Leaty Tops Field in Tommy Druar & Tony Jankowiak Memorial Modified Race (8/4/07)
Lancaster, New York – What a night of racing at Lancaster Raceway Park! It was a night for the memory books as the drivers competed in honor of two legendary Modified drivers – Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak. In fitting fashion, those that were friends, family, and fellow competitors took the checkered flag in a number of races. Jan Leaty, a friend of fellow competitor of both Druar and Jankowiak, took home the win in the 50 lap Modified memorial race.

The “Mighty Modifieds” were the final race of the evening as 17 Mods were on hand, each trying to capture the prestigious Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak Memorial Trophy as well as a qualifying spot for the Race of Champions event in September. The best of the best were on hand and they put on a show that fans, drivers, and anybody else that saw it will be talking about for quite some time. Buck Catalano started on the pole and at the drop of the green jumped into the lead. Chuck Hossfeld, who had started third, kept up with Buck, and had Erick Rudolph, Sege Fidanza, Tom McGrath, and Billy Putney behind him. By lap 15 and further back in the pack, Jan Leaty, who had started 14th began to come to life, picking off cars for position. Up front it was young gun versus veteran as Rudolph and Fidanza battled side by side for the third position with Fidanza taking the spot. The second yellow of the night appeared on lap 19 and a double file restart was called for. Hossfeld took advantage of the situation and took command of the lead at the drop of the green. B. Catalano stayed with Hossfeld, charging hard to keep control of the lead, but soon Catalano had Fidanza challenging him for second. The top three were seemingly stuck together, with Hossfeld and Catalano down low and Fidanza working the high side.

At the halfway point in the race, Hossfeld led and was followed by Fidanza, who had finally taken the position from Catalano, Catalano, McGrath, Putney, and Leaty. Leaty was on the move through the field and soon took fifth from Putney. Up front an epic battle was continued as longtime rivals Hossfeld and Fidanza raced side by side for the lead. Fidanza just couldn’t make the pass for the lead on Hossfeld and continued to work him over on the high side. Further back Leaty was continuing his march through the field as he dispatched McGrath for the fourth spot. Wilbur Hebing was following Leaty through the field after starting 13th and with three quarters of the race complete, had race up to the sixth spot. Hossfeld and Fidanza had one of the best shows on the track going on as they raced hard around the track. Just before the ten laps to go signal was displayed, Leaty got by Catalano for the third spot and in short order grabbed the second spot from Fidanza, who had dropped back from Hossfeld to seemingly regroup. With five to go the battle was on as Leaty threw everything he had left at Hossfeld. Hossfeld held his own but on the white flag lap Leaty made the move to the outside of he leader and passed Hossfeld for the lead and the win. Leaty, who competed against Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak, was proud to win on a night dedicated to his friends.

Modified Feature Finish: Jan Leaty, Chuck Hossfeld, Sege Fidanza, Buck Catalano, Tom McGrath, Wilbur Hebing, Billy Putney, Erick Rudolph, Rick Kluth, Phil Slater, Brett Scherrer, Mark Tychoniewicz, Danny Knoll Jr., Sean O’Neill, Tom Wiest, Patsy Catalano, Kevin Lewis

Lap Leaders: Laps 1-19 B. Catalano, Laps 21-47 Hossfeld, Laps 47-50 Leaty

Heat Winners: Fidanza, Hossfeld

Branich Motorsports
P.O. Box 897
Williamson, NY 14589
Call: 315-589-4444
E-Mail: FKae4@aol.com