TOMMY CATALANO TOPS SUNOCO MODS AT SPENCER

TOMMY CATALANO TOPS SUNOCO MODS AT SPENCER

Story By: Gary M. Spaid/Spencer Speedway

Photos By: Mark Ranalletta/RacersGuide.com

WILLIAMSON, NY…Tommy Catalano, from nearby Ontario, NY, picked up his third feature win of the 2018 at the track. Catalano had to hold off Andy Lewis for the entire 35-lap event to get that victory.

In the Super Sixes, Barrett Schenk returned to victory lane. Schenk a two time track champion, in the Super Sixes at Spencer, waited until nearly two thirds of the race was complete to grab the lead from Josh Marchese.

Jacob Gustafson picked up the win in the Grandpa Dog Four Cylinder class.

The 35-lap Sunoco Modified feature got off to a rocky start when rookie Mikey Nickels spun on the first lap to bring out the yellow. During this yellow period officials called Geoff Sharkey to the pits, as his car was leaking something on the track.

Three laps later Luke Cino’s number 41 was forced into the front stretch wall causing extensive damage to his ride. His car had to be cradled off the track.

The restart saw a four car break away, Tommy Catalano, Andy Lewis, Mike Leaty and Daryl Lewis Jr. all in a row. The green would remain out for the rest of the race.

As the race progressed, Amy Catalano tried to chase down this four car pack, finally closing in on them in the latter stages of the race.

With just two laps remaining Daryl Lewis Jr. pulled around Leaty to grab fourth. At the finish line it was Tommy Catalano, Lewis, Lewis Jr., Leaty and Amy Catalano.

The Super Sixes ran a green-to-checkers 20-lap feature. The early leader was outside pole sitter Josh Marchese. Marchese and second place Barrett Schenk would break free from the rest of the field. On lap 13, Schenk made his move to grab the lead.

The real battle was for third was developing between Van Grant, Dave Heimes and Brian Hallett was the closest race on the field. Hallett’s car began to falter on lap 15, as he dropped back through the field to finish last of the cars running. As the battle for third continued, Brandon Allen sailed by Grant to take the position. Heimes also fell off the pace, allowing Ashley Schoonmaker to join the battle.

At the finish line it would be Schenk, Marchese, Allen, Grant and Schoonmaker. “It was great racing with Josh (Marchese),” stated Schenk. “He is becoming a full time racer this year and seems to be a clean driver.”

The Grandpa Dog Four Cylinder cars saw a tight battle for the lead the entire 15-lap distance. Three lead changes saw Dave Heimes give up the lead to Travis Montgomery on lap one. On lap four it would be Jacob Gustafson taking command of the race. He would remain in the lead for the remainder of the race.

The only caution during the race came on lap 11, when Joe Clark lost the handle and spun in the first turn.

As the checkers flew Gustafson took the win followed by Montgomery. Corey Copeland finished third followed by Corey Copeland finished third followed by Heimes and Dalton Alexander to round out the top five.

NYSS NOTES: Also on the race card were twin 20-lap features for the New York Super Stocks. Chris Finocchario, Macedon, won the wreck shortened first feature. The race was called at lap 16 due to the number of accidents during the race. Nick Robinson and Nate Peckham came home in second and third.

The second feature did go the 20-lap distance, with Nick Robinson, from Waverly, taking the 20-lap win. It was the first time this year that Finocchario did not take the feature win. He did come home second. Zach Willis finished in third.

Racing returns to Spencer Speedway in two weeks, on Friday, August 10th. It will be “Double Points” night for all classes. On the race card will be the Sunoco Modifieds, NY Super Stocks, Super Sixes, and the Grandpa Dog 4-Cylinders. Race time is set for 7:15 p.m.

Spencer Speedway is located just fifteen minutes east of Rochester, NY, along Route 104 in the Town of Williamson. Spencer Speedway is the local “The Place to Race” for Central New York in 2018. Only four nights of oval track racing remain on the 2018 calendar.

SPENCER SPEEDWAY AMERICAN RACER TIRES NIGHT SUMMARY

GRANDPA DOG 4 CYLINDER

HEAT 1: J. Gustafson, A.J. Montgomery, T. Catalano, C. Copeland, J. Treasure

HEAT 2: T. Montgomery, D. Heimes, A. Montgomery, J. Clark, D. Alexander

FEATURE (15-laps): JACOB GUSTAFSON, Travis Montgomery, Tyler Catalano, Dave Heimes, Dalton Alexander, Corey Copeland, Allie Montgomery, A.J. Montgomery, Joe Clark, Jason Treasure.

SUPER SIXES

HEAT 1: J. Marchese, B. Allen, B. Schenk, A. Cocilova, A. VanHall.

HEAT 2: V. Grant, T. Faro, B. Hallett, A. Schoonmaker, C. Bockman.

FEATURE (20-laps): BARRETT SCHENK, Josh Marchese, Brandon Allen, Van Grant, Ashley Schoonmaker, Tim Faro, Adam VanHall, Andy Cocilova, Allison Knoepfler, Chad Brockman, Brian Hallett, Bill Inch.

SUNOCO MODIFIEDS

HEAT 1: A. Catalano, A. Lewis, D. Lewis Jr., M. Lees, M. Nickels.

HEAT 2: To. Catalano, M. Leaty, E. Hawkins, L. Cino, Ti. Catalano.

FEATURE (35-laps): TOMMY CATALANO, Andy Lewis, Daryl Lewis Jr., Mike Leaty, Amy Catalano, Eddie Hawkins, Timmy Catalano, Matt Lees, Mikey Nickels, Luke Cino, Tom Wiest, Geoff Sharkey.