New Egypt Speedway Results 98-09-05

BRIGHTBILL WINS 9th, LAURENO CLINCHES FIRST N.E.S. POINT TITLE

New Egypt, NJ, September 5, 1998 - Kenny Brightbill of Sinking Spring, PA captured his ninth win of the season, and his 4th in the last five, at the New Egypt Speedway in the 30 lap Modified feature Saturday night. Brightbill started 18th on the grid and expertly picked his way thru traffic. Despite signs of smoke coming from the Tabloids Graphics #19 when he would let off to enter turn #1, Brightbill was the fastest car on the track. "My crew did a good job tonight," stated Brightbill, "We were just hoping that the smoke wouldn't get any worse, and it all worked out for us in the long run tonight."

Meanwhile Roger Laureno of Ivyland, PA clinched 1998 New Egypt Speedway track championship by finishing third in the Tanner Bros. Dairy Store #36. For Laureno, a three time feature winner, it was his 12th top five finish in 20 point events this season. The six-time Bridgeport track champion will pick up $10,000 for his efforts along with the distinction of being the first ever champion at the New Egypt Speedway clay oval. Laureno was the model for consistency, as he only finished out of the top ten twice this season; with tonight being his 14th straight top ten finish.

Kenny Wismer lead the 25 car field down to starter Frank Resta's green flag. Quickly, Rich Polenz got around Wismer on the backstretch to take command in the Art's Radiator #3. By lap 7, Bob Drayton ran Polenz down and slid under him for the lead as these two drivers approached lapped traffic. Drayton and Polenz, who shared a sizable lead over the rest of the field, waged a spirited battle for the lead until the first caution of the event waved on lap #11 for Tom Hager, who had spun in turn #2. At this point, Brightbill was already up to 7th position and on the restart he began his run to the front passing 4 cars in the next two laps!

Brightbill, now in third, drove under Polenz for second then attempted to get by the high flying Drayton or the lead when the yellow came out on lap #14. On the restart, Drayton used the leaders option, electing to restart on the outside of the front row. Despite a gallant effort, he was unable to hold Brightbill off, as the veteran racer took command of the event at the halfway sign. Once in front, Brightbill was once again the class of the field as he raced to a straightaway advantage. Brightbill then survived a few late race yellows, which all shuffled the top ten, and went on to collect the $2500 top prize.

Polenz of Flemington NJ drove a strong race to take the runner-up spot, followed by 1998 point champion Laureno. Mike Sena of Somerset NJ finished fourth in his Coastal Gasoline #22, while Drayton of Southampton NJ had his best finish to date, crossing the line in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Fritz Epright (who started last as the Fans Provisional starter), Tim Tanner Jr., Mark Bitner, Gary Velenger and Tom Hager. The three heat winners were Wismer, Polenz, and Tanner Jr. with Laureno taking the consolation.

In the Mid-State Communications 5 lap Cash Dash, which pits the nights heat winners against last weeks feature winner, Kenny Brightbill won his fifth Dash of the season and his second in a row taking home $300 for his effort.

In the 20 lap Sportsman feature event, Kevin McCoy of Piscataway NJ came across the line first for what appeared to be his first win. However a post- race inspection found that McCoy had an illegal tire on his car and was disqualified. This gave the victory to Joe Sarvis of Tappen NY in the Sarvis Tree Service #94. For this popular driver it was his first win at the New Egypt Speedway this season. Tom Eppolite Jr. of West Creek NJ finished second while Richie Cass Sr. of Hightstown NJ was third. J.C. Mears of Neshanic NJ finished fourth in the Maxwell House #97 followed by Bryan Coffey of Hatboro PA in fifth. Sportsman heats were won by Drew Grosso, Coffey and Mickey Kessler while Rich Scagliotta won the consolation.

In the fifteen lap Street Stock feature, Carol Whitehouse of Hamilton NJ won her first feature this year in the Al Whitehouse #90. Bill Bauma of Jacksonville NJ was second in the Bauma Racing #24, followed by Dan Weir of Vineland NJ in the #90L. Pat Freiberger and Kim Cooke driving the Rocco Infante #91 rounded out the top five.

The evenings events were marred by a tragic automobile accident on route #539 directly in front of the speedway which took the life of Donnie Lippencott, a crew member on the #704 Street Stock driven by Kory Fleming. Following the 4pm crash, the race teams voted not to cancel the evenings program, but rather to go on with show in memory of Mr. Lippencott. All of the Street Stocks in attendance tied checkered flag ribbons on their cars and the pole position in the Street Stock feature was left open on the parade lap in his memory. Numerous race teams from all divisions donated their winnings to the family, including third place finisher Dan Weir. The winner of the 50/50 also donated $100 of their winnings. Next week a collection will be taken by the drivers for the family. Our condolences and prayers are with his family and friends.

