Horton's new team drives to East Windsor Speedway winner's circle in 1999 season opening event
By Jeff Gravatt
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (April 2, 1999) - Veteran dirt track stock car driver Jimmy Horton of Whitehouse Station proved Friday night that he has an eye on a driving crown when he raced to victory in the season opening Kramer Performance engines 25-lap main event for the Small-Block Modified stock cars at the East Windsor Speedway.
Somerville's Andy Hall was the early leader in front of the large opening night ccrowd, but Horton was on a charge as he drove the Deiter Schmidt No. 5 into the lead by lap three. Horton, who had teamed with Schmidt after he and driver Doug Hoffman split earlier in the week, then held off almost constant advances from Freehold's Eddie Bohn all the way to the checker. Lawrenceville's Wade Hendrickson was third, while Doug Manmiller of Sinking Spring, Pa. and Tim Tanner of Ivyland, Pa. wrapped up the top five.
Hoffman, at the wheel of his own No. 1, was sixth, while defending champ Kenny Brightbill was credited with 14th. Both were involved in a late-race tangle while in the top five.
Scott Flammer of West Milford challenged early leaders Bryan Godown of Ringoes and Buck Ward of Trenton in the companion 15-lapper for the Sportsman cars before racing into the lead on lap 10 when Ward slowed with flat tire. Flammer was the story the rest of the way, while Godown was the runner-up and Jim Spence of New Egypt was third. Farmingdale's Mickey Kessler and defending champ Matt Papiez of Belle Mead wrapped up the top five.
Ten-time 1998 winner Jack Zeiner of Nazareth, Pa. forgot nothing during the off-season as he won the 15-lap Street Stock season opener. Kim Cooke of Hamilton challenged him all the way, while defending champ Dave Brymer of Titusville was third. Larry Bubeck of New Hope, Pa. and Somerset's Wayne Hansen were fourth and fifth.
The East Windsor Speedway features the Small-Block Modified, Sportsman and Street Stock racers this Friday evening (April 9) at 7:30 p.m. The 1999 schedule shows that the regular Friday night series will continue weekly through early-October. Several non-Friday evening events are also on the slate. Details can also be obtained by calling the speedway hotlines at 732-521-0915 or 609-448-8510.
RACE RESULTS 99-1
KRAMER PERFORMANCE ENGINES NIGHT
(April 2, 1999)
SMALL-BLOCK MODIFIED
FEATURE - 25 Laps - 1. JIMMY HORTON, WHITEHOUSE STATION; 2. Eddie Bohn, Freehold; 3. Wade Hendrickson, Lawrenceville; 4. Doug Manmiller, Sinking Spring, Pa.; 5. Tim Tanner, Jr., Ivyland, Pa.; 6. Doug Hoffman, Allentown, Pa.; 7. Darren McCaughey, Lebanon; 8. Andy Hall, Somerville; 9. Fred Dmuchowski, Neshanic; 10. Mark Bitner, Allentown; 11. Richie Pratt, Jr.; 12. Mike Franz; 13. Stan Janiszewski; 14. Kenny Brightbill; 15. John Salvatore; 16. Art Taylor; 17. Tad Cox; 18. Mike Johnston; 19. 20. Kevin Hirthler; 21. Eddie Cranmer; 22. Mark Tranquilli; 23. Joe Zuczek
HEAT WINNERS: 1. Bitner; 2. Brightbill; 3. Hoffman
STREET STOCKS
FEATURE - 15 Laps - 1. JACK ZEINER, JR., NAZARETH, PA.; 2. Kim Cooke, Hamilton; 3. Dave Brymer, Titusville; 4. Larry Bubeck, New Hope, Pa.; 5. Wayne Hansen, Somerset; 6. Carol Whitehouse, Hamilton; 7. Len Riley, North Brunswick; 8. Kevin Bifulco, Monmouth Junction; 9. Al Cheney, Cranbury; 10. Whitey Miller, Old Bridge; 11. Frank Dorey; 12. Bob Gettler; 13. Chip Kranz
HEAT WINNERS: 1. Bubeck; 2. Cooke
SPORTSMAN
FEATURE - 15 Laps - 1. SCOTT FLAMMER, WEST MILFORD; 2. Bryan Godown, Ringoes; 3. Jim Spence, New Egypt; 4. Mickey Kessler, Farmingdale; 5. Matt Papiez, Belle Mead; 6. Sam Wescott, Turnersville; 7. Keith Foster; 8. Gary hager, Stewartsville; 9. Jim Harris, Somerset; 10. Rocco Infante, Hamilton; 11. Tom Mutchler; 12. John Oliver; 13. Kevin McCoy; 14. Gerry Hoagland; 15. Rick Holsten; 16. Korey Keimig; 17. Barry Christ; 18. Buck Ward; 19. Stan Ploski, III; 20. Paul Marra; 21. Donny Radd; 22. John Speigel; 23. Robert Shuster; 23. Art Leidel
HEAT WINNERS: 1. Bryan Godown; 2. Keimig