Story By: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – HOLLAND, NY – Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, N.Y., maneuvered around Scott Wylie of Blasdell, N.Y., on lap 15, survived several restarts and held off a hard charging Matt Hirschman to win the Thunder in the Hills 100 at The Track @ Hillside Buffalo that was formerly Holland International Speedway.
The track was the site of Jankowkiak’s first series victory which Hirschman also finished second in. It was the 5th Modified Series victory of Jankowiak’s Race of Champions career.
“We needed this tonight,” stated Jankowiak from victory lane. “I knew Matt (Hirschman) was back there and coming and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Matt is one of the best and to beat him always makes you feel good. We had a good car tonight and I knew I needed to save some for the end but it is tough to gauge that. We had just enough to get the job done. I have to take thank Tom, Erin, Bud and all of the people associated with our team. My first win in a modified came here so this one is pretty special.”
Wylie inherited the pole position as pole winner, via the redraw, Zack Knowlden of Horseheads, N.Y., elected to start at the rear of the field. Wylie and Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y., led the field to the green. Wylie took the early lead before Jankowiak slipped to the top spot.
Hirschman, who finished second, pitted just past halfway in the race for adjustments worked his way back to the front to get near Jankowiak’s in the closing laps, but it was to no avail.
Hossfeld finished third. Bryan Sherwood of Binghamton, N.Y., finished fourth in his first race of the season. Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa., advanced the most positions from 16th to finish 5th.
Hirschman posted the Speed 51 “Top of the Board” Award in group qualifying with a lap of 13.759 seconds (98.118 mph).
Hirschman, Jack Ely of Wall, N.J., and Wylie won the three qualifying races.
Travis Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., captured the first-ever Race of Champions Four Cylinder Dash Series race by winning the Butch Palmer Memorial 32. Montgomery and Jody London of Rochester, N.Y., battled side-by-side in the late stages of the race that went caution free. London finished a close second with Austin Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., coming home third.
Austin Montgomery, Travis Montgomery, London and Jason Anasiewicz of Clarence, N.Y., won the four qualifying races while Scott Pastorious won the B-Main.
Feature Finish
Thunder in the Hills (100-laps)
The Track @ Hillside Buffalo, Holland, N.Y.
Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)
Finish Starting Position No. Name Laps
1 4 12x Andy Jankowiak 100
2 10 60 Matt Hirschman
3 3 22 Chuck Hossfeld
4 8 95 Bryan Sherwood
5 16 45 Eric Beers
6 7 3 Daren Scherer
7 12 10 Daryl Lewis Jr.
8 15 32 Tyler Rypkema
9 18 40 Alan Bookmiller
10 17 0 Randall Richards
11 13 71 Danny Knoll, Jr.
12 11 65 George Skora, III 89
13 2 88 Scott Wylie 81 Accident
14 6 54 Jack Ely 76 Accident
15 14 59 Karl Hehr 75 Over Heating
16 9 66 Austin Kochenash 44 Engine
17 5 28 Kreig Heroth 32 Spark Plug
18 1 4 Zack Knowlden 21 Engine
19 19 1 Chris Risdale 1 Oil Leak
Time of Race: 42 minutes and 20 seconds Average Speed: 54.021 mph Margin of Victory: 1.055 seconds
Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers. (Zack Knowlden – Grid, Scott Wylie 1-15, Andy Jankowiak 16-100)
Speed51.com “Top of the Board” Award; Matt Hirschman (13.759 seconds @ 98.118 mph)
Paved Track Qualifying Race Winners; Matt Hirschman (2); Jack Ely (1); Scott Wylie (1)
Jerico Performance “Jammin’ Gears Awards”; Eric Beers (Advanced 11 positions in feature)
US Army Top Performer Award; Andy Jankowiak (14.125 seconds @ 95.575 mph lap 4)
Jan “Pops” Leaty Award – Leader Lap 25 – Andy Jankowiak
$100 Bicknell Racing Products Certificate Award (Third Place) – Chuck Hossfeld
MyRacePass “Free Pass” Award – (No Eligible Driver, No “Free Pass” Given during race”)
Feature Finish
Butch Palmer Memorial 32
The Track @ Hillside Buffalo, Holland, N.Y.
Finishing Position, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)
1 Travis Montgomery 32
2 Jody London
3 Austin Montgomery
4 Jason Anasiewicz
5 Dan Dressel
6 Bob Bogner
7 Joe Brunka
8 Jeff Szafreniec
9 Charles Palmer
10 David Brunka
11 Robert Palmer
12 Kenny Hejna
13 Brian Dils
14 Darren Lehardt
15 Michele Russo
16 Chris Leone
17 Scott Pastorious
18 Dave Milbrand
19 Josh Schosek
20 Adam Lullenbull
21 David Warrior
22 Matt Honquist
23 Greg Krause
24 Rob Sapienza
Qualifying Race Winners; Austin Montgomery, Jody London, Travis Montgomery, Jason Anasiewicz
B-Main; Scott Pastorious
Failed to Qualify; John Byrd, Samantha Szafaeniec, Chris Eagan, Jacob Gustasson, Anthony Guthrie
