Oswego Speedway results 2003-08-02

Oswego, NY - A heavy thunderstorm threatened to end the Advance Auto Parts-sponsored racing at Oswego Speedway Saturday night, but a Herculean clean-up effort allowed the racing to go on after all. Finishing early Sunday morning after a four-hour rain delay, all races were completed with Joe Gosek taking his third supermodified win of the rain-soaked season in the Muldoon 50 and thus strengthening his lead in the championship points with only 4 features left on the docket. Second year limited super driver Kevin Knopp took home a career-first in that division. While Jeff Hamman claimed victory in the super stocks 20-lap event. Pete Brittain of Oakhurst, NJ repeated his 2002 modified victory by winning his second RoC qualifier in as many years at Oswego.

Joe Gosek took over the lead on a lap 46 restart from a strong-running Brian Sweeney who had led from lap 2. Sweeney, running out of fuel, bogged coming out of turn two as the white waved and he indicated his predicament to those drivers behind. Gosek slipped by Sweeney as did Jeff Holbrook as the number 3 fell rapidly backwards. Gosek, who earned double points for the win, was greeted with some boos in victory lane. Said Joe, "It's too bad. I don't think I really could have passed Brian. He was too loose. He had a good race. It was unfortunate. Then I caught him on the restarts and thought what do I do - pass him or follow him? You're kind of handcuffed. Evidentially, I did the right thing. He had a good car. He didn't point to the tank until coming down for the white flag of that last restart. I said to myself, 'Oh boy, he's running out of fuel'. Then he choked up up here and I knew he was in trouble. That's too bad. It was Brian's race. He was good on restarts and able to get away. It just didn't work out for him. My guys work really hard on this car. We keep finishing and that's the key going toward this point's race. And, thanks to all the sponsors - Burke's Home Center, Ricelli's, Ed Izyk, Century 21, Laqua's, all the people that help. We appreciate it. If Brian gave us a win tonight, we had to take it. What are you going to do?"

Jeff Holbrook, was tailing Gosek at race end, also saw Sweeney pointing at the tank and was able to get by cleanly. Holbrook, with two other cars he owns in the top six, was ecstatic with the results. "Ah, all three cars up front," said Jeff. "That's what I like to see. It was a good, clean race and I'm happy. Russ Wood (who will drive one of the machines at Classic) will have to wait a couple more weeks to practice."

Bobby Bond was right behind Holbrook at the finish and he was happy just to be there. Said the Mexico, NY driver, "This was a tough one. A lot of cars dropped out. My car was pretty good, but not good enough. We still have some work to do. But, we're happy with third. So many cars dropped out there, I wasn't sure where I was. I'd like to really thank the crew and all my sponsors. They've all been great this year."

Brian Sweeney, after a strong heat run, took his 3 out front after passing Doug Kells for the lead just one circuit into the 50 lap supermodified main. Sweeney was able to survive onslaught after onslaught on restarts, pulling away with a vengeance as he looked for that elusive career-first.

The race had numerous stops, mainly for minor incidents, the first of which came on lap 12 when Howard Page spun. Sweeney was able to power away on this restart as Holbrook, Doug Kells, Tim Gareau and Keith Gilliam were early top five runners.

Yellow two came on lap 18 with the 99 of Pat Lavery and 22 of Joey Hawksby involved. Hawksby got the hook as Lavery continued.

Moving into second on lap 25 was a fast moving Tim Gareau who came by Holbrook for second. Chasing closely were Joe Gosek and Tim Snyder as Kells and Sitterly battled behind.

Sweeney maintained his strong run and again fended off advances when Craig Rayvals spun in turn two on lap 31. Gareau and Gosek applied intense pressure to Sweeney but the Oswego man was bound and determined to get the one that got away earlier this season.

Lap traffic began to play a role by lap 38 as Gareau, Gosek and Snyder tried to pinch Sweeney off to no avail until lap 39 when yet another yellow flew for a spinning Jerry Curran.

Tim Gareau was trying valiantly to get Sweeney, but Brian did not give up. The drama began to play out on the next yellow on lap 43. Gareau's car suddenly died with a broken torque arm on the backstraight to bring out the yellow. Almost simultaneously, Otto Sitterly, who is chasing Gosek for points, puffed some smoke from his 79 and pulled in. Otto said later that a chunk of rubber broke his fuel line. The third car to exit here was the fourth place runner, Snyder who also broke a fuel line. Three cars fell out of the top five in one instant. Snyder was able to come back out, but when the 94 brought out the yellow on this restart, Tim pitted again.

Throughout all this, Sweeney was in command and with 5 laps facing him, he looked to be able to pull away from Gosek now with ease. Joe indicated later that the car took 4-5 laps to get going and that's all Sweeney needed to pull off his first win.

