Rudolph Wins Trenton feature

Rudolph on the inside battles Jankowiak

Brent Smith Photography

Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y., roared to victory Saturday night in the Battle Of Trenton Three Quarter Midget 40-lap feature race inside the Trenton (NJ) Sun Bank Center.

“The car was hooked up tonight," exclaimed the race’s victor. “It was a case of reading the track before the race, getting the setup right and having the track stay consistent." Rudolph led all forty of the race’s circuits.

The win for Rudolph was his first since a three-for-four near sweep of the 2012 Boardwalk Hall feature events.

Mike Lichty of Innerkip, Ontario finished second, battling back from a mid-race spin on lap 17 while running third. His run was eclipsed by that of Zane Zeiner, of Bath, Pa., who started twenty second, steered clear of the carnage that ensnared others, and finished third. Matt Janisch of Easton, Pa., was fourth, also fighting back from early race adversity. Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J. was fifth.

The 25-lap Champ Kart co-feature was won by Justin Gumley of Howell, N.J. who led every lap. Rich Davidowitz of East Moriches, was a close runner up, ahead of James Hayden of Lake Grove, N.Y., Avery Stoehr of Lakeville, Mass., and Alex Colasanto of Lindenhurst, N.Y.

Jonathan Laureigh of Lanoka Harbor, N.J., crashed heavily while riding in fourth spot with 17 of the 25 laps completed. He was aided from his kart by EMTs but was not believed to have sustained any serious injuries.

Ryan Tidman of Levittown, Pa. outran a field of 57 TQ Midgets to set fastest time. Danny Bouc of Plumsteadville, Pa., outran two dozen other Champ Kart hopefuls to set quickest time.

In the first TQ Midget B-Main race, Paul Hartwig, Jr. of Brick, N.J., escaped injury when he flipped wildly in the first turn. His car overturned against the outside wall concrete barrier dislodging it. Once righted, Hartwig climbed out unhurt. Undaunted, Hartwig returned to run in the Champ Kart feature and raced his way to a tenth place finish.

PNC Industries and Angela’s House Charity were sponsors of the first annual two-day card of Indoor racing produced and presented by Len Sammons Motorsports Productions.

Ryan Preece of Berlin, Ct., and Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y., shared honors in Friday’s TQ Midget Twin Twenties races and Gary Hieber, Jr. of Penndel, Pa., took the Slingshot feature, The events were preceded by races inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on January 24-25. The TQ events were both part of the Fatheadz Eyewear Indoor Series which rewarded the top three drivers from both weekends of action.

The outcome of the Fatheadz Eyewear chase was determined on the final laps of the Battle Of Trenton feature. Sixth place finisher Anthony Sesely, with 382 points, shaded Matt Janisch, who earned 381 points by way of his fourth place ride.

TQ Midget Feature (40 Laps):
1. Erick Rudolph, 2. Mike Lichty, 3. Zane Zeiner, 4. Matt Janisch, 5. Jimmy Blewett, 6. Anthony Sesely, 7. Jonathan Reid, 8. Rob Vivona, 9. Patrick Emerling, 10. Lou Cicconi Jr., 11. Kyle Hieber, 12. Shawn Nye, 13. Neal Williams, 14. Joey Payne, 15. Ryan Preece, 16. Shaun Carrig, 17. Joey Payne, 18. Pat Bealer, 19. Ted Christopher, 20. Rob Neely, 21. Pat Bealer, 22. Ted Christopher, 23. Glen Reen, 24. Mike Iles, 25. Tim Buckwalter.

Champ Kart Feature (25 Laps):
1. Justin Gumley, 2. Rich Davidowitz, 3. James Hayden, 4. Avery Stoehr, 5. Alex Colasanto 6. Dalton Rovira, 7. AJ Jadacki, 8. Chad Churilla, 9. Bethany Stoehr, 10. Paul Hartwig Jr., 11. Michael Schickner, 12. Vincent LaFazia, 13. Ron Midford, 14. Jonathan Laureigh, 15. Lisa Nalbach, 16. Dakota Kessler, 17. Glen Meisenhelder, 18. Derrick Demott, 19. Doug Stearly, 20. Jack Handley Jr., 21. Danny Bouc, 22. Gabbie Olender, 23. John Berger, 24. Jimmy Wolcott, 25. DJ Doyle.