Jack Ely Drives To Race Of Champions Mod Series Victory At Chemung Speedrome
Story BY: RACE OF CHAMPIONS – CHEMUNG, NY – Jack Ely of Northampton, PA powered from his 5th starting position to take the lead for good in the closing stages of the “Mayflower 75” at Chemung Speedrome, earning his third career victory in the Race of Champions Modified Series.
Ely engaged in a thrilling battle for the top spot with fellow Northampton native Matt Hirschman before ultimately pulling away to secure the win.
“This was a big night for us,” said Ely in victory lane. “After Mahoning, we had a lot to do. My dad, my family, my crew, and friends all pulled together. We worked several late nights to get the car ready. We faced a lot of challenges today and hoped they wouldn’t catch up to us. It’s just great to be in victory lane here.”
Daren Scherer of Binghamton, NY and Daryl Lewis, Jr., of Ontario, NY led the field to green, with Scherer pacing the early laps before Lewis took control. Ely and Hirschman steadily worked their way forward, trading the lead in the mid-to-late stages until Austin Beers of Northampton, PA entered the mix.
Beers eventually made his way past Hirschman to claim second. Hirschman finished third, while 17-year-old Jayden Harman of Sugarloaf, PA and Bryce Bailey of Waverly, NY rounded out the top five—each earning their first-career top-five finish in the series.
Hirschman clocked the fastest time in group green-white-checker qualifying, while he and Ely split the heat race victories.
Purvis Scores First Career FOAR SCORE Dash Series Win
Gene Purvis recorded his first career Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series victory at Chemung, outdueling Trisha Connolly of Palmerton, PA and Ryan Purvis of Lowman, NY in the feature event.
McPherson Wins Dirt Sportsman Modified Opener at Ohsweken
Cody McPherson of St. Catharines, Ontario captured the opening round of the Race of Champions 602 Dirt Sportsman Modified Series at Ohsweken Speedway on Friday night. McPherson held off Billy Bleich of Port Robinson, Ontario, and Brad Rouse of Fort Erie, Ontario, following an intense exchange of slide jobs and a dramatic late-race restart.
Curtis Friesen of St. Catharines and Jacob Chevalier of Port Colborne, Ontario completed the top five.
Nigel Pendykoski (Niagara Falls), Rouse, and McPherson each claimed heat race wins, while Tyler Vanderzanden of Fenwick, Ontario posted the fastest time in timed hot laps.
