SPEEDWAY NEWS
KRAUSE TOPS OPENING NIGHT MODIFIEDS AT WALL STADIUM SPEEDWAY
Saturday, June 3, 2023 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ On a windy and chilly Saturday night, June 3, that felt more like an early April evening, three-time and defending Modified driving champion Andrew Krause began his title defense with a 40-lap race win at Wall Stadium Speedway. The victory was a true come back for the Holmdel resident as he returned from a violent first turn crash on week earlier during pre season testing.
Farmingdale's Tommy Martino, Jr. was the first leader of this test before Jackson's Blake Barney slipped into the lead on lap three. Krause then followed Barney through for second and began to shadow the leader. The duo ran in tight formation past halfway before Krause was able to make his winning move on the inside lane on lap 29.
Krause power on to the win with Barney second and Howell's Jimmy Blewett third. Derek Hopkinson of Toms River and Martino completed the top five.
“Feels good to be back,” Krause said after the win. “ After losing a car last week season looked to be off to a rough start. But we dug the old chassis out of storage and showed it still has plenty of fight left. Thanks to these guys and everyone else for getting us here!”
After going winless during his title winning season in 2022, Neptune City's Bryan O'Shea got the winning accomplished on opening night in the 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks. Mike Montano of Freeport, N.Y., the early race leader, was second at the stripe followed by Johnny Carpenter, Ryan Bilello and Bob Anderton, all of Howell.
Tyler Truex of Mayetta raced to victory in a 25-lap race for the Sportsman cars, taking the lead on lap ten. Christian LaCicero of Lavallette, Wall's Jimmy Stanger, Howell's Ryan Fisher and Daniel Doyle wrapped up the top five.
Howell's Ryan Kuhlthau grabbed his career first win in the Legend Cars 25-lapper over Peter Bruno of Little Silver, Chris Gall of Brick, Joe Przybylinski and Lianne Sharry
Billy Pross of Hazlet finished first in the Fast 4 25 lapper over defending champ Sean Vuksanic of Wall. Alex Graetz, Ted Olswfski and Charles Hankins completed the top five.
Ryan Tidman of kicked off the new season for the ATQMRA TQ Midgets right where he left off in 2022, in victory lane! Tidman pulled off a last corner, last-lap pass on Buddy Sload to earn the victory in a photo finish. Joey Bailey, Kyle Taraska and Mark Yoder were second through fifth.
LAUREIGH IS FAMILY FUN NIGHT SPORTSMAN WINNER
Saturday, August 13, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Jonathan Laureigh completed an impressive come back after turn two tangles in the previous two feature events to win the 25-lap Family Fun Night Sportsman stock car feature race at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. The Lanoka Harbor resident's win, which came in front of a large and loud grandstand crowd, was his first since 2019.
Laureigh jumped to the lead at the outset and stayed there for two laps before the red flag waved when Chris Silvestri hit the first turn guard rail. Reports say that the Hazlet resident suffered a fractured thumb in the accident. From that point on Laureigh led the way and fought off challenges from Jimmy Wolcott and Jarret DiGiantomasso, both of Jackson, and eventual runner up Kevin Davison of Howell. DiGiantomasso, Tyler Ferris of Freehold and Brick's Robert Sutphin wrapped up the top five.
Ryan Maher of Neptune City took the lead on lap two and then romped to the win in the Fast 4 25 lapper. Wall's Sean Vuksanic raced through the pack to finish second, while Alex Graetz,also of Wall, Neptune's Ryan Bilello and former champ Alonzo Morales of Burlington completed the top five.
Howie Conk of Freehold wrestled his way past Long Island's Ray Minieri after several laps of side by side racing to win the Limited Late Model 25 lap race. Mike Tillett, Geoff Handel and James Moorman were third through fifth.
Mark Yoder of Ephrata, Pa. took his first ever win in the visiting TQ Midget 25 lapper over Buddy Sload of Glenmoore, Pa. and Tyler Ferris.
