Freedom Motorsports Park Opens the Road to the Championship on Friday May 13 Delevan, N.Y.- The pit area at Freedom Motorsports Park came to life on Friday May 6 as the track held its final test and tune session. Competitors in all five weekly racing divisions completed many laps in preparation for this week’s much anticipated Friday night May 13 season opener. The first green flag of the season is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Among the drivers practicing were defending Yellow Jacket Sportsman Modified track champion Tony Pangrazio as well as former track champions Ray Bliss, Adam Sixt, Al Brewer, Andy Michael, Nick Snayczuk and Tim Schram, who is returning this year in a Sportsman Modified. One notable in attendance was Nathan Hill, who was shaking down his Super Late Model in anticipation for the big ULMS Super Late Model appearance on July 15. The track also tested the new MYLAPS timing and scoring system.
The May 13 racing card starts the race to the championship and will feature the Wilson Crane Service RUSH Crate Late Models, Yellow Jacket Sportsman Modifieds, Pioneer Ford Street Stocks and the Danny Heineman and Sons Plumbing Front Wheel and Rear Wheel Drive Mini Stocks.
Four of the five weekly divisions will see the track champion return to defend their crown in 2016. Three of championships were decided on the last night of 2015. None of the 2015 champions won their respective feature on opening night last year.
In the Wilson Crane Service RUSH Crate Late Models, Olean’s Randy Hall will return in the potent Terry Suppa owned machine. Last year, Hall, in his first year of Crate Late Model competition, dominated the division and captured eight wins in route to the title. This year he’ll have to contend with former champion Adam Sixt along with division winners Jim Johnson, Andy Michael, Brad Mesler, Bob Kish and Bill Holmes.
The Yellow Jacket Sportsman Modifieds will be led to the line by first time champion Pangrazio who took two wins in 2015 and won the title on the last night of the season. To repeat as champion, the Elba Express will have to contend with former champion Ray Bliss as well as winners Kyle Inman, Adam Ashcroft and Matt Steffenhagen. Throw in the Canadian invasion of Brad Rouse and Adam Leslie and the division’s third year looks to be a stellar one.
In the Pioneer Ford Street Stocks, veteran Al Brewer returns as the champion after a five win season. The veteran will once again pilot the Scott Bond machine which garnered him the title on the final night of 2015. Among the drivers trying to dethrone the Brewmaster will be Ted Mascho, Butch Zimmerman and Byron Dewitt.
The final event of 2015 decided the Danny Heineman and Sons Plumbing Front Wheel Drive Mini Stock championship and in the end, it was Holden Heineman taking down his first ever title. Holden returns in 2016 and will have to fend off former winners Eric Canfield, Kurt Babcock, Brad Shepard, Deanna Shepard and Mike Eastman.
The only division where the champion is not returning is the Danny Heineman and Sons Plumbing Rear Wheel Drive Mini Stock class. Champion Nick Snayczuk, who captured Mini Stock crowns two years in a row, has moved up to the Wilson Crane Service RUSH Crate Late Models and will vie for Rookie of the Year honors. Top five 2015 point men Erik Brumstead, Cody Egner and Billy Dubois along with Duane Powers all have a shot at the crown in 2016.
The grand opening of the 2016 season is this Friday, May 13. Bring the family out for a great night of racing at the area’s fastest 1/3 mile clay oval.
Freedom Motorsports Park is located at 11099 Marble Springs Rd. in Delevan, N.Y., just south of Arcade. For information on 2016 season sponsorship opportunities, contact Bob Reis at freedommotorsportspark@yahoo.com or 716-725-5464. You may visit the speedway online at
www.freedommotorsportspark.com or follow us on Facebook.
