Non-Stop, Caution-Free Short Track SuperNationals 9 Falls To New Jersey’s Ryan Godown At I-88 Speedway Sunday
Story By: BRETT DEYO / STSS MEDIA
Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
AFTON, NY – October 11, 2016- After a weekend spent battling weather, it all came down to a non-stop, green-to-checkered 50-lap feature lasting just over 14 minutes.
Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., became the ninth different winner of the Short Track SuperNationals on Sunday at I-88 Speedway, taking the 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified main event. He earned more than $5,000 for his efforts.
Sheffield, Mass., driver Andy Bachetti, meanwhile, clinched the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region championship. Bachetti will receive his $12,000 championship share at the STSS Awards Banquet to be held in December.
The scheduled two-day “Working Man’s Race” program ultimately spilled into Sunday when a heavy mist interrupted the Saturday program, forcing the rain date into use.
Some 60 STSS Modifieds signed into the Afton Fairgrounds pit area with both a race and a championship on the line.
Following the redraw on Sunday, Bachetti and fellow title contender Tommy Meier made up the front row for the 50-lap STSS Modified main. Bachetti, the I-88 champion, jetted into the lead at the wave of starter Ron Ford’s green flag.
As Bachetti led, Meier, 2015 race winner Danny Creeden (from fourth) and sixth-starter Godown emerged as contenders.
With 27 cars starting the main on the three-tenths-mile track, lapped traffic quickly became a factor for race-leading Bachetti.
By the halfway mark, Godown had driven to third, trailing Bachetti and Meier.
Cars were spread around the entire speedway in the second half. Godown was first able to unseat Meier’s Jeff Behrent-owned No. 3 for the runner-up spot and set his sights on Bachetti.
On lap 36, Godown used the inside lane to surge ahead of Bachetti.
Creeden made a late surge past both Meier and Bachetti. His run to close on Godown stalled in the final two laps when he was slowed by lapped traffic.
Godown swept under the checkered for his fourth STSS Modified score of the season. The ‘Ringoes Rocket’ had previously won at I-88 in July and Pa.’s Susquehanna and N.Y.’s Woodhull in August.
“I like this place,” Godown said with a smile. “We’ve got a really good combination for these races right now with the ERD engine and Troyer race car. We didn’t get started right away, but we’ve been rolling with this series.”
Wurtsboro, N.Y.’s Creeden drove his Hig Fab mount across the stripe in second place, one position shy of two consecutive SuperNationals victories.
“I thought we had something for Ryan at the end,” Creeden said. “I couldn’t clear the traffic at the end to get to him.”
Bachetti had mixed emotions with his third-place result. While disappointed not to win, his team celebrated their second STSS championship.
“This is a great series,” Bachetti said. “We get to hit different tracks, race at places I never would have been to otherwise, and the money is second-to-none.
“We wanted the race win tonight too, but I never expected it to run non-stop. A couple cautions, I think we could have been a couple spots further up.”
Meier, of Waldwick, N.J., capped his stellar STSS season with a fourth-place finish, followed by 2014 SuperNationals winner Shaun Walker of Masonville, N.Y., who drove from 18th on the grid to finish fifth, all under green-flag conditions.
Placing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Rusty Smith of Oxford, N.Y., who started 15th; Mike Clapperton of Sidney Center, N.Y., in a steady outing; J.R. Hurlburt of Otego, N.Y., who was the runner-up finisher in the very first SuperNationals contested in 2006; Rich Ricci Jr. of New Paltz, N.Y., up from 17th; and 21st-starting Jerry Higbie Jr. of Newburgh, N.Y.
Sunday heat winners were Alan Barker, Godown, Mitch Gibbs, Creeden and Meier. Rich Ricci Jr., Walker and Paul Jensen topped the consolations.
Milford, Del., driver Matt Jester won the 5-lap Dash on Friday night for the fastest cars in STSS Modified open practice.
Nick Nye of Groton, N.Y., drove from mid-pack to win the accompanying 25-lap GRIT American Racer Series Crate 602 Sportsman event run on Sunday afternoon. Nye slipped past pole starter Allison Ricci during the race’s second half. Ricci narrowly held off Cody Clark in a battle for second. Clark, veteran racer Jimmy Johnson and Casey Pavlick completed the front five.
Nye swept the weekend after winning the STSS Open Sportsman feature run on Friday.
Quebec’s Jordan Poirier topped the Sunday portion of a doubleheader for the Empire Lightning Sprints. Poirier held off the advances of his father, Yannick, during several late-race restarts in the 20-lap main. Jon Moore, Eric Boisvert and Jesse Pruchnik trailed.
