RPW Exclusive: Josh Hohenforst The Man To Beat Sunday Night At Glen Ridge’s “Vengeance”

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – They say the third time’s the Charm. Well, that’s how many tries it took management to get the biggest race of the year off at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park.

“Vengeance” had been rescheduled three times due to mother nature not cooperating, and the “Apollo Rocket” Josh Hohenforst was sure glad it was. Hohenforst made his way to the little track on top of the hill and dominated the 50-lap $2,500 to win feature in fine fashion.

The victory also gave Hohenforst a guaranteed starting spot for the $53,000 Fonda 200 in a few weeks at the Fonda Speedway. Josh took advantage of his forth starting spot and piloted his DKM Cyclone Chassis to the front.

Before the green flag dropped on the 20-car field, the drivers saluted the fans with a four-wide parade lap. Then it was time to see who would get the “Vengeance” trophy belt.

Richie Price and Craig Hanson brought the field to Joe Kriss’ green flag. Hanson took the early lead and set the pace with Hohenforst quickly in tow.

Lap nine would see the caution come out for last years “Aftershock” winner Bobby Varin. He would return to the back of the field.

The restart would see the #6H rocket his way around the outside going down the backstretch and take the lead coming out of turn four. It was clear sailing up front for Hohenforst on the outside putting cars a lap down. That was until the the 6H had trouble getting by Varin. Hohenforst tried several times on the high side to get by the veteran but could not make a clear pass.

That battle would end when caution came out on lap 26. That left Hohenforst with a clear track ahead of him.

With 15 laps to go, Hohenforst had his “Cyclone” in high gear. Rocky Warner had taken over the second spot and set his sights on the leader.

Warner would cut the half a track lead Josh had on the field as the laps clicked down but Josh Hohenforst was flawless on this night as he would rip it up on the outside and get his “Vengeance” on the field.

“I’m pretty worn out,” Hohenforst said. “It’s been three years since I been here. The DKM Cyclone chassis has been good all night. It’s been a tough season this year after coming so close to winning a championship last season at Fonda, but we just kept digging.”

Hohenforst did exactly what he wanted to do on this night.

“We came here tonight to try to get locked in for the Fonda 200,” he said. “It’s great to get the monkey of our backs.”

Warner coming from deep in the field, 19th starting position, but had to settle for second. He was gaining ground on the leader but ran out of laps. Third went to Mike Maresca who came from the 10th position. Fourth was Jackie Brown Jr. and rounding out the top five was outside pole sitter Craig Hanson.

Randy Green, Demetrios Drellos, Mike Ricci, Brian Pessolano and Elmo Reckner rounded out the top ten. A total of twenty three Modified cars checked into the back gate to give the packed house the show they had been waiting for. Heat winners were Reckner, Hohenforst and Hanson.

Andy Bachetti made his way to Glen Ridge for “Vengeance” but was unable to start the feature for reason unknown.

A scary incident took place in the Allstar Slingshot feature when Spencer Cherko was involved in an incident and had to be taken out on a stretcher. It was unknown what his condition at this time but we send him our thoughts and prayers!

The 50/50 was $1,500 that went out to the lucky winner. Thanks to the red chair guy it started at 400.00.

Other winners of the night were:

• Andrew Buff, 602 Crate Modified
• Luke Horning in the Pro Stocks
• The Veteran Danny Ballard in the Sr. Slingshots
• Lucius Duncan, Jr. Slingshots
• Damon Anderson, Street Stocks
• Tanner Warner for his first Career win in the Limited Sportsman
• Josh Kane 4cyl.
• TJ Marlitt 6cyl.

Winning the $1,000 Wing Champ Racing Series feature was Matty Travis. The series had a strong field of 18 carts make the feature which included Bobby Varin.

Glen Ridge Motorsports Park ended its year of with a bang. The pits and stands were full but will now be silent until 2020.