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Onderko Takes 5th at Fall Brawl Finale

 

***Amendment to Race Report
10-14-09 After post race inspection, Justin Onderko was moved up to a top 5 finish after Fisher was disqualified from the Fall Brawl. From Shangri La II Speedway -"The initial post-race inspection of Fisher's car raised questions about the legality of his carburetor and the results were issued with the "unofficial" notation on race day. After a thorough investigation, it was determined the carburetor did not conform to the track rules and Travis Fisher was disqualified." Justin Onderko finished 5th in the Fall Brawl.

10-04-09 Tioga, NY - Shangri La II Speedway - Fall Brawl Finale - The Onderko Motorsports Team arrived at the Shangri La II Speedway early on a partly cloudy and cool Sunday morning. The leaves in New York have begun to change and with winter only a few weeks away, this was going to be the last race of the 2009 season. 

The team began to unload the 31 for the day's events. Justin said "The team has really worked hard this week. Everyone has put in a lot of time in the shop to get ready for this event."

 

The ASA Late Models were first on the line for practice and with some final checks Justin and the 31 rolled out onto the track for the days first round practice. Shangri La II Speedway has the cars run the top groove for the first round of practice to try and help bring in the second groove.

As Justin got up to speed the car was handling well. He was able to pass some slower cars but going into turn three, Justin got the right side wheels into the concrete dust and the 31 went into a lazy spin making contact with the fourth turn wall.   Justin quickly got onto the radio and said "... I think we're OK - I didn't hit hard - I think it's just sheet metal damage."

 

Justin brought the 31 back to pit lane and the crew began to dismantle the rear bodywork of the car. The next hour and a half was spent straightening out sheet metal and fixing fiberglass body panels.

 

Justin was asked about the spin, " I saw the 56 of Swansbrough slowing going into turn three and I thought I had enough room to get by on the high side, but I got the right side up in the dust and she just went around on me." He added "I feel really bad for the crew. They worked so hard this week and we just didn't need this to happen." Justin went back to helping his crew get the 31 ready for the heat race.

While the crew worked on the 31, Justin went to the drivers meeting. When it was over he came back with a huge smile on his face "... we got the pole for our heat race. That was the break we needed today". The crew finished up their work on the 31 just in time as the announcer said "ASA Late Model's to the staging area" Justin buckled up and proceeded to take his spot on the pole for the heat race.

 

Justin led the field off turn four and the green dropped. Going down into turn one Justin had the 31 on the inside , the 56 of Swansbrough was on the high side and the 8 of Fisher behind him. Coming off turn two, the 31 was helped up the track by the 8 of Fisher. The 31 wiggled into the 56 and Justin slid up high going down the concrete half miles back stretch and the rest of the field passed by. With no cautions in the 10 lap heat race, it was difficult to regain momentum.

 

The 31's crew chief was asked if the practice mishap had anything to do with the heat race finish, " Justin definitely had help from the 8 coming off two and I think with the rear deck lib being so soft and without normal bracing, Justin wasn't able to lean on that right rear tire. We will take a look at it and get it ready for the feature."   Asked how the combination of the practice mishap and the heat finish might affect Justin, the 31's crew chief continued " Justin is mentally tough. I know he has put this behind him and is preparing himself for the feature. I have the utmost confidence in Justin. When we get this car ready for him, he will drive it the best he can that much I know.  Just stay tuned for the feature."

 

The crew made the bracing for the deck lid and the 31 was once again ready for battle. However,  Justin would now be starting shotgun.

As the cars came around on the pace laps, Justin was on the radio to his crew " ... you all did a great job getting this car ready for the feature, I am proud of every one of you."

 

As the cars exited from turn four, the green dropped. Justin quickly dropped to the low side and got passed the 56 Swansbrough and the 5 of Brown before the middle of the back stretch. Justin tucked the nose of the 31 under the 17r of Reynolds and they rode nose to tail for the next 10 laps when the first caution came out. The 21 of Beretta made hard contact with the front stretch wall. The race resumed with the 31 now in 9th place. At the half way point Justin moved the 31 up into 8th place with a third turn pass under the 15 of Joe Brown. At the 3/4 point in the race, Justin was in 7th spot and for the next few laps Justin was racing door to door with the 94 of Coyle. As the two cars came off turn four once again, side by side, the 5 of Jim Brown was slowing in the middle of the front stretch. Justin took the 31 low with sparks flying as he passed Brown and Coyle went high with Justin now in the 6th spot. With only five laps to go, Justin held off the charges of 94 to finish 6th in the 2009 Fall Brawl.

 

Catching up with Justin after the race, we asked what he thought of his performance today, "I made a mistake in practice this morning and got us behind but I am so pleased with my team. They did a heck of a job getting me ready for the feature. I can't say enough about how hard they have all work to get us here. There was good racing out there and I think we put on a good show for the fans. This is a great track and we look forward to coming back next year".

 

Justin's crew chief added "I am pleased with how Justin drove today. He took his time and stayed out of trouble. He showed patience and was aggressive when he needed to be, for example the move he made under the 5 car going down the front straight. That was a move that had the crowd standing. He definitely rose to the occasion out there today. I am very pleased with the teamwork that was shown out here today, the Onderko Motorsports team has assembled a good group of talented people."