The season at Freedom Motorsports Park ends with on “Max”
Jeremy Perry, Delevan, NY, photo by Woah Nellie Productions
This weekend’s season-ending event at Freedom Motorsports Park was a night to remember, with perfect weather, a packed crowd, and edge-of-your-seat racing action. The evening’s excitement was capped off by a mix of familiar faces and a first-time winner in Victory Lane, making for a truly unforgettable conclusion to the season.
The highly anticipated Super Late Model race roared to life with Max Blair and Jon Lee leading the pack to the green flag. However, the excitement was short-lived, as disaster struck on the first turn when Lee and Greg Oakes made contact with the wall, sending a concrete barrier tumbling down the hill and prompting a red flag for repairs. Once the field resumed racing, the battle for supremacy intensified between Blair and Dave Hess. Both drivers pushed their cars to the limit, with their right rear tires skimming the berm as they vied for the top spot. With 15 laps remaining, Blair navigated through lap traffic, executing a daring crossover move on Jason Dobson exiting turn two. The two cars ran side by side down the backstretch, with Blair and Dobson making what seemed to be a minimal contact entering turn three, sending Dobson spinning out and sliding up the track. As Hess narrowly avoided Dobson’s stranded car in turns three and four, Blair seized the opportunity to break away on the restart. Despite Hess’s valiant efforts, his repeated excursions over the cushion allowed Blair to pull ahead and secure the feature win.
Brad Mesler and Jesse Isadore led the pack to the green flag, starting from the front row in the Sharp Mini Late Models division. Mesler quickly took command, but Isadore was hot on his heels from the outset. However, Mesler’s dominance was short-lived, as he struggled with a few bobbles in turns one and two, mirroring his performance in the heat race. Isadore pounced on Mesler’s mistake, seizing the lead on lap four. Just as Isadore began to pull away, the yellow flag waved for Trenten Curry, who made heavy contact with the inside wall, sending his car spinning. Despite the late caution, Isadore remained unfazed, cruising to a convincing victory on Saturday night and capping off an exciting race in the Sharp Mini Late Models division.
The Rush Stock Cars stole the show with a heart-stopping display of racing prowess, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Kaden Michael surged to the front early on, leading a breakaway pack of four cars that included Alex Bush, Raidden Wilson, and Cole Strickland. However, Bush’s hopes of victory were dashed on lap nine when he spun out exiting turn four, leaving the top three to battle it out. With just three laps remaining, Strickland made a move, passing Wilson to claim second place. But in a stunning twist, both Strickland and Michael slipped up in turn four as the field approached the two-lap signal, allowing Wilson to seize the lead with a bold two-for-one maneuver. In a thrilling finale, Michael refused to yield, reclaiming the top spot on the penultimate lap and holding on for the feature win in a race that will be remembered for ages.
Jacob Gomala and Zach Rhodes led the charge in the Allegheny Sprint Tour, starting from the front row. Despite a caution-free run from green to checkered, the excitement was palpable up front. Gomala grabbed the early lead, with Rhodes hot on his heels. Rhodes’ car clearly had the edge, but he exercised patience, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike. That moment arrived on lap 18, when Rhodes finally swooped past Gomala to take the lead. Jim Pattock, who had earlier set fast time in time trials and dominated his heat race, began to close in on Rhodes with five laps remaining. However, time was against him, and Rhodes held on to secure the feature win, denying Pattock’s late surge.
Ridge Cobb appeared unbeatable in the Mini Stock race, taking control from the start. However, his dominance was short-lived, as a flat tire on lap five forced him pit side, ending his bid for victory. With Cobb out of the running, Jeff Wynes seized the opportunity, taking the lead and making history in the process. Despite showing speed at Ransomville Speedway and Genesee Speedway throughout the season, Wynes had yet to secure a feature win. That all changed on the second night of the Fall Classic, as he dominated the final 15 laps, earning his first-ever feature victory in an emotional breakthrough.
That’s a wrap on the 2024 season at Freedom Motorsports Park! We’re grateful for an incredible year of racing and want to extend our sincerest thanks to our dedicated fans and drivers for their unwavering support. Your enthusiasm and commitment mean the world to us! Stay tuned over the winter months for the unveiling of our 2025 schedule, packed with even more thrilling events! We can’t wait to see you all again next season. Until then, stay warm and keep the racing spirit alive!
Super Late Models Feature (30 laps) – MAX BLAIR, Dave Hess, Jason Knowles, Andy Boozel, Jon Lee, Andy Michael, Garrett Mott, Justin Carlson, Jason Dobson, Jason Genco, Kyle Bedell, Greg Oakes.
Heat Race winners – Dave Hess & Max Blair
Sharp Mini Late Models Feature (15 laps) – JESSE ISADORE, Rick Isadore, Kyle Babcock, Brad Mesler, Val Learn, Trenton Curry
Rush Stock Car Feature (15 laps) – KADEN MICHAEL, Cole Strickland, Alex Bush, William Baker Jr, Camron Kramer, Raiddan Wilson
Allegheny Sprint Tour Feature (25 laps) – Zach Rhodes, Jim Pattock, Jacob Gomala, Andy Priest, Nolan Groves, Mike Smith, Timmy Bittner, Jarrett Cubalet, Jarrett Rosencrance, Hunter Hite
Mini Stock Feature (20 laps) – JEFF WYNES, Don Whiteside, Dennis Harrison, Chris Leone, Kurt Babcock, Cole Susice, Bill Weatherley, Jake Clancey, Dylan Strade, Ian Paul, 7x, Ridge Cobb, Khloe Griffin, Ken Weatherley, Cody Griffin, Joe Gillespie, Curt Rung, Billy Williams, Shaine Putt, Chad Moden
