PATIENCE PAYS BIG DIVIDENDS FOR JUSTIN GROSSO; COLLECTS SECOND CONSECUTIVE WIN AT NES
June 12, 2023
Coming off of a nearly perfect performance the previous week, young Justin Grosso backed it up with another flawless outing Saturday night winning the thirty lap main event at the New Egypt Speedway. The victory helped to bolster the Belle Meade driver into a solid fourth place position in the current modified point standings.
Former Sportsman and Crate champion, Jim Houseworth took the lead when the initial green flag fell with Paul Mancini second and D J Hunt third. Hunt moved the Creston Hydraulics sponsored #24 into second on lap three and it was second generation driver Matt Stangle who cracked the top three on lap four. The top three drivers remained steadfast throughout the first half of the event and more than likely would have finished that way had the race remained under green flag conditions. But when fourth place runner Louden Reimert came to a stop exiting turn two on lap sixteen, the complexion of the race would dramatically change.
With Reimerts machine removed from the speedway, the restart saw Stangle vault into the lead with Justin Grosso now second and Houseworth third. Coming within one lap of winning the Cabin Fever 40 season opener, it appeared as though Stangle had the line and the power to complete the task this time. But Justin Grosso patiently edged closer to the Ace Materials/Active Disposal #6 as the field received the five to go sign, Finding a groove which seemed to work for the Grosso Homes #J24, Grosso began to make his move when starter Terry Branson displayed the two to go sign. Trying his best to hold off Grosso, Stangle saw his efforts go astray with the white flag waving as it was Grosso who was now scored the leader. Stangle attempted to regain the lead, but came up short as Grosso scored career win number three.
Defending modified champion, Brandon Grosso, finished third with current point leader Ryan Godown fourth and early leader Houseworth fifth. Hunt had a solid run taking sixth with John McClelland seventh, Jack Butler eighth, Danny Bouc ninth, and Wade Hendrickson tenth.
After finishing in the top three positions in three out of the first five events presented this year without a win, David Burns finally had all of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place as he won the twenty lap Crate 602 feature. The win strengthened his number two spot in the current point standings list as he looks to capture the 2023 title.
Rickly Moran had the distinction of leading the first three laps of the race before giving way to Ryan Simmons on lap four. Looking to turn around what has been a disappointing season to date, Simmons and his peers saw the yellow lights blink on for Mike Baldwin who stopped in turn two.
The restart played into the hands of Burns as he outran Simmons going into turn one to become the third different leader of the event. Matt Ellery darted into second on lap eleven and began to track down Burns. But with only green flag laps remaining, it was Burns who brought the Flemington Dept Store #13R in for the win. Current point leader Joe Toth was third followed by Simmons and Dan Fleming.
Defending track champion, Mick D'Agostino, added his name to the 2023 NEWS winners list as he captured the twenty lap main event. D'Agostino becomes the fourth different winner in the five events presented this season in a division which will see a points race go down to the final event of the year. Larry Drake led the first three laps before giving way to D'Agostino on lap four. Once out front, the Massachusetts driver was never challenged, taking yet another win. Brenden Hires crossed the finish line in second with Rich Mellor third, Heidi Hedin fourth, and Eric Jennings fifth.
Robby Dunn took the lead on lap eight of the fifteen lap 4-Cylinder feature and went on to win the race. Doug Ashford was second with Kyle Hurley third, Garrett Mull fourth, and Bobby Drayton IV fifth.
Ryan Maher scored his fourth win of the season in the eight lap Flemington Dept Store Crate Rookie feature. Finishing in second was Isaac Elsner with Tim Franks third, Zach Cook fourth, and Glenn Borden fifth.
Next Saturday night the Crates, NEWS, Street Stocks, 4 - Cylinders, and the Rookies will be in action. The modifieds will have the night off as they prepare for the Garden State Gunfight 6 on Tuesday June 20th.