Friesen’s Last Lap Pass Wins Short Track Super Series Melvin Joseph Memorial Small Block Modified Season Opener

The Short Track Super Series season opener at Georgetown Speedway was greeted with 70 degree temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula providing the best weather in recent memory for the opening of the northeast modified season at day one of the Melvin Joseph Memorial.  STSS small block modified and the crate late models were the events of the day with practice & timed hot laps for the Open Modified and Crate Late Models in preparation for Saturday’s full program of qualifying and racing.

It was Stewart Friesen uncorking a final turn pass of Mike Mahaney to take the win on the final lap of the 30 lap small block modified lap feature event.  Mahaney had just taken the lead back from Rick Laubach on the back stretch only to have Friesen charge from 3^rd place using the high line and a bit of an assist from a lapped car to take lead and the win on the final turn of the feature.

Friesen commented in victory lane “The car just got good with about 5 to go and the track just got better and better in the middle.  The lap car jammed up Mike and Rick and there was just enough grip in the middle.  This place has weird apexes and there was just enough on the top for us to get this one.”

2^nd place Mike Mahaney noted “That was heartbreaker of a race.  Rick was real fast and had a better car in the middle of the race but then the lapped car held him up and I got under him but little did I know Stu was coming too since these cars don’t have real view mirrors but I’m just happy to be here and racing this early in the season.

The top ten was winner Stewart Friesen, Mike Mahaney, Rick Laubach, Max McLaughlin, Tyler Dipple, Rocky Warner, Erick Rudolph, Larry Wight, Mike Gular and Jimmy Horton in 10^th. 

Stewart Friesen and Jo Jo Watson had the quickest timed hot laps of the 40 Open Modifieds and secured a spot in the redraw for tomorrow’s $10,049 Open Modified 49 lap feature event.

Small-Block Modified Feature Finish (30 laps): 1. STEWART FRIESEN, 2. Mike Mahaney, 3. Rick Laubach, 4. Max McLaughlin, 5. Tyler Dippel, 6. Rocky Warner, 7. Erick Rudolph, 8. Larry Wight, 9. Mike Gular, 10. Jimmy Horton, 11. Anthony Perrego, 12. Danny Bouc, 13. Ryan Krachun, 14. Craig Von Dohren, 15. Danny Creeden, 16. Joseph Watson, 17. Matt Stangle, 18. David Schilling, 19. David Van Horn, 20. Richie Pratt Jr., 21. Kyle Weiss, 22. Dominick Buffalino, 23. James Hill, 24. Ryan Watt, 25. Brad Trice, 26. Andy Bachetti, 27. H.J. Bunting, 28. Matt Sheppard, 29. Tim Buckwalter, 30. Duane Howard.

Did Not Qualify: Eric Biehn, John Willman, Derrick McGrew Jr., Jack Butler, Jim Britt, Carson Wright, Nick Mady, Jeff Brown, Ryan Riddle, Danny Tyler, Daniel Morgiewicz, Billy Pauch, Jr., Michael Maresca.

Racing at Georgetown Speedway continues on Saturday March 13 at 4:00 for the Big Block modifieds and 602 Crate Sportsmen.