“BETHEL MOTOR MADNESS” WEEKEND DRAWS A RECORD NUMBER OF COMPETITORS AND PROVIDES EXCITING RACING ACTION TO CLOSE OUT THE 2011 SEASON
October 10, 2011
BETHEL, NY - For the past six months, Bethel Motor Speedway has been quite a busy quarter-mile stretch of asphalt, with a packed pit area and large crowds on hand to see short-track heroes in action each and every Saturday night. This past weekend was no exception, as the track presented the final two days of racing excitement for the 2011 season and “Bethel Motor Madness” weekend champions were crowned.
In a season that has been full of ups and downs, the 2010 Sportsman Rookie of the Year Rich Coons couldn’t have asked for a better outcome when he put his dirt tires on the pavement for the final time this year. Coons recorded one win and two runner-up finishes in the three segment races, putting him atop the class standings for the event.
Teenager Bryanna Hurban, who was the 2009 Rookie of the Year and 2010 Most Improved Driver, was the winner of the first segment race. She led every lap of the event on her way to the win over Coons and 2011 division champion Jeff Richardson.
Coons’ time to shine came in the second segment race, when he got the lead with just five laps to go after Richardson – who had been leading – headed to the pits. Eric Moon crossed the line behind Coons, with Hurban in third.
Richardson added one more feature win to his championship season when he claimed the victory in the third segment race. When the checkered flag flew on the extended-distance race, Coons was second and Hurban scored another third place finish.
Hurban’s finishes were enough to secure second for the weekend overall, and Richardson was third in the final standings for the weekend.
The Legends raced two features to determine their “Bethel Motor Madness” champion, and the quest for the overall weekend title turned out to be a close one. When all was said and done, though, the four-foot tall trophy went home to Connecticut with teenager Alessandro Vitelli.
Vitelli, who drove roughly three hours each way to compete in the event, scored a runner-up finish in Saturday’s race and a win in the feature on Sunday, which catapulted him to the top of the weekend standings.
Another driver who traveled several hours to take part in the weekend, 2011 Riverhead Raceway Legends champion Chris Young, was the winner in the event on Saturday, which was shortened after the race hit its time limit. Young got the lead after race leader Richie Coy was involved in an incident and had to head to the pits for repairs. Vitelli was second and 2010 Riverhead Legends champion Kevin Nowak was third.
On Sunday, Vitelli led only a single lap, but he made sure it was the one that counted. Vitelli wrestled the lead from Raven Schrantz on the final lap and notched the win over Schrantz and Young.
Bandolero driver Rudy Roth IV got his weekend off on the right foot with a win in the first segment race, and he rode that momentum to the overall weekend title, in spite of the fact that the final segment results are still pending.
Christian Eckes led the opening laps of the first segment race, but Roth was able to snatch it just prior to the halfway point. Roth crossed the line ahead of 2011 champion Max Evans and Courtney Lefcourt.
The second segment race was shortened after it passed the time limit, and Evans was declared the winner over Taylor Hurban and Christina Policastro.
Anthony Riforgiato took the lead on lap three of the third segment race and drove on to the win, but the results are still pending. Roth crossed the line second and Hurban came across in third; results are pending verification from INEX.
Defending Pro Stock champion Bobby Policatsro has only run a limited season this year, but he has been a force to reckon with each and every time he has taken to the speedway. This past week was no exception, as he walked away with the “Bethel Motor Madness” weekend title, in spite of the fact that he did not win a single segment race. Instead, he used consistency to capture the crown.
Ron Lane, whose season has been a mix of wins and mechanical difficulties, captured the win in the first segment race with Policastro hot on his heels. BMS Modified regular Elliott Wohl made his Pro Stock debut and crossed the line third.
The 2011 champion, Ed Butler, got his time in the spotlight during the second segment race. Butler took the lead from rookie Larry O’Donnell with five laps remaining and went on to score the victory. O’Donnell was second and Policastro finished third.
In spite of getting a late start on his season and only racing a handful of times towards the end of the season, Mark Sylvester showed that he hadn’t missed a beat as he captured the third segment win. Policastro was second, and Butler came across the line third.
Gary VanOrden Jr., the 2010 Street Stock Rookie of the Year, spent plenty of time in Victory Lane this past weekend, as he picked up two segment race wins and the overall title.
In the first segment race, VanOrden Jr. grabbed the lead from Vinny Stanton with five laps to go, and he crossed the line ahead of Stanton and Jonathan McGibbon.
It was a family affair at the front of the field in the second segment race, but VanOrden Jr. wrestled the lead from his sister Amber with five laps to go and led her to the line with McGibbon third.