But, on lap 46, the last yellow flew for Howie Page and Keith Gilliam and this is where the heartbreak came. Sweeney, as aforementioned, bobbled off turn two, his 3 starving for fuel. While others went by, Sweeney could only watch and drive into the pits, just a handful of laps shy of a victory. Gosek, Holbrook, Bobby Bond, Dave Trytek and Doug Kells fell in behind Gosek for the remainder of the race as Team Holbrook's third car, the 40 of Bob Magner, ran sixth. And, that's the way they crossed under the checkered, just past midnight.

Dave Trytek commented later, a little confused as to what had happened in front of him, "Did we get fourth? I don't even know. The car wasn't that good. It was pretty loose off - pushing in - loose off - loose in - pushing off. I don't know if I was driving bad tonight or what. I think a lot of people wrecked in front of me and I got fourth. I think someone in front of me may have been leaking something because a few times it was pretty slick."

The happiest man in the top five was Kells, who entered that realm for the first time Saturday night. "I love this. It's beautiful. It was unexpected. The guys did something and whatever it was, the car ran freakin' great all night long. I just kept her going straight and tried to stay out of trouble. This is perfect. I couldn't be happier. I am totally excited."

FINAL RACE RESULTS 8/2/03 Updated 1:34 am

SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #1:1. Joe Gosek (50) 2. Tim Snyder (0) 3. Keith Gilliam (87) 4. Jeff Holbrook (35) 5. Pat Lavery (99) 6. Shannon Groves (07) 7. Bill Sharkey (52) 8. Joe Hawksby Jr (22) 9. Tim Devendorf (28)

SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #2: 1. Doug Kells (39) 2. Bob Magner (40) 3. Todd Stowell (89) 4. Tim Gareau Jr (5) 5. Otto Sitterly (79) 6. Craig Rayvals (94) 7. Bill Peri (14) 8. Joe Chillemi (41) 9. Bobby Smith (20)

SUPERMODIFIED HEAT #3: 1. Brian Sweeney (3) 2. Jerry Curran (24) 3. Bob Bond (25) 4. Howard Page (18) 5. Dave Trytek (70) 6. Hal LaTulip (56) 7. Dan Connors (96) 8. Dave Halstead Jr (34) 9. Bob Goutermout (77)

SUPERMODIFIED CONSI: 1. Bill Peri (14) 2. Joe Hawksby Jr (22) 3. Bill Sharkey (52) 4. Dave Halstead Jr (34) 5. Dan Connors (96) 6. Bobby Smith (20) 7. Tim Devendorf (28) 8. Joe Chillemi (41) 9. Bob Goutermout (77) DNS

SUPERMODIFIED FEATURE (50): 1. Joe Gosek (50) 2. Jeff Holbrook (35) 3. Bob Bond (25) 4. Dave Trytek (70) 5. Doug Kells (39) 6. Bob Magner (40) 7. Pat Lavery (99) 8. Jerry Curran (24) 9. Craig Rayvals (94) 10. Brian Sweeney (3) 11. Shannon Groves (07) 12. Bill Peri (14) 13. Dan Connors (96) 14. Howard Page (18) 15. Keith Gilliam (87) 16. Hal LaTulip (56) 17. Tim Gareau Jr (5) 18. Otto Sitterly (79) 19. Tim Snyder (0) 20. Todd Stowell (89) 21. Joe Hawksby Jr (22) 22. Bill Sharkey (52) 23. Dave Halstead Jr (34) 24. Bobby Smith (20)

Kevin Knopp, whose crew nicknamed him Mr. Consi earlier in the season, lost his moniker quickly Saturday night as he won a limited super heat and went on to victory in the 25-lap main. The second year Oswego driver, who started the division with no previous racing experience, exuded veteran qualify after taking the lead on lap 4 from rookie Tim Barbeau. Knopp was chased most of the way by 2002 track champ Mark Regan, but he never faltered. Only a couple cautions dotted the way for Knopp, but Regan was never more than a car length away.

Yellow flew once on lap 13 for Guard Nearbin and Chip Wood with Wood getting hooked.

Knopp felt intense pressure from Regan, Mike Barnes, Steve Austin up front while J.J. Andrews, Mike Bond, Gregg Davis, Chris Proud and Tony White diced behind.

It was clean green racing to the finish now as Regan did all he could to put Knopp in second. Barnes and Austin were right there looking for a slip up that never came. In a most enthusiastic victory lane, Knopp smiled widely and said, "I'm not the consi king anymore! I finally graduated. The car was running good all night. I don't know how close Mark (Regan) was there but he raced me clean and I thank him for that. I'd like to thank my crew and all the sponsors. I hope we can repeat this now!"

Regan, Barnes, Austin and Gregg Davis rounded out the top five with Andrews, Proud, Bond, White and Kris Meyn completing the top ten.

