Kotarski and Sage Big Winners at Genesee

Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY (May 24, 2008)- The sun was shining from above at the Genesee Speedway on Saturday Night, and perhaps so were some others in the Late Model Feature.

Brian Kotarski moved by Jason Bridge on lap 15 to score his first Castle Powered Late Model Feature Win on Batavia Sign Company and Lauterborn Electric Night.

Brian was emotional in Victory lane, dedicating the win to long time sponsor and friend Dennis Maxwell who passed away just a week earlier, and added, “After I got the lead, the action behind me, I was out front, it didn’t matter to me what happened behind me.”

Just a month ago, Kotarski, a major supporter of racing and racers at Genesee, was involved in a serious accident, landing him on the sidelines for practice night.  It was unsure he would be able to run his No. 05 on opening night, but he used the early season rainouts to stay in the championship chase, a battle he is now locked in.

Another solid field of Late Models were on hand to conclude the night’s festivities.  Jason Bridge was able to hold on for a strong second place showing, putting two red cars in the top two spots.  Rounding out the top five were Justin Chaddock, Jim Johnson and Bob Babbitt.

The Troyer Sportmsan saw one of the sponsors showcase cars dominate at his familiar stomping grounds, leading all 20 laps of the feature for his first win since 2006.

Sage used his front row starting spot to snatch the lead early and put distance over the field through the balance of the event in his No. 12.

“It was easy being in front,” noted the Brockport Veteran in Victory Lane.  “The track was the way it should have been, slick and smooth. It was nice being in front.”

Sage, the 2006 division champion, was flanked for much of the event by Rob Pratt, the 2007 track champion.  Pratt rebounded from week one issues to score the runner-up finish, with week one’s winner Stubby Pangrazio charging from the back to complete the podium.  Pangrazio continues to hold on to the point lead.

Don Spatarico used his own ride to place in the top-five for the second week in a row, with Greg Mrzywka of Holley rounding out the top-five.

Pete Stefanski continued his dominance of the Original Pizza Logs Pro Stock Division, going back-to-back to open up the season for the second year in a row.  Once again though, he had company in the front.

Stefanski navigated around Mike Martin for the lead just after receiving the crossed-flags from Starter John Veach, and would stand strong over the second half of the race to get win 2 in car No. 2.

“The car is getting better and better each week and the track was absolutely perfect tonight,” said Stefanski in Victory Lane.

Martin was able to hold on for second, with Don Barnes and Butch Zimmerman filing in behind for their second-straight top-five.  Scott Gribben made his first start of the season count, winning his heat and rounding out the top-five in the feature.

David Downs appeared to have one of his best runs ever in the Power Trip Energy Drink Street Stock Feature, leading much of the feature to put it in Victory Lane.  The only problem was that his No. 02 did not pass post-race inspection.

Illegal engine components were found on his car, disqualifying his win.  That would have the victory over to Colton Chappius, who was elated regardless how he got the checkered flag and the picture in Victory Lane. “I will take it. A win is a win.”

On the track, Chappius chased down Downs on lap 18 and made a pass for the lead with just two laps to go.  Downs drove right back by though and led the most important laps.  It was yet another spirited battle in this exciting division.

Chappius had a new powerplant in his bright No. 60, as he was able to hold off Lee Zimmerman and Jeb Walworth, the top two from the first week.  Defending Mini Stock Champion Ken Hixenbaugh made his first start in a street stock count, starting 12^th and placing in fourth, ahead of  Darrel Moyer, who rounded out the top-five.

Brandon Aradine tried to hang close with Dan Norton, but for the second week in a row, Norton was just too strong, as he picked up another win in the Professional Driver Institute Mini Stock Feature.

“It’s good to be back here again,” said Norton in Victory Lane, after leading all 15 laps.  Aradine held on for second with Randy Barclay, Alan Kemp and Mark Forsha completing the top-five.

