A Classic Nail-Biter Between Modified Title Contenders - TJ Potrzebowski Prevails at Chemung By Carol Houssock

Fans at Chemung Speedrome got up close and personal with the drivers and their cars during Fan Appreciation Night intermission. Skyworks Equipment Rental in Horseheads, NY was the night's sponsor. Feature winners included TJ Potrzebowski (Buckley's Automotive Modifieds), Devin Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Greg Moldt (Gene's Automotive 4 Cylinders), and Leevi Sharpsteen (Bandoleros). It was a perfect night, weather-wise, and the perfect setup for the 2025 season finale coming up this Friday, August 22nd.

TJ Potrzebowski and Kevin Youngs pulled into the track separated by just six points in the Buckley's Automotive Modified championship standings. Each won his heat, so nothing changed as the field prepared for their 30-lap feature. From pole position, Nick Morich led the way for the first six laps, with Zack Curren right there chasing him down. Curren took the lead when Morich drifted high. Potrzebowski and Youngs also got by, putting Morich in fourth. With 10 laps remaining, Potrzebowski was out front, but Youngs had to battle it out with Curren. Once that was over in Youngs' favor, he worked on closing the gap between his #2 and TJ's #72. Caution came out quickly when it appeared that Morich and Lee Sharpsteen were both going to spin on the front stretch, but neither did. Youngs got the better of Potrzebowski on a lap 25 restart following a spin by Tyler Harbst. The final caution, with four to go, was the dealmaker for Potrzebowski. The veteran racer reclaimed the lead and held it for his third feature win this year. Youngs then drifted high in turn two, creating an opening on the inside. Lee Sharpsteen, who had fought his way toward the front, took over second with Youngs third. Morich and Curren rounded out the top five. "Racing with Kevin is great, we work together, he raced me clean, and itís a great win for us," Potrzebowski stated. He now enters the season finale on Friday with a slightly more comfortable 14-point advantage over Youngs.

Devin Gullo and Cullen Sharpsteen, young guns in the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock division, won their heats and started beside each other in the second row for their 20-lap feature. Mike Bailey took advantage of his outside pole starting spot and led the opening lap, before losing the lead a lap later to Anthony Gullo. By the fourth lap it was the other Gullo brother, Devin, who took over the lead and had Sharpsteen running behind him after some fancy wheel work. The pair pulled away from the battle for third between A. Gullo and point leader Brain DeMark, with the latter eventually up to third with seven laps remaining. That's as close as Brian would get as the young leaders had an insurmountable gap between them and his #5. Fans loved it, knowing D. Gullo was hoping to put a tough year car-wise in the past, while Sharpsteen was hoping he's finally park in victory lane. It was Devin Gullo, who scored his third win of the year in his up-and-down season. Sharpsteen had to settle for second, followed by DeMark, Josh Parker and Ajay Potrzebowski, Sr.

It was quick, but not dirty. It was the 20-lap 4 Cylinder feature. Point leader Gene Purvis and í24 champ Greg Moldt are taking this one right down to the final race as to which one boasts of the season championship. Purvis arrived Friday night with a 16-point advantage and left with it shaved down a bit to just 12. Each won his heat race, and they finished first and second in the caution-free 20-lap feature. Moldt led the opening lap, but it was Ryan Purvis who took over and led lap four. It was short-lived, as Moldt reclaimed the top spot. Gene then battled a bit with his brother and got around him, leaving Ryan in a close one with Kyle Mortimer. When it was over Moldt had his third win of the season and second in a row. Gene Purvis was second, followed by Mortimer, Ryan Purvis, and Brandon Measheaw.

Coming into the night Bandolero Easton Houghtaling and Bandit Dallas Harbst were first and second overall in points. It's still that way, and each is poised to lock up his class championship in the finale. Eight cautions slowed the action in the 8-lap race, led early by Harbst. He and fellow Bandit Leevi Sharpsteen ran together for the bulk of the event. Sharpsteen took over the top spot and, when the final caution came out with just three to go, he stayed focused. He pulled away, while Tori Miller and Houghtaling passed Harbst. Leevi captured his first win of the year, with Miller, an Outlaw, finishing second and best of that class. Houghtaling, Harbst, and Allison Smith completed the top five.

Chemung wraps up the 2025 season this Friday night, when all four track champions will earn their laurels. Pits open at 5 PM, grandstand and practice at 6, and racing starts at 7 PM sharp. Adult admission is $15, $13 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and free for kids under age 5.

For general information, log on to the trackís website: chemung-speedrome.com, "like" the track on Facebook (Facebook: Chemung Speedrome - Racing at the Drome), or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.

Of note:

Promoters Ray and Ellen Hodge are planning the 2025 banquet, to be held sometime in September this year. They'll clean out and convert the track's tech barn into a banquet hall, with catered food and music. Details such as the exact date and pricing are forthcoming.

Colleen from Sayre, PA claimed the 50/50 pot of $600.

Two features, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinders ran caution-free 20-lap features.

Special thanks to the large contingent from Skyworks Equipment Rental for being the nightly sponsor.

Results:

Buckley's Automotive Modifieds 30 Laps): TJ POTRZEBOWSKI, Lee Sharpsteen, Kevin Youngs, Nick Morich, Zack Curren, Tony Hanbury, Charlie Sharpsteen, DJ Shaw, Tommy Rought, Tyler Harbst, Dakota Anderson, Lucas Bartlett, DQ Jesse Kent (illegal part)
Heats: Youngs, Potrzebowski

Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): DEVIN GULLO, Cullen Sharpsteen, Brian DeMark, Josh Parker, Ajay Potrzebowski, Anthony Gullo, Mike Bailey, Michael Bast, Ethan Roberts, Gene Purvis, Ryan Osgood, Ben Perry, Kamden Wheeler, Mike Kintner, Paul Bailey, Mark Taylor
Heats: Sharpsteen, D. Gullo

Gene's Automotive 4 Cylinders 20 Laps): GREG MOLDT, Gene Purvis, Kyle Mortimer, Ryan Purvis, Brandon Measheaw, Matt Jenkins, Adriana Purvis, Augustine Worden, Conner Marvin, Troy Hodge, Matt Yusko
Heats: Moldt, G. Purvis

Bandoleros (8 Laps): LEEVI SHARPSTEEN, Tori Miller (Outlaw winner), Easton Houghtaling, Dallas Harbst, Allison Smith