INVADER BRACHMANN LEAVES CCFS WITH SYRACUSE 358-MODIFIED SPOT
by Craig McNeilly
WEEDSPORT-- Chad Brachmann came to Cayuga County Fair Speedway Sunday night with the hope of being the first 358-modified competitor to finish the 50-lap race, thus earning a starting spot in the Sunoco/Aplus 75 at Syracuse in October.
Brachmann did himself one better, winning the race outright and beating DIRT's winningest driver, Bob McCreadie, to claim the top prize of $2,500.
"This is awesome, just awesome," said Brachmann afterward. "We've always run decently here, but to come out here tonight and beat the big-blocks, it's just awesome. We'll try to carry this momentum into the next couple of Turning Stone series races.
Brachmann, the 2001 Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRT Sportsman champion, started ninth on the grid for the non-points contest. The usual handicapping system was shelved with all but four of the CCFS big-block regulars competing at the Advance Auto Parts Series race at the Tri-City Speedway.
Brachmann picked his way forward, entering the top-five after a lap 14 restart. The slick track hooked up well with the small-block powered Bicknell chassis Brachmann piloted, and he set his sights on early leaders McCreadie and Jimmy Phelps.
A lap 17 restart provided another opportunity for Brachmann, who moved past McCreadie for the runner-up slot. One lap later Brachmann moved under Phelps and assumed command, leading by as much as ten car-lengths on the way to his third victory of his rookie season as a 358-modified racer.
Pole-sitter McCreadie, who led the initial 14 circuits, made his way by a fading Phelps on lap 30 and settled for a distant second at the wire. Tim Burnett used the low side of the track to rebound up through the pack for a third-place effort. Bryon Turner was fourth, with Ray Bliss Jr. completing the top five.
Tom Sears was sixth followed by Phelps and Jeremy Corcoran with A.J. Romano and Jimmy Chester rounding out the top-ten finishers under the checkers.
Bob Henry Jr. won the 20-lap sportsman feature in controversial fashion. Henry appeared to make contact with race leader Tim Sears on a lap 18 restart, with Sears ending up spun out against the front stretch wall. Henry continued on for the win with rookie Eric Richardson placing a close second in his Frigidaire-backed No. R12.
Loren Lincoln was third with John Pfeffer and Eldon Payne fourth and fifth respectively.
Doug Norrie won the 20-lap mini-sprint feature passing Mike Emhoff for the lead on lap 15. Norrie was trailed by Robert Lynt and Bryan Howland. Emhoff pitted with a small fire underneath his racer, returning to the race once it was extinguished.
Patrick Hobbs took top honors in the 15-lap DIRT Pro Stock race followed by Dave McCready and Keith Butler. Early leader Zack Shove and second-place running Tommy Barron became entangled while under caution, and had to have their front and rear bumpers separated by the safety crew. Shove retired from the race while Barron restarted at the rear of the field.
Sunday, August 11 CCFS hosts a regular slate of action, all beginning at 7 p.m. on AAMCO Transmission- K & S car wash night.
FEATURE RESULTS SUMMARY
Modified(50L): Chad Brachmann, Bob McCreadie, Tim Burnett, Bryon Turner, Ray Bliss Jr., Tom Sears Jr., Jimmy Phelps, Jeremy Corcoran, A.J. Romano, Jimmy Chester, Mike Adderley, Vinnie Vitale Jr., John Juhl, Justin Haers, Jim LaRock, Mike Bliss, Roy Shields, Roger Phelps, Mike Ward, Tim Harris.
Sportsman(20L): Bob Henry Jr., Eric Richardson, Loren Lincoln, John Pfeffer, Eldon Payne, Jeremy Pitcher, Ron Loveless, Mike Conrow, Walt Chyrywatty, Sammy Reakes Jr., Greg Doust, Mark Camusso, Bob Relfe, Don Burke, Amanda Gano, Tim Sears, Ryan Richardson, Chad O'Hara, Ryan Phelps, Donnie Wetmore, Russ Hefti, Shawn Donath.
Pro Stock(15L): Pat Hobbs, Dave McCready, Keith Butler, Mike Watkins, John Underwood, John Patrovich, Fred Dennis, Tommy Barron, Ricky Breed, Cory Kolz, Zack Shove, Randy Skiff, Matt Smith.
Mini-Sprint(20L): Doug Norrie, Robert Lynt, Bryan Howland, Lance Odell, Cory Sparks, Matt Norrie, Eric Cartier, Phil Peworchik Jr., Rob Stennett, Dennis Fink, Mike Emhoff, Dubby Woodruff, Barry Virts, Ed Warren, Jeff Howell, A.J. Bagazzi, Dale Roloson, James Brush, Aric Copeland, Lawton Woodruff, Rick Lawler, Jeff LaMonte, Jeremy Quick, Bill Jaycox Jr.