Blewett captures first-ever feature win at Wall Local racers continue to compete for series’ championships

Staff Writer

By tim morris

Blewett captures first-ever feature win at Wall
Local racers continue
to compete for series’
championships


JEFF HUNTLEY Freehold’s Harry Reed (No. 14) competes in one of the twin small-block Modified races at Wall Stadium on Saturday. Reed’s two top-five finishes helped him gain ground on points leader Tim Arre of Toms River. JEFF HUNTLEY Freehold’s Harry Reed (No. 14) competes in one of the twin small-block Modified races at Wall Stadium on Saturday. Reed’s two top-five finishes helped him gain ground on points leader Tim Arre of Toms River.

The Blewett racing family from Howell has another winner. Jimmy Blewett became the latest Blewett to visit victory lane after he picked up his first-ever small-block Modified feature win at Wall Stadium Saturday night.

The 19-year-old Blewett, however, didn’t get the full enjoyment of his win because he had to go right back to work driving in the second of the twin 30-lap features for the division that highlights Wall Stadium’s program.

Freehold’s Robert Schlechtweg grabbed the checkered flag in the second of the 30-lappers, with Harry Reed of Howell coming in second. Blewett, riding the momentum of his first-ever win, would take third place in the race to complete what was easily his best night of racing.

Dave Garfinkel of Galloway Township made sure that Blewett earned his first career win. He was all over the Howell driver’s bumper in the last half of the race, but Blewett remained cool under pressure and did not blink. He led every lap of the race.


JEFF HUNTLEY Chris Kilbride of Colts Neck competes during the 20-lap truck race at Wall Stadium on Saturday. Kilbride went on to win the race. JEFF HUNTLEY Chris Kilbride of Colts Neck competes during the 20-lap truck race at Wall Stadium on Saturday. Kilbride went on to win the race.

Reed was third in this race, followed by Barnegat’s Tom Mauser and Schlechtweg.

Schlechtweg’s win in the second Modified feature was his first at the track since 1997.

Reed helped his track championship cause considerably with his second- and third-place finishes. He gained ground on points leader Tim Arre of Toms River, who finished out of the Top 10 in both races.

Farmingdale’s Jim Vogt won the 25-lap Pro Stock main event with Chas Okerson of Freehold second. Kenny Reaves of Piscataway was third at the line, followed by Rob Williams of Farmingdale and Ray Gastelu of Jackson.

Morganville’s Mike Brennan won the 20-lap Street Stock final with J.R. Nixon of Lakewood in tow. Russ Cook of Howell was third, followed by Larry Thompson of Parlin and Eric Albright of Morristown.

Chris Kilbride of Colts Neck won the 20-lap Street Trucks final with Dennis Buckley of Freehold third. Phil Naylor of Tuckerton was third, and Marlboro’s Tim Buckley and Forked River’s Keith Marion were fourth and fifth.

Buckley’s win completed a big night for local drivers at Wall Stadium as five of them visited victory lane.

Tim Henry of Schnecksville, Pa., won the Legends feature over 20 laps, followed by Hackettstown’s Jason Rochelle and Howell’s Bryan Gardella. It was Henry’s seventh win of the year.

All five stock car divisions will go at it again on Saturday night starting at 7.

New Egypt Speedway

Frenchtown’s Bill Pauch mastered the art of weaving through traffic to score his 12th Modified win of the season at New Egypt Speedway Saturday night.

Tom Carberry, a two-time winner this summer, took the lead from the start and was the early pace-setter. Pauch and Kenny Brightbill of Sinking Springs, Pa., meanwhile, threaded their way through the field to move into position to challenge.

On the 15th circuit, Pauch was in second, and one lap later he was the frontrunner.

But Pauch could hardly relax as he soon had Brightbill on his bumper. Brightbill passed Carberry on the 23rd lap and went into pursuit of Pauch.

Pauch, though, had built a sizable lead and was able to hold off Brightbill’s charge over the closing laps for win No. 12.

Carberry held on for third with Freehold’s Eddie Bohn, fourth, and Tim Tanner Jr., fifth.

"It was a tough track tonight. I had to move around to find the right groove," Pauch said after getting the checkered flag.

The 20-lap Sportsman Division feature was highlighted by a duel between Jack Swain and Lee Taylor Jr. that was won by Swain.

Taylor led for most of the evening until Swain was able to motor by in the final laps. It was a special win for the Mount Laurel driver.

"I’ve got to thank my wife Carol for letting me race on our anniversary," Swain remarked.

Larry Archer, Matt Papiez and Farmingdale’s Mickey Kessler rounded out the top five.

Rich Page captured his first career win at NES in the 15-lap Street Stock feature.

Page took the lead on the first lap and held it throughout, although he was constantly under pressure from several drivers.

Pat Conaway was second at the line followed by George Quinlan, Bill Gerber and Bryan Reed.

Lightning Lap Award winners for fast lap in a feature event were: Carberry for the modifieds (15.5930), Papiez in the Sportsman (16.693) and Gerber in Street Stock (17.647).

On Saturday night, the Future Winner’s Race for modifieds, a bonus event for drivers who have never won a feature at NES, will highlight the card.

The modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stocks fill out the card that starts at 6:30.

East Windsor Speedway

Rain postponed Friday night’s card. The half-mile clay oval will try again this Friday night with Modified, Sportsman and Street Stock features. Racing starts at 7:30.