Sports

Photo of Lougazi with driver Ray FIsher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

There is a new sheriff in town. Lougazi flexed his muscle again to defeat the best local stock and notch his third straight top class victory in the $11,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 26).

Despite losing to Lougazi the last two starts, Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) went off the post time favorite and went right to the front in the abbreviated field of six. WIth a single file behind, Empire Earl N floated to a :28.2 quarter and looked comfortable doing it. But breaktime was over at the three-eights when Lougazi (Ray FIsher Jr.), who got away last, pulled first-over and started the rim trek toward the leader.

As the race motored up the backstretch, Lougazi drew even with Empire Earl N at the three-quarters and the match race was on. Into the last turn Empire Earl N got a slight advantage as Lougazi sort of hung, while Fisher bided his time and saved his charge for the finish. When they straightened out the two were even again and both drivers were working hard. Heading towards the wire it was clear Lougazi was doing the better work and just edged past Empire Earl N under the light by one-half length in 1:57.

It was the ninth win of the year, third in a row and fourth out of the last five for Lougazi ($5.90), who is owned by Mary Warriner. Ryan Swift trains the winner.

The husband and wife, driver and trainer team of Fisher and Swift also copped the co-feature.

The $8,800 Open II trot saw three lead changes occur by the quarter before Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) pulled from fourth at the three-eighths, took the lead up the back stretch and then held off a late-charging Jim Dandy (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win by a length in 1:58.1.

It was the third win in 15 starts this year for Barn Winner ($5.30) who is owned by Tanah Merah Farms and the Swift Racing Stable.

As has been the case so many times this meet, the early Pick-5 was not hit on Friday and as a result, there is a $1,839 carry over and a $4,000 guaranteed pool for the early Pick-5 on Saturday night (Oct. 27). That wager will be a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with free past performance pages made available through Trackmaster and the USTA. You can download those by clicking the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com .

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again.

Post time for the first race at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening is 6 o'clock.

Photo of Roll With Faith with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After hitting the board in her last two starts, Roll With Faith got back to the top of her game winning the $10,400 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Oct. 24). 

The two-scratch race was down to five starters when Roll With Faith (Kevin Cummings) got away second off the gate behind A Crafty Lady (Drew Monti) who then took the girls to the half in :57.1. There, Badlands Delight (Shawn McDonough) was moving first over, but not fast enough for Kaitlyn Rae (Ray Fisher Jr.) who swung three-deep in front of the stands and drew alongside A Crafty Lady as they worked their way up the backside.

As they passed the three-quarters in 1:25.3, A Crafty Lady packed it in and Kaitlyn Rae took the lead spot on the pylons. But with no time for even a breath, Roll With Faith was out and at her and the two paced in sync around the last turn. The team pacing ended as the tandem was split up heading down the lane because Roll With Faith simply opened up and cruised away to a wrapped-up four-length win in 1:54.2. 

It was the 13^th win of the season for Roll With Faith ($2.70) who has now earned $74,232 for owners Finish Line Investors, Larry Willer and John Mungillo, who also trains the mare. 

In the $8,800 Open II for distaff participants, Drinkin N Dancin (Ray Fisher Jr.) went gate to wire in 1:56.4 and registered her sixth win of the year for owners Rocco Stebbins and David Crumb. Joe Skowyra trains the winner. 

Kevin Cummings had three winners on the night to lead all other drivers on Tuesday. He now has 80 wins for the session and draws to within three wins of the current leader Drew Monti with 83. Monti had one win on Wednesday. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Oct. 26) with post time set for 6 o'clock. When it does there will be a $493 carry over in the early Pick-5 wager and a guaranteed $1,500 pool for that bet. The early Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. 

Photo of in Runaway Bay N in the lead with driver Kevin Cummings.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Kevin Cummings was red hot at Batavia Downs scoring wins in both features with In Runaway Bay and Nesh Cruiser along with three other victories to take five of the 10 races on the card. Cummings, who is currently the second leading dash driver of the meet, made a strong bid to retake the top spot after his performance on Saturday night (Oct. 20). .

In the $11,000 Open Handicap pace, Dark Horse (Ray Fisher Jr.) left hard and seated In Runaway Bay N (Kevin Cummings) who also tried for the front early. After everyone took a seat the race went to the half in :56 flat. At that point Barry Hanover (Shawn McDonough) started the outer flow and Rock To Glory (Drew Monti) followed that move.

