Canadian Fires, the Sharpsteen Brothers, and Nick Robinson Smoked ‘em all at Chemung

By admin July 1, 2023 Chemung
(Chemung, NY)  Despite dealing with ongoing smoke from Canadian forest fires, Chemung Speedrome presented an All-American program during the track’s annual salute to Veterans. They had free admission and then participated in the n-track pre-race ceremonies. Gathered in victory lane, it was a blend of young soldiers currently serving and veterans of all ages who served our country. It was an action-packed night, with 18 races on the schedule. After completing three features from June 23rd, the track then ran a full program of qualifying and features for the five divisions. Winners from the prior week, sponsored by Sam’s Bar & Grill, included Charlie Sharpsteen (Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks), and Mike Nickels (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks). Winners from the 30th, sponsored by the Marion Decker Agency, included Lee Sharpsteen (Modifieds), Nick Robinson (Super Stocks), Josh Parker (Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (4 Cylinders), and Joey Allowatt (Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros).

Charlie Sharpsteen made the most of his pole position start in the carryover 30-lap Buckley’s Automotive Modified feature. But, in just two laps, the race fell under caution three times. The first, for a single car spin, took place on the opening lap. After restarting, Kevin Youngs made contact with Zack Curren. The damage sustained by Curren from tagging the front stretch wall ended his night. The third and final caution resulted from contact between Youngs and Tyler Harbst, and Youngs was done for the night. Back up front, Charlie Sharpsteen led a good battle for second involving Nick Morich and Lee Sharpsteen. Just past the halfway point Lee got around Morich and started to reel in his older brother. Charlie had him covered and picked up the win, over point leader Lee, Jesse Kent, Morich, and Jody Buckley. “It’s hard to tell how close Lee was, I don’t run a radio,” he said before thanking the fans and all veterans in attendance. “This feels really good, after missing a few weeks because of the repair work the car needed.”

Jason Duke, Sr. brought out the first caution in the 25-lap Blauvelt Funeral Home carryover feature while working lap three. With smoke pouring from both pipes, officials informed him to stop as there was a fire in the firewall. He stopped, got out, and after the car was towed back to his pit he went to work knowing there was another full program coming up. Frank Chapman III and Charlie Sharpsteen made up the front row, with Chapman taking off. Sharpsteen was soon in a battle for second with his cousin Nick Robinson. On a lap six restart, Robinson got the better of Sharpsteen and was up to second. Chapman prevailed on a restart following the third, and final, caution. Robinson was on a mission, bringing Charlie along in his quest. When lap 15 clicked off, it was Robinson’s number atop the leaderboard. Three laps later C. Sharpsteen took second from Chapman. That’s how it ended, with defending track champion Nick Robinson in victory lane. “It’s fun to start toward the back. Like a chess match, you have to be both aggressive and patient. It worked well tonight,” Robinson said before thanking his many sponsors and crew members. Charlie finished 2nd, followed to the line by Chapman, Cameron Nichols and Chad Lane.
Keeping with the apparent theme, the carryover 20-lap Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock feature was under caution just two laps in, and it was one of two that took place on that lap. Dave Decker and George Nichols, Jr. made up the front row for the restart. Mike Nickels was right there in row two and, by lap five, had the race lead. When L. Nickels took over second from Decker, it was another battle of brothers. G. Nichols showed with five laps remaining and set up the final restarts, with the brothers Nickels in row one. Mike prevailed and held on for a career-first win over his brother Luke. “There’s no one I’d rather have finish behind me,” Mike said from victory lane before receiving a huge hug from Luke. Anthony Gullo was third, followed to the line by Decker and Josh Parker.

With the June 23rd program complete, the track moved right into qualifying and features for June 30th.

Heat winner Charlie Sharpsteen started the 30-lap Buckley’s Automotive Modified feature from the pole, with Jesse Kent alongside. This one also had a pair of early cautions, between which Lee Sharpsteen overtook Kent for second. The brothers Sharpsteen were side-by-side for the lap seven restart and didn’t leave each other for the next few laps. Lee finally made his move, while Charlie began to fall back. With 19 laps complete, Charlie’s 98 came to a stop, and he was done for the night. That brought Kent up to the front row, but when his car broke on lap 23 that moved Jody Buckley up to second. Lee Sharpsteen, on track to defend his 2022 championship, won. Buckley finished second, followed by Nick Morich. “I want to thank my brother for running me clean. I especially want to thank the veterans here tonight. We’re here because of what you all did,” he said from victory lane.

Jason Duke, Jr. and Chad Lane brought the field of Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks to the green for the start of their 25-lap feature. Lane took the lead and held it for the first 9 laps. Behind him, Duke, Nick Robinson, and Charlie Sharpsteen were on the move toward the front. Robinson passed Duke for second and, on lap 10, overtook Lane. Two laps later, Duke and Lane got involved in a tangle, which brought C. Sharpsteen up to the front row beside his cousin, Robinson. On the restart Frank Chapman, Jr. dove into turn three-way faster than he had been and he got into several cars, including Cameron Nichols and Frank’s own son, Frank III. With 10 laps remaining, Robinson was shooting for something he’d never done before and that was to win two races in the same night, in the same car. Mission accomplished as he scored the win, for the second time in one night, over his cousin Charlie Sharpsteen. Mike Nichols finished third, ahead of Duke, Sr. and C. Nichols. Following the race, Cameron Nichols’ actions resulted in a DQ. That gave the heat win and the 5th place finish to Lane. Tim Gullo and Robinson won the other heats. Robinson took a few moments to thank American veterans.

