Jimmy Blewett raced to an emotional victory in a modified stock car race held in memory of his brother, Wall Stadium track officials said Monday.
Blewett, of Howell, on Saturday won the 76-lap “John Blewett III Memorial,’’ an annual race held at the Route 34 racetrack honoring the memory of Jimmy’s brother, who was killed in a racing accident in Connecticut 2007, according to a track release.
Jimmy Blewett started the race in fifth position in the 18-car field. He ran fourth through much of the race, stepping up two second on lap 29, the release said.
Blewett led the field after a crash forced a restart on lap 35. Anthony Sesely of Matawan Sesely slid into second and chased Blewett all the way to the checker flag. Freehold’s Steven Reed, Okerson and Frank Boardwick III of Union Beach completed the top five, the release said.
“It means a lot to win this race that remembers my brother,” Jimmy Blewett said. “Still, this isn’t about me it is about him and his memory. He loved this place and all the people here. We all love this place. John would race six hours away from here and try to find a way back on a Saturday night to race again. It feels good to win in front of friends and family at a place that John loved.”
Full race results, as provided by Wall Speedway:
MODIFIED FEATURE – 76 Laps – 1. JIMMY BLEWETT, HOWELL, 2. Anthony Sesely, 3. Steven Reed, 4. Chas Okerson, 5. Frank Boardwick III, 6. Shanon Mongeau, 7. Shaun Carrig, 8. Harry Schaeffer, 9. Christian LaCicero, 10. Adam LaCicero, 11. David Calabrese, 12. Rob Schultz, 13. Ken Woolley, Jr., 14. Bill Weichert, 15. Jason Treat, 16. Ryan Cottrell, 17. Nick Shaw, 18. Shawna Ingraham
SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 30 Laps – 1. ERIC MAURIELLO, HOWELL, 2. Andrew Krause, 3. Joe Nappi, 4. Trevor Alspach, 5. Charlie Kremer III, 6. Zack Alspach, 7. Robert Sutphin, 8. Kevin Davison, 9. Kenny Van Wickle, 10. Jonathan Mandato, 11. Ron Lane, 12. Robert Vassilatos, 13. Joe Cocca, 14. Matt Langbein, 15. Joey King, 16. Tim Stephan, 17. Scott Branick
FACTORY STOCK FEATURE – 25 Laps – 1. JOHN BOWERS, PT. PLEASANT, 2. Steve West, 3. Jim Downey, 4. Rob Hurley, 5.Joe Stonevilla, 6. Tiffany Olejnik, 7. Josh Matthews, 8. Scott Riggleman, 9. Andrew Krause, 10. Ronnie Mullen, 11. Robert St. Hilaire, 12. Mike Tash, 13. Eric Graham, 14. Steve Michel
FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 30 Laps – 1. MIKE BILELLO, BRICK, 2. Tommy Chilson, 3. Brian Crosby, 4. Scott Dunn, 5. Joe Garey, 6. Todd Rile, 7. Jay Conrad, 8. Mike Dorrer, 9. Joe Degiulo, 10. Cole Ormsbee, 11. Mark Tischler, 12. Mike Wohl, 13. Joe Cooley, 14. James Loures
STREET STOCK FEATURE – 25 Laps - 1. NICK SHAW, CHATHAM, 2. Howie Conk, 3. Jerry Stanzione, 4. Phil Fortuna, 5. Mike Tillett, 6. Michelle Moorman, 7. Jack Sayegh, 8. Glen Conk
Congrats to Jimmy Blewett !