Oct 29, 2015 03:30 PM EDT
Cartwright Wins 2nd Career Dutch Hoag National Open; CJ Guererri Wins First Career Empire 100
DUNDEE, NY – For Immediate Release – October 29th, 2015 – Curtis Berleue Photo –
142 cars jammed the pit area at the Black Rock Speedway for the completion of Dutch Hoag National Open Weekend. The weather on Saturday was iffy at best with everyone seeing massive amounts of rain slated to kick off around the midnight hour. All events up to the last three heat races were complete when the rains came between 7PM and 8PM.
The rain stopped for a brief period and the track equipment began grooming the hard-packed surface, but another shower forced promoter Mike Jackson to postpone the remaining events to Sunday at 1PM.
When the green flag dropped for the first time on Sunday, a great crowd turned out to see the exciting finish to the weekend held in honor of a local racing hero. In the Modified championship named in honor of Dutch Hoag, it was Ron Cartwright Jr scoring his record-tying second career Dutch Hoag National Open victory over rival Steve Paine.
Cartwright's daughter drew her father and Chris Ostrowsky the front row for the 50-lap Modified challenge. Cartwright started on the outside of the front row and cruised around the outside of the speedway to lead the opening laps of the event.
Donnie Lawson, in the Woodhull Auto Supply No. 11, took over the lead from Cartwright on lap 3 using the bottom groove of the track. Lawson's lead would only last for three laps as Cartwright would blast back by to reclaim the lead as they worked lap 7.
While Cartwright paced the field, the overnight rain storms started brewing a hurricane. Paine started back in position number seven and worked his way to Cartwright's back bumper on lap 13. The two rivals began hitting lap traffic on lap 16 and were battling high and low for the lead just three laps later.
As Steve Kellogg gave the two the signal for halfway, Paine had finally found himself nerf bar to nerf bar with Cartwright for the lead. There is absolutely no love loss between these two drivers and the fans were on their seats to see how this race would finish out.
What they were treated to was an incredible battle and a clean battle for the win in the Dutch Hoag National Open. Paine pulled up on Cartwright's bumper several times but could get no closer. This allowed Bob Henry Jr to claw his way into third, searching for his second victory in the Dutch Hoag National Open.
Paine and Henry Jr would come up short as it was Cartwright locking down his second victory in this October race. The win nows ties Cartwright with Alan Johnson for the most wins in the prestigious fall race, each with two.
Paine came home second, Henry Jr third, Lawson fourth and Dundee's Brady Fultz fifth. Boyd McTavish, Billy Van Pelt, Joe Dgien, Chris Ostrowsky and Connecticut's Dan Humes rounded out the top ten.
"We drew 99 out of the gate, finished second in our heat and here we are in victory lane," Cartwright said.
Cartwright spoke about the tire choices drivers had to make as the track baked under the sun for the entirety of the 50-lap feature.
"We had a game plan before we even got here, we stuck with it and here we are."
Shayne Tenace's Go Nuclear Late Model Series were also in town for their season-ending championship event, going topless for a 35-lap A-Main. Tenace joined the announcers in the booth for the event which saw Canisteo driver Bryce Davis avenge a race he nearly won two years ago.
Davis led a late model race at Black Rock two years ago on the last lap, only to fall victim to an engine that went South down the backstretch. He would never look back in this event, which was a good thing, because Scio, NY pilot Jeremy Wonderling was lightning fast in his charge toward the lead.
'Mr. Excitement' quickly worked his magic around the Black Rock Speedway and got up into the second position but couldn't get the lap cars to fall right as he chased down the leader Davis.
A couple of late race restarts gave Wonderling the best shots he had to win the race. On one restart, Wonderling worked the top lane and wedged himself between Davis and the wall, only to have Davis shut the door going into turn 1.
The next restart saw Wonderling take the high lane of Row 2 for the Delaware Double-File restart. On the drop of the green, Wonderling outgunned Charlie Sandercock and shot down low underneath Davis. The pair would find themselves door-to-door for the lead but the caution quickly came back out, squashing Wonderling's bid for the lead.
Davis would go on to win the 35-lap A-Main over Wonderling, Sandercock, Lee Gill and Dustin Waters the top five.
"There's a lot of redemption here," said Davis.
"We went back to the drawing board after struggling on Saturday. The car was great today.
Davis spoke to the fierce battle he had with Wonderling.
"I saw him coming and pinched him in the wall, almost wrecked both of us. We got lucky there for sure."
Lee Gill pulled off the 2015 Series Championship for the Go Nuclear Late Models, but wasn't impressed with the racing he encountered with some of his fellow competitors.
