Impressive Car Count Highlights First Turkey Derby Practice at Wall
Despite unseasonably cold temperatures a large field of racecars assembled at Wall Stadium Speedway on Saturday for the first of two paid practice sessions in preparation for the 41st annual Turkey Derby scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. A second practice session is set to begin at noon this Saturday (Nov. 22).
Although several cars from all nine of the competing divisions were on hand, the Tour Type Modified, Downs Ford Modified and Dirt Car divisions were very well represented.
Among the “invading” Tour Type Modified drivers seen taking fast laps around the third mile paved oval were Ron Silk of Norwalk, Ct., Al Emmirino of Brookhaven, N.Y., Jon Meyer and Rich Parker, both of Forked River, and Dave Sapienza, John Beatty, Kyle Ellwood and Ken Darch, all hailing from Riverhead, N.Y. Wall Stadium weekly regulars Andrew Krause, Eric Mauriello, Shawna Ingraham, Shannon Mongeau, Shaun Carrig and Chad Churilla were also seem turning hot laps in Tour Type Modifieds.
A large field of Downs Ford Modifieds was also testing including invaders Ron Frees of Brick, Max Zachem of Preston, Ct. and Blair Culhane of Brookfield, Ct. Newly crowned Downs Ford Modified champ Chas Okerson led the home track contingent which also included Andrew Krause, Keith Mulleneaux, Eric Mauriello, brothers Trevor and Zack Alspach, Mike Carr, Chad Churilla, Jonathan Mandato and Jason Treat
Dirt Cars were also well represented with David Gorbatuk of Mansville, Wall’s Jack Ely, Mark Leavy of Pennsburg, Pa. and Aleia Geisler of Emmaus, Pa. looking fast on the oval
The Turkey Derby is the traditional northeast season ending stock car spectacular presented during the daylight hours of Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. The Tour Type Modifieds, Downs Ford Modifieds, Dirt Track Modified/Sportsman, Sportsman racers, Limited Late Models, Factory Stocks, 4 Cylinder Stocks, Legend Cars, TQ Midgets and Demolition Derby competitors will all see action during the weekend. The Tour Type Modified 150-lapper and Downs Ford Modified 100-lap main event are featured on Saturday.
One of the first Tour Type Modified competitors to contact the speedway office was former Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield who has recently raced Modifieds in the south and has expressed his desire to compete in the Turkey Derby. Pennsylvania’s Zane Zeiner and New Hampshire’s Les Hinckley have also expressed their interest in the event. The speedway will welcome recent Mahoning Valley Speedway winner Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. to the Turkey Derby and Ryan Preece, a favorite on the Whelen Modified Tour, has also made his intentions known.
Professional auto racers from all divisions that will be participating in Wall Stadium Speedway’s 41st annual “Turkey Derby” on Thanksgiving weekend will have the opportunity to participate in a paid practice session this Saturday, November 22. Competitor pit area gates will open at 10:30 a.m. with on track action starting at noon. Although both are paid sessions for the race teams fans are welcome to witness the practice from the grandstand free of charge.
Rules, entry forms, pit pass forms and a hotel list are all available on the track website at wallspeedwayracing.com. Lap sponsorships for all divisions, available at $25, $50 and $100, are also available by calling the speedway office at 732-681-6400.
The speedway staff is happy to announce that like last year a large heated tent will be available for the comfort of the race fans in the midway area for Turkey Derby weekend. Although officials are busy with Turkey Derby preparations they are also making plans for the 2015 season.
The speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400, while CKMotorsports@aol.com is the track’s email address. More information is also available at www.wallspeedwayracing.com.