CHEMUNG, N.Y. -- The NASCAR Weekly Modifieds ran 80 laps in two features Saturday night at Chemung Speedrome. Fans were treated to some side-by-side, lap after lap racing in both of those races. Zach Truesdail, a protégé of Tony Hanbury, won his 2nd-ever feature, while his mentor claimed the 2nd one. Chris Daugherty and Mike Nichols celebrated win in the Super Stock division. Others in victory lane included Ajay Potrzebowski (4 Cylinders), Daren Scherer (INEX Legends), Bobby Wilson (North East Mod Lites), Dayton Cote (S peedrome Juniors) and Andrew Bickford (Bandoleros). The full evening was an emotional one, as fans came together to help a good friend from the past.

The first 40-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified feature lineup was determined on May 23rd. Zach Truesdail and JR Kent started from the front row and Kent had a slight edge at they completed the first lap. The pair remained side by side on the 2nd lap but Truesdail eventually claimed the top spot as his. By the 7th lap it was a 3-man race, as Tony Hanbury had caught the lead pair.

While Kent held off Hanbury, Truesdail drove off and built up a nice cushion between him and that duo. Hanbury peeked to the inside of Kent in turn 4 then would look topside on the next lap. With 10 laps remaining most eyes were on the battle for=2 02nd, as Kent continued to hold off repeated challenges from Hanbury. The only contact between them was slight, and occurred as they exited turn 4 on the 30th lap. Both corrected their cars and continued on.

The race almost went caution-free but Jody Buckley, driving Hanbury’s backup car, spun in turn 4 and set up a green/white/checker finish. Kent had two laps to catch and pass Truesdail but Zach would have no part of it. His dominant run represented his 2nd win at Chemung and first of the year. Kent finished 2nd, ahead of Hanbury, Lee Sharpsteen and Tim Gullo.

Qualifying wins for the regularly scheduled 40-lap NASCAR Weekly Modified feature went to teammates Tony Hanbury and Zach Truesdail, who had won the first race. Charlie Sharpsteen and JR Kent brought the field t the green and Kent powered his way around the outside lane to take the lead. Sharpsteen was left behind to deal with Hanbury, Truesdail and Tim Gullo.

Once Hanbury passed Sharpsteen he began to close the gap separating him from Kent. The pair put on another show for the fans, just as they had done in the first race, with Hanbury all over the #16 of Kent. This time, however, Hanbury was able to pass him for the lead. Bill Morich spun and brought out the fist caution with 23 laps complete. Two laps later Lee Sharpsteen tagged Jody Buckley and both restarted at the rear. When racing resumed the lead trio of Hanbury, Kent and Truesdail went back to work.

The 3rd, and final, caution came out when Larry Jaynes spun in turn 2. That set up a 10-lap dash to the checkered flag. Hanbury was in command and the battle was for 2nd but things didn’t change. The win, his 3rd in 5 races, went to Hanbury. Kent produced his 2nd second place finish of the night, followed by Truesdail, C. Sharpsteen and Gullo. “Tonight was about tires, and I only put one new one on for the first race,” he told the crowd before thanking his many sponsors.

In Super Stock action, the first item of business was the completion of last week’s 20-lap feature. Chris Daugherty had taken the lead from Jeff Goodwin when rain moved in one lap short of the halfway point. Daugherty had to wait a week for his victory lane celebration, with came easily when the race resumed. He pulled away from an intense battle for 2nd, as Mike Nichols worked over Goodwin and Tom Cundy. This was Daugherty’s 2nd win. Nichols finished 2 nd, followed by Goodwin, Cundy and Tim Gullo.

In the regularly scheduled 25-lap Super Stock feature Terry Potrzebowski brought out the first caution when he tapped Tom Cundy in turn 2 trying to take the lead. Mike Nichols got the better of Cundy on the restart but he stayed within shouting distance along with Chris Daugherty and Jeff Goodwin. Caution came out when Tim Gullo’s car slowed on the track. On the restart Goodwin spun and Dylan Terry had nowhere to go but into him, busting Terry’s radiator. When racing resumed the top 4 put on a great race, as Daugherty was up to 2nd and looking for another win. Nichols held on and scored his first win of the year over Daugherty, Cundy, Terry Potrzebowski and Goodwin. Nichols and Potrzebowski won their heats. “This is a fun place to race, I love coming here,” Nichols said from victory lane. “This one went in our favor.”

Phil Haner and Jeremy Potrzebowski brought the 4 Cylinder field to the green and they remained side by side for the first lap. Ajay Potrzebowski caught the pair and they went 3-wide for the lead, with Ajay powering around the pair and taking the lead. As he drove away the battle for 2nd continued, with Gene Purvis and Bob Curren all contesting for the spot. The only caution came out with 2 laps remaining when Curren tagged J. Potrzebowski and he spun in turn 3. That set up a green/white/checker finish and brought Purvis within striking distance for those 2 remaining laps. A. Potrzebowski wasted no time pulling away and cruised to his 4th win of the year. Purvis was 2nd, followed by heat winner Jeremy Potrzebowski, Joe Lane and Curren. Haner won the other heat race.