The winners of the evening's Demolition Derbies were Joey Hellbent, Victor Brown and Kody Roloson.
Saturday night racing action continues this weekend with the Modified, Sportsman, Factory Stocks and Legend Cars on the schedule with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and main events at 7:00 p.m.
BARNEY, MCCARTHY AND KRAUSE TOP MODIFIED TRIPLES
Saturday, August 6, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Blake Barney of Jackson, Brick's Eddie McCarthy and Holmdel's Andrew Krause were feature race winners in Triple 20 lap Modified stock car main events at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. Derek Hopkinson of Toms River also had reason to celebrate as he was the overall event winner by virtue of the best finishing average with a second and two third place finishes.
In the first modified main event Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township and Howell's Jimmy Blewett wrestled for the top spot most of the way. Truex then spun from the top spot late in the test. Barney then raced into the lead on the restart to take the win over Hopkinson, Blewett, Ricky Collins of Willow Grove, Pa. and Krause.
The second 20-lapper saw Brick's Dom Fattaruso lead most of the way while McCarthy picked his way to the front and advanced to second in the final five laps. A late race restart offered McCarthy the opportunity he needed to power to the outside lane for the lead and the win. Fattaruso, Hopkinson, Barney and Krause were second through fifth.
The final main event saw McCarthy fight off Hopkinson for the lead in the early going before Krause advanced to second. McCarthy and Krause then wrestled for the lead until just past halfway when Krause raced to the outside lane for the lead and eventual win. McCarthy, Hopkinson, Barney and Manahawkin's Jake Nelke rounded out the top five.
Brick's Kevin Flores raced into the lead just past halfway to win the 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks. Early leader Greg Moench of Milltown was second, with Johnny Carpenter and Brian Osborn, both of Howell, and Scott Riggleman of Manchester completing the top five.
Neil Rutt III of Colts Neck grabbed the lead on a lap eight restart and raced to the win in the Sportsman 25 lap race. Tyler Truex, Tyler Ferris of Freehold, Hazlet's Chris Silvestri and Howell's Kevin Davison wrapped up the top five.
Justice Calabro of Concord, North Carolina became a fast fan favorite by winning the 25-lap Legend Car feature race in his first time ever at the track. Tanner Jones of Glenn Gardner, Little Silver's Peter Bruno, Brick's Brian Gardella and Quinn Trimmer of Waldwick were second through fifth.
Saturday night racing action continues this weekend with the Sportsman, Fast 4, Limited Late Models and TQ Midgets on the schedule with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and main events at 7:00 p.m. Demolition Derby action is also planned.
KYLE SCISCO IS 3 TIME WALL MODIFIED WINNER
Saturday, July 30, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Kyle Scisco of Jackson avoided an early race accident, raced to the lead on lap nine and powered on to win the 40 Modified stock car feature race at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. It was the third victory of the 2022 season for the Scisco Kid.
The event started off on a rough note when Eddie McCarthy of Brick and Jackson's Steven Reed tangled in turns three and four and slammed the guard rail. Both competitors were able to limp their race cars to the pit area before tempers flared between the two race teams. When the dust settled both cars were listed as disqualified on the official rundown.
Once back to action Howell's Eric Lane was the leader of the test as Scisco soon advanced to second. Scisco was then able to drive in the outside lane to take the lead as Farmingdale's Tommy Martino, Jr. dove to the inside of Eric Lane to take second. Martino then chased Scisco to the half way mark when a mechanical failure slowed his effort and caused the final caution of the test. At the checker flag is was Scisco, Blake Barney of Jackson, Pine Hill's Joey Merlino, Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township and Holmdel's Andrew Krause the top five.
“I just have to thank this team every week for giving me a great car,” Scisco said. “When we unloaded the car wasn't all that good. But (car owner) Steve Ferarra just kept working until we got the car great! He just never gives up!”
