Jankowiak back in Victory Lane at 71st Season Opener at Spencer Speedway

Jankowiak started fifth for the 35-lap feature, and moved into third going down the back straightaway on Lap 8, before settling into the single-file line going around the ½-mile paved oval.
Lap 17 saw Joey VanLare spin on the backstretch, drawing the caution. On the restart, Jankowiak jumped into second coming out of Turn 2, bumping Evan Rygielski into third.

Rygielski wasn’t deterred, though. He took to the high side to try and get by Jankowiak to get his spot back, going side-by-side down the back chute, but Jankowiak was able to hold on.

A tangle caused the caution flag to be thrown once again, and when Rygielski slowed down, something happened: he died in the middle of Turns 3 and 4. He had to be pushed back to the pits, resulting in losing third place.

With no pressure on him from behind, Jankowiak sailed right up to the side of Eddie Hawkins to go side-by-side all throughout the corners and straightaways, before Jankowiak let off a little bit.

On Lap 26, Jankowiak gave Hawkins a nudge coming down the frontstretch, letting him know that he was still there. This time, however, he gave it his all, and took over first on the bottom coming out of Turn 4 with eight laps to go.

Jankowiak held on to come out ahead of the 20-car field.

“[I] time-trialed terrible and backed it up in the heat barely making the redraw,” said Jankowiak. “But we threw the sink at it and started changing springs and it woke up for the feature.”
Jankowiak was also very appreciative of his team for helping him get into Victory Lane.

“If life has taught me anything these past few weeks it’s very simply that no matter how big the win, when we look back on things it’s really about the people and these moments we share while chasing these races. Proud of my guys.”

Additional winners for the 71st Season Opener:
Wilbert’s U-Pull It Four Cylinders: Blake Giglio (Williamson, NY)
Wilbert’s U-Pull It Crown Vic/Super Six: Ashley Timmerman (Williamson, NY)
Race of Champions Street Stocks: Dustin Novoa (Buffalo, NY)
Race of Champions 602 Sportsman: Austin Leaty (Williamson, NY)
Race of Champions Super Stocks: Jason Dieter (Lake View, NY)

The Race of Champions “Family of Series” returns to Spencer Speedway this Friday night, June 5, 2026, featuring:
● Race of Champions Modifieds
● Race of Champions Super Stocks
● Race of Champions 602 Sportsman
● Wilbert’s U-Pull It Crown Vic/Super Six
● Wilbert’s U-Pull It Four Cylinders