DEREK HOPKINSON WINS GARDEN STATE CLASSIC AT WALL SATURDAY NIGHT
WALL, NJ ~ After heavy afternoon rain finally cleared out, Wall Stadium Speedway officials braved a terrible forecast and went on to present the 125-lap Garden State Classic along with support events. Veteran Modified driver Derek Hopkinson is glad they did as he raced on the a $5000 payday with the win!
The victory, the tenth Modified win of the two time Legend Cars champion's career, was his first extra-distance Modified triumph.
The Milltown resident was in contention nearly every lap of the contest. Early on Hopkinson wrestled with Howell's Jimmy Blewett before settling into second spot. A lap 59 caution saw nearly every competitor, including Hopkinson, duck into the pit area for a tire change.
Two time Classic winner Andrew Krause of Holmdel, who elected not to pit, took over the lead on the ensuing restart as Hopkinson, Blewett, Anthony Sesely of Hazlet and a host of others started their march to the front. By lap 80 Blewett, Sesely and Hopkinson were back in the spotlight.
The battle for the lead then continued until lap 105 when Sesely dove low in turn four to try to grab the lead. Sesely and Blewett touched at this point and spun from contention. Having put himself in position for a winning move, Hopkinson avoided the spinning racers, charged to the front and raced on for the win. Pine Hill's Joey Merlino was impressive in finishing second, with Jackson's Kyle Scisco, Danny Bohn of Mooresville, N.C. and Krause completing the top five.
“After the tire stop I thought we were in trouble,” Hopkinson said in the winner's circle. “I thought the car was going to be really tight, but it came around for us. It was fast. I have to thank family, sponsors and friends for all their help. We've been doing the Modified thing for 11 years and this is our first extra-distance win.
“We won the Garden State Classic and that is big!”
Howell's Johnny Carpenter grabbed his first win of the year in the companion 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks. Carpenter battled eventual second and third place finishers Ryan Bilello of Howell and Scott Riggleman of Manchester before crossing the finish line. Neptune City's Bryan O'Shea and Robert Stack of Manahawkin wrapped up the top five.
Tanner Jones of Glen Gardner led from start to finish to win the Legend Cars 25-lapper over constant challenger Nate Divone and Ryan Kuhlthau, both of Howell, Chris Gall of Brick and Jack Gerzabek completed the top five.
Jeff Kot raced into the lead at the halfway mark before taking the win in the 25-lap main event for the ATQMRA Three Quarter Midgets after Matt Janisch paced the first half of the event. Buddy Sload, Tyler Ferris, Janisch and Joey Bailey completed the top five.
The 2023 Wall Stadium Speedway season continues this Saturday night, July 1, with the Sportsman, Factory Stocks and Fast 4's all in action. A Demolition Derby is also planned. Qualifying is at 5:15 p.m. with main events starting at 7:00 p.m.
Wall Stadium is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is ckmotorsports@aol.com.
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RACE RESULTS
MODIFIED FEATURE - 125 Laps - 1. DEREK HOPKINSON, MILLTOWN, 2. Joey Merlino, 3. Kyle Scisco, 4. Danny Bohn, 5. Andrew Krause, 6. Jimmy Blewett, 7. Anthony Sesely, 8. Tommy Martino, Jr., 9. Carsten DiGiantomasso, 10. Jarret DiGiantomasso, 11. Tyler Ferris, 12. Shaun Carrig, 13. Adam LaCicero, 14. Tommy Catanzaro. 15. Steven Reed, 16. Blake Barney
FACTORY STOCK FEATURE - 25 Laps - 1. JOHNNY CARPENTER, HOWELL, 2. Ryan Bilello, Scott Riggleman, 4. Bryan O'Shea, 5. Robert Stack, 6. Bob Anderton, 7. Rob Anderton, 8. Logan Fraser, 9. James Hall, IV, 10. Kevin Kennedy, 11 Gary Burton, 12. Nancy Riggleman, 13 Matt Badessa, 14 Billy Both
LEGEND CARS FEATURE - 25 Laps - 1. TANNER JONES, 2. Nate Divone, 3. Ryan Kuhlthau, 4. Chris Gall, 5. Jack Gerzabek, 6. Ryan MacConnell, 7. Justin Emmons, 8. Peter Bruno, 9. Justin Teresak
TQ MIDGET FEATURE - 25 Laps - JEFF KOT, 2. Buddy Sload, 3. Tyler Ferris, 4. Matt Janisch, 5 Joey Bailey, 6. Steve Craig, 7. Mark Yoder, 8. Kyle Herve, 9. Kyle Teraska, 10. Cole Mullen, 11. Ronnie Mullen
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