Harry Reed jumped back into the Modified points race with his win in the annual 70-lap Coors Light Classic at Wall Stadium Saturday night. It was the third win of the year for the Freehold driver and moved him closer to Jimmy Blewett of Howell in the standings.
The week before, Reed had finished back in the pack, after his engine blew, damaging his title hopes. But he’s back on track after his big win.
Reed was in control of the race from the start and dominated. He took the lead on the first lap and never relinquished it. First, it was Barnegat’s Tom Mauser, who provided the challenge, and in the final laps, it was Howell’s John Blewett III making the run at him. However, Reed never gave his pursuers any hope for a win, as he weaved his way through lapped traffic and increased his lead with each lap.
Blewett III held on for second with Mauser third. One day before celebrating his 21st birthday, Jimmy Blewett finished fourth and held onto his points lead. Curtis Truex Jr. of Mayetta was fifth on the line.
Neptune’s George Andretta won his fourth straight Pro Stock feature, when Farmingdale’s Rob Williams spun out in turn two, leaving the door open for Andretta. Williams appeared headed for the checkered flag in the extra-distance 50-lap event, before spinning out on the 36th lap. That left Andretta, second at the time, in the lead, and with three straight wins under his belt, the Neptune driver knew what to do with the lead.
Farmingdale’s Jim Vogt was second at the line, followed by Charlie Kremer III of Toms River, John Therkildsen of Matawan and Jim McLaughlin of Englishtown in third through fifth place. Williams recovered to take sixth place, while points leader Chas Okerson of Freehold was ninth.
Farmingdale’s John McCormack grabbed his second checkered flag of the season and padded his points lead in the Street Stock division. McCormack spent most of the 50-lap race moving up through the field. He didn’t seize the lead until 15 laps were remaining. He clung to the lead over the final 14 circuits with Shannon Mongeau of Manasquan, the early race leader, second. Third place went to Kenny Matlack with Ron Frees of Brick fourth and Beachwood’s Bill Vanderveen, fifth.
It was an opportunistic Brian Worth, who was in the right place at the right time in taking the 20-lap Truck Series main event. Worth, of Brick, was in third place behind leaders Steve Naylor of Absecon and Jerry Stanzione of Keansburg, as the laps were counting down. Naylor and Stanzione were battling hard for the win, when they locked bumpers and slowed. That gave Worth an opening, and he took it, charging to the lead with just a couple laps remaining.
Naylor and Stanzione did recover to take second and third with Kenny McGowan and Chris Olcott of Linwood fourth and fifth. Chris Kilbride of Colts Neck was sixth.
Hacketstown’s Jason Rochelle won his fifth Legend Cars feature with Shawn Emmons of Farmingdale second in the 20-lap race.
Mike Tidaback of Little Falls was first in the 25-lap Three-Quarter Midgets feature with Dough Sherwood and Tim Iulg second and third.
It’s Banner Night at Wall Stadium this Saturday night. The Legend Cars will be featured this week with a double-points 30-lap headliner. This will feature a time trial at 6:30 p.m. All of the other stock car divisions will run their regular distance features starting at 7.
New Egypt Speedway
Veteran Billy Pauch of Frenchtown won his ninth Modified feature of the year at New Egypt Speedway Saturday night, while Whitehouse Station’s Sam Martz celebrated his first-time win in the companion Future Winner’s race.
Pauch found the track surface to his liking, as he won his fourth straight 30-lapper.
"We could run the top or the bottom, everywhere on the track," said Pauch. "I’ve got to thank Rick Grosso [track prep person] for that."
John Koczon was in control early in this race, while Pauch snaked his way through traffic. A restart on lap 21 gave Pauch the opportunity to take the lead, and he took full advantage of it, speeding by Koczon and then holding on to take the checkered flag again.
Keith Hoffman was second with Kenny Brightbill, third, Rick Grosso Jr. and Freehold’s Eddie Bohn, fifth.
In the 20-lap Future Winners event opened to Modified drivers who have never won a race at the Central Jersey track, it was Martz who secured his first-ever win in a blanket finish over Fred Dmuchowski and Grosso Jr.
Martz won $500 for the win plus a trophy and champagne.
Rich Scagliotti of Bound Brook battled all race long with Mike Toth before getting the checkered flag in the 20-lap Sportsman final. Chris Wasson was third, Dave Hoffman, fourth and points lead Matt Papiez, fifth. Howell’s Mike Reutter Jr. was eighth.
Cranbury’s Al Cheney III continues to own the Street Stock Division, extending his points lead with his sixth win of the campaign. However, it wasn’t easy as he needed to make a gusty last-lap pass to beat Mario Page to the finish line. Carol Whitehouse was third followed by Rich Page II and John Hewitt.
Lightning Lap awards for the quickest lap in a feature went to Pauch (18.269), Toth (19.279) and Cheney (20.957).
This Saturday night, it’s the kids who will take to the track for the Big Wheel Challenge. It’s youngsters 10-and-under. The speedway will present its regular full card of stock car action as well.

