KIRKWOOD, N.Y. (Oct. 30) – Kevan Cook won the battle but Eddie Sites won the war Sunday afternoon at Five Mile Point Speedway, in the final event of the 2011 World Products Empire State Series for IMCA Modifieds.
Cook was 10 points behind Sites going into the event and did what he had to by winning the feature, but Sites also proved up to the task by finishing third and wrapping up his career first tour title.
The fourth different series champion in as many years, Sites said winning the 10th annual Empire State crown had been a goal from the start of the season.
Cook took the lead at the green and held off challenges from high flying Bump Scutt to lead the entire distance for the $400 checkers. Scutt kept up the pressure while Sites worked his way through the field.
Sites had drawn the 12th starting position and methodically picked his way through the pack to cross the stripe in third.
Gary Roberts and Mike Wilmot rounded out the top five. The victory was the Empire State Series career 12th for Cook, the 2009 tour champion.
The final North Country Custom Rookie of the Race Award went to Tanner Harpell, who finished 12th. Sites won the MR Graphix Hard Charger award while Matt Cole won the random draw award. The hard charger of the year award also went to Sites, while Pete Neff won the random points draw prize.
Unseasonable weather had resulted in postponement of the Empire State Series finale from Saturday.
Top 10 drivers in series point standings earn shares of a $1,650 point fund. Sites was already on the ballot for the 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.
Feature results – 1. Kevan Cook; 2. Bump Scutt; 3. Eddie Sites; 4. Gary Roberts; 5. Mike Wilmot; 6. Charlie Gilbert; 7. Shawn Bruce; 8. Jason Tuttle; 9. Gary Dence; 10. Matt Cole; 11. Patti Simpson; 12. Tanner Harpell; 13. Danny Burman; 14. Jerry Lobdell Jr.; 15. Chris Fleming; 16. Robbie Compton; 17. Rob Slezak; 18. Tyler Stoddard; 19. Bernie Baker; 20. Rich Karlnoski.
World Products Empire State Series top 20 point standings – 1. Eddie Sites, Monroeton, Pa., 304; 2. Kevan Cook, Constantia, 296; 3. Mike Wilmot, Harpursville, 273; 4. Chris Fleming, Union Springs, 263; 5. Gary Roberts, Afton, 242; 6. Rich Karlnoski, Dundee, and Jerry Lobdell Jr., Freeville, both 204; 8. Brandon Carvey, Oswego, 190; 9. Mike Smith, Arkport, 175; 10. Robert Comp¬ton, Brooktondale, 165; 11. Josh Van Tassell, Auburn, 140; 12. Brad Weaver, Binghamton, 125; 13. Pete Neff, Newfield, 124; 14. Ryan Scott, Glenburnie, Ont., 111; 15. Matt Roberts, Afton, 105; 16. Michael Van Dyke, Rock Stream, and Ray McClure, Troy, Pa., both 102; 18. Mark Grif¬fin, Canton, Pa., 101; 19. Mike Wilbur, Spencer, 90; 20. Tyler Stoddard, Binghamton, 89.
Cook was 10 points behind Sites going into the event and did what he had to by winning the feature, but Sites also proved up to the task by finishing third and wrapping up his career first tour title.
The fourth different series champion in as many years, Sites said winning the 10th annual Empire State crown had been a goal from the start of the season.
Cook took the lead at the green and held off challenges from high flying Bump Scutt to lead the entire distance for the $400 checkers. Scutt kept up the pressure while Sites worked his way through the field.
Sites had drawn the 12th starting position and methodically picked his way through the pack to cross the stripe in third.
Gary Roberts and Mike Wilmot rounded out the top five. The victory was the Empire State Series career 12th for Cook, the 2009 tour champion.
The final North Country Custom Rookie of the Race Award went to Tanner Harpell, who finished 12th. Sites won the MR Graphix Hard Charger award while Matt Cole won the random draw award. The hard charger of the year award also went to Sites, while Pete Neff won the random points draw prize.
Unseasonable weather had resulted in postponement of the Empire State Series finale from Saturday.
Top 10 drivers in series point standings earn shares of a $1,650 point fund. Sites was already on the ballot for the 2012 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.
Feature results – 1. Kevan Cook; 2. Bump Scutt; 3. Eddie Sites; 4. Gary Roberts; 5. Mike Wilmot; 6. Charlie Gilbert; 7. Shawn Bruce; 8. Jason Tuttle; 9. Gary Dence; 10. Matt Cole; 11. Patti Simpson; 12. Tanner Harpell; 13. Danny Burman; 14. Jerry Lobdell Jr.; 15. Chris Fleming; 16. Robbie Compton; 17. Rob Slezak; 18. Tyler Stoddard; 19. Bernie Baker; 20. Rich Karlnoski.
World Products Empire State Series top 20 point standings – 1. Eddie Sites, Monroeton, Pa., 304; 2. Kevan Cook, Constantia, 296; 3. Mike Wilmot, Harpursville, 273; 4. Chris Fleming, Union Springs, 263; 5. Gary Roberts, Afton, 242; 6. Rich Karlnoski, Dundee, and Jerry Lobdell Jr., Freeville, both 204; 8. Brandon Carvey, Oswego, 190; 9. Mike Smith, Arkport, 175; 10. Robert Comp¬ton, Brooktondale, 165; 11. Josh Van Tassell, Auburn, 140; 12. Brad Weaver, Binghamton, 125; 13. Pete Neff, Newfield, 124; 14. Ryan Scott, Glenburnie, Ont., 111; 15. Matt Roberts, Afton, 105; 16. Michael Van Dyke, Rock Stream, and Ray McClure, Troy, Pa., both 102; 18. Mark Grif¬fin, Canton, Pa., 101; 19. Mike Wilbur, Spencer, 90; 20. Tyler Stoddard, Binghamton, 89.
