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02/17/2014 |
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NSS NIGHT
#3:
NIGHT #3
TO
#58 ERIC GOODALE
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by
Polly Reid
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 Earlier
in the afternoon when speaking with Eric Goodale from Riverhead, NY there
was a quiet determination about what they wanted for the end result that
evening- a win. And when the checker flag waved at the end of 35 laps, it
was Goodale in the Heritage Wide Plank, Riverhead Building Supply Penske
Shocks sponsored modified crossing the stripe for the victory in the 48th
Annual World Series of Asphalt Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
“We had such a bad night last night- my crew really needed a pick me up,”
said Goodale who survived the caution filled event.
Following Goodale across the line was Ron Silk, Matt Hirschman, Andy Seuss,
Ryan Preece and Spencer Davis.
Silk who dominated the first two nights of racing was leading the event when
with 15 to go, under caution, had to suddenly pit for a left front flat.
Silk came through the field to finish a solid second but was later
disqualified for an unapproved tire change.
Goodale qualified fourth in time trials but started on the pole when the top
four were inverted. Lining up next to Goodale was Ryan Preece, Tommy
Barrett, Ron Silk, Chuck Hossfeld and Matt Hirschman the top six.
Preece jumped out into the lead at the green - Goodale tucked in behind
Preece - it took six circuits but Goodale made his move to become the new
leader. By lap ten, Goodale led Silk, Barrett, Preece and Hirschman.
Two circuits later, Silk got a run out of turn two, went low into turn three
and out of turn four completed the pass on Goodale to become the new leader
of the night.
At the half way mark the first caution waved closing up the field. Silk led
the restart with Goodale, Barrett, Hirschman and Zacharias the top five.
Two circuits later, it appeared the field had settled into single file -
Silk leading, Goodale, Hirschman, Barrett and Zacharias - when contact from
behind sent Barrett hard into the turn two outside wall. Barrett ok, however
his night was done. Meanwhile, Preece, Patrick Emerling and the 99 of AJ
Winsted pitted.
At the restart, Silk, Goodale, Hirschman, Davis and Andy Seuss led the field
back around only to be reined in by another caution on lap 20. Zacharias had
spun around in turn three and four and as his car slid back up the track
hitting the outside wall, JR Bertuccio was collected up, both rides done for
the night.
Another restart, suspected fluid on the track, brought out the next caution,
this time it was AJ Winsted with extensive damage as well as Al Emmarino -
both done for the night.
It was under this yellow that Silk’s left front tire went flat - forcing a
pit stop. “I had a flat tire, I must have ran over something from one of the
wrecks,” said Silk.
Goodale inherited the lead and never looked back. “It was a shock when Silk
pulled down into the pits,” said Goodale. “I was running scenarios through
my head during the caution about what I wanted to do - I was better on entry
and through the center but Silk was pulling me coming off - I was going
through all sorts of game plans back and forth - that all went out the
window when he pulled down pit row.”
15 to go - Goodale led the way with Hirschman, Spencer Davis and Seuss -
Silk lined up sixth on the restart and quickly moved into third then passed
for second with 11 laps remaining.
The final 10 laps clicked off quickly the top four breaking from the pack
and at the checkers, Goodale held his line for his first World Series win of
2014.
“Our car started to get real tight in the middle of the center,” said
Goodale. “I was having my own trouble on the restarts there. Matt got a real
good run on me and I squeezed him down into turn one definitely a little
bit.” Meanwhile, Goodale was aware Silk had moved in behind him in the
closing circuits. “Ronnie, he’s been stout since the minute they unloaded
off the track here.” Goodale thanked his crew and especially thanked his
wife Amanda.
 “It
was a rough night for the modifieds,” said Hirschman. “We were doing
alright. I got up to second but I didn’t have the preferred line and got
pinned on the bottom and lost a couple of spots. We’re OK, hopefully the
second half of this week goes good for us.”
It turned out to be a very eventful day for Andy Seuss. “In practice, the
last run we were going to make, we made those extra laps and broke a rocker
arm. It was a little bit of a struggle finding a rocker arm since we’re the
only Dodge motor here. Luckily Bertuccio’s had one from when they ran Dodge
in the past, I’ve got to thank them for loaning it to us. It was the right
offset but the wrong ratio so the valve wasn’t open enough and it showed up
on the race track, we were a little down on power but we missed qualifying
and had to start last.
We were up to second at one point, we had a fast car. We had a good run on
Eric Goodale- I didn’t really time it right – I just had a really good run
down the straight away and sent it in there and got into him, I’ve got to
apologize for that but it worked out he went on to win. I got shuffled back
to fourth- I guess now I’m third, that’s great after the day we’ve had. I’ve
got to thank Dan Kurzejewski for letting me drive, Tommy for all his hard
work, his right hand man Bob, spotter Charli Brown and my dad Steve for
coming down and working his butt off – he has to go back to the snow now- I
wish he could stay. To come out with a top three is pretty cool.”
There was a high damage toll for the evening- leaving the speedway for the
night there were still crews working on their cars including the Chris Our
22. “It’s hurt,” said Brad Lafontaine about the car, “but we can race it
again. We’ll get a better look at it tomorrow in the light. Chris will make
the call about the last three nights here. We’ll put these races behind us
and concentrate on Daytona.”
Chuck Hossfeld also registered a DNF, pulling off early in the main - a
broken ground electrode - the team will assess today how extensive the
damage is, specifically, if there are any engine issues.
The official finish posted, Goodale, Hirschman, Seuss, Preece and Davis take
the top five. Patrick Emerling, Dan Watts, AJ Winsted, Al Emmarino, and
Tommy Barrett the top ten. Jimmy Zacharias, JR Bertuccio, Hossfeld, TJ
Zacharias and Silk finish out the order for the night.
Indeed the focus does shift - the next two days will be at Daytona
International Speedway for the UNOH Battle of the Beach. Today, Monday, is
parking and inspection only, no on track activity. A full schedule for
Tuesday, the NWMT 150 lap event is scheduled to go green at 7pm. |
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Source: Polly Reid / TheChromeHorn.com
Posted: February
17, 2014 |
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