07/13/2003

FITZ TAKES OVER NEATS POINT LEAD AGAIN AT WALL

Once again Long Islands Ray Fitzgerald put his #16x NEETS Pro-Enduro into the top spot by finishing 2nd in the North Haledon Auto Body 150 at Wall Township speedway. He was awarded first place money and points by NEETS promoter Billy Bartley for the following reason. The sponsor of the race was offered a "ride" by Race director Mike Odwazny in his familiar #51 car. The driver did not show because of an injury he sustained at his home track so Mike brought the car and offered it to Chris Hamilton, a WTS Modified driver and owner of North Haledon Auto Body. Chris had said before the race..."If I come in the top 5, I will forfeit the position to the next car". Well, Chris showed his old Flemington Enduro skills and spanked the field. He started on the outside front row, took the lead and led to the end, thus handing over the win to Fitz who was hot on his tail less than 2 car lengths away at the line.

  Another surprise for the  fans came when the #75 of Howie Bott had a celebrity passenger. none other than 2002 Wall Township Modified track champ, Jimmy Blewett. He had a ball...Howie hit the wall a few times and afterward, Jimmy would put his hand out the window and stick up the count of hits with his fingers. Unfortunately the #75 would pull it to the pits after the 100 lap mark with a blown engine. Blewett commented " I had a blast" and recommended some set ups and a little more motor for the #75 to put it into victory lane.

  In other highlights...Speedo Jager #069 was awarded the BV Sprinklers "rough ride of the day" award for trying to take out the flag stand riding the length of the frontstretch wall which made the regular Wall flaggers jump out of their shoes...but NEETS head flagger Dave Evans held his ground. Jagers day would end on that move leaving him with only 3 wheels on the car.

  #438 received the Constant Performance "Beauty award" for his Police car copy Enduro affixed with a working light bar.

   It was hard racing with lots of action at Wall. The high banked 1/3 mile track was very popular with the drivers and they all liked racing there. Walls track manager, Sergio Benitez runs a top notch facility and is a class act himself. NEETS would like to thank him for treating our organization with respect. We are looking forward to coming back on Aug 17th for a 100 lap Pro-Enduro. We will give him the best show possible.

  The next NEETS event will be at the 1/2 mile paved Tioga Motorsports Park in Owego NY for a 100 lap Pro-Enduro on Sunday, July 27th along with the R.o.C. Modified tour.

 For all NEETS info go to www.speedwaytech.net or e-mail tour promoter billyb@speedwaytech.net

TOP 5 PRO ENDURO- Ray Fitzgerald, Rich Johnson, Richard Petey, Bill Blessing, Phil Levering.

TOP 5 4CYL- Peter Verwys, Kevin Truszkowski, Patrick Verwys, Kerry Boehm, Brian Labar

Sources:  NEETS PR
Posted:  July 17, 2003