MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Mat Williamson outlasted a lengthy storm and a stacked field to earn a $100,000 payday Saturday night at Orange County Fair Speedway.
The 160-lap big-block modified race celebrated Orange County Fair Speedway’s 100th anniversary and featured the top big-block modified stars from the Northeast.
A storm struck the track early in the feature, forcing a lengthy rain delay. Once racing resumed it proved to be Williamson’s night.
The driver from St. Catherines, Ontario, dominated most of the race, but found himself locked in a late-race battle with Anthony Perrego for the lead. Perrego was able to steal the lead away on lap 129, but Williamson would not be denied.
With 13 laps left Williamson returned the favor on Perrego, slipping past him to regain the lead he had held for most of the night. One back out front Williamson appeared to be in control until runner-up Stewart Friesen slapped the turn one wall to bring out the caution with three laps left.
The green would wave for a three-lap shootout, but Williamson refused to be intimidated. He inched away from the resurgent Friesen, getting to the checkered flag first to earn the $100,000 paycheck.
Friesen settled for second, followed by Matt Sheppard, Danny Johnson and Billy Decker.
The finish:
Mat Williamson, Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Justin Haers, Larry Wight, Chris Hile, Brian Krummel, Mike Mahaney, Anthony Perrego, Dillon Steuer, Mike Gular, Pete Britten, Pat Ward, Jerry Higbie, Marc Johnson, Jack Lehner, Jessica Friesen, Bob McGannon, Michael Storms, Gary Edwards, Tyler Boniface, Josh Hoenforst, Matt Hitchcock, Billy Pauch Jr., Brett Hearn, Erick Rudolph, Donnie Wilson, Jimmy Horton, Matt Janiak, Rich Eurich, Matt Hulsizer, Jackie Brown, Billy Pauch, Billy Dunn, Jeff Strunk, Craig Mitchell, Ryan Godown, Tim Fuller, Tyler Dippel, Tommy Meier.