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Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (June 24, 2008)- What was set to be a major Friday night event has turned into a wild weekend in Western New York for the wonderful winged warriors.
Ransomville Speedway will play host to their annual mid-season event for the ASCS Patriots this Friday Night. “The Big R” is one of only two tracks to host a Patriot race in each of the first five seasons.
The ½-mile facility has been known to show many faces come feature time, with the condition of the Niagara County facility being anywhere between icy slick and super tacky. Ideally, when the green flag drops for the 25-lap A-Main, the track is just slick enough to see the cream of the crop rise to the top.
The four winningest drivers in Patriot History and all four drivers to claim a Patriot Championship have won at this Friday Night staple. Last season was the first year two races were held at Ransomville, with Jared Zimbardi scoring his second career win in June and George Suprick returning to ASCS Patriot Victory Lane for the first time in two years in August.
Chuck Hebing won the event in 2004 using an underpowered No. 42 borrowed from his brother. That win came back at a time when “Cobra” was still relatively unknown in the sprint car community. The Ontario, NY driver is now fresh off of his 29th career ASCS Patriot win after picking up the win at Eriez on Sunday.
Bryan Howland out dueled Ray Preston in 2005 when the series rolled through Ransomville and would go on to win the Championship. Howland is the current Patriot points leader and looks to continue his top-10 streak rolling along.
Local favorites for this event include Don Adamczyk from Williamsville, Derek Jonathan from Lewiston, and Curt Sherwood from Sanborn.
Scott Bonnell and John Schuyler look to recover from their disappointment Sunday at Eriez this weekend as they travel up I-90 for a rare appearance in the Niagara Frontier.
A number of Canadians are also expected to travel across the border for their first ASCS Patriot event of the year.
Gates will open Friday at 5:00 p.m. at the track just North of Buffalo. Racing will begin at 7:15 p.m.
ASCS Patriot History at Ransomville:
Races: 6
7/11/2003- Billy Krull
9/17/2004- Chuck Hebing
7/1/2005- Bryan Howland
7/29/2006- Rick Wilson
6/29/2007- Jared Zimbardi
8/3/2007- George Suprick
Stateline Speedway was the final full-points race to be added to the schedule this year. After the rainout last week, they will now be one of just six tracks to host multiple races.
The feature event that was washed out last Saturday will be made up at the beginning of Saturday Night’s program just south of Jamestown, NY. After that 25-lap event is run, an entirely new event will be run that will be open to any competitors.
The night of racing will include three National Parts Peddler Heats, the Bonnell’s Collision Center Four Laps of Fame Dash and the two 25-lap feature events.
Chuck Hebing appeared to be the quickest car last Saturday, but he will have to chase down Jared Zimbardi and Don Adamczyk who find them on the front row of the feature.
Stateline is well known for losing moisture by feature time, but with this event being run at 7:00 p.m., just after sprint car hot laps, it may produce an unlikely winner in Victory Lane.
The 1/3-mile facility played host to the first Patriot race in 2003 and will now start the second centennial of races in the history of the series.
Fans will not only be treated to two features for one low price, fireworks are also part of the summer special, helping to make this a can’t-miss event. Gates will open before 5:30 p.m. with the racing getting underway at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.ASCSpatriotsprints.com or www.ASCSracing.com
ASCS Patriot History at Stateline
Races: 4
5/3/2003 Tom Taber
6/18/2005 George Suprick
5/27/2006 Rich Swarthout
6/16/2007 Chuck Hebing
Starting Lineup for Make-up Feature:
Jared Zimbardi Don Adamczyk
Gary Troutman John Schuyler
Bryan Howland Chuck Hebing
Scott Kreutter Justin Barger
Jared Fink Chris Muhleisen
Chris Shuttleworth Dave Wickham
Blake Breen Scott Bonnell
Brad Knab Bobby Breen
Bubba Broderick Kyle Moffit
Joe August Jr. T.J. Newton
Robbie Shuttleworth Jeremy Barnard
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