BICKNELL, BRACHMANN, BOYLE, MORRIS, AND CONDREN CLAIM VICTORIES AT RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY'S SEASON OPENER

RANSOMVILLE, NY…What an awesome night for the season opener at the big "R", Ransomville Speedway. The track surface was smooth and tacky through-out the night providing side by side racing action during all five feature events for the packed grandstands.

Pete Bicknell of St. Catherines, Ont., topped the field in the 30 lap Mighty Taco 358 Modified feature event. Bicknell started on the pole position by virtue of setting fast time the Sunday prior during time-trials and was never seriously challenged after lap two. Bicknell was piloting a 2001 Bicknell chassis sponsored by Zerex and Bicknell Racing Products.

Todd Gordon ran a strong second for twenty-nine out of thirty laps before getting taken over by Vic Coffey of Leicester, NY. Coffee finished second in points during the 2000 season. Gordon held on for third followed by defending Ransomville champion Danny Johnson. Johnson was in his 1997 Troyer as his new car wasn't quite ready. Robbie Krull rounded out the top five.

Chad Brachmann of North Tonawanda, NY took the win aboard the Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free Sportsman 20 lap feature. Brachmann is the defending track champion in the division and looks well on his way to a possible third title in as many years. After starting in the third position, Brachmann quickly advanced to second and reeled in leader Scott George. Once by George, Brachmann pulled out to a commanding straight away lead. George held onto second followed by Don Martin, Kevin Wills, and Mark Potter.

Jason Boyle of Middleport, NY captured the 20 lap NAPA Prostock feature event. By virtue of setting fast time in time-trials, Boyle started in the pole position and held off persistent challenges by defending champion Pete Stefanski. A sophomore driver this season, it was Boyle's first win at Ransomville and his second over-all.

Stefanski crossed the line in second but was later dis-qualified in post race inspections for having not conformed to the rules as stated. Steve Miller of Olcott, NY was credited with second followed by Jeff Martin, Dan Schulz, and Steve Devos.

The Fish's Automotive Street Stocks ran twin 15 lap events with Alex Morris claiming the win in the first. Morris quickly jumped into the lead shortly after the drop of the green and held off challenges from Mark Boyer in the later stages. Boyer finished in second followed by defending champion Ken Washburn, Kirk Tuttle, and Shawn Graham.

The second twin event win went to Jerry Condren who led the entire 15 laps. Condren of Youngstown, NY started on the pole position and held off challenges by Clarence Center driver Dave Webster in the later stages. Webster finished in second followed by Bobby Clare, Dave Nichols who rebounded nicely from a lap one spin, and Eric Ben.

MIGHTY TACO MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH…PETE BICKNELL, Vic Coffey, Todd Gordon, Danny Johnson, Robbie Krull, Chad Brachmann, Ricky Richner, Rich Vinson, Don Spatarico, Tim Murdock, Sam Crogan, Russ Zimmerman, Todd Burley, Billy Krull, and Rick Hoctor. Heat winners were Bicknell and Robbie Krull.

QUEENSTON-LEWISTON DUTY FREE SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH…CHAD BRACHMANN, Ricky Richner, Don Martin, Kevin Wills, Mark Potter. Dave Just, Stewart Friesen, Rob Kott, Jeff McGinnis, Randy Chrysler, Tony Purgarich, Wayne McKie, John Hagerman, Dave Schulz, Mark Schulz, Sean Kott, John Zimmerman, Bob Winters, Dave Nashwinter, PJ Allen, Jim Zimmerman, and Dan Lacey. Heat winners were George, Brachmann, and Just.

NAPA PROSTOCK FEATURE FINISH…BOB BOYLE, Steve Miller, Don Martin, Dan Schulz, Steve Devos, Dan Shoop, Roger Chrysler, Pat McCoy, Joe Stefanski, Mark Loveland, Dan Mayer, Aaron Jacobs, Eric Greenlief, Mike Williams, Amo Webster, AJ Schultz, Jon Miller, Steve Lewis, and Butch Zimmerman. Heat winners were Jon Miller, Pat McCoy, and Steve Miller.

FISH'S AUTOMOTIVE STREET STOCK FEATURE FINISH #1…ALEX MORRIS, Mark Boyer, Ken Washburn, Shawn Graham, Roger Israel, Wayne Close, Cory Sawyer, John Dietz, Richard Champigny, Digger Lester, Dave Stolzenberg, Jeremy Wilson, and Joe Richard.

FISH'S AUTOMOTIVE STREET STOCK FEATURE FINISH #2…JERRY CONDREN, Dave Webster, Bobby Clare, Dave Nichols, Eric Ben, Ben Hornquist, Jaren Israel, Chris Jacobs, Randy Zimmerman, Dave Jowdy, Jeremy Martin, and Dan Baughman.