Marquis grabs Chemung Featherlite win

August 13, 2001
10:26 AM EDT (1426 GMT)

CHEMUNG, N.Y. -- Defending Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring champion Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn., drove to his second series win of the season Friday night in the $60,068 Chemung 150 at Chemung Speedrome.

Jerry Marquis

Marquis, who won the South Boston, Va., season opener, passed Reggie Ruggiero of Rocky Hill, Conn., on lap 146 of the scheduled 150-lap race. A late-race caution period, the ninth of the race, extended the event to 157 laps. Marquis held off Ruggiero, following a green-white-checkered restart on lap 156, for a .41-second victory.

It was the first win for Marquis driving the Michael Boehler’s Angelo Russo Land Surveyors/BRE Chevrolet. It was the first series win for Boehler, the son of the late, legendary Modified owner Len Boehler, as a car owner.

“The car was good during practice,” said Marquis, who won $8,275. “I knew it would be tough getting by Reggie but when I had the opportunity, I did. I have to thank my crew -- the car was great all day.”

It was the 10th career victory for Marquis. His last win occurred in March when the series visited the South Boston Speedway for the first time. The Chemung Speedrome was the second and last new venue for the series in 2001.

John Blewett III finished third and closed to within 18 points of series leader Mike Stefanik. Robbie Summers scored his fourth consecutive Top-10 finish by placing fourth. Dave Berghman recorded his best finish of the 2001 season by rounding out the Top-5.

Stefanik, Nevin George, former series leader Charlie Pasteryak, Jimmy Blewett and Tommy Cloce finished 6th-10th.

Tony Hirschman set fast time in Bud Pole Qualifying. The top-six drivers drew for starting positions and Hirschman picked sixth. The front row was made up of Matt Parsons and Eddie Flemke Jr.

Parsons got the jump at the initial green and led the first 11 laps before L.W. Miller took over the top spot on lap 12. Ruggiero, who had started the race 23rd, was slicing his way through the field and cracked the top-10 by lap 45.

On lap 60, he was fifth and eight laps later he powered by Miller for the lead. Marquis was now fifth. By lap 100, Marquis was in second and pressuring Ruggiero. Ruggiero, nursing a car with overheating brakes, was unable to hold off Marquis’ bold move off Turn 4 on lap 146.

Marquis held off Ruggiero, Blewett and Summers on the final restart. Berghman got by Stefanik at the finish line.

The next event for the Featherlite Modified Series is at the Thompson International Speedway on Aug 16.