Howell's Kevin Davison raced to victory in the extra distance 50 lapper for the Sportsman cars, fighting off the competition from start to finish. Truex was constantly in Davison's shadow in this one before finishing second, while Michael Carr of Pt. Pleasant, Jackson's Jarret DiGiantomasso and Bryan O'Shea of Neptune City completed the top five.
Alonzo Morales of Burlington and Wall's Sean Vuksanic were winners in twin 25-lap races for the Fast 4 division. Vuksanic, Neptune City's Ryan Maher, Nicole Razzano of Cookstown and Mike Lavery of Orangeburg, N.Y. completed the top five in the first race. Lavery, Morales, Maher and Ryan Bilello of Neptune wrapped up the top five in the second race.
Tanner Jones of Glen Gardner took the lead near half way and raced to the win in the 20-lapper for the Legend Cars. Brick's Brian Gardella, Peter Bruno of Little Silver, Waldwick's Quinn Trimmer and Cody Critelli Howell were second through fifth.
Brick's Brianna Page became a first time winner in the 25 lapper for the touring TQ Midgets.
Saturday night racing action continues this weekend with the Modifieds battling in three 20 lap main events. Sportsman, Factory Stocks and Legend Cars are also on the schedule with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and main events at 7:00 p.m.
SESELY SIZZLES IN WALL MODIFIED SUMMER THUNDER 100
Saturday, July 23, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Anthony Sesely of Hazlet made one of his occasional Wall Stadium Speedway appearances well worth the effort Saturday night by pocketing $5,000 for winning the Summer Thunder 100 for Modified stock cars. This sweltering Saturday night offered a first at the third mile oval according to Garden State Quarter Midget Racing Club officials as all four winners got their start at “Little Wall” which is on the speedway grounds. Quinn Trimmer, Legend Cars, Sean Vuksanic, Fast 4's and Brian Osborn, Factory Stocks, were also victorious Saturday night.
Sesely battled Howell's Jimmy Blewett for the lead in the early going before Blewett left the track on the wrecker after a first turn scramble. As the race wore on Sesely then battled Brick's Dom Fattaruso, Jackson's Steven Reed, Brick's Eddie McCarthy, Jackson's Kyle Scisco, Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township and finally Andrew Krause of Holmdel who challenged Sesely all the way to the finish line.
Sesely was not only challenged through high speed action, but also during several restarts forced by minor on track incidents. At the checker the top five was Sesely, Krause, Reed, Scisco and Farmingdale's Tommy Martino, Jr.
“I don't normally get too emotional, but this win is pretty special,” Sesely said after the victory. “I think this win ties me with (the late) John Blewett III. That means a lot to me. He was a good friend. I just want to thank everyone who helps me and everyone in the stands who braved this heat tonight. It is really too hot to be doing this.”
Although Howell's Brian Osborn was fast all night and in contention most of the way, the turning point in this one came when the top five drivers suffered big trouble in a crash on lap 17. When action resumed Osborn vaulted to the lead and raced to his first ever win in the Factory Stock 25-lapper. Bryan O'Shea of Neptune City, Howell's Johnny Carpenter, Matt Badessa of Cranford and Manchester's Scott Riggleman completed the top five.
Sean Vuksanic of Wall earned his career first Fast 4 division win racing into the lead by former champ Ryan Maher of Neptune City just past half way in the 25 lapper. Logan Fraser of Toms River, Burlington's Alonzo Morales and Ryan Bilello of Neptune completed the top five.
Quinn Trimmer of Waldwick topped the 20 lapper for the Legend Cars racing into the lead on an early restart. Brick's Brian Gardella, Cody Critelli and Jeff Stevens, both of Howell and Steve Woytysiak of Roslyn Heights, NY made up the top five.
Saturday night racing action continues this weekend with the Modifieds, Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Fast 4's, Legend Cars and TQ Midgets on the schedule with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and main events at 7:00 p.m.
