On Bike and Country Western Night presented by DiscountCrowdControl.com, T.J. Lilly scored his first career checkered flag at New Egypt Speedway capturing the Sportsman feature Aug. 20.
Ryan Godown picked up the win in the Burlington County Overhead Door News Sprint feature. The Crate Modified feature went to Billy Osmun, III. Tim Tanner was declared the victor in the TSRS Sprint Car main event.
Due to an isolated afternoon heavy rain cell that caused a delay in the start of the racing program, qualifying events were cancelled and all four feature races were extended in length to 25 laps.
After taking the lead on the 11th tour, Lilly survived several resumptions of racing to take his first career victory in the Sportsman class. Joe Dill paced the field for the opening 10 laps. Lilly, who started the contest in fifth, rocketed by Dill following a restart. In the second half of the event, Lilly repelled the strong challenges of J.T. Trstensky to secure the win. Behind the top two of Lilly and Trstensky, Art Liedl drove up from his 17th starting spot to finish in third place. Fourth was taken by Bob Lineman, Jr., who began the race in 16th. Rookie Cale Ross crossed the finish line in fifth place.
For the second week in a row, the Burlington County Overhead Door News Sprint feature went nonstop, and the victor, Godown, topped the field for the fourth time this year. Al Cheney led the first lap before Wayne Weaver took command. Godown, who started last in the 10-car field, motored to the front of the pack on the 13th lap. Once in front, Godown pulled away in the final half of the contest, while Weaver, Johnny Cornell, Lou Cicconi and Chris Moll raced in tight quarters. Weaver’s strong run resulted in a second-place finish. Third place was taken by Cornell. The battle for fourth place went to the finish line as Cicconi held off a late charge from Moll.
In the Crate Modified feature, Osmun used a final-corner last-lap pass to claim his second career win. George Gareis, Jr. led the opening two laps before a tangle caused him to lose the lead. Following the incident, Jason Dunn inherited the top running spot. On lap 18, Osmun moved into second and began to pressure Dunn. On the last circuit, Osmun used the outside lane in the fourth turn to pass Dunn for the win. With Dunn taking second, Frank Dorry finished in third place. John Aumick came home in fourth. After beginning the race in 19th, Brandon Grosso completed the contest in fifth.
Upon a ruling from officials, Tanner was declared the victor of the TSRS Sprint Car main event. The opening two laps were led by Brendon Poff. Bobby Sandt, Jr. took over the lead on the third tour after a mechanical issue caused Poff to retire from the event. On the 11th lap, Mark Bitner blasted by Sandt for the lead. In the second half of the race, Bitner pulled away from the pack and crossed the finish line first. Following the race, TSRS Sprint Car officials placed Bitner back two positions for passing before the cone on a restart. Thus, Tanner was awarded the win, with Jeff Geiges credited with a second-place finish. With Bitner in third, the top five was filled out by Mike Haggenbottom and Eddie Wagner.
On Aug. 27, National Parts Supply’s Back to School and Legends Night will showcase the 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stocks at New Egypt Speedway. The first 50 children through the grandstand turnstiles will receive a backpack loaded with school supplies courtesy of The Snack Shack. All teachers with proper identification will be admitted to the grandstand for $10. Legend drivers will be on hand with free posters available for an intermission autograph session. In addition, a silent auction run by the Megill family will be conducted and proceeds will benefit Breast Cancer research. The pit gates unlock at 4 p.m. and spectators will be admitted beginning at 5 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 6 p.m. with the first qualifying event starting at 7 p.m. Admission to the grandstand is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for teens 12-15, $10 for military personal and their spouses with ID and no charge for children 11 and under. Pit admission is $30 with a New Egypt Speedway license and $40 with no license.
New Egypt Speedway’s 7/16-mile D-shaped track is located on Route 539 just minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure and the New Jersey Turnpike.
For more information, visit online at www.newegyptspeedway.net, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newegyptspeedwayofficial or follow us on Twitter @nesspeedway.