As the race progressed to the three-quarters, Rock To Glory deserted his fading cover and tipped three-deep trying to get to Dark Horse. Almost out of that last bend, Barry Hanover finally packed it in and In Runaway Bay N nudged his way off the pylons between Dark Horse and Rock To Glory. As the top three argued toward the wire, In Runaway Bay N put away Dark Horse and held off a fast closing Rock To Glory to win by a half-length in 1:54.4.

In Runaway Bay N ($8.70) scored his sixth win of 2018 and eclipsed the half-century mark in earnings, now boasting $53,550 this year for owner Mark Jakubik.

In the $9,900 Open II pace, Nesh Cruiser (Kevin Cummings) tripped out behind Bugatti (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the head of the stretch before pulling out and going by to win by a nose in 1:54.4 for his eighth win of the year. Trainer RIchard Roth owns with Randy Roth and Robert Roth.

Besides those two wins, Cummings also scored with Cotton Eyed Joe (1:57.2, $6.40), Terlingua (1:56.4, $8) and Keystone Keen (1:56.4, $6.10) to round out the five-bagger.

Not to be outdone, the Downs leading driver Drew Monti also scored four wins on Saturday night as well. So after the last race ended, Monti is still on top with 82 wins for the meet with Cummings sitting right behind with 77.

The early Pick-5 that was part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with a $7,000 guaranteed pool produced an instant jackpot payoff $5,350.50 for a $1 ticket on the combination of 7-4-3-2-3.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon with post time set for 5 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY--- As a result of no one selecting a winning combination in the early Pick-5 at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 19), there will be a $7,000 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes at 6 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 20) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

Saturday’s guarantee is part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program which offers free program pages for those five races under the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com . You can access the program pages directly by clicking here. (https://www.trackmaster.com/freeContent/usta/freeContentFiles/hpl/btv1020x.pdf )

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again.

Lougazi with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In what turned out to be a very exciting horse race, Lougazi proved to be best once again in winning the $11,000 Open Handicap trotting feature at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Oct. 19). 

Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) got away last by quite a few lengths off the gate when BZ Glide blasted to the front and posted an extremely fast :27.2 quarter. Positions remained unchanged past that post when Fisher came first-over at the three-eighths pole with Lougazi and motored up the outer rim. 

Incrementally gaining ground around turn-two and up the backstretch, Lougazi drew even with BZ Glide by the three-quarters and the two dueled from there. Trotting in step around the last turn and into the lane, Lougazi finally got a step away from BZ Glide. But Empire Earl N (Jim Morrill Jr.) who was drafting third pulled three wide and was launched for the finish. Lougazi dug in and held him off as well and hit the wire first by a head in 1:56.3, which was a new lifetime mark. 

It was the second win in a row and fourth out of the last six for Lougazi ($11.80) who is owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift. 

In the $8,800 Open II trot, Edom Up Blue Boy (Jim Morrill Jr.) rode a two-hole trip to the half behind Lutetium (Ron Beback Jr.) before pulling to take the lead by the five-eighths, open up by three lengths and eventually win by four in 1:58. Edom Up Blue Boy ($6.40) is owned and trained by Rock Vinci. 

With only two favorites winning all night, there was a plethora of profound payoffs in most of the races on Friday. But the one wager that did not get hit was the early Pick-5 and as a result, there is a $2,900 carry over pool for the early Pick-5 on Saturday (Oct. 20). That bet will be a part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program with a $7,000 guaranteed pool and free program pages that will be available tomorrow on the USTA website under the handicapping tab.

Post time for Saturday evening will be 6 o'clock.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

As a result of no winning ticket once again on Wednesday (Oct. 17), Batavia Downs will offer a $2,000 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes today (Oct. 19) at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

Friday’s guarantee is part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program which offers free program pages for those five races under the “Handicapping” tab at www.ustrotting.com.You can go directly to that page to access the programs by clicking here. (http://handicapping.ustrotting.com )

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners, the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over once again. 

Please note that post time for the first race today is at a special early time of 4:45 p.m.

Photo of Kaitlyn Rae with reinsman Ray Fisher Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Winning never gets old and seemingly neither does the 9-year-old Kaitlyn Rae; who just keeps on winning. Wednesday evening (Oct. 17) at Batavia Downs she scored her third consecutive victory in the $9,900 fillies and mares Open Handicap pace following the same formula from the last two weeks. 

