REED WINS GARDEN STATE CLASSIC AT WALL SATURDAY
By
Wall Stadium
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. June 25, 2016.. Defending driving champion Steven Reed of Jackson raced to victory in the 55th running of the Garden State Classic for Downs Ford Modified stock cars at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. It was his second career win in the Classic race and it earned him $5,000 for finishing the 125 lap distance first.
Reed was in contention for the win for the entire distance as he launched into the top five at the start, advanced to the top three by the ten lap mark and raced into second behind Freehold’s Chas Okerson with 20 laps in the books.
Reed then chased Okerson until a lap 58 caution when he ducked into the pit area to change two tires. Upon returning to the track Reed was easily able to race from the rear of the field back into contention. Then, when many of the top runners pitted for tires on a lap 79 yellow, Reed was able to take over the lead.
The final laps of the race did offer suspense as Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. rode in second and shadowed Reed to the finish. Justin Gumley and Eric Mauriello, both of Howell, were third and fourth while Kenny Matlach of New Hyde Park, N.Y. was fifth.
“We pitted for tires as early as we did because in last year’s Turkey Derby we waited and that really hurt us,” Reed said. “The car was real good and we were just able to ride. I guess reading all those stories about the outside guys coming in for this race also inspired me. It is nice to be the local guy who defends his turf when outsiders come in to race.”
Third generation driver Richie Byrne of Howell led from start to finish to win the non-stop 25 lap main event for the O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stock cars. It was his career first win. Wall’s Rob Haberstick was the runner-up, while Jerry Stanzione of Keansburg, Brick’s Joe Mongeau and Scott Maher of Brick wrapped up the top five.
Beachwood’s Todd Pilla won the 25-lapper for the Surfside Collision 4 Cylinder Stocks over Howell’s Brian Osborn, Wall’s T.J. Graves, Christian LaCicero of Lavallette and Jackson’s Blake Barney.
Matt Janisch of Nazareth, Pa. won the 25-lap main event for the touring ATQMRA TQ Midgets.
Stock car racing continues this Saturday night (July 2) as the speedway presents a celebration for the Independence Day holiday weekend. On the track the Modifieds will return in a 40-lap main event, the 4 Cylinder Stocks will compete in twin 25-lap features and the Snap On Sportsman cars, Elite Maintenance Limited Late Models and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars will all battle in 25-lappers. Grandstand seating opens at 5:00 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:45 p.m. and feature racing begins at 7:00 p.m.
The complete regular season schedule, which runs on Saturday nights through the end of September, is available at wallspeedwayracing.com as are the rules and regulations for all divisions. Post-season events, the “Spooky Spectacular” in October and the Thanksgiving weekend “Turkey Derby,” are also being planned.
Wall Stadium 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, the website is wallspeedwayracing.com and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.
MODIFIED FEATURE 125 Laps – 1. STEVEN REED, JACKSON, 2. Matt Hirschman, 3. Justin Gumley, 4. Eric Mauriello, 5. Ken Matlach, 6. Derek Hopkinson, 7. Shaun Carrig, 8. Chris lane, 9. Anthony Sesely, 10. Jonathan Mandato, 11. Andrew Krause, 12. Chas Okerson, 13. Robby Walton, 14. Danny Bohn, 15. Chris Reynolds, 16. Shawna Ingraham, 17. Ken Woolley, 18. Ron Frees, 19. Jason Hearne, 20. Adam LaCicero
FACTORY STOCK FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. RICHIE BYRNE, HOWELL, 2. Rob Haberstick, 3. Jerry Stanzione, 4. Joe Mongeau, 5. Scott Maher, 6. Kenny Green, 7. Neil Rutt, 8. Tom Rajkowski, 9. Scott Riggleman, 10. Ron Booth, 11. Dave Green, 12. Matt Badessa, 13. Gerry Koenig, 14. Marty Van Druten
LEGEND CARS FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. TODD PILLA, BEACHWOOD, 2. Brian Osborn, 3. TJ Graves, 4. Christian LaCicero, 5. Blake Barney, 6. Darren Burdge, 7. Fred Cannock, 8. Jason Lane, 9. Darianne McLaren, 10. Jeff Loesch, 11. Frank Ciancitti, 12. Richard Smith, 13. Randy Hart
