Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY, (July 28, 2018)- Due to Mother Nature, the only Saturday Night race this July at Genesee was almost thwarted getting in; but luckily for JJ Mazur, and plenty of race fans, the checkered flag was able to fall on July in high fashion.
With 90 cars in the pits and mostly sunny skies, a brief rain shower hit just after the heat races to put a pause on the fast-moving program for nearly two hours. As bad as the track looked after the rains hit, the surface was worked back in in short order and provided for a tacky track around the 1/3-mile. The extra moisture also put passing at a premium and forced drivers to stay in the fast lane to stay with the pack.
JJ Mazur, the defending Crate Late Model Champion and current point leader, scored his first win of 2018 on Saturday, driving away from the pack in a caution-free 25-lap event. Mazur was never challenged, even in lapped traffic, as his No. 13 was superior on an ultra-fast surface. The win helps to slightly grow his point lead heading in to the final month, as Bill Holmes, his nearest pursuant in the points, finished second to keep chase. David Pangrazio, who entered third in points, rounded out the point. Heat Winners and Jon Rivers and Doug Ricotta completed the top five.
Dave Conant controlled the sportsman action to collect his third win in just six appearances this season. Conant, of Pendleton, saw his biggest challenge on the night be the lapped traffic he encountered during the long green flag run during the mid-section of the 25-lap event. On multiple occasions, “Cadillac” nearly got taken out while moving through the back of the field, but never seemed to lose his stranglehold on the lead. Sarah Johnson was able to get her best finish since opening night with a runner-up showing, as did Josh Wilcox who placed in third. Austin Susice and Austyn Fugle were the rest of the top five.
Dave DuBois remained undefeated for Saturday Nights in 2018, as he captured his seventh win in dominating fashion. DuBois, of Corfu, held a comfortable advantage throughout the 15-lap feature to keep John Zimmerman and Zack Carley at bay. Tommy Kemp and Brian Kotarski completed the top five.
Kurt Stebbins collected his second win of the season in the Street Stock Division with a wire-to-wire win. Stebbins, who once again pulled double-duty on Saturday, had to fend off the advances of Doug Jones down the stretch as the duo encountered lapped traffic. The closest Jones would get would be on lap 18 when he was setting up the pass on the No. 26, but Stebbins would keep up enough speed to close out the win in a fast-moving event. Brett Marlatt, Dennis Cummings and Bill Taylor completed the top five.
Cole Susice also scored his second win of the season, dominating the mini stock feature. Susice, of Ransomville, had pulled out to a nearly half-track lead before a caution with one lap remaining gave Dante Mancuso and Trinity Reynolds, the only other cars on the lead lap, one last-gasp effort to dethrone the No. 98 from the top of the heap. Mancuso would hold off Reynolds for second while Joe Kilby and Chuck Cala rounded out the top five.
Bailey Logsdon picked up her fifth win of the season in the Bandit Feature, moving by Riley Gordon on lap five amidst a tight four car battle for the lead. Soon after taking the lead, Logsdon would find Allison Dewitt chasing after her for the lead to the finish, making it a battle for the win. Jessica Traxler completed the podium.
Genesee is back to the Saturday Night routine next week as Select Collison and Beamer’s Sales and Service present the make-up for Autograph Night. Also six divisions will be on hand for the special program, kicking off at 6:00 P.M. For more information, visit www.Genesee-Speedway.com.
Genesee Speedway Results: 7/28/2018-
Carquest Auto Parts Night
MHL Performance Crate Late Model Feature (25 Laps)- JJ MAZUR, Bill Holmes, David Pangrazio, Jon Rivers, Doug Ricotta, Kurt Stebbins, Sam Pennacchio, TJ Downs, Billy DuBois, Beamer Guzzardi, Greg Mrzywka, Jimmy Johnson.
Lap Leader- Mazur 1-25
Heat Winners- Ricotta, Rivers
Cornerstone Eye Associates Sportsman Feature (25 Laps)- DAVE CONANT, Sarah Johnson, Josh Wilcox, Austin Susice, Austyn Fugle, Zach George, Matt Steffenhagen, Ray Bliss, Kyle Inman, Jim Harbison, Tony Pangrazio, Cameron Tuttle, AJ Custodi, Zack Sam, Mike Denning, Anthony Muscato, Chuck Mogavero, Dalton Martin, Shane O’Grady, Adam Chaddock, Chase Matteson, Gordy Hermanson, TJ Newton, Rick Martin, Ray Bliss Jr, Nate Koson, Cody Wolfe, Rick Blech.
Lap Leader- Conant 1-25
Heat Winners- Bliss, Conant, Koson
Johnson Automotive 360 Late Model Feature (15 Laps)- DAVE DUBOIS, John Zimmerman, Zack Carley, Tommy Kemp, Brian Kotarski, Shawn Hazlitt, Rich Hale, Jacob McConnell, Tom Baker (DNS).
Lap Leader- DuBois 1-15
Heat Winners- DuBois
Yasses Trucking & Construction Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- KURT STEBBINS, Doug Jones, Brett Marlatt, Dennis Cummings, Bill Taylor, Mike Kelly, Byron Dewitt, Phil Schepis, Kenny Begnouche, Mike Jackson, Matt Putt, Jesse Qutermous, Vic Beherns, Jordan Moden, Dave Bansmer, Ryan Allen, Josh Pangrazio (DNS), Bob Babbitt (DNS).
Lap Leader- Stebbins 1-20
Heat Winners- Marlatt, Qutermous
Pellegrino Auto Sales Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- COLE SUSICE, Dante Mancuso, Trinity Reynolds, Joe Kilby, Chuck Cala, Tony Hermanson, Jessica Schleede, Ashley Blech, Dan Dusseault, James Gayton, Olivia Coniber, Chris Leone, Bill Weller Jr, Rich Conte (DNS).
Lap Leader- Susice 1-15
Heat Winners- Mancuso, Susice
DML Sealing Bandits (12 Laps)- BAILEY LOGSDON, Allison Dewitt, Jessica Traxler, Riley Gordon, Greenley George, Brian Gregory, Alexis Traxler, Randy Gregory, Adam Jackson.
Lap Leaders- Gordon 1-4, Logsdon 5-12
Heat Winner- Dewitt