At the races: Sept. 28

It was the final race night for the season on the cool, clear fall evening Saturday. It would also be Miller Lite race night for this large race crowd, so let’s get to it.

First Race, 15 Car, 30 Lap Blunderbust Race – In a cut and dry race, Tim Mulqueen, in the #77 car, started on the pole with Bill Wegmann Sr., in the #79 car second. At the throw of the green, Wegmann and Mulqueen would battle it out for first and second for about 4 laps. By lap four, Jimmy “The Exterminator” White Jr., in the #32 car, passed Wegmann for the second spot, and had his sights on the leader Mulqueen. In lap 7, White would make his move against Mulqueen in turn four, and a new leader was crowned. White would take this caution free race to grab the checkers and close the season with two wins. Great Job Jim.

Second Race, 11 Trucks, 30 Laps, Super Pro Truck Race – On the pole was “Dangerous” Dave Koenig, in the #29 truck, and Mike Albasini, in the #66 truck, to his right. The race began with a caution and a pile up in turn 1 & 2 between half the field. When the dust settled, the field was down 3 trucks, and the race was restarted. Once the race got going, Koenig would take the lead, with Albasini glued to his tail. Koenig would hold on for his first win of the season, and an emotional victory lane, as he dedicated the win to his dear friend “Daddy Cool” Andy Owen, himself an Enduro driver, who had suffered an aneurysm, and was given a grim prognosis by doctors. Koenig, the 2011 SPT champion, had changed his number from #97, to Owens #29 in his honor. Owens is in therapy, with a long road to recovery. We wish him all the best, and congrats to Dave Koenig on the victory!

Third Race, 14 Cars, 30 Lap Charger Race – Jayson White, in the #45 car and John Baker, in the #7 car drew the front row, at the wink of the green, white would quickly grab first as Baker held a close second for two laps, until Jeremy McDermott, in the #5 car passed Baker for second. By lap 5, McDermott, the 2012 champion, worked his way to first, but a quick yellow brought everything to a halt. By lap 8, Eric Zeh, in the #34 car, jumps ahead of McDermott for the lead. On lap 9, Chad Churilla, in the #20 car, raced his way to second, and the fireworks began as Zeh and Churilla would lead the pack with Churilla maing several attempts to grab first from Zeh. Zeh would hang tough for the win, his 5th of the season, second in a row for the 2013 champ. Nice Job Eric !!

Fourth Race, 11 Car, 50 Lap Late Model Race – On the pole was race veteran Roger Oxee, in the #39 car with Jeremy McDermott, in the #4 car, his shadow. With the throw of the green, Oxee, a 64 time winner, would edge out McDermott for the lead, and hold it for 38 laps, in what would have seemed to be a sure fire win, a milestone 65th. But that was not to be, as lap 39 drew a single file restart, Oxee would suffer car issues, opening the door for McDermott to grab the lead. The 2013 champion would grab the checkers to put yet another feather in his big season. Nice Job Jeremy !!

Fifth Race, 10 Car, 20 Lap Figure Eights Race – John Vullo, in the #66 car, and veteran Roger Maynor, in the #28 car would have front row. At the wink of the green, Maynor would grab the lead and hold it through several crashes, cautions, and an ever present Vullo on his tail. By lap 7, Vullo would be challenged by Arne Pedersen, in the #34 car, for second, but a spinout by Pedersen, gave the second spot to Vullo. In the end, Maynor would hold on for the checkered square and the victory. Nice Job Roger !!

50th National Demolition Derby Championship – With derby entrants from all over the country on hand, the final two drivers left standing would be Brian Savoy, of Lake Panamoka NY, and teen sensation Nicholas Malverty, of Spring Hill, Fla.. After all the battle tested contestants dropped out of the field, Savoy would administer two more hits on Malverty, and it was all over but the crying as Savoy would grab the victory. Congrats Brian !!

Well Folks, it has been a great year for racing, I enjoyed bringing you the photos and stories almost every week. Many thanks to Wendy at the VIP window, god bless, The track officials, always the best. Track Services, a hearty group of Guys & Gals! My wife JoAnn, an inspiration and a great note taker, Love You! RiverheadLocal.com, Pete & Denise, two dear, wonderful friends that give me this forum, love you guys! Brigandi Brothers towing, great job. And most of all, the great folks who take the time to look at my photos and read the race stories every week, THANK YOU !! Well, I’m gonna rinse the dust from my teeth, take off my orange safety vest, and blaze up a stogie! Thanks again to all, have a safe winter, God Bless America, and the men and women who keep it safe. Until we meet again, I will see you…

“AT THE RACES”

Thanks and Be Well,

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
To order a print, please email the photographer faella59@gmail.com
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