RPW Exclusive: Aftershock Proves To Live Up To It’s Billing At Glen Ridge; Varin Wins After Troubles For Friesen

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – As the ground-pounding Big Block and Small Block Modifieds made their way around the fastest 1/4 mile on dirt, the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, the fans did not realize what the impact of the “Aftershock” would really be.

An added bonus for the winner of the event Sunday evening was a guaranteed spot at Brett Deyo’s Short Track SuperNationals weekend in October. With all the work going into making this one of the biggest races in the history of the track, the hard work paid off. The pits were full and with $8 general admission, the stands were packed with people as it was standing room only.

The Modifieds had 25 cars that rumbled into the speedway. Richie Price and Dirt Modified superstar and NASCAR Truck Series competitor Stewart Friesen brought the field to the green. The earthshaking sound of the Modifieds was like music to your ears as Friesen powered into the lead.

Friesen just ran away and hid as those behind him fought their way into position.

By lap 20, it was Friesen, Danny Tyler, Price, Mike Ricci and the driver on the move coming from the 13th starting spot, Bobby Varin. The #44 up front was having his own race, slicing and dicing threw lap traffic.

Varin was the driver looking for the big prize as he would now take over the third spot after a spirited battle with Ricci.

A caution bunched up the field. For the restart, Friesen chose the inside lane and he would once again take control.

Varin then made quick work of second-place man Tyler and had his sights set on Friesen. He got to the #44’s back bumper, staying with him through lap traffic.

Then, it happened.

The tremors of the “Aftershock” were about to be felt as on lap 64, a slow-moving Richie Price, who had a flat tire, was entering turn four and Friesen ducked under only to get pinched off. Varin, who was right there, got into the back of Friesen pushing him into the yuk tire ending his night. He would go pitside, giving Varin the lead with two laps remaining.

Varin went on to capture the 66-lap Modified feature in the Palmer’s Service machine and giving him the guaranteed spot in October.

“I was just trying to follow Stewie through with lap traffic and Price had a flat tire,” Varin said. “Things just got jammed up. We battled hard and we were tiptoeing through lap traffic. Stewie is the best out there and we all know it.”

Mike Ricci came home in second. Danny Tyler was third with Tim Hartman Jr. fourth and Craig Hanson out muscling Rocky Warner for fifth.

The Sportsman 602 HoosierDaddy Don Warner Memorial feature was pledged with many cautions. Corey Cormier jumped into the lead in the early stages of the race. Dave Marcuccilli pressured him early but could not make the pass on the #20, even fading back to third.

Former Pro Stock standout Nick Stone, who was having a great run, was looking to the outside of Marcucilli and hopped his right rear sending him directly to the wall. He was then hit by David Schilling. Both drivers were uninjured.

With all the cautions early on, the drivers that were quietly making his way to the front were newly-crowned Fonda Speedway champion Chad Edwards and Tim Hartman Jr. both drivers came from deep on the field, starting 18th and 20th.

Hartman got to third by lap 21. The Parillo Services machine and continued to roll, getting to the top spot making a pass on the inside of three and four.

Hartman went on to take the checkers, followed by Jeremy Pitts, Marcuccilli, Cormier and Joe Orlando.

But, as the tremors started to shake up the track, Hartman Jr. wasn’t the one rolling to victory lane. He came up 25lbs. light on the scales, giving the victory to Pitts.

“I had nothing for Tim,” Pitts said. “He was untouchable.”

With the disqualification, that moved Marcuccilli to second, followed by Cormier, Orlando and Bill August.

Glen Ridge kingpin Dave Constantino had his first DNF at the track. I asked him why he was not at Malta Friday night.

“I’m taking some time off from there due to my obligations at DKM,” he said. “There’s just too much to do.”

The Pro Stock Feature went to “Cousin” Luke Horning. Horning was pressured by Justin Knight for many laps but Knight was never able to make the pass.

Horning started first and finished there. Knight came home in the runner-up spot. Ivan Joslin would came back to third after an early race incident. Andy Graves and Chuck McSpirit would round out the top 5.

Limited Sportsman was won by four-time winner on the season, Ryan Heath.

“Flyin’ Ryan” took the lead from the drop of the green and the had smooth sailing the entire race, going unchallenged. Derick McGrew Jr. could never gain any ground on the leader and had to settle for second. Shane Larman, Greg Perron and Kathy Bellen rounded out the top 5.

