By ohnson 
If you’re seeking a distinctive means to amuse your family, friends, colleagues, and others, I have a splendid suggestion for you. Spend an evening at the races and relish a night of thrilling racing action from a VIP Suite at the Ransomville Speedway. Sponsoring a racing night at Ransomville offers an exceptional opportunity to claim a night as your own on the track. Race night sponsorship and VIP Tower hospitality packages are obtainable for various nights throughout the 2017 season. Ransomville can enhance brand awareness for your business through race-night sponsorships, nights in the VIP Tower, on-track signage, greetings via the PA system, Jumbotron advertising, and having your logo featured on the Ransomville Speedway website and social media pages. To become a corporate partner of Ransomville Speedway, contact General Manager Jenn Martin at (716) 791-3602.
The initial racing event of the 2017 season at Ransomville will be the Hangover 150, slated for this upcoming Saturday, February 4th. Having been postponed twice already due to Mother Nature, fingers are crossed in anticipation of finally holding the Hangover and officially commencing the 2017 season. The pit gates will open at 8:30 am, with the grandstands opening at 10:30 am, and the first green flag of the day at noon. The 2017 edition of the Hangover 150 is presented by Philips Garage, Relco Trucking, Sevenson’s, Hytech, and FindItQuick.com. Winners of each race will receive $500, with $200 for the second place and $100 for the third place.
While some regulars of Ransomville will participate in the Hangover 150, others have competed indoors with their TQ Midgets as part of the Indoor Auto Racing Championship. Erick Rudolph claimed victory in the Gamblers Classic in Atlantic City for the third time in his career, driving a Lafler Chassis #22. Sportsman rookie Jonathan Reid finished seventh in Atlantic City, piloting his Harry Macy Special, Reid’s Drive-In number 9. Some drivers who have competed over the years at Ransomville also raced in Atlantic City, including second-generation driver Andy Jankowiak. Having experienced issues in his newly constructed TQ midget along with the asphalt modified chassis builder Ricky Kluth, he finished 18th. “The Straight Shooter” Scott Kreutter started 25th and concluded in sixth place, earning the Hard Charger Award. Mike Maresca, who would attend Ransomville for the high-paying races or the Super DIRTcar Series stops, finished 13th.
Ransomville held its rules/registration meeting at the Ransomville Fire Hall on January 21st, with an estimated 200 individuals in attendance. Technical Inspectors Rich Lemieux and Dave Johnson were introduced to the attendees, along with other key Speedway officials; Promoter/General Manager Jenn Martin and Parm Atwal were all present.
Third-generation driver Erick Rudolph will be competing at the Big R with the BBL team. Scott Kerwin, who was previously the driver of the BBL entry, has found a new ride with John Cocco. Former track champion, “CB3”, Chad Brachmann will also return to Ransomville for weekly competitions. Moving up to the Modifieds from the Sportsman ranks are past Sportsman titleholders Jesse Cotriss and Steve Lewis Jr. Both Cotriss and Lewis Jr will be vying for the division’s Rookie of the Year honors. Noteworthy 358 Modifieds drivers who signed up after the meeting include multiple-time track champion “Mr Small Block” Pete Bicknell, defending track champion “The Ransomville Renegade” Ryan Susice, Phil Vigneri Jr and Phil Vigneri III, Kenny Wills, Allan Wills, Ricky Richner, Nick Joy, Scott George, Jim and Russ Zimmerman, “The Professor” John Smith, and Jeff McGinnis.
Past regional Modified Lite champion Derek Wagner will be advancing to the Sportsman category. Jonathan Reid, Dustin Gorhan, Justin McKay, Chase Matteson, Garrison Krentz, AJ Custodi, and Anthony Muscato, all graduates of the Novice Sportsman, are also moving up to the Sportsman. Defending divisional champion Matt Farnham is back to defend his title, along with Greg Martin, Zack Sam, Mike Williams, Darrell and Derrick Borkenhagen, Jim Harbison, James Henry, Brett Martin, Noah Walker, Dave Conant, Kevin Wills, Dave DiPietro II, Austin Susice, Chris Burek, and Brett Senek.
The Novice Sportsman division will witness a promising group of competitors making their debut in the open-wheeled ranks. Bubby Pawlak, Brian Harris, Ken Washburn, Adam Harris, Kyle Wendt, Cliff Gregg III, Orville Harris, Rick Blech Jr, Matt Foster, Robbie Johnston, Cameron Tuttle, Tom Lalomia Jr, and Zachary George.
Pete and Jake Stefanski plan to undertake a full season in the Street Stock ranks and are joined by veteran Ken Camidge, along with Joey Zimmerman, Randy Zimmerman, “Showtime” Jaren Israel, Scott Soos, Austin Hauser, Donald Hermanson, Roger Israel, Matt Tracey, Ryan Hoolihan, Brian Monahan, Brandon Sherwood, and Chris Dziomba. They will be accompanied by divisional rookie Jordan Moden, who is progressing from the Go-Kart ranks. Mike Kramarz and Patrick Okeefe are advancing from the 4-Bangers to the Street Stocks. Dan Korpanty and Roger Smith are also joining the rookie class of Street Stock competitors.
Ashley Harbison, Howard Guthrie, Steve Matson, Anthony Guthrie, Zachary Adams, Chris Leone, Drew Westmoreland, Cole Susice, Brendan Okeefe, and Kyle Doty have thus far registered to compete in the 4-Banger division. Expect this 4-cylinder division to be filled with racers before the Speedway’s annual Test/Tune and Time night in late April.
In the spring, concrete pads will be installed on the front row of the pit area for the 358 Modifieds. Pads can be rented for $300 per season. Car shows are being planned and scheduled, and the Speedway will be represented and attend the 31st Annual Motorsports Expo, held on the weekend of March 11th and 12th at the Center of Progress Building on the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for reading this column and for exploring DTD. If you have any remarks, feel free to send me an email at stevenj.petty@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @stevenjpetty.