LIMITED HEAT #1: 1. Kevin Knopp (94) 2. Michael Barnes (43) 3. Dan Kapuscinski (00) 4. Mark Regan (69) 5. Gregg Davis (89) 6. Chris Proud (3) 7. Mike Bozzuto (8) 8. Rob Pullen (2) 9. Stanley Gates (12) 10. Jason Cliff (60) 11. Tim Burdick (0) 12. Star Matteson (82)

LIMITED HEAT #2: 1. Tim Barbeau (50) 2. Bob Bogwicz (99) 3. Kris Meyn (86) 4. JJ Andrews (93) 5. Bill Moore (7) 6. Doug Cliff (61) 7. Lou LeVea (96) 8. Andy Noto (19) 9. Chip Wood (5) 10. Bob Kingsley (52) 11. Jack Patrick (9) 12. Steve Abt (85)

LIMITED HEAT #3: 1. Shawn Walker (68) 2. Dave Cliff (06) 3. Mike Bond (90) 4. Steve Austin (66) 5. Tony White (4) 6. Dave Gruel (18) 7. Kevin Battelle (29) 8. Guard Nearbin (78) 9. Doug Reaume (95) 10. Pat Mullen (32) 11. Jim Guyle (20) DNS

LIMITED CONSI: 1. Andy Noto (19) 2. Rob Pullen (2) 3. Guard Nearbin (78) 4. Chip Wood (5) 5. Doug Reaume (95) 6. Bob Kingsley (52) 7. Jason Cliff (60) 8. Steve Abt (85) 9. Tim Burdick (0) 10. Jack Patrick (9) 11. Pat Mullen (32) 12. Stanley Gates (12) 13. Star Matteson (82) DNS 14. Jim Guyle (20) DNS

LIMITED FEATURE (25): 1. Kevin Knopp (94) 2. Mark Regan (69) 3. Michael Barnes (43) 4. Steve Austin (66) 5. Gregg Davis (89) 6. JJ Andrews (93) 7. Chris Proud (3) 8. Mike Bond (90) 9. Tony White (4) 10. Kris Meyn (86) 11. Dave Cliff (06) 12. Tim Barbeau (50) 13. Dan Kapuscinski (00) 14. Shawn Walker (68) 15. Lou LeVea (96) 16. Mike Bozzuto (8) 17. Doug Cliff (61) 18. Rob Pullen (2) 19. Doug Reaume (95) 20. Bob Bogwicz (99) 21. Guard Nearbin (78) 22. Dave Gruel (18) 23. Bill Moore (7) 24. Andy Noto (19) 25. Kevin Battelle (29) 26. Chip Wood (5)

The super stocks took to the race track at approximately 1:10 after waiting patiently for their turn to shine. The 34 of Jason Spaulding took up the lead from the pole but a lap 2 yellow flew to slow things for the 38 of George Knight.

Spaulding had Bruce Stanton, Jeff Hamman and Doug Reaume bearing down on him on the restart and he wasn't able to hold off Stanton long. Coming on strong was Spencer Speedway regular, Jeff Hamman, who was second ahead of three-time feature winner to date, Doug Reaume.

A massive foam cruncher came on lap 12 when the 85 of Dave Bock was forced to the outside with Bock doing a number on his front end and the foam blocks. Chris Lupa also received the hook here.

On the restart, Hamman was by Stanton, leaving Reaume to challenge in third. Dwayne LeMay moved up to fourth as Bobby Newman charged into the top five as the race neared conclusion.

Hamman pulled away from the pack in the remaining flagless five and came into victory lane amid some confusion in regard to his tires. He had indicated to tech earlier that he had checked a website which said they were runable tires. After review of the circumstances, Hamman was determined to have garnered some misinformation and was awarded the win as it stood.Stanton, Reaume, LeMay, and Newman were top five finishers.

SUPER STOCKS: SUPER STOCK HEAT #1: 1. Bruce Stanton (93) 2. Jeff Hamman (91) 3. Jason Spaulding (34) 4. George Knight (38) 5. Dwayne LeMay (12) 6. Joe Miller (9) 7. Bobby Newman (77) 8. Fred Siebert (65)

SUPER STOCK HEAT #2: 1. Doug Reaume (99) 2. Don Pringle (96) 3. David Bock (85) 4. JJ Courcy (20) 5. Joe Skilinski (4) 6. Chris Lupa (46) 7. RJ Wyman (08) DNS

SUPER STOCK FEATURE (20): 1. Jeff Hamman (91), 2. Bruce Stanton (93) 3. Doug Reaume (99) 4. Dwayne LeMay (12) 5. Bobby Newman (77) 6. Joe Skilinski (4) 7. Jason Spaulding (34) 8. Fred Siebert (65) 9. David Bock (85) 10. Joe Miller (9) 11. Chris Lupa (46) 12. JJ Courcy (20) 13. George Knight (38) 14. Don Pringle (96) 15. RJ Wyman (08)

