GODOWN SCORES CAREER WIN #50 IN NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY OPENER
Four time track champion, Ryan Godown, made his return to the New Egypt Speedway a memorable one as a power move on the last lap of the thirty lap feature saw the Ringoes driver record career win number fifty.
The large crowd in attendance was anxiously awaiting the start of the 2023 season and the new speedway configuration, and by the luck of the draw, defending track champion, Brandon Grosso picked the pole position and took command of the race as the green flag fell with Wade Hendrickson second. Starting the event in the number six slot, it was second generation driver Matt Stangle who began to show his strength early as he reeled in the Grosso Homes #32. Stangle became the new leader prior to the halfway point of the race as the nonstop event saw action throughout the field. With the laps winding down, it was with ten laps to go that Godown, who started in ninth, began to make his move as he cracked the top three and began to quickly zero in on second place Grosso.
The Belle Mead driver held his ground and battled hard before the Camp Out #26 was shown in second with the five to go sign readily approaching. By now Stangle had built up a comfortable lead and with no caution flags in sight appeared to be well on his way to his second career win. But Godown put his many years of experience to use as he now had his sights set on the Stangle #6. With the white flag flying, the fans were on their feet as they knew it would be an exciting last lap shootout. Stangle remained on the low side of the speedway as Godown opted for the upper groove. The two were side by side going down the backstretch and as they entered turn three it was still anyone's race.
Godown held his ground and had just enough power to nip Stangle at the line. Brandon Grosso finished a strong third with Hendrickson fourth and Billy Pauch Jr. fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Justin Grosso, D J Hunt, John McClelland, Kevin Vaclavicek, and Louden Reimert.
New number same results as defending Crate champion, Joe Toth won the twenty lap main event. Winning the title last season in his Belmont Garage #9, the team switched to a very familiar #917 this season for personal reasons. It was Joseph Brown and David Burns who led a field of twenty five into action and once the competitors settled down, it was Burns who had control of the event. Appearing as though he might have this event well under control in the Flemington Department Store #13R, it was Toth who methodically worked his way to the front of the field. Sitting on Burns rear bumper just past the halfway point of the race, Toth made his move and was never seriously challenged, recording the big opening night win. Burns and Brown finished second and third with Matt Ellery fourth and Steve Kemery fifth.
The fifteen lap street stock feature saw Rob Ormsbee return to the Route 539 oval after a one year absence to win the fifteen lap headliner in the John Blewett Inc. #19. The victory was the twelfth of his career for the 2021 track champion. Second spot went to Vern McLaughlin with Bill Liedtka third, TJ Hewitt fourth, and early leader Gary Klimeczak fifth.
Defending MASS 305 champ Buddy Schweibinz won the twenty five lap main event. It appeared as though Brian Carber had the race all but won, but when the caution flag flew on lap twenty four, Carber rolled into the pit area and out of the race. On the restart, Schweibinz held off Tim Iulg to take the season opener. Phil Meisner was third, Dave Brown fourth, and Jeff Paulson fifth.
Next up on the schedule will the Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman, NEWS, 4-Cylinders, and the Rookies. Grandstand gates swing open at 4PM with warmups at 5 PM and green flag racing at 6 PM.