Super Mario crowned Mr. Super Stock At New Egypt

Howell’s Jason Saredy drives his Super Stock toward the front of the pack at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday.

In a night that headlined the Super Stock division, "Super" Mario Page of Somerset, took the title, the 6-foot trophy and the $1,000 prize, all courtesy of Champion Tire of Ringoes, in New Egypt Speedway’s Mr. Super Stock Classic on Saturday.

In other events, Frank Cozze scored his second this year in the Modified class, and Rich Scagliotta did likewise in the Sportsman 20.

"I’ve got to thank George Unfried (of Champion Tire) for what he does for the track. The money, the trophy — without people like him, this sport wouldn’t be what it is," Page said in the victory lane. "I’m a truck driver for a living, and yesterday I met another trucker as I was coming back from Alabama. He told me his mom was in the hospital, and she might not make it. He told me to go home and win this race for her. And I did."

In the 25-lap Mr. Super Stock Classic, Page rocketed from 16th to third in the first 15, putting him in perfect position to steal the point when leaders Kevin Bifulco and Ralph Gargiulo tangled. Page held off a determined hard-court press by 2001 champ Al Cheney III to maintain control and take the coveted crown of Mr. Super Stock, over Cheney, current point leader Gargiulo, Bill Gerber and Gary Butler. For Page, it was his fourth win of the year, his third in a row. Butler, Carol Whitehouse and Bill Miscoski were in position to collect $400 in bonus bucks from sponsor Champion Tire.

PHOTOS BY VERONICA YANKOWSKI A pack of Super Stocks race to the finish at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday.

The Modified main turned into a two-man battle between Wind Gap, Pa.’s Frank Cozze and Tim Tanner Jr., with Cozze finally flying high around the outside of Tanner with four to go in the 30-lap event, to record a handsome second victory on the season. Tanner settled for a strong second, his third consecutive top-10 finish. Keith Hoffman, Eddie Bohn in a fine run, and Todd Burley completed the top five.

"I was driving my heart out on every lap, as hard as I could," Cozze remarked after the thrilling performance.

Rich Scagliotta of Bound Brook became the first repeat winner in the Sportsman class this year. Scagliotta took the lead from Jack Swain on lap 13 to score number two. Swain, Dave Hoffman, Tom Tomasko and Larry Kline followed Scagliotta to the line.

The Herman’s Trucking Lightning Lap Awards for fastest lap in a feature event were won by Cozze (Mods, 19.004), Scagliotta (Sportsman, 20.106) and Kory Fleming (Super Stock, 20.474).

Cream Ridge’s Jake Roveda drives his Century 21 Super Stock toward the front during Saturday’s night action.

For the fourth year, Delran Auto Body hosted the Kids’ Big Wheel Challenge for children 10 and under. More than 30 youngsters competed in three age divisions, with trophies being awarded to the top three in each class.

Next week, it’s the track’s annual Independence Day celebration, featuring the Pepsi Big Bang 40 for Mods, with Sportsman, Super Stocks and a fabulous fireworks display also on the bill. An added bonus: Cream Ridge Golf Club’s held-over Dad’s Appreciation Night special will showcase dads of drivers behind the wheel in three Senior Masters Challenge events. Gates open at 4 p.m., with the first race at 6. Adult admission is $20, children 7-12 are $7, and children 6 and under are free. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900.

Kenny Hammond drives his No. 16 Super Stock during Saturday night.