Phillips, Morreale, Lederhouse win at Big R Hangover 150

by Tana Robinson

Ransomville Speedway

Marketing and PR Director

As has been tradition for the past 15 years at Western New York's Ransomville Speedway, the season officially kicked off on New Year's Day for the annual Hangover 150 Enduro.

A total of 125 cars registered for competition in the separate 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, and 8-cylinder 50-lap main events. With a full pit area and grandstands - the Big R has successfully kicked off another year.

Tim Phillips of Grand Island led all 50 circuits in the 8-cylinder event. Phillips is a veteran of the Hangover enduros and a past Sprint car competitor who certainly knows his way around the Big R. After taking control at the drop of the green, Phillips would main it the entire distance putting the remaining 18 competitors at least one lap down. John Ortiz of Ransomville would take the second position in the final laps over Tom Lewis, who finished third.

Kevin Morreale of Buffalo took top honors in the 6-cylinder event. Morreale took the lead away from fellow Buffalo native Kenny Hejna on lap 25 and held it the remaining distance. After starting in position No. 12, Kyle Richner of Niagara Falls came home in the second position. Richner is no stranger to the Big R as his dad Rick Richner has been a competitor there during Friday night action for the better part of two decades. Tony Yamonaco of Grand Island came home in the third position.

Chris Lederhouse has been a semi-regular competitor at Ransomville Speedway in the 4-cylinder Friday night program for the past five seasons. Lederhouse of Ransomville took over the point position on lap 40 when current leader Nathan Mitchell came to rest on the backstretch. Mitchell had been dominant to that point. Lederhouse would lead the final 10 laps and collect the $500 payday. Billy Anderson of Pendleton claimed the second position followed by Tony Kulesza and Ken Camidge.

Pit Notes - the car count was up a total of 29 entries from 2014 when 91 cars were pit side. Another standing-room-only crowd was enjoyed as hardy race fans braved the frigid temperatures coupled with a blistering wind.

The 2015 Big R regular season schedule is due to be released in the coming weeks.