BRITTAIN REPEATS AS ROC MOD QUALIFIER
"I just like this place" said an elated Pete Brittain in victory lane after winning his second straight RoC qualifier at Oswego Speedway. He managed to hold off one of the winningest modified drivers in history, George Kent and another driver who knew the way to victory lane at the fast 5/8'ths, Jan Leaty. It was Brittain's first win on the RoC trail this season. Starting outside pole, Brittain took up the front spot from the get go and never gave it up, except momentarily, for the entire 50 laps. Four early yellows did not deter Brittain who would find Leaty and Kent knocking on the door hard from lap 15 on for Leaty and from lap 32 on for Kent.

Said Brittain in victory lane after receiving his RoC qualifier plaque, "It was a good hard race. George (Kent) and I had some good hard racing there at the end too. With about four to go I don't know if I hit something or what, the car just wiped out on me and George got underneath a little bit and we touched. I think that was the only time in the whole race that the car acted up a little bit. I knew George would have to go to the outside near the end there because he wasn't getting underneath me. Tonight there just wasn't much of an outside. So, I felt that he'd have to go around. I learned that in the heat race tonight and actually in last year's race. For some reason in this August race it's tough to pass on the outside. It seems like the track is better when we come here in September for whatever reason. I'd like to thank this crew. They maintain this car in Elmira, NY and I tell you it's top notch. T.J. and his crew and my crew who travel with me. They all do a great job!"

Brittain drag-raced Rusty Smith down to the line for the lead on the green with Rusty falling into second. A quick yellow fell on lap 5 bunching the field, but Brittain easily pulled away on the restart.

Smith was Brittain's main challenger as his team car driven by T.J. Potrzebowski held up third. Soon a pair of sixes - Leaty and Ken Troyer, moved in to make it five. Coming up through the pack was perennial Oswego winner George Kent.

Yellow flew again twice on lap 18. One time it was for two or three cars which were all able to restart. It fell the second time for Josh Gregg's 18 which exited on the hook. Lee Sherwood also pitted here.

Brittain took off, but had Leaty tacked to his bumper lap after lap as Rusty Smith, Potrzebowski and Troyer held off Kent, but not for long. George moved up to third by midway and off the trio went into battle.

On lap 27, Leaty came alongside of Brittain, pushed hard by Kent. Jan actually nosed out front for a brief time, but Brittain held his ground racing door-to-door around the track. T.J. held up fourth as a distance away, Smith battled Jan's son, Mike Leaty.

With ten to go, Kent was a tappin' and a tappin' on Brittain's back end, but this New Jersey driver knew how to hold on. For the remainder of the race, it was anybody's ballgame, but it was Brittain's race to lose and he wasn't about to. One bobble came on lap 46 when the 99 slowed ever so slightly and Kent checked a bit not to hit him. Leaty did likewise. A brief brush, as Brittain alluded to, was all that occurred. He recovered rapidly and headed to the finish line with Kent, Potrzebowski and Leaty trailing. Smith finished up the top five. T.J's car and crew pulled into victory lane to congratulate their team driver.

Kenny Troyer, Tony Hanbury, Mike Leaty, Tony Seseley, and Matt Hirschman, rounded out the top ten.

Mod notes... Modified heats went to Jim Willis, Jan Leaty, T.J. Potrzebowski and Ryan Holland. The Holland heat saw a wild ride by Todd Smith who climbed the catch fence on the front straight before landing in the foam blocks in turn one. Smith was okay. His number 52 modified was not....Rain threatened as the two modified consis were complete and won by Rick Kluth and J.R. Kent. Rain began pelting the speedway just after Kent's win and the long wait and mop up followed until cars reached the track again at 9:35.

RoC finish Event #8: 1. Pete Brittain (99), 2. George Kent (26), 3. T.J. Potrzebowski (72), 4. Jan Leaty (6), 5. Rusty Smith (34), 6. Ken Troyer (6x), 7. Tony Hanbury (45), 8. Mike Leaty (25), 9. Anthony Seseley (16), 10. Matt Hirschman (52), 11. Rick Kluth (44), 12. Kirk Rutherford (04), 13. Josh Gregg (78), 14. Kim Jennejohn (29), 15. Ryan Holland (82), 16. Jim Willish (11), 17. Larry Jackson (84), 18. Zane Zeiner (76), 19. Terry Cheetham (41), 20. Lee Sherwood (95), 21. Donnie Staubitz (89), 22. Jeff Ulrich (75), 23. Brett Scherer (18), 24. Billy Putney (88), 25. Rick Zacharias (71), 26. J.R. Kent (30), 27. Bobby Osgood (09).