Butchie Irwin Tops Brookfield Crate 602 Finale, Earns $1,450 Top Prize
BROOKFIELD, NY – Veteran driver Butchie Irwin brought down the curtain on the 2023 season at Brookfield Speedway Friday night.
Irwin, of Climax, N.Y., took home a huge $1,450 top prize after the 25-lap Crate 602 Sportsman main event, which featured numerous additional cash bonus award sponsors.
The event initially paid $750 to the winner, but Irwin benefited from the following: $300 from Broedel Energy, $100 from Walker Farms, $100 from Mario’s Pizzeria, $100 from Flick’s Tavern and $100 from Plow’s Construction.
Friday’s program was the fourth and final ’23 event at the resurrected quarter-mile oval on the Madison County Fairgrounds. Racing will continue at Brookfield with another special-event schedule next season.
Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway regular Irwin led the 25-lap event from start to finish. However, Travis Green did not allow for an easy victory.
Third-generation driver Green, who made the three-hour tow from southeastern New York, chased Irwin for the entire distance, falling just short at the finish.
Ray Leonard finished third, followed by Matt Richardson and Blaine Klinger.
For Walton, N.Y.’s Klinger, the fifth-place finish was enough to clinch the ’23 BDR Speed/Algonkin Motel Crate 602 Sportsman championship.
Klinger had suffered significant front-end damage during qualifying action, but nursed a wounded car to the top-five finish and the title.
In a battle of veterans, Bret Belden and Kenny Gates tussled for the 20-lap Pro Stock victory. Belden, after a heat-race victory, took the lead at the outset and held Gates at bay throughout the distance.
The pair negotiated lapped traffic flawlessly en route to the checkered flag.
Belden earned $1,000 for his efforts: $500 posted by Ted’s Body Shop and another $500 in memory of ‘Hot Rod’ Hodge.
Gates, via his runner-up finish, secured the BDR Speed/Algonkin Motel Pro Stock championship.
Steve Cosselman, George Cushman, and Ken Griffin completed the front five.
Limited Sportsman joined Friday’s program with a 20-lap feature and $500 went to the winner courtesy of Next Generation GraphiX. Tyler Bobar continued his recent hot streak and drove to victory over Jonathan Feagles.
Dan Slosek topped the Allstar Slingshot 15-lap feature, earning a $100 bonus from Welch Motorsports and $40 from Totally U Hair Designs.
Blake Banek was the 12-lap Junior Slingshot winner and earned a $100 bonus from Welch Motorsports.
Slingshot BDR Speed/Algonkin Motel champions were Paul Holic (Allstar) and Ayden Goodier (Junior Slingshot).
Four Cylinder 15-lap winners were Jeff Weeks (Dual Cam) and John Mason (Single Cam) after a wild, caution-filled main event.
Year-long BDR Speed/Algonkin Motel champions are Matt Buckovan (Dual Cam) and Mason (Single Cam).
Keep posted for updates regarding the 2024 season at Brookfield Speedway by liking “Brookfield Speedway” on Facebook or visit www.madisoncountyfairny.com.
Brookfield Speedway is located at 1968 Fairground Road Brookfield, NY 13314.
RESULTS SUMMARY – BROOKFIELD SPEEDWAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps): BUTCHIE IRWIN, Travis Green, Ray Leonard, Matt Richardson, Blaine Klinger, Tim Falter, Trey Palmer, Clayton DuMond, Harry Shaffer
Broedel Energy Winner Bonus ($300): Butchie Irwin
Flick’s Tavern Winner Bonus ($100): Butchie Irwin
Mario’s Pizzeria Winner Bonus ($100): Butchie Irwin
Plow’s Construction North Brookfield Winner Bonus ($100): Butchie Irwin
Walker’s Farm Winner Bonus ($100): Butchie Irwin
Brookfield Speedway Crate 602 Sportsman Champion: Blaine Klinger
Ted’s Body Shop Pro Stock/Street Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): BRET BELDEN, Kenny Gates, Steve Cosselman, George Cushman, Ken Griffin, Gus Gould, Brent Tardy, Greg Brockway, Mark Lester, Hunter Keith, Mike Keith
Did Not Start: Chris White
In Memory of Hot Rod Hodge Winner Bonus ($500): Bret Belden
Brookfield Speedway Pro Stock Champion: Kenny Gates
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (20 laps): TYLER BOBAR, Jonathan Feagles, John Baker, Todd Falter, Mike Haman, Buddy French, Brad Hurlburt
Next Generation GraphiX Winner Bonus ($500): Tyler Bobar
All-Star Slingshot Feature Finish (15 laps): DAN SLOSEK, Paul Holic, Kristen Swartz, Nicholas Jenkins, Kevin Loveless
Totally-U-Hair Designs Bonuses ($40 each): Dan Slosek (first), Paul Holic (second), Kristen Swartz (third)
Welch Motorsports Winner Bonus ($100): Dan Slosek
Brookfield Speedway All-Star Slingshot Champion: Paul Holic
Junior Slingshot Feature Finish (15 laps): BLAKE BANEK, Sullivan Dickey, Harian Heroth, Ayden Goodier
Welch Motorsports Winner Bonus ($100): Blake Banek
Brookfield Speedway Junior Slingshot Champion: Ayden Goodier
Four Cylinder Feature Finish (15 laps): JEFF WEEKS, Rudy King, Jr., Matt Bukovan, Kyle Simmons, Robert Burch, Austin Weeks, JOHN MASON, TJ Marlitt, Angela White, Kayla Gould, Kamrin Krause
Did Not Start: Hank Wedgren, Sr.
Brookfield Speedway Four Cylinder Dual-Cam Champion: Matt Bukovan
Brookfield Speedway Four Cylinder Single-Cam Champion: John Mason
Sources: Brett Deyo/BD Motorsports Media LLC
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