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Erick Rudolph Claims First Empire State Modified Midget Crown
Rich Vleck, BATAVIA, NY (September 6, 2008)- On a night when the Genesee Speedway was smooth and even, so too was the competition; but Erick Rudolph would distinguish himself before the night was over.
Rudolph, of Ransomville, captured the first running of the premier New York Modified Midget event, exclusive to New York State Residents. Rudolph not only took home $1,500, but also knew he had beaten a solid field.
The driver of the No. 72 moved underneath Paul Habeck for the lead on lap six and never looked back, keeping a safe distance over the rest of the field.
Nothing seemed to phase the youngster on the night, as he switched wings, taped a new number on the second one, had a bad redraw from the feature, and saw his lead advantage evaporate on numerous occasions throughout the 25-lap A-Main.
Rudolph was able to drive his car into the corner significantly farther than the rest of the competition, giving him the ability to complete passes on the top of the speedway.
As the second-generation star was slicing through to the lead, David Ferguson was following Rudolph through the holes to get into second and settle for an impressive runner-up showing. In addition to winning his heat race, Ferguson was also the quick timer by over a ¼ of a second.
Eric Schwartz would score a solid third place showing, moving his way through the pack to complete the podium on the night. Zack Morgan and Nick Cooper would round out the very young top-five.
Early race front-runners Paul Habeck, Todd Cummings and Dan Miller all experienced problems before the finish.
On an overcast afternoon, 42 of the best modified midgets in the state invaded the 1/3-mile to compete for the largest purse in the history of NYMM.
Pete Waldron scored his first win in his career in dominating fashion during the Castle Powered Late Model Feature. Waldron, of Oakfield, led all 20 laps over the top point runners, Dave DuBois and Jon Rivers, hitting his setup perfectly under the slick conditions and cruising to the win.
“That track was perfect for me tonight,” said Waldron in Victory Lane. “That could not have been any better.
Waldron won his heat race, earning him the pole for the event. He only had to survive a few cautions and was clear to pick up the win.
Behind Waldron was the No. 012 of Dave DuBois. Because of his finish over third-place Jon Rivers, DuBois has all but locked up his first career championship at Genesee.
Tim Kauffman and Donny Newton were solid to complete the top-five.
Jeremy Denton picked up a long-awaited victory in the most dramatic fashion possible in the thrilling 20-lap Power Trip Energy Drink Street Stock Feature.
Denton, of Brockport, held off Colton Chappius and Jeb Walworth, the top two in points, for the final seven laps as they trio was two and sometimes three-wide all the way to the end, as the cars all banged off one another coming the checkered flag.
“That was wild,” Denton stated atop his roof in Victory Lane, as he stayed steady on the topside of the speedway, leaving the bottom lane open but getting a run each time off of the corner.
Each time in the turns, Chappius, the point leader, would stab the brakes entering and then drift up the track. As the No. 60 would drift up near the No. 07 of Denton, Walworth would turn underneath both of them nearly every lap.
On the final circuit, as Chappius kept his car on the inside, Walworth carved through the middle, setting up the incredible three-wide finish. Denton forced his car to the inside, keeping the nose of his car just far enough ahead for the victory.
Walworth was able to secure second, while Colton Chappius held on to third, meaning he only needs to start the feature next week to secure the championship. Dan Pries and Dave Downs completed the top-five.
As an added bonus for the No. 07 team, Steve Austin, who used Denton’s car to run the non-winners scramble picked up the final victory, earning him his first win.
Russ Wassner got out in front early and stayed there in the Professional Driver Institute Mini Stock Feature, scoring his third win of the year.
Wassner, of Bloomfield, moved around Duane Pingrey on lap four and held off a hard-charging Brandon Aradine on a final-lap restart. As the leaders went into turns 1 and 2, Aradine spun his No. 12b, allowing Wassner room to run to the win and setup a serious championship battle heading into next week.
Because of Aradine’s spin, he and Dan Norton, who ended up third, is now just two points ahead heading with one feature remaining.
Early leader Duane Pingrey was able to capture second ahead of Norton. Sean McKeller and Aradine rounded out the top-five.
P.J. Havens continued his hot streak in the DML Driveway Sealing Bandits, pacing the field for all 10 circuits to win his fourth win of the year, all in the last month. It was also his second win in a row.
Tom Urban inched closer to a championship season, placing second to mean that he only needs to start the field feature of the year to clinch the title. James Maier rounded out the podium.
Genesee Speedway Results: 9/6/2008-
Lauterborn Electric Night
New York Modified Midgets Empire State Invitational (25 Laps)- ERICK RUDOLPH, David Ferguson, Eric Schwartz, Zack Morgan, Nick Cooper, Charlie Donk, Jim Radney, Ryan Jordan, Jim Lafler, Scott Kreutter, John Smith, Amy Scott, Pat Kelly, Dan Miller, Ron Gamble, Nathan Arnold, Billy Coffey, Paul Habeck, Mike Foster, Kenny Wills, Jim Morgan, Todd Cummings, Cody Shorga.
Lap Leaders- Habeck 1-5, Rudolph 6-25.
Heat Winners- Ferguson, T. Morgan, Rudolph, Habeck, Smith, Coffey.
B-Main Winners- Homan, Scott.
Quick Time- Ferguson: 16.762 seconds
Castle Powered Late Model Feature (20 Laps)- PETE WALDRON, Dave DuBois, Jon Rivers, Tim Kauffman, Donny Newton, JJ Mazur, Justin Chaddock, Brian Farnsworth, Terry Pangrazio, Ron Mogavero, Rich Hale, Bob Babbitt, Tom Baker, Billy Burd, Jason Bridge.
Lap Leaders- Waldron 1-20
Heat Winners- Babbitt, Waldron
Power Trip Energy Drink Street Stock Feature (20 Laps)- JEREMY DENTON, Jeb Walworth, Colton Chappius Jr., Dan Pries, Dave Downs, Doug Jones, Bill Kowsky, Byron DeWitt, Jason Babbitt, John Giles, Nathan Arnold, John Fry, Matt Pfalzer, Chip Wood, Carl Shetler, John Carlson, Ken Hixenbaugh.
Lap Leaders- Denton 1-13, Chappius 14, Denton 15, Chappius 16-17, Denton 18-20.
Heat Winners- Downs, Hixenbaugh
Street Stock Scramble:
Round 1- Dan Pries over John Giles
Round 2- Dave Downs over Dan Pries
Round 3- Dave Downs over John Fry
Championship Round- Steve Austin over Dave Downs
Professional Driver Institute Mini Stock Feature (15 Laps)- RUSS WASSNER, Duane Pingrey, Dan Norton, Sean McKeller, Brandon Aradine, Ed Neal, Samantha Burch, Brian Norton, Brett Crawford, Tom Amico, Alan Kemp (DQ), Jason Hull (DQ).
Lap Leaders- Pingrey 1-3, Wassner 4-15.
Heat Winners- Pingrey, Hull
DML Driveway Sealing Bandits (10 Laps)- P.J. HAVENS, Tom Urban, James Maier, Randy Barclay Jr., Val Stevens.
Lap Leaders- Havens 1-10
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