WALL TOWNSHIP — Kevin Flockhart of Jackson and Mike Carpenter of Brick were among 10 happy champions Saturday night as they shared wins in twin 35 lap NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Modified stock car races at Wall Township Speedway.
For Flockhart, it was a memorable first career win, while Carpenter enjoyed his second victory of the season and the 22nd of his career.
In the first 35-lapper, Flockhart jumped to the lead on the second lap and never looked back. Freehold’s Harry Reed broke from the pack and into second and haunted Flockhart until lap 24. During a caution period at that point for a spinning car, Reed’s great run ended as he headed to the pit area with fluids leaking from his No. 14.
Flockhart charged right back into the lead on the restart and handled the field to the checker flag. Ryan Seaman of Toms River was second at the stripe, while Brick’s Marc Rogers, point leader and six-time champ Dave Michel of Manahawkin and two-time defending champ Jimmy Blewett of Howell wrapped up the top five.
"It’s been a long time coming," Flockhart said of his first win. "I want to thank my car owners, John and Brian Scisco, for a great car and for this opportunity."
In the second Modified 35-lap race, Carpenter took advantage of a front row starting spot to lead the 23-car field all the way. Howell’s Ken Woolley Jr. was the first to challenge him before Michel charged into second on lap five and shadowed the leader all the way to the checker. Blewett slipped into third with just six laps remaining, while Reed ended up fourth and John Blewett III of Howell was fifth.
"It was real hot in that car tonight," Carpenter said in the winner’s circle. "When we stopped after that wreck, the heat and humidity were real bad. The sweat was running into my eyes so I couldn’t see."
The wreck Carpenter mentioned was a big one. With just three laps remaining, Rich Gould of North Brunswick climbed the back stretch guardrail before his car flipped onto its roof. Gould’s No. 85 slid upside down the length of the backstretch before coming to a rest in the third turn. Gould was not injured.
The Pro Stock division also saw a first-time winner as Matt Przmielewski of Forked River raced to victory in the first of a pair of 25-lappers. He wrestled the lead from Toms River’s Glen Halbing early and then dominated to cross the finish line first.
Morristown’s Eric Albright was second, with Kenny Reaves of Piscataway, two-time defending champ Chas Okerson of Freehold and former champ Rob Williams of Farmingdale wrapping up the top five.In the Pro Stock nightcap, Kevin Eyres of Colts Neck fought off Okerson almost all the way to grab his first win of the 2003 season. Mitch Brudy of Toms River, Przmielewski, and Williams were third through fifth.
Bob Geiger of Absecon and Lakewood’s Steve Costello were Street Stock winners. In the first 25-lapper, Geiger came from 17th to take the lead with just four laps remaining. Geoff Green and Chris Halstead, both of Toms River, Jim Downey of Cliffwood Beach and Brick’s Ron Frees wrapped up the top five.
The second Street Stock race saw Costello in the lead with just one lap remaining while early leader Halstead was forced to settle for second. Frees, John Webber and Brandon Stowell completed the top five.
Phil Naylor of Tuckerton won the first of two 20-lap Truck Series main events over Bill Weichert of Chatham and Mark Flores. Naylor appeared to be working on a sweep as he led the second race until his No. 33 overheated with just one lap remaining. That handed the win to his brother, Steve Naylor, with Keith Mulleneaux and Jim Bruno in second and third.
The Legend Cars were featured in their annual 30-lap championship race and former champ John Menzak of Flemington took home a big payoff of purse, lap and bonus money for his first win of the year. Jim Tomaino of Eatontown and Brick’s Bryan Gardella were a tight second and third in the wild event.
In the 20-lapper for the Legends, Craig Rochelle of Hackettstown made a daring last lap pass on his brother Jason as he took down the win. Ronnie Dunstan was third behind the racing Rochelles.
The 69-lap "Ray Gastelu Memorial," postponed from Aug. 9, will headline the card this Saturday (Aug. 23). The racing program, sponsored by NAPA, Sunbird RV, Arizona Ice Tea and Waste Management, will also feature Wall’s Busch Beer Modifieds in a 50-lapper, the visiting ARTS Trucks in a 50-lapper, the Street Stocks in a 35-lap feature and the Legend Cars in a 20-lap main event. Racing will begin at 6 p.m.