Story By: PAUL SZMAL / FREEDOM MOTORSPORTS PARK – ARCADE, NY – Bright sunny skies turned into a beautiful night at Freedom Motorsports Park for the first night of the Fall Classic, which featured the Mike Duclon Memorial for RUSH Crate Late Models as well as the Allegheny Sprint Tour and other support classes.
In the 30-lap RUSH Crate Late Model feature, Austin Allen and Bryce Davis pulled an advantage and battled for the lead while Brock Pinkerous, Jeremy Wonderling, and Andy Michael made their way past Paul Grigsby, who fell back a bit. Davis kept the pressure on Allen, and as the pair encountered the tail of the lead lap, Allen made a slight mistake that allowed Davis to take the lead. The first caution flag didn’t wave till Brady Wonderling stopped in turn four on lap 20, which allowed Jeremy Wonderling and Michael to regain track position for the run to the finish. Wonderling made a charge from fourth to second on the restart, but Davis kept his composure at the front and held him off for the win and a $2,058 payday, pllus lap money.
Heats for the RUSH Crate Late Models were won by Jeremy Wonderling, Austin Houser, and Brock Pinkerous.
The Allegheny Sprint Tour, a Racesaver 305 Sprint series, ran the first of its two scheduled events for Fall Classic weekend with a 20-lap feature Friday night. Jarrett Cavalet and Timmy Ritter battled for the early lead as Nolan Groves and Zach Rhodes had a race for third. Johnny Smith was able to break out of a battle with Andy Priest and Jarrett Rosencrance for fifth as the top half of the pack strung out in the final few laps of the event Cavalet, who had never seen or heard of the track before this visit, took the win.
Allegheny Sprint Tour heats were won by Nolan Groves and Andy Priest.
In the 20-lap RUSH Pro Mod feature, Steve Dixon and Zain Harvey traded the lead till Harvey came out on top on lap 3. Steve Watson took advantage of a Tom Kemp mistake to slide into third as the leaders pulled away. A lap 7 caution for a multi car spin in turn four bunched the field for a restart. Dixon and Harvey battled side by side for the lead as John Woodward moved into third at halfway. Dixon pressured Harvey for the lead till Harvey spun in turn one, giving Dixon the top spot and left Woodward to battle Steve Watson for second. At the finish, Dixon pulled away again and had several car lengths in the bank as he crossed under the checkered flag.
RUSH Pro Mod heats were won by JD Chamberlain and Nick Arnold.
The RUSH Stock cars saw Alex Busch battle Kaden Michael for the race lead, with Busch pulling a gap on Michael, who soon had to contend with Raiddan Wilson in a battle for second. Busch made a mistake coming off turn four on lap 12 and Michael and Wilson raced by. Michael then broke on the final lap and Wilson got by and went from third to first in two laps!
The RUSH Stock Car heat was won by Cameron Kramer.
In the Mini Stock feature, Brad Whiteside led at the green with Chris Leone battling Preston and Ridge Cobb for position until Preston had an issue and spun on the frontstretch, fortunately not collecting any other cars. On the restart, Whiteside held court at the front of the pack as Andy Schumaker and Don Whiteside fought it out for third and fourth. A lap 9 caution brought the field back together, and Brad Whiteside again opened a gap that he held to the checkered flag.
Mini Stock heats were won by Don Whiteside, Chris Leone, and Andy Schumaker.
The Bandit feature event saw Chase Tidd grab the lead on the first lap and led the entire distance to take the victory. Abby Chamberlain held off Khloe Griffin till the last lap when Griffin swept into second place.
The Bandit heat was won by Khloe Griffin.
Racing continues on night two of the Fall Classic at Freedom Motorsports Park with the return of the Super Late Models and a second night of action for the Allegheny Sprint Tour, along with support divisions. Action begins at 6:30 p.m.
RACE SUMMARY-CLOSE RACING SUPPLY FALL CLASSIC NIGHT 1-FREEDOM MOTORSPORTS PARK-SETPEMBER 13, 2024
MIKE DUCLON MEMORIAL FOR RUSH CRATE LATE MODELS-BRYCE DAVIS, Jeremy Wonderling, Austin Allen, Andy Michael, Austin Hauser, Chuck Lafleur, Paul Grigsby, Bill Holmes, Brad Mesler, Kurt Stebbins, Jake Wilbur, DJ Krug, Brock Pinkerous, Dustin Waters, Brady Wonderling, Rob Middleton, Mark Sundt, TJ Downs, Ward Schell, Jason Genco.
ALLEGHENY SPRINT TOUR-JARRETT CAVALET, Timmy Bittner, Nolan Groves, Zach Rhodes, Johnny Smith, Andy Priest, Jarrett Rosencrance, Jake Gomala, Hunter Hite, Jim Pattock, Ace Pruitt (DNS).
RUSH PRO MODS-STEVE DIXON, John Woodward, Steve Watson, Zain Harvey, Critter Hemphill, Josh Wilcox, Tyler Oakes, Derek Austin, Bill Demick, Tim Schram, Tom Kemp, Nick Arnold, JD Chamberlain, Josh Canfield.
RUSH STOCK CARS-RAIDDAN WILSON, Alex Busch, Cole Strickland, William Baker, Kaden Michael, Cameron Kramer.
MINI STOCKS-BRAD WHITESIDE, Chris Leone, Andy Schumaker, Don Whiteside, Dennis Harrison, Bill Weatherley, James Gayton, Ken Weatherley, Kyle Casper, Larry Wise, Shianne Putt, Paige Gayton, Tanner Shaw, Dylan Story, Phillip Vaughn, Ridge Cobb, Kaylee Bacon, Cody Wise, Preston Cobb, Shawn Tidd (DNS).
BANDITS-CHASE TIDD, Khloe Griffin, Abby Chamberlain.