OSWEGO, NY…. Matt Kurzejewski made the trip from Mansfield, PA pay out as he won the 35 lap special for the SST Modifieds at the famed Oswego Speedway. A total of 17 open wheeled machines signed in pit side for the first of three scheduled appearances this season with more scheduled for next season.
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| picture courtesy of Matt Kurzejewski.com |
By the luck of the draw, it was Russ Brown and Darryl Lewis Jr on the front row for the feature event under the lights at the “Steel Palace” and it was Lewis getting out to the early lead with fourth place starter Bobby Holmes following him around the 5/8ths oval. Brown got knocked down back to third with Matt Kurzejewski and Wilbur Hebing rounding out the top five on the first lap.
Drivers who were on the move early on in the feature event were former Oswego winner Nick Capelli and second generation driver Andy Jankowiak. The tandem from Western New York was both running strong throughout the early part of the race. The first yellow flag came out on lap three when defending Spencer Speedway track champion Kevin Timmerman spun and hit the foam blocks in turn three. Timmerman’s night would come to an end and he would get the assistance back to the pits courtesy of the tow trucks.
Off the early race restart, Kurzejewski made his move on the outside and would pass Brown for the race lead with Holmes working right behind him. With Kurzejewski up front, the Original Pizza Logs 22 of Bobby Holmes was on his tail trying everything to close in on the race leader.
A hard hit for Dunn Tire Raceway Park regular Jerry Gradl Jr in turn one as something broke in the front end of the Jerry Gradl Motors number 2 and just went straight into the foam blocks in turn one. Gradl was able to climb out of his mangled machine under his own power.
Off the restart, Bobby Holmes was slipping away from the leaders as Nick Capelli passed him for the runner up spot. Capelli’s stay in the top two didn’t last long as he looped his Don’s Auto Body sponsored machine in turn two. The Orchard Park pilot ended his night on the tow truck.
Once back under green flag conditions, Kurzejewski was up front and in command of the field as Wilbur Hebing and Andy Jankowiak were trying everything to catch the leader. Kurzejewski would pull away and score the first SST Modified race of the season at the Oswego Speedway. Wilbur Hebing crossed the line in second followed by Andy Jankowiak, Bobby Holmes and Rusty Smith completing the top five.
The SST Modifieds will be back in action at the “Steel Palace” on Sunday July 24th as part of the 61st Race of Champions Weekend. Be sure to check out www.oswegospeedway.com for further information.
Official Results
MATT KURZEJEWSKI, Wilbur Hebing, Andy Jankowiak, Bobby Holmes, Rusty Smith, Ryan Beeman, Eddie Hawkins, Chris Finocchario, Fred Taylor, Darryl Lewis Jr, Kreig Heroth, Andy Lewis, Nick Capelli, Jerry Gradl Jr, Russ Brown, Kevin Timmerman, Jody London (DNS)
Heat Winners: Bobby Holmes, Ryan Beeman
