult.