Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – PERRY, NY – Joe Evans of Holland, NY, started 9th, patiently worked his way through the field, took the lead late in the 75-lap feature and went on to win the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series portion of the traditional “Fall Shootout” at Wyoming County International Speedway “The Bullring” in Perry, NY, this past Saturday.
It was Evans first Series victory and it made him the 9th different winner for the 2024 season.
“This has been a long time coming,” stated Evans in victory lane. “We’ve worked hard to get here and I really need to thank my Dad (Jeff Evans) and all of my crew. We are really going to enjoy this.”
Kevin Timmerman of Ontario, NY, started on the pole, led the early portions of the 75-lap event and finished second, which was good enough for him to earn his first Series championship.
“We did it,” exclaimed Timmerman in victory lane. “There were a lot of emotions throughout the race. I really need to thank my family, my brother, my Dad, everyone who helps us out all of the time. This is a great deal for everyone involved with us.”
Chris Finocchario of Macedon, NY, came home third. Andrew Lewis, Jr., of Ontario, NY, and Alan Bookmiller of Castile, NY, rounded out the top-five.
Timmerman, Daniel Majchrzak of Perry, NY, and Bookmiller won the qualifying races. Evans posted the fastest time during the final practice.
Joe Mancuso of Buffalo, NY, captured the Race of Champions Super Stock Series event which vaulted him to the Series championship. His 4th under the Race of Champions sanction and 5th dating back to the Series beginnings as the Big Ten.
Mancuso started from the pole and survived several challenges from Jacob Gustafson of Webster, NY, and Jacob Christman of Walnutport, PA.
“We have just had a dream season,” stated Mancuso in victory lane. “All of my guys work so hard to get this done and this just feels great. We are going to enjoy it.”
Gustafson finished second with Christman third. Tim Gullo of Elmira, NY, and Garrett Zacharias of Vestal, NY, rounded out the top-five.
Mancuso, Gustafson and Gullo won the qualifying races, while Mancuso posted the fastest time in the final practice / qualifying session.
Russ Bulger, Jr, of Buffalo, NY, topped the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series event. Bulger outran Nick Robinson of Waverly, NY. Christopher Deyoe, Jr., of East Otto, NY, finished third. Robinson claimed the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Series championship.
Jeana Dietz of Holland, NY, won the Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series race and championship on Saturday afternoon. Dietz topped Madison Knapp of Ontario, NY and Paul Stolzenberg of East Aurora, NY.
The next race for the Race of Champions “Family of Series” is season finale for the Race of Champions Modified Series with the running of the 35th Annual tribute to Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak at Lancaster (NY) Motorplex this Sunday, October 13.