October 6, 1986

FIRST VICTORIA 200 IS WON BY BILLY PAUCH OVER RONNIE TOBIAS AND BILLY SCHINKEL; 163 CARS PARTICIPATE; CHUCK WHITNEY AND BILL BURTON WON SUPPORT RACES

FULTON, NY - It was the biggest race in the history of the Fulton Speedway and possibly the best race ever as Billy Pauch from Stockton, NJ ran the cushion on his way to winning the first ever "VICTORIA 200" on Monday night, October 6, 1986, at the Fulton Speedway. Pauch's win was worth over $12,000 in cash plus contingencies.

Also winning championship events Monday night were Chuck Whitney and Billy Burton. Whitney led the Late Models in their 40 lap event, while Burton scored the win in the 35 lap Street Stock feature which concluded the nights' action.

All of the original 38 starters made the call for the start of the "VICTORIA 200". Misfortune struck quick for Fulton regular Crash Nash as his modified failed to start on its' own which put the Auburn driver in the rear as he was sited to start on the outside pole.
Pete Bicknell grabbed the lead at the drop of the green from his starting position but the yellow came out quickly as Paul Jensen and Bob Podolak tangled in the third corner. Jensen was able to continue after losing a lap while Podolak was out for the night without even completing a lap under the green.

Racing was returned on lap six but the yellow waved again a lap later when Donnie Wetmore and Jim Wood came together in the first turn. Wetmore was able to restart without losing a lap, while Wood lost one. On the restart Bicknell was leading Kenny Bell, J.J. Michaels, Billy Schinkel and Pauch.

Action went under the yellow again on lap 20 when Doug Worthing went off the bank between one and two. Bicknell was still leading at this point with Bell, Pauch, Michaels and Mike Arminio chasing.

In the early going a torrid three-car battle between Bicknell, Bell and Pauch was brewing as Bell did take the lead on lap 36 on the front straight, but Bicknell came right back in turn two. After holding off several challenges Bicknell began to build up his lead.

With 50 laps complete Bicknell was leading Pauch, Bell, Ronnie Tobias, Arminio, Roger Phelps, Michaels, C.D. Coville, Schinkel and John Podolak. On lap 52 Pauch took his first lead of the race as he overtook Bicknell on the front straight.

On the 53rd circuit Tobias made a great move to take the lead from his third position. Tobias was dominant at this stage of the race as he built up a ten car length lead over Pauch and Schinkel. Arminio and Coville were the top five runners at this point. Pauch was able to close though and on lap 89 the eventual winner took the lead in heavy traffic.

After the first 100 laps, it was Pauch in front followed by Tobias, Schinkel, Arminio, Bell, Phelps, Coville and Bicknell. Making the biggest move in the first 100 was Coville as he started in the rear and moved up to seventh.

Action was slowed on lap 103 when Michaels spun in turn two. This caution set-up the restart where Tobias took the lead in turn three.

Another three car race was developing at this point with Tobias, Pauch and Schinkel involved. With 120 laps complete the same eight drivers were in the lead lap but the front spot had changed as Pauch was at the point once again.

Coville's chance for a top five finish ended on lap 136 when the left front tire went flat in his modified. During this caution period the engine in Bicknell's modified let go and a brief fire sparked up that brought the red out.

When the race was restarted, the top four of Pauch, Tobias, Schinkel and Bell were together but the top two were racing for the lead position. Tobias continued to run down low, while Pauch rode the cushion. With the race continuing under green, Pauch held the advantage and with 50 laps to go had built up a several car length lead over Tobias, while Schinkel and Bell stayed in the same order.

Pauch survived a close call on lap 177 when Leroy Hurlbut lost power in the first turn that forced Pauch up high near the wall. The final caution period of the race came on lap 180 when debris on the surface slowed the event. On this restart the top three of Pauch, Tobias and Schinkel were together, but Pauch was never seriously challenged for the win. Completing the "VICTORIA 200" in second through fifth were Tobias, Schinkel, Bell and Arminio.

In lap money, Pauch collected $1,265, Tobias $505, Bicknell $302 with Michaels and Bell grabbing $5 each. Lap leaders also collected King Cans of beer. Tobias received 55 cans, Bicknell 47, Pauch 92, Bell five and Michaels one.

Chuck Whitney inherited the lead on lap seven when leader Dave House dropped out and went the rest of the way for the win. Dave Haney was the early leader before Bill Roese took over on lap one. House got by Roese on the third circuit. The win was the biggest of the year for the Late Model team sponsored by Spruce Grove Marina.

In the Street Stock championship, Herm Flowers led early before Randy Decker took over. It was then time for Bill Burton and Decker to swap the lead. At the end Decker was in front, but he refused post race inspection and was disqualified. The win went to Burton, the 1986 Fulton Speedway Track Champion.

