Laubach Claims Georgetown’s Deron Rust Memorial

It may be June but the Georgetown Speedway kicked off their 2020 regular season opener.  The Covid-19 delay was put to good use by promoter Brett Deyo who completed various track improvements and put down a brand new clay.  There were 148 competitors in 7 classes who were ready to test the new clay and shoot for the Deron Rust Memorial trophy.

The modifieds were led to green by Mike Gular & Ryan Watt in the front row.  The new clay on the track presented both fast lines high to low and a 3 way battle for the lead developed with Gular, Watt & Rick Laubach.  Laubach secured the lead on lap 17 running his favorite low line and then defended the lead running a multitude of lines.  For 33 laps it was a battle in the top 3 with Laubach, Watt & Gular but Laubach took the checkered flag into the winner’s circle. 

The Georgetown’s first point’s championship opened with a top ten of competitors from all the local tracks in DE, NJ & PA.    The top ten was rounded out by Mike Gular, Ryan Watt, Danny Bouc, Billy Pauch Sr., Billy Pauch Jr., Jeff Strunk, Neil Williams, David Van Horn, and Jordan Watson

Justin Grosso led the 20 lap crate feature from green to checkered but had strong pursuit from Brad Roberts and Ryan Simmons who ended up 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.  Grosso won on his only 10^th crate start of his career and was driving a 4 year old car inherited from his brother Brandon.

Deron Rust Modified Pit Notes

Heat race 1 for the modifieds started the night off with several bangs.  The first red of heat race 1 was for contact between Carson Wright and Brandon Grosso who flipped and ended up on this lid.  Grosso exited on the hook and was done for the night due to heavy damage.  On the ensuing restart Jordon Watson rolled in turn 2 and brought out the second red flag of the heat race.  Jordon Watson also went off on the hook in his family owned 1J.

Jordan Watson had heavy damage on the 1J but pulled his STSS #18 out of the trailer and started 28^th on the field.   Watson picked up 18 positions in the 33 lap feature and finished in 10th with a top 10 finish.

Ryan Watt had a good outing in his brand new Teo Pro car which was still unlettered and with clean white panels that were only sporting a freehand 14 on their side.   Watt had a strong run staying in the top 3 all night and running hard on his traditional high side line at Georgetown.

Richie Pratt brought his seldom seen 28 family owned entry since his STSS 51 was being prepped for the next series event at Big Diamond.  Pratt lost a motor during the heat race which ended his night early.

Brett Deyo offered feature starting positions to all 31 modifieds that were in attendance.  Only Brandon Grosso, Clay Tatman and Richie Pratt were unable to take the green.

602 Crate Pit Notes

Ryan Anderson returned to crate racing after several years of modified racing.   Anderson was able to win his heat race from a 6^th starting position and secured a 7^th place finish in the crate feature.

Local Racer John Stevenson finished 8^th in his heat race and continues to look for improving finishes.  Stevenson got what he was looking for as he won the B Main consolation race from his scheduled 11^th place starting position.