CHEMUNG, N.Y. – It was an encore, of sorts, as the regular season at Chemung Speedrome had ended on August 26.
Super Stocks ran a 56-lap race in memory of the late George Swansbrough. “Crazy” George had built and run Shangri-la II Speedway and Skyview Drags.
Hobby Stocks ran a 30-lap event in memory of the late Tim Machuga, whose father Dave is a fixture in the twin tiers are of N.Y./Pa. Winners on this special finale included Garrett Zacharias (Super Stocks), Ajay Potrzebowski (Hobby Stocks), Nick Robinson (4 Cylinders), Derrick Vogler (Bandolero Outlaw) and Devin Gullo (Bandolero Bandit).
The Speedrome remembered the late George Swansbrough with a special $1,500-to-win Super Stock event, which grew to over $2,400 as additional money came in prior to the green flag.
The Zacharias cousins led the way, but Garrett got around and took the lead prior to the first caution with five laps complete. Charlie Sharpsteen was on the move and got around S. Zacharias for second. Though he had the spot, he had to watch G. Zacharias get further away as the laps clicked off.
The second caution came with 30 laps complete. G. Zacharias led the way over Sharpsteen, Tim Gullo and 2022 track champion Nick Robinson.
Charlie Sharpsteen spun and set up what became the final restart. Again, G. Zacharias prevailed while Gullo and Robinson put on a great battle for second.
With just a handful of laps remaining, Robinson passed Gullo but the pair had too few laps to chase down Zacharias. He held on for the big win, this time over Robinson, Gullo, Cameron Nichols and Christman.
G. Zacharias car pulled into victory lane, but his winner’s interview took place up top outside the tower, where his father sat in his wheelchair. When Zacharias arrived, R.J. stood up to greet and hug his son.
“Having my dad here, and to come back to Chemung and win this big race, is huge for me,” Zacharias told the crowd. “This car has been super-fast all year, and we’ve won some big races. But his one is really special. I went to Shang 2 as a kid but never raced there. But I know what George meant to the racing community.”
The Finish:
Feature (56 Laps): GARRETT ZACHARIAS, Nick Robinson, Tim Gullo, Cameron Nichols, Jake Christman, Mike Nichols, Lee Sharpsteen, Seth Zacharias, Frank Chapman, Jr., Brian DeMark, Frank Chapman III, Aaron Cornell, Tim Faro, Charlie Sharpsteen, Robert Fink, Mark Taylor, Jim House, Gary Noe, Derrick Tarbox