Canandaigua Speedway Welcomes the King of New York Sprint Car Challenge by A-Verdi

Weedsport, NY -  The King of New York Sprint Car Challenge presented by A-Verdi rolled into town Saturday night at Canandaigua Speedway as hot shot Bryan Howland made the final pass around Bobby Breen to take the lead seconds before the checkered flag was waved on the 25-lap feature.

Big Block Winner Rob Bussey

ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series

Thirty six cars tested their fates around the half-miler at Canandaigua Speedway Saturday night but only twenty two drivers would make it to the final event, as pole sitter Jessica Zemken led the field to a green flag start.

Right out of the gates it seemed the #9b of Bobby Breen had too much under the hood for Zemken to handle as he exchanged the lead position with the #1z sprint within the opening circuits. As the field entered into its sixth circuit, the top three cars including Breen, Zemken, and Jared Zimbardi began weaving their way in and out of traffic.

As the feature developed Breen continued to dominate the field maintaining a healthy lead over the field but with nine laps to go, a caution thrown would send the remaining drivers to the line for a good old fashion shootout!

Once action resumed it was a foot race to the finish as the top five drivers scrambled to make their last ditch efforts in capturing the checkered flag. Howland aboard the #51 began to heat up in the waning moments as he found himself car lengths away from the leader Breen with just over two laps to go.  And so with the checkered flag in sight, Howland throw a hail mary via the outside lane of turn four giving him just enough real estate to take the lead from Breen.

Sportsman Modifieds

For Rob Bussey the 2009 season as been filled with tough breaks in the past weeks but this Saturday night  good fortune was on his side this time as he marched the #76 ride from a tenth place starting position to land in Victory lane by feature’s end.

Phil LaVare led the Sportsman Modified division around the half-miler for the green flag start. A four car pile up left Nick Guererri with no place to go but the pits as he fell victim to a run in with the Steve Gray, Joe Cook, and Mark Chiddy going into turn 1 of the second circuit.

LaVare would continue to lead once action got underway followed by Marcus Dinkins as Bussey and Daryl Hilkert broke into the top five positions. By lap 8, Bussey used an inside move on lap 8 to silence the #17 sponsored RUSH Racewear ride of Dinkins and by lap 13, Bussey was knocking on the back door of LaVare.  

The two would weave their way in and out of traffic as LaVare continued to hold of the advances of Bussey, despite Bussey’s gravest efforts. With just four laps to go, LaVare couldn’t sustained the pressure of Bussey any longer as he surrendered his top spot to the #76 giving him his first Canandaigua win to date.

Street Stocks

When it comes to Canandaigua Speedway, Mike Welch knows one thing and that’s how to win races!! During Saturday night’s 20-lap feature the double zero of Welch worked his way from the middle of the pack to steal the lead spot from Chris Fisher with just three laps in the books.

From there, Welch would open up a sizeable lead on the field as Andy Fisk and teammate Mike Rasbeck rounded out the top three spots. The 1.18 second lead Welch had built up with five laps to go was too much for Fisk to shave off as the #00 landed in a familiar spot Saturday night… in Victory lane with checkered flag in hand!

Pure Stox

Time was of the essence this Saturday night as a harrowing crash involving the #9r of Roger Bush during the Pure Stox feature sent track officials and crew members into high gear as the #9r sailed over the jersey barrier going into turn three with just four laps completed. Roger Bush would walk away from his wrecked ride and action would resume after a short delay thanks to the efforts of Canandaigua track officials and crew members.

When action resumed current leader Eric Chapman opted for the outside lane which proved to be successful as he maintained is lead with eight laps to go. Marc Minutolo quickly found himself on the heels of Chapman as the duo broke away from the remaining players. The pair continued to go wheel to wheel in yet another exciting finish for the crowd as the #25b of Minutolo sailed pass Chapman for the checkered flag win!