By Toby Lagrange
Canandaigua, NY – The 2019 SuperGen Products with Champion Power Equipment CRSA Sprint Car Series kicked off the new season Saturday night at the Land of Legends Raceway. When all 25 A-Main laps were completed a familiar face stood tall in victory lane – Jeff Trombley.
The Albany County veteran entered the new season as a favorite to win his third straight series title. The opening day win was a huge step in becoming the first three-peat champion in series history.
By virtue of the pre-race redraw, Trombley and Emily VanInwegen led the field to the green with Trombley quickly taking the early race lead. VanInwegen would hold the second position until she spun on lap two and rolled the Mike VanDusen owned machine over onto its lid. Steve Glover was also collected in the incident. VanInwegen, who earlier in the afternoon graduated from Hudson Valley Community College, was not injured in the wreck.
Trombley controlled the restart and the remainder of the event. Trombley would bring home the win, his second of his Sprint Car career at the Canandaigua oval. Justin Mills, who one year ago was crowned CRSA Rookie of the Year, put on a late race charge to finish second. Eighth place starter Jason Whipple finished third with 11th place starter Johnny Kolosek and ninth place starter Jesse Pruchnik rounding out the top five.
The event was also the opening round of the 2019 CRSA/Land of Legends Raceway Five Star Series presented by SuperGen Products with Champion Power Equipment. Trombley, who finished fifth in the 2018 Five Star Series to champion Darryl Ruggles, leaves the Land of Legends as the points leader.
Heat races for the 18 drivers on hand were won by Trombley and Karlsen. The Prestige Pool & Spa Final Finisher Award went to Tom Fletcher, the Midstate Basement Authorities First Car Out Award went to Steve Cousins, the Maguire Family of Dealerships Magnificent Move of the Race Award went to Jesse Pruchnik, the Powder Tech Powder Coatings Hard Charger Award went to Darryl Ruggles (17th to 8th) and the Magsarus Ignitions Electrifying Move of the Race Award went to Karlsen.
“I had the race won the last time here and gave it away so I told the (crew) I don’t want to do that again,” Trombley said. “I Just tried to hit my lines tonight. The guys gave me a really fast car and that made it easy on my part.”
As is customary in Dirt Track racing, the track changes as the program goes on. On Saturday night it changed in Trombley’s favor.
“The track was awesome, turned out to be great by feature time after showing some bumps early on,” Trombley continued. “I want to thank all the fans for coming out tonight, got a great crowd and always fun to race here a couple times a year.”
The 2019 SuperGen Products with Champion Power Equipment CRSA Sprint Car Series season rolls into the Weedsport Speedway on Memorial Day, Monday May 27th. This will be the first CRSA event held at the beautiful Weedsport Speedway.
Please visit the SuperGen Products with Champion Power Equipment CRSA Sprint Car Series online at www.crsasprints.com, on Facebook (CRSA Sprints) and on Twitter (@CRSAsprints).
The Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment CRSA Sprint Car Series recognizes the following marketing partners for the 2019 season: SuperGen Products, Champion Power Equipment, Hoosier Racing Tire, Midstate Basement Authorities, Maguire Family of Dealerships, A-Verdi Storage Containers, CNY Power Sports, Prestige Pool & Spa, Insinger Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels, Kennedy’s Towing, Algonkin Motel, Powder Tech Powder Coatings, Magsarus Ingnitions, ProFab Engineering, Just Signs & Designs, Mike Emhof Motorsports, Inc.
Round #1 – Land of Legends Raceway – A-Main Finish (25 laps): 1. Jeff Trombley, 2. Justin Mills, 3. Jason Whipple, 4. Johnny Kolosek, 5. Jesse Pruchnik, 6. Erik Karlsen, 7. Alysha Bay, 8. Darryl Ruggles, 9. Dan Bennett, 10. Trevor Years, 11. Tom Fletcher, 12. Andy Jacobus, 13. Dan Craun, 14. Brandyn Griffin, 15. Emily VanInwegen, 16. Steve Glover, 17. Steve Cousins, (DNS) Jordan Noody