“SUNSHINE” FOR THE WIN IN TEZO ALL STARS, Ross Gets First Modified Win of the Season
Bridgeport, NJ – It was all about “Sunshine” at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park for Thursday evening’s event sponsored by Victory Fuels.
First, it was the beautiful weather that blessed the Logan Township speed plant after too many rainy and damp race nights that had to be canceled so far this season.
And then, it was all about “Sunshine” – Tyler Courtney who raced to the wire-to-wire $10,000 win in the Tezo All Star Circuit of Champions thirty lap sprint car main event!
The win was Courtney’s 20th win in All Star competition. “I finished second here last year,” the feature winner stated. “This place is awesome!” It was just Courtney’s second win of the All Star points amidst a lot of top five finishes with a fast race cars. “Those thirds and fifths are good for the end of the year” (points) Courntey stated but it was clear that they don’t measure up to the wins.
It was Courney’s second visit to the High Banks where he finished in the runner-up spot behind race winner, Justin Peck in last year’s event. What a difference a year makes!
Freddie Rahmer earned the pole position start after his victory in the dash where Courtney finished second, putting him on the outside of the front row. The field took the green flag, with Courtney racing on the outside of Rahmer, looking to grab the lead but the attention was quickly diverted from the race for the lead. Several cars got out of shape on the homestretch. Justin Peck, who started eighth, had nowhere to go as cars were across the track in front of him, sending the Buch Motorsports No. 13 into the air for one very wild ride. The good news was that Peck exited the No. 13 a few minutes later, under his own power.
Peck’s car was mangled and wingless but more importantly, the RPM sprint chassis and the safety equipment, did its job. In addition to Peck, Austin Bishop also got upside down after he flew off the track. The cars of Peck, Bishop, JJ Hickle, Tyler Ross and Domenic Melair were eliminated from further competition.
Several cars headed to the work area, including Anthony Macri and the No. 39. After a tire change, Macri returned to restart at the rear of the field.
Peck wisely elected to be checked out at the local hospital where he was released several hours later.
The cars realigned for the complete restart and Courtney raced Rahmer for the lead. Rahmer came right back to challenge but it was Courtney who had the lead as lap one was scored. The first ten laps saw Courtney out in front over Rahmer, New Jersey’s own, Kyle Reinhardt, Hunter Scheurenberg and Zeb Wise who was the night’s fast timer.
The top five remained the same as the leaders reached the back of the field with ten laps scored. Several drivers tried to use the traffic to their advantage but the top five remained unchanged through halfway. A restart on lap nineteen, saw Devon Borden race into fourth with Schuerenberg taking over third and Reinhardt dropping to fifth.
A flat tire saw Rahmer exit the field with 22 laps on the books. The subsequent restart found Macri breaking into the top five after racing his way from the rear of the field.
Reinhardt and Macri made some big moves in the final laps. It was Courtney for the win over Reinhardt, Macri, Scheurenberg and Cory Eliason. Wise finished sixth after running among the top five for most of the race. Brent Marks followed in seventh with Borden, Justin Whitall and Danny Dietrich rounding out the top ten.
The win was Courtney’s 20th in All Star competition. “I finished second here last year,” the feature winner stated. “This place is awesome!”
The thirty lap feature for the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds saw only two cautions -one at the end of lap one and the second caution on the final lap.
It was the first win of the season for Ross who has suffered through a variety of issues early in the season. “Finally,” was Ross’ reaction. “These are the nights that you look forward to!” Ross had high praise for the track crew as well. “The track felt like the old Bridgeport tonight!”
Cale Ross drew the pole – or the sitting duck position as many drivers see starting from the pole. It leaves them vulnerable because they don’t know where the competition is running.
Ross led every lap and had the Amwell Auto Body No. 29 of Ryan Krachun to keep him company during those thirty laps. Krachun dogged the leader in the second half of the race, challenging for the lead with five to go but Ross was able to counter the challenge and maintain the lead.
Behind the leaders was a three car battle for third with Billy Osmun, Jeff Strunk and Matt Stangle. That battle went right down to the final lap. Stangle had taken fourth from Strunk just before the last lap caution for Mike Franz. Then on the one lap, single file restart, Stangle took over third from Osmun.
Ross led the way to the checkered for the $4,000 win over Krachun, Stangle, Osmun and Strunk. Duane Howard finished sixth followed by Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, Joseph Watson and Jordan Watson.
ALL-STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS: 1. Tyler Courtney, 2. Kyle Reinhardt, 3. Anthony Macri, 4. Hunter Schuerenberg, 5. Cory Eliason, 6. Zeb Wise, 7. Brent Marks, 8. Devon Borden, 9. Justin Whittall, 10. Danny Dietrich, 11. Kyle Spence, 12. Tim Shaffer, 13. Chris Windom, 14. Sam Hafertepe Jr., 15. Scotty Thiel, 16. Connor Morrell, 17. Jon Brennfleck, 18. Freddie Rahmer, 19. Dave Brown, 20. Justin Peck, 21. JJ Hickle, 22. Tyler Ross, 23. Austin Bishop, 24. Domenic Melair
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIEDS: 1. Cale Ross, 2. Ryan Krachun, 3. Matt Stangle, 4. Billy Osmun III, 5. Jeff Strunk. 6. Duane Howard, 7. Mike Gular, 8. Rick Laubach, 9. Joseph Watson, 10. Jordan Watson, 11. HJ Bunting, 12. Anthony Tramontana, 13. Dillon Steuer, 14. JR Fuller, 15. Kevin Vaclavieck, 16. Mike Franz, 17. Tim Millman, 18. David Crossman, 19. Blaine Bracelin, 20. Stan Frankenfield, 21. Dalton Strohl, 22. Billy Pauch Jr.
Thank you to everyone that makes the Kingdom of Speed Possible…..
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