John Brush got his first feature win of the season in the third segment race. He led the majority of the event, although both VanOrden Jr. and A. VanOrden snatched the lead from him briefly. When the checkered flag flew, Brush led A. VanOrden and McGibbon to the line.
Elliott Wohl was doing “double duty” by racing in both the Pro Stock and BMS Modified classes, but he kept busy in Victory Lane with the Modified, scoring two segment wins and the overall weekend title.
Steve Galgano joined the ranks of the BMS Modified class late in the season, but fans couldn’t tell that he had less seat time this year than the competition as he led nearly the entire distance of the first segment race. He and Wohl battled side by side for several laps before Wohl got out front with three laps to go. Wohl was first to the line, followed by Galgano and 2010 division champion John Cote.
Wohl’s streak continued in the second segment race. Norm Barnes, the 2009 champion, was out front for the majority of the event, but Wohl grabbed the lead just two laps before the checkered flag and he went on to win over Barnes and 2011 champion Skip LaPolt.
LaPolt capped off his championship year with a win in the final segment race following an exciting battle up front between himself and Cote. When the checkered flag flew, LaPolt was first to cross the line, followed by Wohl and Cote.
Ivan Guerra grabbed his first career win in 2011, and he carried that momentum for the remainder of the year, earning the 2011 4 Cylinder Advanced division championship. This past weekend, he notched two segment wins and took home the overall weekend title.
Defending champion Eddy Lindstadt led every lap of the first segment race on his way to the win. Tim Curry and George Zeininger followed him across the line.
The second segment race featured several lead changes. Guerra initially took the lead from Billy Curry just prior to the halfway point, but he surrendered the top spot just three laps later. Guerra was not about to give up, though, and he took the lead back again with four laps to go. He then drove on to the win over Curry and Lindstadt.
Guerra spent much more time out front in the final segment race, as he snatched the lead from Zeininger on lap 12. Lindstadt worked his way from sixth to second with six laps to go, but was unable to get past Guerra and had to settle for second. Zeininger held on for third.
In the 4 Cylinder Novice division, 2011 champion Kody Welsh scored the overall title with one segment win to his credit.
Welsh started fifth in the first segment race and took the lead from Tisha Curry at the halfway point. Curry held on for second, and Scott Quick was third.
In the second segment race, Welsh crossed the line first, but the win went to Tasha Curry after the race was reviewed. Tanner Fennell was credited with second, and third went to Josh Mendez.
The final segment race saw Heather Fennell, Tasha Curry, and Mike Travis all take turns leading before Travis took the lead for the final time with three laps to go. Welsh finished second, and Tasha Curry was credited with third in the final rundown.
On Sunday, the Empire Sport Trucks made their second appearance of the season at the speedway. Randy Mooney proved that he had the track figured out, as he was once again the driver in Victory Lane at the end of the night.
The Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Club also took to the track Sunday. Howie Murphy led the majority of the event, but he suddenly retired to the pits with four laps to go. Ray See Sr. inherited the lead as a result, and he drove on to the win.
With the gates now closed at Bethel Motor Speedway for the season, the next event will be the annual awards banquet. The speedway management is in the process of finalizing the details, and they will be released as soon as they become available.
For more information about Bethel Motor Speedway, visit the web site at www.bethelmotorspeedway.com, or call (845) 319-7908.
SPORTSMAN OVERALL RESULTS: 1. Rich Coons, 2. Bryanna Hurban, 3. Jeff Richardson, 4. Eric Moon, 5. Greg Morgan, 6. Kyle Redner, 7. Dan Curry, 8. Dan Conklin, 9. Kimberlee Morgan, 10. Joe Giachinta, 11. Kyle Moon, 12. Mike Houghtaling, 13. Milton Mann, 14. Jim Halpin, 15. Matt Curry, 16. Larry Badaracco. SEGMENT WINNERS – Bryanna Hurban, Rich Coons, Jeff Richardson.
SPORTSMAN SEGMENT ONE: 1. Bryanna Hurban, 2. Rich Coons, 3. Jeff Richardson, 4. Eric Moon, 5. Kyle Redner, 6. Mike Houghtaling, 7. Greg Morgan, 8. Milton Mann, 9. Dan Conklin, 10. Larry Badaracco, 11. Kimberlee Morgan, 12. Joe Giachinta, 13. Dan Curry, 14. Kyle Moon.
SPORTSMAN SEGMENT TWO: 1. Rich Coons, 2. Eric Moon, 3. Bryanna Hurban, 4. Dan Curry, 5. Jeff Richardson, 6. Kyle Redner, 7. Kimberlee Morgan, 8. Joe Giachinta, 9. Dan Conklin, 10. Kyle Moon, 11. Greg Morgan, 12. Mike Houghtaling. DNS – Milton Mann, Larry Badaracco.
