MCCREADIE AND RICHARDSON WIN AT CCFS; HAERS EARNS 358-MODIFIED SYRACUSE SPOT
by Craig McNeilly
WEEDSPORT-- Bob McCreadie is not having one of his better years, but try telling that to the Weedsport regulars. The 51-year old McCreadie led all but the first two laps of the main Sunday evening en route to his second CCFS triumph for '02 and a $3,000 payday.
The 50-lap modified feature also served as a Syracuse Sunoco/Aplus 75 Championship qualifier for 358-modifieds, with Justin Haers earning the Super DIRT Week spot by virtue of his third-place finish.
"I figured we'd run around the top of the track and see what happened." McCreadie said. "Our cars may not be the best right now, but my guys work real hard to get them competitive.
The DIRT Modified main event was a non-points show due to the scheduled 100-lap Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series being contested at the Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway. Accordingly, many big-block competitors involved in the Mr. DIRT points race were absent from competition.
With no handicapping in place for a non-points race, McCreadie started outside of the front row, the spoils of winning the second qualifying heat.
Pole-sitter A.J. Romano grabbed the lead at the drop of the green but relinquished it to the bearded veteran the third time around. Romano, working the low groove, drew alongside McCreadie's No. 9 multiple times, but settled for second position at the checkers.
Haers was a stout third, followed by Jimmy Phelps in fourth and Tom Sears, Jr. in fifth. Scott Prentice was sixth with Joel Beyea and Tom Juhl, seventh and eighth respectively. Roger Phelps and Tony Buffa completed the top ten.
Ryan Richardson won his first career sportsman main in dramatic fashion, retaking the lead from Shawn Donath on the final circuit of the 20-lap contest. Richardson first took the lead on lap 12 when Ryan Phelps and Donath came together while exiting turn two.
Richardson drove underneath the pair and opened up a three-car length advantage. A lap 18 restart saw Donath mount a charge on the outside and lead the 19th lap, but Richardson battled back on the bottom, taking the lead and the win as they exited turn four.
Following Richardson and Donath were Greg Doust in third, and Tim Sears and Ryan Phelps in fourth and fifth.
Tommy Barron was victorious in the pro stocks, slipping past Ricky Breed on lap five before holding off a determined Jeremy Clark in the 20-lap full-fender finale.
Rob Dietrick picked up his second Empire Super Sprint win of the weekend, leading every lap of the 20-lap main. Steve Dow was second and Billy Coffey was third. Young Erin Crocker won the Dash.
Sunday, July 14 is Budweiser Fan Appreciation night at CCFS, with a carload of fans being admitted for $20.00. A full card of big-block Modifieds, sportsman, pro stocks and four-cylinder Enduros are being presented by Budweiser.
MODIFIED(50L): Bob McCreadie, A.J. Romano, Justin Haers, Jimmy Phelps, Tom Sears, Scott Prentice, Joel Beyea, Tom Juhl, Roger Phelps, Tony Buffa, Ray Bliss Jr., Steve Hulsizer, Mike Ward, Roy Shields, Jim LaRock, Jim Burke, Karl Comfort, Bobby Varin, Scott Ridley, Dave Axton
SPORTSMAN(20L): Ryan Richardson, Shawn Donath, Greg Doust, Tim Sears, Ryan Phelps, Eldon Payne, Gary Gallerie, Russ Hefti, John Juhl, Donnie Wetmore, Mark Yorker, John Pfeffer, Mark Cammuso, Jason Potter, Mike Conrow, Shane Donath, Rob Relfe, Eric Richardson, Ron Loveless, Don Burke, Gary Morrissette
PRO STOCK(20L): Tommy Barron, Jeremy Clark, Zack Shove, Ricky Breed, Fred Dennis, John Underwood, Mike Watkins, Randy Skiff, Dave McCready, Patrick Hobbs
EMPIRE SUPER SPRINT(20L): Rob Dietrick, Steve Dow, Bill Coffey,Doug Emery, Lance Yonge, Kyle Drum, Alain Bergeron, Mike Woodring, Bobby Podolak, Mike Young, Ryan Coniam, Mike Stelter, Ray Preston, Rick Wilson, Tim Kelly, Jeff VanDusen, Brian Dumigan, Erin Crocker, John Karklin, Phil Mott, Don Sharp, Dan Kaszubinski, Bubby Kerrick, Billy White