Payne Scores Emotional Atlantic City Win
As Joey Payne of
Fairlawn, N.J., circled the Boardwalk Hall following a victory in
Saturday night’s “Gambler’s Classic” presented by Pepsi M&R Midget
(Three Quarter Midget and 600cc Micro-Sprint) main, his joy was never
more evident.
Payne’s win was worth over $6,000. However, this one was not about the
money.
Payne bested fellow Supermodified standout Lou Cicconi of Aston Pa., by
less than a car-length in the 40-lap main. Payne became the first driver
to win two headline events since Len Sammons brought racing back to
Boardwalk Hall following an absence of two decades in 2003.
And he did it by beating his best friend.
“It was just awesome,” said an elated Payne, who led the entire
distance (Cicconi surged ahead during a pair of mid-race restarts only
to have his bids negated by cautions). “I’d rather race with Lou than
anyone else in the field. We grew up together.”
Payne, a winner of a ‘Roaring 20s’ qualifier on Friday night, started
from the pole and fought off the challenges of Canadian Stewart Friesen
before Cicconi, who started 13th, took over second place for good on lap
33.
Cicconi spent the remaining 17 circuits trying to work by Payne. On the
final lap, he darted to the inside, falling just feet shy of the win.
Asphalt Modified star John Blewett III of Howell, N.J., drove from 16th
starting position (as the B-Main winner) to place third, ahead of
Canadian Mike Lichty and 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series star
Rick Eckert of York, Pa., both of whom rebounded from spins to earn top
five-finishes.
Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., drove from sixth starting position to
win the 25-lap Slingshot main. Smith earned $1,500 for his second
straight “Gambler’s Classic” triumph. He took the lead on lap four and
was never headed. Matt Carman of Flemington, N.J., was second, ahead of
Jim Housworth of Riegelsville, Pa, Scott Goodrich of Middletown, N.Y.,
Kyle Rohner of Bushkill Falls, Pa.
Mooresville, N.C.’s Bob Baker topped the 25-lap Sr. Champ Kart main.
After passing fifth, Baker took the lead on lap 11 and pocketed $1,500.
A large crowd jammed Boardwalk Hall for the event, run in conjunction
with the Motorsports 2007 Show presented by VP Racing Fuels at the
Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center. The show continues through until
5 p.m. on Sunday.
“GAMBLER’S CLASSIC” RACE SUMMARY
M&R MIDGET FEATURE FINISH: JOEY PAYNE, Lou Cicconi Jr., John Blewett
III, Mike Lichty, Rick Eckert, Rob Vivona, Danny Shirey, Mike Tidaback,
Stevie Smith, Scotty Smith, Stewart Friesen, Mike Iles, Matt Janisch,
Marc Rogers, Tim Adams, Curtis Friesen, Jeff Heotzler Sr., Bill Unglert,
Ted Christopher, Matt Seavey, Heath Hehnly, Bubba Broderick, Bob Watkins
Jr., Cody Darrah, Jeff HeotzlerJr., Mike Osite.
SLINGSHOT FEATURE FINISH: RYAN SMITH, Matt Carman, Jim Housworth, Scott
Goodrich, Kyle Rohner, Ronnie Smykla, Marc Daniels, Jamie Yannone, Scott
Ferrier, Rich Kuiken Jr., Nick Pecko, Ben Whitaker, Kyle Hieber, Jesse
Hartman, T.J. Etchison, David McCullough, Bill Van Inwegen Jr., Paul
Lotier Jr., Nick Wean, Ray Woodall Jr., Tiffany Wambold, Gary Hieber,
Michael Butler, Steve Whary, Bill Weaver.
SR. CHAMP KART FEATURE FINISH: BOB BAKER, Brett Stratford, Nick
Herriven, Chris Lamb, Timmy Solomito, Larry Stolzenberg, Rudy Pinkham,
Greg Robinson II, John Beatty, Chris Kennedy, Coby Cressinger, Stephen
Moran, Shawn Solomito, Alan Purser, Barry Hausman Jr., Eddie Larsen,
Chris Daley, Steve Hricko, Kyle Harvell, Tammy Smith, Andrew Swisher,
David Pantanella, Kevin Eyres, Vinny Delaney, Eric Lewis.
Source: Ernie
Saxton/AARN PR
Posted:
January 13, 2007