Middletown, NY: Making his first OCFS start of the season, Brett Hearn of Vernon, NJ picked up where he left off after his last appearance here at the 2002 Eastern States. Hearn set second quick time and drew 9th starting position for the North Rockland Towing 100 lap feature on Thursday night. He then worked his way to the front, taking the lead on lap 45.
Hearn raced home for his 105th career 358 modified win here. It was also Hearn's 2nd win on the Turning Stone 358 modified tour this year.
Frank Cozze set fast time as 41 cars were on hand. After the redraw of the top 12 from the heats plus Cozze and Hearn, Jeff Heotzler and Jerry Higbie started on the front row. Heotzler led the first 11 laps until Higbie got by on lap 12. Higbie moved out to a 1/2 straight lead as Hearn worked into second by lap 35. Lapped traffic hindered Higbie's advance with Hearn catching Higbie and then passing for the lead on lap 45. It was clear sailing for Hearn after that as Higbie finished 2nd followed by invader Chad Brachmann.
Cozze came on for 4th followed by Alan Johnson.
Higbie, by finishing 2nd, picked up the guaranteed spot for Syracuse.
Johnson, with his 5th place finish, took over the Series point lead from Tim Fuller by 6 points.
The Expert Pro Stock feature of 20 laps was claimed by Scott Kehr of Hillsdale, NJ for his 2nd win of the season. He now moves into a 2nd place tie on the all time win list with 42 wins. The rookie feature saw Scott St. George of Hopewell Junction, NY win his first ever feature here.
MODIFIED RESULTS:
Top Two From Time Trials - Frank Cozze (22.232), Brett Hearn (22.374)
1st Heat-Jerry Higbie, Tim Fuller, Frank Jashembowski, Tom Perrego, David Van Horn
2nd Heat-Tommy Meier, Matt Sheppard, Steve Paine, Justin Haers, Chuck McKee
3rd Heat-Bud Christmann, Alan Johnson, Jeff Heotzler, Randy Sherlock, Joe Sarvis
4th heat- Chris Shultz, Chad Brachmann, Dale Planck, Mike Kolka, Butch Tittle
1st Consi- Danny Johnson, Randy Chrysler, Joe Barbagallo, Gary Napolitano
2nd Consi- Tom Hindley, Scott Ferrier, Alex Hoag, Billy Eggers, Jr.
FEATURE: 1. Brett Hearn, 2. Jerry Higbie, 3. Chad Brachmann, 4. Frank Cozze, 5. Alan Johnson, 6. Dale Planck, 7. Danny Johnson, 8. Tim Fuller, 9. Matt Sheppard, 10. Tommy Meier, 11. Steve Paine, 12. Bud Christmann, 13. Frank Jashembowski, 14. Butch Tittle, 15. Chris Shultz, 16. David Van Horn, 17. Mike Kolka, 18. Tom Hindley, 19. Randy Chrysler, 20. Billy Eggers, 21. Randy Sherlock, 22. Joe Barbagallo, 23. Gary Napolitano, 24. Chuck McKee, 25. Jeff Heotzler, 26. Scott Ferrier, 27. Alex Hoag, 28. Joe Sarvis, 29. Justin Haers, 30. Tom Perrego
Expert Pro Stocks: Scott Kehr, Bob McGannon, Bill Pascual, Tom Kuck Brian Sheard, Bob Waters, Jr., Dave Barmann, Terry Arnold, John Bryson, Rob Rowe, Eric Marin, Tom Vigh, Jr.
Rookie Pro Stocks: Scott St. George, Bob Johnson, Jim Hajkowski, Roger Oubina, Dan Kelleher, Troy Arnold, Marty Pender, Henry Van Houten, John Odendahl, Paul Tannura, Clark Bradford, Tom Maloney, Joe Allen, Pat O'Mara, Pete Van Noordt, Tony Vitale, Jr., Eric Lindahl