SHANGRI LA II 2016 SEASON OPENER IN THE BOOKS
Story By:MORGAN COLEGROVE /SHANGRI-LAII SPEEDWAY MEDIA Photos By: DERRICK CANFIELD / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Tioga Center NY.-May 31-2016- Near perfect racing weather greeted fans and competitors at the “Concrete Castle” Sunday afternoon, and even a couple of passing rain drops in the middle of the show couldn’t cool off the on track action. Patrick Emerling took home the gold in the “Richie Evans Memorial” 61 lap Modified feature, and Travis Fisher led the way to the checkered flag in the Late Models. Jimmy Zacharias returned to Victory Lane in the Sportsman, Daren Scherer topped the INEX Legend field, and Tim Gullo was the leader of the pack at the end of the Street Stock main. Alan Blackwell took the overall win in the Mini Stocks, with Harry O’Neil recording the Front Wheel Drive win.
Jimmy Zacharias led the early going in the Modified main, with Tyler Rypkema keeping the pressure on, but by the time the feature was one third of the way complete, Emerling had taken over. Zacharias and Rypkema put on a spirited battle for the runner-up spot, and stayed within striking distance of the leader throughout, but were unable to overcome Emerlng’s dominance. Rypkema led Zacharias on a couple of occasions, but had to settle for third at the finish. Mike Leaty had a steady run in fourth, with Austn Kochenash rounding out the top five. The remainder of the finishing order was Calvin Carroll, Brian DeFebo, Jody Buckley, John Ramsey, Daren Scherer, TJ Zacharias, Jimmy Dolan, Lee Sharpsteen, and Ken Canastrari. Heat wins went to Jimmy Zacharias, and Tyler Rypkema.
The Late Models returned to Shangri La 2 after a few years absence, and provided no disappointments, as side by side racing was the order of the day. Travis Fisher took the early lead and fought off all challenges, with Scott Nurmi overpowering Eldon King for second late in the race. Ron Nurmi crossed the line fourth, and Bob Weber was fifth. Sixth went to Sam Fullone, seventh Rick Smith, and eighth Terry Weldy. Joe Berretta was unable to start the feature. Heat wins went to Fisher and King.
Jimmy Zacharias wrestled the lead from Zach Truesdail early in the Sportsman event and never looked back.Truesdail held off a hard charging Connor Sellars as the laps wound down, with Charlie Sharpsteen and Gene Sharpsteen finishing fourth and fifth. Tommy Rought, Nick Morich, Patti Pruitt, Cody Jackson, and Scott Reagan rounded out the top ten. Chris Clemens was eleventh and Tommy Zacharias finished twelth. Jimmy Zacharias and Connor Sellars won qualifying heats.
Shangri La 2 received their INEX sanctioning approval just days before the Sunday event, and Daren Scherer picked up the winners share of the feature points. Chuck Lohmeyer fought back from an early spin to run back up to second at the finish, over David French and Gary Ham. Beth Scherer rounded out the top five. Wayne Walker and Charles Lohmeyer Sr. completed the finishing order. Gary Ham won the heat race.
Billy Coyle and Tim Gullo won qualifiers in the Street Stocks, but the expected battle between the two top pilots in the feature never materialized as Coyle spun by contact early on and ended his day backwards against the turn three wall. Gullo dominated, but the race for second was hotly contested throughout the twenty five lap event. Gary Noe held off all challenges, with Steve Pesarek locking down third in the closing laps. Steve Shultz overcame damage in his heat, and two restarts at the back of the pack in the feature, to record a solid fourth place, with Charlie Sharpsteen finishing fifth.
The remainder of the finishing order was Jim Lamoreaux, Aaron Higgins, Jimmy Hass, Brian Wozniak, Bill Frisbie, Andy Brighton, Robert Fink, Kyle Weaver, and Billy Coyle.
Only four Mini Stocks made the call for their feature, but it was easily one of the best races of the afternoon. Alan Blackwell, in a Mustang, and Harry O’Neil in a Toyota, ran the entire fifteen laps wheel to wheel, sometimes exchanging the lead multiple times on a single lap. Blackwell held the advantage at the wire, and was welcomed to Victory Lane by an appreciative crowd. O’Neil won the heat race.
Shangri La 2 will again open their gates on June 11 with the second of six special events scheduled for the 2016 season. Details of the event will follow in the next press release. Shangri La 2 is a half mile concrete oval, located on Skyline Drive, North of Route 17c, just east of Tioga Center, NY. When event schedules coincide, one gate admission price gets fan entry to both SL2 and neighboring Skyview Drags. Camping (no hookups) is welcomed, and always free.
