Speedway gearing up for Nichols Memorial

EAST WINDSOR — The 35th an niversary season at the East Windsor Speedway will continue on June 2 as the half-mile clay oval presents the season’s first double-point, 50-lap main event for Small-Block Modified stock cars. The green flag will wave on the first qualifying event at 7:30 p.m.

The fourth annual Bill Nichols Memo rial 50, which is named for a longtime member of the speedway safety staff who passed away in January 1997, will carry an inflated purse and double points toward the season-long driving title.

Even before the half-century grind goes to the green flag, there will be plenty of Small-Block Modified action as the ex pected large field of race cars will battle in qualifying races for the right to start the memorial event.

Early season winners Doug Hoffman of Allentown, Pa., and Jimmy Horton of Whitehouse Station, plus standouts Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa., and Fred Dmuchowski of Neshanic Station are expected to be among the drivers to watch in Small-Block Modified action.

The Sportsman division will return for a 20-lap main event. Defending champ Bryan Godown of Ringoes is always a threat, as are Flemington’s John Oliver, Rich Cass Sr. of Hights-town and Buck Ward of Trenton. Sportsman racers will run a consolation race, in addition to heat races, to set a 26-car main event field.

Defending champ Dave Brymer of Ti tusville will be a favorite in the night’s Street Stock 15-lapper. Still, plenty of pressure will come from Lenny Riley of North Brunswick, Kim Cooke of Hamil ton and Larry Bubeck of New Hope, Pa.

In earlier action, on May 26, Doug Hoffman proved to all that he is a true contender for another East Windsor Speedway Small-Block Modified driving title as he won his second main event of the year. The all-time Small-Block Modi fied feature win leader is now just one win short of the 100 victory mark.

Darren McCaughey of Oldwick was the first pace setter in the 25-lapper, while Hoffman was roaring through the 24-car field.

Hoffman arrived on the leader’s doorstep at the halfway mark and then charged to the front on the 17th circuit. Opening night winner Jimmy Horton soon followed through for second, but didn’t get the chance to mount a challenge before the checkered flag waved. McCaughey held on for third, while Frank Cozze and Eddie Bohn wrapped up the top five.

Rob Gallmayer of Stockton was the top dog for the first 15 laps of the Sportsman 20-lapper, while second-generation driver Stan Ploski III of Ringoes throttled through the 26-car field.

Ploski took over the lead on the 15th circuit and then cruised on to his first win of the year. Paul Marra Sr. and Ron Jon Koczon got past Gallmayer for second and third, while Matt Papiez was fifth.