Wall Stadium officials fought through several rounds of showers on July 28 and were able to present nearly an entire stock car racing program despite the difficult weather. When late evening showers finally returned to end the program with two events remaining, Anthony Sesely of Matawan was one of the happy drivers as he grabbed his third win of the year in the 40-lap Modified main event.
Christian LaCicero of Lavallette was the early leader of the event, while Sesely immediately started his climb from a 10th starting spot. LaCicero led the first six circuits until Shawna Ingraham of Brick Township throttled to the outside lane to take the lead. Moments later, Sesely completed his run to the head of the pack and motored into second.
Sesely then shadowed the rookie Modified driver as the field approached the halfway mark. After LaCicero forced a caution near halfway to slow the event, Sesely powered to the outside lane to take the lead for good. Freehold residents Steve Reed and Chas Okerson made late-race charges to finish second and third, while Ingraham settled for fourth. Shannon Mongeau of Farmingdale was fifth.
“I work a lot of hours, so I don’t have a lot of time to work on the car,” Sesely said. “My family and crew take up the slack for me and make this car so good. I also want to thank the fans for hanging in there tonight in this bad weather. Without the fans in the grand- stands this wouldn’t be much fun.” Steve West of Howell raced from fifth on the grid to win the companion 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks, taking the lead from Steve Michel of Egg Harbor Township with five laps remaining. Manchester’s Scott Riggleman was the runner-up, while Brick Township’s Ronnie Mullen, Marty Van Druten of Toms River and Jim Downey of Cliffwood Beach wrapped up the top five.
Nick Shaw of Chatham won the extra-distance 35-lapper for the Street Stocks, stealing the lead from Keansburg’s Jerry Stanzione on lap six. Beachwood’s Bill Vanderveen and Stanzione were second and third in the final rundown, while Steve Whitt of Farmingdale and Mike Tillett of Bayville completed the top five.
Points leader Derek Hopkinson of Toms River took advantage of a blind draw for starting positions and raced from the pole to win the Legend Cars 25-lap main event. Robert French of Howell, Willingboro’s Trevor Alspach, Rob Hyer of South Amboy and Casey Robicheau of Whiting were second through fifth.
Wall Stadium’s stock car racing season will continue Aug. 4 with the Modified stock cars competing in match races. “Little League Night,” where youngsters arriving in their team shirt will be admitted free, will also see the Sportsman, Street Stocks and Factory Stocks in action. The 4 Cylinder cars will compete in a 50-lap main event.