5/27/2025
The Dirt Track at Genesee
Ricky Newton Breaks Through for Long-Awaited Victory at The Dirt Track at Genesee
BATAVIA, NY — While wet weather forced a weekend postponement, Mother Nature came through in a big way for Memorial Day Monday at The Dirt Track at Genesee. After a cold and rainy Saturday pushed the event to the holiday, fans were treated to beautiful blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and a packed pit area filled with 82 eager competitors across six racing divisions. With the grandstands buzzing, the night delivered no shortage of storylines — headlined by a long-awaited return to Victory Lane for Ricky Newton, who conquered a loaded Sportsman field for his first Genesee win since 2020.
It was the Kolb Family Automotive Sportsman division that set the tone with perhaps the most dramatic and talent-filled race of the night. Newton, of Medina, NY, started on the front row next to Trevor Catalano, and wasted no time asserting himself. He led the opening lap before the first caution came out for Chris Hawkins, and on the ensuing restart, the tone of the night shifted when a major pile-up unfolded in turn three.
Austin Susice and John Venuto tangled mid-corner, sending Venuto hard into the backstretch wall. The impact kicked his car back into the middle of traffic, where chaos ensued. The resulting crash involved several contenders — including Dan Kolb, Noah Pangrazio, Joe Mickey, and Hawkins again — and completely blocked turn three, forcing officials to throw the red flag. Though damage was widespread, all drivers were reported okay.
Once the mess was cleared, the race went green for good, and Newton resumed control. But behind him, two of the region’s most formidable competitors were on the charge — Phil Vigneri III and Cody McPherson. Vigneri entered the night having won seven of the eight Genesee Sportsman features last season and was 2-for-2 to start this year. McPherson has become a household name at tracks like Merrittville, Ransomville, and Ohsweken.
McPherson, who started fourth, quickly climbed into third before being overtaken by Sam Hoxie. Despite his best efforts, McPherson would ultimately settle for fourth, while Vigneri’s bid stalled just shy of the podium as he finished 5th. The story belonged to Newton, who held strong through each challenge and crossed the line to claim his first Genesee win in four seasons.
“It’s fun, ya know?” Newton said in Victory Lane interview. “It takes a lot to race with these guys. There’s some pretty good competition here on a weekly basis, and it feels really good to get one with this group.”
The night kicked off with the Blue Diamond Racing Products Novice Sportsman feature, where some of the track’s newest talent took center stage. Front-row starters Johnny Zimmerman and Belle Hogan brought the field to green, but Zimmerman’s race unraveled early after spinning solo in turn four, collecting Troyer Catalano in the process. That opened the door for Chris Darling, a first-time visitor from Phoenix, NY, to lead lap one.
A caution for Steve Gould on lap 5 reset the field, and on the restart, Hogan jumped early and temporarily took the lead. But race officials deemed it an illegal jump, and during the next caution — which came out on lap 11 for Cole Susice — Hogan was docked a position and placed back behind Darling. The young driver never looked back, leading the final four laps and securing the win despite battling car issues in the closing circuits.
“The last 5 laps it kept popping out of gear,” said Darling, still catching his breath in Victory Lane. “It made me so mad, but I just kept popping it back in to keep going — and hey, I’m here now. First trip here and it’s a win. I’ll take it.”
The Weis Performance Mini Stocks kept fans on their feet with a caution-heavy race. Dylan Strade quickly jumped from third to the lead on lap one, showing speed early, but a string of cautions — four within the first eight laps — kept the field tightly packed. Trouble struck for Strade during the lap-8 yellow, when mechanical woes forced him to pit from the lead.
That misfortune handed the top spot to defending champion Robert Knapp of Avon, NY. Knapp hit his marks over the final laps and cruised to his first win of the season, a timely boost for the title defense.
The Conte’s Auto Street Stocks offered one of the most anticipated storylines of the night, with Josh Pangrazio entering undefeated in 2025, boasting five wins across Genesee and Ransomville. The Oakfield, NY driver would once again prove why he’s the man to beat, though not without a fight.
The race began with Trent Chamberlain and Damian Long out front, and it was Long who led early while Pangrazio started 4th. After a lap-4 caution for Donald Almekinder, DeWitt surged from fourth to second on the restart and quickly found his way past Long for the lead. Another yellow on lap 5 for Dave Stolzenburg and Chuck Mogavero bunched up the field again, and Pangrazio took advantage, sliding into second just two laps later.