"A little survival deal here, we had a couple guys that don't run with us all year and thought they'd run us all over the track, just no respect," Gill said.
"I'd like to thank Greg Belyea for getting us to the track each week, he supplies me with a great car. We had fun racing here, a nice track, nice facility and lots of racing room."
Coming into 2015, the CJ Guererri team decided it was time to make a change. They decided to leave their home track of Canandaigua Motorsports Park and tackle the Friday night racing that goes on at Black Rock Speedway.
They brought a car to the Empire 100 this past weekend that had won the 100-lap event twice. Make it three times in 2015, as Guererri survived a last-minute decision at the half-way break, a flat tire and a fierce battle in the top five to win his first career Empire 100 on Sunday evening.
Jake Karlnoski and Daryl Krebs led the field to Steve Kellogg's green flag. Chuck Winslow would flex his muscle early, leading the opening 22 laps and collecting several lap sponsorships along the way as well. Over $5,200 in lap money was spread through the top seven running positions during the 100-lap affair.
Defending winner of the Empire 100, Kurt Stebbins, had a terrible day with his first incident of the day taking place on lap 12 as he and Frank Chapman got hooked together in Turn 4. Stebbins would find himself mixed up in trouble throughout the rest of the event, coming home in the 15th spot.
Lap 14 saw Jon Carpenter show how fast his No. J12 was, as he climbed to the second position behind Winslow. Gene Balmer would have a tire go flat just three laps later in what was a weekend to forget for the No. 38 team. Engine trouble for the second time of the weekend popped up on lap 36 and see his Empire 100 go up in smoke. Balmer won the Woodhull Street Stock 100 to claim a guaranteed spot in Black Rock's Empire 100.
The first big pileup of the race took place on lap 20 as LaVerne Knickerbocker, Earl Zimmer, Kenny Begnouche and Steven Dinehardt all came together in Turn 1 in a big way. It has just been that kind of year for Knickerbocker at Black Rock, as his day ended on the hook, while picking up the contingency award for being the first Black Rock car out of the race.
Carpenter took the lead from Winslow as they worked lap 23 and would pace the field up to the Lap 50 red flag and 10 minute re-fuel/change tires break. Each driver had the option to enter the upper lineup road to check their tires for wear and refuel or go straight to their pits to change tires.
The first team to the lower road after making their tire changes would be the first car to fall behind the drivers electing not to go to their pit stalls for tires and adjustments. The only two cars willing to take the gamble was Brett Marlatt and Bob Buono. Those drivers took fuel only in their quest for Empire 100 glory.
Winslow was the first car hit the lower road after their pit stop. CJ Guererri hit pit lane first, and was one of the very last cars to make the decision to go to their pit to change tires. This would line Guererri up dead last in the running order as the field took the green flag on lap 51.
Once the field took the green, the drivers with fresh tires were like sharks that smelled blood in the water. Marlatt pulled away out front, leaving Buono to try and fend off Winslow. Winslow would get by on lap 56 with Jeremy Potrzebowski following him through into the top five.
Lap 58 saw Potrzebowski and Buono try to race on the same piece of real estate. That wouldn't work out for the pair as the T1 went spinning, collecting Carpenter and Stebbins.
Guererri would face adversity once more on lap 70 as the yellow flag came out when he slowed with a flat tire. He would take the Damick Painting No. CJ1 to the pit area for a fresh tire and return to the track. The Geneva, NY driver would have 25 laps to battle back toward his team's goal of a top five finish.
Dylan Cecce ran a patient race during the Empire 100, now moving his way into the runner-up position on lap 75. The last 20 laps were a bit of a caution fest as 12 yellow flags would slow the field at the end. Tires were the main culprits at the end as drivers were falling victim to trying to make the tires last or pushing them too hard after pitting at lap 50.
Lap 83 saw Marlatt's incredible run fall 17 laps short as he was struck with a flat tire.
Cecce took the lead with an aggressive move on Marlatt on lap 83, before Marlatt's flat tire, and looked to have the best chance to win with the freshest tires. But that lead would only last for 6 laps as Cecce would come up with a flat tire, and then get contact from Potter Chassis teammate Jared Hill's No. 93 before hitting the pit area to change the tire.
Rich Green then took over the lead of the race with just 10 laps to go. Carpenter would fall victim to a flat tire one lap later on lap 91. Buono's tires finally gave up after going an incredible 92 laps while running in the top five. The caution would come out on lap 94 for debris, setting up a 6-lap finish that nobody will soon forget.
Green led Krebs, Zimmer, Gene Sharpsteen and Guererri to the restart on lap 94. Green would pace the field while Guererri went to work on Sharpsteen for fourth, making the pass on the outside of Turn 4. The No. 67 of Green would fall victim to a flat tire with 4 laps remaining, handing the lead over to Krebs.
