Buffalino breaks; Horton takes New Egypt Mods

NEW EGYPT - Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station found himself in the right place at the right time on Saturday night, as he picked up his first Modified feature of 2007 Wing Night at New Egypt Speedway.

Horton worked hard to stay in second for most of the event, putting him in position to capitalize if an opportunity presented itself. When race-long leader Dominick Buffalino's battery cable came off with two turns remaining, Horton sped by to capture his 14th career win at NES.

"Dominick had us all covered tonight," stated a tired Horton. "He had a great car and we had nothing for him. I have always said that I would rather be lucky than good; tonight we were lucky."

Outside-pole-sitter Buffalino grabbed the lead at the start of the 30-lap feature with Horton and John Miloszar in tow. Buffalino immediately opened up a comfortable lead, but the battle for second was fierce. Throughout most of the event, Horton thwarted the attempts of numerous drivers, including previous winners Ryan Godown and Frank Cozze and point leader Matt Sheppard. This kept Horton in second and in position to take advantage of any miscues. However, Buffalino showed he was the car to beat as he pulled away with ease on each and every restart. With an eight-car-length lead on the final lap, Lady Luck turned her back on Buffalino, as his battery cable came off in turn three causing his car to coast to a stop just 20 yards from the finish line. Horton raced by to steal the $3,000 first prize, followed by last week's winner Cozze. Sheppard cruised home third, chased by Keith Hoffman and Bob Drayton.

Kevin Welsh of Far Hills claimed his first win of 2007 in the Bar Leaks URC Sprint Series 25-lap feature. For Welsh, it was his fourth career win at New Egypt Speedway in 17 starts. Trevor Lewis was flying high in the latter stages of the race, getting to within just two car lengths of Welsh, but had to settle for second. Brook Weibley raced home third ahead of Ed Aiken and Michael Carber.

In the Sportsman division, John Romano Jr. of Cream Ridge won his third career feature event, holding off a determined Jack Swain. Swain held on for second, followed by Rich Scagliotta, John Salvatore Jr. and Tim Apgar.

"Big Al" Cheney III of Cranbury won the 15th feature event of his career in the 20-lap Super Stock feature. Cheney used the outside groove to charge from the 12th starting spot to the lead by halfway, and was never headed. Matt Kall took home the best finish of his career at New Egypt, finishing second; George Quinlan finished third, with Bill Liedtka fourth and Kenny Guyer fifth.

In the fourth race of the Advantage Financial/Cradle Rock Developers Rookie Sportsman series, Danny Bouc of Plumsteadville, Pa., once again took top honors, capturing his third win. Dan Waisempacher was second over Bobby Butler, Eddie Prentice Jr. and Matt Holzbaur.

Saturday night, it will be Scout Night at New Egypt Speedway. All Scouts 12 and under will be admitted free if they are in uniform. The racing will feature a full card of big-block Modifieds, Sportsman, Super Stocks and the Advantage Financial/Cradle Rock Developers Rookies. In addition, the 20-lap Super Stock feature event rained out on April 14 will be made up, and the 600cc Micro Sprints will make their first-ever appearance at NES. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. with first green at 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $16, children 7-12 are $5.50, and kids 6 and under are always free. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.