Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Carsten Closes Out Season
By Scott Lukaitis/ Photo by Scott Lukaitis LukaitisPhoto.com
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ, OCT 21, 2007
Sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperature greeted the riders that showed up for the last race of the season at Raceway Park. Despite torrential rains leading up to the event, the Mickey Kessler prepped track was in excellent condition for those that came to say farewell to another successful season.
2007 saw Raceway Park host its first Loretta Lynn’s qualifier as well as their 31st annual Kawasaki Race of Champions. For 2008 there is even more in store but first, the final race of 2007 had to be run. A full schedule of youth and amateur classes were run but only 2 expert classes were on the race order. A combined 125 and 250 expert class and a Vet Expert class encompassing all 25+, 30+ and 40+ racers.
The first Vet Expert moto saw Jonathan Bronne in his first expert moto grab the holeshot. Bronne was quickly displaced by Mt Holly Suzuki rider Jason Harper and Bromley Suzuki’s Barry Carsten. Freehold Honda mounted Chris Chomko would get around Bronne and set after the leading Suzuki duo. Carsten and Harper would fight tooth and nail changing the lead several times with Chomko in striking distance should either Carsten or Harper falter. That time would come as Harper washed his front wheel out in a corner handing the #2 spot to Chomko. By that time Carsten had checked out and would go on to take the moto win. Yamaha mounted Robert Quinn would also take advantage of Harper’s error and move into third place. The moto ended with Carsten out front, Chomko in second and Quinn in third. Harper finished fourth. Moto 2 saw Carsten jump out to the early lead followed closely by Quinn, Chomko, Bronne, and Harper. Only the first lap Chomko dropped his bike coming into a corner and dropped all the way to the back of the pack. Carsten started to check out while Harper settled into second with Quinn holding on to third. The pack would stay much like the first couple of laps as Carsten checked out for the moto and overall win (1-1). Harper held on to take second in the moto and overall as well (4-2) while Quinn finished third in the moto and overall (3-3). Chomko came back through the pack to take a sixth by the end of the moto giving him fourth overall (2-6).
Carsten was not done in just the Vet class. He would also battle Sport Honda’s Adam Blessing in both combined expert motos finishing just shy of the win in both motos. Blessing would win both motos and take the overall win followed by Carsten (2-2) in second overall and Ryan Gainey (3-3) for third overall.
After 32 years of racing at Raceway Park, they show no signs of letting up. Stay tuned for more exciting action in 2008. www.racewaypark.com for more details.
