Tribute To Tommy Druar & Tony Jankowiak At Lancaster Saturday

Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – LANCASTER, NY – On Saturday, August 19th, the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series fueled by Sunoco will headline the 28th Annual Tommy Druar / Tony Jankowiak Memorial 110 at Lancaster (N.Y.) National Speedway. The event honors two of Lancaster’s biggest stars. Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak, brothers-in-law and competitors.

Druar was a two-time Lancaster track champion (1987 and 1988) with 18 modified victories at Lancaster. Jankowiak never claimed a track championship at the track, but he visited modified victory lane 13 times while also capturing the World Series of Stock Car Racing Speedweeks championship at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway in 1990.

The legacy that Druar and Jankowiak have left behind has been immeasurable. Both of their sons continue to race. Andy Jankowiak is a household name in asphalt modified racing, while Matt Druar continues to race on a local level. Druar and Jankowiak’s wives, along with crew members, sponsors, family and friends remain involved in the sport today, carrying the passion that both drivers had for the sport.

“Those two defined what racing was during that era at Lancaster,” stated longtime sponsor and friend of both drivers, Gene Emser. “Their passion was Modified racing and this is a night we all circle on our calendar each year. We get to honor two men that loved racing with a special Modified race. We have so many great memories from both of them and we are looking forward to bringing everyone together again to honor our two great friends Saturday. It is a tradition that we look forward to every year and we are all proud to be a part of it.”

Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., currently leads the Series championship standings heading into the Saturday event over Mike Leaty of Ontario, N.Y., and Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, N.Y.

Tommy Catalano of Ontario, N.Y., is fourth in the championship standings. Tyler Rypkema of Owego, N.Y., who claimed his first series victory at Lancaster in June, sits fifth. All drivers will be on hand with a host of other Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series stars Saturday night to contend for the victory.