Kibbe wins Super Sportsmen Special

June 12, 2016 | by Jay Pees, Allen Seybert, Jamie McMillen

Left to right: Dick Barton, Lars Huling, race winner Jim Kibbe, Ron Blackmer, Skip Furlow, Jim Scott

Proper remains undefeated, Scott gets third of season, Blair gets second win, Genco, Gurdak, and Reeves get first wins of year!

Busti, NY (June 11, 2016): The Sportsmen class drivers from 1962-1984 were honored at Stateline Speedway Saturday night as the current group of Himes Auction Super Sportsmen competed for extra laps and extra winnings with former champion Jim Kibbe coming out the winner. In regular feature action Max Blair drove to his second Overhead Door of Jamestown Super Late Model win of the season, Jason Genco got his first Shults Auto Group RUSH Crate Late Model win of the season, exactly one year after his first win last season. David Scott continued dominating the Sugar Grove Beverage Outlaw E-Mods. The honors for the Rusted Nutz ProMod division went to Scott Gurdak, his first in this class. Bill Reeves bested the Fox’s Pizza Den Street Stocks field while Andy Proper remained undefeated in the Bailey’s Towing & Recovery Super Challengers.

The original 1962 Sportsmen race cars were six-cylinder powered prewar coupes with V-8 engines allowed after the 1969 season. Drivers in attendance for this “Tribute Night” included the all-time leading winner Ron Blackmer with 61 wins, 24 race winner Lars Huling, 17 time winner Skip Furlow, and seven time winner Dick Barton.

The Himes Auction Super Sportsmen were the featured class with Jim Kibbe leading the first four laps of the twenty lap special with Ron Burgun then picking up the lead but Kibbe, last week's winner hounding him every turn. At halfway it was Burgun, Kibbe, Steve Longo, Ted Kosinski, and points leader Dan Nocero Jr. After a lap 11 caution, Burgun continued to lead with Kibbe staying in hot pursuit. On the 14^thlap of the race, Kibbe shot to Burgun’s inside with the cars making contact coming out of turn 2. Kibbe was able to correct his car and challenge Burgun for the lead once again in turn 4. This time, the number 18 machine was able to wrestle the top spot away, leading with just six laps to go. The feature’s second yellow flag period occurred on lap 17, setting up a three lap sprint to the finish with Kibbe leading Burgun, Longo , Ted Kosinki and Nocero Jr. Kibbe made his final restart of the night count, sprinting to his second straight feature win. Burgun held off Longo for the runner up spot with Ted Kosinki fourth and Michael Kosinki fifth.

Jason Genco got the early jump in the crate late model feature, settling in ahead of second place Andy Boozel and a three wide battle for third between Wyatt Scott, Darrell Bossard and Scott Gurdak. That three wide battle eventually led to the first caution when the youngest Scott spun in turn two. After a second quick caution, Genco continued to lead with Boozel continuing to hound him for the top spot. Boozel pulled nearly even with Genco at the completion of lap three but Genco held the top spot by inches at the line. After the challenge from Boozel, Genco settled in, extending his lead over the next three laps. Boozel meanwhile found himself busy with Bossard who begin attempting to take away the second spot. Bossard cleared Boozel for second on lap 10 and set his sights on the leader Genco. Further back in the field, Ryan Scott found himself holding down the fifth spot with serious challenges from both Damien Bidwell and Max Blair. Scott and Bidwell were side by side at the line lap after lap with Scott continuing to keep the advantage. Bidwell finally changed his line on lap 17 using the high side to try to pass Scott. Bidwell ultimately made the pass with Blair following him through for sixth. All this was happening behind Genco led wire to wire for the feature win. The victory came nearly one year to the date after his first crate late feature win at the track. Bossard ended up second with Dave Lyon making a late pass of Boozel for third place. Bidwell rounded out the top five just car lengths behind fourth place Boozel.

Weeks one and two winners, Justin Carlson and Jason Covey led the Rusted Nutz RUSH Pro Mods to the green flag for their feature event. After several problems with false starts, they would get two laps in before Zach Johnson and Wayne Mohawk got together to bring out caution. Scott Gurdak took command of the race on lap five as Carlson and Covey would follow in the second and third spots. Sixth starting Kelly Frederes would settle in to fourth as the top three of Gurdak, Carlson, and Covey would remain in that order for the duration of the event. Last week’s winner Frederes would finish in fourth with Dennis Asel rounding out the top five.

