Paradise - 7/29

[Remy Babineaux]

The 2005 NYMM Series Champion Jerry Gurney (14J) found himself back in familiar grounds on a rainy Saturday night at the Paradise Speedway. Gurney led the entire shortened 15 lap feature on his way to his first NYMM victory in '06. For the second night in a row 25 cars signed in to take part of the action. But just as the cars began to roll in, the clouds followed right behind. Just as the NYMM drivers finished their practice laps, the clouds began to open up putting on a nearly 2 hour rain delay. Fortunately for the drivers, this was Paradise. Once the rain stopped enough to get the track crew out, Gary Palone and his staff got the track race ready in no time flat. We were receiving multiple phone calls from other drivers and tracks with one common phrase – We rained out, but not Paradise. The track crew gave the green light around 8:15 for the 600’s to get out and pack the track in, and did they ever. Over a dozen cars quickly jumped in their 600’s to get the track dried off to begin racing. 20 minutes later the first group of 600’s took to the track in heat 1. Hats off to the track crew and specifically Gary Palone for his hard work at making sure we could get some racing in. After a quick 4 heats, they drivers went right back to work heading out for the feature shortly after the heats had concluded. Paradise Speedway wanted to make sure the NYMM drivers could get their race in. As the cars headed out onto the track, Gurney and Parker Evans (61) found themselves leading the group to the line. Gurney was able to grab the lead into turn 1 with Parker Evans close behind. Scott Kreutter (52) and Zack Morgan (7) were close behind. As Gurney came out of turn 4 to finish lap 1, disaster struck. The 40 of Ben Kysor was launched violently into the air flipping multiple times finally coming to rest on the back stretch on the side of the bank. Track crews and medical staff were on the move before the cars could even come to a stop. Ben was taken by ambulance to the hospital, but appeared to be in good spirits and hopefully nothing serious. Brother Tatter (34) pulled himself out of the race at that time to be with Ben. We will keep everyone updated on Ben’s condition as soon as we know something. After the red flag it was determined to shorten the race to only 15 laps before the next ban of rain hit. On the complete restart Gurney once again held on to the lead. Evans was all over the rear of Gurney, but could not get around the 14J. Then out of no where Gurney took off and extended his lead by a half of a straight away. When asked after the race how he pulled away Gurney had this to say – “The car was tight in the corner, but then I heard Jim’s (Lafler) voice, if you’re tight in the corner drive it in harder and let the car loosen its self up”. Gurney left the rest of the field behind leaving Parker Evans and Kreutter battling for second with Kreutter winning that battle. As if that wasn’t enough, 4th and 5th position was also up for grabs. Father and son Timex and Zack Morgan battled for 8 laps back and forth for that 4th spot with Timex getting the last laugh over his son for the evening. But as the checkered flag dropped, it was Gurney coasting to the easy win. Gurney would like to send special thanks out to Joe Stearns down at Advantage Trucks & Equipment, his girlfriend Diane and her son Michael. He also sends his thanks out to Jim Lafler for his help. And just as the checkered flag dropped, so did the rain. It was great timing and great racing once again by the NYMM Warriors.

Heat 1:1st – Randy Brokaw (B17), 2nd – Chuck Smallidge (93), 3rd - Kevin Pimm (3), 4th – Amy Scott – (9), 5th - David Fergusson (45), 6th – Ron Gamble (27)
Heat 2: 1st – Parker Evans (61), 2nd – Timex Morgan (2), 3rd – Marty Jenkins (57), 4th – Jeb Walworth (74), 5th – Dan Miller (17), 6th – Ray Sands Jr (71)
Heat 3: 1st – Jerry Gurney (14J), 2nd – Ben Kysor (40), 3rd – Jeremy Frankowski (F14), 4th – Greg Kysor (43), 5th – Jeff Frazier (99), 6th – Randy Wise (41)
Heat 4: 1st – Scott Kreutter (52), 2nd – Zack Morgan (7), 3rd – Tatter Kysor (34), 4th – Nick Cooper (15n), 5th – Kirsten Dombroski (17k)

Feature Results:1) Jerry Gurney 2) Scott Kreutter 3) Parker Evans 4) Timex Morgan 5) Zack Morgan 6) Dan Miller 7) Kevin Pimm 8) Ron Gamble 9) Chuck Smallidge 10) Amy Scott 11) Randy Brokaw 12) Nick Cooper 13) Marty Jenkins 14) David Fergusson 15) Kirsten Dombroski 16) Jeff Frazier 17) Jeremy Frankowski –DNF 18) Ray Sands Jr – DNF 19) Randy Wise - DNF 20) Tatter Kysor – DNF 21) Greg Kysor – DNF 22) Ben Kysor – DNF 23) Jeb Walworth - DNF