Jul 19, 2014 07:32 PM EDT
ZIMBARDI DOMINATES ESS FEATURE IN RETURN TO YATES COUNTY
The Empire Super Sprints returned to Yates County Speedway for the first time in three years on Friday. Bradford, Pennsylvania’s Jared Zimbardi dominated the 25 lap feature as he led every lap. In the Sportsman 25 lap event, Josh Keesey collected his first win of the season. Gene Balmer was also another first time winner this season as he drove to the Street Stock feature. Keith Lamphere ran away with the IMCA Modified 20 lap feature, good for his second win this year. Jayson Smart was the 4 Cylinder feature winner, while Allison Teed picked up yet another win in the Bandits.
Paul Habeck and Jared Zimbardi brought the Empire Super Sprint 25 lap feature to the green flag. On the opening circuit, Zimbardi grabbed the race lead from the topside of the Speedway. Habeck slid back in to second, while Tommy Wickham moved up to third in the running order. By lap 8, Wickham moved around Habeck for the second spot.
The first caution of the event came out on lap 9, as Robbie Stillwaggon, and Chuck Hebing made contact, ending Hebing’s night. On the ensuing restart, Kevin Ward got by Habeck for third in the running order, while the top two remained unchanged. By the midpoint of the feature, Zimbardi raced into substantial lapped traffic, which he navigated with ease. With ten laps to go, the top 5 was Zimbardi, Wickham, Ward, Habeck, and Stillwaggon.
As the race continued, Steve Collins, and Steve Poirier began to join the mix as they cracked the top 5 in the later stages of the event. As Zimbardi began to checkout on the field throughout the lapped traffic, Poirier made some moves, as he was able to race in to third. Zimbardi held on for the win over Wickham, Poirier, Collins, and Stillwaggon.
The Street Stock 20 lap race feature another incredible battle between three drivers. In the early laps of the event, Roger Kerrick had a great race going as he led the first 9 laps. Kerrick’s good run came to an end in turn four as he began to lose the car. Gene Balmer then inherited the lead, doing so after getting by Jeremy Potrzebowski. Jared Hill also had a good run going, cracking in to the top 3 at the halfway point of the race. Balmer held off the challenges of Potrzebowski, and eventually Chuck Winslow en route to his first win of the season.
In the Sportsman 25 lap feature, luck was finally on the side of Josh Keesey. The first 9 laps of the event saw no cautions, while Brent Ayers drove to a commanding lead. On the restart following the caution, Keesey made a high side pass which was good for the lead. As the race continued, Keesey began to pull away, while Ayers maintained second.
With ten laps to go, Keesey showed the way over Ayers, Casey Pavlick, Brady Fultz, and Loren Lincoln. Pavlick found how racy the top of the track was as he switched lanes and got by Ayers for the second spot on lap 20. Meanwhile, Chris Fisher moved up to the fifth position. Keesey held on for his first win of the season, Pavlick was second, Fultz third, Ayers fourth, and Fisher fifth.
The Four Cylinders put on a great show with Jayson Smart coming home victorious after a hotly contested battle with Chad Ayres and Scott Bradley. Del Cummings and Chris Mashewske rounded out the top five. Allison Teed continued her dominance in the Bandit division and remained undefeated. She was followed across the stripe by Brandon Kinner, Chris Davis, Billy Bowers and Desiree Force.
The next event on the schedule at the speedway is Tuesday, July 22nd as the Modifieds return for a 50 lap race paying $3,000 to the winner. The Race of Champions Sportsman, and Four Cylinders will join the Modifieds. Race time will be 7pm.
LUCAS OIL EMPIRE SUPER SPRINTS FEATURE: Jared Zimbardi, Tommy Wickham, Steve Poirier, Steve Collins, Robbie Stillwaggon, Matt Tanner, Jeff Cook, Stewart Friesen, Jason Barney, Paul Kinney, Paul Habeck, Daryl Ruggles, Scott Kreutter, George Suprick, Parker Evans, Tim Axton, Steve Hutchinson, Kevin Ward Jr, Clint Ide, Chuck Hebing, Dave Axton, Alysha Ruggles
SPORTSMAN FEATURE: Josh Keesey, Casey Pavlick, Brady Fultz, Brent Ayers, Chris Fisher, Dale Welty, Lauren Lincoln, Fran Hilton, Lance Irwin, Chris Silvers, Phil Yaw, Eric Bell. DNS: Ross Vleck
STREET STOCK FEATURE: Gene Balmer, Jeremy Potrzebowski, Chuck Winslow, Jared Hill, Kreg Crooker, Bob Buono, James Kreidler III, Rich Sharpsteen II, Carl Cleveland, Jake Karlnoski, Alan Crooker, Dave Matwiejow, John Burritt, Harold Fenton, Jeremy Trank, Roger Kerrick, Nate Daggett, Rich Rider, Jeremy Perkins. DNS: Ralph Champion Jr, Tracy Dunn
IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE: Keith Lamphere, Jared Spalding, Rich Karlnoski, Todd Stone, Ken Buck, Tim Sebring, Brad Smith, Tony Harris, Nicole Spalding, Rodney Morgan, Harry Ely, Chis Leitner, Bruce Kinner. DNS: Rich McNeal
4CYL FEATURE: Jayson Smart, Chad Ayers, Scott Bradley, Del Cummings, Chris Mashewske, Brandon Matthews, Craig Mahrt, Erica Bell, Richard Post, Travis McDonald, Joe Cron, Justin Pack, Chris Percy, Bob Potter, David Kinner, David Whetham, Zach Teed. DNS: James Kreidler Jr
BANDITS: Allison Teed, Brandon Kinner, Chris Davis, Billy Bowers, Desiree Force, Taylor Sykes, Pixie Kinner