Jason DuPont led the Overhead Door of Jamestown Super Late Model field to the green for their 25 lap feature, easily jumping out to a three car length lead over Chris Hackett in the event’s first three laps. Warren's Dutch Davies, last week's feature winner, spun in turn two to bring out the first caution. Prior to the caution, Waterford’s Dave Hess Jr was on the move, entering the top five after starting outside the fourth row. The second yellow came in short order after the restart as Michael Oakes spun in turn two, collecting Rick Tripodi in the incident. After the accident was cleaned up, Max Blair began to show his speed, rocketing past father Robbie Blair for third place and setting his sights on second place Hackett. After quickly passing Hackett, it didn't take Blair long to reel in the leader DuPont, passing the NO7 for the lead to as he completed the ninth lap of the race. Blair began to extend his lead before seeing it evaporate when a turn three accident between Doug Eck and Bob Dorman slowed the pace. When racing continued, Blair again worked on building a lead, gaining five car lengths on the field over DuPont slipped and Hackett. The caution was the only thing that could bring Blair back to the field as a wreck between Eck, Kyle Scott, Matt Urban, and Chuck Parker brought out the third yellow. Meanwhile, David Scott – who left his heat race with a damaged rear end – was on the move, gaining 13 spots from 24^th to 11^th by lap 14. Blair led after the green with Hess using a great restart to get by Hackett for second. DuPont stayed strong in third with Hackett fourth and Robbie Blair fifth with 10 laps to go. Hess and DuPont’s battle for second intensified late in the race with DuPont first passing Hess for the spot and Hess going back by when DuPont spun to bring out another caution with seven laps to go. But this night belonged to Max Blair who pulled away restart after restart to earn his second feature Stateline victory of the season and 202^nd feature win of his career. Hess Jr was second, winning a hard fought battle with third place Hackett. Greg Oakes rallied for fourth with Jake Finnerty executing a late pass of Robbie Blair for fifth.

The Sugar Grove Beverage Outlaw E-Mods had Troy Carr and Troy Johnson on the front row but the field only made it to turn two before six of the ten starters piled up, negating the start. After restarting Carr led with Greg Johnson second and Dave Scott third. Using the extreme outside groove Scott took over at the end of six laps. Carr then spun from third in turn two but kept the car going, preventing a yellow. Johnson was the leader at the halfway point. Scott, still using the high line, was second with John Schenker third, Troy Johnson fourth, and Carr fifth. With five to go Scott drew even at the line with Johnson then was leading at sixteen. With two to go Scott had a two length lead and stretched it out over the remaining distance to about six lengths at the checkers. Schenker wound up third with Troy Johnson fourth and Carr fifth. It was Scott’s third win of the season.

The seventeen starters of the Fox’s Pizza Den Street Stocks feature were brought to green by Bill Reeves and Brian Crandall with Reeves leading at the end of one lap. At five laps into the fifteen lap run, Reeves held a five length advantage over Crandall with Gary Fisher, the opening night winner, Bill Applebee, and Tony Marotto filling out the top five. Deven Dudenhoeffer spun in turn two on lap seven, slowing the event the first time. After green one more lap was in the books before Pat Fielding looped his mount in turn one, slowing the field the second time. Reeves continued to lead at the halfway point with Fisher now second and Dave Shagla Jr, two time winner up to third. Mike Moore and Fielding got together in turn two with five to go for caution number three. For this restart it was Reeves, Fisher, Shagla, Applebee, and Crandall. At green Reeves continued to lead but yet another caution flew when Applebee spun from fourth in turn two, collecting Chris Cochenour as three more cars spun in turn one. Under caution Cochenour’s car came to a halt on the front straight and had to be towed from the track. At green Shagla powered by Fisher for second but Fisher stayed alongside until the white flag when Shagla finally completed the pass but Reeves was on his way to his first win of the season. Shagla, winner of the last two nights was second, Fisher settled for third with Crandall fourth, and Bill Best fifth.

Kevin Covell and Ben Sudol brought the Challenger feature to green with Covell leading the way after one lap. Casey Burch came to second with undefeated winner Andy Proper third at three laps. At four complete Proper was second and challenging for his fourth consecutive win at the halfway point and leading at six complete. Proper went on dominating the season, winning over Covell, Burch, Sudol, and Jasmine Markham.

