The third and final leg of Evergreen’s “Triple Crown Series” for Enduro competitor concluded Saturday afternoon with the running of their “March Madness” event. With hopes of winning the event and with championships on the line, Enduro racers and fans braved Mother Nature’s cool spring temperatures. However, that didn’t slow the action one bit. When it was all said and done, Bryan Kelly of Long Island claimed the Four Cylinder victory. A strong second place finish by Pete Verwys of Stroudsburg propelled him to not only the championship in his division, but also to the overall Triple Crown. In different fashion, Woot Lawrence of Long Island, NY capitalized on Harry O’Neill’s misfortune to not only claim the 6/8-Cylinder victory, but also the divisional championship and Triple Crown.
The green flag dropped for the 100-lap Four Cylinder Enduro portion of the show and Mark Hammer quickly took command over Jeff Ackerman. With nearly three laps in the books, Ackerman took his turn at the race lead.
Hammer regained the top spot just before twenty laps were complete and Ackerman rustled it back on lap 36. Meanwhile, Carl Altemose cracked the top five and took his hand at controlling the field on lap 55 before Pete Verwys, who started deep in the field, made an outside move to gain the top spot on lap 66. Altemose fought hard and battled back to the front on lap 70, but he suffered mechanical issues shortly after and retired from the event.
Verwys was back in command and appeared to have the win in the bag. However, with just over a lap remaining, Bryan Kelly made his move to take the lead and victory in a nail biter. Verwys settled for second, followed by Hammer, Tony Rispin and Ackerman.
Thanks to kitchen managers, Kevin and April Makarewicz, Kelly also won a $100 Visa gift card for the longest 4 Cylinder tow.
After starting from the pole, Dennis Kurras led the first lap of the 6/8-Cylinder Enduro over Harry O’Neill, Joey Helberg, Scott Adams and Mike Asdahl.
After winning the first two events, O’Neill didn’t waste any time and grabbed the race lead. Woot Lawrence climbed into the second spot and with 31 laps complete, Kurras held third, followed by Kevin Nowak and Adams.
Trouble struck O’Neill on lap 59 when his right front wheel left his racecar. Although it attempted to complete another circuit, O’Neill’s car did not and his day came to an end.
The change of events handed the lead to Lawrence, who drove away with the victory over Nowak, Kurras, Asdahl and minivan driver Kenny Hejna.
Evergreen management would like to extend their thanks to all of the drivers and fans that helped make the Triple Crown Series a success. The speedway will be hosting a Triple Awards Ceremony, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 20. More details will follow on the speedway website and Facebook page.
In just two weeks, the speedway will is hosting an event called “Four Banger Sunday”. The Sunday, April 9 show will feature non-points events for the Evan’s Roadhouse Four Cylinders and the Wheel’s Bar & Grill Junior Four Cylinders. The regular Four Cylinder feature will be 40 laps and thanks to Thanks to J & K Auto Service and Race Fab, Big Al’s Subpar Sandwich Shop, Lehigh Valley Grand Prix and Talk Shirty to Me, the winner will take home $400. A 40-lap “Soccer Mom 40” minivan Enduro is slated to cap off the events for that afternoon.
Those who wish to compete in the Soccer Mom 40 event will be charged a $40 registration fee on race day. Drivers are to follow the regular Enduro event rules for the event. The payout will be based on the speedway’s standard Enduro payout sheet, based on car count.
The pit gates on Sunday, April 9 will swing open at 10:30 AM. Four Cylinder practice will kick off at 12:30 PM and racing will begin at 2 PM. The grandstands will open at 11 AM. Grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 12 years of age and younger. Pit admission is $35 and transponder rental fee is $10.
Evergreen Raceway is located minutes from Hazleton, PA, in between routes 93 and 309. For more information regarding Evergreen Raceway, including the entire season schedule, directions and divisional payouts, please visit www.evergreenracewaypark.com and don’t forget to like their Facebook page as well.
Evergreen PR
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