6/14/2025
The Dirt Track at Genesee
Double Duty: Timothy Lonnen Sweeps Senior Divisions on Opening Night
Batavia, NY - After nearly two years without racing, Genesee Kartway reopened under the new management of James and Nicole Gayton. The focus of the relaunch was simple: provide a place for kids and families to enjoy grassroots kart racing. Comfortable weather made for an ideal evening at the fairgrounds, where spectators relaxed, grabbed food from the grill, and watched as young drivers got back to doing what they love. It was a smooth return to racing, and the atmosphere felt both familiar and refreshed, marking a positive new chapter for the kartway.
The first race of the night was the Kids Novice division, featuring racers between the ages of 5 and 8. Kensley Martinez of Batavia, NY controlled most of the 10-lap feature with a strong lead over Xavier Cook. However, a brief stall on lap 8 allowed Cook to close the gap. Martinez quickly regained control, pulled away again in the final two laps, and captured her first feature win of the season. In Victory Lane, an emotional Martinez said, “This feels really good.”
Next up was the Senior Lites division, where Timothy Lonnen of Wyoming, NY and Matthew Barry started on the front row. Lonnen jumped out to an early lead and began pulling away, while Barry, Paige Gayton, and Joey Surman swapped positions behind him over a three-lap stretch. Once Surman settled into second place, Lonnen had already built a gap that held to the end, securing his first feature win of the night.
The Junior 1 division, for drivers aged 8 to 10, followed. Tucker Hazlett of Corfu, NY and Kenny Cook started on the front row, with Hazlett taking the early lead and settling into a comfortable rhythm. A lap 6 caution came out after Cook got into the tires in turn four, but the restart didn’t faze Hazlett, who stayed smooth and consistent to take the win. In Victory Lane, he said, “It feels good to be here.”
In the Junior 2 division, for ages 10 to 12, Ryan Maher of Amherst, NY and Mason Sharts started on the front row. Maher took the lead right away, but Sharts—who had shown impressive speed during hot laps and heats—suffered a mechanical failure on lap 1, ending his night early. On lap 11, Maher looped his kart in turn one, triggering a caution and setting up a four-lap shootout between him and Tucker Hazlett, fresh off his Junior 1 win. Maher responded immediately on the restart, regained the lead going into turn one, and didn’t look back as he earned his first feature win of the season.
The Senior Heavy class was up next, with Timothy Lonnen and Joey Surman sharing the front row. Surman led the early laps, but Lonnen made the pass for the lead on lap 3. On lap 5, Surman spun out, bringing out a caution and bunching the field back up. For the remaining ten laps, Lonnen faced pressure from Matthew Barry, who stayed close and looked for any mistake to exploit. Lonnen, however, held his line and stayed perfect, claiming his second feature win of the night.
The Junior 3 division, which featured drivers aged 12 to 15, had two competitors. Olivia Barry led the first nine laps before spinning out in turn two, handing the lead to Chase Powers of Dale, NY. On the restart, Powers stayed low and consistent, preventing Barry from mounting a comeback. Powers captured the win, and afterward said, “I just needed to hit my marks and keep a straight line. This means a lot to me.”
The final feature of the night was the Xtreme Budget Predator division, a two-kart battle between Jack Freeman and Thomas Vullo. Freeman jumped out front early, while Vullo had trouble controlling his kart and slid off-track a few times—though not enough to bring out a caution. On lap 9, Vullo suffered a mechanical failure and was forced to retire. Freeman picked up the final feature win of the night. “It was a blast out there,” he said in Victory Lane. “It was my first time out here at Genesee Kartway. It’s been a blast racing this Xtreme Budget Predator.”
Next on the schedule for Genesee Kartway is Wednesday night racing on June 18th, set to begin at 7:00 PM. For updates on results, points standings, and news, follow Genesee Kartway on Facebook or visit TheDirtTrackatGenesee.com.
Photo credit: EM Nearhood Photography
Article Credit: Jeremy Perry
Submitted By: Jeremy Perry