Sunday’s Just Got A Whole Lot Better For Mohawk Valley Race Fans
Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – The Glen Ridge Motorsports Park reopened Sunday after a brief hiatus from racing. New promoters Ray Sefrin and Mike Parillo may have found a way to put the fun back in Sunday night racing.
Making my way around the full pit area, I stopped to see what Bobby Hackel was up to. The young hot shoe has been running Big Blocks while piloting a sportsman on off nights.
“We are gonna kinda go outlaw with the sportsman thing,” he said. “Not sure where we will run from week to week, but we will be back here at some point for sure.”
As I made my way around, I couldn’t but help but notice many other top Crate Modified contenders such as Jeremy Pitts, Adam McAulliffe, Rocky Warner and current King Of Dirt Sportsmanpoint leader Chad Edwards.
In total, there were 25 Crate Modifieds, 13 Limited Sportsman, 20 Pro Stocks, 16 4-Cylinders and 15 slingshots.
The grandstands were also full of eager race fans ready to start a new era at the Ridge. I stopped on my way to my seat and grabbed something cold to drink and was shocked by the new concession prices. Everything has been slashed, making it affordable to take a date to the races.
When the yellow lights went out, things rolled along very nicely. Heat race winners were:
- Limited Sportsman: Kathy Bellen & Mike Jackson
- 4 Cylinders: Cole Lawton & Chris Bonoffski
- Pro Stocks: Luke Horning, Gus Hollner & Todd Hoffman
- Crate Modified: Jim Introne, Brian Calabrese, & Harry Shaffer
Jr. Slingshot stand out Derrick Mcgrew took checkers in the first feature of the night, making it win #2 at the Ridge this season. The Sr. Slingshot feature went to Brett Putnam. The 4-Cylinder feature winner was the “rice rocket,” Chris Bonoffski. Mike Jackson led the field of Limited Sportsman to the finish followed by Kathy Bellen, Dave Richard, EJ McAuliffe and John Stowell.
Next, the Pro Stocks rolled onto the smooth, slick surface for 20 laps and in the end, Brandon Emigh claimed the victory. Luke Horning was coming on strong but would have to settle for second. Dennis Joslin, Gus Hollner and Randy Cosselman rounded out the top 5.
Tim Hartman Jr. made big changes to his ride prior to Sunday’s Crate Modified feature and it paid off big as he took the race lead early and never looked back as he went on to grab the feature win. Rocky Warner started deep in the field but showed up just a bit late for the finish taking second. Brian Calabrese was third. JaMike Sowle made his return to the Ridge with a solid fourth and Jeremy Pitts was fifth.
As Hartman climbed from his hot rod for the trophy presentation car owner and Glen Ridge promoter Mike Parillo made a statement by declining the winners share of the purse. He then drew a finishing position number and gave the $1,100 to 15th place finisher Rick Coons. What a stand up move from Glen Ridge management.
On my way to the pit area after the races, I asked a young fella who was heading my way what he thought of the races. With excitement that only a child would have, he said “I Had Fun.”
“I had fun too,” I replied without hesitation, sharing his excitement.
That feeling carried over with several drivers I spoke with. A said they had fun and liked that we were done by 9:30.
Next Sunday, the Ridge will be back in action so come out visit the fastest 1/4 mile on dirt. You’ll be glad ya did.
Everyone at Race Pro Weekly would like to wish you all a Safe and Relaxing Independence day and as our own Mike Warren would say, “we’ll see you at the races…”
