Tommy Spencer Grabs 2007 NELMA Late Model Challenge

 In a race quickly becoming a fall classic for Late Model lovers, Tommy Spencer Jr. and his #07 Tom’s Garage Chevrolet showed the way by leading from green-to-checker over a field of accomplished Late Model veterans and champions.

The event began with Time Trials, with 28 of the best Late Models in the Northeast taking time. Larry Fisher and the #19 Plum Air Ford timed a quick lap of 14.535 seconds, a mere .02 seconds over second-place Tommy Spencer Jr.

After time trials, NELMA held its first consolation race, where Adirondack Speedway’s #26 Joe Schneider made a late-race pass on Riverhead Raceway’s Dave Brigati for the consolation event win and a right to be in the 2007 NELMA Late Model Challenge. #71 Lorin Arthofer claimed second, while Brigati settled for third.

At the redraw, 2007 Mountain Speedway Champion, Larry Fisher, redrew outside pole, while Tommy Spencer would get lucky and restart on the pole. Spencer would have to ward off a group of wily veterans to earn his first NELMA win.

One competitor of note would be 2006 RoC Tour Champion and 2007 RoC Tour Central Champion, Earl Paules. Paules wheeled the #58 RPM Fabrication Chevrolet all night on the outside, making for an impressive show throughout the evening. Paules started sixth and quickly sliced and diced through the field to take second by lap 25. However, Spencer would hold off the seasoned veteran for his first career NELMA victory.

Settling for third for the second year in a row was Jimmy Wismer in the #7a TTS Concrete Chevrolet. While Wismer started fourth, on lap 31 he encountered a flat and would have to pit for some new rubber. Wismer methodically moved up the field, taking positions one-by-one each lap. Wismer claimed the fastest lap of the race, a 14.646 second lap, and took home a third-place.

Despite a yellow frenzy, fans and competitors alike were delighted at the huge turnout of Late Models, featuring the crème-de-la-crème of stock car talent. NELMA is looking forward to 2008, where they aim feature the best late model racing for years to come.

NELMA Late Model Challenge Official Results
Saturday, October 20, 2007 @ Mountain Speedway, St. John’s, Pa.

1 #07 Tommy Spencer Jr. – Easton, PA
2. #58 Earl Paules – Palmerton, PA
3. #7a Jimmy Wismer – Upper Black Eddy, PA
4. #71 Lorin Arthofer – Bath, PA
5. #20x Joe Hoffman – Drums, PA
6. #11a Tony Volpe – Richlandtown, PA
7. #23 Kevin Metzger – Massapequa, NY
8. #1x Dave Brigati – Calverton, NY
9. #28 Roger Maynor – Bay Shore, NY
10. #40 Todd Geist – Palmerton, PA
11. #316 Gerry Brighthaupt
12. #59 Ginny Quinones – Pen Argyl, PA
13. #75 Mike Coll – Mount Sinai, NY
14. #68 Buzzy Eriksen – Baldwin, NY
15. #76 Zane Zeiner – Bath, PA
16. #44 Todd Stehle – Jim Thorpe, PA
17. #18 Bill Catania – Erie, PA
18. #42 Dave Macomber – Manorville, NY
19. #21 Joe Berretta – Exeter, PA
20. #27 Keith Rotzi – Islip Terrace, NY
21. #8x Kyle Harvell – East Islip, NY
22. #26 Joe Schneider – Owego, NY
23. #95 Joe Kehrli – Jim Thorpe, PA
24. #44a Mike Ames – Portland, NY
DQ #19 Larry Fisher – Fern Glen, PA
DNQ: #47 Brian Bowen, #65 Chris Kemmerer, #70 Ed Walczyk