Casazza and Artibani Triumph at Whip City Fall Shootout

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – John Casazza scored the biggest win of his career by capturing the East Coast Mini Sprint Association 750cc Fall Shootout at Whip City Speedway. Casazza led from flag to flag in the 30 lap event, which was interrupted only once, by a red flag on lap 13 for a tip over by Shelby Kolkata. It was Casazza’s fourth win in five years of racing.
“The car ran great. All we did for the extra laps was put in a little more fuel and take a half a pound of air out of the tires, Casazza said. “Maybe we can take the points lead next week.”
Casazza trails points leader Phil Bessette by just 16 points and Bessette trailed Casazza by about 16 feet across the finish line. “John was faster tonight, and he deserved the win,” Bessette said after the race.
Kurt Conklin was the highest finishing Sportsman, coming in fifth overall and set the fastest Sportsman time at 14.15. Mark Taylor had the overall fast time at 13.91.
Brandon Artibani returned after a five month absence behind the wheel to capture the 20 lap combined 270/600cc feature, which ran 16 laps without a caution flag. Artibanni started fifth and used lapped traffic to get by Rich Crooker for the lead on lap 13.
“It felt a little weird getting back into the car after being away, but it feels great to win,” Artibani said.
A former weekly competitor at the Whip, Artibanni has competed intermittently over the past two seasons because he’s been helping his friend and former Whip City competitor Dave Gravel with his 410 Sprint Car.
Todd Bertrand was the highest finishing 270cc driver, finishing fifth overall. He also set the fastest 270cc time at 13.90 while Chris Lennox was the quickest 600cc at 12.65.
Peter Dance won his third 1200cc feature of the year by outrunning Jon Moore. In Quad 4 Midget action, Joe Krawiec claimed victory number seven for the season.
The Whip City season concludes this week with a regular lineup plus double points for the 750 Sportsman and a T-USA Regional Points race for the Modified Lites. It will be the last night of operation for the Whip under the current owners and a number of drivers and fans are expected to stop by to say thanks and goodbye.
750cc Fall Shootout: 1. John Casazza, 2. Phil Bessette, 3. Tyler Jackson, 4. Ray Legary, 5. Kurt Conklin, 6. Mark Taylor, 7. Rick Stone, 8. Matt Brown, 9. Tim Stick, 10. Wayne Bush, 11. Dirt Williamson, 12. Kyle Smith, 13. Pete Michaels, 14. Nikki Ouellette, 15. Shelby Klekotka, 17. Makayla Lucia, 17. Bill Adamsky.
270/600cc: 1. Brandon Artibani, 2. Luke Greenwood, 3. Richard Crooker, 4. Ryan Bigelow, 5. Matt Seymour, 6. Todd Bertrand, 7. Bryan Russo, 8. Frank Russo, 9. Glen Clark, 10. Greg Smith, 11. Chris Lennox, 12. Paul Bigelow, 13. Kevin Stolte, 14. Kendall Segar, 15. Wayne Ibitz, 16. Matt Galko, 17. Ben Martelle, 18. Barry Coolen, 19. Andrew Mullen, 20. Derek Robbie.
250cc Youth: 1. Cullen Pike.
Karts: Novice: 1. Aidan Pike, 2. Darren Taylor, 3. Tanner Corriea, 4. Kerrian Adamsky.
Turquoise: 1. Corey Lemelin, 2. Dylan Irish, 3. Spencer Brockman .
Junior: 1. Jeffery Champagne, 2. Nora Lemelin, 3. Ryan Irish, 4. Travis Snow, 5. Connor Leighton.
Lite: 1. Steven Banach, 2. Kate Lafrenier3, 3. Mike Hauser, 4. Bill Hauser, 5. Kyle Smith, 6. Josh Rutola, 7. Stephanie Banach.
Heavy: 1. Bill Tack, 2. Jake Sapowsky, 3. David Comeau, 4. Bruce Dodge, 5. Dale Weeks.
2 Stroke: 1. Bruce Dodge, 2. Ernie Whidden, 3. Eric Snow, 4. Jason Wood, 5. Roger Angers Jr.
Modified #1: 1. Steve Rockwood, 2. Craig Hublard, 3. Rick Ashlaw, 4. John Kurtzman, 5. Frank L’Etoile Jr., 6. Paul Luntta, 7. Eric Jorgensen, 8. Gary Hublard, 9. Jason Wood, 10. Kyle Smith, 11. Scott Kalber, 12. David Comeau, 13. Jim Close.
Modified # 2: 1. Jason Wood, 2. Craig Hublard, 3. Rick Ashlaw, 4. Steve Rockwood, 5. Eric Jorgensen, 6. Gary Hublard, 7. Jim Close, 8. Scott Kalber, 9. David Comeau, 10. Paul Luntta.
1200cc: 1. Peter Dance, 2. Jon Moore, 3. Joseph Szczapa, 4. John Virgilio, 5. Paul Rose, 6. Will Casazza , 7. Jamie Beaudry, 8. Jerry Sehn , 9. Mark Taylor.
Quad 4 Midget: 1. , 2. Scott Viets, 3. Scott Holcomb, 4. Denny Zimmerman, 5. Jeff Horn, 6. Tim Gallant, 7. Dana Shaw, 8. Greg Olson, 9. Jamie Spalding, 10. Josh Woollam.