RESULTS
McCarthy Savors Slingshot Success
Corey McCarthy notched another new feat to his belt Sunday, winning the Briggs & Stratton Power Products Slingshot Tour 30 at Wyalusing Valley Motorsports Park. The event, which was an Empire Region and National Event, was McCarthy's first tour win. McCarthy currently leads the standings at WVMP, and has several wins to his credit.
McCarthy led wire to wire, with little pressure as the cars behind battled for second. Curt Bettler ran 2nd, but had to fight off the challenges of Rich Howard Jr., Billy Clark, and Jim Housworth. A single caution on lap 19 gave Bettler a chance at McCarthy, but he was unable to take advantage an would chase him across the line followed by Housworth in 3rd, with Clark and Howard Jr. completing the top 5.
Parker Evans took the 600cc Micro win over heat winner Bob Azarowicz, Dave Jennings, and Tom Hegland. Evans dominated the cautionless event. Zack VanNorstrand was unable to start the feature after a scary engine failure in the heat that saw his machine end up in the turn two wall on fire. Fortunately, the fire burnt itself out quickly, with no injuries to Zack.
Jordan Tittle jumped into the lead in the 270cc Micro main, but he was unable to drive away from Bob Maynard in the caution free race. Maynard kept Tittle within 10 car lengths for the entire event, as Dave Mooers tried to keep pace with them both. Tittle was up to the task, as he picked up win #8 on the season. Maynard, Mooers, John Zionkowski, and Jerry Traver rounded out the top 5.
Kara Chapman extended her point lead in Rookie Purple, visiting victory lane after a close battle with Jared Zionkowski and Dom Rogers.
The Novice Blue feature was a real barnburner, with Skylar Middendorf leading at the drop of the green. Middendorf fought not only a terrible push in his machine, but also had to withstand constant pressure from both Alex Shaffer and John LaBarr. Shaffer and LaBarr took turns making bids for the lead, and on lap 7 LaBarr got the opening he needed. 3 laps later, Shaffer made his way by Middendorf and set out to catch the leader. He reeled LaBarr in, but was unable to make the pass as LaBarr picked up his first ever win. Shaffer, Middendorf, and Collin Hadlock filled out the field.
Brianna Baumunk grabbed the Jr. Gold win over Quinn Roberts and Jake Maynard. Maynard took a look to the outside of Baumunk for the lead on lap 4, but spun and continued without bringing out the caution. Roberts then challenged Baumunk for the remaining distance.
Sportskid racing saw Jay Adams take the win by a healthy margin over Jake Maynard, a quickly improving Nick Funk, Brianna Baumunk, and Curtis Fassett. Sportswoman honors went to Heather Hadlock, who borrowed the Adams Racing machine after her car suffered mechanical problems in the heat race, with Karen Baumunk settling for 2nd.
Matt Roberts won the sportsman contest over Rob Funk, Cody Fassett, Dusty Fassett, and Jake Snell, enjoying a change of pace from his usual SST Modified efforts.
Kecia Wilkins picked up her first lights win, fighting off constant pressure from Tyler Chapman. Paul Crambo took 3rd, with Kayla Wilkins in 4th.
Tyler Chapman picked up an astounding 11th feature win of the season in Mediums, holding off newcomer Teresa Mengee and Kyle Johnson. Brian Mroz and Dalton Maynard completed the top 5 in the 11 car field.
Keith Atkinson and Harry Ely battled hard for the early lead in heavies. Newcomer Nick Bradford spun in turn 4, but was able to get his car righted and back up to speed about 15 carlengths ahead of the leaders. Entering turn one, Bradford spun again, directly in front of the leader. Atkinson was able to take evasive action to the outside, but Ely had no chance to react as he made hard impact with the Bradford machine. Both cars suffered heavy damage in the grinding crash, but fortunately neither driver was injured. Atkinson's machine suffered mechanical problems under the caution, forcing him to drop out with Mike Ely inheriting the lead. Ely held on for the win with Matt Hoyt, Jamie Bradford, Jay Abbott, and Bob Coveney rounding out the top 5.
This week, WVMP will host a regular show. As the facility's third season begins to wind down, track management would like to thank the Wyalusing residents for it's support by holding Wyalusing Community Day. All Wyalusing residents will be admitted to the grandstands at no charge. Residents need only to show their drivers license at the gate and they will be admitted.
Come on out this Sunday to the “Nightmare of the Northern Tier” for some fast family fun! For more information, visit the track's website at www.wvmpracing.com!