WARD WINS FULTON SPEEDWAY 2003 MOTORSPORTS EXPO/GATER NEWS DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE
FULTON, NY...Pat Ward claimed the win in the 35 lap DIRT 358 Modified feature at Fulton Speedway last Saturday on 2003 Motorsports Expo/Gater Racing News Night. Ward took the lead away from Roger Phelps on lap 29 and then held on for the popular win. The win for the driver of the Gypsum Express DIRT 358 Modified was worth $1,500. A total of 53 DIRT 358 Modified teams attempted to qualify for the main event.
Roger Phelps raced out to the early lead at the start of the 2003 Motorspprts Expo/Gater Racing News DIRT 358 Modified feature from the pole starting position. Phelps was very fast in claiming a heat race victory and that carried over into the start of the main event. After five circuits Phelps was leading the 28 car starting field in the top five over Jeremy Smith, Pete Taylor, Jason Barney and Jeff Rudalavage.
At the halfway point of the main event Phelps continued to lead with Ward now up to second from the tenth starting position. Taylor, Smith and Alan Johnson completed the top five at this stage. Don Spatarico, Barney, Tim Fuller, Gordy Button and Matt Sheppard raced in positions sixth through tenth at this stage of the race in the very competitive field.
Johnson worked his way up to third on lap 25 to make it a three car battle for the win. In lapped traffic on lap 29 Ward took the lead away from Phelps. The race was far from over as a caution period came on lap 33 when Fuller lost power on the track. Johnson moved into second with one circuit to go, but Ward went on to the feature win. Johnson and Phelps followed in the top three. Taylor drove a great race to finish fourth while Sheppard worked up to fifth.
Mike Button claimed the win in the 20 lap DIRT Sportsman feature. Button won out over Jim Bowman, Greg Doust, Ryan Richardson and Tim Sears. Ron Loveless led the first eight laps of the main event. Bowman took the lead away from Loveless at that time. Bowman would lead through lap 14. Button took the lead on lap 15 and held on for the well earned win.
Jeremy Clark won his first ever Fulton Speedway Pro Stock feature race last Saturday night. Clark won in a close battle over Dave Bissonette, T.J. Fitzgibbons, Billy King and Lee Burnett. Jason Rood led the opening five laps of the feature. Bissonette took command on lap six and would lead through lap 18. Clark made a three wide move on the final lap for the thrilling win.
Phil Marsden won his first Pure Stock feature race of the season last Saturday night. Phil Marsden claimed the 15 lap feature win over Russ Marsden, Dave Mannise, Kris Cunningham and Kevin Raymond. Phil Mardsden led the first two laps before Mannise took the lead on lap three. The duo swapped the lead on a couple more occasions before Phil Marsden got the upper hand.
Racing will continue this Saturday at Fulton Speedway with the DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks all in competition. One on One Spectator Races and the first Four Cylinder Enduro of the season will also be contested. Race time is set for 7 p.m. For more information please call (315) 593-6531 or go on line to www.fultonspeedway.com.
2003 MOTORSPORTS EXPO/GATER RACING NEWS FEATURE RACE SUMMARY
DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE---Pat Ward, Alan Johnson, Roger Phelps, Pete Taylor, Matt Sheppard, Jeremy Smith, Steve Hulsizer, Todd Burley, Gordy Button, Tom Sears, Jason Barney, Jeff Rudalavage, Ryan Baye, Jim Mahaney, Justin Haers, Ty Hunt, John Barker, John Ventura, Ron White, Rick Miller, Roy Shields, Tim Burnett, Bill Shantel, Don Spatarico, Tim Fuller, J.J. Michaels, Willy Decker, Jimmy Phelps.
DIRT SPORTSMAN FEATURE---Mike Button, Jim Bowman, Greg Doust, Ryan Richardson, Tim Sears, Shane Donath, Ryan Phelps, Jim Kite, Ron Loveless, Billy Shantel, Dave Bargabos, Steve Way, Matt Butler, Jim Livingston, Jeremy Pitcher, Adam Moore, Scott Binns, Sam Reakes IV, Shawn Donath, Walt McArdell, Terry Knobloch, Chad Phelps, Jamie Christian, Billy Price.
DIRT PRO STOCK FEATURE---Jeremy Clark, Dave Bissonette, T.J. Fitzgibbons, Billy King, Lee Burnett, GeoffVanRiper, Ricky Breed, Todd Raabe, Dave Fox, Keith Butler, Pete Backus, Mike Watkins, Jack Terrell, Ryan Buske, Chad Ray, Paul Stoneburg, Jason Rood.
PURE STOCK FEATURE---Phil Marsden, Russ Marsden, Dave Mannise, Kris Cunningham, Kevin Raymond, Bruce Stanton, Dave Marcuccilli, Darren Kelso, Ken Conners, Mark Davison, Curt Prevo, Paul Mercier, John Morrison, Joe Buske, Todd Koegel, Mark Denny, Gary Barton, John Phillips, Kim Mallette, Jamie Glimpse, Michael Barney, Eric Chapman, Scott Castor.