SPORTSMAN SEGMENT THREE: 1. Jeff Richardson, 2. Rich Coons, 3. Bryanna Hurban, 4. Greg Morgan, 5. Eric Moon, 6. Dan Conklin, 7. Dan Curry, 8. Jim Halpin, 9. Kimberlee Morgan, 10. Matt Curry, 11. Milton Mann, 12. Kyle Redner, 13. Joe Giachinta, 14. Kyle Moon. DNS – Larry Badaracco.
LEGENDS FEATURE FINISH (SATURDAY, 12 laps): 1. Chris Young, 2. Alessandro Vitelli, 3. Kevin Nowak, 4. Ronny Conklin, 5. Richie Coy, 6. Bill Johnston, 7. Cole Fratesi, 8. Mark Tischler, 9. John Bacon, 10. Chris Rogers, 11. Joe DeGracia, 12. Matt Pappa, 13. Matt Evans, 14. Rob Hyer, 15. Brendon Bock, 16. Matthew Gaughan.
LEGENDS FEATURE FINISH (SUNDAY, 25 laps): 1. Alessandro Vitelli, 2. Raven Schrantz, 3. Chris Young, 4. Matt Pappa, 5. Mark Tischler, 6. Ronny Conklin, 7. Matt Evans, 8. Eugene Drew, 9. Kevin Nowak, 10. Cole Fratesi, 11. Bill Johnston, 12. Rob Hyer, 13. John Bacon, 14. David Zelker, 15. Brendon Bock, 16. Barry Schrantz. DQ - Richie Coy.
PRO STOCK OVERALL FINISH: 1. Bobby Policastro, 2. Ed Butler, 3. Mark Sylvester, 4. Elliott Wohl, 5. Larry O’Donnell, 6. Ron Lane, 7. John Hager, 8. Jim Helt, 9. Ken Hopkins Jr., 10. Gene Palmer, 11. Kenny Atkins, 12. Gene Morton. SEGMENT WINNERS – Ron Lane, Ed Butler, Mark Sylvester.
PRO STOCK SEGMENT ONE: 1. Ron Lane, 2. Bobby Policastro, 3. Elliott Wohl, 4. Mark Sylvester, 5. Ed Butler, 6. Ken Hopkins Jr., 7. Jim Helt, 8. John Hager, 9. Kenny Atkins, 10. Larry O’Donnell, 11. Gene Morton, 12. Gene Palmer.
PRO STOCK SEGMENT TWO: 1. Ed Butler, 2. Larry O’Donnell, 3. Bobby Policastro, 4. Mark Sylvester, 5. Jim Helt, 6. John Hager, 7. Elliott Wohl, 8. Gene Palmer, 9. Ron Lane, 10. Ken Hopkins Jr. DNS – Kenny Atkins, Gene Morton.
PRO STOCK SEGMENT THREE: 1. Mark Sylvester, 2. Bobby Policastro, 3. Ed Butler, 4. Larry O’Donnell, 5. Elliott Wohl, 6. John Hager, 7. Gene Palmer, 8. Ken Hopkins Jr., 9. Ron Lane, 10. Jim Helt. DNS – Kenny Atkins, Gene Morton.
STREET STOCK OVERALL FINISH: 1. Gary VanOrden Jr., 2. Amber VanOrden, 3. Jonathan McGibbon, 4. John Brush, 5. Brent Shaddock, 6. Vinny Stanton, 7. Jeff Hager, 8. Wayne Hajek, 9. Kyle Welsch, 10. Glenn Pallom, 11. Bobby VanBlarcom, 12. Robbie Halstead. SEGMENT WINNERS – Gary VanOrden Jr., Gary VanOrden Jr., John Brush.
STREET STOCK SEGMENT ONE: 1. Gary VanOrden Jr., 2. Vinny Stanton, 3. Jonathan McGibbon, 4. Brent Shaddock, 5. Amber VanOrden, 6. Glenn Pallom, 7. John Brush, 8. Jeff Hager, 9. Bobby VanBlarcom, 10. Robbie Halstead, 11. Wayne Hajek, 12. Kyle Welsch.
STREET STOCK SEGMENT TWO: 1. Gary VanOrden Jr., 2. Amber VanOrden, 3. Jonathan McGibbon, 4. Kyle Welsch, 5. John Brush, 6. Brent Shaddock, 7. Wayne Hajek, 8. Jeff Hager, 9. Vinny Stanton. DNS – Glenn Pallom, Bobby VanBlarcom, Robbie Halstead.
