GROSSO MARCHES TO WIN NUMBER FIVE AT NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY
Harry Meeks Sr. Photo
GROSSO MARCHES TO WIN NUMBER FIVE AT NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY
The question is simply, who can stop the Grosso Homes #32 on its way to victory lane at the New Egypt Speedway? To date, the answer has been only Jim Housworth back on April 23rd as Brandon Grosso notched his fifth win of the season in the Vahlco Wheels thirty lap main event for the modifieds. It was another consistent march to the front of the field, finally taking the lead on lap twenty four.
Second generation driver, Jack Butler, took the lead from his outside front row starting position with young Ryan Conrad second and Kory Fleming third. Coming close to a win on a few occasions this season, Fleming darted into second on lap two and immediately began to challenge for the lead. The first caution flag of the race flew on lap eight when Frank Cozze slowed going into turn two with a flat tire.
Able to rejoin the field, Cozze fell in at the rear as Butler and Fleming continued to wager quite a fight for first. Rookie Paul Mancini took advantage of the restart moving into third while Mike Butler occupied fourth. The red flag was needed on lap eleven when Dakota Kessler made heavy contact with the guardrail in between turns one and two. Fortunately, the talented driver was uninjured as the field regrouped for a double file restart.
Fleming used the outside line to pass Butler and was scored the new leader on lap twelve with Grosso now sitting in third. Passing Butler for second on lap fourteen, Grosso now had his sights on the Fleming #704 who appeared to be having his best night of the season.
Cutting into Fleming’s lead with every lap scored the current points leader saw the opening he was looking for on lap twenty four to become the third different leader of the race. Unfortunately, on lap twenty five, Flemings brilliant run would end as the car lost power coming down the front stretch, bring out the caution flag.
Running in second, Cale Ross was poised and ready for the single file restart. The driver of the B&K Tools #112 gave the outside groove a shot trying to make a move but came up a few car lengths short as Grosso took home the win.
Butler scored his second third place finish of the season with Justin Grosso fourth, and former track champion Rick Laubach fifth. Danny Bouc crossed the line in sixth followed by Lauden Reimert, Billy Osmun, Mancini, and Cozze.
In the Hamiton Auto Clinic/Racersguide Crate twenty lap feature, Dan Fleming went wire to wire to record his first win of the season and the ninth of his career at the Route 539 speedway. Lining up in the number two slot, Fleming was off and running at the drop of the green with Ricky Moran second and Tom Princiotta third. The caution flag flew for two separate incidents on lap three, and Princiotta and Ryan Simmons used the restart to now occupy second and third.
Both drivers were on the heels of Fleming, but the pace was interrupted on lap five as three caution periods slowed the event. A good restart saw the top three now joined by Johnny Bangs and Nick Van Wickle. Looking to make it two wins in a row, Simmons darted into second on lap eight as the race headed into its second half.
The caution flag would slow what was a tremendous race for the lead on lap fourteen, but on the restart, Fleming was able to answer all the challenges thrown his way to take the win. Joe Toth paced himself throughout the event to finish third with Van Wickle fourth and Princiotta fifth.
Brian Ludwig became the third different winner in as many features presented in 2022 taking the Freedom Firearms Street Stock fifteen lap feature. Joe Wolfe led lap one before giving way to Spider Ensinger III on lap two. Ludwig used a lap seven restart to take the lead and held off three time division champion Bill Liedtka for the win. Finishing behind Ensinger in fourth was Vern McLaughlin with Gary Klimczek fifth.
Aidan Borden captured his first feature in the twenty five lap MASS main event. Leading the event from lap one, Borden was without a doubt the class act of the field extending his lead with every lap scored. His nearly seven second lead was erased on lap eighteen when Shelby Kelly slowed on the front stretch. With Eddie Wagner now sitting on his rear bumper, the second-generation driver was flawless over the last seven laps to take the win. Tim Iulg, Dave Grubbe, and Buddy Schweibinz rounded out the top five.
The eight lap rookie main event was won by David Miloszar. Logan Starr finished second followed by Dominick Antonelli, Theresa Aumick, and Dylan Morris.
Next up on the schedule are the USAC East Sprint Cars, Hamilton Auto Clinic/ Racersguide Crates, round one of the High Gear Towing Crate Select Series, Larrys Hot Rods and Harleys NEWS Sprint Cars, Wash Wagon 4-Cylinders, and the Rookies. Racing begins at 7 PM.
