Defending Modified stock car driving champion Chas Okerson rose to the occasion as the temperature rose to record highs, by winning his second main event of the season on July 23 at Wall Stadium, Wall Township.
Two separate hard crashes stopped the race before five laps were in the books, but Okerson powered out to the safety of the lead soon after.
The first tangle happened entering turn three on the third lap when Bill Weichert of Chatham and Farmingdale’s Billy Cole touched entering the turn. Weichert’s No. 11 slammed the pit gate opening with great force, but he was not injured.
The second hard crash came on the restart when the previous week’s winner, Chris Hamilton of North Haledon, slammed the guardrail exiting turn two. Hamilton climbed from his damaged racer uninjured.
On the ensuing restart, Okerson rocketed to the front and was never headed all the way to the conclusion of the 40-lapper. Early leader Amanda Sesely of Matawan was second, with Shaun Carrig of Little Falls, Lafayette’s Roger Coss and David Reinhardt of Neptune City wrapping up the top five.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t a better race for the fans, but once I got out front I felt a lot safer,” Okerson said. “My car was really good tonight thanks to my crew. It was pretty hot in the car, but you don’t think of it when you’re racing.
“I do want to dedicate this win to both Ray Gastelu and Jim Willis. Ray passed away a little over 10 years ago and Jim died just over a year ago. They were great friends and racers, so I wanted to be sure to mention them,” he said.
After starting seventh on the grid, Charlie Kremer III of Toms River raced to the victory in the companion 25-lapper for the Blewett Recycling Sportsman cars, holding off Kevin Eyres of Colts Neck in the final laps. Howell’s Eric Mauriello, Joe Mongeau of Brick Township and Trevor Alspach of Willingboro were third through fifth.
Chatham’s Nick Shaw raced to his third win of the season in the Street Stock 25-lapper over Bill Vanderveen of Beachwood, Shannon Mongeau of Bradley Beach, Howie Conk of Jackson and Mike Tillett of Bayville.
Howell’s Robert French raced to victory in the 25-lap INEX Legend Cars main event. Trevor Alspach, Casey Robicheau of Whiting, Toms River’s Derek Hopkinson and ZachAlspach of Willingboro were second through fifth.
Wall Stadium roars back into action on July 30. The first qualifying event will take the green flag at 7 p.m.