In the $8,800 fillies and mares Open II, Machin Marley (Kevin Cummings) led every step of the way en route to her seventh win of the year, timed in 1:57. Thatsideofthefence LLC co-owns the winner with trainer John Mungillo. 

When racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon (Oct. 19), there will be a carryover of $703 and a guaranteed $2,000 pool in the early Pick-5 wager. It will also be part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program with free program pages available on the USTA website under the “Handicapping” tab. Please note that post time for Friday is early at 4:45 p.m.

After almost 45 years of league bowling – and several “near misses” – Basom’s Scott Kern has finally etched his name into the annals of bowling perfection.

“My kids always asked me if I was going to bowl a 300 game tonight (before heading out to his league at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield),” Kern said. “Well, I finally can say yes.”

Kern notched his first 300 game last Wednesday night (Oct. 10) in the County Line Stone League on lanes 7-8 at Scopano’s.

His games were 265-162-300 for a 727 series.

His previous high game was 299 (twice) and he also had games of 298 and 297. His high series of 812 was bowled at Scopano’s in April 2006.

Using a Roto-Grip No Rules ball, the 63-year-old right-hander said he made an adjustment after being victimized by “oil transition” in the second game.

“I made a move on the approach, got lined up around the second arrow and tried to stay smooth with the shot,” said Kern, owner/operator of Kern’s Farm Market on Route 77 in Basom.

He succeeded in doing that, putting all 12 balls in the 1-3 pocket.

On the final ball, Kern raised his hands in the air, yelled out, “I finally … did it,” and proceeded to hug his teammates Roy Chamberlain, Larry Gibson and Marc Wilder, and fellow bowlers, including this writer who happened to be bowling on the pair next to him.

He said he almost got a sub for him due to the fact that beans needed to be picked on the farm. However, when a piece of equipment broke, he decided to bowl.

Kern said he dedicates the 300 game to his wife and “biggest fan”, Karla, and to longtime standout and pro shop owner Joe Mortellaro, who Kern has looked up to all these years.

By the way, Scott and Karla teamed up to win the King & Queen Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center back in the 1990s.

Kern also credited his late father-in-law, Jack Schlagenhauf, and his father, Ronald, a teammate at Allegany Lanes in Corfu, for getting him involved in bowling in the early ‘70s.

ORGANIZED YOUTH BOWLING IS A VIABLE OPTION

The United States Bowling Congress has developed a first-rate – and affordable – youth bowling program for boys and girls of all skill levels.

From weekly in-house junior leagues all the way to national Junior Gold competition, kids have numerous opportunities to excel on and off the lanes.  Organized youth bowling can boosts a young person’s self-esteem, underscores the benefits of teamwork and provides scholarships along the way.

In fact, the bowling industry offers more than $6 million in scholarships, including about $60,000 in New York State.

Parents should know that the registration fee for youth leagues in the Genesee Region is only $10 per person, with $4 of that going to the USBC in Arlington and $6 going to the Genesee Region USBC for awards and other perks.

The GRUSBC also offers youth tournaments where scholarships can be earned, and encourages youth bowlers to enter New York State USBC events for a chance at additional grants. All scholarships earned by USBC youth bowlers go into the bowler’s SMART account as a college fund.

Youth bowlers who become proficient at the sport could become collegiate bowlers – as more than 250 colleges offer bowling and about half of them give out scholarships.

Junior programs are starting now at bowling centers in our area, and it’s not too late for kids to join. It’s true that many students are involved in other school sports, but more aren’t doing anything for recreation and social interaction.  Bowling can provide that outlet.

Here is a list of Genesee Region USBC bowling centers and their phone numbers for parents wishing to learn more about youth bowling (all 585 area code):

-- Le Roy Legion Lanes, 768-8597.
-- Letchworth Pines, Portageville, 468-2166.
-- Livingston Lanes, Geneseo, 243-1760.
-- Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia, 343-1319.
-- Medina Lanes, 318-4474.
-- Mount Morris Lanes, 658-2540
-- Perry Bowling Center, 237-6358
-- Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion, 589-6900.
-- Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen, 494-9900.

GR YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE OFF AND ROLLING

Seven teams are competing this season in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League – two from Rose Garden Bowl, two from Oak Orchard Bowl and one each from Legion Lanes, Perry Bowling Center and Mount Morris Lanes.

The league, which is being coordinated by Genesee Region USBC Vice President Frank Jarkiewicz and Director Joann Van Duser, bowls on Sunday afternoons.

