RPW Column: Bachetti Wasn’t To Be Denied On Saturday At Lebanon Valley; Haas Continues Streak

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – Andy Bachetti just has one of those special cars this year for his run at the Lebanon Valley Speedway Modified track title.

He proved it again on Saturday night when he made the pass of Kolby Schroder for the lead coming to the white flag and went on to grab his third victory on the high banks in 2020.

Bachetti seems to be racing with a little more confidence than he’s had in the last few years, and it’s showed as with the victory, he regained the point lead from Kenny Tremont.

It wasn’t a cakewalk for Bachetti who had to chase down leader Schroder late in the going of the 30-lap event. The two drag raced down the backstretch on the next-to-last lap, and Sheffield, MA driver pulled a slide job on the Steve’s Auto Repair #99 to gain the lead he wouldn’t relinquish enroute to his 50th career Big Block Modified win at Lebanon Valley.

“I saw Kolby getting a little bit loose down in turns one and two and I capitalized on that,” Bachetti said. “He was better in three and four but getting the run I needed off two is what helped me make the pass.”

With the caliber of drivers and the improved equipment each year, the competition is getting better and better, which makes the driver’s job a little tougher to get to the front. Bachetti understands that, which makes winning so much more gratifying.

“Everybody’s getting faster, for sure,” he said. “There’s no doubt and the track’s a little different. I was lucky to have a good starting spot, firing from fifth. I’m usually coming from 15th and I don’t think I could have done that tonight, though. Everyone’s real fast and we just have to keep doing our homework.”

Bachetti understands that this season hasn’t been your typical racing campaign, but he’s enjoying the success he’s having at the Valley.

“I can’t say enough about this racecar and the season we’re having right now,” he said. “It’s just been pretty awesome to drive this car into victory lane.”

Kolby Schroder looked like he had the car that was going to sit in victory lane. Grabbing the lead from Kyle Armstrong at the one-third mark of the event, Schroder appeared to be on his way to the victory in the caution-free event. That was, however, until two laps to go.

“I gave it everything I had,” Schroder said. “We’ve been struggling the last few weeks but I know we’ve got a good hot rod this year. Andy’s just really fast and I made one mistake down in one and two and he got to me.”

Even with the disappointment of a second place finish, Schroder was still happy to have a good run.

“Andy raced me clean,” he said. “It was fun and congratulations to him, but we’ll be back next week to get after it.”

Armstrong, Peter Britten and Eddie Marshall completed the top five.

At the lap 15 mark of the Small Block Modified feature, Brett Haas gained the lead from Steve Hough and was never challenged again. That’s not necessarily the note-worthy part

Yes, Haas recorded his second win of the season in the division, but coupled with his first career Big Block Modified win of a week ago, Haas and the 55 team have no been to victory lane at the Valley in three consecutive weeks.

The battle early was between leader Hough and second place runner Kim LaVoy. The two waged war for several laps before Haas joined the fray. The Pittsfield, MA racer first got passed LaVoy and eventually Hough and went on to take the victory and make up some ground in the points race.

“Steve (Hough) ran a phenomenal race,” Haas said. “So did Kim as the two of them were battling hard up front. Steve had the preferred line and I knew we were good up there but he was holding his own. Luckily we were able to get him but he ran a great race.”

Since making the switch from Teo to Bicknell a few years ago, with the different technology that Bicknell had put into their cars, Haas’ career has been rejuvenated. After going winless for nearly four years, he’s visited victory lane and visited it quite often.

“We’ve done a ton of research over the past few seasons with this Bicknell car,” he said. “With this set up, I think we’ve figured some things out.”

Track conditions really played into Haas’ driving style as well with the smooth, but slick surface, presented a great track for the drivers.

“The track was in really good shape,” he said. “It was slick down low but it was in great condition and this was the place to be tonight.”

Steve Hough came home in second and with the luck he’s had in 2020, he’ll take it.

“The car was right tonight and we were hoping for a win,” Hough said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get it but we’ll accept a second place. The car doesn’t need any work or repairs so it was a good run.”

One year ago, fellow 358-Modified campaigner Brandon Pitcher was killed in an off-track accident and Hough had a big piece of Pitcher in his #34 on Saturday.

“This was one of Brandon’s motors in our car tonight,” he said. “The engine runs great. I really wanted to win it for him and the Pitcher family but came up one spot short.”

Olden Dwyer held off new division point leader Timothy Davis for third at the line with LaVoy rounding out the top five finishers.