Krebs would only lead the field for three-quarters of a lap before he lost a right rear tire, handing the lead over to Earl Zimmer. Zimmer would come down to complete lap 97 as the leader, but the car would bobble and wiggle in Turn 2 with a flat right rear tire. This would give Guererri his first lead of the evening, under yellow with 2 laps to go.
Marlatt recovered at that point to find himself in second for the restart. He would chase Guererri for the final two circuits, but Guererri was true on the bottom. Guererri drove the last two laps as the best two laps in his career to win his first career Empire 100. The end of the race took on a vintage Syracuse feel to it, with drivers falling out left and right at the end.
Guererri was near speechless in Champion Power Equipment Victory Lane.
"I don't know," said Guererri, searching for the words.
"I didn't know what was going to happen after the flat tire. I just came back out and drove my ass off and here we are."
Guererri reflected on the success of their entire season, their rookie campaign at Black Rock.
"Coming home 2nd in points in our first full season and winning this race- this is the most prestigious Street Stock race you could ever win."
It was the third time the Guererri car, purchased from Chris Fisher and father George, had won the Empire 100.
"The funny thing was, we drew 37 (Fisher's car number) all weekend long except for drawing No. 7 in the redraw."
Brett Marlatt put on a show at the end with fresh tires for the last 15 or so laps.
"I was trying everything," Marlatt said afterwards.
"I have to thank all the sponsors that put up the lap money. That's huge, $20 goes a long way believe me."
Marlatt reflected on the flat tire late in the going.
"I got thinking, maybe this is the best thing that happened to us. We changed tires and I started going to the front again," said Marlatt.
Gene Sharpsteen made the choice to forego the $300 Non-Qualifier's winner's money to take the last spot in the Empire 100.
"We had a little bit of strategy to wait it out like we always do, just ran out of tire there at the end," said Sharpsteen.
"You never know when you start that far back in the field. We took a vote and the guys on the crew won."
Guererri picked up the win, Marlatt second, Sharpsteen third, Kane Stebbins drove a smart race to finish fourth and Cecce recovered for a top five. Carpenter, Dinehardt, Krebs, Zimmer and Morseman rounded out the top ten.
Chris Bonoffski had a great day at Black Rock Speedway, winning both the 4 Cylinder challenge and the 4-6 Cylinder Enduro. Bonoffski had to battle Bill Weller Jr and Shawn Gleason late in the 4 Cylinder Challenge with Gleason's day ending in a bad way in the Turn 2 concrete.
The three were battling three-wide through Turn 2 when all three cars made contact with one another. The momentum sent Gleason's car hard right and head-on into the unforgiving Turn 2 wall. Gleason climbed out unscathed, which is a testament to the vehicles he and his team bring to the track each and every week.
Bonoffski would go on to win over Weller, Darin Horton, Billy Bowers and Rick Amidon.
"It was a hard time, we lost third gear there with about five laps to go," said Bonoffski to a mixture of cheers and boos from the grandstands.
Bonoffski would go on to win the 35-lap 4-6 Cylinder Enduro as only 8 cars were scheduled to take the green flag. He had to nurse his car home for the win though, as he lost two of his four cylinders in the closing laps.
The engine lasted, barely, and he picked up the win over Erica Bell, Ronnie Hill, Bill Rice and Garrett Rushlow.
For more information including weekly recaps, driver profiles, results, points and information on the $100,000 Contingency Connection Rewards Program race over to www.blackrockspeedway.com or visit Black Rock Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BlackRockSpeedway or follow us on Twitter @BlackRockSpeed
Black Rock Speedway is proud to partner with the Contingency Connection in 2015 to offer their race competitors over $100,000 in prizes. Drivers lucky enough to be awarded Contingency Connection books will save thousands of dollars on the parts, pieces and products that they use each week and every winter.