The 2018-19 schedule is as follows:

-- Oct. 28, Mount Morris Lanes.
-- Nov. 4, Legion Lanes.
-- Dec. 2, Oak Orchard Bowl.
-- Dec. 16, Livingston Lanes.
-- Jan. 20, Oak Orchard Bowl.
-- Feb. 10, Perry Bowling Center.
-- Feb. 17, Mount Morris Lanes.
-- March 10, Legion Lanes.
-- March 17, Rose Garden Bowl.

Competition began last weekend at Rose Garden Bowl, with the Rose Garden Bowl II team winning 19 of a possible 24 points. Team members are Katelyn Ball, Evan Phillips, Sawyer Zinter and Megan Jarkiewicz.

High scores for the day: Austin Hawker (Mount Morris), 627 series; Dennis Van Duser (Perry), 257 game; Jillian Menzie (Rose Garden Bowl I), 204 game and 586 series.

Rosters of the other teams:

Oak Orchard Bowl I – Kyle Brett, Jesse Keller, Dallas Ecker, Cameron Ecker.

Perry Bowling Center – Josh Sprague, Brook Jurek, Tony Sprague, Dennis Van Duser.

Le Roy Legion Lanes – Tyler Klein, Felicity Wieseltier, Samantha Hyde, Aaron Leone.

Oak Orchard Bowl II – Tyler Brett, Bailee Snook, Paige Snook, Ben Lennox.

Rose Garden Bowl I – Jillian Menzie, Devon Zinter, Michael Sardou, Brooke Jarkiewicz.

Mount Morris Lanes – Austin Hawker, Trent Willis, Joshua Morris, Brad June.

It’s unfortunate that the GR Youth Travel League doesn’t include any teams from Mancuso’s in Batavia, especially considering that there were three Batavia squads in the league last season. But a group from the Batavia program is participating in an “elite” travel league this season in Rochester.

TOURNAMENTS IN AND AROUND THE GENESEE REGION

November is a busy month for tournaments in the Genesee Region.

-- The 34^th Gladys Ford Memorial Women’s Senior Singles is scheduled for Nov. 3-4 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.

Entrants (GRUSBC women 50 and over) are divided into six different age groups and roll three games on either Nov. 3 (noon) or Nov. 4 (1 p.m.). One in five in each classification will earn prize money from the handicap event.

The entry fee is $30. To enter, contact Jan King at 585-335-7474 or 585-704-1401 by Oct. 28. Entry forms can be downloaded from the GRUSBC website – www.bowlgr.com.

-- The 13^th annual Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters will take place on Nov. 10 at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo.

Association members (men and women) who are at least 50 years old as of Dec. 31, 2018 are eligible to compete. Qualifying squads (three games) are at noon and 1:30 p.m. and re-entry is allowed. The entry fee is $30.

First place, based on 48 entries, is $300 plus a free entry to the GRUSBC Masters in February at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield. The top 12 qualifiers advance to the finals at 3 p.m.

To sign up, contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458.

-- The 4^th annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament to benefit the Albion PAWS Animal Shelter is set for Nov. 10 – with squads at 1, 3, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. – at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The entry fee for the handicap tourney is $75 per team, with one in six teams cashing. Teams can cash more than once as long as one bowler is changed.

For entry and donation information, contact Oak Orchard Bowl at 585-589-6900 or Curtis Foss at 585-590-0804.

-- The 11^th annual Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap Tournament returns to Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen on Nov. 11, with qualifying squads (three games) at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

First prize, based on 48 entries, is $500, and the entry fee is only $30. The top three qualifiers from the 10 a.m. squad and the top two from the 12:30 p.m. squad will earn guaranteed spots in the eliminator finals that begin at 5 p.m.

The finals will include a senior (55-and-over), super senior (65-and-over) and woman not making the cut as long as there are at least five entries in each category. If a senior, super senior or woman make the cut outright, then the incentives would not apply.

To enter, call 585-343-3736 or 585-861-0404. The event is limited to 24 bowlers per squad.

-- The 3^rd annual Brian Morasco three-person handicap no-tap tournament is scheduled for Nov. 17 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. Proceeds from the event and basket raffles will go to Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Arthritis Foundation.

First place, based on 48 teams, is $750. The entry fee is $75 per team. Squad times are 1 and 3 p.m.

