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“Rollin’ Thunder” Rich Green crowned “Hurricane” winner at Thunder Mountain Speedway!
Blessed with clear sunny skies, a packed pit area, and grandstands, Thunder Mountain Speedway raced the 6th annual “Hurricane” Harry Uhl Jr. Memorial Race events this past Saturday. Maine, N.Y. racer “Rollin’ Thunder” Rich Green captured the “Hurricane” Harry Uhl Jr. Pure Stock Memorial in smooth fashion aboard his father’s Pro-Flow Machine, Hunt’s Auto Service sponsored #35 hotrod. Green stalked leader Rich Talada for several laps before he was able to get the lead, and ultimately the victory, in the 55 lap extravaganza, as he survived a late race broken push rod, running on seven cylinders at the finish. The 2008 version of this event, proved to be one of the best in its’ history as several hot shoes started in the 27 car field sharing time in and out of the top 10 all race long. The 2006 and 2007 “Hurricane” winner, Mike Wilbur Sr. retired from the event early with a broken rear end, handing an opportunity for some new “blood” to grace victory lane. Several drivers had good runs on the day as the finish of the marquee event had Green winning, Rich Sharpsteen 2nd, Rich Talada 3rd, Curt Decker, 4th and Randy Marsh rounding out the top 5. The #3 of Jason Rhoads came from early race problems to finish 6th, Jon Cooper Jr. in 7th, Norm Whittemore 8th, Scott Smith 9th, and Ralph Champion Jr. in 10th.
The Sportsman Modified division feature was hotly contested right to the finish as Seneca Falls native, Jimmy Larock parked his P & T Fabricating, Larock Logging and Firewood # 58L in victory lane, stealing the win at the finish line from “The Timber Rattler”, Shawn Mills. Mills lead for a total of 28 of the 30 laps, as he set a torrid pace from his outside pole starting spot. Early on, 2008 Five Mile Point Sportsman champion Sean Walker battled in the runner-up position until fast Eddie White took over the spot, and set his sights on leader Mills. Quietly making his way to the front was Larock, moving into 3rd on lap 16. He would race with the leaders in that spot until taking over 2nd spot with one to go, setting up the final lap dash to the checkers. It was Larock winning, Mills 2nd, White 3rd, Russ Hefti 4th, and pole sitter Sean Walker bringing home 5th place honors. The #2X of Gary Card Jr. was 6th, Joey Colsten 7th, Freeville’s Ryan Jordan 8th, Larry Hillis 9th, and John Morse in 10th.
Oxford, N.Y. driver Jim “Mr. Smooth” Money was victorious in the 20 lap 4 Cylinder S/S feature as he recovered from an early race bobble to put the finishing touches on a solid 2008 race season with the popular win. Leading lap 3 1, Money pushed up the speedway in turn two handing the lead to Jason Beebe, with Dickie Scutt driving his younger brother’s Jim Crawn Logging sponsored #108, moving into 2nd, Money falling into 3rd setting up a crowd pleasing battle for the remainder of the event. At the finish it was Money, Newark Valley’s Bronton Miller in 2nd, Beebe a solid 3rd, Darren Hurlbert 4th, and Scutt fading to 5th.
The Bandits were led to the starting line by Austin Welch in the #00 as he would lead for the first six laps until invader Gary Kinne took over the spot for the remaining 14 laps, beating Nick Griest to the finish line, #33 in 3rd, John Hoover 4th, and Jimmy Neff in 5th.
The Road Warrior “Down and Dirty 30” suffered caution fever for the initial 5 laps, until Howie Frisco settled into the lead, only to loop it in turn two handing the lead over to Joe Sack, as he brought the 24/7 home to victory in the final season event. His victory celebration would be short lived as post race inspection found the winning car illegal along with 3rd place finisher Ed White, disqualifying their efforts. The win would be awarded to Todd Koegel, Royce Currie 2nd, Matt Lipka 3rd, Howard Koegel Sr. 4th, and the El Camino of Gary Brown finishing 5th.
The I.M.C.A. Modifieds did battle in an unsanctioned 25 lap event, and again, did not disappoint, as the finish was decided just 3 laps shy of the checkered flag waving, with Gary Roberts moving into the lead and bringing home his 4th victory in a row at Thunder Mountain Speedway, beating out Jerry Lobdell Jr., “Pistol” Pete Neff, Mike Stoddard, and 5th place finisher Josh Sawyer.
The XCEL 600 Cc Modifieds made a rare visit to Thunder Mountain with “The National Parts Peddler” #44 of Chris Stockham thrilling the crowd with his high flyin’ moves to the front, putting an exclamation point on his drive by beating the #2 of Brian Mady at the checkers.
The Midstate Vintage Stock Car feature was won by Modified driver Mike Mclaughlin as 10 drivers made the trek to Thunder Mountain to compete in their final race of the season.
Thunder Notes:
A total of 162 cars packed the pit area, as 40 of those entries were in the Hurricane S/S-Pure Stocks for battle in the 55 lap “Hurricane” Harry Uhl Jr. Pure Stock Memorial. During the course of the night Handicapper Carrie Fassler sang “Rocky Top” in honor of Harry Uhl Jr., as brother Rick Uhl was honorary starter along with sister Shelly Uhl-Starkwaving the wave lap. Over 20 qualifying heat and consi events, and an additional 200 laps of feature racing!!!
Next event on the agenda is “Fall Ball” weekend on Friday October 17th, and Saturday October 18th. Please visit www.thunderracetrack.com for all of the racing details.
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