WALL TOWNSHIP – Defending Modified stock car driving champion Andrew Krause continued his 2021 regular season domination on June 5 by winning the 61st running of the 125-lap Garden State Classic at Wall Stadium Speedway.
While the Holmdel speedster’s record is impressive, he had to fight his way to his first Garden State Classic victory by coming from 10th in the 24-car field while wrestling several top runners before taking the $5,000 win, according to a press release.
Brick Township’s Eddie McCarthy led the first 50 circuits before defending race champion Blake Barney of Jackson forged to the front on lap 51.
Barney led the way past the halfway mark as Krause advanced into the top five.
A lap 75 caution, triggered when Brick Township’s Eric Mauriello tagged the guard rail entering turn one while fighting for a top spot after starting last, saw Krause advance to third on the restart, while Anthony Sesely of Hazlet slipped into the lead.
Sesely held the top spot through the following caution-plagued 20 laps before Krause took the lead with 30 laps remaining.
More cautions followed in the final 30 laps as Krause fought off Kyle Scisco and then Steven Reed, both of Jackson, during the remainder of the event.
Scisco’s strong effort came up short with a second turn tangle with less than 10 laps remaining.
Krause raced on to the win followed by Reed, McCarthy, Shaun Carrig of Little Falls and Tommy Martino of Farmingdale. Tire samples from the top three finishers were sent out to be analyzed, according to the press release.
“With all those cautions and this hot and humid weather, I was starting to worry about dehydration near the end of the race,” Krause said. “We had to start 10th in a great field of cars. I love racing with Steven Reed. He is a legend here and a real good racer. When you can finish in front of the No. 55 you know you have done something.”
Howell’s Johnny Carpenter jumped to the front early and raced on to victory in the companion 25-lapper for the Factory Stocks.
Freehold’s A.J. Jadacki chased Carpenter for 20 laps before finishing second, with Manchester’s Scott Riggleman third. Bryan O’Shea of Neptune City and Beachwood’s Elliot Wohl completed the top five.
Ian Ashford of Farmingdale celebrated his career first feature race win in the 25-lapper for the Fast 4 division.
Alonzo Morales of Burlington advanced to second in the late going, while defending champ Ryan Maher of Neptune City was third. Darianne McLaren of Edison and Wall Township’s Sean Vuksanic were fourth and fifth.
Buddy Sload of Glenmoore, Pa., won the 25-lap feature for the touring Three Quarter Midgets. It was Sload’s second straight win.
The 2021 auto racing season at Wall Stadium will continue on June 12 with the Sportsman cars in a 50-lapper, the Factory Stocks in twin 25-lappers and the Legend Cars in a 25-lapper, plus Demolition Derby action.
Grandstands will open at 4 p.m., qualifying starts at 5 p.m. and main event action starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit wallspeedwayracing.com
