WALL TOWNSHIP – The 94-lap Johnny Gasko Memorial Factory Stock race and a 40-lap race for Modified stock cars will headline the Sept. 11 American Pride Night auto racing card at Wall Stadium Speedway.
In addition to taking a moment to honor the fallen American heroes on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the one-third-mile paved oval will also honor the memory of Johnny Gasko, who died of natural causes earlier this year. Gasko not only raced in the Factory Stock division, but was a big sponsor and supporter of the class, according to a press release.
Grandstand seating will open at 4 p.m., qualifying is slated for 5 p.m. and the first main event is planned for 7 p.m.
A large field of Factory Stocks is expected for their extra distance night in the spotlight. Current point leader and two-time defending champion Elliot Wohl of Beachwood is expected to lead the way in the 94-lap test, with challenges coming from Bryan O’Shea of Neptune City, Scott Riggleman of Manchester, Howell’s Johnny Carpenter and Tom Rajkowski of Woodbridge.
The headlining Modifieds are set for a 40-lap feature with defending champ Andrew Krause of Holmdel, Jackson’s Steven Reed, Blake Barney and Kyle Scisco, Brick Township’s Dom Fattaruso and Eddie McCarthy, Tommy Martino Jr. of Farmingdale and Derek Hopkinson of Toms River all expected to be among those to compete.
In addition, the Sportsman cars, Legend Cars, Fast 4’s and TQ Midgets are set for 25-lap races.
All stock car main events will be cone races. In a “cone race,” a traffic cone is placed on the backstretch at the one-to-go sign for a restart. Any driver can choose to go inside the cone or outside the cone.
If the first four drivers choose the inside, for example, the fifth place driver can choose the outside and move up to the front row.
Does a driver take the preferred inside groove and restart farther back on the inside, or does he or she choose the shorter line of cars on the outside and hope he or she can make it stick? That is the issue each driver will face on each restart.
Wall Stadium is on Route 34 in Wall Township. For more information, visit wallspeedwayracing.com
