RPW Column: Andy Bachetti Breaks The Ice; Becomes Selingrove’s First Modified Winner Since 2013
Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – SELINSGROVE, PA – For the first time since 2013, the ‘Mighty Modifieds’ of the Short Track Super Series South Region invaded the Selinsgrove Speedway.
Though the Icebreaker event was only a name at first, it became solidified after the speedway saw freezing temperatures overnight which caused the track to literally freeze. It wasn’t until late morning that the track prep crew could actually take to the speedway.
The frozen track caused a delay in start time but, like myself, everyone at the speedway did not seem to notice because it was finally warm and a sunny 55 degree day for race day.
Fans excitedly filed into the Selinsgrove Speedway after 50 Modifieds and 58 Crate Sportsmans had already filled the pit area. After drawing for starting positions, heat races started rolling out onto the speedway.
Larry Wight took the pole in heat 1 and ran away with the win over Jessica Friesen. Mike Mahaney came from last position to finish third and was easily the one that fans loved to cheer on as he passed each car. Duane Howard grabbed the final qualifying spot in 4th position. The first heat race helped shape the track for heat 2 as Tyler Dippel holds off Kyle Coffey to win, Matt Sheppard finished third with Danny Creeden in fourth. Heat 3 saw JR Heffner grabbing the win over Anthony Perrego, Ryan Watt, and Tim Buckwalter. Also in heat 3, Vermont’s own Adam Pierson had a fast car but became a hot rod after the engine blew at the midpoint in the event. Very tough luck for Pierson as he also planned on attending Port Royal on Sunday.
In heat 4, Billy Pauch Jr dominated over Mat Williamson, Dominick Buffalino, and Ryan Godown. However in the post race, Buffalino would be disqualified as he was light on the scales and would go on to a Consi as Matt Stangle would move on to the 40 lap feature. Meanwhile heat 5 saw Mike Gular grabbing the checkered flag over Andy Bachetti, Craig Von Dohren, and Brandon Hightower.
Grabbing the final qualifying spots were Frank Cozze, Jimmy Horton, HJ Bunting, Peter Britten, Max McLaughlin, Billy Van Pelt, Erick Rudolph, and Chad Brachman. Provisionals went out to Mike Maresca, Brandon Grosso, and Danny Bouc to finish setting the field up for the 40 lap feature event.
Off the drop of the green for the 40 lap Icebreaker, JR Heffner takes the race lead from Andy Bachetti and quickly distances himself from the field. Bachetti found his hands full as Kyle Coffey tried multiple times to get by for the second spot. Meanwhile three other drivers are making moves to find their way towards the front, these drivers are Larry Wight, Matt Sheppard, and Anthony Perrego. A lap 8 caution presented opportunities for some drivers but saw no real end result as all drivers ended up in the same positions after a few laps. Kyle Coffey fought hard side by side with Andy Bachetti for second while Heffner still drove away.
Situations began to change after restart for a quick caution on lap 12. Matt Sheppard quickly made his way towards the top 5 making his way past Duane Howard, Mike Gular, and Ryan Watt. Moreover the battle for second became super charged as Larry Wight and Anthony Perrego joined Coffey and Bachetti. Soon this four car battle for second turned into a five car battle for the lead as Heffner’s tires started to fade just after the half way point. Bachetti was able to fend off Coffey and quickly make his way around the outside of Heffner for the lead on lap 23. Bachetti would take over and out pace the cars behind him. Coffey would pass Heffner on lap 24 for second after fending off Wight and attempt to chase down Bachetti for the lead.
The renewed battle between Bachetti and Coffey would not take place as Bachetti would fend off any attempt by driving away from the field. A lap 37 restart would lift Perrego, Sheppard, and Mat Williamson as they would pass Coffey in the final laps to take second, third, and fourth respectively while Bachetti took the checkered flag.
“I saw JR fading a bit and knew these guys would be coming behind me,” Andy Bachetti explained in Victory Lane. “I knew it was time that I needed to make a move.”
