Home Track Hero: Brian Malcolm Tops Thunder Mountain Speedway Monday ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ & Earns $5,245-plus Against Tough Short Track Super Series Field; Eric Leet (Sportsman), Earl Zimmer (Street Stock) & Gabe Forward (Four Cylinder) Also Triumph

Home Track Hero: Brian Malcolm Tops Thunder Mountain Speedway Monday ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ & Earns $5,245-plus Against Tough Short Track Super Series Field; Eric Leet (Sportsman), Earl Zimmer (Street Stock) & Gabe Forward (Four Cylinder) Also Triumph

CENTER LISLE, NY – Brian Malcolm proved the importance of home-track advantage as he bested a barrage of invaders and challengers to take home the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by VP Racing Fuels and Town Mechanical.

Coming from the ninth starting spot, the Thunder Mountain-regular wasted little time getting to the front, and once there, Malcolm fended off all sorts of challenges on his way to winning the fourth leg of the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region.

“This is absolutely awesome,” concluded the Lake Ariel, Pa., driver. “I can’t believe it.”

The win was Malcolm’s first BD Motorsports Media LLC promotion victory and his first at the three-eighths-mile oval this season. He earned $5,245 in cash plus a number of contingencies for his efforts.

At the onset of the 50-lap main, it was Jerry Higbie Jr. and Chance Spoonhower leading the 28-car field to the opening green flag. Because of re-drawing nine out of 10, Malcolm began slicing through the field.

Malcolm, aboard the Waymart Building Center No. 119 Troyer, looked an early competitor when he slid in front of Danny Johnson for the third spot just after the race was one-fifth of the way complete. But, Higbie still held over half a straightaway advantage on Spoonhower, who ran a competitive third.

A massive moment, and disastrous one for Higbie, changed the complexion of the race when the Newburgh, N.Y. driver slowed on lap 16, relinquishing the lead to Malcolm, who just waltzed past Spoonhower.

When the caution flag flew for the third time on lap 18, it was Malcolm solidly in front of Spoonhower, with a monumental battle raging on behind them with the likes of Johnson, Anthony Perrego, and Andy Bachetti involved. In seventh now was Jeff Strunk from the 16^th starting position in the Zubi’s Racing No. 88.

After a quick two laps before the fourth caution, the running order was mixed up dramatically with now Malcolm leading Johnson, Perrego, Erick Rudolph, Strunk, Bachetti and Stewart Friesen from the rear after suffering a flat right-front tire from contact in the first six laps.

Malcolm again led the way on the restart with Johnson in tow, and now Strunk slipped by Perrego into third.

Friesen, who entered the night second in the STSS Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region point standings and just a single point behind the leader Tommy Meier, became the car to watch. He moved past defending STSS point champion Andy Bachetti for fifth on the restart on lap 26, then moved by Perrego for fourth on lap 30 to accelerate his charge.

With 10 laps remaining, Malcolm was closing on lap traffic with Johnson still a ways behind, but now with Friesen lurking just behind him after passing Strunk for third.

A substantial group of lapped cars stood in the way of Malcolm with five to go as Johnson and Friesen closed the gap dramatically.

“They (lap traffic) were tough and made me a little nervous, but they are a part of racing,” Malcolm said in Victory Lane.

Friesen maneuvered around Johnson just before the white flag unfurled, but a spinning Mike Mahaney in turn one prolonged the outcome for just a little while longer.

“I definitely didn’t want to see that caution,” Malcolm mentioned. But Malcolm held off Sprakers, N.Y.’s Friesen in the one-lap shootout to take home the victory.

“To get through that mess coming from the back and get second, I am proud of that,” Friesen said of his march through the field in the Jeff Daley No. 44. “I thought it was over before that yellow, but well done to Brian, he’s a great guy. I always have fun racing with these guys.”

Of the four STSS North Region races, Friesen has now finished in the top-two in three of them.

Danny Johnson, another championship contender, finished third in his Traction Grabber No. 27J. “It was a great run,” the Rochester, N.Y. driver surmised. “Thought we were going to sneak by on the outside in lapped traffic, but then we ended up getting passed.”

Anthony Perrego, of Montgomery, N.Y., came home with another solid finish, in fourth-place with the New York Truck Parts No. 55. Perrego entered the night in third in the STSS North Region Standings keeping himself in contention.

