RPW Exclusive: Howie Finch Seizes Opportunity For Big Sportsman Payday At Eastern States

Column By: JOHN DOUGLAS / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Friday night’s 50-lap Sportsman feature at the Orange County Fair Speedway had a bit of everything…heated competition at the front of the field, a few cautions and a stroke of luck, good or bad depending on who you rooted for.

Corey Cormier led the field to green and took a firm grip of the lead from the get go. Stretching his lead over second place Howie Finch, the only real worry it seemed, would be lapped traffic. Slowing the leader’s pace, Finch was able to close to within five car lengths of Cormier as the caution flew just past half way.

As the field took the restart, Cormier again began to stretch his lead on Finch, however this time he was not able to dominantly extend his lead as he had during the race’s first portion.

All the while, the battle for the top ten spots seemed to be the unlucky spot in the field to be running, as no less than four drivers running fifth-seventh found themselves in the wall during the course of the race.

With the finish in sight, the leaders again readied themselves for a restart. Cormier again led the way as the green flag flew, however just inside 10 laps remaining, Cormier’s luck ran out. As he drove into turns one and two the car gave out. Cormier’s night ended with a slow roll to the pitlane and a 25th place finish. A stark contrast to what most expected as the race progressed.

Finch assumed the lead and through the final restart held the top spot to the checkered flag. Jared Labagh, Greg Sleight, Joe Conklin and Jimmy Johnson completed the top five finishers in the 50 lap Sportsman Championship.

Sportsman Eastern States 50 (50 Laps): HOWIE FINCH, Jared Labagh, Greg Sleight, Joe Conklin, Jimmy Johnson, Tommy Vigh, Sammy Martz Jr., Randy Sherlock, Tyler Thompson, Pat Murphy, Darrell Ford, Brad Szulewski, Donnie Buccafusca, Bobby Flood, Hunter Lapp, Tyler Peet, Chris Stevens, Joey Coppolla, Joe Bonetti, Michael Sabia, Dan Morgiewicz, Matt Shultz, Andrew Buff, Chris Lynch, Corey Cormier, Mel Schruffer, Tyler Boniface, Cole Hentschel, John Virglio, Jessie Leiby