by Carol Houssock

(Chemung, NY) This week’s gamble was with the weather, and it was another win for WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome. Tony Hanbury (NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds), Jeff Goodwin (Street Stocks), Mike Alcaro (INEX Legends), Gene Purvis (4 Cylinders) and Zack Keeney (FWD) all visited the Horseheads Pick-A-Part Victory Lane, all but one got there for the second week in a row. Race teams and fans are reminded that racing this weekend and next will be on Saturdays, with a 1:30 PM start on the 15th and a 6:30 PM start on May 22nd.

When “Lady Luck” is with you, it’s as though all the stars are lined up right. For Owego, NY’s Tony Hanbury, all of the other stars in the headline NASCAR Sunoco Modified feature were lined up right – right behind him when he drew the pole for the 50-lap feature. Al Chapman, driving the Dan Kurzejewski-owned #21 started beside Hanbury on the front row but Hanbury led the way and never surrendered the lead. JR Kent, the defending track champion, started 7th and had to work his way to the front. He passed Chapman and took over 2nd but could go no further on this night. Chapman finished 3rd, ahead of Rusty Smith and Zach Truesdail. Hanbury and Kent won the 2 heat races.

Heat winner Mike Nichols drew the pole for the 25-lap Street Stock feature but Terry Potrzebowski, who started 3rd, led the first 3 laps. Jeff Goodwin passed Potrzebowski for the lead on lap 4, however it went back to “Mr 72” a lap later. While they battled for the lead, Goodwin was ready to strike, and did. Nichols, meanwhile, was also right there and got around Goodwin on the 10th lap. It appeared the race would go his way until his car broke and the lead went back to Goodwin. He scored the win, this time ahead of Potrzebowski, Dylan Terry, Hank Buchanan and Chris Silvers. It was a sweep for Goodwin, who also won his heat race.

When Mike Alcaro, the INEX Legend hot shoe from Fredon, NJ travels to Chemung he more than likely adds a trophy to the car hauler for the return trip. Justin Petcosky hoped to change that and the pair put on one heck of a race. Petcosky lost the lead he’d held since the opening lap when Alcaro got around him on lap 12. While others were battling for position, the race for the lead kept the crowd’s attention. With 2 to go Petcosky regained the lead, but Alcaro won the drag race off turn 4 and scored his 2nd win in a row. Petcosky had to settle for 2nd, with Richie Vanderpool, Art Priscott and Brandon Michael all finishing in the top 5. Michael and Vanderpool won their qualifying races.

Multi-time 4 Cylinder champ, Gene Purvis, is now 2-for-2. He drew starting spot #2 but finished #1 for the second week in a row. Phil Haner tried to get around him but Purvis held on and led all 15 laps. Haner was 2nd at the stripe, followed by Joe Lane, Ryan Purvis and Milton Price. Heat race wins went to Tony Gullo and Jeremy Potrzebowski. Marcus Wood won the FWD 4 Cylinder heat but Zack Kenney won their 10-lap feature and is undefeated.

Think Saturdays for the next two weeks. This weekend it’s a May 15th Saturday Afternoon Shootout featuring the NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds, Street Stocks, INEX Legends and 4 Cylinders. Pits open at 10 AM, with practice and grandstand gates opening at noon. The first heat hits the track at 1:30 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and kids ages 5-16, and always free for kids under age 5. Fans are reminded to bring their ticket stubs from May 7th for a $2 discount.

Anyone wanting more information can call track manager, Jody Buckley, at 607-738-1125 or check the track’s website, http://chemungspeedrome.net/index.htmt. Chemung Speedrome and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series – Short Track Racing At Its Best!

Results:

NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds (50 Laps) TONY HANBURY, JR Kent, Al Chapman, Rusty Smith, Zach Truesdail, Lee Sharpsteen, Bobby Osgood, TJ Potrzebowski, Charlie Sharpsteen, Larry Jaynes, Zack Curren, Matt Clemmons, Jimmy Zacharias, John Wilber, Justin Petcosky

Street Stocks (25 Laps) JEFF GOODWIN, Terry Potrzebowski, Dylan Terry, Hank Buchanan, Chris Silvers, Ken Evans, Mike Nichols, Brittany Jack, Brandon Ameigh, John Lane

INEX Legends (25 Laps) MIKE ALCARO, Justin Petcosky, Richie Vanderpool, Art Priscott, Brandon Michael, Matt Priscott, Andrew Stotler, Ben Moore, Cody Frantz, Matt Evans, Ravin Schrantz, Corey Mosher, AJ Griffin, Andrew Bickford, Barry Schrantz, John Bacon

4 Cylinders (15 Laps) GENE PURVIS, Phil Haner, Joe Lane, Ryan Purvis, Milton Price, Jeremy Potrzebowski, Frank Morich, Brett Gleason, Tony Gullo, Doug Colton (DNS)

FWD 4 Cylinders (10 Laps) ZACK KENNEY, Kurtis Benjamin, Marcus Wood, David Cooke