Bob Gangwer Swept the Night at Mesa Marin Raceway on Way to Winning Third Billy Vukovich III Classic
April 12, 2022 – Coarsegold, CA… Bob Gangwer of Goshen, IN led every lap of the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), and won the 18th Annual Billy Vukovich III Classic presented by Supermodified Scorecard Tuesday night at Mesa Marin Raceway. The Hoosier native had a perfect night where he set fast time, won the dash, led all feature laps, and set the fastet lap of the feature on his way to becoming the third three-time winner of the prestigious race
Anthony Corsoniti, making his first Vukovich III Classic start, crossed the finish line in second place, back eight and half seconds after running close to Gangwer for the first half of the race. SUPRS veteran Gary Waldron raced to a strong third place finish in the Michigan Hill Gang #10 and was the last car on the lead lap.
“I’ll take this, it’s been a long time since I saw the checkered flag first,” said Gangwer who hadn’t won a SUPRS feature in over two years. “This is the second time now I’ve won it with a short field and led all the laps, so maybe seven cars is lucky for me, but I also won it with 17 cars and led 83 that year. Either way, a win is a win, and I’m pretty happy to win the Vuky, because it really does mean a lot to me. Tonight I wore a shirt that he autographed for me when he raced at Berlin Raceway in a USAC sprint car, and I had him on my mind.”
“To join SFJ, (John Davidson), and Steve, (Callahan), on the three time winner list is really something,” added Gangwer. “I wish Dave, (Ohh), and Rob, (Warren), could have been here, they probably would have been on that list before me. Thanks to Supermodified Scorecard for sponsoring this race and BMK Logistics for sponsoring the dash. And because I don’t often get to do this anymore, a special shout out to the Wing Side Up Crew and special thanks to Ma and Pa, Danette, Shelby, Sheldon, Taylor, Pudge, Smiles and Pistol Annie. Also, even though we are on a break from streaming, thanks to Hairbag Studios, BreezeGraphics.com, 1st to Finish Race Servers and Icings on Top. I hope Keith and Cyndi, (Powell-owners of Icings on Top Specialty Cakes), are having a great anniversary tonight.”
Gangwer is now a guaranteed starter for the season ending Summit Classic 125, joining Dave Ohh, Rob Warren and Gary Waldron.
The SUPRS racers continue their three-week season ending run through California next Tuesday with the Golden State Classic at Buckley Speedway on April 19. Action on the high banked 3/8 mile oval gets going at 8pm for hot laps.
SUPRS Social
Learn more about the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series by visiting www.SUPRS.net, “Liking” SUPRS on Facebook, Following @SUPRSOnline on Twitter, and Viewing SUPRS videos on YouTube. Watch live supermodified sim racing most Tuesday nights on SUPRS Twitch channel.
RACE RESULTS
- 18th Annual Billy Vukovich III Classic
- Race 39 of 41
- April 12, 2022
- Mesa Marin Raceway
- Bakersfield, CA
- 100 Laps
- SUPRS NASCAR Heat W v6 mod
Supermodified (wing) Time Trials (showing car number, driver name, hometown, sponsors, lap 1, lap 2-best lap highlighted, SUPRS 6 eligible for BMK Logistics Fast Car Dash)
- 25-Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN; Belfab Racing Products, Wing Side Up Enterprises: 114.359, 14.241
- 12-Anthony Corsoniti; N. Syracuse, NY; TsForecast.com: 14.362, 14.530
- 3-Brad Keysor; Liverpool, NY; Southern Hills Storm Football, Chasing Cameras: 14.612, 14.364
- 10-Gary Waldron; Wyoming, MI; Kenowa Auto Supply, Michigan Hill Gang: 14.658, 14.425
- 08-Danny Ray; Goshen, IN; Smokie Bone’s Downhome Kitchen, White Lightening Transportation: 14.471, 14.678
- 14-Bobby Hayduk; Brook Park, OH; Gannon Auto Sales, Bronx Country: 14.717, 14.517
- 56-Dick Schuler; Chisago City, MN; Gooby Beer, Schu Racing: 14.784, 14.808
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Supermodified Heat Races Scratched (Car Count)
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BMK Logistics Fast Car Dash – 9 Laps (showing car number, driver name)
- 25-Bob Gangwer
- 10-Gary Waldron
- 12-Anthony Corsoniti
- 14-Bobby Hayduk
- 08-Danny Ray
- 3-Brad Keysor
Time of Race: 3:13.893
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Supermodified (wing) Feature 25 Laps (showing car number, driver name, bonus, starting place, fastest lap, distance behind winner)
- 25-Bob Gangwer: ! | * | ** | P1 | 14.150
- 12-Anthony Corsoniti: P3 | 14.179 | +8.400
- 10-Gary Waldron: P2 | 14.301 | +12.190
- 08-Danny Ray: P5 | 14.366 | +1 Lap
- 3-Brad Keysor: ^ | P6 | 14.348 | +2 Laps
- 14-Bobby Hayduk: P4 | 14.334 | +2 Laps
- 56-Dick Schuler: P7 | 14.480 | +3 Laps
Time of Race: 25:05.136
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race
- ^ Denotes SUPRS Charger
