Rocky Warner Takes Victory At Glen Ridge In The Return Of The Modifieds

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – After a long absence from the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, the mighty Modifieds made their way back to the Ridge Sunday night and it was a squirrel that found his way to victory lane. Rocky Warner beat Bobby Varin in dominating fashion.

After a disappointing run the night before at Fonda, Warner took advantage of a good starting spot and brought Jake and Nancy Spraker their first modified victory together. With many sportsman victories and championships under their belt, they felt it was time for Warner to move up in the Modified ranks in 2018, and it has been a learning experience to say the least.

However, on this night, it was the rookie that showed the veteran the way around. Both have many victories at the quarter-mile race track and have been track champions in their divisions.

A very thrilled Warner exited his machine in victory lane and did a roof dance as he felt a tone of pressure lifted off of his shoulders as he climbed to the top.

“After a tough finish at Fonda Saturday night, we worked all day to get the car to be competitive for the event here tonight,” Warner said.

He and his team proved that they were the car to beat on this night. In victory lane, the very excited driver thanked his crew and the Spraker’s for giving him this opportunity. Tearfully, he also thanked his dad, who passed away a few years back. If it wasn’t for him, Warner felt that he wouldn’t have been standing in victory lane.

Varin, in the #76 Palmer’s Machine, had to settle for second.

“Rocky had the best car tonight,” he said. “He didn’t miss his marks were I could gain any ground. He’s a rookie in the Modifieds but not a rookie when it comes to driving experience.”

Coming home in third was another rookie, Jack Lehner.

“I played it safe tonight,” Lehner said. “I stayed on the bottom because I didn’t think my car worked on the outside.”

It was a photo finish for the fourth place as the #73 of Cody Bleau nipped his teammate, Shawn Pangman, at the line.

Heat winners were Lehner and the 1x of Willie Decker.

Dave Constantino took home yet another win in the Sportsman division with Justin Knight grabbing the victory in Pro Stocks. Stay tuned to RPW on Tuesday for more from the great night of action at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park