Tommy Meier - Higbie wins; Tommy survives for 12th!

Higbie wins; Tommy survives for 12th!

08/18/09

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Jerry Higbie played the role of a high stakes gambler Saturday night at the Orange County Fair Speedway.

Higbie, searching for his first big block Modified win this season, was hoping leader Jeff Heotzler Sr. would call his bluff as the latter stages of the 30-lap feature event approached. The veteran Slate Hill driver continually worked Heotzler inside – hoping room would eventually open for an outside pass.

Higbie’s patience finally prevailed on the 28th lap as he roared past Heotzler between the third and fourth turns, and then went on to capture the 12th victory of his OCFS big block Modified career. Higbie, who last won here on June 7, 2008, also became the 12th different winner in the division this season.

“I was lucky,’’ admitted Higbie. “I didn’t want to show myself on the outside and it worked out. (Jeff) Heotzler moved down just a little bit to block the inside and it left the outside door wide open. Sometimes it’s worse being the leader in that position. You just don’t know what’s going on behind you.’’

Heotzler, also in search of his first win of 2009, blocked every takeover attempt Higbie provided for the better part of the closing stages of the event. But Higbie never showed his true hand and it proved to be the deciding factor.

“I showed myself to Jeff to the inside,’’ said Higbie, “but I knew I wasn’t going to get past him down there. There just wasn’t much left on the bottom to pass.

“This was a much needed win for us and I’m glad I could finally get one for this entire Shaver Racing Team. We haven’t wrecked any equipment all season, but the wins are really tough to come by at this track. We really needed this and I’m happy for them.’’

Heotzler, who won twice last season and has 44 career OCFS wins, looked well en route to becoming the track’s fourth all-time winner in the early going. He’s currently tied in fourth with Rich Eurich.

Heotzler’s advance was slowed on the second lap when a horrific crash on the homestretch stopped action and knocked out the track’s lighting. Kevin Duryea blasted the fourth turn wall and collected several cars,causing a pile-up in front of the starter’s stand.

Modified points leader Chuck McKee was involved in the accident along with last week’s winner Jeremy Markle, as seven cars in the mess. McKee was able to continue and settled for a 14th-place finish.

OCFS electrician Jim Reiff was summoned to repair damaged wiring near the starter’s stand and the gate leading to the pits was also damaged by the accident. The wires Reiff repaired were for the track’s red and yellow lights.

Heotzler regained control when racing resumed and was able to sail well ahead of the rest of the 26-car field. Higbie, who started 12th, was quickly making tracks and stood in third place by the sixth lap.

But Higbie has his troubles getting past Rick Mill for second place until the 17th lap. Heotzler, meanwhile, was able to build a comfortable cushion until Higbie mounted his winning charge.

Heotzler held on to place second with Mill, Jesse Kline, Steve Dodd, Mike Kolka, Ric Hill, Kirk Horton, Chris Shultz and Mitch Gibbs rounding out the top 10.

In Sportsman action, Erik Holmgren survived six caution periods as he captured his second win this season in the 20-lap feature event.

Holmgren, after starting 10th in the 26-car field, wrestled the lead away from John Aumick with a pass down the homestretch on the ninth lap. Aumick , who led from the start, was forced to the pits three laps later with a right rear flat.

Holmgren led the remainder as he finished ahead of Rich Coons, Jimmy Spellmon, Mike Ruggiero, Joe Conklin, Eddie Burgess, Anthony Perrego, Bobby Hassenmayer, Sammy Piazza and Kyle Cicio.

Matt Hitchcock, who is battling reigning champion Ruggiero for the 2009 title, spun in the second turn on the 18th lap and settled for a 14th-place finish.

Tom Vigh Jr. won for the second time this season in the Pro Stock 20-lap feature. He was followed by Bobby Schade, John Velde, Roger Oubina Jr. and Troy Arnold.

The event was stopped for several minutes when Robert Vigh crashed coming off the second turn and took own some fencing on the backstretch. Robert Vigh wasn’t injured.

Kyle Pepin captured the Pure Stock Combined 15-lap feature and was awarded with the Amateur Division win. Marty Van Neiuwland took his first career win for the Veteran Division drivers.

Modified Feature Finish, 30 Laps: 1. Jerry Higbie, 2. Jeff Heotzler Sr., 3. Rick Mill, 4. Jesse Kline, 5. Steve Dodd, 6. Mike Kolka, 7. Ric Hill, 8. Kirk Horton, 9. Chris Shultz, 10. Mitch Gibbs, 11. Tim Hindley, 12. Tommy Meier, 13. David Van Horn Jr., 14. Chuck McKee, 15. Craig Mitchell, 16. Danny Creeden, 17. Joe Morel, 18. Clinton Mills, 19. Bob McGannon, 20. Kevin Duryea, 21. Jeremy Markle, 22. Bruce Kline, 23. John Lieto, 24. Donnie Wilson, 25. Chris Whitehead, 26. Gary Edwards Jr. Did Not Qualify: Rich Eurich, Butch Tittle, Justin Gozzi, Billy Wilson, Joe Puzzella, Andrew Reeves, Jimmy Johnson.

Sportsman Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Erik Holmgren, 2. Rich Coons, 3. Jimmy Spellmon, 4. Mike Ruggiero, 5. Joe Conklin, 6. Eddie Burgess, 7. Anthony Perrego, 8. Bobby Hassenmayer, 9. Sammy Piazza, 10. Kyle Cicio, 11. Dion Naples, 12. Aaron Doolittle, 13. Randy Sweetman, 14. Matt Hitchcock, 15. Bill Johnston, 16. Matt Janiak, 17. Rich Eggers, 18. Joe Wilgus, 19. Alex Salomatoff, 20. John Alimurat, 21. Frank Venezia, 22. Frank Doty, 23. John Aumick, 24. John Ferrier, 25. Shane Jablonka, 26. Bobby Hentschel.

Pro Stock Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Tom Vigh Jr., 2. Bobby Schade, 3. John Velde, 4. Roger Oubina Jr., 5. Troy Arnold, 6. Tim McCarthy, 7. Jimmy Devitt, 8. Tom Cilurso, 9. Bill Pascual, 10. Robert Vigh. Did Not Start: Tim Southard.

Pure Stock Veteran Feature Finish, 15 Laps: 1. Marty Van Neiuwland, 2. Emerson Cargain Sr., 3. Willie Lenci, 4. John Dore, 5. Buck Barrett, 6. Tim Daly, 7. Les Laska, 8. John Hechinger.

Pure Stock Amateur Feature Finish, 15 Laps: 1. Kyle Pepin, 2. Matt Burke, 3. Charles Donald, 4. Dave Van Sise, 5. Stephen Kammer, 6. Mike Consales, 7. Stan Vishinski Jr., 8. Tom Berhman, 9. Tom Shortway, 10. Larry Sachs, 11. Ron Constable, 12. Kenny Reed, 13. Harry Shortway, 14. John Miracle, 15. Dave Hogan, 16. Jim Maher.