RPW Column: Reviewing The 2019 Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series Season…Part 3
RPW Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – GLOVERSVILLE, NY – The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) grew by leaps and bounds in 2019. Here’s part 3 of our season in review.
At two of our events, before the racing action took place, it was time for two special giveaways to happen.
First off, we had to say goodbye to our “Legend Rocking Chair. This was the day of our drawing. the chair was our baby. We started raffling off tickets for it in March at the Northeastern Car Show.
CD Coville graciously drew the lucky winner as he was one of the Legends on the chair. John Wentworth was the lucky winner who stated that he cheered for Coville when “Super CD” raced.
Our other fun project was the “Legends Of The Valley” cabinet. The lucky winner’s name was drawn at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway at Malta’s Massive Weekend.
The series final points race, “The finale At The Fairgrounds” took us back to the “Track of Champions.” There was a full field of cars making their way to the famed oval and all eyes were on Rob Sanford and John Flach.
Flach came from deep in the pack as he reeled in Sanford in the later stages of the race to challenge for the lead. The veteran from Ravena, NY made an attempt to pass the leader in lap traffic.
These two heavy hitters sliced through traffic while Dan Wood, who was running third, was watching the show in front of him. Wood was where he needed to be as he was the Sportsman leader, but it was entertaining to watch.
Flach gave it one more shot but was boxed in behind the lap cars and was unable to make the pass as fans were on the edge of their seats.
Sanford would go on to win this battle. However, it was Flach that won the war as he was crowned 2019 Vintage Modified Champion.
Dan Wood’s overall third place finish gave him the Sportsman win along with the Vintage Sportsman Championship. This was a proud achievement that the veteran racer could take back to the 115 stables.
John Roese would win the 15-lap feature in the Late Model class but it was Malcum Warner in his #44 that came away with the class title.
The question was, though, could anybody beat long-time campaigner Frank Blanchard in the Vintage Antique Class?
The answer was no, as Blanchard would sweep the season with the victory at Fonda.
After the night’s racing action was done, the four champions were crowned for their dedication and excellence on the track this past season. Four outstanding gentleman representing the MVVDMS.
Once again our series would have not flourished in 2019 if not for all our great sponsors:
- NESCOT
- Spraker’s Taxi
- John’s Auto Service Center
- Custom By Bob Signs and Designs
- Boyd’s Motorworks
- Hoffman Racing
- Kugler’s Red Barn
- Winner’s Circle Restaurant
- Mathewson Farms
- Buanno’s Custom Body Shop
- Final Reward Trophy Shop & Imprintables
- New Day Morors
- L&E Smith Construction
- Swagger Factory Apparel
- Red Chair Guy
We are certainly fortunate to have such great supporters. Thank you for each and every one of you.
What took our series over the top was all the dedicated drivers that made the shows fun and exciting for the fans and promoters. We had an amazing group of drivers that participated in our five point shows. They included:
- John Flach
- Rob Sanford
- Stanley Wetmore
- Merv Blackwell
- Tex Gorden
- Mike Houghtaling
- Jay Lais
- Jon Atkins
- Doug Atkins
- Phil Barkin
- Dan Wood
- John Constantino
- Mike Francisco
- Dan Karl
- George Palmer
- Bryon Seyfried
- Carl Cram
- Kevin Parry
- Ed Lawrence
- Jon Kuleszo
- Brian Gray
- Michelle Kuleszo
- Malcum Warner
- John Roese
- Bill liese
- Will Reed
- Frank Blanchard
- Alan McDonald
- Ed Docskalik
- Mark Reardon
- Tony Kamburelis
- Mike Cole
- Brian Scofield
- John Mason
- Harley Shepard
- Tim Warner
- Paul Mitchel.
Our 2019 season ended at the Winners Circle Restaurant in Fonda, NY for our awards banquet to honor all series drivers. Since 2018, our attendance at the event grew. We went from 36 people to 135 people that participated in the celebration. Yes! MVVDMS certainly made great strides.
The series also participated in races that were open Vintage shows that included Lebanon Valley “Legends of Lebanon” and Afton Motorsports Park “Afton Vintage Attraction’. Both events saw large car counts, especially at Afton with a record number of 32 Vintage cars representing our great history of Dirt track racing.
As promoter or the MVVDMS, I would personally like to thank the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) for letting us be a part of their great organization. We are honored to participate to have them give three of our drivers very deserving awards.
The Driver’s Performance Award went to John Flach with the Achievement Award going to Stanley Wetmore and Contributor Award to Alan McDonald.
Vintage racing would not be possible if not for all of the special promoters that allows us to show the seasoned fans and the younger generation the drivers and cars from yesteryear.
Thank you’s go out to:
- Brett Deyo
- Lyle DeVore
- Butch Hazzard
- Ray Sefrin
- Howard Commander
- Ron Ford
Thank you for letting us bring to the fans the memories of our great sport’s past.
We could not go without thanking all of terrific Media that helped us promote the series and all of the great photographers that took those special photos.
Last, but most importantly, we need to thank the fans. It’s because of all the terrific fans that the MVVDMS that our series has continued to grow. Those cheering and enjoying what our drivers presented helped many to remember the days gone by.
2019 was certainly a great year for the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series. We can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store. However, one thing is for certain. We will do our part in keeping our great sport of dirt racing memories and history alive and strong…right now, and for years to come.
