Eric Mauriello held off the best from the NASCAR WMT and the VMRS to win at his home track’s annual Turkey Derby (Credit: Speed 51 photo)
By Lou Modestino
At the Annual Turkey Derby held at Wall Stadium in Brick, NJ Eric Mainiello, a local driver, managed to hold off a large contingent of NASCAR Whelen Modified and Valenti Modified Tour drivers to post the win. Connecticut’s Les Hinkley manged to take the runner-up spot with Jimmy Blewitt next. Doug Coby another Connecticut pilot broke into the top five.
Other notables included: Ryan Preece, another Nutmeg State driver, who placed eighth. Not doing as well was Ron Silk, another Connecticut pilot came in 14th, one lap down. Woody Pitkat of Stafford Springs, Connecticut was 17th, Matt Hirshman was 22nd while Anthony Nocella of Woburn finished 23rd.
TOUR TYPE MODIFIED FEATURE – 150 Laps – 1. ERIC MAURIELLO, HOWELL, 2. Les Hinckley, 3. Jimmy Blewett, 4. Anthony Sesely, 5. Doug Coby, 6. Shaun Carrig, 7. Andrew Krause, 8. Ryan Preece, 9. John Beatty, 10. Danny Bohn, 11. Tim Solomito, 12. Shawna Ingraham, 13. Justin Gumley, 14. Ron Silk, 15. Jamie Tomaino, 16. John Markovic, 17. Woody Pitkat, 18. Jason Treat, 19. Kyle Ellwood, 20. Tim Arre, 21. Dave Sapienza, 22. Matt Hirschman, 23. Anthony Nocella, 24. Andy Jankowiak, 25. Zane Zeiner, 26. Billy Pauch, Jr.
DOWNS FORD MODIFIED FEATURE – 100 Laps – 1. JIMMY BLEWETT, HOWELL, 2. Jonathan Mandato, 3. Shanon Mongeau, 4. Matt Hirschman, 5. Michael Gervais, 6. Jason Treat, 7. Chas Okerson, 8. Mauriello, 9. Krause, 10. Chris Reynolds, 11. Dennis Perry, 12. Zeiner, 13. Steven Reed, 14. Ken Matlach, 15. Ingraham, 16. Jeremy Mayfield, 17. Derek Hopkinson, 18. Zack Alspach, 19. Earl Paules, 20. Adam LaCicero, 21. Chad Churilla, 22. Jason Hearne, 23. Ron Frees, 24. Richie Cooper, 25. Trevor Alspach, 26. Anthony Sesely