ZACK CURREN GRABS CHEMUNG MOD WIN, WHILE TJ POTRZEBOWSKI GRABS THE TITLE By Carol Houssock

A season that got off to a slow start due to rain cancellations ended under near-perfect weather at Chemung Speedrome, Presented by Jim Bronson and Ferrario Auto Team of Sayre, PA. Championship Night, sponsored again by Flynn Propane, had excitement and mixed emotions for many. Feature winners included Zack Curren (Buckley's Automotive Modifieds), Devin Gullo (Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks), Gene Purvis (Gene's Automotive 4 Cylinders), and Tori Miller (Bandoleros). The 2025 track champions are TJ Potrzebowski (Modifieds), Brian DeMark (Hobby Stocks), Gene Purvis (4 Cylinders), Easton Houghtaling (Bandolero Outlaw), and Dallas Harbst (Bandolero Bandit).

Coming into the night the title would go to either point leader TJ Potrzebowski, looking to repeat, or to Kevin Youngs, looking to capture his first in the modified division. Neither won his heat race, but Potrzebowski gained 3 points as Youngs hit the wall and broke a tie-rod in his heat and he earned no points. When the field lined up for the championship-deciding 30-lap feature, Potrzebowski's advantage was 17. Hea winner Zack Curren was fast all night, and he charged around pole-sitter Tommy Rought on the opening lap. That turned out to be his race-winning moment, as his stout car pulled away and left Potrzebowski and heat winner Nick Morich in a battle for second. Youngs, who had received help from Potrzebowski in repairing his car, was on the move and up to fourth at the halfway point. Curren's lead started to shrink with TJ's #72 fast approaching. Behind him, Youngs was able to pass Tony Hanbury, who had taken over third. This one belonged to Curren, who finished ahead of Potrzebowski, Youngs, Hanbury and Jesse Kent. "I have to thank Mike McDonald and my father for turning this car around. We've had so many issues with it this year, but they kept after it, even after the devastating fire that wiped out a good part of Mike's business. This is for them," he said. "I really thought I had last week's race won but a late caution ended that. Fortunately, tonight this one went caution-free."

Brian DeMark entered the night virtually assured of a title, but there's virtual and then there's reality. The reality on Friday was how the whole evening played out and the drama that was part of it. Anthony Gullo and Josh Parker won the heats, but in DeMarkís heat he and Ajay Potrzebowski, Sr. had their first tangle of the night. While Michael Bast and Mike Bailey made up the front row for the start of the 20-lap race, it was Devin Gullo who earned his "ice man" nickname by going three-wide to lead the opening lap. His big lead over Cullen Sharpsteen and DeMark disappeared when debris on the track brought out the caution with 13 complete. Then things got ugly. DeMark and Potrzebowski got together again while Parker and Anthony Gullo tangled when they went high to avoid their wreck and both ended up in the foam blocks. On the restart, Devin Gullo kept his lead but Tom Shafer and George Nichols, Jr. got together. His actions following their wreck resulting in a DQ for Shafer. Devin survived the green/white/checkered finish and scored his fourth win of the season over Sharpsteen, Bast, Parker and Bailey. "The car was fast all year, but we had a couple issues here and there that we overcame. I'm looking forward to being a rookie again next year when I run in a sportsman modified," he said. DeMark's car was towed into victory lane for his championship celebration. "I thank everyone who helped me in this effort and I'm glad we had that opening day win," he said. Until Friday night, DeMark hadn't finished outside the top five the year.

The other close championship battle was between Gene Purvis and Greg Moldt in the 4 Cylinder division. Just as they had done five times this season, each won his heat. They entered the 20-lap feature with Purvis leading by 12 points. Lined up side-by-side in the third row, it was Gene's daughter, Adriana, who had the pole. Kyle Mortimer, who started third, led the first two laps before being overtaken by Gene Purvis. Moldt moved up and around Adriana, Ryan Purvis and Matt Jenskins and had third at the halfway point. The race went caution-free and kept G. Purvis out front even though the gap between him and Mortimer narrowed. When it was over, just one car parked in victory lane for his victory in the battle and the war. "This car is so fast, and I've said before how lucky I feel to be driving it for Nick Robinson. It's well maintained and fun to drive, but putting together a championship season is just fantastic," he said.

While the finale only drew three Bandoleros, each had moment on the microphone. Tori Miller won the 8-lap race after taking the lead on the third lap from Dallas Harbst. Once she had made that pass, she pulled away from the others and went on to score her second overall win. Easton Houghtaling put together a winning Outlaw season with three overall feature wins in the eight races run. This was a career-first championship for the racer from Bethel, NY. Dallas Harbst won the Bandit title after winning one race and celebrating as the best of the Bandits in others.

For general information, log on to the track's 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:

As they have done previously, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss and Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schromm visited the Speedrome.
William from Savona, NY won the 50/50 winnerís share of $800.
Carol Houssock, the Voice of the Speedrome, shut off her mic for the final time after 31 years of weekly track announcing in both NY and PA.

Watch for details on the track's website and Facebook page concerning the 2025 banquet, coming up in the next several weeks.

FLYNN PROPANE CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT RESULTS:

Buckley's Automotive Modifieds 30 Laps): ZACK CURREN, TJ Potrzebowski, Kevin Youngs, Tony Hanbury, Jesse Kent, Nick Morich, Tommy Rought, Charlie Sharpsteen, Dakota Anderson, Tyler Harbst, Lucas Bartlett, DJ Shaw, (DNS - JR Kent)
Heats: Morich, Curren
2025 Track Champion: TJ Potrzebowski

Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): DEVIN GULLO, Cullen Sharpsteen, Michael Bast, Josh Parker, Mike Bailey, Kamden Wheeler, Ryan Osgood, Mike Kintner, Ben Perry, George Nichols, Jr., Paul Bailey, Ethan Roberts, Brian DeMark, Ajay Potrzebowski, Anthony Gullo, (DQ - Tom Shafer)
Heats: A. Gullo, Parker
2025 Track Champion: Brian DeMark

Gene's Automotive 4 Cylinders 20 Laps): GENE PURVIS, Kyle Mortimer, Greg Moldt, Ryan Purvis, Matt Jenkins, Adriana Purvis, Brandon Beasheaw, Ryan Hurlbut, Conner Marvin, Troy Hodge, Justin Wilson, Augustine Warden
Heats: Moldt, G. Purvis
2025 Track Champion: Gene Purvis

Bandoleros (8 Laps): TORI MILLER, Dallas Harbst, Easton Houghtaling
2025 Track Champion - Outlaw: Easton Houghtaling
2025 Track Champions - Bandit: Dallas Harbst