LANCASTER, N.Y. — The Race of Champions Modified Series made its highly anticipated return to Lancaster Motorplex on Saturday night and it was Mike Leaty claiming the victory in the 59-lap event.
For Leaty, it was his second Race of Champions win in 2022 and third career modified victory at Lancaster.
Timmy Catalano and Andy Jankowiak brought the 24-car field to the green flag for the Lancaster Motorplex 59 with Catalano showing the way over Jankowiak, with George Skora, Mike Leaty, and Austin Beers racing in the top five.
Jankowiak would take the lead away from Catalano on lap four, just as Mike Leaty passed Skora to take over third place. Amy Catalano spun, in turn, two, to bring out the race’s first caution on lap six, erasing Jankowiak’s lead over the field. On the restart, Mike Leaty would take the second position away from Timmy Catalano as Patrick Emerling passed Skora to move into fourth place on lap nine.
With Jankowiak showing the way, Emerling continued his march towards the front after passing Catalano on lap 12 to move into third place. Chuck Hossfeld moved into fifth place on lap 17 after passing Austin Beers, then “The Hotshoe” would pass Catalano on lap 19 to move into fourth place, then pressured Emerling for third place.
Hossfeld then passed Emerling on lap 21 to take over third place, after starting 11th on the grid. Timmy Catalano slowed on the back straightaway to bring out the caution on lap 25. While under caution, Jankowiak spun and as a result, had to restart the race at the back of the pack, giving Mike Leaty and Chuck Hossfeld the front row.
After a handful of cautions slowed the pace of the race, Patrick Emerling was able to pass Hossfeld to move into second place and Matt Hirschman moved into the top four. Hirschman After his spin on lap 24, Jankowiak was able to get back to seventh on lap 36.
Leaty, Emerling, and Hirschman started to pull away from the battle of fourth place between Hossfeld and Skora, with George Skora moving into fourth on lap 38. Hirschman put pressure on Emerling for second place with ten laps remaining, as Leaty continued to lead.
Jankowiak worked his way back to fourth place in the late going, as the top three pulled away from the field. Leaty would hold off Emerling and Hirschman in the closing laps to score his third career Lancaster Modified victory, his first since August of 2018.
Eldon King III won the Late Model feature for his second straight win. Rich Sharpe topped the Street Stock feature and Dan Dressel claimed the 4 Cylinder feature.
The finish:
Mike Leaty, Patrick Emerling, Matt Hirschman, Andy Jankowiak, George Skora, Chuck Hossfeld, Austin Beers, Daryl Lewis Jr, Zane Zeiner, Jack Ely, Danny Knoll Jr, Timmy Catalano, Tyler Catalano, TJ Potrzebowski, Amy Catalano, Randall Richard, Paul Townsend, Alan Bookmiller, Daren Scherer, Sean Verwys, John Barber, Cameron Ruggiero, Tim Garlock, Andy Lewis