The undesirable weather was closing in on the Northeast racing plans. This only seemed to reinforce the incentive of fans and race teams to come out while it was still possible. Twenty-four CRSA Racesaver sprint cars filled the Afton Motorsports Park for race three of the CRSA Sprint Tour presented by Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment. This was also round- one of the four-race Algonkin Motel Challenge.
The racing math teacher, Dustin Purdy, brought his family-owned Purdy Racing 83 to the green flag to begin the twenty-five lap main event. He drew the first starting position alongside a future engineering student, Tyler Jashembowski, in his Johnny’s Service Station, Star Collision number 98T.
Purdy set the pace early through the first ten laps. The field experienced some yellow flags to slow the pace during this ten lap segment. The 99 of Mike Kiser and 91 of Chuck Alessi were involved in an incident between turns one and two to bring out one of these early cautions.
One of Purdy’s earliest challengers was Lake Ariel Pennsylvania’s Eddie Strada. The Central Pennsylvania micro sprint standout worked the middle lane to eventually pull alongside of Purdy and actually take the lead before he experienced misfortune. His number 1 Norwegian Builder and Excavator ride lost power as he was crossing under the flag stand around lap six. This left Purdy with yet another restart to lead the rest of the field.
Purdy’s next challenger would come in the form of defending series champion Kyle Smith and his number 17 D&D Auto Supply, Taylor Propane entry. Smith would methodically but swiftly work his way from fifth starting position. Kyle would pass Purdy before the halfway point of the event.
With a few late race yellows to work through, Smith would take solid command of most of the restarts to go on to secure the victory in race three for the CRSA Sprint Tour and round one of the Algonkin Motel Challenge. This turned out to be a very emotional evening for Kyle and his car owner, John Matrafailo.
“Johnny’s father passed away earlier this week. He was definitely with us tonight. This win is for him.” Smith went on to talk about how he worked his way to the lead in the event. “I was running good up top in the beginning and felt faster there. Once I got to the lead I went to the bottom because I knew anybody was going to have a hard time passing me up high”
Schenectady New York’s Josh Pieniazek also worked his way from the eighth starting spot to finish second in the main event. He was very fast late in the running with his number 9 JGS Recycling car. “If that later caution didn’t come out I think I had a shot (at Smith) in lapped traffic. I believe I was faster. Then the last two restarts my motor just wouldn’t fire off unfortunately.”
The CRSA Sprint Tour presented by Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment will now look to next weekend for the first official chance at a double-header on their schedule. The tour will head to Penn Can Speedway, in Susquehanna Pennsylvania, on Friday evening May 19th. They will then head back north to compete in their first and only stop of 2017 at Thunder Mountain Speedway on Saturday May 20th. The track, located in Center Lisle New York, is just about a thirty minute drive north of Binghamton, New York. Penn Can Speedway is also not far from the Binghamton area.
Fans and teams can find more information on the 2017 CRSA Sprint Tour by going to crsasprintcars.com.
Afton Motorsports Park Official Results – Algonkin Motel Challenge Race 1 – 5/12/17
HEAT 1: 1. Tyler Jashembowksi, 2. Dana Wagner, 3. Eddie Strada, 4. Sydney Prince, 5. Jeff Trombley, 6. Emily VanInwegen, 7. Link Pettit, 8. Peter Dance
HEAT 2: 1. Thomas Radivoy, 2. Michael Storms, 3. Brett Jaycox, 4. Christian Rumsey, 5. Geoff Quackenbush, 6. Tyler Cartier, 7. Chuck Alessi, 8. Tyler Boniface
HEAT 3: 1. Dustin Purdy, 2. Kyle Smith, 3. Josh Pieniazek, 4. Mike Kiser, 5. Billy VanInwegen, 6. Andy Durie, 7. Dalton Herrick, 8. Jerry Sehn.
A-MAIN: 1. KYLE SMITH, 2. Josh Pieniazek, 3. Brett Jaycox, 4. Billy VanInwegen, 5. Dustin Purdy, 6. Tyler Jashembowski, 7. Sydney Prince, 8. Dalton Herrick, 9. Emily VanInwegen, 10. Christian Rumsey, 11. Jerry Sehn, 12. Dana Wagner, 13. Geoff Quackenbush, 14. Andy Durie, 15. Tyler Cartier, 16. Link Pettit, 17. Eddie Strada, 18. Michael Storms, 19. Thomas Radivoy, 20. Mike Kiser, 21. Jeff Trombley, 22. Chuck Alessi, DNS Peter Dance, DNS Tyler Boniface
BONUSES: Shuttleworth Sealing Bonus: Jerry Sehn. Powdertech Coatings Hard Charger: Billy VanInwegen 15th - 4th (+11)