It didn’t start out as a good night for Frenchtown’s Billy Pauch on Saturday. The two-time Modified champion failed to qualify in his heat, started deep in 19th in the 30-lap feature event, and, quite frankly, didn’t look all that strong in the early going.
But Pauch being Pauch he let the track come to him, waging a whale of a battle with a ferocious Frank Cozze in the last half before capturing a sweet $2,750 win on his sponsor’s night at New Egypt Speedway.
"I worked hard for you guys tonight. I hope you enjoyed it," Pauch said to the contingent from sponsor Pioneer Pole Buildings of Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
"These other guys thought they had us covered because they started up front and the track was dry-slick," he said, grinning. "I always drive extra hard when my sponsors are here."
Modified rookie Ryan Godown had it his way for the first half of the show, leading a fast pace with the big guns breathing hard behind him. It was a wild three-way battle between Godown, Cozze and Pauch before Pauch swept under both to claim the top spot on lap 17. Cozze made a couple of gutsy runs at the No. 1, pulling even in a last-ditch restart move with three to go. Pauch, however, didn’t want any of it and ran dead-on under the checker to record his second win of the season, collecting a $250 winner’s bonus from Pioneer Pole Buildings in the process. Cozze was second with Tim Tanner Jr. muscling into third, Godown settling for fourth and Roger Laureno in fifth.
New Egypt hometown boy Lee Taylor Jr. hustled past Gene Stravinsky on lap 8 and went on to ink his second career victory in the 20-lap Sportsman fray. Keith Foster, Larry Kline, Joe Papiez and Jack Swain were second through fifth.
Bill Gerber of Waterford made the most of Mario Page’s misfortune in the Super Stock feature event, grabbing the top spot and the victory after Page dropped from the race with mechanical woes. Carol Whitehouse, Gary Butler, Pat Conaway and Kenny Hammond followed Gerber to the stripe.
Second-generation driver Dave Woolston Jr., Florence, switched cars with his father to become the first two-time winner in the Mid-State Communications Rookie Series. Tom Fitzsimmons, Rich Acolia, Glenn Hisko and Anthony Tramontana completed the top five.
The Herman’s Trucking Lightning Lap Awards for fastest lap in a feature event were won by Ryan Godown (Mods, 18.377), Chris Wasson (Sportsman, 20.080) and Mario Page (Super Stock, 19.649).
Next week marks the first 2002 appearance of the popular URC Sprint cars at New Egypt Speedway, along with a Mother’s Day tribute sponsored by DeVos Motorsports. Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Super Stocks and Rookies are also on the five-division card. Gates open at 2 p.m, with the first race starting at 5. Adult admission costs $18, children ages 7-12 cost $6, and kids age 6 and under enter free.
For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900.
New Egypt Outlaw tickets
on sale May 15
For race fans anxious for a shot at the hottest ticket in town, the wait is over. Tickets for New Egypt Speedway’s July 29 Pennzoil World of Outlaws blockbuster, sponsored by Carquest Auto Parts, will be released for sale on May 15 at 10 a.m. exclusively through Ticketmaster.
All seats are reserved for New Egypt’s "Greatest Show on Dirt" featuring the country’s premier touring Sprint cars along with a Sportsman Invitational undercard. The $32 tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (609) 520-8383 or (215) 336-2000. Fans can also purchase their seats online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at area Ticketmaster outlets, including Strawbridge’s and Boscov’s department stores, The Wiz in Lawrenceville and Brick, Compact Disc World, and at any Tower Records location in South Jersey and Philadelphia. Unlike last year, Pennzoil World of Outlaws tickets will not be sold at the speedway box office.
"We underestimated the demand for these tickets last year, and we couldn’t keep up with the phone calls. It was a frustrating experience for everyone," track owner Rick Grosso Sr. admitted. "This time we’re letting the professionals handle ticket sales so fans can buy their Outlaw tickets at their convenience, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through Ticketmaster phone lines, the Web site or outlets."
Racing action is set for 7 p.m. July 29, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and time trials beginning at 6 p.m. New Egypt Speedway is located on Route 539, just minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure and the New Jersey Turnpike.
For more information about tickets for Carquest’s Pennzoil World of Outlaws at New Egypt Speedway, contact Ticketmaster. For general information about New Egypt Speedway programs, call the track office at (609) 758-1900.
Wall Speedway
It was another slugfest on Saturday night at Wall Township Speedway, but defending Modified stock car division champion Jimmy Blewett of Howell prevailed, taking his second feature victory of the season, the Coors Light 50.
In support competition, Chas Okerson of Freehold Borough took his second Pro Stock feature of the season, while it was Jason Duvall of Farmingdale in the Street Stock main. Mike Heuser of Hammonton led every lap in the WTS truck feature. Jason Rochelle of Hackettstown made it two straight in the Legends cars, and Scott Riggleman of Howell won the American Race trucks series 50-lapper.
In winning the Modified feature, Blewett not only became the first repeat winner in the division in 2002, but also regained the championship points lead. After surviving several restarts for skirmishes, "Showtime" grabbed the top spot on the 23rd lap and led the rest of the way. Half a straightaway behind at the checkers was Curtis Truex Jr. of Mayetta in his best run of the year.
Richie Evans Jr. of Rome, N.Y., in his finest ever finish, was third and moved into the top 10 in points. Then it was Jamie Tomaino Jr. of Howell, and Tommy Farrell III of Neptune. Rounding out the top 10 were Ryan Seaman of Toms River, Joe Mongeau of Brick, Jason Hearne of New Egypt, Felix Verlangieri III of Lavallette, and Dave Michel of Manahawkin.
This coming Saturday night at Wall Township Speedway, the regular five weekly divisions (the Modifieds, the Pro Stocks, Street Stocks, Legends, and trucks) will be joined by the Three-Quarter Midgets, plus the Quarter Midgets from the "Little Wall Speedway" will be on display along the midway behind the main grandstand.
And remember, WTS is now on its summertime schedule with the gates opening at 5 p.m., qualifying heat races at 7 p.m., and the feature races scheduled to start at 9 p.m.