LaPorte, IN – October 30, 2013…Ray Sand, Jr. of Rochester, New York capitalized on his pole starting position to dominate the Harvest of Speed 75 season opening race for the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series in his SandManRacing.com number 18.
After posting the fastest qualifying lap at 12.707 seconds, Sand, Jr. was fortunate to draw the number one starting spot out of the Elite 8 qualifiers, then took off at the drop of the green to lead all 75 laps then turn in the fastest lap of the race 17.169. The reigning SUPRS Winged Champion won the race by a large margin over the other podium finishers of Domenic Gioia, Bob Gangwer.
“Honestly, that race wasn’t as hard to win,” started Sand, Jr. “Not to be cocky, but I wouldn’t mind if you started me on the pole every time, especially at this place.” Sand went on to say, “Really, it’s just a great way to kick off this season and SUPRS tenth year. This league is really tough and to come out on top like this is awesome.”
Second place finisher Domenic Gioia was a lot more subdued after his race stating, “This was a really hard one, I didn’t have anything for Ray at all, but as many of you know, my mother in law has been sick with cancer and she finally lost her battle, so all I want to say is, ‘this one’s for you Kathy.”
Bob Gangwer battled back from a slow start to the 75 lapper to come home in third place right on Gioia’s rear nerf bar at the line. “First off, congratulations to Ray, he ran one heck of a race, and Domenic was really tough there at the end,” said Gangwer. “I know a lot of guys don’t like this joint, but I love it for the challenge and it’s were we ran our first one, so it’s got a lot of nostalgia for me.”
Steve Callahan, and Carl Becker rounded out the top five while Rob Warren, Kevin Timmins, Joey Callahan and Gary Waldron completed the finishing field. Callahan also picked up the SUPRSCharger award for advancing the most positions from his eighth starting spot.
The SUPRS competitors move on to Decatur, IL for their second race of the season on October 31 for the popular Black Kat Classic 50.
Harvest of Speed 75 Season Opener at LaPorte Speedway – October 30, 2013
Time Trials (showing lap one and two-^denotes best lap)
- 18 Ray Sand, Jr.; Rochester, NY: 12.707^ 12.738
- 55 Steve Callahan; Cayuhoga Falls, OH: 12.754^ 12.782
- 25 Bob Gangwer; Goshen, IN: 13.003 12.758^
- 10 Gary Waldron; Wyoming, MI: 12.810^ 13.128
- 9 Domenic Gioia; Oswego, NY: 12.871 12.840^
- 42 Carl Becker; Lansing, MI: 12.842^ N/A
- 35 Rob Warren; Pulaski, NY: 12.874^
- 15 Joey Callahan; Cayuhoga Falls, OH: 13.412 13.296^
- 77 Kevin Timmins; Baldwinsville, NY 13.552 13.389^
Feature-75 Laps
- 18 Ray Sand, Jr.* **
- 9-Domenic Gioia
- 25-Bob Gangwer
- 55-Steve Callahan^^
- 42-Carl Becker
- 35-Rob Warren
- 77-Kevin Timmins -6
- 15-Joey Callahan -6
- 10-Gary Waldron DNF
Time of Race: 17:16.952
* Denotes Lap Led
** Denotes Most Laps Led
^^Denotes SUPRSCharger
