Mother Nature Intervenes

Mother Nature made her presence known at the Rock this past week. After dumping an inch and a half of rain there on Friday, the one-eighth mile clay oval became extremely tacky. Track Prep crews had a difficult time getting the track into raceable condition. But, they were able to keep working at it until it was at least good enough to allow the Micro Sprints to race on it. Unfortunately, the track was deemed unsafe for Kart racing and entrants were reimbursed.

The 600 Open feature was also affected by Mother Nature as rain began to fall right at during the 600 Sportsman Feature, shortening that race. Kyle Coffey, son of World of Outlaw Late Model driver, Vic Coffey, won the first of 3 heats with Danny Knoll III racing hard for the win. Heat Two produced some amazing racing between Canandaigua's Matt Smith and LeRoy's Brandon Goetz. The two drivers raced side-by-side for several laps before Smith edged Goetz out for the victory. Heat Three saw Pete Lute dominate the 10 lap race. John Kreckman placed second with Dan Knoll, Jr. showing Third. The 30 lap Feature will likely be made up this coming weekend.

In the 125 class, the night belonged to Cole "FasDass" MacDonald. The impressive young man swept both the Heat and Feature events, extending his lead in the championship. Jacob Lewczyk took second spot in the Feature with Jordan Noody coming home in Third. A tough break for last year's leading ladies in the class. Missy Clauss of Wyoming, New York, had difficulties with gearing and lost some time, eventually finishing in fifth. Clauss did, however, correct the issue during a caution brought out by Defending Class Champion, Kennedy White. Crateresque dips in Turns Three and Four caused White to control of her car and hit the Turn Four wall and knocked her out of the Feature.

The most taxing class of the night came at the expense of the 450 Super Sportsman class. Jeff Clauss defeated Jim Austin during the Heat event. Jim's brother, Joe, had his left rear wheel come off thanks to a broken cotter pin. The rough track would also plague Jim in the Feature as he was the first driver knocked out. Shane O'Grady showed some muscle as he and Clauss battled for the lead, eventually getting into each other and causing a caution. That put Joe Austin out front and he never looked back, claiming his first victory of the season.

A little more than halfway through the 600 Sportsman Feature, rain fell on the speedway. Out front at the time was Chad Richey. He came away with top points on the night as he finished second behind Josh Farnsworth in the Heat. Farnsworth failed to finish the Feature thanks to a blown fuse. Farnsworth later stated, "It was a blast to drive, but man was it rough out there." Jacob Szymkowiak had a strong showing as he came home in second with John Farmer continued his string of good runs with a third place finish.

Mickey Ciliberto dominated the night's racing action in the 600 Wingless class. He swept both the Heat and the Feature, topping John Colaprete, Jr. for the win.

Jacob Callan continues to dominate the Quad class as he swept the night's action over Paul Andrews.

Next week it's autograph night along with the Power Wheels race. See you on Race Day!