WALL TOWNSHIP – In front of a grandstand gathering that included Wall Township Mayor Carl Braun and township committeemen Tom Kingman, Tim Farrell and Kevin Orender, Jimmy Blewett of Howell won the “70th Anniversary Bash” 40-lap Modified stock car race at Wall Stadium Speedway on Aug. 1.
During a pre-race ceremony, the municipal officials presented a proclamation recognizing that the speedway on Route 34 has been a landmark in the community for seven decades, according to a press release.
Blewett took the lead in the early going with an outside lane pass, but this race was far from over. Tyler Truex of Mayetta was Blewett’s challenger most of the way and offered several attacks on the top spot.
Eddie McCarthy of Brick Township ran in a tight third early before Ron Frees of Lanoka Harbor took the third spot for good in the late going. Andrew Krause of Holmdel and Jackson’s Blake Barney both came from deep in the 22-car field to wrap up the top five.
“I’ve been racing for a long time and this place has been a big part of my career,” Blewett said after his 79th win at Wall Stadium. “It is pretty neat to win here with the anniversary celebration.”
Bryan O’Shea of Neptune City took the lead from former champ Mike Montano of Freeport, N.Y., on lap 19 and raced on to win the 25-lapper for the Factory Stock cars. Montano held on for second with Manchester’s Scott Riggleman, Beachwood’s Elliott Wohl and Howell’s John Carpenter completing the top five.
With lapped traffic working to his benefit on the final circuit, Alonzo Morales of Burlington grabbed the top spot from Wall Township’s T.J. Graves at the checkered flag to win the 4-Cylinder Stock 25-lap main event. Sal Liguori of Hazlet, Neptune City’s Ryan Maher and Doug Ashford of Farmingdale were third through fifth.
Jake Nelke of Manahawkin took the lead early and raced on to victory in the Sportsman 25-lap feature race, while opening night winner Eric Lane of Howell finished second. Edison’s Neil Rutt III overcame a qualifying crash for third, while brothers Carsten and Jarrett DiGiantomasso, both of Jackson, were fourth and fifth.
Returning to racing after a decade layoff, former champion Bryan Gardella of Brick Township raced to the win in the Legend Cars 25-lapper. Peter Bruno of Little Silver was second, with Colin Milroy of Southampton, Eric Green of Red Bank and Chris Gall of Brick Township completing the top five.
Chris Silvestri of Hazlet won his second straight Limited Late Model feature race over Mike Tillett of Bayville, Steve Puglisi of Toms River and Jackson’s Greg Gastelu.
The 2020 Saturday night regular season continues on Aug. 8 with the Modifieds, Sportsman cars, Factory Stocks, Legend Cars and the traveling Three Quarter Midgets in action.
The speedway will honor first responders who present proper identification with an admission discount. The pit area will open at 12:30 p.m. Grandstands will open at 4:30 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:30 p.m. and main event action starts at 7 p.m., according to the press release.
For more information, call 732-681-6400.
