Matt Sheppard and Rob Bellinger Go Wheel to Wheel for Photo Finish

Weedsport, NY - In one of the most thrilling finishes at Cayuga County Fair Speedway to date, Matt Sheppard and Rob Bellinger put on a helluva show Sunday night as the duo went head to head for over 12 laps setting up a race to the checkered flag, leaving fans to wonder who would land in Victory Lane!

Big Block Modifieds

By the completion of lap one in the Big Block Modified feature Sunday night, it was quite evident that fans were in for a memorable race as Derrick Podsiadlo gambled with an inside move into turn 3 to take the lead from pole sitter Paul Habeck. As Podsiadlo began separating himself from the field, Matt Sheppard and Steve Paine began heating up as the two made their way into fifth and sixth position with just five laps recorded.

After a four car pile up on lap 14 sent the field to a two by two restart, the tires of Podsiadlo looked to have worn out leaving hot shot Rob Bellinger, currently riding in second, a perfect opportunity to take hold of the lead position. When action resumed, Bellinger quickly seized the leader spot courtesy of the outside lane as Sheppard set up shop behind Podsiadlo. Two circuits later, Sheppard had found his way behind Bellinger as the pair engaged in a heated battle for the premier spot.

With laps winding down the anticipation reached astronomical heights as both Sheppard and Bellinger held nothing back swapping paint multiple times as the two drivers fought for every inch of positioning on the track. Back and forth Sheppard and Bellinger exchanged the top two positions around the 3/8 miler like two thoroughbreds sparring seconds before crossing the finish line at the Kentucky Derby.

Five circuits around the famed track remained as Bellinger held the lead by just a nose but with three to go, Sheppard put the nail in the coffin as he cleared Bellinger for the last time… Sheppard would sweep Victory Lane, winning features at both Canandaigua and Cayuga County Fair Speedway this weekend. Top Five: Matt Sheppard, Rob Bellinger, Alan Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, and Steve Paine

Sportsman Modifieds

Within minutes of the green flag dropping in the Sportsman feature Sunday night, Team Town Mechanical Inc. spear headed by Elbridge, NY native Todd Town seized clear control of the field as all three cars resided in the top four positions.

After passing team mate Earl Rudy on lap 11 for second, Town set his sights on current leader Tim Schneider who appeared to be slowing down with each lap’s completion.  As Mark Osmstead Jr aboard the #9m Town Mechanical Inc broke into the top three fellow team mate Town sealed Schneider’s fate exploiting the outside lane exiting turn 2 as the field reached the midway point of the feature.

Fans cheered on the hometown hero and despite the hard fought efforts of Alan Fink, currently running in second, Town wasn’t about to relinquish the #1 spot parking his #17t in Victory Lane for the second time this year. Top Five: Todd Town, Alan Fink, Mark Osmstead Jr, Ben Wheeler, and Tim Schneider.

Street Stocks

After competing in the first annual Mr. Marshmallow competition at Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Mike Welch strapped into his #00 ride for Sunday night’s Street Stock 20 lap feature. Whether it was the sugar high from all the marshmallows and Sprite or the modifications that were made during Sunday’s night intermission, it appeared Welch was taking no prisoners as he ricocheted around the 3/8 miler separating from the field just four laps into the feature.

By lap 12, Welch had accumulated a three second lead giving him just enough room to sail into Victory Lane to collect the night’s checkered flag. Top Five: Mike Welch, Chris Fisher, Wayne Ellison, Nick Rizzo, and Andy Fisk.

Pure Stox

From the word Go! Marc Minutolo in his #25b ride wasn't letting go of the gas pedal, as he seperated himself from the Pure Stox division Sunday night in a green to checkered flag feature win. In victory lane, Minutolo couldn't be happier with the car's performance as he thanked his family for their continued support. Results - (1) Marc Minutolo, (2) Jim Cronin, (3) Eric Chapman, (4) Wade Young 

BattleKarz

The #14a of Lanson Albanese had too much under the hood for Bruce Unger and the remaining 15 BattleKarz could attest to as the young gun secured a sizeable lead over the field claiming his first feature win of the 2009 season. Top Five: Lanson Albanese, Bruce Unger, Matt Dawson, Nick Werner, and Dave Nageldinger.

Results:

Big Block Modifieds: (1) Matt Sheppard, (2) Rob Bellinger, (3) Alan Johnson, (4) Jimmy Phelps, (5) Steve Paine, (6) Billy Dunn, (7) Chad Homan, (8) Jeff Brownell Jr, (9) Larry Wight, (10) Derrick Podsiadlo, (11) Sean Beardsley, (12) Jason Potter, (13) Mike Storms, (14) Mike Bowman, (15) Tim Currier, (16) Mike Mahaney, (17) Chad Phelps, (18) Ryan Phelps, (19) Shannon Whaley, (20) Eric Fisher, (21) Tyler Bartlett, (22) Tony Steiner, (23) Frankie Caprara, (24) Paul Habeck, (25) Justin Haers, (26) Danny Johnson

Sportsman Modifieds: (1) Todd Town, (2) Alan Fink, (3) Mark Osmstead Jr, (4) Ben Wheeler, (5) Tim Schneider, (6) Tom Juhl, (7) John Pietrowicz, (8) Earl Rudy, (9) Jeremy Pitcher, (10) Justin Wright, (11) Jim Spano, (12) Steve Gray, (13) Marcus Dinkins, (14) Dave Marcuccilli, (15) Kevin Ridley, (16) Robert Humphreys, (17) Josh VanBrocklin, (18) Ricky Newton, (19) Rob Richmond Jr, (20) Bill Anderson Jr, (21) Chris Hile, (22) AJ Kingsley

Street Stock: (1) Mike Welch, (2) Chris Fisher, (3) Wayne Ellison, (4) Nick Rizzo, (5) Andy Fisk, (6) Nate Peckham, (7) Dave Mannise, (8) Bubba Burnell

BattleKarz: (1) Lanson Albanese, (2) Bruce Unger, (3) Matt Dawson, (4) Nick Werner, (5) Dave Nageldinger, (6) Les Baker, (7) Karl Werner, (8) Bill Werner, (9) James Werner, (10) Billy Miner, (11) Greg Large, (12) Charles DeGroff, (13) Jeremy Werner, (14) Josh Green, (15) Keith Hodgekiss, (16) Chris Bonoffski