Story By: PAUL SZMAL / FREEDOM MOTORSPORTS PARK – ARCADE, NY – It was a picture perfect weather evening for the Season Opener at Freedom Motorsports Park, headlined by the Ron Baker Memorial for the Super Late Models.
Jason Genco and Dylan Cecce brought the field to green for the 30-lap Super Late Model feature, but Genco spun and collected several cars on a second attempt to start the race. After the restart, Cecce pulled away from Kyle Bedell with Nick Eck in third. Ryan Scott and Doug Eck both had mechanical issues and dropped to the infield as Cecce extended his lead and started putting cars a lap down. As the race continued, Cecce picked his way through traffic while Nick Eck tried to stave off challenges from Andy Boozel and Logan Jaquay.
Heats for the Super Late Models were won by Dylan Cecce and Nick Eck.
Josh WIlcox grabbed the early lead at the start of the 20-lap RUSH Pro Mod feature but on lap 3, a multi-car tangle brought out a red flag, sending Zain Harvey to the pits and damaging the rides of Tyler Oakes, Richard Hemphill, Steve Watson, Garrett Miller, and Ian Digolier. On the restart, Wilcox built a lead over Josh Canfield and Bill Holmes as Al Brewer and John Woodward battled for fourth. At the halfway point, Wilcox had a straightaway lead over Holmes, while JD Chamberlain raced Brewer for third. Wilcox was able to work through lapped traffic and took a commanding win over Holmes and Brewer, with Canfield coming back to nip Chamberain at the line for fourth.
RUSH Pro Mod heats were won by Bill Holmes, Zain Harvey, and Derek Austin.
The 15-lap RUSH Stock Car feature saw a good lead battle between Cole Strickland and Kaden Michael for the race lead. That duo pulled away from Camron Kramer and Cody Rickard as the race progressed into its second half, and Michael made numerous attempts to pass for the lead. Strickland was up to the task and held off Michael for the win, with Kramer, Rickard, and Raiddan Wilson completing the top five.
The RUSH Stock car heat was won by Camron Kramer.
A great race between Wesley Houghtaling and Preston Cobb broke out at the beginning of the 15-lap Mini Stock feature, with Houghtaling holding off Cobb as James Guyton grabbed the thrid spot from Dante Mancuso. In the final few laps, Houghtaling was able to pull out a few car lengths on Cobb and held the margin to the finish. Cobb had to settle for second, followed by Guyton, Mancuso, and Dennis Harrison.
Eric Wise and Wesley Houghtalking captured wins in the Mini Stock heats.
The Mini Late Model feature was led at the start by Cameron Sherwood, but Nate Koson was able to grab the top spot on lap 2. Koson pulled away from a battle between Jessy and Rick Isador and took the comfortable win, with Rick beating Jessy for the second spot. Josh Outman and Cameron Sherwood rounded out the top five.
Mini Late Model heats were won by Rob Eaton and Nate Koson.
Khloe Griffin made the pass on Chase Tidd on lap 2 of the Bandit feature and cruised home with the win, followed by Addy Chamberlain and Tidd. Griffin took the checkers in the Bandit heat race.
Racing at Freedom Motorsports Park continues on Saturday, June 8th with the first appearance of the season for the Empire Super Sprints for the Kurt Miller Memorial. The RUSH Pro Mods and RUSH Stock Cars will also be on the card and wil be joined by the NY6A Micro Sprint Tour, as well as the Bandit division.
RACE RESULTS-RON BAKER MEMORIAL-FREEDOM MOTORSPORTS PARK-MAY 24, 2024
SUPER LATE MODELS-DYLAN CECCE, Kyle Bedell, Nick Eck, Andy Boozel, Logan Jaquay, Greg Oakes, Bob Dormier, Jason Dobson, Kyle Wiser, Doug Eck, Douglas Eck, Ryan Scott, Jason Genco, Bill DuBois (DNS), Garrett Mott (DNS).
RUSH PRO MODS-JOSH WILCOX, Bill Holmes, Al Brewer, Josh Canfield, JD Chamberlain, Richard Hemphill, Tim Schram, Derek Austin, Steve Watson, Tom Kemp, Cody Rickard, John Woodward, Ryan Sanders, Zain Harvey, Tyler Oakes, Tom Root, Ian Degolier, Garrett Miller, Nick Arnold (DNS).
RUSH STOCK CARS-COLE STRICKLAND, Kaden Michael, Camron Kramer, Cody Rickard, Raiddan Wilson, Jimmy Roberson.
MINI STOCKS-WESLEY HOUGHTALING, Preston Cobb, James Guyton, Dante Mancuso, Dennis Harrison, Bill Weatherley, Ken Weatherley, Eric Wise, Raiddan Wilson (DNS).
MINI LATE MODELS-NATE KOSON, Rick Isador, Jessy Isador, Josh Outman, Cameron Sherwood, Bob Swanson.
BANDITS-KHLOE GRIFFIN, Addy Chamberlain, Chase Tidd.