Jesse Kent Wins ROC Sportsman to Close Out Chemung's '24 Season By Carol Houssock
The curtain came down on the '24 season at Chemung Speedrome, presented by Jim Bronson and Ferrario Auto Team of Sayre, PA. Billed as the annual "Night Before the Glen", the track welcomed the ROC Sportsman, Super Stock and FOAR Score 4 Cylinder divisions to join the track's popular Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks. Wins went to Jesse Kent (Sportsman Modifieds), Joe Mancuso (Super Stocks), Nick Robinson (4 Cylinders) and Anthony Gullo (Hobby Stocks). While some may have been surprised that Jesse Kent beat the ROC Sportsman regulars by winning the 50-lapper, many of the track's regulars were not. His season defined the words "up and down", but his masterful run earned him an emotion-filled victory at home. His late-race pass on leader Shawn Nye gave him the opportunity to pull away to a convincing win. Kent, whose Aunt was Robin Potrzebowski, said she was riding with him. Over the past two weeks, her husband (TJ), son (Mike Nichols) and now nephew (Jesse) all won.
Joe Mancuso left Chemung having swept the action in the ROC Super Stock division. Late in this one Jacob Christman got around Tim Gullo for second.
Nick Robinson also had a sweep, at his home track, in the ROC FOAR Score division. He and fellow Chemung racer, Gene Purvis, finished one-two after the 20-lap race.
The Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks produced the most intense finish of the four races. Anthony Gullo, the '24 track champion and winningest driver in the division again this year, only needed half a dozen laps to take the lead from Chuck Nichols. While the race was slowed by a handful of cautions, Gullo prevailed on every restart. Ajay Potrzebowski, Sr., however, was on the move and had a goal of beating Gullo in this one. He took second from Cullen Sharpsteen on a late restart and was right there with Gullo over the closing laps. As they exited turn four on the last lap, Potrzebowski made contact with the leader and it backfired on him. After the contact, Potrzebowski spun into the front stretch wall while Gullo sailed across the finish line and parked in victory lane. "They've got a lot of money in that ride, but I always say talent beats money any day of the week," he said from victory lane.
With the season has now over, fans and race teams should continue to monitor the track's website (www.chemung-speedrome.com) and Facebook page (Chemung Speedrome - Racing at the Drome) for ongoing updates.
Of note:
Tom from Johnson City claimed $732 in the 50/50.
A helmet drive during intermission raised over $1,700 for TJ Potrzebowski toward final expenses for his late wife, Robin. TJ also gave the command the fire the engines prior to the 50-lap race.
Results:
ROC Sportsman (50 Laps): JESSE KENT, Shawn Nye, Jacob Christman, Andy Jankowiak, Kevin Youngs, Jimmy Zacharias, TJ Potrzebowski, Kevin Timmerman, Evan Rygielski, Sean Verwys, Alan Bookmiller, Charlie Sharpsteen, Doug Gavette, Jaden Brown, Teddy Bowen, Damon Frutchey, David Kozlowski, Dakota Anderson, Aaron Dorman, Andy Lewis, Jr, Nick Robinson, Tyler Harbst
ROC Super Stocks (30 Laps): JOE MANCUSO, Tim Gullo, Garrett Zacharias, Jacob Christman, Jason Duke, Sr., Charlie Sharpsteen, Abe Romanik, Aaron Cornell, Brian DeMark, Paul Godby
ROC FOAR Score 4 Cylinders (20 Laps): NICK ROBINSON, Gene Purvis, Trisha Connolly, Corey Edelman, Matt Jenkins, Ryan Purvis, Christopher Deyoe, Augustine Worden
Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks (20 Laps): ANTHONY GULLO, Cullen Sharpsteen, Devin Gullo, Mike Nickels, Kalysta DeMark, Gil Sharpsteen, Doug DeKay, Bruce Kinner, Ethan Roberts, Mike Bailey, Mike Kintner, Ajay Potrzebowski, Sr., Chuck Nichols, Dave Decker, Dave Yehl, Ben Perry
