RPW Column: Second Career Eastern States Street Stock Championship For Jim Hajkowski

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Jim Hajkowski recovered from an early race incident and pitstop and went on to score the win in the 25-lap Eastern States Street Stock Championship at Orange County.

Hajkowski took the win in a very close finish with Charlie Donald.

It was his second win of the season and second career win in the season-ending event on the Hard Clay.

Hajkowski dedicated the win to his Mom.

“This is my first win that I won since my Mom passed away. This win is for you Mom.”

Orange County’s 2020 Street Stock Champion Bob Sleight brought the field to green, and led the first. It was Charlie Donald taking the lead on lap 3.

Hajkowski was involved in an incident on lap 4 headed to the hot pit for some quick service. Donald maintained his lead over Rob Taylor, but the action really got tight as Rob and Charlie had a great race going at the front. Hajkowski moved into contention, up to 4th by lap 10.

Halfway saw Donald leading Rob Taylor, Hajkowski, Joel Murns and Walt Henry. Close racing up front saw Rob Taylor take the lead with Donald 2nd and Danny Hedges 3rd.

Some 3 wide action for the lead saw Donald move back in front over Taylor and Hedges. Rob Taylor spun on lap 19 and retired from the race. This put Wayne Taylor into 2nd and Hajkowski 3rd,.

Contact between Donald and Wayne Taylor on lap 20 put Hajkowski into the lead. Donald battled his way back up to 2nd and was really challenging Jim for the lead.

At the finish, it was Hajkowski just edging Donald by .088 seconds, about half a car length.

Murns finished 3rd with Ron Constable 4th and Henry 5th.

Dillion Gannon, Paul Harding, Matt Carmano, Wayne Taylor and Joe Morris finished sixth through tenth, respectively.