WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Jason Hearne returned to victory lane at Wall Stadium after a long absence by winning the Modified feature Saturday night.

Jason Hearne took the lead early in the 40-lap Modified feature and never relinquished it. Andrew Krause and Steven Reed fought for second place behind Hearne for several laps. Just past the halfway mark Krause was racing outside of Reed for position when he got loose coming out of turn four. Although he was almost completely sideways, somehow Krause managed to save it. The flagger anticipating the almost wreck waved the caution flag.

On the restart, Hearne resumed the lead with Reed and Eric Mauriello close behind and Krause in fourth place. Reed stayed close to Hearne’s bumper but was unable to find a place to make a challenge for the lead. Hearne took the checkered flag with Reed a close second. Mauriello, Chas Okerson and Krause rounded out the top five.

In victory lane Hearne said “ We fought all week on this car. My dad (Gil Hearne) made all the changes on it so this is his win. I just drove the car.”

Kevin Davison won the Sportsman feature. Davison started in ninth position but found himself leading on lap two with Ken Matlach in second place. A caution that came out on lap five for a two-car incident in turn one erased Davison’s sizable lead. On the restart, Andrew Krause drag raced Matlach for position and then took second place. Krause then closed up on Davison’s bumper and put pressure on Davison for the lead. Lap after lap Krause challenged Davison for the lead. Krause constantly looked low for a place to take the lead as they opened a gap on the rest of the field. On lap 27 the caution waved once more for a two car incident.

On the restart, Davison and Krause raced side by side for the lead. As they came down the frontstretch to complete a lap still side by side, Krause got a little loose and brushed against the outside wall, giving off a shower of sparks. Krause went to the pits to change a tire and then returned. It was now a three lap shootout for the win. It took three tries to get the race back under way as single car spins kept bringing out the cautions. Each time Davison and Matlach drag raced each other for the lead with Robert Sutphin close enough to almost make it a three-way battle for the lead. In the end Davison held off Matlach to take home the win.

Brian Spencer took a narrow win in the 25-lap Legends feature. Spencer had early lead with Robert French in second place. On lap eight the engine on French’s car burst into flames going down the backstretch and came to rest in turn three. The flames were quickly out and French quickly climbed out of his car and appeared to be okay. The red flag came out briefly to clean up the incident.

On the restart Spencer took the lead with Dan Roslin close behind doggedly challenging for the lead. On lap 18 the red flag came out again for a scary incident where Nick Van Winkle’s car rolled and flipped in turns one and two. He emerged shaken but apparently okay.

On the restart Spencer resumed the lead with Roslin behind. Roslin looked high and low for the lead but Spencer held Roslin off to take the win.

In the 50-lap Factory Stock feature Bob McCormick, a regular from Riverhead Speedway, took home to the trophy. Early leader Scott Riggleman started in eight place and quickly worked his way to the lead by lap 10. Riggleman led until lap 27 when McCormick made an outside pass on Riggleman to take the lead. A lap later the caution waved for the spun car of Ronnie Mullin. On the restart McCormick held the lead as a three-way battle for second between Riggleman, Joe Mongeau and Tiffany Olejnik took place. Riggleman slid back to fourth place in the exchange but would later re-pass Olejnik for third spot. McCormick sailed on to the win with Mongeau in second place.

Shannon Mongeau took the 4 Cylinder feature win over James Meyers to win. Although Mongeau has won many times in several other divisions at Wall Stadium, this is only his second win in the 4 Cylinder division.

In the 15-lap Powder Puff Ladies race, Nancy Hills held off Cassandra Denis to win.

Finishing order:

Modified- Jason Hearne, Steven Reed, Eric Mauriello, Chas Okerson, Andrew Krause, Derek Hopkinson, Trevor Alspach, Shawna Ingraham, Shaun Carrig, Chad Churilla, Jason Treat, Zack Alspach, Glenn Slocum jr, Chris Lane, Richie Cooper

Sportsman- Kevin Davison, Ken Matlach, Robert Sutphin, Andrew Krause, Kenny Van Wikle, Matt Langbein, Chris Lane, Ron Lane Jr, Jason Caruso, Jeff Lane, Robert Silver, Joe King Jr, Joe Cocca, Jonathan Laureigh, Dave Bailey

