Tom Rogers Jr. Dominates Twin 30s
Hotter than the sun is an understatement for Tom Rogers Jr. after Saturday evening’s twin 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Modified races. Rogers captured the checkered flag in both events – recording his sixth and seventh victories of the 2014 season.
Rogers came close to being defeated in each event. However, the 36-year-old was able to prevail once again. Entering Saturday’s races, he entered the standings 40 markers back of reigning champion Howie Brode for the lead. But with another set of wins, Rogers has closed the gap to a mere 17 points as Brode finished both events in the third position.
During the first race, Rogers came from third to the lead within two laps. Once he got to the top position, he drove away ahead of Jason Agugliaro. Throughout the caution-free event, the No. 9 car continued to stretch out his lead as the laps kept going. Evidently, Agugliaro didn’t have enough in his car to catch Rogers, who eighth in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Riverhead earlier this year while driving for Joe Ambrose.
In an eventful second spectacle, Rogers came out on top once again. Although there were several late-race restarts, the Riverhead-native came through. He was able to hold off 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece, who came up just shy of passing Rogers. With four restarts during the second half of the race, Preece’s No. 20 car was never able to get by Rogers.
With just five weeks left in the season, Brode is looking to capture his second straight title. Preece sits third in points, but has missed multiple events this year. Sitting behind him is Ed Brunnhoelzl III, yet he is currently 105 markers behind Brode.
“I get to mess around a little bit more with this car because it is at my house, but realistically it is the same race car,” Rogers said following his win. “I’m not really worried about the championship. We don’t really get paid for points here. The main thing is the state (points), and the only way we can do anything with state is by winning here. We just have to keep winning. That’s the only thing that pays.”
Dave Koenig Ends Drought with Dominant Victory
A victory was a must for Dave Koenig on Saturday evening. After dropping several spots in the standings, he was determined to get back to the winner’s circle, and he did just that.
As soon as the green flag waved, Koenig checked out. On Lap six, Amanda Lee Andersen spun out in her No. 13 truck – causing the first caution of the day. During the caution period, Mark Stewart had a piece of debris hanging off of his right-front fender. He was put to the rear of the field after Roger Turbush went to Stewart’s side and took off the debris.
After the restart, Koenig checked out once again. Evidently, he was able to beat Turbush and Michael Albasini, who had a tense battle for the second position late in the going.
Erin Solomito continues to lead the standings over Lou Maestri by eight markers. However, Stewart and Michael Albasini are still extremely close to the championship lead, and if Solomito makes any mistakes, one of those drivers can capitalize rather quickly.
“We needed it just because the past three weeks, we have been in a wreck. I think we were tied for third in points and dropped back to sixth. It is definitely a confidence booster. The next race is a time trial show, so hopefully we will put a pretty good time up and be able to capitalize on that again,” Koenig said.
Jimmy White Jr. Goes Out on Top Once Again
Starting on pole certainly helped Jimmy White Jr. After having the third quickest speed in Time Trials, he drew the top position for the Blunderbust event. Leading every lap in the race, he showed why his No. 32 team is ready to win more races throughout the final stretch of the season.
On Lap 10, Thomas Puccia spun out entering the front stretch – putting out the lone caution of the race. Once the race restarted, Tom Pickerell passed the No. 66 of Johnny Cricchio for the runner-up spot. However, he was not able to catch White, who won his third race of the 2014 season.
Jack Handley Jr. continues to run away from Pickerell in the standings. With White stuck in the sixth position, Handley is the lone driver inside of the top-five in points with at least one victory.
Mike Bologna Captures Late Model Victory
In a wild Late Model race, Mike Bologna was able to hold off a hard-charging Jarrod Hayes for his third win of the season. Bologna held off Hayes by a nose after a late-race restart proved to be a game changer for Hayes.
On Lap 5, Roger Oxee was hit by Hayes’ No. 08 car as he was trying to get by on the low line. However, in doing so, he spun Oxee right into the infield as they were battling for the lead. The No. 08 was sent to the rear of the field, yet he worked his way back to the front at a rapid pace. Then, on Lap 23, Oxee hit the No. 7 car of Chris Laspisa to bring out the yellow flag.
Bologna continues to lead the standings by 34 markers over Jeremy McDermott, who finished fifth on Saturday evening. Kevin Metzger is just five markers behind McDermott with Oxee and Chris La Spisa rounding out the top-five in points.
Super Pro Truck Results:
1. David Koenig (1)
2. Roger Turbush (8)
3. Michael Albasini (9)
4. Erin Solomito (6)
5. Mark Stewart (5)
6. Frank Dumicich Jr. (4)
7. Lou Maestri (7)
8. Jarrod Hayes (11)
9. Jimmy Rennick Jr. (2)]
10. Frank Dumicich (3)
11. Amanda Anderson (10)
Blunderbusts:
1. Jimmy White Jr. (1)
2. Tom Pickerell (7)
3. Johnny Cricchio (4)
4. Scott Maliszewski (5)
5. Joe Warren (2)
6. Brian Brown (10)
7. Terry Stiles (9)
8. Eddie Mistretta (13)
9. Bill Wegmann Sr. (3)
10. Bill Wegmann (6)
11. Brandon Hubbard (14)
12. Jack Handley Jr. (8)
13. Tom Sullivan (11)
14. Tom Puccia (12)
15. Dennis Scott (15)
16. Bryan Quilliam (17)
17. CJ Zukowski (18)
18. Bob Muller (16)
DNS:
Jessica Cohen
Tim Mulqueen
Late Models:
1. Mike Bologna (3)
2. Jarrod Hayes (4)
3. Scott Kulesa (6)
4. Kevin Metzger (2)
5. Jeremy McDermott (5)
6. Buzzy Eriksen (8)
7. Roger Oxee (1)
8. Kyle Soper (11)
9. Chris La Spisa (7)
10. Emily La Spisa (10)
11. Chris Lescenski (9)
DNS:
Jack Orlando
1st 30-lap Modified Race:
1. Tom Rogers Jr. (3)
2. Jason Agugliaro (1)
3. Howie Brode (2)
4. Ryan Preece (7)
5. John Fortin (8)
6. Kyle Ellwood (6)
7. Frank Vigliarolo (11)
8. Vinny Biondolillo (5)
9. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III (9)
10. Amber Fortin (4)
11. Dave Sapienza (10)
12. Jeff Goodale (12)
13. Ken Darch (13)
14. Russell Savoy (14)
2nd 30-lap Modified Race:
1. Tom Rogers Jr. (1)
2. Ryan Preece (4)
3. Howie Brode (3)
4. Kyle Ellwood (6)
5. John Fortin (5)
6. Frank Vigliarolo (7)
7. Vinny Biondolillo (8)
8. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III (9)
9. Jeff Goodale (12)
10. Dave Sapienza (11)
11. Ken Darch (13)
12. Amber Fortin (10)
13. Russell Savoy (14)
14. Jason Agugliaro (2)