Davis Grabs Win in Wild Sportsman Classic
Ronnie Davis III took his first trip to Weedsport’s Victory Hill on Monday, and did so in style, winning a wild third running of the Sportsman Classic.
Adam Hilton and Robert Bublak led the 30-car starting field to the green flag, with Hilton establishing himself in the top slot early, with Rocky Warner jumping into second on the opening circuit. Hilton’s 1R would not stay on the top of the scoreboard for long, as Rocky Warner would take command of the field on lap 6.
Warner would remain relatively unchallenged during the early portion of the race, but the winner of the June 21st event at the track wouldn’t have it easy for long. By the first caution of the race on lap 14, Cody McPherson had worked from his 10th starting spot into 2nd. Dave Marcuccilli, who started in 11th, and Ronnie Davis III, who started 9th, would stalk the top duo as the race neared the halfway mark.
By lap 30, Cody McPherson had closed in on the back bumper of the leader, but Warner was able to hold off McPherson’s advances through lapped traffic. On lap 36, Ronnie Davis III was able to roll past the McPherson machine and into the runner up spot, setting his sights on the tail tank of the 1J. Davis was able to pull even with Warner on lap 41, before finally driving by on the top of turns 1 and 2 to take the lead. Unfortunately, Warner would slow with a flat left front just one lap later and surrender his runner up position. At this time, Kyle Inman would begin to make his presence known, sneaking by Dave Marcuccilli for fourth, and moved to third after Warner’s misfortune.
Off the restart, Cody McPherson was able to snatch the lead away from Ronnie Davis III, but Davis was able to get the top spot back the next circuit before another caution. McPherson was able to regain the lead on the ensuing restart, but Davis would head to the cushion in turn 2 to regain the lead once again. The pair traded the lead multiple times throughout the second half of the feature, with Davis primarily using the topside of the racing surface, while McPherson preferred to hug the inside wall.
Davis took command as lap 50 was posted on the scoreboard, but not by much, as McPherson was locked onto the left rear of Davis’ Bicknell, often pulling even and rarely falling more than a car length back. However, as Davis received the 10-to-go signal from head flagger Dave Farney, he was able to pull nearly a second on McPherson, using lapped traffic to his advantage.
McPherson didn’t have as good of luck with lapped traffic as Davis, and it appeared Davis would be able to cruise to a huge payday, but a yellow on lap 71 allowed McPherson to close right on the back end of the 32R. McPherson gave Davis everything he could handle, but Ronnie Davis III was able to hold off Cody McPherson for the Sportsman Classic 75 victory. Kyle Inman, Dave Marcuccilli, and Kevin Root completed the top 5.
Earlier in the evening, the Sportsman portion of the Last Call At The Port event from October 2015 was completed, with Connor Cleveland taking the victory in the 40-lap feature event. Cleveland was able to use his front row starting spot to his advantage, and held off consistent challenges for the top step on the podium by Dave Marcuccilli. Marcuccilli would settle for second, while Rocky Warner, Ronnie Davis III, and Brett Senek rounded out the top 5.
The NY6A 600cc Micro Sprints were also in the pits, with Jim Young leading green to checkers for the victory.Weedsport Speedway is back in action Tuesday, August 9th for the Super DIRTcar Series Hall of Fame 100.
Industrial Tire of CNY Sportsman Classic (75 Laps): RON DAVIS III, Cody McPherson, Kyle Inman, Dave Marcuccilli, Kevin Root, Robert Bublak, Adam Hilton, Ricky Newton, Brianna Ladouceur, Matt Guererri, Jeremy Pitcher, Brett Senek, Brad Rouse, Tyler Lamb, Connor Cleveland, Tyler Trump, Michael Stanton Jr., Will Shields, Bob Henry Jr., Matt Farnham, Rocky Warner, Alan Fink, Zach Sabotka, Mike Taylor, Nick Krause, Austin Susice, Matt Steffenhagen, Matt Janczuk, Tyler Singleton, Ray Bliss.
Scott Jeffrey’s Performance Hard Charger Award: Jeremy Pitcher
Industrial Tire of CNY $200 Cash Bonus to 25th Place Finisher: Nick Krause
Beyea Headers Complete Exhaust System to 5th Place Finisher: Kevin Root
Beyea Headers Product Award Certificate to Winner (if running with Beyea Headers): Ron Davis III
All Around Town Plumbing & Heating B-Main (12 Laps): COREY BARKER, Kane Bristol, Todd Root, James Sweeting, Tommy Collins, Tyler Thompson, James Spano, Jackson Gill, Daryl Krebs, Kyle Demetro, Austyn Fugle, John Strickler, Dave Conant, Jr..
St. Lawrence Radiology Last Call Sportsman (40 Laps): CONNOR CLEVELAND, Dave Marcuccilli, Rocky Warner, Ron Davis III, Brett Senek, Cody McPherson, Tyler Trump, Matt Janczuk, Corey Barker, Adam Hilton, Tyler Singleton, Zach Sabotka, Jeremy Pitcher, Rocco Leone, Matt Farnham, Austin Susice, Alan Fink, Todd Town, Kyle Inman, Kevin Root, Matt Guererri, Will Shields, Mike Button, Nick Krause, Joe Kline, Brad Rouse, James Spano, Brett Draper, Brianna Ladouceur, Todd Root.
NY6A 600cc Micro Sprints (20 Laps): JIM YOUNG, Tyler Walker, Garrett Bard, John Smith, Cheyenna Ling, Matt Smith, Brandon Griffin, Jacob Lewczwyk, Tori Kaplin, John Kolosek, Katy Knoll, Bob Finley Jr., DJ Forbes Jr., Jared Zionkowski, Nick Groff, Wyatt Walker, Johnathan Wescott, Micky Ciliberto, Tyler Groescup, Tyler Hill, Danny Knoll, Gary Kratzer.
Sources: Weedsport Speedway