East Coast Speedway Series – Donholt and Mittl win at Champion Speedway

In a long night, marred by several crashes and ambulance delays, Casey Donholt and Adam “The Missile” Mittl, came out on top in First Division Speedway Competition at Champion Speedway.

On the first attempt at the Scratch Main Event, dedicated to the memory of long-time local Speedway fan, “Speedway” Joe Hodak, Keith Hawkins over slid coming out of turn two and Spencer Portararo had nowhere to go but to collect Hawkins’ rear wheel. 

Both went down hard, and although not seriously injured, did not make the restart. Casey Donholt used his strong starting skills to make the jump in the second try and put his Sammy Tanner Arai Helmets Jawa in the lead. Adam Mittl pursued him for four laps hard but remained in second place followed by Rochester’s Dan “Smoken” Oakden and Lenny McBride of Windsor.

The Handicap Main Event was short of rider from normal with both Hawkins and Portararo out for the night, but newcomer Michael Cortese Jr. from New Jersey took control early on from the zero yard line. He led for two laps before eventually giving way to the heat from Donholt and Mittl. 

Oakden, having a good night, also moved up into 3rd. Mittl eventually overtook Donholt on his Justice Bros, Oury Grips, Sammy Tanner Arai Helmets, Tank’s Auto GM machine and went on to take the feature win. Cortese would not go home empty handed, however, as he was the event’s Division Two feature winner!

Donnie Archibald would take the checkered flag in the Quad Pro Class, holding off a hot Lonni Whitmore in his first racing action in a couple seasons. The Quad program saw large numbers and seems to be on the upswing at Champion again. 

The next event at Champion Speedway is June 23, the Omar Lightner Cup Championship. Track staff is moving the start time of the increasing in size ATV program to 6 p.m. in an effort to conclude earlier for spectators. 

Former Track Announcer, “Krazy” Kraig Moss, who has made a racing return this year after a 25 year absence, will be back in the announcer’s booth for the event. He will still be racing as well, but will announce the Main program, which starts at 7 p.m. 

There will also be live music following the event for people to enjoy. More information can be found at www.eastcoastspeedway.com.