Brian Sullivan Overcomes Misfortune to Sweep ‘War at the Shore’ Champ Kart Features at Wall Stadium

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Brian Sullivan swept both Champ Kart features and Louie Keraitis took home top honors in the Microstock event at Wall Stadium Sunday in the second annual War at the Shore sponsored by Hamer heating.

Connecticut’s Brian Sullivan’s day got off to a rough start when his truck got two flat tires on the way to the track but ended in triumph for him and his brother. The Flathead Champ Kart feature began with Joe Pignataro in the early lead and Justin Gumley close behind him in second. Gumley spent several laps looking inside of Pignataro for a chance to make the move for the lead. Behind them B. Sullivan was moving closer to the leaders and took third place from Louie Keratis on lap eight. On lap 17 Gumley got inside of Pigataro and the two began racing door to door for the lead. In turn three B. Sullivan moved inside both of them to take the lead. At the same time the caution came out for a spun car and he had to give the lead back. On the restart Sullivan moved inside Pignataro to take the lead. His brother Tim Sullivan followed him thru to take second place. On the final lap two separate multicar wrecks occurred as B. Sullivan crossed the finish line to take the win. Early race leader Pignataro was one of the ones caught up in the last lap crash while fighting for fifth position.

Many of the drivers from the Flathead race also raced in the Animal Champ Kart race. Brian Sullivan wasted no time charging to the lead and was never strongly challenged. The main battles for position occurred mid-pack. Brian Sullivan went on to complete the Champ Kart sweep winning $1000 in each feature. He brother also finished second in both features.

When asked how he planned to spend his winnings, he said “I’m going to fix my truck.”

On the way down to Wall Stadium from his hometown of South Windsor Connecticut, his vehicle made contact with a shredded tire on the highway. This caused two of the tires on his truck to go flat and caused damage to his trailer’s axel as well. While his truck was towed home and a second truck was making his way back to their ailing trailer, the Sullivan brothers worked at repairing their trailer axel enough to get to Wall Stadium. They arrived three hours later than they planned and missed most of practice. B. Sullivcan said “ Yeah the day got off to a rough start but I had fun. The car handled great today.”

In the Microstock feature Louie Keratis took the lead. Behind him Tom Ervin and Andrew Shuster waged a very exciting battle for second place. The two traded second third positions several times during each lap. This went on until lap six when Shuster took the second place for good. Shuster was unable to close the gap on Keratis, who sailed on to victory and a $200 prize.

Finishing order:

Microstock- Louie Keraitis, Andrew Shuster, Tom Ervin, Harry Burd, Tom Arntz, George Bark,Chris Gall, Mike Fox Jr

Flathead Champ Karts-Brian Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Brandon Tiezzi, Justin Gumley, Justin Gumley, Louie Keraitis, Richie Bryne, Joe Bodenschatz, Eric Bodenschatz, Nick Hadden, Chris Gall, Kerry Irwin, Brad Hinkleman, Kevin Cockerham, Alex Colasanto, Jimmy Wolcott, Dalton Rovira, Jordan Modiano, Tony Colandro, Joe Pignataro, Jarrett Digiantomasso, Neil Rutt lll, Jessica Little, Lisa Nalbach, Tim Gregory

Animal Champ Karts- Brian Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Justin Gumley, Tony Colandro, Brandon Tierzi, Dalton Rovira, Jordan Modiano, Nick Hadden, Jarrett Digiantomasso, Alex Colasanto, Lisa Nalbach, Jimmy Wolcott