Western New York's Rich Racing Heritage a Part of NELMA
by J.A. Ackley
Racers from Western New York are no strangers to North East
Late Model Association (NELMA) racing. Lancaster, New York’s
Todd Hoddick conquered the first edition of the NELMA Late Model
Challenge in dominating fashion. While Western New Yorkers have
yet to repeat that success, they will try to land a driver in
victory lane once again for the October 25 NELMA Late Model
Challenge at St. Johns, Pennsylvania’s Mountain Speedway.
Bill Catania—Erie, Pa.
#18 Racequest.com Dodge
NELMA Late Model Challenge Record: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top 5’s,
0 top 10’s
Best Finish: 17th — 2007
Bill Catania has raced in all three NELMA Late Model
Challenge events, but Lady Luck has not been on his side. Last
year, Catania ran within the top ten most of the day before his
strong run ended prematurely. This year Catania hopes to turn
his woes around with a solid finish. Despite his NELMA record,
Catania has an impressive resume underneath him. He’s the 2005
Wyoming County (N.Y.) International Speedway Late Model champion
and has ARCA RE/MAX Series experience (including superspeedway
clearance for ARCA events).
Eddie Walczyk—Orchard Park, N.Y.
#70 Racequest.com Chevrolet
NELMA Late Model Challenge Record: 0 starts, 1 DNQ
Best Finish: DNQ — 2007
Walczyk made his first attempt at NELMA during last year’s
NELMA Late Model Challenge. However, a wreck at the start of the
consolation race ended his chances of starting his first-ever
NELMA event. The 2003 Holland (N.Y.) Speedway Charger Rookie of
the Year will try again in 2008, hoping to make the field and be
there at the end.
Scott Wylie—Derby, N.Y.
#32 Double Clutch Inc. Chevrolet
NELMA Late Model Challenge Record: Rookie
Wylie is indicative of the wealth of talent in NELMA. While
he’s the son of seven-time Holland (N.Y.) Speedway Late Model
champion Rick Wylie (who will crew chief his NELMA effort),
Scott’s quite the racer in his own right. Scott Wylie is a
three-time Cup Lites Racing Series champion (2004, 2006, 2007),
dominating the series with eight wins in 2006 and five in 2007.
The third-generation driver will be making his NELMA debut in
October. Wylie is expected to be a factor as he’s familiar with
the taste of victory in big races, winning four times in the Cup
Lites at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway.
This year’s NELMA Late Model Challenge on Saturday, October
25 is shaping up to be the who’s who of Late Model racing. This
year, in addition to the Late Models, the Legends cars will
grace the card with the Legends Car Fall Classic. For more
information and to sign up, visit
www.nelmaracing.com.
Special thanks to Mark Southcott/NYRaceZone.com for his
statistical help.
Source: J.A. Ackley/NELMA
PR
Posted:
July 29, 2008