Black Rock Speedway Official Results 10/24-25/2015
Dutch Hoag National Open Modifieds, 30 cars (50 Laps): RON CARTWRIGHT JR, Steve Paine, Bob Henry Jr, Donnie Lawson, Brady Fultz, Boyd McTavish, Billy Van Pelt, Joe Dgien, Chris Ostrowsky, Dan Humes, Daryl Hilkert, Tyler Siri, Jordan Siri, Jim Larock, Cory Costa, Ken Titus, Randy Brokaw, Chris Daugherty, Doug Smith, Nick Nye, Ray Smith, James Sweeting, Stacey Jackson DNS: Alan Barker
Lap Leaders: Cartwright 1-2, Lawson 3-6, Cartwright 7-50
Heat Winners: Jordan Siri, Brady Fultz, Boyd McTavish, Bob Henry Jr
Consi #1 (5Q): Ray Smith, Nick Nye, Billy Van Pelt, Doug Smith, Chris Daugherty DNQ: Eldon Payne Jr, Brett Buono, Ray Bliss Jr DNS: Ray Bliss, Jim Walsh
Go Nuclear Crate Late Models, 23 cars (35 Laps Topless): BRYCE DAVIS, Jeremy Wonderling, Charlie Sandercock, Lee Gill, Dustin Waters, Brian Knowles, Greg Belyea, Chris Fleming, Brett Belden, Brandon Ford, Bill Eisele, Beamer Guzzardi, Brandon Mowat, Kyle Sopaz, Steve LaBarron, Mike Wonderling, Brian Down, Andy Mayhew, Dave DuBois, Eli Mayhew, Brandon Carvey, Alan Chapman DQ: Adam Turner
Lap Leaders: Bryce Davis 1-35
Heat Winners: Justin Waters, Chris Fleming, Brett Belden
2015 Go Nuclear Late Model Series Champion: Lee Gill
Street Stock Empire 100, 50 cars (100 Laps): CJ GUERERRI, Brett Marlatt, Gene Sharpsteen, Kane Stebbins, Dylan Cecce, Jon Carpenter, Steven Dinehardt, Daryl Krebs, Earl Zimmer, Teddy Morseman, Bob Buono, Bill Miller, Rich Green, Chuck Winslow, Kurt Stebbins, Jared Hill, Frank Chapman, Jeremy Potrzebowski, Rich Sharpsteen II, Jake Karlnoski, JJ Kreidler, Kenny Begnouche, Gene Balmer, LaVerne Knickerbocker, Shawn Boynton, Doug Stack
Lap Leaders: Chuck Winslow 1-22, Jon Carpenter 23-50, Brett Marlatt 51-82, Dylan Cecce 83-89, Rich Green 90-96, Earl Zimmer 97, CJ Guererri 98-100
Heat Winners: LaVerne Knickerbocker, Shawn Boynton, Chuck Winslow, Jon Carpenter, CJ Guererri, Kenny Begnouche, Jake Karlnoski
Consi #1 (winner transfers only): Brett Marlatt
Consi #2 (winner transfers only): Earl Zimmer
Consi #3 (winner transfers only): Jared Hill
Non-Qualifiers Race (15 Laps): Gene Sharpsteen **turned down $300 to start last in Empire 100
Contingency Awards:
*Heat Winners- $200 Gift Certificate to Potter Chassis
*Winner Bonuses: $444 MRC Chassis Gift Certificate; $100 Close Racing Supply credit; FREE Thomas Video Empire 100 DVD; Empire 100 Champion’s Cornhole Board Set
*Hard Charger In Memory of Doris Hoag: Gene Sharpsteen- 26th place to 3rd (+23)
*Hard Luck Award sponsored by McIntyre Bait and Tackle: JJ Kreidler
*Move of the Race sponsored by Joe Wilcox Performance Automatics: CJ Guererri
*1st Black Rock Speedway car to finish sponsored by Curtis Berleue Photos: CJ Guererri
*1st Black Rock Speedway car out sponsored by Jared Hill: LaVerne Knickerbocker
*1st Woodhull Raceway car out sponsored by Dylan Cecce: Jeremy Potrzebowski
*1st Penn Can car to finish sponsored by S&R Graphics: Jon Carpenter
*1st Five Mile Point car to finish sponsored by S&R Graphics: Gene Sharpsteen
4 Cylinders, 31 cars (25 Laps): CHRIS BONOFFSKI, Bill Weller Jr, Darin Horton, Billy Bowers, Rick Amidon, Erica Bell, Brian Grant Jr, Chuck Carla, Justin Eldredge, Steve Perkins Sr, Dave Whetham, Shawn Gleason, Eric Rowley, David Cooper, Donnie Smith, Hicks 24x, Mike Navone, Justin Hilliard, Rich Wagner, Jayson Smart, Garrett Rushlow, Jamie Radley, Mike Koser, Cody Egner
Heat Winners: Jayson Smart, Mike Kosel, Chris Bonoffski, Bill Weller Jr
Consi #1 (Top 5 Advance): Dave Whetham, Garrett Rushlow, Mike Koser, Eric Rowley, Hicks 24x
4-6 Cylinder Enduro, 8 cars (35 Laps): CHRIS BONOFFSKI, Erica Bell, Ronnie Hill, Bill Rice, Garrett Rushlow, George Rushlow DNS: George Morsey, Shawn Gleason
