Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – LANCASTER, NY – The Race of Champions Modified Series made it’s first of two visits to the half-mile Lancaster (NY) Motorplex this past Thursday for the running of the Ol’ Boy Cup VII and when the checkered flag waved on the field, Jack Ely, who has moved from Wall Township, NJ to Northampton, PA, was standing in victory lane after a great performance.
Ely posted the “fast-time” in green-white-checker qualifying earning a $100 bonus from Jack Suchy, won his qualifying race, redrew the second position and led all 60 laps to claim his first Race of Champions victory of the season and the second of his career.
“We had a great car from the time we dropped the gate on the trailer,” beamed Ely from victory lane. “The car was great and all of my family and my guys did a great job to make sure we closed the deal. We’ve had a few things happen that have caused some struggles in the first couple of races, but tonight we were there and I’m so proud of everyone for their efforts in this. It’s great to come up here and win like this. It hasn’t sunk in yet, no matter what, we are going to enjoy it.”
Ely got the jump on Tim Connolly of Endicott, NY on the initial green and never looked back.
Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa., who is the current series point leader and defending Series champion drove from 6th to 2nd in the 60-lap dash. Paulie Hartwig III of Galloway, NJ, finished third.
Chuck Hossfeld of Lockport, NY, who returned to the Series at this event with a new team in a different car came home fourth. Jake Lutz of Hamburg, NY rounded out the top-five.
Mike Leaty of Williamson, NY and George Skora, III of Eden, NY won the qualifying races.
Race of Champions management would like to extend an apology and clarification on the delay during the start of the event on Thursday. The situation was created by the tracks weekly divisions running behind in practice, which pushed Race of Champions Modified Series practice over 20-minutes. Race of Champions Modified Series practice was originally scheduled to start at 6:00pm. This delayed the green-white-checker qualifying session. Measures are already being taken to address this challenge for the next event at Lancaster Motorplex.
The next race for the Race of Champions “Family of Series” is Friday, June 12 at Spencer Speedway in Williamson, NY, with “Kid’s Night” featuring the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified and Race of Champions Late Model Series. The Race of Champions Modified Series will be in action the next night at Evans Mills Raceway Park on Saturday, July 13.