Mike Mahaney Earns First-Ever Southern Tier Challenge Cup Championship

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Mike Mahaney Earns First-Ever Southern Tier Challenge Cup Championship; Top-10 Features Even Split Between I-88 and Thunder Mountain Speedways; Tires Available For Pick-Up At I-88 Speedway During Oct. 9-10 Short Track SuperNationals 8

AFTON, NY – The first-ever American Racer Southern Tier Challenge Cup, a $10,000 program involving I-88 Speedway in Afton, N.Y., and Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y., is complete.

And the inaugural champion, representing I-88 Speedway, is Mike Mahaney of King Ferry, N.Y. Mahaney accrued some 840 points utilizing his best-15 feature finishes at the Afton Fairgrounds oval driving the Charlie Davis-owned No. 21. For his efforts, Mahaney will receive $650 cash plus eight FREE tires courtesy of American Racer/Lias Tire ($2,000 value).

Andy Bachetti (I-88) of Sheffield, Mass., edged Mitch Gibbs (I-88) for second in the standings with 788 points and receives $400 cash plus four free tires, a value of $1,072. Gibbs, of North Norwich, N.Y., accrued 774 points to finish third and receive $350 cash and three free tires ($854 value).

Regulars from I-88 Speedway swept the top-three positions.

The first Thunder Mountain representative was, ironically, Mahaney, who also competed at the three-eighths-mile on Saturday nights. He earned 760 points with the Jim Shear-owned No. 77X and will earn $200 cash plus two free tires, a value of $536. Chad Cook (Thunder Mountain) of Deposit, N.Y., completed the front five with 743 points and will receive $150 plus two free tires ($486 value).

Completing the top-10 respectively were Brian Malcolm (Thunder Mountain) of Lake Ariel, Pa., with 738 points (two tires, $336 value); Brett Tonkin (I-88) of Carbondale, Pa., with 700 points (two tires, $336 value); Ryan Jordan (Thunder Mountain) of Dryden, N.Y., with 680 points (one tire, $168 value); Brent Wilcox (Thunder Mountain) of Binghamton, N.Y., with 658 points ($85 off a tire); and a tie involving Paul Jensen (I-88) of Edmeston, N.Y., and Rusty Smith (I-88) of Oxford, N.Y., both with 603 points ($50 off a tire).  

Starting with both speedway’s Opening Nights, a driver’s 15 best finishes at each venue counted toward the final Southern Tier Challenge Cup standings. I-88 Speedway was able to complete 19 Modified programs and Thunder Mountain 18.

Tires will be available for pickup during the weekend of Friday–Saturday October 9-10 when I-88 Speedway, in conjunction with the Short Track Super Series, hosts the Halmar Short Track SuperNationals 8 presented by Olum’s.

Please note: those looking to redeem tire certificates at the Short Track SuperNationals next weekend need to alert Brett Deyo by e-mail at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or by phone at 845.728.2781 to make certain the inventory is on-site from American Racer and Lias Tire.

I-88 Speedway, a four-tenths-mile clay oval, is located conveniently off I-88 Exit 7 (Afton), approximately 25 miles north and east of Binghamton, at 46 East Main Street Afton, NY 13730, on the Afton Fairgrounds. There is plentiful space for parking and camping, a unique covered grandstand, family atmosphere, award-winning concessions and more.

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.

To learn more about I-88 Speedway, visit www.i-88speedway.com. Thunder Mountain Speedway is online at www.thundermtnspeedway.com.

American Racer Southern Tier Challenge Cup Point Standings (*FINAL, after Thunder Mountain Sept. 27)

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