The battle was on from there. Pangrazio patiently stalked DeWitt, studying his line, and on lap 11 made his move. Coming off turn two, DeWitt drifted slightly high, and Pangrazio pounced, powering underneath and pulling away to keep his season record perfect.
“Just trying to be patient around the guys,” said Pangrazio. “We got the right rear sticking really well and driving off. I’ll tell ya right now — this 955 Automotive car is one heck of a piece.”
In Radiator Plus 63 Bandit action, it was a light field but an important step for two up-and-coming drivers. With only two cars entered, Bradley Weis of Castile, NY, and Carson Shetler still put on a solid showing as both drivers logged valuable laps. Weis would ultimately grab the win, but both showed promise as they prepare for potential moves up the ladder in the near future.
Capping off the night were the Callahan Towing Rush Late Models, and fans were treated to a masterclass in clean, competitive racing. Jon Rivers led the first three laps until a caution for Mike Hetzell opened the door for Dave Dubois of Corfu, NY. On the restart, Dubois powered to the front and never relinquished the lead.
A lap-11 caution for David Pangrazio led to the final double-file restart, and Bill Holmes capitalized to grab second. Three more cautions would fly over the remainder of the race, but Dubois nailed each restart and took the checkers — his second win in three races to start the 2025 campaign.
“That was a great race with Jon and I,” Dubois said. “We’ve been racing together a long time, and that was just fun. We were side by side lap after lap and never touched. That’s how it’s supposed to be — good, clean, hard racing.”
UP NEXT AT GENESEE:
The Dirt Track at Genesee returns to action this Saturday, May 31st for East Coast Speed Night, featuring all six divisions once again. Hot laps are set for 5:30 PM, followed by the National Anthem at 6:00 PM, with green flag racing to follow. Fans are encouraged to follow the track’s official Facebook page for updates, news, and race-day coverage.
Kolb Family Automotive Sportsman feature (25 Laps) RICKY NEWTON, Trevor Catalano, Sam Hoxie, Cody McPherson, Phil Vigneri, Timmy Catalano, John Venuto, Tony Pangrazio, Ray Bliss, Jordan Moden, Austin Susice, Doug Gavette, Joe Mickey, Gordy Hermanson Jr, Chris Hawkins, Tommy Catalano, Dan Kolb, Noah Pangrazio, Greg Mrzywka
Heat race winners - Ricky Newton, Cody McPherson, and Tony Pangrazio
Blue Diamond Racing Products Novice Sportsman feature (15 laps) CHRIS DARLING, Belle Hogan, Guy Steffen, Matt Radzio, Johnny Zimmerman, Lucas Newton, John McKenney, Paul Marshall, Troyer Catalano, Cole Susice, Jacob Gurecki, Steve Gould
Heat race winners - Jacob Gurecki & Chris Darling
Weis Performance Mini Stocks feature (15 laps) ROBERT KNAPP II, Rocco Conte, Brad Shepard (Eric Weis), Brandon Shepard (Brian Johnson), Eric Brumstead, Racelyn Lippa, Eric Weis (Seth Johnson), Kevin Bacon, Ryan Hessler, Gary Hopkins, Chris McGuire, Amber Lang, Paige Gayton, Dylan Strade, DJ Williams, Chris Skobjak, Mike Dinehart, Zachery Virgilio, Cody Wise, Kevin Napier - DNS
Heat race winners - Rocco Conte, Robert Knapp II, and Kevin Bacon
Conte's Auto Street Stocks feature (20 laps) JOSH PANGRAZIO, Byron DeWitt, Damian Long, Dale Rissinger, Trent Chamberlain, Bobby Lippa Jr, Butch Zimmerman, Mike Kelly Dave Stolzenberg, Rich Conte, Donald Almekinder, Jeff Almekinder, Jesse Qutermous, Brandon Sherwood, Chuck Mogavero, Anthony Muscato, Mike Fellows,
Heat race winners - Josh Pangrazio, Dale Rissinger, and Byron DeWitt
Radiators Plus 63 Bandits feature (10 laps) BRADLEY WEIS, Carson Shetler
Heat race winner - Bradley Weis
Callahan Towing Rush Late Models feature (25 laps) DAVE DUBOIS, Bill Holmes, Chuck LaFleur, Jon Rivers, Jimmy Johnson, Jake Wilber, Billy Dubois, Doug Ricotta, Bill Taylor, Mike Hetzel, David Pangrazio, Zack Carley
Heat race winners - David Pangrazio & Dave Dubois
Photo Credit: Evie Fenton (Woah Nellie Productions)
Article Credit: Jeremy Perry
