Frank Cozze Wins “Legends of the Fall” in Photo Finish over Mike Gular at New Egypt Speedway

New Egypt closed out their 2021 racing season with the “legends of the fall” season finale with a legendary finish between active Legend of the fall Frank Cozze and current 2021 track champion Mike Gular.

Frank Cozze took the modified 50 lap win in a side by side photo finish with a margin of victory of .028 on a final lap over Mike Gular.  Gular dominated the majority of the race lapping up to 5^th place with a lead of nearly 8 seconds when caution came out on lap 48 which setup the two lap side by side shootout with Frank Cozze.  

Ryan Simmons held off a charging Justin Grosso to take the 602 Crate 25 lap feature event.

On the opening lap there was a scary hard crash into the pit entrance by PJ Oliver bringing out the red flag.  PJ was shaken but walked away while the 13XXX required extensive effort to roll into the trailer tonight.  After two opening lap cautions Danny Bouc took the early lead over pole setter John Aumick.  On lap 10 Gular passed Danny Bouc in lapped traffic for the lead and separated from the field.  Gular methodically weaved his way through lapped traffic to build a nearly 5 second lead over second place Frank Cozze by lap 25.  As the race continued to stay green; Gular lapped up to 5^th place car of Cole Ross when caution flew on lap 48 bunching the field up for a final 2 lap dash and taking away  Gular’s nearly 8 second advantage over second place Frank Cozze.  On the lap 48 restart; Cozze and Gular were side by side for the final two circuits and took at the checkered flag it was too close to call.  Frank Cozze took the win on the final lap pass in a photo finish with a margin of victory of .028 to drive into the Legends of the fall victory lane for his first win of 2021.

In victory lane Cozze stated “He (Mike Gular) was way out there and I just figured no sense pushing it if I wasn’t going to catch him. With lapped cars all over the place you got to understand they are trying to race and don’t want to move over.  I got that caution and I went I don’t know man it don’t usually happen this way but I got a pretty good car.  I got in there right in the middle of the corner and laid the wood to her and it just drove off of there and Mike gave me plenty of room.  Mike is a good racer and I beat one of the good guys right there.  I’m only 66 years old and I ain’t that old yet.  This is the closest that I’ve seen the track to the way it was back in 2003 and 2004; you could get up on the outside or roll the middle or bottom.  I got to thank my car owner David Renaldo and all my guys that work so hard on the car.  We have had a tough year but things are starting to turn around here at the end of the year.  I’ll take it anytime we can get it and I’m thankful we are in victory lane.”

The top ten was rounded out by Mike Gular in second followed by David Van Horn, Brandon Grosso, Cale Ross, Louden Reimert, Danny Bouc, Dominick Buffalino, Jack Butler and John McClelland in 10^th place.

The heat races were won by John McClellan, Brandon Grosso and Jack Butler.  No consolation race.

Modified Feature Results (50 Laps):

1.) Frank Cozze 2.) Mike Gular 3.) David Van Horn 4.) Brandon Grosso 5.) Cale Ross 6.) Louden Reimert 7.) Danny Bouc 8.) Dominick Buffalino 9.) Jack Butler 10.) John McClelland 11.) Ryan Godown 12.) Bucky Kell 13.) Kory Fleming 14.) John Aumick 15.) Chris Grbac 16.) Steve Young 17.) Dean Metzger 18.) Ron Kline 19.) DJ Hunt 20.) Ryan Forte 21.) Ryan Krachun 22.) Bill Unglert 23.) Wade Hendrickson 24.) Tim Apgar 25.) PJ Oliver

DNS: Frank Venezia

The 25 lap 602 Crate feature had Ryan Simmons take the lead from the pole position and he developed a two second lead over the pack of Tramontana, Grosso, Mancini and Van Winkle.  But Simmons encountered lapped traffic around lap 14 which gave Justin Grosso the opportunity to close right up on Simmons back bumper and then the second and final caution came out on lap 24.  Despite the single file restart; Grosso made a strong bid for the lead but Simmons was able to fend him off and drive into victory lane for his second New Egypt win this month.

In victory lane Ryan noted “I just want to thank Bridgette for drawing the pole for me tonight it made it a lot easier. When Justin drew 9; I knew he would be up there in a matter of moments and when the last caution came out I was not happy to say the least. I’m just glad it all worked out.  It was nice being in victory lane for Friday’s portion of the All Star race and also again tonight at the legends of the fall.  Track was beautiful tonight top to bottom and everything you could ask for.”

The top ten was rounded out by Justin Grosso in second place followed by Anthony Tramontana, Nick Van Wickle, Ryan Godown, Matt Ellery, Will Protnick, Dylan Swinehart, Paul Mancini and John Scarpati in 10^th.

The heat races were won by Nick Van Wickle and Justin Grosso.

Crate Modified Feature Results (30 Laps):

1.) RYAN SIMMONS 2.) Justin Grosso 3.) Anthony Tramontana 4.) Nick Van Wickle 5.) Ryan Godown Jr 6.) Matt Ellery 7.) Will Protinick 8.) Dylan Swinehart 9.) Paul Mancini 10.) John Scarpati 11.) Jim Avery 12.) Doug Dubiel 13.) Frank Holmes 14.) Tommy Klimkowski 15.) Mike Baldwin 16.) Glenn McIntyre

On Friday & Saturday October 29 & 30th New Egypt Speedway hosts the Monster Trucks for their final event of the 2021 season.