“We were not very good in warmups,” Heath said. “We worked on our car and things seemed to go well.”

Lebanon Valley invader Chris Murphy pulled off the win in the Street Stock main event. Second was Damon Anderson, with Al Relyea, Jason Samrov and Chase Aussicker completing the top five finishers.

Senior Slingshots was won by the Veteran of the “Grand Gorge Gang” Danny Ballard as he took advantage of a lap eight restart going from third to first. He looked strong and went unchallenged.

Second was Tyler Vadney followed by Brett Putnam, Joe Smith and Rick Allen.

Caution with five laps to go saw multi-time winner Mike Hill loop his car, hit the yuk tire and flip over. He was uninjured to the relief of the fans.

Junior Slingshots was won by Garrett Polland as he pulled away to capture another victory, his seventh of the season.

The 4-Cylinder Dual Cam feature was captured by PJ Bleau.

Bleau, Cole Lawton and Josh Samrov all battle for the top spot. Lawton stuck his nose under a few times but could just not make the pass.

Lawton finished second and Samrov was third. Keith Tessero claim the Single Car feature.

The 2018 inductions for the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park were honored Sunday. Bobby Vedder, Randy Houghtaling, the Hayes Family and Don Warner were all part of this years class. Congratulations to all.

There was plenty of excitement, to be expected, that took place at the 2018 “AFTERSHOCK.” Hope everybody had a fun time. Great job by all.

One thing I noticed. When the support classes were on the track, fans were in their seats catching the action. This was so nice to see.

That’s it for this column. God bless our troops. Keep them safe. and see you all at the races.

 Aftershock Modified Feature – Bobby Varin, Mike Ricci, Danny Tyler, Tim Hartman Jr, Craig Hanson, Scott McCoy, KC McCoy, Rocky Warner, Alan Barker, Shaun Pangman, Cody Bleau, Leo Fotopolous, Stewart Friesen, Randy Green, Richie Price, Al McCoy, Lou Torres, Don Bellen, John Lutes, Jim Introne Jr, Nick Nye, Jim Becker, Elmo Reckner, Bobby Hackel IV, Mike Mahaney, Brian Malcolm.

Hoosier Daddy 602 Sportsman Regional Championship – Jeremy Pitts, Dave Marcuccilli, Corey Cormier, Joe Orlando, Bill August, Tyler Ward, Tyler Thompson, Fred Proctor, Chad Edwards, Kevin Chaffee, Allan Hodge, Ryan McCartney, Frank Hoard Jr, Scott McCoy, Travis Green, Jim Introne Jr, Rocky Warner, Charlie Tibbitts, Leo Fotopolous, Dave Constantino, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Nick Stone, David Schilling, Colin Dubois, Brian Calabrese, Tim Hartman Jr (DQ).

Limited Sportsman Feature – Ryan Heath, Derrick McGrew Jr, Shane Larman, Greg Perron, Kathy Bellen, Jeff Proctor.

Pro-Stock Feature – Luke Horning, Justin Knight, Ivan Joslin, Andy Graves, Chuck McSpirit, Mike White, Malcum Warner, Harley Shepard, Jamie Warner, Alicia Hughes, Chris Wemple.

Street Stock Feature – Chris Murphy, Damon Anderson, Al Relyea, Jason Samrov, Chase Aussicker, Jim Gronki, Steve Cosselman, Cliff Haslun.

Single Cam Mini Stock Feature – Keith Tesiero Jr, Jim Bleau, CJ Shepler, Dale VanAllen, TJ Marlitt, Zack McSpirit.

Dual Cam Mini Stock Feature – P.J. Bleau, Cole Lawton, Josh Samrov, Jeff Degroat, Riley Pedrick, Brittany Celebucki.

All-Star Sr. Slingshot Feature – Danny Ballard, Tyler Vadney, Brett Putnam, Joe Smith, Rick Allen, Jim Pollard, Jim Mudge, Tucker O’Connor, Spencer Cherko, Jim Gage, Don Boonstra, Mike Hill, Scott Sprague.

Junior Slingshot Feature – Garrett Poland, Connor Hill, Adrianna DeRocher, Sloan Cherko, Matthew Backus, Brock Pinkerous.

Awards & Bonuses will be posted later. Thank you for patience, and thank you for all coming out last night!