Legends- Brian Spencer, Dan Roslin, Mitchell Dowd Brandon Traino, Louie Keratis, Chris Gall, Jim Davison, Malcolm Campbell, Steve Woytysiak, James Van Wickle, Beth MCFarlane, Casey Robicheau, Robert French, Vincent Troia

Factory Stocks- Bob McCormick, Joe Mongeau, Scott Riggleman, Tiffany Olejnik, Rob Longo, Marty VanDruten, Joey Helberg, Whitey Miller, Neil Rutt lll, Dan Birdsall, Bill Bruer, Chris Felber, Jerry Koenig, Bill Stockert, Ronnie Mullin, Scott Maher, Josh Mathews, Bob Haberstick

4 Cylinders- Shannon Mongeau, James Meyers, Alonzo Morales, Cole Ormsbee, Ron Becker, Jay Conrad, Corey Stockert, Travis Sutphin, Ron Lane Sr, Mike Wahl

Ladies race- Nancy Hills, Cassandra Vrelland, Emily Krause, Lisa Matthews, Peggy Koenig, Amy Ware, Samantha Moore

WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ- Trevor Alspach won the action-packed 54th annual Garden State Classic Modified feature at Wall Stadium Saturday night (June 28th).

Twenty-five cars answered the call for the 125-lap Garden State Classic Modified feature. Steven Reed was the fastest qualifier with a time of 12.276. The top ten qualifiers redrew for position. This put Christian LaCicero and Andrew Krause on the front row.

Krause took the early lead followed by C. LaCicero. Krause rather quickly opened up a lead c. LaCicero. On lap 10 T. Alspach went under C. LaCicero for second place. C. LaCicero was quickly freight trained and slid back many positions. Krause and T. Alspach then battled nose to tail for position until caution on lap 19 when C. LaCicero slowed to a stop in turns one and two.

On the restart Krause resumed the lead as T. Alspach and Steven Reed raced door to door for the lead. Jason Hearne got the upper hand and took second. Two laps later the caution came out for a single car incident.

On the restart Mauriello jumped the start and the field was called back for a second attempt at the restart. Krause surged to the lead once more followed closely by Mauriello and T. Alspach. A rash of cautions slowed the race but each time Krause held off Mauriello to maintain the lead with T. Alspach close behind them in third place. On lap 64, the red flag came out when Renee Dupuis wiggled coming out of turn four and made hard contact with the frontstretch wall. She walked away apparently okay.

Once more Krause and Mauriello dueled door to door for the lead on the restart with Krause gaining the upper hand once more. This time Reed was challenging Mauriello for second place. The three pulled away from the field and raced nose to tail for position.

On lap 77, the caution came out for a single car spin. Although the lap times for the leaders had fallen off, the three leaders had yet to pit. On the restart Krause resumed the lead with Reed in second place and Mauriello close behind him.

The second red flag came out on lap 80 when several cars in the rear of the pack made contact in turns three and four. When the dust settled, half a dozen cars were involved. One of the drivers involved was defending champion Chas Okerson who had just finished pitting. His car came to a rest on top of Christian LaCicero. All the drivers involved were okay. Still the first and second place cars didn’t pit for new tires.

On the first attempt at restart, the pack stacked up coming through turn two. Third place Mauriello was the unlucky driver in that mix and spun.

Zack Alspach, who had started in the rear of the pack, had worked his way quietly through the field into third place.

On the next attempt at restart, Krause and Reed dueled door to door for the lead for a lap and a half until Krause edged his way into the lead with Reed in second, Hearne in third and Sesely in fourth place.

On lap 88 Hearne made an impressive dive inside of Reed to take second place. Later in that lap, Z. Alspach slid to a stop in turn one bringing out the caution once more. When the pits opened, second place Reed pitted for tires but leader Krause did not.

On lap 92 Krause and Hearne restarted on the front row. As they came down the take the green, the cars in third through fifth positions bounced off each other. Suddenly the front stretch was filled with spinning cars bringing out the red flag. Only Krause and Sesely appeared to have escaped the carnage unscathed. For several top contenders, their day was over.

After the cleanup, the race was restarted. As they came to the green several cars made contact coming to the green as the leaders bounced off each other. After watching numerous replays from several camera angles, the race control officials made a call. They ruled that fourth place Zeiner pushed Sesely coming through turn four causing Sesely to turn sideways into Krause, causing heavy front end damage to Krause. Since Krause was unable to continue, Zeiner was parked.