The second ever DML Bandit feature again was a wild one.  Kailey Wassner lead early but a major incident in the front stretch wall relegated her to the pits.  Herb Neal took over the leading his first Bandit start, but it was the No. 273 of Chris Johnson getting in front and this week staying there for his first career win.

A beautifully prepared track saw a total of 86 competitors run the second night of the year.  Racing was done by convenient hour of 9:45 p.m.  Racing continues next week with another Super 6 Racing Card.  Also featured on the night will be $1.00 Hot Dogs.  For more information, be sure to visit www.GeneseeSpeedway.com.

Castle Powered Late Models Feature:  (20 Laps)- BRIAN KOTARSKI (05), Jason Bridge (15), Justin Chaddock (122), Jim Johnson (93j), Bob Babbitt (2), Dave DuBois (012), Jon Rivers (85), Ron Mogavero (75), JJ Mazur (13jr), Billy Burd (13), Rich Hale (001), Tim Kauffman (22), Tom Baker (93b), Jason Boyle (44), Brian Fransworth (1), Pete Waldron (70), Carl Shetler (58), DNS: Josh Pangrazio (07).

Lap Leaders: Bridge (1-14), Kotarski (15-20)

Heat Winners: Chaddock and Kotarski

Troyer Chassis Sportsman Feature: (20 laps)- BRIAN SAGE (12), Rob Pratt (P38), Stubby Pangrazio (0), Don Spatarico (5), Greg Mrzywka (04), Ricky Newton (11n), John Venuto (44v), John Baker (18J), Rob Richmond Jr. (93Jr), Don Ogden (57), Jason Hallett (1), Justin Wright (19w), Tim Downs (50), Henry Maier (3M), Kerry Ball (6T4), Mike O’Brien (99x), DNS: Bill Gill (36).

Lap Leaders: Sage (1-20)

Heat Winners: Sage and Spatarico

Original Pizza Logs DIRT Pro Stocks Feature: (20 laps)- PETE STEFANKSI (2), Mike Martin (99), Don Barnes (28), Butch Zimmerman (6), Scott Gribben (71), Eric Greenlief (12g), Brett Martin (10), Ron Richter (31x), Ryan Worthington (5), Jim Burch Jr. (8), Scott Stolzenberg (1s), Jesse Repass (94).

Lap Leaders: M. Martin (1-10), Stefanski (11-20)

Heat Winners: Gribben and Stefanski

Power Trip Energy Drink Street Stock Feature: (20 laps)- COLTON CHAPPIUS (60jr), Lee Zimmerman (71z), Jeb Walworth (74), Ken Hixenbaugh (14h), Darrel Moyer (4), Matthew Pfalzer (20), John Fry (2v), John Giles (12), Kenny Begnouche (2z), Jeremy Denton (07), Joey Spicola (93), Nathan Arnold (41), Doug Jones (87), Dave Bansmer (92), Kevin Mitchell (13), Carl Shetler (78), Steve Austin (75), DQ: Dave Downs (02).

Lap Leaders: Downs (1-17), Chappius (18), Downs (19-20)

Heat Winners: Downs and Walworth

Professional Drivers Institute Mini Stocks Feature: (15 laps)- DAN NORTON (0), Brandon Aradine (12b), Randy Barclay (95), Alan Kemp (17), Mark Forsha (03), Tom Amico (3), Samantha Burch (89), Ed Neal (7+1), Byron Dewitt (34), Duane Pingrey (63), Pat Powers (53), Bobby Dickinson (328), DNS: Russ Wassner (x82)

Lap Leaders: Norton (1-15)

Heat Winners: Norton and Aradine

DML Driveway Sealing Bandits Feature: (10 laps)- CHRIS JOHNSON (273), Chad Dickinson (328), Tom Urban (12), Randy Barclay (41), James Maier (3), Herb Neal (7+1), Sarah Johnson (94J), Kailey Wassner (x82).