WALL TOWNSHIP — A pair of victories in the second and third 50-lap main events and an eighth-place finish in the first main event earned Jimmy Blewett of Howell his first-ever Turkey Derby Modified driving title at Wall Township Speedway on Saturday afternoon.
The youngest racing Blewett, a two-time driving champion here, joined his older brother, John Blewett III, and his father, John Blewett Jr., as a champion of the traditional season-ending stock car event.
Although he finished eighth in that first 50-lapper, Blewett was also a player as he battled veteran Harry Reed of Freehold for the lead most of the way. When this duo tangled and spun with flat tires late in the contest, newly crowned speedway champion Dave Michel of Manahawkin raced into the lead and on to the win. Mayetta’s Curtis Truex Jr., Tim Arre of Toms River, Howell’s Ken Woolley Jr. and Brian Creamer completed the top five in the first 50-lapper.
In the second Modified main, Blewett started second by the luck of the draw and led the contest from start to finish. Truex was again impressive finishing second, while Michel crossed the finish line third. Mike Carpenter of Brick and Frank Polimeda of Fort Lee were fourth and fifth.
Blewett’s talents at the draw were shown again prior to the final 50-lapper as he again drew the second starting spot. Blewett once again led the final main event for the Modifieds from start to finish, but was pressured most of the way by a hard charging Polimeda. Jackson’s Kevin Flockhart, Keith Flores and Michel completed the top five.
Dirt track standout Billy Pauch drove in the Modified competition, but saw his day end early when the rear axle exploded in the car that he was driving. Busch Grand national driver Johnny Sauter was very impressive qualifying through time trials, but ran into trouble during main event action with flat tires, tangles and a crash in the final 50 lapper.
On the strength of a win on Friday and a third-place finish on Saturday, Kevin Eyres of Colts Neck won the overall Turkey Derby title for the Pro Stocks.
In Friday afternoon’s day-one Turkey Derby event, Eyres was the big winner in a wild 25-lapper for the Pro Stocks. Eyres, a driver who has raced in and won in almost every division at the third-mile paved oval, first struggled to get to the front of the field before holding off three-time track champion Chas Okerson of Freehold for the win. Kenny Reaves, Chris Andretta and Rob Williams rounded out the top five. In Saturday’s Pro Stock 25-lapper, Williams won out over Okerson, while Eyres, Matt Przmielewski and Kenny Reaves completed the top five.
Long Island’s Ken Matlach left no doubt as to who the Street Stock title winner was as he won both of the weekend’s 25-lappers.
Matlach came from 13th on the 26-car starting grid to win the 25-lapper for the Street Stocks on Friday. Matlach’s much anticipated new car was impressive as he raced to the front and battled for several laps with Jim Downey before taking the lead and the eventual win. Downey held on for runner-up honors, while Bill Vanderveen, Dave Jennings and Brandon Stowell were third through fifth. On Saturday, Matlach raced from 20th on the grid to taste victory over Vanderveen, Stowell, Chris Olcott and Charlie DiGiantamasso.
Like Matlach, Jim Bruno was a convincing Turkey Derby champion in the WTS Truck Series, winning on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Bruno was the class of the field grabbing the win over Phil Naylor and 2002 series champ Bill Weichert. On Saturday, Bernie Bailey and Naylor chased Bruno across the finish line.
John Menzak of Phillipsburg topped off his championship season with the Legend Cars title in Turkey Derby action. On Friday, Virginia’s Kevin Yeatts made the long trip to New Jersey worthwhile by winning the 20-lapper over Menzak. Bryan Gardella, Mike Fulton and Bill Carver were third through fifth. On Saturday, Jason Rochelle won the 20-lapper for the Legends over Ronnie Dunstan, Doug Harvey, Menzak and Rick Gonzalez.
Newly crowned champ Don Adams was the winner of the Friday afternoon TQ Midget main event over Russ Bailey and Joey Payne. Frank Polimeda and Heath Hehnly were fourth and fifth.
ARTS Trucks champion Scott Riggleman made the local fans happy as he won Friday’s 25-lap main event leading from start to finish. Another local favorite, Matty Ricco, was the runner-up in the non-stop contest.
On Saturday, young Danny Bohn raced to victory in Bandolero Car action over Jason Willett.