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GOSHEN, NY-- Jerry Higbie Races to Strong Runnerup Finish In Modified Action At OCFS
By Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media
Slate Hill, New York Modified talent Jerry Higbie began the Big Block Modified feature at Orange County Fair Speedway from the 13th starting position. Before one lap could be completed, Higbie was turned around and facing the wrong way. This wasn't the start Higbie was hoping for, but undaunted, Higbie moved to the back of the pack and knew his only strategy for the rest of the event would be to go hands up on the wheel and try to secure as many positions as possible until the race was completed. Getting a great restart, Higbie threaded the needle and began to pick off cars one by one in his drive to the front. With the race going non-stop after the initial caution, Higbie kept his poise and patience and kept up his assault on the field with each passing lap.
While Modified Rookie "The Bangor Blast" Jesse Kline paced the 26-car starting field from his front row starting spot, multi-time track Champion Brett Hearn was making his way to the front to challenge the young driving star. Hearn applied the pressure and moved around Kline on lap-23 of the 30-lap event. Higbie was soon to follow suit and moved into the runnerup slot behind the "Corporate Jet". Hearn crossed the checkered flag first and was followed by Higbie, who put on an excellent display of driving ability in keeping his Shaver owned Big Block hammer down and pointed to the front. Jessie Kline stayed in the hunt and recorded a fine third place finish with Jeremy Markle and Gary Edwards completing the top five. Higbie finished second in his heat event to the second generation talent Kline.
At Accord Speedway on Friday night, Jerry Higbie moved quickly to the front in his heat race and won with relative ease to earn a seventh starting position for the 30-lap feature event. At the drop of the green flag, a bit of bumping occured in the front of the pack and Higbie had to jump on the brakes and lost some positions by the end of the first lap. Again looking to find a place to utilize his Big block power, Higbie first went topside to drive his Mid-City Transit sponsored Bicknell/Precision combination Modified forward. Finding the top blocked, Higbie changed lanes and moved to the bottom to power his way back to the front.
Disaster struck on lap-8 of the feature event as Rookie Modified talent Tom Demarmels got into the back of leader Dom Roselli and spun the "IceMan" to the inside of the raceway. Demarmels spun sideways up the raceway and collected another Modified Rookie Danny Tyler. Tyler, with no where to go, got into the boilerplate fence backwards and began to peel the third-turn Accord billboards off their moorings. This set about a chain reaction crash that collected 21 cars and when the dust settled, the Higbie machine was rendered disabled with both shock towers missing in an accident that took valuable time off of the evenings already shortening time allotment. The feature was shortened by 10-laps and Andy Bachetti rim-rode his racer to the win to collect the $2,000.00 first place prize.. Higbie was credited with a 17th-place finish in the final feature event rundown.
This coming week will find the team back in action at both Accord and Orange County. With his title aspirations for both speedways and the traveling ROC dirt Series, Higbie is well aware of the challenges before him with the aggressive schedule he has chosen to race this year. Higbie is a former Accord Speedway Champion, as he won a title at the Big A back in 1994. Higbie would like nothing better than to add a second Accord title to his racing resume where he won his first feature event back in 1991. Concentrating primarily with the Big Blocks in recent years, Higbie has called the the Orange County Fair Speedway his home track. Last year when Accord Promoter Gary Palmer amended his Modified rules to allow the Big Blocks to compete, Higbie made a triumphant return to the speedway and claimed two big wins during the course of the racing season. Now into the new season Higbie is confident his equipment is up to the task to send him to the winner's circle. Even though it is still early in the season, "The Statesman From Slate Hill" is ranked second in points in the Modifieds and third in points in the 358 Modifieds at Orange County. Higbie is hoping to make a good accounting this weekend at Accord to move back into the tilte picture at the speedway.
Higbie's aggressive 2008 racing schedule will find him in the thick of the action as he prepares for his runs at the Accord Speedway and Orange County Fair Speedway Championships this year. He will also be challenging for the ROC title. For the Accord and ROC events, Higbie will race his signature numbered 97 cars and for his assault on OCFS and select WRG Series Races, Higbie will once again strap himself into the Team Shaver numbered 47 equipment as the Shaver Team will have two Big Block cars for Higbie to steer. Sponsorship for the Teams comes from a great group of loyal sponsors who have supported Higbie throughout his successful racing career. Mid-City Transit, Mr K's Carpet Service, Behrent's Speed Center, SKJ Towing, BadaBing Pizza, and Embroidery Wizard have all lent their support to the 97 cars, and Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, Superior Building Supply, Woodburne Lawn & Garden, and Frieghtliner Trucks of Newburgh lend their support to the Shaver Team. In addition to his Big Block rides, Higbie will be slipping behind the belts of the Affordable Transmission numbered 17 for a run at the 358 Small Block title at OCFS.
Jerry Higbie Racing would like to thank the entire racing community for their support and well wishes as the team prepares for a great season in racing this year.
Higbie's business, HigFab, has been busy throughout the off-season helping many teams prepare for what appears to be a big season in 2008. For more information regarding the services and capablities of the HigFab Staff, please contact the shop at: 845 294 0898.
For additional information and updates regarding Jerry Higbie Racing, go to their newly constructed website at: http://www.higbieracing.com
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