Jeff Strunk of Boyertown, Pa., ended a quality run in fifth from the 16^th spot. Strunk sat just outside the top ten in the STSS North Region points, and this should really bolster that. After roaring through the field, Strunk was a mainstay in the top five for the last 30 laps.

Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were: Erick Rudolph from the 11th starting spot after battling in and around the top five for much of the evening; Jeff Heotzler, of Wallkill, N.Y., finished seventh from 13^th in the Academy Transmissions No. 2a; Mike Ricci, of Tillson, N.Y. came home in eighth in the Halmar No. 76; the Hard-Charger Doug Manmiller, of Shoemakersville, Pa., finished ninth from the 24^th starting position; and Thunder Mountain-regular Chad Cook, of Deposit, N.Y., brought his Mike Costello-owned No. 222 home in the tenth spot.

Another absolutely incredible field of 46 Modifieds attempted to qualify on Monday night at Thunder Mountain Speedway. Drivers from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey were on hand in Lisle, N.Y.

Eric Leet of Marathon, N.Y., scored a $1,000 payday in the Sportsman 25-lap, $1,000-to-win main event. Leet, who worked the inside lane to perfection, slipped past Charlie Hendrickson Jr. to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish. It was Leet’s second big payday of the season on the Mountain.

Hendrickson, a steady Kenny Hammond, Chris Jordan and the first Crate 602 Sportsman of Ryan Olsommer completed the front five.

For the first time this season, Newark Valley, N.Y.’s Earl Zimmer was the Street Stock victor in the 20-lap main event. Ironically, it was Zimmer’s logging business that boosted the winner’s share for the full-fender division to $700. Jonathan Carpenter, Steven Deinhardt, John Cooper Jr. and invading Ricky Davis Sr. completed the front five.

Gabe Forward of Bouckville, N.Y., topped an ultra-competitive 15-lap Four Cylinder feature event after a lead-swapping battle with Nick Kennedy and Frank Kennedy. The Kennedy cars collided in the final circuits allowing Ryan Wood to finish in the runner-up spot.

Next up for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region of the Short Track Super Series is the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ at I-88 Speedway in Afton, N.Y., Wednesday, July 22 paying $8,888 to the winner for 48 laps from a massive posted purse structure. GRIT Series Crate 602 Sportsman and XCel 600 Modifieds complete the program, which carries a July 23 rain date.

Thunder Mountain Speedway continues its season Saturday, July 4 with Greene’s ACE Home Center Night featuring Modifieds, Sportsman, Crate 602 Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks and FWD Four Cylinders plus a fireworks display.

For Thunder Mountain Speedway general information and a complete schedule, visit www.thundermtnspeedway.com. The speedway office number is 607.657.8202. On race day, call 607.849.7899. The speedway e-mail isthundermtnspeedway@gmail.com.  “Like” Thunder Mountain Speedway on Facebook or follow @thundermtnspeed on Twitter.

Thunder Mountain Speedway is located at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797, approximately 25 miles north of Binghamton. The three-eighths-mile clay oval features hillside concrete seating, free parking and camping, a variety of concession items and novelties, a family environment and more.

THUNDER THOUGHTS: The victory for Brian Malcolm was by far the most lucrative and significant of his Modified career. Malcolm’s most lucrative win prior to Monday night was a $2,000 payday. It was also his first win at the track this season….

Despite an unorthodox Monday rain date, a large crowd filled the track’s hillside concrete stands and the pit area and infield were filled with race cars. A rain-filled weekend bumped the event back by 24 hours….

Stewart Friesen has taken a liking to Thunder Mountain Speedway. Friesen has raced at the facility on three occasions with a fourth (last year’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ event), a win in a 360 Sprint Car and Monday’s drive from the rear to the runner-up finish….

Anthony Perrego has not finished outside the top-10 in a series race all season….

The heavy rain, more than two inches in 48 hours, forced the track crew to rework the surface following the completion of heat races….

OLUM’S ‘LIGHTNING ON THE MOUNTAIN’ PRESENTED BY VP RACING FUELS & TOWN MECHANICAL RACE SUMMARY – JUNE 29, 2015

Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Modified Feature Finish (50 Laps): BRIAN MALCOLM ($5,245), Stewart Friesen, Danny Johnson, Anthony Perrego, Jeff Strunk, Erick Rudolph, Jeff Heotzler, Mike Ricci, Doug Manmiller, Chad Cook, Ryan Jordan, Danny Creeden, Rusty Smith, L.J. Lombardo, Rick Laubach, Tommy Meier, Jackie Brown Jr., Mike Mahaney, Andy Bachetti, Chris Stull, Tom Collins Jr., Michael Sabia, Chance Spoonhower, Billy Spoonhower, Nick Rochinski, Mike Nagel Jr., Billy Van Pelt, Jerry Higbie Jr.

