raceannouncer
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Combined ROC/Chemung Show Produced Great Saturday Night Action
(Chemung, NY) Beautiful weather and a crowd of fans eager for some racing action – the ingredients for
a good show, which is what took place at Chemung Speedrome, presented by Jim Bronson and Ferrario
Auto Team of Sayre, Saturday night. Winners included Jack Ely (ROC Modifieds), Devin Gullo (Marion
Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Gene Purvis (ROC FOAR Score 4 Cylinders), and Leevi Sharpsteen (JRC
Cleaning Bandoleros.
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Daren Scherer led from his pole position starting spot, with Daryl Lewis, Jr. looking to make a pass for
the lead. He got around Scherer and led lap 21 in the 75-lap ROC event. Once in front, he pulled away
from Scherer and Sean Verwys. The first of just two cautions came out at the halfway point when the 88
of Verwys and the 88 of Lou Strohl got together coming off turn 4. Ely, who had just taken over second,
got the better of Lewis on the restart. Matt Hirschman, meanwhile, was working toward the front and
was beside Ely for a lap 43 restart. Hirschman took the lead away, but couldn’t take away Ely’s fierce
determination. Lap after lap, they ran side-by-side, and with 20 to go, Ely was back in command. Austin
Beers, who started 6th, battled early on with Jayden Harmon and later with Bryce Bailey, caught
Hirschman got around him with 15 to go. Ely had a two-second advantage over Beers in the final 10
laps. He sailed across the finish line first, followed by Beers, Hirschman, Harmon, and Bailey. “We did
more work on this car since we’ve been here than we typically do in a week,” he said from victory lane.
Fans had witnessed an all-Mud Lane podium, as Ely, Beers, and Hirschman all lived on that small street in
Northampton, PA.
Devin Gullo, last year’s rookie of the year in the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, took full
advantage of his P1 starting position and led the field early. By lap five, Brian DeMark was running right
with him. The only caution came a lap shy of the halfway point when Dave Yehl spun. Gullo and his ’25
teammate DeMark, were in the front row for the restart. Again, Gullo held the lead while DeMark
searched for a way to get around him. He did take the lead momentarily, when they went high and low
around a lap car, but Gullo reclaimed it before the lap was scored. As the laps wound down, it was
evident that this one belonged to Devin, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The race stayed under
the green, and Gullo picked up his first win of 2025. “We had a blast of a car tonight. I was thinking I’ve
got to get him on the restart, and if I do I’m good for the rest of the race,” he said after the win. DeMark
got second, finishing ahead of Anthony Gullo, Josh Parker, and Mark Taylor.
Ten of the eleven competitors in the ROC’s FOAR Score 4 Cylinder Dash Series were Chemung regulars.
The one exception, Trisha Connolly, has run in several features over the years and is always highly
competitive. She and Gene Purvis won the two heats, and they made up the front row in their 20-lap
feature. Purvis, driving the stout #15 owned and formerly driven to FOAR Score championships, took off
at the drop of the green. Lap traffic came quickly and often for the lead trio, with Ryan Purvis, Monica
Robinson and Greg Moldt were in the top five. Two cautions slowed the action, but not the leaders. Purvis
stayed in front while Connolly looked for any opportunity to pass him. It wasn’t to be, as Purvis picked
up his first-ever ROC feature win. While his night appeared flawless, apparently it wasn’t. “If I make that
many mistakes again, Nick will put me right out of the car. Usually I’m chasing the 15, and I thank him
for putting me in it for the season,” Purvis said from victory lane.
A tussle in the JRC Cleaning Bandolero heat involving Brynlee Sharpsteen and Allison Smith resulted in
night-ending damage for Smith. The feature, however, pitted Leevi Sharpsteen against his sister,
Brynlee. They ran close for the first two laps, but over the remaining four laps, Leevi increased his lead.
Both pulled nose-to-nose in victory lane, with Leevi saying his car ran great and he was able to earn his
first win of the season. Brynlee, though older, has far fewer races under her belt.
Chemung is idle this weekend but will roar back into popular Friday night action on May 23rd. Pits open
at 5 PM, grandstand and practice at 6, and racing starts at 7 PM sharp. Adult admission is $15, $13 for
seniors, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5. Catch all the action as the Buckley’s
Automotive Modifieds, Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks, Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, and
Gene’s Automotive 4 Cylinders battle for wins on our first Friday night show of ’25.
For information, log on to the track’s website: chemung-speedrome.com,
'like"us on Facebook:
Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.
Of note:
Richard from Owego picked up $850 in 50/50 winnings and said he planned to spend it on the Moms in his life.
The 50/50 from April 26th remains unclaimed and will be added to the prize on May 23rd.
The 07 Racing Collectibles trailer was on hand and is the place to purchase 2025 shirts and hoodies.
Results:
ROC Modifieds (75 Laps): JACK ELY, Austin Beers, Matt Hirschman, Jayden Harman, Bryce Bailey, Daryl
Lewis, Jr., Jake Christman, Jim Seyer, TJ Potrzebowski, Brian DeFebo, Lou Strohl, Daren Scherer, Chris
Finocchario, Tyler Rypkema, Sean Verwys
Heats: Hirschman, Ely
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): DEVIN GULLO, Brian DeMark, Anthony Gullo, Josh
Parker, Mark Taylor, Tom Shafer, Ajay Potrzebowski, Doug DeKay, Bruce Kintner, Mike Bailey, Dave
Yehl, George Nichols, Ryan Osgood, Mike Kintner, John Widrig, Paul Bailey, Kamden Wheeler, Michael
Bast, Cullen Sharpsteen
Heats: DeMark, Parker, D. Gullo
FOAR Score 4 Cylinder Dash Series (20 Laps): GENE PURVIS, Trisha Connolly, Ryan Purvis, Augustine
Worden, Monica Robinson, Brandon Measheaw, Jay Stedge, Sr., Greg Moldt, Tristan Stedge, Dave
Stedge, Jr., Jordan Smith
Heats: G. Purvis, Connolly
JRC Cleaning Bandoleros (6 Laps): LEEVI