By Dick O'Brien
Fast-improving, second-generation racer Max McLaughlin raced from 13th to the lead in 24 laps and went on to win the 35-lap DIRT big-block modified main event Friday night at Brewerton Speedway.
The 18-year-old Mooresville, North Carolina, native drives one of Al Heinke's HBR racing team cars and his victory Friday was his second of the Brewerton season and earned him a $2,000 check.
Larry Wight won the first three modified main events of the season, but the Phoenix charger hasn't won since. Wight led early Friday, but McLaughlin whipped past him on a lap 24 restart and he had to settle for second at the checkers. Chris Hile ran a solid third.
Brewerton modified point leader Jimmy Phelps, driving the second HBR team car, wound up fourth with Chad Phelps, Andrew Ferguson, Tom Sears, Gary Tomkins, Willy Decker and Jim Witko trailing.
PILE-UP: The event was marred by a serious five-car pileup in the front chute on the 23rd lap. The modifieds of Pat Ward, Tim Sears. Tim Kerr and Katelyn Hile were all heavily damaged, but no injuries were reported.
SPORTSMAN: Brewerton again ran double crate sportsman features and Nick Krause won his fourth in the first main. Corey Barker notched his second of the year in the second. Justin Williams won his eighth mod-lite main event, while Evan Wight was the four cylinder winner.
ISMA: The International Supermodified Association had its annual Ollie Silva Classic at Lee (New Hampshire) Speedway Friday night. The 75-lap finale saw Mike Ordway Jr. wheel Clyde Booth's supermod off the front row to a wire-to-wire victory.
Canadian Mark Sammut chased Ordway Jr. home in second, with Kyle Edwards, Jon McKennedy, Chris Perley and Ben Seitz completing the top seven. Otto Sitterly was a surprise entrant with a wing on his Nicotra Oswego machine and he finished eighth. Rookie Tyler Thompson and Tim Jedrzejek filled out the top 10.
Baldwinsville's Michael Muldoon fell out early and wound up 13th.
The ISMA New England swing continues Saturday night with another 75-lapper at the New London-Waterford (Conn.) Speed Bowl.
ESS: The Empire Super Sprint Club brought 32 machines to Can-Am Speedway Friday night and Danny Varin won the feature race. Paul Kinney was second, with Billy Vaninwegan, Coleman Gulick and Jeff Cook filling out the top five.
Billy Dunn held off Tim Fuller for 358 modified honors.
MODIFIEDS: Friday night modified winners were Ronnie Johnson (Albany-Saratoga), Ken Titus (Afton) and Pete Bicknell (Ransomville). Accord was rained out.