MORTENSEN RETURNS TO THE RIDGE VICTORIOUS
MORTENSEN RETURNS TO THE RIDGE VICTORIOUS
Parodi, Knight, Graves, Ballard, Cherko, & Aussicker Also Winners
Story By: Rob Hazer/GRMP
Photos By: Jeff Karabin/GRMP
October 22, 2017 (Fultonville, NY) – Round two of what has been dubbed the ‘fall series’ at the fastest ¼ mile on dirt saw Mark Mortensen return to The Ridge Saturday night and pick up the Crate Modified win after a spirited duel with Jeremy Pitts. Mike Parodi, Justin Knight, Andy Graves, Chase Aussicker, Sloan Cherko, and Danny Ballard were also victorious on the evening.
Some might argue heads up starts aren’t very exciting. Well don’t tell that to Jeremy Pitts and Mark Mortensen, as Saturday night they put on a spirited battle during the Crate Modified 30 lap feature event. When the green flag dropped Pitts took the early race lead with Tim Hartman Jr., Mark Mortensen, and Brain Calabrese battle for position inside the top five with Joe Orlando.
On lap 18 the first yellow flag waived for Bill August who found himself against the outside wall in turn two. When green flag racing resumed Mark Mortensen used an outside power move in turn one to take the top spot from Pitts leaving him to fend off Big Time Little Tim and a charging Dave Constantino.
Central New York hot shoe Tyler Trump was in house making his first start ever at The Ridge along with Albany Saratoga young gun Michael Coffey Jr. Trump would roll to a solid sixth place finish, with Coffey Jr. finishing directly behind him in 7th.
Back up front Mortensen and Pitts battled through the later stages and a couple restarts, but the former track regular Mortensen was strong. He’d pick up the win over Jeremy Pitts, with Dave Constantino, Tim Hartman Jr., and Brian Calabrese rounding out the top five.
Mike Parodi, Mike Block, and Bill ‘Nubz’ August were on hand for Limited Sportsman action and ran with the Crate Modifieds, but scored separately. Parodi finished 10th as the highest finishing Limited Sportsman on the evening and was awarded the victory respectively.
Pro Stock action was hot and heavy early on between Ron Delease and Justin Knight. Delease would hold the top spot for 10 laps before Knight powered into the lead and never look back. Chuck McSpirit has returned to racing this season at The Ridge and drove home to a solid second place finish, with Delease, Samrov, and Don Folts rounding out the top five.
Mini Stock action gave fans an action packed 15-lap feature event with Andy Graves grabbing the early race lead. The multi-time feature winner would have his hands full though, as Damon Anderson, Robert Garney, and Steve Ryan were in hot pursuit. Ryan would slip past Anderson into the runner up spot and make a run at Graves, but the Chris Andrews owned 16 held on for the win. Ryan, Garney, Anderson, and Tim Simonds rounded out the top five.
Chase Aussicker came into the evening looking to go 4-for-4 on the year. He’d won the previous three Street Stock specials at The Ridge in 2017 and at the drop of the green had his hands full with Joey Wilson and Lou Gancarz. Steve Cosselman moved forward through the field to the runner up spot, but Aussicker wasn’t going to be denied. He picked up his fourth win of the season follwed by Cosselman, Wilson, Jim Gronki, and Cliff Haslun.
Danny Ballard stormed to his second consecutive Sling Shot feature win over Dylan Bush, Scott Sprague, Tyler Vadney, and Don Boonstra rounding out the top five. Sloan Cherko was the Jr. Sling Shot feature winner.
Next Saturday October 28th will be the season finale at The Ridge closing the doors on the 2017 season for new promoters Mike Parillo and Ray Sefrin.
Racing entertainment every Sunday night during the summer months at family affordable prices. Admission Prices are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $2 for kids 11 and under. More information about Glen Ridge Motorsports Park can be found online at www.glenridgemotorsportspark.net, or on Social Media at www.facebook.com/glenridgemp. The track can be contacted by dialing 518-627-4060 at any time. If there is no answer please leave a message and the call will be returned promptly.
OCTOBER 21, 2017 CRATE MODIFIED FEATURE RESULTS (30 Laps) – 1) Mark Mortensen, 2) Jeremy Pitts, 3) Dave Constantino, 4) Tim Hartman Jr., 5) Brian Calabrese, 6) Tyler Trump, 7) Mike Coffey Jr., 8) Don Bellen, 9) Joe Orlando, 10) Mike Parodi, 11) Mike Block, 12) Bill August, 13) Tim Falter, 14) Terry Falter.
OCTOBER 21, 2017 LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE RESULTS (20 Laps) – 1) Mike Parodi, 2) Mike Block, 3) Bill August. (Ran With Crate Mods).
OCTOBER 21, 2017 PRO STOCK FEATURE RESULTS (20 Laps) – 1) Justin Knight, 2) Chuck McSpirit, 3) Ron Delease, 4) Jason Samrov, 5) Don Folts, 6) Gianna Stone.
OCTOBER 21, 2017 4-CYLINDER MINI STOCK FEATURE RESULTS (15 Laps) – 1) Andy Graves, 2) Steve Ryan, 3) Robert Garney, 4) Damon Anderson, 5) Tim Simonds, 6) Colby Shepler, 7) Johnny Bennet, 8) Josh Samrov, 9) Pat McSpirit, 10) Wayne Russell Jr., 11) Brett Daniels, 12) Zach Mcspirit.
OCTOBER 21, 2017 SLING SHOT FEATURE RESULTS (15 Laps) – 1) Dan Ballard, 2) Dylan Bush, 3) Scott Sprague, 4) Tyler Vadney, 5) Don Boonstra, 6) Jim Mudge, 7) Sloan Cherko (Jr).
OCTOBER 21, 2017 STREET STOCK FEATURE RESULTS (20 LAPS) – 1) Chase Aussicker, 2) Steve Cosselman, 3) Joey Wilson, 4) Jim Gronki, 5) Cliff Haslun, 6) Lou Gancarz.