Teams can sign up by calling Mark Brown at 716-474-7900 or Mancuso Bowling Center at 585-343-1319.

The folks at Medina Lanes aren’t letting October slip away without offering another fundraising event.

A three-person handicap no-tap tournament is planned for Oct. 27, with squads at 5 and 7 p.m. The entry fee is $60 per team. Call 585-318-4474 to sign up. All bowlers are invited to stay for the Halloween party afterwards featuring Marnie K and the 4 Non-Blondes.

And, for tournament bowlers age 60 and up, the next 60-and-Over Tour scratch singles event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28 at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark. Check-in starts at 11 a.m and competition gets under way at noon.

By Dan Turner, WCIS Speedway announcer

It’s that time a year again for the temperature to dip, the leaves to change color and the Wyoming County International Speedway to hold their Annual “Shoot Out at the Bullring”.   As always it’s one of the Crowning Jewels that most drivers, car owners and team would like to win and close out their season.   That’s very evident by the car counts the picturesque 1/3 mi. banked asphalt facility draws in on this mid-October race.   Over 60 cars on hand for the Friday night potion of the Shoot out and 80 plus cars in the pits for Saturday night.   Those hardy fans that were in attendance for both shows, got to see some awesome racing to cap off their 2018 racing season.

Friday night was the kick off for Shoot Out weekend at the Blacktop Bullring.   As mentioned over 60 cars packed the pits for this chilly October evening.   31 4 Cylinders were on hand to flex their muscle and try and take home the winners portion of the Shootout’s expanded payout.   Top 3 from each of the four heats (won by Jankowiak, Gustafson, Moldt and Pierce) redrew for the feature starting position.  The front was full of talent as a pair of perennial and former multi time feature winners, Jimmie Pierce Jr and Jacob Gustafson would lead this class to green.   With 26 cars taking the green, It took no time and the leaders were moving in on lap traffic.   The battle for number one was on between the 66 of Gustafson and the 26 of Pierce.  Thru a handful of caution, the most, scary was the 14s of Sean Sickles that lost control and hiyt the large heavy equipment tires at the end of the pit wall were cars exit the track.   Sean was ok thou the car may not see the track again.  After a few more minor cautions we would see the Moldt #51 make his way to the front and challenge Gustafson.  Andy J in the London #89 would soon be racing for a possible win.   It was all Gustafson in the JG Autowerks #66 machine collecting another win.   “We had a pretty good car, thanks to Dad and I want to thank all the Polish people out there” per Jacob  : )

A healthy car count for our entry level class the Super 6 class.   Many invaders from Spencer and other tracks came to close out their season.   About a dozen came to flex their muscle at the Perry NY speed complex.   It was not big surprise to find the Multi time Spencer Speedway champion in Victory lap. Hallett was followed by the 89 of Brandon Allen and the Heat race winner Andy Cocilova in his 93.

Capping of the Friday night festivities would be the SST Super Stocks running their last race of 2018 with 50 laps the distance.    This was the who’s who of Super stock racing in NY.  Holland, Spencer, Lancaster, Chemung, all represented by their best.   Horvatits and Tim Welshans would pace the field to the green.   It was Joe Horvatits taking the early lead and showing his muscle.   The caution would fly early and as Horvatits slowed something broke on the #4 and he would take a hard hit into the first turn wall and end his night.   Then it was a race as Mike Chenaille, Eric Stone, Dan Majchrzak, Ted Welshans and eventually the 17x machine of Zach Meyers would all get near the front to lead some laps.   In the end it was 2018 track champion Zach Meyers taking the top spot a little after half way, with his smooth calculated driving style worked well with the cool track temperature and lack of grip on the track.

And that was all just in Friday night’s action.   Saturday would prove to be a whole new story with the Addition of the SST Modifieds and the NYSuper Stocks invading the 1/3 mile Power plant.  It would be Sandra Vogler Mem.51 laps for the NY Super Stocks.  The fantastic 4 cylinders were back and as exciting as ever. Then we closed our season with a great SST Modifieds show, The Jim Pierce Mem 100 lap event.