SCISCO GRABS MODIFIED WIN ON STORMY SATURDAY NIGHT
Saturday, July 16, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Beating both the the field and evening rain showers that eventually postponed two feature races, Kyle Scisco powered to the victory in the 40-lap main event for Modified stock cars at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. It was the second win of the year for Jackson's “Scisco Kid.”
Howell's Eric Lane was the early leader of the test as he fought off challenges by Ricky Collins of Willow Grove, Pa. and Jackson's Steven Reed in the early going. Meanwhile Scisco was slicing his way through the field and arrived in the top five just before the halfway mark. Scisco was third by lap 25, second on lap 33 and then raced into the lead after racing side-by-side with Lane to take the lead and eventual win.
Lane was an impressive second at the stripe while point leader Andrew Krause of Holmdel raced through the pack for third. Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township and Jackson's Blake Barney completed the top five.
“We seemed to be getting knocked around back in the pack in the beginning,” Scisco said. “So I tried to get to the front quickly. I have to thank Steve Ferrara and the team for such a great car. I also want everyone to know that our sponsor Link Belt is backing the “Digging for a Cure” campaign against breast cancer. Our team is donating all the money we made tonight towards that goal.”
Mike Alcaro of Milford won his second straight race, this time in a different car, in the Legend Cars 20-lap main event. Tanner Jones, Nick Morabito, Brian Gardella and Peter Bruno completed the top five.
Alonzo Morales of Burlington was tops in the 25 lapper for the Fast 4 racers. Ryan Maher, Sean Vuksanic, early leader Alex Graetz and Logan Fraser were second through fifth.
Howie Conk of Freehold topped the 25-lapper for the Limited Late Models after some wild battling for the lead with Rob Ormsbee. Mike Tillett, Ray Minieri, Geoff Handel and James Moorman wrapped up the top five.
The scheduled 50-lap race for the Sportsman cars and the Factory Stock 25 lapper were both rain postponed.
JIMMY "SHOWTIME" BLEWETT WINS NWMT JERSEY SHORE 150
Saturday, July 9, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Jimmy Blewett is one of the best to ever race at Wall Stadium Speedway.
He reminded everyone of that by topping the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour field in the Jersey Shore 150 on Saturday night at the popular third-mile high-banked oval.
The victory, Blewett’s seventh with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and first since 2016, was his 81st victory overall at Wall Stadium Speedway. He ranks second on the all-time win list at the track.
“Tommy and these guys just prepare such a good car. He makes all the drivers who drive this thing look so good,” said Blewett, who was piloting the No. 7NY for team owner Tommy Baldwin Jr. “Just riding, biding our time watching these guys burn it up so we had some stuff there at the end.”
Blewett spent much of the race riding in the top five, content to let pole-sitter Ron Silk and defending track Modified champion Andrew Krause take turns at the front of the field.
A caution for a spin by Eric Goodale with 17 circuits left in the 150-lap event presented Blewett the perfect opportunity to take control of the race.
Restarting second with 13 laps left, Blewett rocketed under Krause to take the lead by the time the field got back to the start/finish line.
Once in front, Blewett inched away from the battle for second, ultimately crossing the finish line nearly two seconds ahead of runner-up finisher Matt Hirschman.
“I want to dedicate this win to my grandfather,” said Blewett, who also won a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Wall Stadium Speedway in 2007. “He always is my biggest supporter and he never, ever doubts me. He just knows I need the right opportunity to get it done. Thanks, Grandpa.”
The victory by Blewett gave team owner Baldwin his fourth victory of the season with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Doug Coby drove Baldwin’s No. 7NY to victory at New York’s Riverhead Raceway and New Hampshire’s Lee USA Speedway, and Mike Christopher Jr. earned a victory for Baldwin at Pennsylvania’s Jennerstown Speedway.
Hirschman, a multi-time winner of the annual Turkey Derby event at Wall Stadium Speedway who added Saturday’s race to his schedule at the last minute, snuck past both Krause and Silk to finish second.
