WALL TOWNSHIP – Driving the bright red No. 14 for “Team 14,” one of the most famous and successful racing teams in Wall Stadium Speedway’s 70-year history, Blake Barney of Jackson raced to his career first Modified stock car victory in the 40-lap race on Aug. 8.
Barney’s victory came on the evening when the speedway’s loyal followers honored the memory of photographer J.J. Lane, who passed away from natural causes during the off-season, according to a press release.
Tyler Truex of Mayetta jumped to the early lead as Brick Township’s Dom Fattaruso ran second. Barney had advanced to third place by the 10-lap mark and vaulted into second just past the halfway point of the race.
Lap 30 offered the final caution of he event when Robert French of Howell and Holmdel’s Andrew Krause tangled in turn three. Lining up to the outside of Truex on the rolling restart, Barney made the outside lane work and powered to the lead for good.
Truex crossed the finish line second, but lost the position when it was found during post-race inspection that his team had mistakenly bolted on a tire that was not recorded in the team’s tire bank.
That elevated Howell’s Jimmy Blewett to second, with defending champ Steven Reed of Jackson, Fattaruso and Brick Township’s Eddie McCarthy rounding out the top five.
“I want to thank my mother, my father and grandfather for all they have done for me,” Barney said in the winner’s circle. “I knew I was stepping into some big shoes when I started to drive this car. It is an honor to drive for a team that has had so many great drivers. The car is working real well on the outside here. I knew if I could get up to second I would have a chance.”
With just one early caution flag slowing the test, Neptune City’s Bryan O’Shea used power and handling to race from an 11th starting spot to win his third straight 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks.
Early race leader Kevin Flores of Brick Township and Howell’s Brian Osborn crossed the finish line second and third, but lost those spots after post-race inspections.
Billy Both of Rahway and Howell’s John Carpenter then wrapped up the top three, while Mike Montano of Freeport, N.Y., and Scott Riggleman on Manchester were fourth and fifth.
After suffering through bad fortunes in the first two events of the season, Jarret DiGiantomasso raced to victory in the Sportsman 25-lapper. Brick Township’s Robert Sutphin was runner-up, with Manahawkin’s Jake Nelke, Lanoka Harbor’s Jonathan Laureigh and Neil Rutt III of Edison third through fifth.
Mike Alcaro took the lead on an early restart and raced on to his first Legend Cars 25-lap win of the year. Waldwick’s Quinn Trimmer, Little Silver’s Peter Bruno, Colin Milroy and Eugene Drew were second through fifth.
Buddy Sload won the 25-lap main event for the traveling TQ Midgets, with Joey Bailey, Ryan Tidman, Kyle Taraska and Jeff Kott the remainder of the top five.
Wall Stadium’s 2020 season will continue on Aug. 15 with the Modifieds competing in the annual running of the 125-lap Garden State Classic.
Factory Stocks, 4-Cylinder Stocks and Limited Late Models will also see action in 25-lap main events.
The pit area will open at 12:30 p.m. Grandstands will open at 4:30 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:30 p.m. and main event action starts at 7 p.m. Wall Stadium is on Route 34, Wall Township. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400.