HOFFMAN HOLDS OFF CAMARA FOR SDS WIN AT FONDA
Wednesday, July 21- Fonda, NY- Doug Hoffman of Allentown, Pa moved to the high side of turn four to hold off Dave Camara to take the win and the Syracuse spot in the 99 lap Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series qualifier at Fonda.
The win was number seven for Hoffman at Fonda, his last being in 1994. Hoffman last won a Super DIRT Week qualifier at Fonda on July 25, 1989.
Jack Cottrell of Rock City Falls, NY was the first 358 modified across the line, giving him the spot in the 358-modified event at Syracuse in October.
Mark Sullivan of Gloversville jumped out to the early lead and was never challenged in the 20 lap Pro Stock event on Wednesday at Fonda. The event went green to checker, and Sullivan picked up his first win of the season and a $100 bonus from the Dairy Isle of Fonda. The win gave Sullivan the qualifying spot in the RWR World Series of Auto Racing in September.
Early in the evening as the final modified heat clicked off three laps on the lap counter a surprised shower hit the first turn and quickly swept across the speedway. The track slicked over, causing a multi-car wreck as the top six cars slide into the first turn wall, two of them flipping. The lead car of Billy Decker of Unadilla, NY flipped several times before coming to rest in the wall. Joe Budka of Scotia, NY also rolled his No. 64. Also involved were Alan Johnson, Tony Pepicelli, Todd Milton and J.R. Heffner. Budka, Pepicelli, and Milton were unable to return for competition.
The initial shower stopped almost as soon as it started and the track crew went to work to get the track ready for racing. About a half-hour later another shower dumped more water on the track. This did not deter Ric Lucia and crew. Once the shower stopped the track crew went to work once more.
The crew continued to work as the fans continued to wait patiently. The patience and hard work of all involved paid off. The time also gave the drivers involved in the wreck time to repair their cars.
After 2 -1/2 hours the racecars were called to the speedway for the remaining laps of the fifth qualifying heat. Decker had to resort to his back up car while, Alan Johnson and J.R. Heffner did repairs and returned to qualify.
When the modified feature came to the track for the 99 lap main event, Ron Smoker and J.R. Heffner sat on the front row.
Before one lap was complete the first yellow flag flew for a multi-car incident in turn two. Smoker was unable to hold off the challenges of Mike Romano on the restart.
Romano led for the next 14 laps until a huge wreck in turn four took out many of the top competitors.
Doug Hoffman got by Romano on the restart. While holding off the challenges of Dave Camara who sat third from lap 75 on, Romano chased Hoffman for the remainder of the event. Romano closed in on Hoffman several times, as Hoffman had to maneuver his way around lap traffic.
With only seven laps remaining, Dave Camara moved into second place. There was only one more caution to close up the field. Hoffman held off Camara and Romano on the restart. Camara made a last lap charge at Hoffman but came up one half a car length short at the finish.
Qualifying event wins went to Brett Hearn, Kenny Tremont, Danny Johnson, Gary Tompkins, and Mike Romano. Consi wins went to Tim McCreadie, Dave Lape, and Vic Coffey.
Advance Auto Parts Modified Qualifier finish (99 laps) 1) DOUG HOFFMAN, 2) Dave Camara, 3) Mike Romano, 4) Brett Hearn, 5) Ron Smoker, 6) Tim McCreadie, 7) Ken Tremont, 8) Jim Horton, 9) Steve Bottcher, 10) Billy Decker, 11) Ronnie Johnson, 12) Andy Bachetti, 13) Dave Lape, 14) Pat Ward, 15) Steve Paine, 16) Jeff Rudalavage, 17) Jack Cottrell (SB) 18) Vic Coffey, 19) Randy Hotaling, 20) Jeff Trombley, 21) Jim Senzio (SB), 22) Danny Johnson, 23) Alan Johnson, 24) Craig Criscone (SB), 25) Jack Johnson 26) Bobby Varin, 27) Tim Fuller, 28) John Marsh, 29) Frank Cozze, 30) J. R. Heffner, 31) Brian Purdy, 32) Gary Tompkins, 33) Lou Lazzaro, 34) Ron Holmes (SB)
Pro Stock RWR World Series Qualifier (20 laps) 1) MARK SULLIVAN, 2) Bryan Peters, 3) Ken Gates, 4) Nick Stone, 5) Dan Ballard, 6) Jim Burton, 7) Dave Viall, 8) Brian Jordan, 9) Steve Welch, 10) Kerry Jordan, 11) Jim Normoyle, 12) Phlan Hart, 13) Steve Burega, 14) Hondo Carpenter, 15) Steve Cosselman, 16) Jay Resch, 17) Charles McSpirit, 18) Jamie Proctor.