The scheduled 20-lap feature for the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks was reduced to 15 laps due to lengthy clean-ups resulting from five cautions. Point leader Anthony Gullo, Dave Decker and Tom Shaffer won their heats to help set the stage for the feature. A pair of 9’s, Ethan Roberts and Josh Parker, brought the field to the green and it was Roberts who led. The first lengthy caution came when Gullo and Brandon Ameigh came together in turn one, but the track crew had to clean up transmission fluid. During the next caution, a second lengthy clean-up resulted. When racing resumed, it was Decker who had taken the lead from Roberts, and Parker coming back through the pack. The fifth caution, with 11 laps complete and time running long, officials cut the length to 15 laps. The next flag, yellow or checkered, would end it. Parker took full advantage of starting alongside Decker, and he made his race-winning pass on lap 13. He held on for the win, over Decker, Gullo, Bruce Kinner, and Shaffer.

While Greg Moldt and Matt Jenkins won the Four Cylinder heat races, with Moldt going on to win the 20-lap feature, it was the battle between Jenkins and Joey Bevacqua that everyone was watching. Jenkins had led the first three laps. Moldt got around and checked out, but Bevacqua was relentless in his attempts to pass Jenkins. He almost got by a few times coming off turn four, but Jenkins slammed the door on him in turn one. Moldt went on for the win, over Jenkins, Bevacqua, Zack Jaynes and Robert Decker.

The 8-lap Bandolero feature went caution-free, with the same pair of drivers picking up wins in their age groups. Joey Allowatt (Outlaw) was the overall winner over Devin Gullo (Bandit), with Dallas Harbst finishing third. Gullo is the overall point leader after Allowatt missed a race earlier in the month.

This Friday, July 2nd, is Fan Appreciation Night. Firehouse Subs is the nightly sponsor of this five-division program. Fans will go trackside during intermission to meet and greet the drivers. Pits open at 4:00, 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:

  • Soldiers with the 698th Quartermaster Company (Nichols, NY) participated in opening ceremonies, some riding in a military Hummer and others raising the American flag. They included Second Lieutenant Rhaelynn Gee, Specialist Connor Tappan-Roney, Specialist Cindry Severino, Specialist Bridgette Bice, Private First Class Brielle Arias, and Specialist Sidnie Decker.
  • The track observed a moment of silence for Guy Peck, who had served for many years as pit steward in the Bodine years.
  • A fan from Sayre, PA won $675 in the 50/50.
  • Marion Decker provided American flags to the first 1,000 fans through the gate.

Sam’s Bar & Grill Results (completion of June 23rd races):

Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): CHARLIE SHARPSTEEN, Lee Sharpsteen, Jesse Kent, Nick Morich, Jody Buckley, Kevin Youngs, Tyler Harbst, Zack Curren

Heat: L. Sharpsteen

Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Charlie Sharpsteen, Frank Chapman, Jr., Cameron Nichols, Chad Lane, Frank Chapman III, Jason Duke, Jr., Abe Romanik, Kalysta DeMark, Josh Duke, Bradley Mister, Jason Duke, Sr.

Heats: Chapman III, Robinson

Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps):  MIKE NICKELS, Luke Nickels, Anthony Gullo, Dave Decker, Josh Parker, Tom Shaffer, Brandon Ameigh, Randy Mathews, Cullen Sharpsteen, Chuck Nichols, Mike Lattimer, Mike Bailey, George Nichols, Jr., Sidnie Decker

Heats: Mathews, Gullo

Marion Decker Agency June 30th Results:

Buckley’s Automotive Modifieds (30 Laps): LEE SHARPSTEEN, Jody Buckley, Nick Morich, Jesse Kent, Charlie Sharpsteen, Tyler Harbst

Heat: C. Sharpsteen

Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks (25 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Charlie Sharpsteen, Mike Nichols, Jason Duke, Sr., Chad Lane, Frank Chapman, Jr., Derrick Tarbox, Bradley Mister, Frank Chapman III, Mark Taylor, Tim Faro, Abe Romanik, Kalysta DeMark, Jason Duke, Jr., Tim Gullo, Josh Duke, (DQ: Cameron Nichols, actions after the race)

Heats: Gullo, Robinson, Lane

Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (15 Laps): JOSH PARKER, Dave Decker, Anthony Gullo, Bruce Kinner, Tom Shaffer, Ethan Roberts, Brandon Ameigh, Mike Nickels, Mike Bailey, Chuck Nichols, George Nichols, Jr., Jimmy Hill, Randy Mathews, Gil Sharpsteen, Luke Nickels, Ben Perry, Johnathan Gunderman, Cullen Sharpsteen, Mike Lattimer, Gene Purvis, Ray Dann, Mackenzie Decker

Heats: Gullo, D. Decker, Shaffer

Four Cylinders (20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Matt Jenkins, Joey Bevacqua, Zack Jaynes, Robert Decker, Mike Ferris, Jason Peck, Ron Manwaring, Ricky Lane

Heats: Jenkins, Moldt

Serendipity Ice Cream Bandoleros (10 Laps): JOEY ALLOWATT, Devin Gullo, Dallas Harbst

Sources: Carol Houssock/Chemung Speedrome PR
photos by Clayton Vargeson