On the restart Sesely took the lead with the Alspach brothers Trevor and Zack Alspach close behind challenging for the lead. By lap 103, four cars were nose to tail fighting for the lead as Reed had caught the rear bumper of third place Z. Alspach.

As the laps wound down, Sesely, the two-time champion of this race did his best to hold off the strong advances of T. Alspach. Reed passed Z. Alspach on lap 106 to take third place. On lap T. Alspach found the opening that he was waiting for and made an inside pass on Sesely to take the lead. At the same time, his brother Z. Alspach got squirrely on lap 110 and drop from third place and out of contention.

T. Alspach began to open up a small gap on Reed, behind him Sesely and Okerson battled nose to tail for third and fourth place. The final caution waved with just nine laps to go. T. Alspach took the lead once more and opened up a gap on the rest of the pack. Reed and Okerson raced nose to tail as they battled for second place. This was a remarkable comeback considering Okerson had been involved in one of the earlier red flag incidents in the race and had ended up on top of another car.

T. Alspach went on to take the checkered flag followed by Reed, Okerson, Sesely and Shaun Carrig rounding out the top five.

In victory lane T. Alspach said “It (the race) felt like a marathon. I’m glad I won it. My neck is so sore I can hardly move it. Once I got out front I was resting my head on the side of the seat. I knew I had a real good car, but after being involved in so much out there I didn’t think I had a chance to win. I want to thank Rob Ormsbee, my brother, Tom Martino for the motor and everyone who works on this car. We made a lot of stops tonight and they worked very hard to get me back out on the track and in contention.”

Robert Sutphin won a hard-fought victory over Ken Matlach in the 30-lap Sportsman feature. Heat winner Matt Langbein had the early lead followed by Sutphin and Davison. Sutphin looked low under Langbein several times but was unable to find an opening to make a challenge for the lead until the caution came out on lap nine for the spun car of Chris Lane. On the restart Sutphin surged to the lead past Langbein. A caution two laps later by another spinning car set the complexion for the rest of the race. On the restart Matlach moved into second place on the restart and began to challenge Sutphin repeatedly for the lead spot. Matlach looked inside time and again, sometimes racing door to door with Sutphin with Sutphin keeping a narrow lead. As the race came down to the five to go, a single car spin brought out the caution and set the stage for a five lap shootout. Sutphin and Matlach raced side by side for the lead. On lap 27 both wiggled coming through turns three and four but they regained control of their cars. Sutphin held onto the lead and went on to take the win over Matlach.

In victory lane Sutphin said, “Wow, This is tough competition, this motor is three years old and we were giving it all we got.” This victory was especially sweet for Sutphin after his axel woes of two weeks ago. Tim Stephens loaned Sutphin his #52 car when the #50 was sidelined by those axel woes. This week the #50 was back in victory lane.

Randy Hart won his first career 4 Cylinder feature from a tenth place starting spot. Ron Becker had the early lead. On lap 20 Alonzo Morales and Becker became locked in an exciting battle for the lead as Morales looked inside and outside for a chance to take the lead. Three laps later both spun after making contact. On the restart Hart took the lead and went on to take the checkered flag.

Fan favorite Mike “The Rooster” Tillett took the 25-lap Limited Late Model feature. He held off Brian Doyle and Bill Vanderveen to take the win.

Finishing order-

Modified-Trevor Alspach, Chas Okerson, Anthony Sesely, Shaun Carrig, Shawna Ingraham, Zack Alspach, Richie Cooper, Jason Hearne, Scott Brannick, Derek Hopkinson, Chris Lane, Chris Reynolds, Andrew Krause, Zane Zeiner, Jonathan Mandato, Eric Mauriello, Chad Churilla, Adam LaCicero, Jason Treat, Christian LaCicero, Renee Dupuis, Ryan Cottrell, Glenn Slocum, Kevin Davison

Sportsman Feature-Robert Sutphin, Ken Matlach, Kenny Van Wickle, Andrew Krause, Kevin Davison, Chris Lane, Matt Langbein, Larry Ericson, Jason Caruso, Jeff Lane, Ron Lane Jr, Joe Cocca, Robert Silver

4 Cylinder- Randy Hart, Alonzo Morales, Ron Becker, Mike Wahl, Cole Ormsbee, Rich Massaro, Travis Sutphin, Corey Stockert, James Meyers

Limited Late Model- Mike Tillett, Brian Doyle, Bill Vanderveen, John Vullo, Kyle Lochrow, Michelle Moorman, Glen Conk, John Parker, Ronnie Mullin

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (June 24, 2014) ~ Many of the top drivers in asphalt Modified stock car racing are ready to compete in one of the most prestigious events in the sport as Wall Stadium presents the Garden State Classic this Saturday evening (June 28). Current plans call for spectator seating to open at 5:00 p.m., with qualifying slated for 5:30 p.m. and main event action to follow around 7:00 p.m.