The 4 cylinder class would start our night as a fitting build up to the NYSS and the SST Modifieds.  Some of the drivers and teams could not make the Saturday night show and some new faces were in attendance to make for one excellent racing program.   Early muscle was shown by the heat winners, Gustafson, Schosek and Pierce. In all division tonight the top twelve qualifiers all redrew for their starting spots.   As the green flew it became obvious that this cold track was not just an issue for the Super Stocks and Modifieds, the 4 Bangs were feeling the effects also.  Two laps in it was the #27 stopped on the back straight. Lap 4 it was Monica Greene‘s # 5 having some issues.   Then he drivers settled in and ran off 9 laps before the 1x and9 would drew a yellow.   Local fan favorite Jimmie Pierce Jr. bid for the win on a night of racing named after his late father Jim Pierce, would fall short with engine problems.   A few more cars would come together on the restart causing another yellow.   Then the 4 cylinders would take the green and roll thru the 25 lap mark and close the season at Perry.   Jacob Gustafson would go back to back and dominate the feature tonight.   Gustafson was followed by Greg Moldt in his #51, and with a great run was the #05 of Otis Bradshaw, taking the show position.

For New York Super Stocks Press release and results see their website Nysuperstocks@gmail.com 

What better way the close out a great season than to put 28 of the best Modified drivers and machine on the track for 100 green flag laps in memory of one of our great friend and former SST Modified Champion, Jim Pierce.   This race was renamed after Jim, last year after his untimely passing.  It’s a race many mark on their calendars in March to race in memory of their good friend and competitor.   The guys with the fastest toys started showing their strength as Smith, Dietz, Potrzebowski and Hanbury all picked up the heat race wins.   I can promise you one thing about the Wyoming County Intl. Speedway.   @8 cars running 100 laps for a pretty substantial check to the winner will NEVER get you a boring race.   Its not a ride around til 10, 20 or 30 laps remaining.   Its a lot of pride and bragging right to carry all winter how well you fared at the Shoot out.   Patrick Emerling drew the pole to start this race.   He would be surrounded by other great drivers, Hanbury, Nye, Smith, Andy J, Timmerman and WCIS regulars Bookmiller, Knapp, Majchrzak, Fuchs and Bradshaw.

It only took a few green flag laps to produce our first caution as 22z Billy Ray Pruitt and the 96 of Gary Coons tangled.   Restart everyone was playing nice til lap unlucky 13.   Pruitt and  Tim Nyes came together and that put Billy Ray on the hook and done for the night.   Lap 16  saw Joe Evans come to a stop in turn 4 and a double spin with Tim Nyes and the 74 of Sherry Hogan. Racing continued thru a few more cautions as the lead was being swapped amongst, the 07, 51, 15 and a few others wanting the lead.  After a restart on lap 39 it was chaos on the front straight as Hanbury in the Gary Noe 1H car was outside the Emerling 07 for the restart and as they cross the start/finish line smoke and sparks and Hanbury was hard into the outside retaining wall, done for the night.   Under red flag conditions Emerling stated “he felt a bump but did not   Know if he made comtact with the 1H machine”  as the wreck was being cleared we talked with the top 5 drivers to get their game plan.   As we finished talking a loud banging was going on.   That was Tony Hanbury using his helmet to beat on the roof and wind screen of Emerling’s 07 ride.    Track safety crews stopped the malay and Hanbury was escorted away.

It was a few more cautions and a couple bent up racecars and the last caution came at lap 84 when a few cars came together and Sherry Hogan doing a great job of driving got spun and gathered it up and drove away before the balance of the field was baring down on her and it could have been a big wreck.   In the end it was Emerling picking up his second Jim Pierce Mem win in as many years.  “ We had the opportunity to run the Whelen Modified Tour this weekend, but Jim wa a good friend of ours and we thought it Important to honor him and run here at the Bullring.” Said Patrick.   He was followed across the line by Andy J. and Rusty Smith.

FRIDAY OCT. 12 RACE RESULTS
Mike Shaughnessy Memorial WCIS Super Stocks (50 Laps): ZACH MYERS (17x), Ted Welshans (39), Daniel Majchrzak (14), Mike Chenaille(14s), Nik Welshans (41), Eric Stone (09), Frank Kline (33), Kyle Skoney (55), Kory Lanni (29), Eric Haistreiter (47), Paul Flye (94), Nick Robinson (3), Joe Horvatits (4), Scott Gleed (03), Jay Canonico (13), Tim Welshans (32) Did Not Start: Cole Hicks (46)
Qualifying Winners: Tim Welshans, Zach Myers

