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Chilly weather didn’t keep fans and racers away from Genesee Speedway’s first practice date of 2007.
Batavia, NY—April 15, 2007--By: Chris Rhynold, Media/Racer Relations Director
Genesee Speedway opened the 2007 racing season with a practice date on April 14th. Earlier in the day it was thought that the day may bring low car counts because of the chilly weather, but the weather did not play a factor as many fans passed through the spectator gates to see the cars of Genesee Speedway practice. Forty-Nine cars passed through the pit gate to have their technical inspection done by the speedway staff and to take practice laps on a nicely prepared track.
The Troyer Race Cars Sportsman division and the BDK Construction 360 Late Model division had the most support from the racers. 360 Late Model racer and former track champion Jim Johnson turned in the fastest lap of the day in the 360 Late Models and was closely followed by 2006 Russ Prentice Memorial winner Jon Rivers. Rivers seemed to be really hooked in the early stages of the practice as he gave people a real good view of his under carriage many times as he carried his left front wheel coming off the turns. Rivers would later retire to the pits halfway through a practice session and never returned to the speedway for the last two practice sessions.
Troyer Race Cars Sportsman division driver Rob Pratt had the speedway pretty locked down and was turning in consistent lap times with Jeff McGinnis following his pace. Ricky Newton battled some engine issues in the early stages of practice. The crew worked to rectify the problem and Newton would return to the speedway with his problems fixed. The Troyer Race Cars Sportsman division shows a lot of promise for the 2007 season with a great showing of cars for the first practice. A few racers that were on hand without their cars confirmed that their cars weren’t ready but will be ready for the next practice session on April 22. According to the DIRT Motorsports statistics, Genesee Speedway averaged twelve sportsman cars each race last season. The first practice date brought out 13 cars and it is known the there was seven Genesee sportsman regulars that could not make yesterdays practice.
The Bobcat of Buffalo Street Stocks and the Dickenson’s Auto Service Mini Stocks had rather low car counts for the first practice but the racers that did show looked fast and looked ready to do battle this year. Russ Wassner was the fastest mini-stock on hand. Mini Stock division Sponsor Bobby Dickenson, who looked fast in his first practice session, suffered a mechanical failure later in the day after a new water pump broke and sent the fan and pulley off of his Mustang Mini Stock.
The only disappointment was the lack of support for the Greenlief’s Restaurant Pro-Stock’s. Not a single Pro-Stock passed through the gate for practice or for technical inspection.
The fans were treated to a couple of extra special treats as ASCS Patriot Region sprint regular Jared Zimbardi and Southern Ontario Sprint regular Jim Porter were on hand to run practice laps with their 360 sprint cars. Zimbardi turned in a low 16 second lap time with a car that he was having troubles with. Next week will show what the sprints really have when the ASCS Patriot Region sprints have an open practice date at Genesee Speedway. We will surely see a mid fifteen second or faster lap for sure.
The other treat was the 600cc micro sprint of Jim Radney. Radney’s 636 Kawasaki powered Hyper chassis was a little off pace in the first practice session as he was over geared, but really showed his cards in the second practice as he laid down a low 17 second lap.
Next up for Genesee Speedway will be the Batavia Mall Show starting April 19th and finishing up on April 21st and Genesee Speedway’s second and final practice date on April 22nd.
Be sure not to miss the practice date on April 22nd as it is the Genesee Speedway Media Day and the ASCS Patriot Region Sprint Cars will be holding a special test and tune. The Clor’s Chicken BBQ will also be returning for the final practice session.
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