STREET STOCK SEGMENT THREE: 1. John Brush, 2. Amber VanOrden, 3. Jonathan McGibbon, 4. Brent Shaddock, 5. Wayne Hajek, 6. Gary VanOrden Jr., 7. Jeff Hager, 8. Vinny Stanton, 9. Bobby VanBlarcom, 10. Glenn Pallom. DNS – Robbie Halstead, Kyle Welsch.
BMS MODIFIED OVERALL FINISH: 1. Elliott Wohl, 2. Skip LaPolt, 3. Norman Barnes, 4. Steve Galgano, 5. John Cote. SEGMENT WINNERS – Elliott Wohl, Elliott Wohl, Skip LaPolt.
BMS MODIFIED SEGMENT ONE: 1. Elliott Wohl, 2. Steve Galgano, 3. John Cote, 4. Norman Barnes, 5. Skip LaPolt.
BMS MODIFIED SEGMENT TWO: 1. Elliott Wohl, 2. Norman Barnes, 3. Skip LaPolt, 4. Steve Galgano, 5. John Cote.
BMS MODIFIED SEGMENT THREE: 1. Skip LaPolt, 2. Elliott Wohl, 3. John Cote, 4. Norman Barnes, 5. Steve Galgano.
4 CYLINDER ADVANCED OVERALL FINISH: 1. Ivan Guerra, 2. Eddy Lindstadt, 3. George Zeininger, 4. Tim Curry, 5. Billy Curry, 6. Ray Fennell, 7. Woody McGibbon, 8. Alvera Sylvester, 9. Daniel Chisholm, 10. George VanAiken, 11. Dan Wood, 12. Enio Lovric. SEGMENT WINNERS – Eddy Lindstadt, Ivan Guerra, Ivan Guerra.
4 CYLINDER ADVANCED SEGMENT ONE: 1. Eddy Lindstadt, 2. Tim Curry, 3. George Zeininger, 4. Ivan Guerra, 5. Woody McGibbon, 6. Billy Curry, 7. Dan Wood, 8. Ray Fennell, 9. Alvera Sylvester, 10. Daniel Chisholm, 11. George VanAiken.
4 CYLINDER ADVANCED SEGMENT TWO: 1. Ivan Guerra, 2. Tim Curry, 3. Eddy Lindstadt, 4. George Zeininger, 5. Billy Curry, 6. Ray Fennell, 7. Dan Wood, 8. George VanAiken, 9. Daniel Chisholm, 10. Alvera Sylvester, 11. Woody McGibbon.
4 CYLINDER ADVANCED SEGMENT THREE: 1. Ivan Guerra, 2. Eddy Lindstadt, 3. George Zeininger, 4. Billy Curry, 5. Enio Lovric, 6. Ray Fennell, 7. Alvera Sylvester, 8. Woody McGibbon, 9. Tim Curry, 10. Daniel Chisholm, 11. George VanAiken. DNS – Dan Wood.
4 CYLINDER NOVICE OVERALL FINISH: 1. Kody Welsh, 2. Tisha Curry, 3. Josh Mendez, 4. Tasha Curry, 5. Tanner Fennell, 6. Scott Quick, 7. Kayla Curry, 8. William Smith, 9. Heather Fennell, 10. John Halstead, 11. Daniel VanAiken, 12. Paige LaPolt, 13. Mike Travis, 14. Vinny Lovric, 15. Andrew Lovric. SEGMENT WINNERS – Kody Welsh, Tasha Curry, Mike Travis.
4 CYLINDER NOVICE SEGMENT ONE: 1. Kody Welsh, 2. Tisha Curry, 3. Scott Quick, 4. William Smith, 5. Kayla Curry, 6. Josh Mendez, 7. Heather Fennell, 8. Tanner Fennell, 9. John Halstead, 10. Daniel VanAiken, 11. Tasha Curry, 12. Paige LaPolt.
4 CYLINDER NOVICE SEGMENT TWO: 1. Tasha Curry, 2. Tanner Fennell, 3. Josh Mendez, 4. Kody Welsh, 5. Tisha Curry, 6. Daniel VanAiken, 7. Heather Fennell, 8. John Halstead, 9. Scott Quick, 10. Kayla Curry, 11. Paige LaPolt, 12. William Smith.
4 CYLINDER NOVICE SEGMENT THREE: 1. Mike Travis, 2. Kody Welsh, 3. Tasha Curry, 4. Josh Mendez, 5. Kayla Curry, 6. Tisha Curry, 7. Scott Quick, 8. Vinny Lovric, 9. Tanner Fennell, 10. William Smith, 11. Paige LaPolt, 12. John Halstead, 13. Heather Fennell, 14. Andrew Lovric, 15. Daniel VanAiken.