NEW EGYPT – Two savvy veterans – Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, in the Modified ranks and former URC Sprint champion Brian Seidel, Allentown, Pa., – simply nailed the night at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday, sweeping to their respective feature wins during a program sponsored by Pleasant View Landscaping.
“I’ve got to thank [defending Super DIRT Series champion] Tim Fuller,” revealed Horton, 49, in a post-race tip of the hat. “We were struggling a little bit with this [Bicknell] car, and I called him up for advice. We tried some things and they worked real good – both in Wednesday’s practice session and tonight.”
Horton wasted no time in the 30-lap Modified main event, shooting from 17th to show seventh in the first four laps, then continuing his single-minded charge. One lap 8, he was fourth; then took third the next go-round. A flurry of yellow flags didn’t frustrate Horton’s forward flight: on lap 13, he rocketed around John Miloszar to take the top spot. Horton never looked back. At the finish, it was all Horton, taking his first of the year for new car owner Rick Grosso. Ryan Godown stole second from Bucky Kell on the final lap, with defending division champ Frank Cozze fourth and Tad Cox fifth.
Brian Seidel was equally dominant in the 25-lap URC Sprint race, outrunning all-time winningest URC driver Greg Coverdale to jump out to a commanding lead that he never relinquished. Dave Ely was a strong second, with three-time track Modified champion Billy Pauch picking up a ride in Lou Eckerich’s Sprint Car out of Wilmington, Del., and powering from 12th to third. Early leader Coverdale settled for fourth with Jamie Bodo finishing fifth.
It was an emotional victory for Seidel, 45, for a variety of reasons: his mom, who recently suffered a stroke, was able to be on hand at the track for her son’s first win for new car owner Bill Gallagher.
John Romano Jr. had a lot to crow about – the New Egypt native grabbed the lead on the third tour of the 15-lap Sportsman race and drove on to score his very first career win at New Egypt. Lou Farina III, John McClelland, Mike Krachun and Jeff Geiges rounded out the top five.
Allentown’s Pat Frieberger outran all comers to score his 13th NES career win in the 15-lap Super Stock event. Jake Roveda was a fast-closing second, with Spider Ensinger Jr. in third, and Al Cheney III and Bryan Reed following.
Steve Davis of Monroe scored a wire-to-wire victory in the second race of the Advantage Financial/Cradle Rock Developers Rookie Sportsman series. Opening night winner Bryan Driver muscled from the last row to close on Davis at the end, but came up short. Chris Bennett, Tommy Carberry and Mike Smith completed the top five. Young Driver currently sits atop the series point standings.
The Vespia Tire & Auto Care Lightning Lap bonuses for fastest laps in timed dash qualifying went to Mike Krachun (Sportsman, 17.972) and Kory Fleming (Super Stock, 18.885)
This Saturday it’s Scout Night and also Grand Slam Little League Night at New Egypt Speedway, with all Scouts and Little Leaguers, ages 12 and under, admitted free. Big-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Super Stocks and the Haldeman Ford SS Sprints are on the race card. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., with first green at 6 p.m. Adult admission is $16, children 7-12 are $5, and kids 6 and under are free.
For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.