When Daren Scherer is in town the INEX Legends have to bring their best to the table.< SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> He got things going by winning his heat race. Tony Gullo, starting from outside pole, led the first lap but defending track champion, Matt Priscott, took the lead and left Gullo holding off Richie Vanderpool and Scherer. At the halfway point Scherer was all over Priscott, where he stayed in hopes of finding an opening. He found one, on lap 17, and made his race-winning pass. Priscott, the point leader, won his heat race and finished the 20-lap feature in 2nd place. Vanderpool was 3rd, while Matt Price and Gullo all posted top-5 finishes. Beth Scherer represented her husband in victory lane, while he buckled up for the modified feature. When asked whom he’d want to thank for helping with the win she told the crowd “me, I’m awesome.”

Zach Curren and Bobby Wilson continue to thrill the fans with their great side-by-side racing in the North East Mod Lite division. Curren led early but Wilson found an opening inside and took the lead in turn 3. Just past the halfway point Curren looked inside, then outside, but the car pushed in the corners and he couldn’t complete a pass. Wilson held on for his 4th win this year, over Curren, Paul Brinckman and Joe Lane.

Dayton Cote picked up his career-first win in the Speedrome Junior division. Cote held off Fred Peters during the first lap but lost the top spot to him a lap later. Peters built up a nice lead until his car broke with 6 laps completed. Officials waited for word, but the car was done for the night. Cote received the green and white flags together and only had to complete one lap for the win.

Andrew Bickford has had things pret ty much his way since opening night and was in perfect form again Saturday night. The point leader got a good jump at the start, led from flag to flag, and remains undefeated. Bobby Story finished in the runner-up spot.

Jeff Daugherty and Danielle Fleet won bicycles donated by the track officials, while Elmira’s Larry Hewitt claimed the 50/50.

Chemung fans responded to the call for help during intermission. Ronnie Kent, younger brother of George “The Duke” is terminally ill and his wish is to return to his family in Horseheads, NY. Drivers passed their helmets and $806.24 went to the Kent family to help with expenses. Billy Griffin, owner of Classic Auto and a longtime friend of the family, has donated a motor home so that they can travel comfortably. Ron Kent owned the famed #26 that George drove to countless feature wins early in his career. Others wishing to help should call Bob Stapleton at 607-857-4843 for more information.

This Saturday night it’s a regular show but the Modifieds will run twin-25’s. Pits open at 4, grandstand and practice at 5, with the first race getting the green at 6:30. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-14, and always free for kids 5 and under. For more information log on to www.chemungspeedrome.net. Chemung Speedrome and the Whelen All American Series – Short Track Racing At Its Best!

RESULTS

NASCAR Weekly Modifieds (40 Laps, 5/23 race) ZACH TRUESDAIL, JR Kent, Tony Hanbury, Lee Sharpsteen, Tim Gullo, Charlie Sharpsteen, Jody Buckley, Bill Morich, Curtis Cowles

Super Stocks (20 Laps, 5/23 race) CHRIS DAUGHERTY, Mike Nichols, Jeff Goodwin, Tom Cundy, Tim Gullo, Terry Potrzebowski, Dylan Terry, Chuck Nichols, Ken Evans, Brittany Jack

NASCAR Weekly Modifieds (40 Laps) TONY HANBURY, JR Kent, Zach Truesdail, Charlie Sharpsteen, Tim Gullo, Bill Morich, Mike Nickels, Larry Jaynes, Lee Sharpsteen, Jody Buckley, John Wilber, Curtis Cowles, (DNS: Daren Scherer)

Super Stocks (25 Laps) MIKE NICHOLS, Chris Daugherty, Tom Cundy, Terry Potrzebowski, Jeff Goodwin, B rittany Jack, Chuck Nichols, Ken Evans, Dylan Terry, Tim Gullo

INEX Legends (20 Laps) DAREN SCHERER, Matt Priscott, Richie Vanderpool, Matt Price, Tony Gullo, Art Priscott, Brandon Michael, Jeff Doebler, Van Michael, Ben Moore, John Shepherd, Beth Scherer, John Gotti, Matt Evans

4 Cylinders (20 Laps) AJAY POTRZEBOWSKI, Gene Purvis, Jeremy Potrzebowski, Joe Lane, Bob Curren, Jason Gleason, Phil Haner, (DNS: Archie Haner)

North East Mod Lites (20 Laps) BOBBY WILSON, Zach Curren, Paul Brinckman, Joe Lane

Speedrome Juniors (10 Laps) < /SPAN>DAYTON COTE, Fred Peters

Bandoleros (10 Laps) ANDREW BICKFORD, Bobby Story