WALL TOWNSHIP — After Andrew Krause of Holmdel and Jackson’s Steven Reed, both former Garden State Classic champions, starred in the top two spots for most of the 125-lap distance, Krause used a stunning final lap pass to win his second straight Garden State Classic at Wall Stadium Speedway on June 4.
Tyler Truex of Egg Harbor Township was the first leader of the race, jumping to the top spot from the front row, but it took only 13 laps for Krause and Reed to advance to the top two spots. The duo continued to battle, often side-by-side, as the laps wore on and occasional cautions slowed the pace, according to a press release.
As Reed and Krause tussled for the lead, other drivers tried to work their way to the front, including former Classic multi-time winner Jimmy Blewett of Howell who started at the rear when officials said his car measured up too low at a pre-race inspection.
Blewett advanced as high as third before a turn two spin ruined his night late in the race..
That final restart saw Reed the leader and Krause was soon second. As the duo began the final lap, Reed’s car drifted high in the second turn and Krause was able to dive to the inside to make the pass and take the win.
Reed, Farmingdale’s Tommy Martino Jr., Jackson’s Kyle Scisco and Jonathan Mandato of Toms River wrapped up the top five.
“Steven is a real good driver and races you real hard,” Krause said after the race. “We spent a lot of time out there racing side by side and that is always exciting. On that last lap he drifted high in turn two for just a moment. That opened the door for me and sometimes that is all you need.”
Billy Pross of Hazlet came from fifth on the grid to win the companion 25-lap race for the Fast 4 division. Sean Vuksanic of Wall Township, former champ Ryan Maher of Neptune, Nicole Razzano of Cookstown and Toms River’s Logan Frazer completed the top five.
Tanner Jones of Glen Gardner scored his first win in the Legend Cars 20-lap race over a fast closing Quinn Trimmer of Waldwick. Former champ Peter Bruno of Little Silver, Bryan Gardella of Point Pleasant and Neptune’s Joe Parker completed the top five.
Buddy Sload of Glenmoore, Pa., made the trip to the Jersey Shore worthwhile by winning both 20-lap races for the touring Three Quarter Midgets.
The 2022 Saturday night regular season continues June 11 with the Modifieds, Sportsman cars, Factory Stocks, Fast 4 cars, Legend Cars and TQ Midgets in action. Grandstands open at 4 p.m., qualifying starts at 5 p.m. and main events begin at 7 p.m.
