Simmons Claims Legends of the Fall Crate Win at New Egypt Speedway & Pit Notes

New Egypt closed out their 2021 racing season with the “legends of the fall” season finale.  In the final 602 Crate 25 lap feature of the season Ryan Simmons held off a charging Justin Grosso to take the win and trip to victory lane.

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

602 Crate Modified Pit Notes

Ryan Simmons had a very strong season with a 3^rd in sportsman and 3^rd in 602 crate season points at New Egypt along with 6 second places finishes but with no wins until the month of October.  Ryan’s first win in October was the Underdog race at the All Star Cup and this weekend he picked up his second win in October for a strong finish of his season at New Egypt Speedway.

Back at the trailer Ryan commented “We had a great heat race and went from 7^th to 2^nd to get in the redraw.  We redrew the pole position which comes along with an expectation to win; but there is a lot of talent here to worry about and you definitely have to be on your game to win at New Egypt even from the pole.  You have to hit your marks every lap and one mistake will cost you as any of 4 or 5 guys are always ready to capitalize on a mistake.  With us being in the first heat and first feature; I find that the track is usually consistent so we left the car the same with no changes from the heat race to the feature.  Lap traffic is extremely key here and you must be able to maintain momentum otherwise the top lane can run right around you.  I couldn’t run the line I wanted once I got in lapped traffic about lap 15 and I could hear someone coming and knew it was either Grosso or Tramontana.  I didn’t want to see that second yellow on lap 24.  The restarts here at New Egypt are key and will make or break you as you have to time your restart and can’t let the car load up.  I timed the final restart on lap 24 perfectly rolling into turn 1 and was able to hold on for the win. Even with a single file restart; it is not a given that you are going to hold your position with the level of talent here.  We are extremely pleased to get our second win in October for all our sponsors and crew who make all this possible.” 

Despite starting 9^th; Justin Grosso was right there again with a second place finishing pressuring Simmons for the lead which has been his story every week this season at New Egypt.  Justin has been usually up in the front in both the sportsman and crate division each week during the 2021 which led him to the Sportsman division point championship and a second place finish in the Crate point championship.  Postrace Justin noted “I was under the leader before the caution so I didn’t need the caution to come out.”

Anthony Tramontana finished 3^rd and got as high as 2^nd and was in the hunt in the top three for the entire race.  Back at the trailer Anthony commented “The track started off pretty heavy and there wasn’t too much passing as it slicked off.  It was hard to pick the right groove to run to keep up enough speed to stay up with the two leaders.  Considering we were 3^rd fastest car and finished 3^rd we weren’t far off and we just weren’t perfect tonight.”

Nick Van Wickle finished 4^th and continues to impress with strong and consistent finishes in the month of October.  Nick has finished 5^th; 1^st and 4^th in October closing the season out at New Egypt on a high note for the 41 team.

A strong group of invaders rounded out 5^th to 8^th with Ryan Godown Jr 5^th followed by Matt Ellery, Will Protinick and Dylan Swinehart in 8^th place.

Paul Mancini was moving forward for a top three finish when contact with a lapped car resulted in a turn 4 spin sending him to the back of the field with 2 laps to go.  Postrace Paul stated “No luck tonight as we were passing for 3^rd place and a lapped car turned right and we ended up in the fence with 2 laps to go.  Thanks to all my sponsors and crew who made our race tonight possible.”

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