Fitzgerald, Smith, Lyons,
and McCormick Gobble Up NEETS Competition
In conjunction with Turkey Derby weekend at
Wall Stadium, the North East Enduro Tour Series (NEETS) held its
final event of the season. Destined to be a success, the “Run
What Ya Brung” show gave the fans at the speedway something to
cheer about with the spills and thrills of open competition
enduro racing. The format of the afternoon was simple and many
drivers prepared for action in the 150-lap 6/8-Cylinder main
event. When it was all said and done, Ray Fitzgerald bested the
field in 6/8-Cylinder action and Jon Smith took the 4-Cylinder
victory. Katie Lyons was victorious in the Ladies event and Rob
McCormick won the TRUX division.
Scott Dunn found himself on the pole for the start of 75-lap
4-cylinder enduro. Vern McLaughlin charged to the front of the
field at the drop of the green with John Smith not far behind.
By lap three Smith took the lead from McLaughlin and began a
blistering pace.
Mike Wahl began to put pressure on McLaughlin for the second
spot and overtook McLaughlin shortly thereafter. Jeff Walls came
up hot and heavy and began to pressure McLaughlin for the third
spot and then McLaughlin's machine had to dive to the infield
with transmission problems. Meanwhile, Smith, who had put most
of the field a lap down was on a mission.
Walls passed Wahl for the second spot as Smith never looked back
as he made his way across the finish line over Jeff Walls, Mike
Wahl, Joe Gary and Melissa Sims.
In a truck borrowed from Woot Lawrence, Bob Haeger started from
the pole in the 50-lap TRUX event. The race began with much
excitement as the field had to jockey for position. Bobby Pease
soared to the front by the first circuit with Haeger, Rob
McCormick and Kevin Nowak close behind.
Trying to pass McCormick, Nowak got a little too close, and as a
result, had to retire to the infield with radiator issues.
McCormick passed Haeger for second and set his sights on Pease.
Taking the lead from Pease, Patrick Gregor took a spin right in
front of McCormick but no harm done as the leader dodged him and
continued his way to the checkered flag over Pease, Haeger, Greg
Harris and Jimmy Badalato.
The 150-lap 6/8-cylinder race began with Katie Lyons on the
pole, but it was Mike Parisi who took an early lead at the drop
of the green. It was to be short lived however, as Tim O'Shea
snatched the lead away as the first red flag of the evening
waved for Kara Lyons as her car broke out into a small fire in
the infield.
Green flag racing resumed with O'Shea leading over his teammate,
Roy Farfel, who wasn’t far behind. A spinning car in front of
O'Shea caused him to make an unscheduled trip into the pits in
order to avoid a collision.
Ray Fitzgerald took over the top spot as Farfel remained in
second but Farfel had to pit to the infield with mechanical
issues. Meanwhile, Felix Ciattarelli took the second position as
Fitzgerald began to distance himself from the rest of the field.
A spinning Mark Paine and Joe Constandi caused the following red
flag as the driver's door on Costandi's mount was facing
oncoming traffic in turn four. Once all driver's were safely
evacuated, it was Fitzgerald still leading with Ciatterelli now
finding himself challenged for the second spot by Rob Longo and
with Elliot Wohl right behind.
Katie Lyon's brakes began to smoke, she spun in turn four and
another small fire began as the third red flag was shown for
extinguishment. A terrific battle raged between Longo, Wohl and
Ciatterelli for second and third positions, which provided some
exciting moments.
On lap 60, another red flag was shown, as Steven Weber slammed
hard into the unoccupied vehicle of John Ciallella. Happily,
Weber climbed out under his own power and racing continued with
Fitzgerald way out in front with Wohl in second and Longo in
third.
Shortly after, mechanical issues sidelined Wohl giving Longo the
second spot with Ciatterelli in third and Mike Ebert in fourth.
Disaster struck as Ciatterelli had to go pit side as he ran out
of gas, leaving Ebert and O'Shea battling for third. Fitzgerald
continued his quest for the checkers with Longo giving it all he
had to try and catch him, but Fitzgerald was not to be denied as
he took his car to victory lane. Longo was forced to settle for
second, followed by O'Shea, Mike Ebert and Ryan Flores.
The 10-lap Ladies race began with Jessica King on the pole. She
kept the lead until lap six when she spun out.
Katie Lyons took over the top spot while Michelle Pent, Melissa
Sims and Jessica McKeon battled it out for position. Lyons took
the checkered followed by Michelle Pent, Melissa Sims, Jessica
King, Lorraine Sheehan, Jessica McKeon and Kathy Schultz.
Felix Ciatterelli thrilled the crowd just before the big car
enduro began by doing his signature burnouts, spins and throwing
t-shirts to the very enthused audience
The next NEETS event is slated for Saturday, December 19. The
6th Annual Awards Ceremony will take place at the Kutztown Fire
Hall in PA. The top 10 finishers in points will receive awards
and a payout for their efforts this season. Many other awards
will be presented, including the infamous Uncle Petey Award and
the Promoter’s Award. For more details on this event, please
visit the Official NEETS Racing Website,
www.neetsracing.com.
Source: Cindy Bott/NEETS
PR
Posted: November
30, 2009
