Pete Bicknell Wins For Third Time In 2018 At Ransomville Speedway

Story By: STEVE PETTY / RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY – RANSOMVILLE, NY – For the third time in 2018, 13-time Krown Undercoating 358 Modified track champion “Mr. Small Block” Pete Bicknell from St. Catharines, Ontario celebrated in victory lane at Ransomville Speedway.

Wilson, NY’s Chris Burek was the sixth different winner in six races in the Investors Service Sportsman division. For Burek, it was his first win of the season.

Gary Lindberg and Ryan Susice were on the front row for the 30-lap main event for the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds with Susice taking the lead off turn two to complete lap one. Pete Bicknell quickly moved into third place on lap two and would go after Lindberg for second. Susice would pull away from the field as the leaders would hit lap traffic by the races 1/3rd mark. Susice would come to a stop with nine laps to go after going up in smoke down the front stretch, giving the lead to Lindberg. The restart would see Lindberg jump out of line, giving the lead to Bicknell over Chad Brachmann. Steve Lewis Jr came to a stop entering turn one to bring out the caution with seven laps remaining. The restart would see Brachmann challenge Bicknell on the outside and then would cross lanes but “Mr. Small Block” would keep the lead. Bicknell would hold off Brachmann and Rick Richner to earn his third win of the season.

Dave DiPietro and Kyle Wendt shared the front row for the 25-lap feature event for the Investors Service Sportsman with DiPietro showing the way from his pole position over Wendt, Cameron Tuttle, Derek Wagner, and Darrell Borkenhagen racing inside the top five. Justin McKay spun, in turn, two with David Fingerlow spinning to avoid McKay to bring out the races first caution on lap five. DiPietro would have a good launch off the restart, but the caution would immediately come back out with Kyle Wendt spinning in turn one. Cam Tuttle would take the lead off the restart on lap six and teammate Chris Burek would take over second place and would battle with Tuttle for the lead. Burek would take the lead away on lap nine, as Derek Wagner raced from third place with DiPietro and Andrew Smith racing in the top five. Wagner would pass Tuttle on the main straightaway to move into second place on lap 10. Brett Senek would enter the top five at the halfway mark after battling with DiPietro for several circuits. Justin McKay’s trouble would continue after losing the left-front tire in turn four on lap 14 to bring out the caution. The mid-race restart would see Burek in the lead as Andrew Smith caught Derek Wagner for second place. Smith would pass Wagner with seven laps remaining to move into the runner-up position and would begin his chase of race leader Burek.

NEWS AND NOTES: 57 cars signed in pitside for the three-division card. Billy Moyer’s time of 17.432sec back in 2005 was shattered by the 18 of the 19 Outlaws in attendance. Mike Marlar shattered the track record with a time of 15.740sec. (84.625mph)

Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home will present the racing action next Friday night, June 22. The Modifieds and Sportsman will be joined by the Street Stocks, 4 Bangers, and Novice Sportsman. Also on the card will be the popular bicycle race during intermission. Pit gates open at 5pm, with grandstands opening at 6pm, and the first green flag of the night set to wave at 7:15pm.

RACE RESULTS –BUSCH BEER NIGHT SUMMARY

Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds: PETE BICKNELL, Chad Brachmann, Rick Richner, Scott Kerwin, Jeff McGinnis, Allan Wills, Gary Lindberg, Kenny Wills, Mike Williams, Greg Martin, Jesse Cotriss, Steve Lewis Jr, Ryan Susice, Tommy Flannigan, Russ Zimmerman, John Smith Did Not Start: James Sweeting

Qualifying Winners: Scott Kerwin, Ryan Susice, Tommy Flannigan

Investors Service Sportsman: CHRIS BUREK, Andrew Smith, Derek Wagner, Brett Senek, James Henry, Cameron Tuttle, Dave DiPietro, Kevin Wills, AJ Custodi, Darrell Borkenhagen, Garrison Krentz, Anthony Muscato, Robbie Johnston, Vince Fargnoli, David Fingerlow, Noah Walker, Justin McKay, Austin Susice, Billy Coleman, Kyle Wendt, Derrick Borkenhagen

Qualifying Winners: Dave DiPietro, Kyle Wendt, Brett Senek