Hamm Scores Second Win of ‘05
by: Mike Mallett - 08/06/05
Afton, NY - Races can be won and lost on restarts, just ask Bob Hamm Jr.
Hamm, of Windsor, N.Y., took full advantage of a lap two restart to grab the lead and ultimately the win in Friday’s nights 30 lap Modified main event.
“I’m really happy with my car,” said Hamm. “We worked really hard getting the car ready and it was perfect tonight.”
Hamm started in spot number three for the main event and grabbed the second spot on the very first circuit after an incident on the front straightaway involving Jim Corcoran, George Kostanlasky, and Jeremy Smith.
On the ensuing restart, Hamm grabbed the top spot away from pole-sitter Mike McCollum. McCollum attempted to battle back on the low side but it was to no avail as Hamm was too strong on the high side of the speedway and led lap two.
Now in front, Hamm was felt the pressure of Windsor, N.Y., driver Craig Terrell. Terrell pressured Hamm from lap 13 on until he got a right rear flat forcing him pit-side.
With Terrell out of the picture, Ed Strada moved into the second to attempt to work past Hamm, but he couldn’t finish the task as Hamm controlled the complete distance claiming the win.
“With track being a little dry our setup was right on,” said Hamm. “If it stays this way it really benefits me because it fits my driving style.”
Strade of Lake Ariel, Pa., held on for the second spot, the “Racing Lawyer,” Ricky Yetter came home third, Matt Smith finished fourth, and Nazareth, Pa.’s J.R. Crouse came home in the fifth spot.
In Sportsman action, Bob Mills of South Plymouth, N.Y., picked up the win while holding off Butch Klinger and Rodney Hart.
“Our car was awesome tonight,” said Mills. “There are a lot of strong cars here and we were fortunate to win.”
Skip Pickwick led the first three circuits before Jeff Leslie dove to the bottom of turn two take the top spot away on lap 4. Leslie was able to control the next three laps with Mills quietly working into the number two spot. Then, on lap eight, Leslie slid high in turn two opening the door for Mills to take the top spot. Now the race leader, Mills dealt superbly with lapped traffic as well as Klinger and Hart to grab the checkered flag.
In Pro Stock action, Binghamton, N.Y., driver Brett Barrett picked up his second consecutive win and his third of the season overall. Pat Nolan grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag with Wade Decker in tow. Decker man handled the top spot away on lap two only to give it up one lap later as Joe Reeves powered by him on the bottom in turn four. Reeves led until lap 13 when Barrett took the lead using the high side of turn two. Once in front, Barrett held off all challengers to grab the victory.
The 15 lap main event for the Pure Stocks went to Darl EllisSr. Ellis led the entire distance to claim his first victory of 2005. Ellis outlasted Jeremy Shaw for the win. The current point leader, Rob Loucks made hard contact with the outside wall on the first lap ending his evening.
Harold Humphrey, of Norwich, N.Y., won the 20 lap 4 Cylinder Super Stock main event. Humphrey led the entire distance for the win. Oxford, N.Y.’s, Jim Money came from deep in the field to finish in the runner-up position.
Rick Engelhardt captured the 12 lap Enduro feature event. Engelhardt, of Walton, N.Y., led the entire way en route to the win.
Coming up next Friday night at The New Afton Speedway will be a regular show for the Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks, 4 Cylinder Super Stocks, and the 4 Cylinder Enduros.
The New Afton Speedway hosts racing every Friday night at 7:30pm from April through September with a weekly six division show that is highlighted by the mighty Big/Small Block Modifieds featuring sail panels. The Speedway is located just off Interstate 88 at exit 7. For more information about the upcoming events at The New Afton Speedway, call the speedway office at (607) 657-8018 or checkout our website at http://www.thenewaftonspeedway.net.
MODIFIED FEATURE (30 laps)
Bob Hamm Jr., Ed Strada, Ricky Yetter, Matt Smith, J.R. Crouse, Jeff Sheely, J.R. Hurlburt, Don Hart Jr., Mike McColloum, John Diedlecky, Steve Walsh, Craig Terrell, Brian Corcoran, Tony Pepicelli, Rich Price, Jim Corcoran, Dan Morden, Jeremy Smith, George Kostalansky
HEAT RACES: Bobb Hamm Jr., Jim Corcoran
SPORTSMAN FEATURE (20 laps)
Bob Mills, Butch Klinger, Matthew Latwinski, Dustin Winn, Craig Pope, Olin Renwick, Skip Pickwick, Jeff Leslie, Rodney Hart, Ed Morris, James Christ, Brad Alger, Josh Pursell, Kurt Decker
HEAT RACES: Bob Mills, Dustin Winn
PRO STOCK FEATURE (20 laps)
Brett Barrett, Joe Reeves, Chris Stull, Wade Decker, Fred Christ, Dick Koch, Paul Harrington, Pat Nolan, Josh Humphrey, Mike Reynolds
HEAT RACE: Pat Nolan
PURE STOCK FEATURE (15 laps)
Darl Ellis Sr., Jeremy Shaw, Jamie Batzel, Tom Harrington, Matt Spencer, Carl Bittenbender, Jerry Whitmarsh, Steve Polhamus, chuck Culbertson, Shepard Blodgett, Jeff Witt, Ron McMullen, Gary Mills, Shawn Witt, Rob Loucks, Mike Codington
HEAT RACES: Mike Codington, Rob Loucks
4 CYLINDER SS MINI SERIES (20 laps)
Harold Humphrey, Jim Money, Nate Degraw, Mike Stringer, Kevin Fassett, George Crippen, Terry Onyan, Dickie Scott, Ralph Cuozzo Jr.
HEAT RACE: Harold Humphrey
4 CYLINDER ENDURO (12 laps)
Rick Engelhart, Bobby Edwards, Aaron Shelton, Gary Finch, Cale Brownell, John Squires, Dan Slosek, Gary Kinne, John Lolos, Steve Gray, James Lee, Nate Youngs, David Smith, Joey Hurlburt DNS – Dustin Wilber, Jeremy Lowe
HEAT RACES: Bobby Edwards, David Smith