With 19 Legends cars on hand, defending champion Mike Alcaro became the first repeat winner in the class for the season at Bethel Motor Speedway this past Saturday, but it was no easy task. Alcaro started the race from the outside pole, alongside of opening night winner Thomas Hartensveld Jr. Hartensveld Jr. put his car out front, holding off Alcaro’s challenges while Mike Carroll did battle with Mark Tischler behind them for the third spot. As the leaders were negotiating lapped traffic, Alcaro spun just prior to the halfway point of the event and was forced back to the rear, moving Tischler to second and Carroll to third. While Hartensveld had his hands full with Tischler up front, Alcaro was quickly making his way back up through the field, and he worked his way into second with six laps remaining. Alcaro was not content with second, and he immediately went to work on Hartensveld Jr., taking over the lead two laps later. Alcaro crossed the line first, followed by Hartensveld Jr. and Tischler.
This coming week, Alcaro will be looking to make it three-for-three. Hartensveld Jr., however, was edged out for the win after leading 20 laps of the feature, and will be looking to make up for his loss and tie Alcaro in 2010 wins. Carroll, who headed into last week’s event with the early season points lead, was involved in a late race caution that put him to the rear and ended his chance to contend for the win. He will undoubtedly be looking to make up for it this week. Todd McCollum, who nearly won the season opener and recorded a second-place finish the following week, will return, seeking his first win of 2010 at Bethel.
In the JTR Enterprises Bandolero class, 10-year-old Chris Lomartire of Massachusetts once again made the haul to Bethel, and once again took the trophy home with him. Lomartire took off from the pole starting spot and dominated the event. Jospeh Graf Jr., who was the opening night event winner, took second from Mikey Policastro but was unable to mount a challenge to Lomartire. Lomartire collected the win, with Graf Jr. second and Policastro third.
Action is also likely to heat up this week in the Bandoleros, as Lomartire, who hauls four hours each way to Bethel to race, will be looking to extend his perfect record, while Graf Jr. is seeking to even out the win total between the two. Policastro, who grabbed two wins in just eight starts in 2009, is on the hunt for his first win of the year and will be a force to contend with. Taylor Hurban has been impressive so far this season, and is undoubtedly getting closer to her first win. Max Evans has been quietly waiting in the wings, while both Jared Palmer and Christina Policastro will be looking to make up for retiring from last week’s event early.
LEGENDS FEATURE FINISH (24 laps): 1. Mike Alcaro, 2. Thomas Hartensveld Jr., 3. Mark Tischler, 4. Casey Robicheau, 5. Matt Maring, 6. Richie Coy, 7. Carl Blandina, 8. Raven Schrantz, 9. Kenny VanWickle, 10. Ron Poley, 11. Matt Evans, 12. Mike Carroll, 13. Johnny Demarmels, 14. Joe Fresco, 15. Joe Graf, 16. Joe DeGracia, 17. Barry Schrantz, 18. Bill Johnston, 19. Brad Lowmaster.
BANDOLERO FEATURE FINISH (10 laps): 1. Chris Lomartire, 2. Joseph Graf Jr., 3. Mikey Policastro, 4. Taylor Hurban, 5. Max Evans, 6. Cole Fratesi, 7. Christina Policastro, 8. Jared Palmer.