Other features that were completed on Saturday included the 20-lap XCel 600 Modified headliner, which was topped by Aaron Bowes from 21st starting position; the Empire Sport Truck 15-lap main snagged by Bob Crandall; and the Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club 15-lap feature won by Darryl Hulbert.
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Driving a GM Crate powered car, Groton, N.Y.’s Nick Nye rallied to a $1,500 payday in Friday night’s finale of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP for Open Sportsman. Nye received $1,000 for his efforts plus an additional $500 for taking the pre-race “Gambler’s Challenge” for the extra cash.
Butch Klinger made a late rally to place second, rim-riding in the final laps. Accord (N.Y.) Speedway champion Jimmy Wells finished third, followed by Charlie Hendrickson Jr. and Dave Rosa.
Hendrickson outdueled his closest contenders to win the STSS Open Sportsman championship via his fourth-place finish.
Kyle Smith drove to victory in the 40-lap Algonkin Motel Series CRSA 305 Sprint Car main contested on Friday. Smith fended off the advances of Scott Goodrich in the waning laps. Billy Van Inwegen nearly swept by both Smith and Goodrich but settled for third, with Brian Krummel and Eddie Strada completing the front five.
In other Friday action, Doug Stack Jr. led a three-wide finish across the line to win the 20-lap Fight Night Street Stock main. Twelve-year-old D.J. Hunt turned back the XCel 600 Modified field in a 20-lap feature, and Stephane St. Laurent kicked off a Quebec weekend sweep of the Empire Lightning Sprint action.
The weekend’s event closed out the 2016 points-paying season for the Short Track Super Series. The December Awards Banquet information will be announced in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
The 2016 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, COMP Performance Group, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, Racersguide.com, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
SHORT TRACK SUPERNATIONALS 9 RACE SUMMARY – OCTOBER 7-9, 2016
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region Event No. 9 Modified Feature Finish, Sunday (50 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Danny Creeden, Andy Bachetti, Tommy Meier, Shaun Walker, Rusty Smith, Mike Clapperton, J.R. Hurlburt, Rich Ricci Jr., Jerry Higbie, Alan Barker, Mitch Gibbs, Brett Tonkin, Mike Trautschold, Craig Hanson, Matt Jester, Nick Nye, Ryan Jordan, Paul Jensen, Nick Rochinski, Dan Humes, Matt DeLorenzo, Harold Humphrey, Anthony Perrego, Kurt Decker, Brian Malcolm, Mike Ricci.
Did Not Qualify: Dillon Groover, Harold Humphrey, Scott Van Gorder, Darwin Greene, Tim Hindley, Donnie Lawson, Steve Young, Danny Tyler, Colton Wilson, Jared Umbenhauer, Billy Pauch Jr., Cory Costa, Ricky Newton, Brian Nelson, Sam Allen, Mike Decker, Jimmy Wells, Kevin Sockriter, Jim Britt, Brad Roberts, Jeff Trombley, Steve Davis, Justin Wright, Duane Hiller, Tyler Siri, Mike White, Jeremy Vunk, Lee DeWitt, Kevin Jordan, Willie Osmun, Erick Rudolph, Randy Chrysler, Kyle Borror.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Open Sportsman Feature Finish, Friday (35 laps): NICK NYE, Butch Klinger, Jimmy Wells, Butch Klinger, Dave Rosa, Shane Jablonka, Brian Mady, Phil Vigneri, Kevin Jordan, Alyssa Cody, Craig Whitmoyer, Claude Hutchings Jr., Jim Gould, Craig Pope, Rich Ricci III, A.J. Digsby, Dan Burman, Steve Davis, John Morse, Steve Andersen, Bill Deckelman, Chance Spoonhower, Brad Roberts, Ben Bushaw, Aaron Shelton, Daniel Morgiewicz.
Did Not Start: Brian White
Did Not Qualify: Austin Smith, Rick Mill, John Miller, Lee DeWitt, Daniel Burman, Matt Priscott, Jason Rush, Allison Ricci, Cody Clark, Trey Palmer, Kenny Bock, Brian Evendeh, Lisa Williams, Jason Feinberg, Jim Introne Jr., Olin Renwick.
CRSA 305 Sprint Car Feature Finish, Friday (40 laps): KYLE SMITH, Scott Goodrich, Billy Van Inwegen, Brian Krummel, Eddie Strada, Emily Van Inwegen, Brett Jaycox, Jeff Trombley, J.R. Hurlburt, Joe Kata, Erik Karlson, Josh Flint, Tyler Jashembowski, Chuck Alessi, Sydney Prince, Pete Richardson, Dana Wagner, Scott Flammer, Josh Pieniazek, Thomas Radivoy, Craig Pellegrini, Brian Purdy.
