Pat Wall breaks through with his first NES win

NEW EGYPT - Pat Wall of New Egypt has been close to winning his first feature on several different occasions this year, only to fall short.

On Saturday night, that all changed for the Modified rookie as he led the final 22 laps of the 30-lap Modified feature to record his first career win in any division at New Egypt. It was not easy for Wall to collect the top prize of $3,000, though, because the top six finished right on his rear bumper.

"We have been close before, but it feels really good to finally put it all together," stated a jubilant Wall in the winner's circle, "I kept waiting for the big guys to appear, but they never did."

Jim Robertson brought the field to the start and quickly jumped out in front. Robertson, who also won his heat race for the second week in a row, led through lap eight as he raced smoothly around the half-mile, D-shaped oval. Wall, who started third, was getting faster, and after several laps of pulling under Robertson in the corners, completed his pass for the lead as they completed lap eight. Once in front, Wall started to pull away from Robertson, who now had his hands full with John Keller. Keller moved into second and chased Wall until the race's only yellow appeared on lap 15. On the restart, Wall continued to lead, but Keller was right there applying the pressure.

All eyes were now clearly on Ryan Godown, who had charged up from deep in the pack and was now in the top five. Godown looked fast and moved into third with just eight laps to go as the top five battled two- and three-wide at times right behind the leader. With five to go, point leader Matt Sheppard joined in the fun as he caught the front group and made it a six-car race. With the top six racing together under a blanket, Godown threw everything he had at Keller, who was also looking for his first win. As the battle raged on behind him, Wall hit all of his marks as he flawlessly drove to his firstever checkered flag by one car length. Keller ran the best race of his career as he bested Godown for second. Keith Hoffman also had to run as hard as he could to finish fourth, beating Matt Sheppard for the spot by just a couple of inches. With just one week left in the New Egypt Speedway DIRTcar Modified point chase, just 10 points separate point leader Sheppard and second-place Ryan Godown. The championship will be decided in Saturday night's 35-lap double-point event.

The 25-lap ARDC Midget tour event found last year's winner, Andy Martin of Gordonville, Pa., putting on a driving clinic. The current point leader on the tour, Martin showed all in attendance why he is, as he used the outside groove to drive from 13th starting spot to the lead in just eight laps. When the first and only caution flew on lap 17, he was almost a half-lap ahead of second. The battle for second was a torrid one as three cars traded the spot back and forth. Ryan Watt found himself in second on the lap 17 restart and tried to put pressure on Martin, but Martin was just too strong on this evening and cruised to the victory. Watt finished second followed by Eric Heydenreich, Bruce Buckwalter and Frank Polimeda.

The 20-lap Sportsman feature saw another first-time winner, as Dave Hunt of Ringoes drive to the first win of his career. Hunt held off the persistent challenges of Mike Krachun to record the win as Krachun settled for second. Rich Scagliotta took over the point lead from early retiree Willie Osmun, racing home in third, Glenn Hisko took fourth with openingnight winner Mike Howardson completing the top five.

George Quinlan, of Brick, used his front-row starting spot to his advantage as he won his fourth of the season in the 25-lap Super Stock feature and padded his point lead. Steve Davis ran a strong but distant second, while Billy Bauer finished third. Jason Bubeck and Matt Kall rounded out the top five.

The Lucas Ford SS Sprints 20-lap main event found Ken Carberry winning his fourth of the season. Lee Taylor Jr. posted his best finish to date in second, while current point leader Art Liedl finished third, Ian Borden was fourth and Rich Janney came home fifth.

Saturday night, the URC Sprints come to town for their fourth appearance of 2007. It will also be "Modified Championship Night" as the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds will compete in a 35-lap doublepoint event to decide the 2007 champion. The Sportsman and Super Stocks will also be in competition. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with the first race at 6p.m. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway. net.

Carpenter hammers out victory

on Day of Destruction at New Egypt

Jimmy Carpenter of Manchester was flawless on Sunday afternoon at New Egypt Speedway as he posted his firstever feature win in the 20-lap 600cc Micro Sprint feature.

Carpenter proved he was the class of the field as he led every lap of both his heat race and the feature event, sweeping the Micro Sprint portion of New Egypt's Day of Destruction. Second heat winner Tim Iulg finished a close second but was unable to challenge Carpenter in the late stages. John Carpenter came home third followed by Travis Unglert fourth and Rich Mellor in fifth. Completing the top 10 were Rob Vivona, Kyle Newcomb, Stewart Carmicheal, Eddie Wagner and Bill Unglert.

The first-ever Demolition Derby held at New Egypt Speedway went to Lane Hirschfeld as he survived the nine-car finale. Heats were won by Matt Phillips, Steve Curlis, Katie Lyons and Jarrett Horner. The field was then filled by taking a fans' choice by applause out of each heat along with an officials choice.

In the first-ever Enduro at NES, Glenn Osborne of Howell took the victory by eight car lengths over Sean Elk. Scott Dunn finished in third, followed by Joe Garey and Kenny Huchko.

The Vintage stocks raced in a 15-lap event, and Wayne Weaver again showed he is the car to beat as he cruised to the victory. Doug Dial and Ken Pullen finished second and third, respectively.