VERNON, N.Y. — Another chapter was written in the historic revival of Brookfield Speedway on Sunday night.
In front of a capacity crowd, Blaine Klinger claimed his first career Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco victory at the Madison County Fairgrounds.
Klinger’s efforts awarded him with a $1,600 payday and a vault into the fourth spot in the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region standings for the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman standings.
On a challenging bullring, Klinger dubbed the quarter-mile-oval his “style of racetrack,” and cashed it in for his first taste of STSS glory in a thrilling finish.
Klinger and Joe Toth were door-to-door coming to the Behrent’s Performance Warehouse “One-To-Go” white flag for the ‘Fast Cars and Freedom’ victory.
“I had a problem that caused a real bad vibration, or I could’ve probably pulled away,” summarized Klinger of the finish in Bicknell Racing Products Victory Lane. “Hats off to (Joe) Toth though for racing me clean today and all weekend.”
Klinger started from the pole position following the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw with Middle Grove, N.Y.’s Jason Reome alongside.
Toth, who started third, would quickly work his way into the runner-up spot before setting his sights on running down Klinger.
Derrick McGrew Jr. – who started ninth – was quickly on the move and raced his way into a podium spot in the first 10 laps of the 25-lap affair.
The top-three remained unchanged despite McGrew Jr. facing multiple challenges from Dylan Madsen.
Klinger set the pace, leading when the field reached the halfway point, claiming the $100 Accurate Collision of Pompano Beach, Fla. halfway leader bonus.
Travis Green began to make presence known in the second half of the event, coming from the 17th starting position into the top five.
The late stages of the race saw Klinger begin to fade as the vibration appeared to be affecting his entry into the corners.
With Klinger slowing, Toth was reeling in the pace setter in the waning laps. Toth built a run off the second corner and pulled up alongside Klinger as the field reached the final lap.
Toth, however, bobbled on entry into the first turn on the final lap, allowing Klinger to scoot away for the win. Toth would settle for the runner-up spot.
“All-in-all it was a successful New York trip for us,” smiled Toth of his weekend. “If I could’ve rolled turn one like I was the prior few laps, I think I could’ve got him on the last lap, but we’ll take second.”
The runner-up finish moves Toth into second place in the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region standings, just five points the leader.
The North Region point leader, McGrew Jr., rounded out the podium.
“We had a car to win, getting from ninth to third in four laps,” explained McGrew Jr. “I hit the tire coming out of four and broke the steering box though.
“With all those restarts it made it more difficult, but we’ll take the third-place finish.”
Green came home fourth, claiming the Picture Pools and Spas $200 Hard Charger Award after starting in 17th. Madsen rounded out the top five.
Twenty-nine STSS Crate 602 Sportsman signed in to compete at the historic facility.
Kenny Gates claimed victory in the Pro Stock 20-lap feature event. Gates started on the outside of the front and never looked back, leading all 20 laps to take the checkered.
Bret Belden and Gus Gould rounded out the podium.
Tyler Bobar emerged victorious from the Next Generation GraphiX Limited Sportsman feature, claiming the $300 top prize.
Bobar battled E.J. Gallup early before problems for Gallup allowed Bobar to set sail with the win.
Bobby Newman and Todd Falter were the podium finishers.
Keith Tesiero Jr. won an exciting Four Cylinder feature over fellow Utica native Matt Bukovan at the conclusion of the 15-lap affair. Wayne Russell Jr. was the Single Cam winner.
Brayden Morrison (All-Star) and Sullivan Dickey (Juniors) both dominated their respective Slingshot 15-lap features to take the Memorial Day victories.
Feature Finish (25 Laps)
BLAINE KLINGER, Joe Toth, Derrick McGrew, Jr., Travis Green, Dylan Madsen, Jared LaBagh, David Hackett, Jr., Roger Hummer, Harry Shaffer, Josh Allen, Greg Crooker, Gordon Smith, Alissa Cody, Jason Reome, Dwayne Knapp, Matt Richardson, Tim Falter, Tom Princiotta, Clayton DuMond, Michael Ballestero, Jeremy Slosek, Tyler Peet, Tyler Ward, Tanner Warner