Ransomville Speedway: Big R wraps up 2013 with King of the Hill

by Tana Robinson

Marketing and PR Director

Ransomville Speedway

The 2013 season came to a close last Saturday night with the annual King of the Hill events sponsored by Investor's Services. Twin $1,000 to win 100-lap mains for the Investor's Services Sportsman and Ki-Po Chevrolet Street Stocks highlighted the weekend. A total of 150 cars participated in the two-day affair.

Scott George of Wilson collected a cool grand with his win in the 100-lap Investors Services King of the Hill event. George took the lead early on and held it through the lap 100 mark aboard his Wilson IGA-sponsored No. 26.

George returned to weekly racing this season after a few year hiatus to start his family. The former Mr. DIRT Sportsman champion looked the best he has all season long as he dominated the open wheel season finale through much of the event. A late-race caution put Greg Panunte on George's back bumper, setting up a late race challenge. Panunte would challenge George down low but it would be George hanging on for the big win. "We've been struggling this year," commented George. " I just concentrated on hitting my marks. I didn't think I'd ever get here."

Panunte came home in the second position followed by Cody McPherson. The Merrittville Speedway regulars made a hand full of stops at the Big R in 2013 and once again proved they know the track well.

Kevin Wills backed up his win from the night prior with a fourth place finish followed by James Henry who advanced from his 16th place starting position. 2012's winner Karl Comfort came home in sixth followed by Rob Clark, Gary Lindberg, AJ Lewis and Allan Wills who rounded out the top 10. A total of 25 cars took the initial green.

Brian Lonneville of Sanborn was victorious in the 100-lap King of the Hill for the Ki-Po Chevrolet Street Stocks. Lonneville inherited the lead on lap 91 when current leader Jaren Israel suffered a right rear flat tire. Lonneville had been challenging the Wilson driver for several circuits before lady luck played in his favor. Lonneville was elated trackside as family and crew joined him. "That was a tough break for Jaren," commented Lonneville. "We were there and hung on for the win. When you have a good car, the yellow flags don't matter."

2013 track champion Pat Dell of Niagara Falls finished in the second position followed by 2012 King of the Hill victor Mike Short. Invader Bill Bleich came home in the fourth position followed by Ricky Washburn who rounded out the top five. A total of 22 cars took the initial green.

Brian Monahan Jr. took top honors in the Gippster's Collision 4 Banger 12-lap non-winner event. Monahan took the lead at the start of the feature main aboard the Jose Torres-owned machine and maintained it for the entire event. Monahan would celebrate trackside surrounded by family and friends. "Jose called me on Sunday and asked me if I wanted to drive his car," commented Monahan. "It's the fastest thing I've ever driven."

Butch Zimmerman of Burt collected the win in the 15-lap Parts Plus Street Stock main event. Zimmerman took control from his outside front row starting position and held it the entire distance. "We came here to win tonight," commented Zimmerman. "Wish we could race here more."

Mike Welch came home in second followed by Steve Austin, Mike Childrose, and Marc Minutolo. Derek Wagner won the 4/6-cylinder enduro.