News Director 
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – It was the richest race in OCFS Street Stock history. Combined with a memorial Dash For Cash, over $14,000 was available to the NAPA North East Parts Group Street Stock division Saturday night at OCFS.
And it was a big night for Bob Sleight. Sleight first won the Mark Rutherford Memorial dash For Cash. And then, he won the 7th running of the Marky Traverse Memorial race, holding off a determined Jack Beaumont and Dillon Gannon . It was Sleight’s 2nd career Traverse Memorial win, as he joined Jimmy Maher as repeat winners.
Mike Vigiletti jumped out to the lead at the start with Beaumont trailing. Vigiletti had a good lead early. But gradually, the 9th starting Sleight crept into the picture. After taking 2nd from Beaumont on lap 9, Sleight closed in on Vigiletti. Caution on lap 13 tightened up the field.
On the restart, Sleight got a good run on the outside of Vigiletti and took the lead. Beaumont looked to be getting stronger as the race went on, taking 2nd back from Vigiletti with 4 to go. Beaumont moved in on Sleight, but at the end, the veteran championship racer was .54 seconds ahead. Gannon took 3rd from Vigiletti with 2 to go and finished there with Vigiletti 4th and Billy Deak Jr. 5th. Rounding out the top 10 were Jim Hajkowski 6th, Doug Sterling 7th, John Tucker 8th. Ray Tarantino 9th and Ron Constable 10th.
In the Mark Rutherford Memorial Dash For Cash, it was Sleight leading all the way to take the $1000 prize over Beaumont. Vigiletti, Gannon, Roger Guest and Charlie Donald.
There were a number of late additions to the memorial race that need to be acknowledged. Thank you goes out to Eddie Owens and Kim Higbie, Joyce and Pete McLarnon. Peter Chicitano, Cabins & Canoes (Jill & Daryl Barnes), Dave Morehouse, Mary Meier & the Meier Racing Team, Terrie Stephens-Traverse, Joe & Rachel Warrne, Michael Losee, Debbie & Ken Boniface, Nathan Stevens, Gayle Ruggiero, Joe Conklin (J73 Racing Team), Janet & Emerson Cargain, Amanda Hedglin & Brett Ryder, Debi Devitt and Darlene & Steve Smalley (22 Smalley Racing).
The Traverse Family would like to thank everyone who participated in the 7th edition of the Marky Traverse Memorial Race. A special thank you to the great folks at OCFS who continue to allow this race to happen. And to my good friend at OCFS, Doug Dulgarian who does such a great job on this race and all events at OCFS. You’re the best Dougie D!!!