This Saturday, Sept. 12th, will be Banner Night. All kids ages 6-18 are urged to make up banners and bring them to the speedway to be judged. 3 prizes will be awarded in each of the two different age groups (6-12 & 13-18). The evening will feature Modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stocks along with the first appearance of the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club, as they will have numerous race cars from years gone by on display. All of the action gets underway with warm-ups at 5:30 and the first heat at 6pm. 9/5/98

MODIFIED RESULTS

1st Heat: 1.Wismer 2.Infante 3.Radd  4.Bitner 5.Moss 6.Cranmer 
2nd Heat: 1.Polenz 2.Singley 3.Tanner Sr. 4.Sena  5.Van Gorder 6.Leach   
3rd Heat: 1.Tanner Jr. 2.Brightbill  3.Drayton 4.Velenger  5.Bauma  6.Hager 

'B' Main: 1.Laureno 2.Dmuchowski 3.Hendershot 4.Rue 5.Grbac 6.Cozze (Fans Prov: Epright)

Cash Dash: 1.Brightbill ($300)

Feature (30 laps): 1.Kenny Brightbill 2.Rich Polenz 3.Roger Laureno 4.Mike Sena 5.Bob Drayton 6.Fritz Epright 7.Tim Tanner Jr. 8.Mark Bitner 9.Gary Velenger 10.Tom Hager 11.Fred Dmuchowski 12.Ralph Rue 13.Scott Van Gorder 14.Johnny Leach 15.Carmen Infante 16.Chris Grbac 17.Todd Singley 18.Eddie Cranmer 19.Kenny Wismer III 20.Tim Tanner Sr. 21.Bob Bauma 22.Steve Moss 23.Donnie Radd 24.Mike Hendershot 25.Rick Cozze DNQ: John Megill, Howard Singer, Brian Jones

SPORTSMAN RESULTS

1st Heat: 1.D.Grosso 2.Cass Sr. 3.Eppolite 4.Brightbill 5.Mongiello III 6.R.Grosso Jr. 2nd Heat: 1.Coffey 2.Sarvis 3.Foy 4.Archer 5.Marra Sr. 6.McVay 3rd Heat: 1.Kessler 2.Kline 3.Koczon Swain 4.David 5.Papiez 6.Ely

'B' Main: 1.Scagliotta 2.Mears 3.Robbins 4.Dallet 5.McCoy 6.Priore

Feature (20 Laps):

1.Joe Sarvis 2.Tom Eppolite Jr. 3.Richie Cass Sr. 4.J.C. Mears 5.Bryan Coffey 6.Matt Papiez 7.Jim Dallett 8.Drew Grosso 9.Pat Priore 10.Johnny Foy 11.Ron John Koczon 12.Brian Ely 13.Dick Robbins 14.Mike Mongeillo III 15.Mike David 16.Keith Brightbill 17.Larry Archer 18.Rick Grosso Jr. 19.Paul Marra Sr. 20.Donnie Kline 21.Rich Scagliotta 22.Mickey Kessler 23.Larry McVay 24.Kevin McCoy-DQ DNQ: Bob Burlew, Keith McIntyre, Jack Amundson, Kenny Roth, Kenny Huchko, Bob Worthington, Jack Swain, George Gareis, Lee Taylor Jr., Dale Clickner Jr., Rob Pfister

STREET STOCK

1st Heat: 1.Hargrove 2.Hammond 3.Garguilo 4.Whitehouse 5.Gerber 6.Byrne 7.Carpenter 8.Guyer 9.Bauer

2nd Heat: 1.Hollaway 2.Giris 3.Conaway 4.Leote 5.Bauma 6.Freiberger 7.Bifulco 8.Cooke 9.Horner

'B' Main: 1.Morrison 2.Weir 3.Cheney 4.Mongeillo 5.Rudolph 6.Search

Feature (15 laps):1.Carol Whitehouse 2.Bill Bauma 3.Dan Weir 4.Pat Freiberger 5.Kim Cooke 6.Pat Conaway 7.Jeff Carpenter 8.Billy Bauer 9.Al Cheney III 10.Ken Guyer 11.Mike Rudolph 12.Jim Gerber 13.Kevin Bifulco 14.Tom Holloway 15.Bruce Leote 16.Ralph Garguilo 17.Nick Giris 18.Richie Byrne 19.Ken Hammond 20.Jay Morrison 21.Mick Search 22.Tony Horner 23.Steve Mongiello 24.Ted Hargrove DNQ: Allen Hurley, Benjamin Jones, Chip Grant