Williamson, N.Y. – Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., worked his way to the lead on lap 45 and ran to his first victory of the 2017 season in the TBRC (Troyer Bob Retirement Championship) at Spencer Speedway this pastFriday night. Emerling is the defending series champion.
“We had a good night and things came to us,” offered Emerling from Race of Champions Modified Series victory lane fueled by Sunoco. “All of my guys work incredibly hard at this. There is some great competition and competitors in this series. Tonight we had things go our way. It’s great to win on a night that honored Bob Mueller, who is retiring from Troyer Race Cars and Parts, he’s done so much for this division over the years.”
The series most recent winner, Bryan Sherwood of Binghamton, N.Y., started from the pole position but had mechanical troubles and slipped backward as Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y., took the early lead. Hossfeld had to fend off the advances of Mike Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., who made several attempts to pass Hossfeld on the outside.
Leaty led two laps before Hossfeld took back over and chose the outside on a restart with Emerling to his inside. Emerling was able to use the inside starting position to hold off Hossfeld and take the lead on lap 45.
Emerling was able to hold on and moved into the series point lead.
Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., posted the fastest overall time during group time trials and worked his way through the field to finish second. Hossfeld held on for third.
Tommy Catalano of Ontario, N.Y., advanced from 13th to 4th at the finish while George Skora of Eden, N.Y., rounded out the top five.
Leaty, Hirschman and Hossfeld won the three qualifying races.
-Race of Champions Press Release. Photo credit: Speed51.com/MoJo Photos
Race of Champions Official Results
Spencer Speedway (NY) – June 2, 2017
Pos No. Name Laps
1 07 Patrick Emerling 75
2 60 Matt Hirschman 75
3 22 Chuck Hossfeld 75
4 54 Tommy Catalano 75
5 65 George Skora 75
6 12x Andy Jankowiak 75
7 25 Mike Leaty 75
8 17 Roger Coss 75
9 66 Austin Kochenash 75
10 64 Amy Catalano 75
11 32 Tyler Rypkema 75
12 10 Daryl Lewis 75
13 3 Daren Scherer 75
14 11 Kirk Totten 75
15 1 Chris Ridsdale 74
16 40 Tommy Rought 73
17 51 TJ Potrzebowski Out
18 59 Karl Hehr Out
19 95 Bryan Sherwood Out
