Story By: JEREMY PERRY / FREEDOM MOTORSPORTS PARK – FREEDOM, NY – Freedom Motorsports Park weathered the storm – literally – as the remnants of Hurricane Debbie brought heavy rainfall to the area yesterday.
But in a dramatic turnaround, the passing storm left in its wake a perfect night for racing: cooler temperatures, zero humidity, and a crisp, clean track that drivers and fans alike couldn’t wait to tackle. The stage was set for an unforgettable evening of high-octane action, and the competitors did not disappoint.
Rich Michael Jr. of Ischua, New York, was on a mission for a flawless night on Bixby Hill on Saturday, seeking his second Woah Nellie 25 UMP feature win of the season. He set the tone early, clocking the quickest lap time of 15.192 and dominating his heat race. In the feature event, Michael Jr. and Zach Johnson led the pack, with Michael Jr. taking the lead initially. However, a series of caution flags, including a wreck involving Jacob McConnell and Gary Sullivan, forced Michael Jr. to restart multiple times. Despite the interruptions, Michael Jr. remained unfazed, and after a lap 10 restart, he led the field for 15 consecutive laps without a caution. Capitalizing on the stretch of green flag racing picking up the feature win.
Steve Dixon and Josh Wilcox led the Rush Pro Mod Class to the green flag, but their duel quickly turned chaotic. In turn one, Dixon and Wilcox made contact, sending Wilcox’s car spinning and bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart, Zain Harvey of Eldred, PA capitalized on the opportunity, surging past Dixon to take the lead. However, Dixon’s struggles continued, as he spun out in turns three and four on lap seven, prompting another caution. Later, Dixon’s woes worsened when he made contact with Wilcox once more, sending Wilcox spinning again. Through it all, Harvey remained unflappable, pulling away from JD Chamberlain on each restart and ultimately claiming another feature win.
After a lengthy absence, the Sportsman division returned to Freedom Motor Sports Park with a lucrative $1,000 prize on the line, drawing a field of 15 fierce competitors. The highlight of the evening was a thrilling duel between Ray Bliss and Adam Hilton, who engaged in a series of daring slide jobs, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship. In the end, Hilton’s speed and precision paid off, as he outmaneuvered Bliss and claimed the feature win, building on his impressive season that already includes a victory at Genesee Speedway.
The evening’s grand finale, the 360 Sprint car feature, saw Chase Moran burst into the lead, with Robbie Stillwaggon hot on his heels, waiting for the slightest mistake to pounce. As the pack stretched out, Johnny Smith and Kyle Drum charged forward, seizing third and fourth spots. However, Stillwaggon’s bid for victory ended abruptly on lap 14 when he crashed into the turn-one wall, flipping his car and triggering a red flag. Fortunately, Stillwaggon escaped unscathed. On the restart, with 11 laps remaining, Moran proved unbeatable, fending off Smith and Drum to secure the feature win and a lucrative $2,500 prize.
Freedom Motorsports Park closed out its regular season with a thrilling event, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Fall Classic on September 13th and 14th. The two-day extravaganza is shaping up to be a must-see, with the Super Late Models and Sprint Cars confirmed to compete on both nights. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the track’s Facebook page for updates and announcements regarding the Fall Classic in the coming weeks. Mark your calendars for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of racing action!
Woah Nellie Productions UMP feature (25 laps) – RICH MICHAEL JR, Wyatt Scott, Zach Johnson, Greg Johnson, CJ Ramsey, Mike McGee, Jacob McConnell, Kyle Schreckengost, Tim Rockwell, Dustin Goss, Mike Eschrich, Dalton Bradley, Chris Deponceau, Gary Sullivan, Joel Lanphere – DNS
Heat Race Winners – Rich Michael Jr, Mike McGee, & Zach Johnson,
Rush Pro Mod feature (15 laps) – ZAIN HARVEY, Steve Dixon, JD Chamberlain, Tommy Kemp, Josh Wilcox, Bill Demmick, Josh Canfield, Kirk Mohawk
Heat race winners – Zain Harvey & Josh Wilcox
Sportsman feature (20 laps) – ADAM HILTON, Phil Vigneri, Ray Bliss, Brandon Michaud, George Schweigart, Jacob Bansmer, Dave DiPietro II, Grant Hilfiger, Boyd MacTavish, Dan Ferguson, Colby Adamzcak, Ricky Newton, Tony Pangrazio, Chris Hawkins, Dillon Adamczak
Heat race winners – Adam Hilton & Phil Vigneri
360 Sprint car feature (25 laps) – CHASE MORAN, Johnny Smith, Kyle Drum, Jared Zimbardi, Matt Farnham, Mike Smith, Nolan Groves, Dan Bennett, Tyler Graves, Robbie Stillwaggon
Heat race winners – Robbie Stillwaggon & Chase Moran