NEW EGYPT, N.J. – Billy Pauch Jr. won the Vahlco Wheels modified feature at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday night, leading a list of five different victors.
Bryant Davis (Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series), Jim Housworth (Sportsman), Bill Liedtka (Street Stock) and Ryan Godown Jr. (Rookie Sportsman) also picked up victories in their respective divisions.
After the original start of the 30-lap Vahlco Wheels Modified feature was marred by a caution, Cale Ross rocketed to the front on the ensuing green flag, with Brian Papiez next in line.
As the top two of Ross and Papiez were pulling away from the pack, Mike Butler was continuing his march to the front as the 10th-place starter slipped into third place on lap five.
Following the second and final yellow flag of the race on the eighth circuit, Ross was still on top with Butler nudging past Papiez for second and 16th-place starting Billy Pauch Jr. jumping into fourth. One lap later, Papiez regained the runner-up spot.
At the midway point of the race, Ross had a half-straightaway advantage over Papiez. Two circuits later, Pauch Jr. was just in the process of driving by Butler for third when the second-running Papiez pulled into the infield and out of the contest.
Now with Pauch Jr. in second and in hot pursuit, Ross was beginning to encounter the tail end of the field with 11 laps remaining. By the 22nd tour, Ross’s margin over Pauch Jr. had evaporated to a mere two car lengths in heavier lap traffic.
Over the next few tours, Ross had Pauch Jr. on his bumper. After a brief side-by-side duel, Pauch Jr. scooted past Ross with only five revolutions left in the race.
Over the final laps, Pauch Jr. increased his lead and went unchallenged to grab the checkered flag for his 22nd career New Egypt modified win.
Ross held off Butler to take second. With Butler in third, Ryan Krachun came home fourth after starting the race in 11th. Brandon Grosso, who started the race 13th, finished fifth.
In the 20-lap Delaware Auto Exchange Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series main event, Bryant Davis motored by the early leading Larry McVay with seven laps remaining to gain the victory.
In the originally scheduled 20-lap Hammer Sportsman feature, Jim Housworth was declared the victor after the time limit was reached and eight laps were completed. The victory was the fifth Sportsman win for Housworth at New Egypt Speedway.
For the 27th time in his career, Bill Liedtka took top honors in the 15-lap Street Stock feature. Liedtka, who was involved in a second lap caution with Jon Meyer, roared back through the field and took the lead from Brian Ludwig on the seventh tour.
After taking command from Jim Van Wickle on the fourth circuit, Ryan Godown Jr. ran away from the field to win his second consecutive eight-lap Lyons Construction/Metal Fab Rookie Sportsman race.
The finish:
1. Billy Pauch Jr., 2. Cale Ross, 3. Mike Butler, 4. Ryan Krachun, 5. Brandon Grosso, 6. Danny Bouc, 7. Davey Sammons, 8. Billy Osmun, 9. P.J. Oliver, 10. Rich Rutski, 11. Blaine Bracelin, 12. Kevin Vaclavicek, 13. Bryan Kuhl, 14. Pat Wall, 15. T.J. Lilly, 16. John Pakenham, 17. Kyle Kania, 18. Dakota Kessler, 19. Brian Papiez, 20. Matt Stangle, 21. John McClelland, 22. Bob Rambone, 23. J.R. Fulper.