Billy Decker Does It Again ... Inches Closer to Big Block Modified Crown
By Dave Medler
Brewerton, NY - Billy Decker moved one step closer to the 2008 DIRTcar Modified Championship Friday night at the "D-Shaped Dirt Demon". Decker got around Pat Ward for the lead on lap-22 and from there went unchallenged for his sixth win of the year in the 35-lap main. Alan Johnson came home second setting up a final week battle for the Track Title with Decker. Johnson trails by only 20-points going into the final points paying event.
Dale Caswell picked up his 12th Victory of 2008 in the IMCA Modified 20-lap Feature. Other winners were Doug Williams, 20-lap ESDCA Mod Lite and Matt Wetterer, 15-lap Four Cylinder Super Stocks.
Fresh off his win last Sunday night at Cayuga Couthy Fair Speedway, Mike Bowman out raced Tony Steiner to lead the opening lap of the 35-lap Modified Feature. Pat Ward and Johnny Hill gave chase early on.
By lap-5 Bowman opened a five car cushion over Ward and Hill as Steiner and Steve Hulsizer tried to close the gap running fourth and fifth.
A slowing Bob Henry Jr brought out the first yellow of the race on lap-6. Henry went pit side but did return.
When the green came back out the most serious incident of the night took place. Exiting turn two, Hill, Steiner and Chuck Bower got together launching Bower off the back straight into the woods. Bowers car suffered serious damage and was done for the night. Hill and Steiner went to the pits to check for damage, both rejoined to race.
With 10-laps in Bowman and Ward ran side by side with Hulsizer, Alan Johnson and Billy Decker racing towards the front. One lap later running the top Ward took over the lead from Bowman.
Hill looped his car in turn one on lap-14 bring out the caution once again. Hill went to the pits and was done for the night.
When the green came back out, Ward was able to take off and put some distance on the field. Bowman and Johnson ran side by side with Decker right on their back bumper waiting for an opening.
At the halfway point Ward led by a few car lengths as Decker rocketed by both Johnson and Bowman to take over the runner-up spot.
With 20-laps in the books Decker cut down Wards lead down to less than a car, Johnson at this point ran a distant third. Bowman and Hulsizer still ran in the top five.
On lap-22 Decker found the bite he needed as he drove by Ward to take over the top spot and looked to run away.
With ten to go Decker opened up a comfortable lead over Ward, Johnson and Hulsizer ran third and fourth with Jim Witko now breaking into the top five.
Over the remaining laps nobody had anything for Decker as he was the first under the checkers by a full straightaway. Johnson kept his title hopes alive going into the final week coming home second. Hulsizer, Witko and Johnson rounded out the top five.
"For pure numbers I think this is the best (season) we have ever had," said Decker after exiting his Gypsum Wholesalers, No.91. "Brewerton, in my opinion is easily the best track in upstate New York. It lends it's self to great racing. The fans are great. By in large it's easy on equipment and it's a fun place to race."
Next Friday August 29 will bring the end to the 2008 point season as Champions will be crowned. On the card will be the DIRTcar Modifieds, IMCA Modifieds, ESDCA Mod Lites, Four Cylinder Super Stocks, Four Cylinder Enduro and Fireworks. Gates open at 5:30 with the first green flag to wave at 7:30.
For more information contact the Speedway office at 315-668-6906 or visit www.brewertonspeedway.com.
(Modified 35-Laps) - Billy Decker, Alan Johnson, Steve Hulsizer, Jim Witko Jr., Pat Ward, Matt Sheppard, Shawn Donath, Kevin Bates, Mike Bowman, Willy Decker, Kyle Lewis, Chad Phelps, Jeremy Smith, Larry Wight, Tony Steiner, Matt Fink, Jimmy Phelps, Billy Dunn, Tom Sears Jr., Johnny Hill, Chuck Bower, Bob Henry Jr., Rick Rogala.