4 Cylinders Dash 4 Cash (20 Laps): JACOB GUSTAFSON (66), Greg Moldt (51), Andy Jankowiak (89), David Brunka (28), David Heimes ( , Joe Brunka (27), Dan Dressel (09), Monica Green (5), Kyle Casper (10), Tom Lalomia Jr (8L), Jeff Landwehr (15), Braedon Suffoletta (9), Triston Kline (7x), Kathie Ricketson (44), Jody Krieb (1x), Adam Killingbeck (73), Kenny Ham (19), Russ Bulger (32b), John Klamut (7), Kevin Kocher (31), Ryan Palmer (10x), Jimmy Pierce (26), Josh Schosek (37ny), Kory Lanni (18), Sean Sickles (14s), Dominic Rafferty (29jr) Greg Krause (24) 
Did Not Start: Dave Harbst (2h), Justin Saas (2), Jesse Hurley (22), Bob Palmer (32)
Qualifying Heat Winners: Andy Jankowiak, Jacob Gustafson, Jimmy Pierce, Greg Moldt

6 Cylinders (25 Laps): BRIAN HALLETT (36), Brandon Allen(89), Andy Cocilova (93), John Parthemer (95), Frank Parsons (14), Tim Faro (98), Alison Knoepfler (35), Chris Deyoe Jr (14d), Tammi Bennett (78), Robert Cassidy (16), Mike Chenaille (14s)
Qualifying Winner: Andy Cocilova

SATURDAY OCT. 13 RACE RESULTS
Jim Pierce Memorial SST Modified (100 Laps): PATRICK EMERLING (07), Andy Jankowiak (41j), Shawn Nye (51), Kevin Timmerman (17), Alan Bookmiller (40), Ricky Knapp (11), Zack Curren (94), Sherri Hogan (74), Steve Fuchs (4), Gary Coon (96), Chad Nugent (42), Carrie Bolton (6j), Scott Wylie (44), Toad Bradshaw (00), Jake Vernon (27), John Barber (01), Daniel Majchrzak (14), Neal Dietz Jr (84), Joe Evans (91), Tony Hanbury (1H), Tim Nies (86), Gary Noe (1), Billy Ray Pruitt (22z), Cassie Logsdon (09) 
Failed to Qualify: Tom Alloco (6), Timmy Lewis (41), Beth Dennie (16), Jennifer Dennie (22), Jay Withey Jr (29), Wayne Baker (B51), Nathan Michelsen (68), Don Pringle (96r) 
DQd Smith(15),  Potrzebowski(72)
Qualifying Winners: Rusty Smith, TJ Potrzebowski, Tony Hanbury, Neal Dietz Jr

Sandra Vogler Memorial New York Super Stock Series (51 Laps): SCOTT WYLIE (98), Shaun Frarey (38), Josh Hunter (7), Dylan Bancroft (91), Scott Adams (68), Zach Willis (75), Nick Robinson (15), Eric Brown (48), Jason Dinzler (40), Amber Vanorden (17), Nate Peckham (90), Jim House (76), Brian Wozniak (85), Matt Larrivee (12), Eric Haistreiter (47), Andy Cryan (09), Joel Gleason (25), Charlie Sharpsteen (34), Cole Hicks (46), Sam Rotunda Jr (5), Chris Vogler (51), Mike Hyman (87), Jimmy Steffenhagen (61), Cody Frantz (0), Josh Schoonmaker (84), Zac Petrie (37)
Failed to Qualify: Joe Fetzer (2), JP Harbst (04), Steve Perez (88), Eric Hadley (71), Griffin Miller (6)
Qualifying Winners: Dylan Bancroft, Nick Robinson, Scott Wylie, Joel Gleason

4 Cylinders (30 Laps): JACOB GUSTAFSON (66), Greg Moldt (51), Otis Bradshaw (05), Tom Lalomia Jr (8L), Corey Copeland (89), David Brunka (28), David Heimes ( , Charles Palmer (10), Joe Brunka (27), Dan Dressel (09), Bob Palmer (32), Jesse Hurley (22), Triston Kline (7), John Klamut (7k), Ryan Palmer (10x), Braedon Suffoletta (9), Kenny Ham (19), Jody Krieb (1x), Kevin Kocher (31), Russ Bulger (32B), Jeff Landwehr (15), Jimmy Pierce Jr (26), Justin Sass (2), Alex Brown (04), Josh Schosek (37ny), Monica Green (5)
Qualifying Heat Winners: Jacob Gustafson, Jimmy Pierce Jr, Josh Schosek
Results funished by Steven Petty