Déjà vu at Chemung – Lee Sharpsteen and Cameron Nichols Win in Modifieds and Super Stocks
(Chemung, NY) With a daytime temperature exceeding 90 degrees, race fans didn’t have to travel far to catch some hot competition, along with refreshing beverages and ice cream. Several drivers were not on hand as they await parts in what they say are ongoing supply availability issues. All that sums up Friday evening at Chemung Speedrome. Just in Time Roofing & Gutters night winners included Lee Sharpsteen (Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds), Cameron Nichols (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), Anthony Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (4 Cylinders), and Devin Gullo (Bandoleros).
While several drivers in the Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds await repair parts, the 30-lap feature went on with the lucky ones not at the mercy of parts providers. The wins were a repeat of the prior week, with Jesse Kent taking the qualifier and Lee Sharpsteen getting the big prize after winning the feature. For Lee and the MOB Motorsports team, it represented their third win in a row as they look to successfully defend their 2022 championship. Kent led the opening laps as he, Sharpsteen and Nick Morich pulled away, just as they had done one week prior. Over the final dozen laps in the caution-free race Morich fell back, only to learn after the race was over that one of his tires was losing air. Sharpsteen celebrated his high-powered hat trick surrounded by friends and family.
Three drivers in the Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stock division took green flags. Charlie Sharpsteen and Nick Robinson won the heats, but Cameron Nichols took the 25-lap feature. Sharpsteen led the way in the feature, with Chad Lane, Frank Chapman III, and Nichols behind him. The only caution came with three laps complete after Robinson tagged the inside turn one wall. Sharpsteen prevailed on the restart, but it was Nichols who methodically worked his way to third and then second, closing Sharpsteen’s sizeable lead. As lap 20 clicked off, the race had a new leader in Nichols. He held on for his second consecutive feature win, which padded his point lead after five events. “This car is an absolute rocket ship. I can’t even put into words how fast and comfortable it is to drive,” he told the fans. Sharpsteen finished second, ahead of Robinson, Chapman, and Lane.
Action in the track’s growing Hobby Stock division, sponsored by the Marion Decker Agency, is a virtual promise at this point. Things got underway with defending track champion Josh Parker, along with Mike Nickels and Luke Nickels winning their respective heats. Mike Lattimer and Brandon Ameigh made up the front row for their 20-lap feature and Ameigh took off. Parker and Anthony Gullo charged to the front and were up to second and third by lap seven. Gullo continued forward and passed Parker for second. With nine laps complete, the only caution came out for a minor incident involving Randy Mathews and Glen Lippolis. Gullo won the battle on the restart and held on over the remaining 11 laps to win the war. Parker, M. Nickels, Ameigh, and L. Nickels made up the top five. In victory lane Gullo thanked Ray and Ellen Hodge for keeping racing alive at the track and the fans for their support.
Greg Moldt arrived at the track late, but his clock was working perfectly for a sweep in the 4 Cylinder division. Robert Decker powered around Matt Jenkins to lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap feature. Moldt, who had started fourth, took the lead on the second lap and never looked back. Point leader Joey Bevacqua started, and remained, in third for the distance. The caution-free race ended with Moldt in victory lane after his second win this year. Decker, Bevacqua, Jenkins, and Ricky Lane made up the top five.
Supply issues for some, and family discipline issues for others, kept all but one Serendipity Ice Cream Bandolero from reporting for action. Devin Gullo, knowing he’d be the only competitor, used the five-lap feature as valuable track time. While he stood alone as the only racer, he was surrounded by supportive family and friends in victory lane and appreciative fans in the stands.
This Friday night Northeast ATV presents a regular five-division program featuring Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds, Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks, Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, 4 Cylinders and Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros. Pits open at 4:30, grandstand at 5, practice starts at 6 and the first green flag flies at 7. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 5 to 12, and free for kids ages 5 and under.
For information, log on to the track’s website: chemung-speedrome.com, go to Facebook, go to Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome on Facebook, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.
Of Note:
The National Anthem was a rendition recorded in the studio by Melody Roberts, a professional singer whose husband (Robin) competes on the Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws No Prep Kings.
In 100 laps of racing, the yellow flag came out for just two cautions, four fewer than the week before.
A happy fan claimed $330 in the 50/50.
As a reminder, Chemung will honor and salute Veterans on Friday, June 30th, with more info to come.
Just in Time Roofing & Gutters Night Results:
Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): LEE SHARPSTEEN, Jesse Kent, Nick Morich, Tyler Harbst
Heat: Kent
Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): CAMERON NICHOLS, Charlie Sharpsteen, Nick Robinson, Frank Chapman III, Chad Lane, Jason Duke, Sr., Jason Duke, Jr., Kalysta DeMark, Bradley Mister, Donnie Russell
Heats: Sharpsteen, Robinson
4 Cylinders (20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Robert Decker, Joey Bevacqua, Matt Jenkins, Ricky Lane, Ron Manwaring, Dustin Pruyne, Jason Peck
Heat: Moldt
Marion Decker Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): ANTHONY GULLO, Josh Parker, Mike Nickels, Brandon Ameigh, Luke Nickels, Gene Purvis, Mike Lattimer, Sidnie Decker, Chuck Nichols, Glen Lippolis, Ethan Roberts, Dave Decker, Randy Mathews, Mike Bailey, George Nichols, Jr., Paul Bernard
`Heats: Parker, M. Nickels, L. Nickels
Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros (5 Laps): DEVIN GULLO
Sources: Carol Houssock/Chemung Speedrome PR
Photos by Clayton Vargeson