RPW Exclusive: The “Aftershock” At Glen Ridge Was A Great Event…Just Ask Winner Bobby Varin

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – Now that the shaking has settled down from the ground-pounding Modifieds at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Sunday evening, the talk of the racing world was about the exciting race fans got to see at the little track up on the hill.

A very gracious driver that I was able to discuss the event with was the guy who stood in victory lane, Bobby Varin. We talked about the win, his thoughts of the “Aftershock,” plus a little bit about The Ridge itself. The Sharon Springs, NY driver has seen a lot of success on the oval and is a multi-time track champion as well, so he knows just how special it is to win there.

I asked the driver of the Palmer’s Service #76 what he thought when he heard word about the vision for the race from Race Coordinator Butch Hazzard.

“Butch was looking for advice, being I have been around a long time,” Varin said. “He wanted some ideas for rules and if he should just have a Big Block show. I suggested to invite them all…open it up to the Small Block teams as well. I told him I’m sure you will get more cars that way. Just try to make it as simple as possible.”

Hazzard took his advice and they had a healthy field of 25 Modifieds with plenty of quality drivers that took the green in the 66-lap feature.

Speaking of the race, I asked Bobby what his thoughts and strategy were when he was strapping in for the feature event, knowing he was rolling off from the 13th starting spot.

“I knew that staying out of trouble would be the key,” he said. “Keeping my nose clean, I knew, was going to be a challenge, but one I was ready for.”

As the crafty veteran moved into second late in the race, he knew he had a really good car and thinking he would have to settle for the runner-up spot. With Stewart Friesen leading, it’s very seldom he gives it up. But at a tight bullring like Glen Ridge, anything could happen.

Maybe lap traffic would be a factor. When the cards fell into Varin’s hands, he had the packed grandstands on the edge of their seats.

It all took place with just two laps remaining. That’s when Friesen went under a lap car, who ultimately had a flat tire coming out of turn four. The Halmar machine got pinched into the yuk tire, causing damage to the left front of the DKM #44.

With the #76 hot on his tail, trying to avoid the accident, slight contact was made to the back of Friesen’s car as he was going around.

“It happened so fast, it could have been (lap car Richie) Price I hit,” Varin stated. “It was nothing intentional. Things just got jammed up.”

Friesen showed his displeasure to Varin after the incident.

“It was short track racing at its best,” he said. “It just turned out to be our benefit this time. Trust me…I know that feeling. I have lost a few with lap cars like that myself.”

In the end, Varin was happy for the win…not so much for himself, but for his car owners, Alton & Carole Palmer.

“I was thrilled to get this won, not only for myself, but for Palmer’s and my crew,” he said. “Starting 13th, it had to be a enjoyable race for them to watch. I’m very thankful they let me be their driver.”

Varin told me he’s developed a nice working relationship with his owners.

“Alton and I work great together,” he said. “Being a past driver himself, he understands what I’m talking about on the car. We all work great together and that important.”

I then asked Bobby his overall thoughts were about the “Aftershock” Sunday night.

“It was a fantastic event,” he said. “They went above and beyond for their racers. From all the lap sponsors they found, to the victory lane ceremony, and everything else, Butch did a hell of a job to have every piece of the event covered. The money was huge and it certainly had to been exciting for the fans. This was just a great show!”

I then asked the veteran his thoughts when I say the name ‘Glen Ridge.’ What comes to your mind?

“Glen Ridge is one of my favorite tracks,” he told me. “I’ve been to a lot of different places. The Ridge is a bullring and you’re “elbow’s up” on the steering wheel at all times. It keeps you sharp and you better have quick reactions if you’re going to be successful there.”

How does Varin feel about the direction the track is going under the direction of promoters Ray Sefrin & Mike Parillo?

“Those guys are doing a great job,” he said. “It was a little rough going in the beginning of the year, putting down a new surface and all. However, Sunday night, the track was great. It was hard and slick but smooth as glass. They are definitely trying.”

I then asked Bobby if he feels Glen Ridge need the Modified division to survive?

“Well, honestly, it’s hard to say,” he explained. “Having these specials shows proved a lot as the fans turned out in big numbers and they have had good car counts for those races. Having only an $8 general admission was big too. It’s the headline drivers that the fans want to see and they had it Sunday. But, to be profitable every week and drivers be able to come, I just don’t know. I just hope people continue to keep going to the races and support their local tracks.”

One last bit of information that I’m sure Bobby’s fans will love to hear is that he will be behind the wheel of the #76 during this year’s Super DIRT Week at the Oswego Speedway.

A bit thank you to Bobby for taking some time to talk to me about the “Aftershock. Congratulations on the victory and the 2018 Fonda Speedway Track Championship. I have no doubt that I’ll see more victories for the veteran campaigner, but I see more coming for the gang at Glen Ridge. They have the track going in the right direction.