SHORT STORY: Orange County Fair Speedway Short Story: Tommy Meier Credited With ‘Hard Clay Open’ Victory After Brett Hearn Refuses Post-Race Technical Inspection

MIDDLETOWN, NY – Tommy Meier was credited with the victory in Saturday night’s ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank at Orange County Fair Speedway following a disqualification post-race of apparent victor Brett Hearn.

The opener of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region saw Hearn, the all-time leading OCFS winner, start from the outside pole in the 50-lap event, survive a lead-swapping mid-race challenge from Stewart Friesen to take the checkered first and an apparent $5,000-plus payday.

However, Hearn’s team refused a standard check of cubic inch in post-race technical inspection and was disqualified. Hearn will lose winner’s points, purse money and all lap money accrued. Lap money and other bonuses will be reassigned by the running order during the event.

The win then went to Waldwick, N.J.’s Meier, who started ninth and crossed the line in second spot.

Meier is credited with his first-ever STSS victory aboard the Jeff Behrent-owned No. 3.

Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., finished second, followed by Mike Ricci of Tillson, N.Y., Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., who recovered from a late-race flat tire with an outside charge, and Danbury, Conn., driver L.J. Lombardo.

A field of 53 STSS Modifieds signed into the pit area. The event soldiered on despite a threatening morning with rain in the area and intermittent early showers.

Hearn, meanwhile, did moonlight in Johnny Illanovsky’s No. 88 Crate 602 Sportsman for the open, non-points event and took a $1,000 payday which he immediately donated to charity.

A full release with contingency awards and lap money will be released later today.

The next STSS event takes place on Sunday, April 17 at N.J.’s Bridgeport Speedway with the ‘South Jersey Shootout’ Velocita South Region Event No. 2, a 40-lap event offering $5,000 to the winner, $1,000 for 10^th and $400 to take the green flag.

‘HARD CLAY OPEN’ QUICK RESULTS – ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY APRIL 2, 2016

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region Event No. 1 Modified Feature Finish (50 laps): TOMMY MEIER, Danny Johnson, Mike Ricci, Andy Bachetti, L.J. Lombardo, Erick Rudolph, Gary Edwards, Mike Mahaney, Rich Ricci Jr., Billy Van Inwegen, Matt Janiak, Stewart Friesen, David Van Horn Jr., Craig Hanson, Tyler Dippel, Corey Lowitt, Ryan Darcy, Matt DeLorenzo, Randy Chrysler, Jeff Heotzler, Danny Creeden, Josh Hohenforst, Jackie Brown Jr., Robbie Green, Anthony Perrego, Rob Rowe, Jerry Higbie Jr., John Ferrier, Nick Nye.

Disqualified: Brett Hearn (refused post-race technical inspection)

Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps): BRETT HEARN, David Schilling, Michael Storms, R.J. Smith, Billy Eggers, Winter Mead, Steve Eubanks, Michael Sabia, Tim Hartman, Frank Venezia, Matt Stangle, Dillon Steuer, Chris Stevens, Leo Fotopoulos, Allison Ricci, Dave Marcuccilli, Jeff Hulseapple, Nick Horton, Rafael Carson, Austin Smith, Randy Sweetman, Tyler Boniface, Tyler Treacy, Eddie Burgess.

 

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Brett Deyo
BD Motorsports Media LLC
Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP
Phone: 845.728.2781www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com
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