This year’s 125-lap format, offering $3,000 to the winner, plus lap money, is attracting the attention of several racers in the Downs Ford Modified division. Expected to see action are top drivers Andrew Krause of Holmdel, Eric Mauriello of Howell, Jackson’s Jason Treat, Brick’s Shawna Ingraham and Derek Hopkinson of Toms River. Also among expected entries are Adam LaCicero of Lavallette, Chas Okerson of Freehold, Shaun Carrig of Little Falls, Christian LaCicero of Lavallette and Jason Hearne of New Egypt. Even competitors who have not yet raced this season, including Tim Arre and Jonathan Mandato, both of Toms River and Richie Cooper of Long Branch are eyeing this event

In addition to the championship 125-lap Downs Ford Modified race, the Sportsman division cars will compete in a 30-lap main event, while the Limited Late Models and the 4 Cylinder Stocks compete in 25-lap feature races.

Saturday’s schedule will see the competitor pit area open at 1:00 p.m. Regular practice will start at 3:00 p.m., while spectator seating will open at 5:00 p.m.

Qualifying will then begin at 5:30 p.m. to be followed by feature race action for all four divisions slated for 7:00 p.m.

Lap sponsorships, with all money collected going to the drivers in the Garden State Classic, are now available by stopping at the speedway office weekdays or by calling the speedway at 732-681-6400. Lap sponsorships are available at $25, $50 or $100 and are offered to everyone including businesses wishing to promote their services and products and individuals wanting to send a special good luck message to their favorite race driver.

Fans are also advised to prepare for Saturday night, July 5, by working on their artwork for “Banner Night” festivities. Not only will fans have the opportunity to show the grandstand audience who their favorite drivers are, but they will also have the chance to win great prizes that evening.

Wall Stadium Speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. More information can be obtained by visiting wallspeedwayracing.com. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ Former driving champions Chas Okerson of Freehold and Anthony Sesely of Matawan were winners in two Downs Ford Modified stock car main events at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. The first Modified race was rain postponed from May 3 while the second was regularly scheduled.

In the race from May 3 action picked up with 23 laps remaining with leader Eric Mauriello of Howell and Okerson on the front row. Okerson won the drag race on the restart to take command and then held off Mauriello on several restarts before Derek Hopkinson of Toms River took over second late in the event. New Egypt’s Jason Hearne, Andrew Krause of Holmdel and Freehold’s Steve Reed completed the top five.

In the regularly scheduled 40-lap Modified “Cone Race,” Sesely raced to the lead from the outside of the front row and never looked back. Okerson used the outside to challenge on several restarts before Reed and Zack Alspach of Willingboro used the outside lane to take several shots at Sesely.

When the checker flag waved Sesely was the winner over Alspach, Lavallette’s Adam LaCicero, Hearne and Shaun Carrig of Little Falls.

Ken Matlach of Levittown, NY held off challenges from Manasquan’s Kenny Van Wickle and eventual runner-up Rob Hyer of South Amboy to win the companion 30-lapper for the Sportsman cars. Van Wickle was third, with Howell’s Kevin Davison and Brick’s Tim Stephan fourth and fifth.

The Legend Cars ran a pair of main events with Howell’s Robert French taking the win in both. Vinnie Troia and Dan Roslin completed the top three in the fist race while Roslin and Troia were second and third in the nightcap.

Former champion Scott Riggleman of Manchester raced through the pack to win the 25-lap Factory Stock feature over last year’s title winner Ronnie Mullen of Brick. Tiffany Olejnik of Wall, Joey Helberg of Union and Toms River’s Marty Van Druten were third through fifth.

Jackson’s Howie Conk was impressive in winning the 25-lap main for the Limited Late Model stock cars over Brick’s Ronnie Mullen. Brian Doyle of Ronkonkoma, NY, Bayville’s Mike Tillett and Dominic Casola of Holmdel completed the top five.