Results:

Overhead Door of Jamestown Super Late Models:

Heat 1

1 22 Greg Oakes, Franklinville NY

2 No7 Jason DuPont, Cyclone PA

3 12b Andy Boozel, Clymer NY

4 s4 Ward Schell, Warren Pa

5 22j Michael Oakes, Franklinville NY

6 75 Jason Dobson, Ceres NY

7 19 Bob Dorman, Stockton ny

8 75J Joe Layfield, Bolivar NY

Heat 2

1 40 Dutch Davies, Warren Pa

2 44H Dave Hess Jr., Waterford PA

3 W11 Robbie Blair, Centerville PA

4 53 John Volpe, Lakewood NY

5 2v Chad Valone, Jamestown NY

6 1U Matt Urban, North East PA

7 72 Chuck Parker, Ashville NY

8 30 Rick Tripoli, Ridgeway PA

Heat 3

1 1J Jake Finnerty, Panama NY

2 111 Max Blair, Centerville PA

3 33 Chris Hackett, Jamestown NY

4 1 Rich Gardner, Waterford PA

5 28 John Lobb, Frewsburg NY

6 03 Doug Eck, Corry PA

7 9 Kyle Scott, Garland PA

8 3 David Scott, Garland PA

Feature

1 111 Max Blair, Centerville PA

2 44H Dave Hess Jr., Waterford PA

3 33 Chris Hackett, Jamestown NY

4 22 Greg Oakes, Franklinville NY

5 1J Jake Finnerty, Panama NY

6 W11 Robbie Blair, Centerville PA

7 40 Dutch Davies, Warren Pa

8 3 David Scott, Garland PA

9 s4 Ward Schell, Warren Pa

10 28 John Lobb, Frewsburg NY

11 53 John Volpe, Lakewood NY

12 1 Rich Gardner, Waterford PA

13 2v Chad Valone, Jamestown NY

14 19 Bob Dorman, Stockton ny

15 9 Kyle Scott, Garland PA

16 1U Matt Urban, North East PA

17 72 Chuck Parker, Ashville NY

18 75J Joe Layfield, Bolivar NY

19 No7 Jason DuPont, Cyclone PA

20 30 Rick Tripoli, Ridgeway PA

21 22j Michael Oakes, Franklinville NY

22 03 Doug Eck, Corry PA

23 75 Jason Dobson, Ceres NY

24 12b Andy Boozel, Clymer NY

Shults Auto Group RUSH Crate Late Models:

Heat 1

1 29J Jason Genco, Frewsburg NY

2 5G Scott Gurdak, Bear Lake PA

3 x3 Wyatt Scott, Garland PA

4 F4 Matt Harvey, Jamestown NY

5 14L Dave Lyon, Spring Creek PA

6 17e Nathan Earle, Garland PA

7 111 Max Blair, Centerville PA

Heat 2

1 213 Darrell Bossard, Centerville PA

2 12b Andy Boozel

3 0 Ryan Scott, Garland PA

4 17 Damian Bidwell, Eldred PA

5 135 Jamie Brown, Jamestown NY

6 28C Chad Schauers, Frewsburg NY

Feature

1 29J Jason Genco, Frewsburg NY

2 213 Darrell Bossard, Centerville PA

3 14L Dave Lyon, Spring Creek PA

4 12b Andy Boozel

5 17 Damian Bidwell, Eldred PA

6 111 Max Blair, Centerville PA

7 0 Ryan Scott, Garland PA

8 5G Scott Gurdak, Bear Lake PA

9 x3 Wyatt Scott, Garland PA

10 135 Jamie Brown, Jamestown NY

11 17e Nathan Earle, Garland PA

12 28C Chad Schauers, Frewsburg NY

13 F4 Matt Harvey, Jamestown NY

Sugar Grove Beverage Outlaw E-Mods:

Heat 1

1 05 Greg Johnson, Busti NY

2 2J Troy Johnson, Sugar Grove PA

3 27c Troy Carr, Kennedy NY

4 68 David Scott, Garland PA

5 16 Justin Carlson, Sherman NY

6 55S Butch Southwell, Warren Pa

7 65 John Schenker Jr, Erie PA

8 23 Rob Middleton, Russell PA

9 82S Ron Seeley, Warren Pa

10 0 Ryan Scott, Garland PA

Feature

1 68 David Scott, Garland PA

2 05 Greg Johnson, Busti NY

3 65 John Schenker Jr, Erie PA

4 2J Troy Johnson, Sugar Grove PA

5 27c Troy Carr, Kennedy NY

6 0 Ryan Scott, Garland PA

7 55S Butch Southwell, Warren Pa

8 23 Rob Middleton, Russell PA

9 16 Justin Carlson, Sherman NY

10 82S Ron Seeley, Warren Pa

Rusted Nutz ProMods:

