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PATRICK EMERLING SCORES ROD SPALDING CLASSIC VICTORY IN RACE OF CHAMPIONS ASPHALT MODIFIED SERIES WIN AT CHEMUNG SPEEDROME THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT

Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., earned his 16th career Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series victory this past Saturday in the Rod Spalding Classic at Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome.

Emerling’s win ties him with his crew chief, Jan Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., for 4th on the all-time win list.

Emerling started 10th and methodically worked his way through the field, ultimately wrestling the lead away from TJ Potrzebowski of Elmira, N.Y., on lap 45 and heading to victory lane.

“We’ve been challenged here, looking for speed,” stated Emerling from victory lane. “But we found it tonight. The car was good throughout the race and I just used some patience to get into a position to win. It can get wild here. I’m proud of my team, we’ve had a long weekend and this is a good way to end it.”

Owen Bednasz of Lakeview, N.Y., led the field to the green and led the first circuit before Potrzebowski claimed the top spot.

Tyler Rypkema of Owego, N.Y., took his turn out front after passing Potrzebowski, while the action was fast and furious behind him. Potrzebowski then slipped back into the lead just before halfway and led until Emerling went in to the top spot for good.

Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., finished second, while Austin Kochenash of Danielsville, Pa., finished third. Brian Defebo of Scranton, Pa., came home fourth while Scott Wylie of Blasdell, N.Y., finished fifth.

Hirschman posted the fastest time during group qreen-white-checker qualifying with a time of 14.903 (90.586 mph).

Rypkema, Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y., Mike Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., and Jack Ely of Wall Township, N.J., won the qualifying races.

Lee Sharpsteen of Waverly, N.Y., won the Tribute to Ed McGuire 51 for the Race of Champion Super Stock Series over Mike Nichols of Elmira, N.Y., who finished second. Joe Mancuso of Buffalo, N.Y., finished third.

Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, N.Y., won a thrilling first-ever Race of Champions TQ Midget feature event. Jankowiak topped Kyle Hutchinson of East Aurora, N.Y., who finished second. Joey Bailey of Monroe, N.J., finished third.

The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, US Army, Upstate Automotive Group, Waddell Communications, Pilat Graphic Design, TDH Refrigeration, Sherwood Racing Wheels, PavedTrackDigest.com and Speed51.com. The 69th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2019 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.

For more information, contact;

Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com

Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com

Feature Finish

Rod Spalding Classic (75-laps)

Chemung Speedrome, Chemung, N.Y.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Finish

1

Starting Position

10

No.

07

Name

Patrick Emerling

Laps

75

2

5

60

Matt Hirschman

3

6

66

Austin Kochensash

4

18

53

Brian Defebo

5

19

88

Scot Wyle

6

17

12

Andy Jankowiak

7

2

72

TJ Potrzebowski

8

3

22

Chuck Hossfeld

9

12

25

Mike Leaty

10

13

10l

Daryl Lewis, Jr.

11

4

32

Tyler Rypkema

12

11

45

Eric Beers

13

15

95

Bryan Sherwood

14

14

3

Daren Scherer

15

22

2

Kevin Miller

16

21

9

Brandon Oltra

17

20

19

Austin Beers

18

1

48

Owen Bednasz

74

19

16

40r

Jake Rought

20

8

4

Zack Knowlden

73 Accident

21

24

6

Scott Hossfeld

67

22

9

54e

Jack Ely

50 Mechanical

23

7

5

Kyle Ebersole

36 Mechanical

24

23

94

Zack Curren

26 Mechanical

Time of Race: 46 minutes 56 seconds Average Speed: 36.225 mph Margin of Victory: .347 seconds

Lead Changes: 4 among 4 drivers. [48, Owen Bednasz) 0-1, [72, TJ Potrezbowski] 1-4, (32, Tyler Rypkema) 5-34, (72, Potrezbowski) 35-44, (07, Patrick Emerling) 45-75

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