Watt, Von Dohren go 2-3 behind Friesen at Georgetown
GEORGETOWN, DEL. » Afternoon rain, brutal wind and cold didn’t deter Thursday night’s ‘Battle of the Bay’ program at Georgetown Speedway.
And both Stewart Friesen and Ross Robinson were thankful.
Friesen, of Sprakers, N.Y., annexed the Sunoco Modified 30lap main event while Georgetown, Del.’s own Robinson bested a strong field of RUSH Late Models during the division’s inaugural tour event at the Sussex County half-mile.
A dramatic shift in weather saw off-and-on rain throughout the day followed by high winds and frigid temperatures. Georgetown Speedway management opted to press on with the night’s program and pushed the event through rapidly.
Friesen pocketed a huge $6,111 payday for his Sunoco Modified winning effort aboard the Halmar International No. 44.
“Six grand for 30 laps is awesome,” offered Friesen after earning his fourth career Georgetown victory. “It’s great money to run for.”
Friesen started the event from seventh. Out front, Jordan Watson fired off the outside pole to set the pace. Three-wide racing through the field was prevalent early on as Friesen made a run toward the front.
On lap seven, Watson’s No. 1J drifted wide in turns three and four, allowing Friesen to take over the top spot.
Meanwhile, Craig Von Dohren was making his own spirited drive from 16th on the grid in Dick Biever’s No. 14s.
Von Dohren burst into second on the 12th lap, setting up an epic battle for the lead.
CVD used the extreme outside lane to not only catch Friesen – but pull even with him on the exit of turn two on lap 21. Friesen repelled the advance and Von Dohren swapped lanes looking to the inside.
On lap 23, Von Dohren slipped off the top of turn three and ninthstarter Ryan Watt moved into second. Watt, too, reeled in Friesen before a final yellow slowed the event on lap 26.
Friesen fired off the double-file restart and cruised to the victory.
The 34-year-old driver’s $6,111 payday included a base purse of $3,000 plus an additional $1,000 presented by Taylor & Messick and $2,000 from Stockley Materials for taking the ‘Roll the Dice Challenge’ and posting a $50 “Gambler’s Fee” pre-race.
Bill Lawson presented Friesen with $111 for leading lap 11 in memory of his son, Opie Lawson.
Boyertown’s Watt finished a solid second in the Ron Robertsowned No. 14W, followed by Von Dohren, of Oley, Pa., who settled for third. Milford, Del.’s Watson recorded a fourth-place effort and Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., charged from 22nd to finish fifth in Brian Smith’s No. 44. Perrego was forced to qualify through the consolation after MSD issues in his heat race.
Racing resumes at the speedway on Friday, May 4 with the Deron Rust Memorial for the Sunoco Modifieds paying $3,396 to win for 33 laps of racing plus the RUSH Late Models, L&J Sheet Metal Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.
RESULTS
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (30 laps): STEWART FRIESEN ($6,111), Ryan Watt, Craig Von Dohren, Jordan Watson, Anthony Perrego, Duane Howard, Jamie Mills, David Van Horn Jr., Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch Jr., Jim Britt, Matt Sheppard, H.J. Bunting, Dillon Steuer, Bobby Watkins, Shawn Ward, Scott Van Gorder, Robert Dutton, Joseph Watson, Neal Williams, Dale Hawkins, Matt Hawkins, Ryan Godown, Michael White, Kevin Gardner, Wade Hendrickson. Did Not Qualify: Matt Stangle, Brandon Watkins, Ron Roberts. RUSH Late Model Series Feature Finish (30 laps): ROSS ROBINSON ($2,000), Amanda Whaley, Matt Hill, Max Blair, Logan Roberson, Darrell Bossard, Scott Gunn, Charlie Sandercock, Jeremy Wonderling, Jason Genco, Billy Thompson, Damian Bidwell, Garret Paugh, Christian Schneider, Cody Dawson, Tyler Reed, Jason Knowles, Joey Warren, Cory Lawler, J.J. Mazur, Trevor Collins, Bruce Hordusky Jr., Brady Wonderling, Austin Hubbard, John Waters. Did Not Qualify: Matt Glanden, Mike Wharton, Chuck Bowie, Jeff Pilkerton, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Kessler, Joe Watson, Darren Alvey, Matt Tarbox, Adam Ferri, Robert Smith, Charles Shawver, Mike Franklin, Beamer Guzzardi, Chace Biron. Delaware Super Truck Feature Finish (12 laps): DAVID SMITH, Jerry Hill, Noah Vincent, Dale Elliott, Mike Kennedy, Dick Beauchamp, Tim Quay, Matt Esham, Thomas Jackson, Michelle Jackson, Bill Dean, Shane Clogg, Billy Lockwood. Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (12 laps): SCOTT CALHOUN, Geoff Carey, Chris Martinez, Ashley Merritt, Derek Swafford, Robert Paczkowski, Kevin Taylor, Randy Merritt, John Bailey, Bud Sipple.