Warner & Normoyle Had Luck On Their Side Saturday At The Ridge

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – You always here the expression in racing that it is sometimes better to be lucky then good. Well, that’s what happened for the “Flying Squirrel,” Rocky Warner, on a warm Saturday night of racing at the fastest quarter 1/4 mile track, the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park.

The 30-lap feature saw Jeremy Pitts and Tyler Thompson lead the field down to the green flag with Pitts taking the early lead. He was followed by the #98 of Thompson. Meanwhile, Warner took over the third spot.

Caution flew on lap three for a car slowing on the backstretch. On the ensuing restart, it was Thompson powering his way on the outside to take over the top spot. While this was going on, David Constantino made his way up into the fourth with the #00 of Lou Torrez rounded out the top 5.

With Thompson was holding down the point, Warner was in hot pursuit of Pitts trying to take over second, but the driver of the #27 wasn’t giving it up.

On lap 23, the leader was slowed just a bit by a lap car and that allowed Pitts to get up to Thompson. The lap car forced the #98 up the track. Pitts had the opportunity but didn’t have enough real estate to make the pass. Contact was made sending the top two into the wall, brining out the caution. The great run for Tyler Thompson ended on the hook while Pitts was sent to the rear by officals. This meant that Warner was now your leader. Two driver’s misfortune was good for another.

With seven laps to go, it was Warner, Constantino, David Schilling, Tim ‘The Hitman’ Hartman Jr. and Torrez in the top five. As the laps clicked off, though, it was all the Jake Spraker-owned #1j up front as he went on for the win.

Schilling overtook Constantino in the closing circuits for second as the DKM #7 settled for third. Hartman Jr. and Torrez completed the top 5.

“I didn’t want to win this way but its a win and I’ll take it,” Warner said after the race. “I’ve won a Sportsman race here every year since 2014 and was worried the streak would end.”

Entering the night’s action, not being a regular, victory lane at the Ridge has alluded him this year but the streak can continue. It was another in the tally as Rocky is the all-time Sportsman wins leader at the speedway. Congratulations Squirrel.

In the 30-lap Pro Stock feature, a strong field of cars didn’t dissappoint putting on a great show as they had the fans on their edge of their seats.

Nick stone took the green as your leader by starting on the pole and was looking like he would be the man to beat. However, ‘Cousin Luke’ Horning had other ideas on who was going to be the leader, pressuring stone for the lead on the inside.

The yellow flag flew only a few laps in for Ivan Joslin as he ended up pit side. He would return to the race but had to start in the back of the field.

On lap 14, George Miles shot up the track coming of turn 4 while running in the 4th position, hitting Frank Twaing’s machine hard That ended Twing’s night while Miles was able to continue.

Stone, Horning and Jimmy Normoyle Sr. were the top three at the restart with Stone firing at the green. Horning was hot on his trail, and on lap 15, it was the 2H getting to the low side of turns 3 and 4, making contact with #27.

Horning had the lead until Stone gave the bump righ back to him un turns one and two, sending the two spinning. This gave the lead to third place runner Normoyle.

Both Stone and Horning headed to the puts but only the 2H returned.

Normoyle went on to claim his first victory of the year at the Ridge, followed by a driver putting in a strong performance, Justin Knight, in the Todd Hoffman-owned #8.

ther winners on the night were Mike Block in the Limited Sportsman, Rob Stanford in the Vintage Modifieds (also taking the championship in the division), David Charczuk, who traveled 3-1/2 hours to race, in the Vintage Sportsman (Champ was ‘the dancing bear,’ John Constantino) PJ Bleau in 4-Cylinders, veteran Danny Ballard Sr. in the Sr. Slingshots and Mathew Ryanbuckas in Jr. Slingshots.

There was a very scary accident in the enduro race. I don’t know the driver’s name but I want to send prayers to him and hope he is doing ok.

Well, it was a exciting night at the Ridge. The track was super fast and smooth. The weather was great and all I can say is that two drivers were very happy that luck was on their side tonight. It just goes to show you still run as hard as you can no matter what position you are riding in. A lot of tough luck to some racers but keep you heads up and remember why you love this sport.

As always, everybody stay safe in your travels, see you all at the races and please, remember our troops, both past and present.