A Familiar Face Snags the Big Block Modified Title at Cayuga

Weedsport, NY - Eight features, 135 laps of Modified action, and one world famous boat race would consume Sunday night’s racing action this Labor Day weekend at Cayuga County Fair Speedway. 

Modifieds 

The Big Block Modifieds would take to the stage twice on Sunday night, as last week’s rainout sent dirt’s heavy hitters to the line once more for a 35-lap Modified feature.

Chad Homan silenced the efforts of Roy Shields in the beginning seconds of green flag action, swinging around to the outside lane for a clear shot of the lead. A caution on lap seven sent the boys back in line but when action quickly resumed; Mike Mahaney challenged Homan for the lead spot, going side by side for consecutive laps.

As Homan cleared Mahaney with ten laps in the books, Alan Johnson began working up the ranks, passing Matt Sheppard, currently 33 points behind Johnson in points chase, on lap 17. The Hurricane Steve Paine started a path of destruction of his own, dispensing Mahaney from his second place spot three laps later.

With fifteen laps to go, action couldn’t get any hotter as Jimmy Phelps joins the battle, climbing into the top three rankings after passing Mahaney seconds later. Paine quickly began working on chopping down Homan’s straightaway lead but with Phelps knocking on his back door, it was evident the Hurricane had his hands full.

A caution with five laps to go would send Homan into the eye of the Hurricane as the boys lined up for the last time this season for a five lap shootout between Homan, Paine, and Phelps. As the trio charged into one and two, the #91 of Homan seemed to escape the destruction of Paine but it was an act of fate that kept Homan from finishing the race as his left rear tire goes airborne seconds later sending Homan into a tailspin in turn three.

Paine would graciously take charge of the field on the restart as action resumed and despite numerous attempts from Phelps, Steve Paine claimed the checkered flag, closing out regular season action at Cayuga County Fair Speedway for 2009. Top Five: Steve Paine, Jimmy Phelps, Jeff Brownell Jr, Alan Johnson, and Mike Mahaney

Alan Johnson’s fourth place finish secured his name as this year’s Big Block Modified track champion!

 Sportsman Modifieds

Steve Gray rallied back from a disappointing night Saturday at Canandaigua Speedway with a dominating performance, stealing the lead away from Charles DeMott in the opening circuits of action.

As the remaining twenty four sportsman cars ricocheted around the track, Gray accumulated a half straightaway lead on the competition as was gaining more ground. Alan Fink aboard the #11j challenged DeMott for second best and succeeded but with only ten laps in the books it appeared Gray was set on cruise control.

A caution with three to go in the 25 lap feature, sent the boys back to the line as Gray’s marginal lead was wiped clean. When action assumed, Gray jumped back into the lead with ease as Tom Juhl gives Fink a run for his money for the second place spot. With Dave Farney waving the checkered flag, Gray easily took home another victory at Cayuga County Fair Speedway. Tom Juhl accompanied Gray to victory lane as this year’s 2009 Cayuga County Fair Speedway track champion! Top Five: Steve Gray, Tom Juhl, Alan Fink, Justin Wright, and Jeremy Pitcher.

 BattleKarz

The BattleKarz division traded in double features for a triple crown affair on Sunday night as three 15-lap features were added into the racing schedule as Lance Albanese coined the phrase “two out of three ain’t bad,” claiming two out of three victories.

Barb Amidon would spoil Albanese’s sweep during Sunday’s second BattleKarz feature with a dominating performance around the 3/8 miler in Weedsport. After it was all said and done, Nick Werner muscled up enough points throughout the season to secure his second straight track championship in the BattleKarz division.

 Street Stocks

The Street Stock division came to green flag action Sunday night at Cayuga County Fair Speedway for Championship night as Chris Fisher and Mike Welch led the remaining drivers into full- throttle action. As Fisher set up shop in the top spot, Welch and Andy Fisk went wheel to wheel in a intense battle for second but by lap two, Fisk would send Welch packing as Nate Peckham and Bubba Burnell follow behind

A caution thrown on lap four was all Fisk needed to dethrone the #37c of Fisher as the #33 chassis was on a clear mission to victory lane. Round and round they go, Fisher doing everything he can to catch up to Fisk, but it appeared there was no stopping him. Five to go… two to go… Fisk maintains control of the field, cruising into victory lane for the last time in 2009 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway.

Fisk did everything he could to spoil Mannise’s championship run, but the #8 had the last laugh, finishing the night in third and securing his Street Stock track championship for 2009. Top Five: Andy Fisk, Chris Fisher, Dave Mannise, Nate Peckham, and Mike Welch

 Midstate Vintage Mods

In the night’s first Midstate Vintage Mod feature, Gordie Wood aboard his 1936 Coupe led the remaining twelve cars around the 3/8 miler but it would be Paul Applebee from Port Byron, NY that would send Wood to the wayside, securing his victory on the fourth lap of the feature with a move to the outside. Despite a handful of cautions and close calls, Applebee maneuvered his way through the madness landing in victory lane.

Eight cars comprised the last and final Midstate Vintage Mod feature as David Charczuk 1971 Gremlin reigned supreme, beating out Ray Preston’s 1940 Plymouth Coupe and Rob Casti’s 1936 Plymouth Coupe for a spot in the winner’s circle.