“This wasn’t on our schedule, I just knew there was going to be a great crowd here tonight,” Hirschman said. “Glad to come race in front of them tonight. A good run. It’s no surprise there at the end, Jimmy’s first and I’m second. Congrats to them.”
Patrick Emerling also managed to make his way past Krause and Silk in the final laps to complete the podium. It was his second top-five finish this season.
“It was a little rough out there, but had a lot of fun tonight,” Emerling said. “We had a pretty good race car for only running here once before.”
Krause settled for fourth after leading prior to the final restart. Silk faded to fifth after starting from the Mayhew Tools Pole and leading a majority of the race.
Justin Bonsignore, Austin Beers, Jon McKennedy, Blake Barney and Kyle Bonsignore completed the top 10.
A replay of the Jersey Shore 150 can be seen on the USA Network on Friday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
In other action, Shanon Mongeau of Jackson won the 50-lap race for the Factory Stocks, taking the lead with an inside lane pass just past half way. Elliot Wohl of Beachwood, Manchester's Scott Riggleman, Johnny Carpenter of Howell and Robert Stack completed the top five.
Howell's Kevin Davison won the 25-lap Sportsman feature talking the lead with an outside lane pass. Jackson's Carsten DiGiantomasso, Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township, Brick's Ray Fattaruso and Michael Carr wrapped up the top five finishers.
Milford's Mike Alcaro was tops in the Legend Cars 20-lapper over a top five of Kevin Nowak, Tanner Jones, Quinn Trimmer and Joe McGrath.
MARTINO TAKES CAREER FIRST WALL MODIFIED WIN
Saturday, June 25, 2022 BY JEFF GRAVATT
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Tommy Martino, Jr. raced to victory in the non-stop 40 lap main event for Modified stock cars at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. The win was the career first for the Farmingdale resident.
Martino jumped to the lead at the outset with Brick's Eddie McCarthy charging into second and Howell's Jimmy Blewett taking up third. That trio led the test through the first seven laps as Holmdel's Andrew Krause advanced through the pack and into fourth.
As the non-stop laps ticked off, Martino and McCarthy spent most of their time tussling for the lead while Blewett and Krause wrestled for third. Traffic came into play on lap 23 when the top two had to slice through lapped cars, after a tense moment both were able to race through and continue.
At the checker flag if was Martino, McCarthy, Blewett and Krause as Carsten DiGiantomasso of Jackson was fifth.
“We finally did it,” Martino said of his career first win. “I have to thank my father for this! He started building motors for racers here and I fell in love with the place. Eddie (McCarthy) was fast tonight. If kept hearing on the radio that he was one car back or two cars back. He kept me on my toes!”
Taking the top spot in the closing laps of the Factory Stock contest, Johnny Carpenter of Howell raced to his first win of the season takig the checker flag after 25-laps. Howell's Brian Osborn, Manchester's Scott Riggleman and early leader Matt Badessa of Cranford were the top four while defending champ Bryan O'Shea of Neptune City was fifth.
Neil Rutt III of Colts Neck grabbed his first win of the season in the Sportsman stock car 25 lap race, wrestling the lead from early front runner and eventual runner-up Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township. Howell's Kevin Davison, Michael Carr of Pt. Pleasant Beach and Jackson' Jarret DiGiantomasso wrapped up the top five.
Mike Lavery of Orangeburg, NY led the entire non-stop 50 lap distance to win the Fast 4 stock car main event. Sean Vuksanic of Wall, Ryan Maher of Neptune and Burlington's Alonzo Morales, all of whom challenged for the lead, wrapped up the to four and Chuck McDonald of Groton, Ct. was fifth.
Former champ Howie Conk of Freehold won the 25 lap race for the Limited Late Models while Kyle Taraska of Woodbridge won the 30 lap J.J. Lane Memorial for the touring ATQMRA Three Quarter Midgets.
Wall Stadium Speedway will be dark on Saturday, July 2, for the Independence holiday weekend. The 2022 Saturday night regular season continues on Saturday (July 9) evening with the NASCAR Modified Tour in the spotlight.
