Ransomville Speedway: Wright wins 2nd of rookie season at Big R

by Tana Robinson

Ransomville Speedway Marketing & PR Director

Despite a 90 percent chance of rain, Ransomville Speedway was able to complete its 15th show of the 2012 season without a drop. Lucky? Perhaps. Suffice to say it was good to be at the Big R last Friday night (Aug. 10) despite the meteorologist's dismal forecast. Lesson to learn - don't listen to the weather "experts."

Justin Wright found the sail panels to his liking as he dominated the 30-lap Mighty Taco Modified main and captured his second win of the season. Wright of Piffard, N.Y., took command at the drop of the green aboard his S & S-owned No. 11j and held it the entire distance en route to the big win. One caution slowed the main event at the midway point allowing the field to bunch up. Wright was able to hold Sam Crogan at bay and score the win.

Crogan scored his best finish of the season in second followed by Jeff McGinnis, Erick Rudolph and Todd Burley. A tie for the point's title between Pete Bicknell and Chad Brachmann provided the fans with a story within the story as the pair battled through out the main. At the line Brachmann would finish two positions ahead of "Mr. Smallblock" and take the points lead with just a few weeks remaining.

Justin Sharp won his second feature of the season aboard the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman class. Sharp took the lead away from Kevin Wills on lap 10 of the 25-lap main and held it the remaining distance.

A caution flew on lap 22 for Steve Miller who lost the power plant in his No. 99s machine. This set up a three-lap dash allowing Ortiz to challenge. While Ortiz was able to pull alongside of Sharp in the corners, Sharp had the momentum up high aiding him to victory. Ortiz crossed the line in second followed by Billy Coleman, Nate Reynolds and Don Spatorico.

With the point's week winding down there is usually a race within a race at this point of the season. This was definitely the case in the Sportsman division, as Spatorico came into the night eight markers ahead of Jesse Cotriss. The pair battled through the middle stages of the main with Spatorico finishing fifth and Cotriss eighth. Spatorico was able to add to his points lead.

Gerald Poole of Newfane took top honors for the first time in 2012 aboard the Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstock division. Poole took the lead at the drop of the green and held it the entire 20 circuits. Poole was able to hold off persistent challenges by Jaren Israel in the closing laps and become the ninth different winner in the division.

Piloting a new machine and also a new number, Israel was able to score the second position over Jake Stefanski, Pat Dell and Alex Morris. Israel was able to gain a few markers on point's leader Morris but Morris still holds a solid lead going into the final month of competition. Nineteen cars started the main.

Marika Morris of Niagara Falls captured her second win of the season aboard the Bobcat of Buffalo Fireball division.