09/26/2014
Double Points Will Determine 2014 Champions
It hardly seems fair that the divisional championships at Wall Stadium Speedway will come down to a drivers performance in one race, worth double points, after an entire season of racing. Yet, that is exactly what may happen this Saturday night at the Jersey Shore oval. And while it may not seem fair to some it should certainly be exciting to all.
Six divisions will be in action, with only the Factory Stock championship all but locked up. For the remaining five divisions a title could be literally won, or lost, on the last lap of the feature.
There may have never have been a more competitive field, each and every week, than in 2014 in the Downs Ford Wall Modifieds. As many as 12 cars had a legitimate shot at winning on any given Saturday.
As a result, and thanks to double points this Saturday, the list of potential championship contenders is both large and hungry. Going into the last week of points veteran driver Chas Okerson is the current leader. He will bring both of his number 99 machines to Wall this Saturday looking to defend his title from last season.
However, to do so he will have to fend off a group of young, but talented drivers. Andrew Krause, Eric Mauriello, Shawna Ingraham, and Trevor Alspach are all looking for their first Wall Modified title, and all have not only the skill, but the equipment to get it done.
Okerson will also be challenged by the likes of Jason Hearne, Steven Reed, and Shaun Carrig, who would normally be considered long shots with one week of racing left. But, this is not a normal night, and with double points on the line just about anything is possible.
Will Okerson's cautious style be enough to win him another championship, or will one of his challengers get aggressive early, and try to take matters in their own hands?
The Sportsman division would most likely be a two driver battle between points leader Kevin Davison, and Ken Matlach, if this weren't a double points night. But since it is, both Andrew Krause, and Kenny VanWickle, could jump up and steal the title on the final night of points. Krause could conceivably capture both the Modified and Sportsman titles if his cards fall the right way.
In the Limited Late Model division only two drivers have a real shot at the championship. However, those drivers, Brian Doyle and Mike Tillet, are only separated by a few points. This division's championship will most likely be decided on the last lap of their 25-lap feature this Saturday.
The only question left in the Factory Stock division is how many features can Scott Riggleman win in 2014. His eight victories have given him a virtually insurmountable lead in the championship battle even with double points on the line. The only question seems to be who will finish second to Riggleman, Joey Helberg or Tiffany Olejnik.
With double points on the line the Four-Cylinder championship is a three driver race. James Meyers leads going into this Saturday, but both Alonzo Morales, and Mike Wahl, could have a shot if disaster strikes early for Meyers.
The Legends division is also a three driver race thanks to double points on the line. Brian Spencer leads this growing division, and will have to avoid trouble to capture the championship over Dan Roslin, and Robert French, who has won five times in 2014.
Saturday night will be a championship night in every sense of the words at Wall Stadium Speedway. There will be championships won, championships lost, races won, angry drivers, disappointed drivers. But beyond everything it will be exciting.
Spectator gates will open at 5pm, with qualifying starting at 5:45pm. The all-important features will begin at approximately 7pm.
For more details on this event check the Wall Stadium Speedway website. A link is provided on this RacingAroundJersey.com page.