Wall Stadium roars back to action this Saturday night (June 6). Scout Night will feature the Modifieds in a 40-lapper, the Sportsman cars in Twin 25-lap mains and the Limited Late Models and the 4 Cylinder Stocks in 25-lap main events. A special appearance by the “Ghostbusters” is also planned.

Pit area parking opens at 1:00 p.m. with practice set for 3:00 p.m. Grandstand seating opens at 5:00 p.m., qualifying is set for 6:00 p.m. with main events to follow.

Wall Stadium presents professional motorsports events on Saturdays and Sundays through September with special post-season races in October and November. The speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400, while CKMotorsports@aol.com is the track’s email address. More information is also available at www.wallspeedwayracing.com.

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1ST MODIFIED FEATURE – 40 Laps – 1. CHAS OKERSON, FREEHOLD, 2. Derek Hopkinson, 3. Jason Hearne, 4. Andrew Krause, 5. Steven Reed, 6. Shawna Ingraham, 7. Adam LaCicero, 8. Shanon Mongeau, 9. Shaun Carrig, 10 Eric Mauriello, 11. Jason Treat, 12. Zack Alspach, 13. Chris Lane, 14. Chris Reynolds, 15. Charlie Kremer III, 16 Keith Mulleneaux, 17. Scott Branick, 18. Trevor Alspach, 19. John McCormack, 19. Matt Przmielewski, 21. Glen Slocum

2ND MODIFIED FEATURE – 40 Laps – 1. ANTHONY SESELY, MATAWAN, 2. Zack Alspach, 3. Adam LaCicero, 4. Hearne, 5. Carrig, 6. Ingraham, 7. Krause, 8. Okerson, 9. Christian LaCicero, 10. Mauriello, 11. Hopkinson, 12. Reynolds, 13. Chad Churilla, 14. Kremer, 15. Mulleneaux, 16, Trevor Alspach, 17. Slocum, 18. Reed, 19. Treat, 20. Lane

SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 30 Laps – 1. KENNY MATLACH, LEVITTOWN, NY, 2. Rob Hyer, 3. Kenny Van Wickle, 4. Kevin Davison, 5. Tim Stephan, 6. Eric Lane, 7. Chris Lane, 8. Matt Langbein, 9. Joey King, 10 Rob Silver, 11. Jason Caruso, 12. Robert Sutphin, 13. Andrew Krause, 14. Larry Thompson, 15. Joe Cocca

1ST LEGEND CARS FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. ROBERT FRENCH, HOWELL, 2. Vinnie Troia, 3. Dan Roslin, 4. Joe Sendotto, 5. Casey Robicheau, 6. Bobby Baltera, 7. Jim Davison, 8. Chris Gall, 9. Bobby Sandt, 10. Louie Keraitis, 11. Vincent Colletti, 12. Nick Van Wickle, 13. Roger Nickerson, 14. James Van Wickle, 15. Brian Spencer, 16. Steve Woytysiak

2ND LEGEND CARS FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. ROBERT FRENCH, HOWELL, 2. Roslin, 3. Troia, 4. Spencer, 5. Robicheau, 6. Sandt, 7. Keraitis, 8. Baltera, 9. Davison, 10. Colletti, 11. Gall, 12. Nick Van Wickle, 13. Woytysiak, 14. Sendotto, 15. Nickerson, 16. James Van Wickle

FACTORY STOCK FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. SCOTT RIGGLEMAN, MANCHESTER, 2. Ronnie Mullen, 3. Tiffany Olejnik, 4. Joey Helberg, 5. Marty Van Druten, 6. Jerry Koenig, 7. Tim O’Shea, 8. Steve West, 9. Josh Matthews, 10. Whitey Miller, 11. Bob Haberstick, Jr., 12. Chris Felber, 13. Orestis Kotzias, 14. William Bruer, 15. Dan Springfield, 16. Rob Hurley

LIMITED LATE MODEL FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. HOWIE CONK, JACKSON, 2. Ronnie Mullen, 3. Brian Doyle, 4. Mike Tillett, 5. Dominic Casola, 6. Glen Conk, 7. Bill Vanderveen, 8. Michelle Moormann, 9. John Parker, 10. Ray Minieri, 11. Anthony Crimaldi