WALL TOWNSHIP – Andrew Krause of Holmdel made his May 2 birthday a little more special by winning for 40-lap main event for Modified stock cars at Wall Stadium Speedway on May 1. It was the defending speedway Modified champion’s second straight win in two starts on the young 20201 auto racing season.
Despite posting a fast time in qualifying, Krause started eighth after a draw for starting spots. Brick Township’s Dom Fattaruso looked strong in the early going before Manasquan’s Kenny Van Wickle took over the top spot in the outside lane on lap eight while Krause was advancing into the top five, according to a press release.
Van Wickle continued to lead the race past the halfway point when a jumble of cars pushed Fattaruso into the high groove and out of second place.
Eddie McCarthy of Brick Township and Krause then took up the chase of the leader before the top runners touched in turn one on a lap 33 restart and Van Wickle and McCarthy spun from contention and Krause took command.
Krause then powered on to the win with Blake Barney of Jackson second and Tommy Martino Jr. of Farmingdale advancing to third. Steven Reed of Jackson, whose team struggled to replace a motor in his No. 55 in the pit area before the race, advanced from last on the grid to finish fourth and Fattaruso earned fifth.
Glenn Slocum Jr. of Navesink missed the night’s event after the throttle stuck wide open, sending his car hard head on into the third turn rail. Fortunately, he was not injured.
Manchester’s Scott Riggleman, who has raced in several race car divisions on paved and dirt surfaces, earned his 100th career feature race win in the companion Factory Stock feature race.
After taking the lead on lap two, Riggleman held off defending champion Elliot Wohl of Beachwood for the win. Tom Rajkowski of Woodbridge, Bryan O’Shea of Neptune and Freehold’s A.J. Jadacki wrapped up the top five.
Second-year racer Billy Pross of Hazlet jumped to the lead early and stayed strong to the finish to win the Fast 4 25-lap main event.
Alonzo Morales of Burlington chased Pross all the way before Darianne McLaren of Edison took over second in the closing laps. Sal Liguori of Hazlet and Farmingdale’s Ian Ashford completed the top five.
After crashing heavily on opening night, Jarret DiGiantomasso of Jackson returned to win the 25-lap Sportsman feature race while Mike Carr of Point Pleasant was second by inches. Carsten DiGiantomasso of Jackson, Edison’s Neil Rutt III and opening night winner Jake Nelke of Manahawkin were third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Waldwick’s Quinn Trimmer was a first-time winner in the 25-lap main event for the Legend Cars, topping early leader Joe McGrath of Brick Township. Mason Magee of Denton, Md., Colin Milroy of Southampton and defending champion Peter Bruno of Little Silver were third through fifth, according to the press release.
The 2021 Saturday night regular season at Wall Stadium, Route 34, Wall Township, will continue on May 8 with the Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Fast 4 cars and Legend Cars in action as mothers and grandmothers are honored with a special discount grandstand admission on Mother’s Day weekend.
Grandstands will open at 4:30 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:30 p.m. and main event action starts at 7 p.m.