Bachetti became the first Modified winner at Selinsgrove Speedway since 2013 as he wins the Icebreaker for the Short Track Super Series South Region.
The Short Track Super Series will visit the Port Royal Speedway next which will be tomorrow, Sunday night March 21, 2021.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modified Velocita-USA South Region Presented By Design for Vision & Sunglass Central Round No. 2 Feature Finish (40 laps): ANDY BACHETTI, Anthony Perrego, Matt Sheppard, Mat Williamson, Kyle Coffey, Larry Wight, Billy Pauch Jr., Tyler Dippel, Mike Mahaney, Ryan Watt, Ryan Godown, Erick Rudolph, Mike Gular, Max McLaughlin, J.R. Heffner, Duane Howard, Peter Britten, Matt Stangle, Jessica Friesen, Craig Von Dohren, Jimmy Horton, Brandon Grosso, Michael Maresca, Danny Bouc, Tim Buckwalter, Frank Cozze, Danny Creeden, H.J. Bunting, Brandon Hightower, Billy Van Pelt, Chad Brachmann.
Did Not Qualify: Danny Johnson, Joseph Watson, Dominick Buffalino, David Van Horn, Jr., Cale Ross, James Sweeting, John Willman, Jackie Brown Jr., Jim LaRock, Jacob Dgien, Jeff Taylor, Marshall Hurd, Kailee DiMorier, Steve Slater, Danny Hieber, Adam Pierson, Stanley Wilkins, Joseph Judge, Ryan Riddle.
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificates): Larry Wight (sixth) & J.R. Heffner (15th)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Mat Williamson (fourth) & Mike Mahaney (ninth)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Mike Gular (Redrew 10th)
Bill Brown & Company Heat-Race Hard Charger ($50): Mike Mahaney (10th to seventh)
Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Halfway Leader Award ($100): J.R. Heffner
Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Winner’s Award (Oakley Sunglasses): Andy Bachetti
Henry’s Exhaust System Power Position ($50 Certificate): Ryan Godown (11th)
Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Hard Charger Award ($150): Erik Rudolph (26th to 12th)
Spec Small-Block Bonus ($250): John Willman (DNQ)
Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance Bonuses ($50 Certificates): Anthony Perrego (second), Erick Rudolph (12th) & Brandon Grosso (22nd)
Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Award ($75 Certificate): Billy Pauch Jr. (seventh)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman Belmont’s Garage South Region Round No. 2 Feature Finish (25 laps): GRANT HILFIGER, John Stevenson, Jared LaBagh, Matt Janczuk, Joe Toth, Justin Grosso, A-Jay Potrzebowski Jr., Michael White, Corey Cormier, Ryan Simmons, Bobby Flood, Tanner Van Doren, Joey Bruning, Adam White, Dakota Kohler, Sammy Martz Jr., Doug Snyder, Payton Talbot, Rick Wegner Jr., Logan Watt, Walt Hammond, Joel Smith, Scott Hitchens, Addison Bowman, Stephen Kemery, Jimmy Leiby, Michael Schane, Walter J. Hammond, Michael Ballestero, Sean Metz.
Did Not Qualify: Jesse Leiby, Josh Allen, Tim Hartman Jr., Jim Dallett, Anthony Tramontana, Doug Kline, Kenny Bock, Kevin Brady, Ryan Godown, Ryan Grim, Ryan Shanahan, Emmett Waldron, Cody Manmiller, Robby Dunn, Daniel Morgiewicz, Bryce Bailey, Scott Kohler, Shawn McPhee, Nick Plumstead, Matt Irwin, Kris Nye, Adam Taft, Sean Weiss, Zack Sam, Mark Benson, Randy Geake, Jason Reome, Robert Butcher.
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonus (FREE Tire Certificate): Ryan Simmons (10th)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($25): Jimmy Leiby (Redrew 12th)
Design for Vision/Sunglass Central Winner’s Award (Oakley Sunglasses): Grant Hilfiger
Evergreen Fuels Inc. Winner’s Bonus ($100): Grant Hilfiger