Heat 1

1 67 Jason Covey, Clymer NY

2 5G Scott Gurdak, Bear Lake PA

3 16 Justin Carlson, Sherman NY

4 33k Kelly Frederes, Russell PA

5 07 Jeremy Williams, Garland PA

6 0 Dennis Asel, Kane PA

7 23 Kevin Ruhlman, Bemus Point NY

8 4Q Bill Silvis

9 05J Zach Johnson, Busti NY

10 20 Brian Mohawk, Gowanda NY

Feature

1 5G Scott Gurdak, Bear Lake PA

2 16 Justin Carlson, Sherman NY

3 67 Jason Covey, Clymer NY

4 33k Kelly Frederes, Russell PA

5 0 Dennis Asel, Kane PA

6 23 Kevin Ruhlman, Bemus Point NY

7 4Q Bill Silvis

8 20 Brian Mohawk, Gowanda NY

9 05J Zach Johnson, Busti NY

10 07 Jeremy Williams, Garland PA

Fox’s Pizza Den Street Stocks:

Heat 1

1 15R Bill Reeves, Ashville NY

2 15M Anthony Marotto, Ashville NY

3 9 Bill Applebee, Sherman NY

4 5B Jason Black, Spring Creek PA

5 64 Wayne Mohawk, Irving NY

6 40 Brad Church, Russell PA

7 47 Deven Dudenhoeffer, Frewsburg NY

8 17 Mike Moore, Russell PA

9 27 Scott Delahoy, Sinclairville NY

Heat 2

1 99F Gary Fisher, North East PA

2 24C Brian Crandall, Stockton ny

3 91C Sam Courson, Cassadaga NY

4 23 Pat Fielding, Titusville PA

5 6 Dave Shagla Jr, Sugar Grove PA

6 3D Tyler Dynys, Jamestown NY

7 14b Bill Best, Jamestown NY

8 99 Chris Couchenour

Feature

1 15R Bill Reeves, Ashville NY

2 6 Dave Shagla Jr, Sugar Grove PA

3 99F Gary Fisher, North East PA

4 24C Brian Crandall, Stockton ny

5 14b Bill Best, Jamestown NY

6 9 Bill Applebee, Sherman NY

7 15M Anthony Marotto, Ashville NY

8 64 Wayne Mohawk, Irving NY

9 5B Jason Black, Spring Creek PA

10 91C Sam Courson, Cassada, NY

11 3D Tyler Dynys, Jamestown NY

12 99 Chris Couchenour

13 17 Mike Moore, Russell PA

14 40 Brad Church, Russell PA

15 23 Pat Fielding, Titusville PA

16 47 Deven Dudenhoeffer, Frewsburg NY

17 27 Scott Delahoy, Sinclairville NY

Hime’s Auction Super Sportsmen:

Heat 1

1 18 Jim Kibbe, Clymer NY

2 4 Ron Burgun, Brocton NY

3 6 Dan Nocero Jr., Jamestown NY

4 19 Tommy Kosinski, Lakewood NY

5 11 Kendelle Kosinski, Ashville NY

6 84 Michael Kosinski, Ashville NY

Heat 2

1 20 Steve Longo, Bradford PA

2 7 Mike Genco, Jamestown NY

3 88 Ted Kosinski, Lakewood NY

4 884 Tom Kosinski, Lakewood NY

5 716 Shane Horner

Feature

1 18 Jim Kibbe, Clymer NY

2 4 Ron Burgun, Brocton NY

3 20 Steve Longo, Bradford PA

4 88 Ted Kosinski, Lakewood NY

5 84 Michael Kosinski, Ashville NY

6 6 Dan Nocero Jr., Jamestown NY

7 19 Tommy Kosinski, Lakewood NY

8 7 Mike Genco, Jamestown NY

9 884 Tom Kosinski, Lakewood NY

10 11 Kendelle Kosinski, Ashville NY

11 716 Shane Horner

Bailey’s Towing & Recovery Super Challengers:

Heat 1

1 17 Andy Proper, Tidioute PA

2 55X Casey Burch, Randolph NY

3 12 Kevin Covell, Sugar Grove PA

4 24 William Dunn, Columbus PA

5 3 Garrett Yager, Falconer NY

6 23S Ben Sudol, Russell PA

7 5 Jasmine Markham, Ashville, NY

8 70 Patrick Oyer, Randolph NY

Feature

1 17 Andy Proper, Tidioute PA

2 12 Kevin Covell, Sugar Grove PA

3 55X Casey Burch, Randolph NY

4 23S Ben Sudol, Russell PA

5 5M Jasmine Markham, Ashville NY

6 24 William Dunn, Columbus PA

7 70 Patrick Oyer, Randolph NY

8 3 Garrett Yager, Falconer NY