Did Not Qualify: Donnie Lawson, Alan Johnson, Colton Wilson, Stacey Jackson, Nick Nye, Dale Welty, Brent Wilcox, Roy Shields, Mike Colsten, Craig Hanson, Nick Petrilak, Ken Titus, Butch Green, Gary Tomkins, Cory Costa, Tyler Siri, Ryan Darcy, Byron Worthing.

‘Lucky 7’ Lap Money Breakdown ($1,097): Brian Malcolm ($245); Anthony Perrego ($174); Danny Johnson ($140); Stewart Friesen ($93); Erick Rudolph ($80 plus $30 certificate); Jeff Strunk ($65); Andy Bachetti ($60 plus $30 certificate); Jerry Higbie Jr. ($60); Chad Cook ($60); Chance Spoonhower ($40); Mike Nagel Jr. ($40); Billy Spoonhower ($20); Jeff Heotzler ($20)

Accord Speedway Top Finisher Bonus ($100): Jeff Heotzler (seventh)
Allstar Performance Bonuses ($50 Certificates): Danny Johnson (third) & Mike Ricci (eighth)
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire): Jeff Heotzler (seventh) & Danny Creeden (12^th)
American Racer/Lias Tire Top Thunder Mountain Finisher (FREE Tire): Brian Malcolm (winner)
ATL Fuel Cell Bonus ($100 Certificate): Jeff Strunk (fifth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Anthony Perrego (fourth) & Doug Manmiller (ninth)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Brian Malcolm (first), Ryan Jordan (11^th) & Tom Collins Jr. (21^st)
Fast Axle Bonus ($50 Certificate): Jeff Heotzler (seventh)
American Racer/Lias Tire Heat-Race Hard Chargers ($50): Jeff Strunk, Danny Johnson, Jerry Higbie, L.J. Lombardo & Brent Wilcox
S&W Awards Winner’s Hardware (Custom Trophy): Brian Malcolm
Simplicity Design Halfway Leader Award ($100): Brian Malcolm
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award (Bumpers & Rubrails): Donnie Lawson
Trackside Products Hard Charger ($150): Doug Manmiller (24^th to ninth)
Vahlco Wheels Bonus (FREE Wheel): Jeff Strunk (fifth)
Woodhull Raceway Top Finisher Bonus ($100): Billy Van Pelt (27^th)

Sportsman Feature Finish (25 Laps): ERIC LEET ($1,000), Charlie Hendrickson Jr., Kenny Hammond, Chris Jordan, Ryan Olsommer, Pat Jordan, Nick Nye, Kevin Jordan, Daryl Krebs, Brian Mady, Ben Wheeler, Tony Komuda, Todd Titus, Cory Pike, Jim LaRock, Larry Hillis, Shayne Spoonhower, Tom Collins Jr., Brandon Grosso, Geordie Decker, A.J. Lord, Nick Mady, Brian White, Mike Nagel Jr.

Crate 602 Bonuses: Ryan Olsommer ($150), Pat Jordan ($100) & Daryl Krebs ($75)
American Racer/Lias Tire Top Thunder Mountain Finisher (FREE Tire): Eric Leet

Did Not Qualify: Bob Hentschel, Tommy Eiklor, Lisa Williams, Nick DePalma.

Street Stock Feature Finish (20 Laps): EARL ZIMMER ($700), Jonathan Carpenter, Steven Deinhardt, John Cooper Jr., Ricky Davis Sr., Donald Russell, Shane Wolf Jr., Rich Sharpsteen, Matt Spencer, Randy Fox, Shawn Boynton, Levi Davis, Rick Sinsabaugh, Trevor Dudley, Dan Force, Mike Schrader.

American Racer/Lias Tire Top Thunder Mountain Finisher (FREE Tire): Earl Zimmer

Four Cylinder Feature Finish (15 Laps): GABE FORWARD ($150), Ryan Wood, Nick Kennedy, Frank Kennedy, Brian Nornhold, Guy Raymond Jr., Willy Turner, Kyle Rogers, Chuck Wheeland, Rich Hurlburt.

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