RPW Column: Tough Luck In Tech For Krummel Nets OCFS Sportsman Win For Robert Bublak
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Brian Krummel had a dominating race in the Sportsman at Orange County Fair Speedway on Saturday.
However, a post race tech violation resulted in his disqualification which elevated Robert Bublak, a regular at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Vermont, to his first ever Arkel Motors Sportsman win at OCFS over Joey Bruning and Jeff Hulseapple.
Joe Bonetti and Jared LaBagh were on the front row for the drop of the green. After Bonetti led the 1st lap, LaBagh took the lead on lap 2. 3rd starting Krummel starting pressing LaBagh for the lead.
A lap 4 caution for a 3-4 turn incident involved Josh Allen, Dylan Smith and Chris Johnson. Krummel led on the restart with Bublak moving past LaBagh on lap 6 with Hulseapple moving into the top 5.
Caution flew again after 7 were down.
On the restart, there was some brief 4 wide action that didn’t end well for 2020 OCFS Sportsman Champion Tanner VanDoren, Charles Loiodice and Bobby Flood. VanOrden was able to drive away from the scene, but pulled into the pits and was done for the evening. Allen was towed off and was done as well.
At halfway, it was Krummel, Bublak, Bonetti, Hulseapple and Bruning in the top 5. As the laps counted down, Bruning moved into 3rd ahead of Hulseapple and Bonetti. Krummel crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of Bublak, but was had the post race disqualification.
Bublak took the win over Bruning, Hulseapple, Bonetti and Andrew Buff. Jeff Higham was 6th, LaBagh 7th, and Tyler Corcoran 8th. Mike Bruno, another racer making the long trip from Vermont was 9th and Corey Cormier 10th.
“I wasn’t expecting this when we came back from tech,’ said Bublak in Victory Lane. “But the tech official came over and said that I was the first legal car that came over the line. I’m happy. It’s not the way one wants to win, but it’s good to get the win. This is my 4th time here. Was running well at Eastern States Weekend before dropping out. It’s a great team effort with this group.”
54 Sportsman signed into competition with the 6 heat wins going to Ryan Neiger, LaBagh, Bonetti, Bruning, Allen and Kevin Stevens. Chris Johnson and Corcoran won the consis.
Diamond Home Services and Miller and Miller Pole Line Construction added bonus money to the Sportsman on Saturday. I’m sure it was much appreciated by the racers.
