Dave Simms, Jerry Williams, Jimmy DiFulvio and Marty Kelly III All Notch Feature Wins
Story By: ANDREW HARPELL / FMP MEDIA Photos By: D & J PHOTOS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
KIRKWOOD, NY- May 17, 2016- Andrew Smith made his first ever appearance at Five Mile Point Speedway a successful one as he took top honors in the STAR Series Crate Sportsman opener on Sunday. The race was cut short two laps due to a second squall of snow that swept over the quarter mile oval. The victory was worth $1,000 for the Lockport, New York driver.
The scheduled 30 lap STAR Series Crate Sportsman opener found Dale Welty and Smith on the front row for the start. Welty quickly jumped out to the initial lead and set a torrid pace over Smith and FMP point leader Kyle Rohner. The first caution of the event flew on lap 8 as Brad Weaver got caught up in a jingle entering turn 3. The incident would end the night for Weaver.
On the restart Smith took advantage of the typical racy outside of the quarter mile and motored past Welty for the lead. The caution would fly for the second time on lap 10, this time for a heavy snow squall that moved in to the area. The teams were pulled off the race track so that they could replenish “tear off’s” for their helmets and track crews could repack the racing surface. After a 35 minute delay the track was again race ready.
When racing resumed Smith looked dominate as he opened up a sizeable lead over Welty and Rohner. The race would remain green and Smith found himself in heavy lapped traffic with only five laps remaining. Both Welty and Roehner closed in on the back bumper of Smith as the heavy lapped traffic made for a terrific battle for the lead. On lap 28 the caution would fly for the third time. Moose Gully hit the foam blocks in turn 1 and spun bringing out the caution and resetting the field. On the restart snow began to fall again and Brandon Butler slowed exiting turn 4 negating the restart.
The snow began to fall heavy and the race would not be able to be resumed. Smith would visit victory lane as the snow continued and is the STAR Series point leader after one event. Welty had his best FMP finish in years by taking home second place honors. Rohner finished third with Rocky Warner charging from tenth to fourth. Mike Austin rounded out the top five. Fourteen of the twenty-four starters were making their first 2016 appearance at the speedway this season. Heat wins went to Randy Fox, Adam McGeorge, Rocky Warner and Dale Welty.
The Lightning Cat Expert 15 lapper was won by Dave Simms. Simms started fifth on the field and took the lead on lap 4 from Frankie Smith. Simms would hold off a late race charge from Andrew Brigham for the victory. Brigham came from eighth to second for the finish. Ken Underwood, Smith and Adam Gilbert rounded out the top five.
The STAR Series Factory Stock opener went to Jeremy Williams. Williams led wire to wire in the 20 lapper and went on for his second straight win at the speedway. The victory was worth $400. Ryan Brockner finished second followed by Kevin Skelly, Jason Thomas and Jason Travis.
Jimmy DiFulvio took the lead on lap 5 from Jason Colwell Jr. and went on to his first ever Lightning Cat Novice 15 lap feature win. Marty Kelly, III made a last lap turn 4 pass on Alan Selemba for the Tobias Slingshot 20 lap victory. The STAR Series Street Stock feature and Empire State IMCA Modified Series event were postponed due to the falling snow and rescheduled for later dates.
STAR SERIES CRATE SPORTSMAN OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (called official after 28 laps due to snow): ANDREW SMITH, Dale Welty, Kyle Rohner, Rocky Warner, Mike Austin, Randy Fox, Mike Jackson, Marty Bunker, Tom Collins, Stacey Jackson, Tim Guild, Matt Roberts, Jim Housworth, Adam McGeorge, Tyler Johnston, Brandon McGill, Conner Otten, Nick Plumstead, Moose Gulley, Brandon Butler, Mike Traver, Colin Brown, Brad Weaver, Tom Hampton.
LIGHTNING CAT EXPERT OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (15): DAVE SIMMS, Andy Brigham, Ken Underwood, Dennis Keesler, Adam Gilbert, Matt Mather, Frank Smith, Don Doster Jr,., Dave Bainbridge, Jacob Dunn, Ronnie Welch, Nick Kennedy, Troy Kress, Anthony Seward, Jeremy Warren, Josh Wilder, Matt McKernan, Jason Colwell.
LIGHTNING CAT NOVICE OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (12): JIMMY DIFULVIO, Jason Colwell Jr., Amanda Brigham, Randy Lane, Charlie Towner, Trevor Belcher.
FACTORY STOCK OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (20): JEREMY WILLIAMS, Ryan Brockner, Kevin Skelly, Jason Thomas, Jason Travis, Chuck Culbertson, Buck Mills Jr., Joe Donahue III, Kevin McDonald, Glenn Layfield, Ned Fitch, Bob Sleight, Ted Mills Jr.
TOBIAS SLINGSHOT OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (20): MARTY KELLY III, Alan Selemba, Dalton Maynard, Bob Boughton, Blaine Klinger, Mckenzie Marsh, Matt Addona, Alex Boughton, Hunter Lapp.
EMPIRE STATE IMCA MODIFIED OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (25): postponed until Saturday, 23rd.
STAR SERIES STREET STOCK OFFICIAL FEATURE FINISH (25): postponed until Tuesday, July 23rd.