Did Not Start: Dalton Herrick
GRIT Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish, Sunday (25 laps): NICK NYE, Allison Ricci, Cody Clark, Jimmy Johnson, Casey Pavlick, Dustin Jordan, Daniel Morgiewicz, Corey Cormier, Tyler Johnston, Rob Loucks, John Aumick, A.J. Miller, Donnie Lawson, Austin Smith, Bob Stahl, Brandon Kuhn, Jake Dgien, Dale Welty, Randy Gates, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Jason Feinberg, Matt Brewer.
Did Not Start: Brian Mady, Brian Calabrese.
Did Not Qualify: Kenny Hammond, Tom Tophoven, Todd Titus, John Miller, Ryan MaCarthey, Jamie Yannone, Bob Johnson, Trent Van Vorst, Diana Huyck, Gary DeRocher, Mike Block, Rich Coons, Chris Curtis, Jim Introne Jr., Ryan Neiger.
Fight Night Street Stock Feature Finish, Friday (20 laps): DOUG STACK JR., Jerredd Dennis, Jon Carpenter, Earl Zimmer, Tom Savercool, Mike Wilbur, Dan Mazzarese, Gene Sharpsteen, John White, Dave Cronk, Daryl Krebs, Damon Decker, Bill Chandler, Ernie Staelens, Doug Polhamus, Shane Wolf, Dustin Harris, Steve Polhamus, Teddy Morseman, Doug Stack Sr., Dan Babcock.
Did Not Start: Bob Mills.
XCel 600 Modified Feature Finish, Saturday (20 laps): AARON BOWES, Josh Pepe, Richie Hitzler, Luke Harrar, D.J. Hunt, Tyler Bartik, Cody Manmiller, Michael Burrows, Will Eastman, Korey Inglin, Jon Josko, Scott Heilman, Josh Bewley, Kevin Van Valkenburg, A.J. Miller, Jeff Metsger, Wyatt Harrar, Matt Fernsler, Brett Tonkin, Jacob Waibel, Travis Fitcher, Bob Rowback, Jon Pepe.
XCel 600 Modified Feature Finish, Friday (20 laps): D.J. HUNT, Aaron Bowes, Richie Hitzler, Will Eastman, Tyler Bartik, Jon Pepe, Josh Bewley, Korey Inglin, A.J. Miller, Jon Josko, Scott Heilman, Kevin Van Valkenberg, Jeff Metsger, Cody Clark, Dana Davis, Cody Manmiller, Travis Fitcher, Wyatt Harrar, Doug Windhausen, Kamdin Maby, Brian Blankenbiller, Damon Henry, Michael Burrows, Dylan McCrone, Brian White, C.J. Jochum, Luke Harrar.
Did Not Start: Josh Pepe.
Empire Lightning Sprint Feature Finish, Sunday (20 laps): JORDAN POIRIER, Yannick Poirier, Jon Moore, Eric Boisvert, Jesse Pruchnik, Rohan Beasley, Rick Stone, Eric Laurendberg, Lou Torres, Alex Bell, Phil Bessette, Clint Roehrs, Shea Montgomery, Duby Woodruff, Kurt Conklin, Jerry Sehn.
Did Not Start: Stephane St. Laurent, Shilo Boyce, Nick DeNyse.
Empire Lightning Sprint Feature Finish, Friday (20 laps): STEPHANE ST. LAURENT, Jon Moore, Yannick Poirier, Shea Montgomery, Lou Torres, Phil Bessette, Jess Pruchnik, Jerry Sehn, Rick Stone, Car No. 14B, Eric Laurendburg, Eric Boisvert, Doug Norrie, Clint Roehrs, Nick Denyse, Alex Bell, Kurt Conklin, Duby Woodruff.
Did Not Start: Shilo Boyce
Empire Sport Truck Feature Finish, Saturday (15 laps): BOB CRANDALL, Ralph Cuozzo, Rob Loucks, Steve Judd, Jim Fowlston, Craig Vlasic, Dustin Wilber, Brandon Clapperton.
Did Not Start: Jerry Lanfair, Doug O’Hara.
Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club Feature Finish, Saturday (15 laps): DARRYL HULBERT, Rob Sanford, Ray See, Tom Laner, Chris Adams, Rob Casti, Buck Gasner, Mike Cole.
