RPW Column: JB Morris Makes First OCFS Win Count, Triumphs In Marky Traverse Memorial

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – When you win your first feature at a track, why not make it a big one, right?
And that’s what JB Morris did on Saturday as he passed defending race champion Bob Sleight near the halfway point of the race and went on to win the coveted trophy in the 8th edition of the Marky Traverse Memorial Race.
With bonus money of $8,768 added in memory of Marky Traverse, the night of racing was worth over $13,000 for the division, outstanding for the Street Stock drivers.
After Ray Tarantino and Tom Cilurso Jr led the early laps, it was Sleight taking the lead on lap 7. Morris was closing in and took the lead just before halfway. At the finish, the margin of victory for Morris over Sleight was a shade under a second.
Jack Beaumont finished 3rd, Mike Vigiletti 4th and Billy Deak Jr. 5th. Doug Sterling was 6th, Cilurso 7th, Jim Hajkowski 8th, Tyler Romer 9th and Charlie Donald 10th.
On behalf of the Traverse Family, I would like to thank everyone who supported the Marky Traverse Memorial Race this year. It was outstanding to see the Street Stock division racing for some big money.
Earlier in the evening, the Mark Rutherford Dash for Cash was held. Mark was a man who formed a lot of great friendships during his days as a racer. His passing in 2021 hit his friends hard and one of his great friends, Allen Dart, formed the first dash in 2022.
Walt Henry was the winner in the 2nd edition of the Mark Rutherford Dash for Cash. Beaumont was 2nd with Sleight 3rd, Tarantino 4th and Jim Hajkowski 5th.