SOUTHERN TIER OPEN JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RE:  Southern Tier Open This Saturday!

CONTACT:  Andrew Harpell – fivemilepoint1@aol.com (775-5555)

 

FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY READY FOR 16th RUNNING OF THE SOUTHERN TIER OPEN THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH.  MODIFIED 40 LAPPER TO PAY $2,000 TO THE WINNER.

 

KIRKWOOD, NY…The 59th consecutive year of racing at Five Mile Point Speedway is set to start off with a bang this Saturday night.  The 16th running of the Southern Tier Open for Modifieds will highlight a big night of racing at the historic quarter mile oval.  All of the action is set to take place beginning at 5 p.m.

 

The Modified Southern Tier Open 40 will pay $2,000 to the race winner.  In addition special bonuses are being posted for the T3 and Woodhull Speedway teams that supported the season opener in the past.  The first T3 Series driver based on 2008 points across the line in the 40 lapper will get a $500 bonus.  Also, the first Woodhull Speedway regular across the line will earn a $500 bonus.  These bonuses will be awarded to two different drivers.

 

“With the past support of the drivers out of the western Southern Tier area we wanted to show them our appreciation by posting these bonuses for the Southern Tier Open,” commented FMP owner Andrew Harpell.  “This years Southern Tier Open will see the best from Five Mile Point, Penn Can and Woodhull battling for the title.” 

 

The Southern Tier Open event started out in 1970 as a compliment to the annual Southern Tier 100 each fall.  The event has been run in both the spring and in the fall in the past.  The first year of the event saw Canadian driver Ivan Little capture the victory.  Three drivers have had repeat wins in the event.  They are Mike Colsten (2001, 2008), Mitch Gibbs(2002, 2004) and Rich Ricci, Jr. repeated in 2005 and 2006. 

 

Last years event was a thriller as Mike Colsten held off a late rally from Joey Grammes for the victory.  Young Tony Kawalchuk was impressive as he and Colsten swapped the lead throughout the first half of the race.  Kawalchuk settled for third at the stripe with Penn Can Speedway regular Jeff Rudalavage and Five Mile Point Speedway Sportsman Champion Shaun Walker finishing in the top five.  For Walker, it was his first ever Modified start and it was impressive.  He will be contending for “rookie of the year” honors in this years Modified division.

 

The Modified Southern Tier Open will allow the teams to compete on any 92 x 13 Modified tire.  No Late Model tires will be permitted.  Sail panels may also be used in this event.

 

Joining the Modifieds this Saturday will be the point race season openers for the Sportsman, Pure Stocks, Lightning Cats and Figure 8’s.  The 600 c.c. Modifieds will also be part of a big card of racing.  Practice will begin at 4:15 p.m. with racing getting the green flag at 5 p.m.

 

The 2009 race season gets the green flag this Saturday, April 18th with the running of the Southern Tier Open.  Racing gets underway at 5 p.m.  For additional information please log on to the official Five Mile Point Speedway website at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or phone the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555.  Make it a point to get to the Point in 2009!

 

 

A complete listing of past winners and top five finishers of the Southern Tier Open…

 

              1970                       Ivan Little

                        1971                       Lou Lazarro

                        1972                       Frank Mears

                        1973                       Stan Ploski

                        1974                       Chuck Ciprich

                        1975                       Jack Johnson

                        2000                       Jim Crawn

                        2001                       Mike Colsten

                        2002                       Mitch Gibbs

                        2003                       Rich Keehle, Jr.

                        2004                       Mitch Gibbs

                        2005                       Rich Ricci, Jr.

                        2006                       Rich Ricci, Jr.

                        2007                       Joey Grammes                                                      

                        2008                       Mike Colsten

 

ALL TIME TOP FIVE SOUTHERN TIER OPEN FINISHERS

YEAR/WINNER                   SECOND               THIRD                   FOURTH                               FIFTH

1970  Ivan Little                   George Ely             Stan Ploski            Frankie Schneider                Gerald Chamberlin

1971 Lou Lazarro                Terry Edwards      Jake Ressiga         Roger Beagell                       DeForest Chalker

1972 Frank Mears               Don Beagell          Kenny Moore       Jim Keppley

1973 Stan Ploksi                  Roger Beagell       Jackie Wilson       Kenny Moore                       Walt Emery

1974 Chuck Ciprich            Don Beagell          Billy Osmun          Roger Beagell                       Chuck Akulis

1975 Jack Johnson             Dave Kneisel        Kenny Moore       Pete Cordes                           Don Beagell

2000 Jim Crawn                   Dave Locke           Craig Terrell          Eddie White                          Dave Rumsey

2001 Mike Colsten              Doug Worthing    Mitch Gibbs          Brian Weaver                        Meme DeSantis

2002 Mitch Gibbs               Mike Colsten        Brian Davis           George Kostelansky            Butch Klinger

2003 Rich Keehle, Jr.          Alan Kellogg        Bobby Puckett      Glenn Knapp                         Kirk Horton

2004 Mitch Gibbs               Meme DeSantis    Rick Virkitis           Rich Keehle                           Bob Savoie

2005 Rich Ricci, Jr.              Mike Ricci             Mitch Gibbs          Brian Weaver                        Alan Rudalavage

2006 Rick Ricci, Jr.              Mike Ricci             Joey Grammes       Mitch Gibbs                          Billy Pauch, Jr.

2007 Joey Grammes            Pat Ward               Brian Weaver        Mike Colsten                        J.R. Crouse

2008 Mike Colsten              Joey Grammes       Tony Kawalchuk  Jeff Rudalavage                    Shaun Walker