Evans Mills, NY-The 2024 Racing Season kicked off on Saturday night at the historic Evans Mills Raceway Park after two weeks of being on the wrong side of the weather forecast. Race fans were treated with warm temperatures, full pits, and an opening night 50 lap Kinney Drugs Sportsman Modified Race. During opening ceremonies, EMRP honored the late “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie, who cut his teeth at the Evans Mills facility. Mr. McCreadie was a legend in the motorsports world and one of the kindest men we have ever met. EMRP would like to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the McCreadie family.
The opening feature was the Excess Storage Pro Late Models. James Kiah and Chuck Meyer started on the front row and would prove to be the class of the field. Kiah, sporting a new #08 ride for the 2024 season would take the early lead. Two mid race cautions would slow the field, allowing Meyer a couple chances at the lead. Kiah would find the low side of the track to be the fast way around and hold off Meyer in the closing laps to earn the feature victory.
Pro Late Models Results: 1)James Kiah, 2)Chuck Meyer, 3)Terry Gardner, 4)Tyler Papin, 5)Frank Brown, 6)Jeff Kirkby, 7)Rylee Gill, 8)Ray Bancroft
The combined feature of the Stewart Shop’s Sport Compact and the Fenix U-Pull U-Save Syracuse Thunderstocks were next onto the speedway. The front row comprised of Justin Burns and Tim Greenfield. Burns would lead the early laps before giving way to Kevin Greenfield. A caution on lap 5 would allow last year’s Sport Compact Champion, Chuck Powelczyk, a chance at the lead on the restart. Greenfield would choose the outside lane on the restart and Powelczyk would get by on the bottom side with Justin Coachman in tow. The final restart came on lap 12 with Powelczyk and Coachman on the front row. The two would race hard coming off turn two and slide up the track, which opened the door for Greenfield to reclaim the lead and cross the line first for the win. Justin Burns would earn the Thunderstock win.
Sport Compacts Results: 1)Kevin Greenfield, 2)Justin Coachman, 3)Chuck Powelczyk, 4)Sam Curcie, 5)Cory Mayer, 6)Mike Cole, 7)Bridget DeMarse
Thunderstocks Results: 1)Justin Burns, 2)Tim Greenfield, 3)Colby Goodale, 4)Mike Marcinko, 5)Collin Bauter, 6)Angela Pettinelli, 7)David Paige, 8)David Liscum
The inaugural May Flowers 50 for the Kinney Drugs Sportsman Modified took to the track next. Defending champion, Kreig Heroth started on the pole, alongside Bryan Sherwood. Heroth would take the early lead as Sherwood would stay strong on the outside. The two would race side by side for the first quarter of the race. By lap 10, Sherwood looked to be making ground, but Heroth would keep him at bay on every attempt. The middle portion of the race was plagued by 5 cautions. On the final restart on lap 35, Heroth would still be the pace setter, but would find a new challenger in Joe Papin. However, the outcome would remain the same. Papin would mount one final charge in the final 2 laps, but Heroth would be too strong yet again. Heroth would lead all 50 laps to take the checkered flag in the season opener.
Sportsman Modified Results:1)Kreig Heroth, 2)Joe Papin, 3)Bryan Sherwood, 4)Chris Finocchario, 5)Tony Pettinelli, 6)Dylan Bancroft, 7)Taylor Caprara, 8)Kaden Rogers, 9)Steven Sherwood, 10)Matt Sharkey, 11)Kevin Warren, 12)Jeff Pringle, 13)Joel Hargrave, 14)Kyle Hart, 15)Damon Frutchey, 16)Joey Clark, 17)Andre Roggie, 18)John Ramsey, 19)Jason Rarick, 20)Mark Green
The final feature of the evening were the Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends. Dalton Romobough and Brayton Malbeuf lead the class to the green flag. Romobough would flex his muscle early and take the early lead. Malbeuf would keep the leader in his sights until a mid race spin coming off turn two. Breanne Gilligan would move into the second position, but would have a similar fate. On lap 12, Gilligan would spin bringing out the caution. Romobough would have a new charger in Devin Thornton. Thornton would have two chances to pass the leader on the final two restarts, but was beat to the line for second by Joel Hall. Romobough was too strong, showing mid-season form to take home the feature win.
INEX Legends Results:1)Dalton Rombough, 2)Joel Hall, 3)Devin Thornton, 4)Quillon Dann, 5)Brayton Malbeuf, 6)Aaron Wilmont, 7)Damon Bush, 8)Jayden Hall, 9)Carrie Ann Carr, 10)Breanne Gilligan, 11)Landen Herring
Next weekend EMRP hosts the annual Legends Night presented by Philly Fuels Inc. The Kinney Drugs Sportsman Modifieds will run the 2nd Annual Ziegler ’67. The Excess Storage Pro Late Models, Christman Fuel Service INEX Legends, Stewart’s Shops Sport Compacts and Fenix U-Pull U-Save Syracuse Thunderstocks will also be in action, plus the Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour will make their first stop of the season. 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