After a total washout of the opening day of "VICTORIA 200" Weekend on Saturday, Sunday was clear of rain with 24 races being run off on the high banked Fulton Speedway.

Once the day was complete the field was set for the first ever "VICTORIA 200" with 38 Modifieds qualified. The starting fields for the Late Model and Street Stock championships were also determined.

Eleven Small Block Modifieds were scheduled to compete on each of the eight heat races with the top three finishers in each race moving onto the main. Heat winners were Pete Bicknell, Billy Schinkel, John Barker, Mike Arminio, Billy Pauch, Bob Holland, Paul Jensen and Donnie Wetmore.

To finalize the field, four consolations were run with Mike McCarthy, Bob Smith, Roger Phelps and Charlie Davis leading the way. Two non-qualifier races completed opening night action with Randy Glenski and C.D. Coville coming home winners. Both Glenski and Coville were added to the "VICTORIA 200" starting line up.

Late Model heats were copped by Russ Marsden, Dave House and Chuck Whitney. Roger Schwandner won the consi. There were 31 Late Models that attempted to make the starting grid.

Bill Burton, Herm Flowers, Keith Bliss and Bill Gill led the way in the four street stock heats. Bob Goutermout and Dan Deline won the last chance races for the Street Stock competitors. A fine field of 44 Street Stocks were in action at the Speedway.

The first of the "VICTORIA 200" weekend was a busy day of racing with fans witnessing drivers in action from throughout the Northeast and Canada. A total of 163 cars signed in for competition which was a good turnout for the first time event.
Racing action began at 3 p.m. Sunday and was completed by 10:30 p.m. with fans viewing a total of 248 laps of racing.

RACE RESULTS SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS

HEAT NO. 1—Pete Bicknell, Ronnie Tobias, Crash Nash, Mike McCarthy, Roy Sheilds, Charlie Donk, Doug Worthing, Mike Button, Rick Crane, Scott Gates, and Bob Lineman.

HEAT NO. 2—Billy Schinkel, Barry Poitras, Jim Wood, Sam Reakes, Sr., Gibby Fountain, Don Ronca, Randy Glenski, Glen DeVaul, Mike Schoefield, Fran Hilton and Sam Reakes, Jr.

HEAT NO. 3—John Barker, Kenny Bell, Bob Fidler, Ray Dalmata, Jim Weatherup, Donnie Croft, Dale Settler, Dan-ny Spratt, Dan Conyne, Don Ackner and Jeff West.

HEAT NO. 4—Mike Arminio, Leroy Hurlbut, Joe Sobotka, Bob Smith, Tom Taber, Dick Schoonover, Duane Decker, Gary Donahue, Joel Thomas, Rick Revette and Hugh Campbell.

HEAT NO. 5—Billy Pauch, John Podolak, Bob Podolak, Roger Phelps, Dick Marcinko, Bob Savoie, Tom Faulkner, Jim Mahaney, C.D. Coville, Lash Camenga and Jack Follweiler.

HEAT NO. 6—Bob Holland, Ron Proctor, J.J. Michaels, Randy Masser, Jon Button, Dave McGough, Mike Root, Carl Kleinsteuber, George Sifo, Lenny Marchines and Dave Reilley.

HEAT NO. 7—Paul Jensen, Mike Perrotte, Ted Lamb, Charlie Davis, Vince Quinneville, John Proctor, Kirn Duell, Stan Samul, Don Vail, Mike VanDusen and John Cunningham.

HEAT NO. 8—Donnie Wetmore, Walt Koperda, John Foster, Jim Pitcher, Chuck Kennison, Jim Reppi, Mike Seager, Gary Hubbard, Chris Depew, Dave Donath and Tim Falter.

CONSI NO. 1—Mike McCarthy, Doug Worthing, Gibby Fountain, Sam Reakes, Sr., Glen DeVaul, Randy Glenski, Mike Schoefield, Roy Shields, Don Ronca, Fran Hilton, Scott Gates, Mike Button and Charlie Donk.

CONSI NO. 2—Bob Smith, Ray Dalmata, Tom Taber, Dale Stettler, Dick Schoonover, Don Ackner, Jeff West, Dan Conyne, Danny Spratt, Jim Weatherup, Rick Crane, Joel Thomas, Duane Decker, Rick Revette and Gary Donahue.

CONSI NO. 3—Roger Phelps, Randy Masser, Jim Mahaney, C.D. Coville, Jon Button, Tom Faulkner, Dave McGough, George Sifo, Dick Marcinko, Bob Savoie, Carl Kleinsteuber, Mike Perrotte, Lenny Marchines and Mike Root.

CONSI NO. 4—Charlie Davis, Jim Pitcher, Vince Quinneville, John Proctor, Mike Seager, Stan Samul, Gary Hubbard, John Cunningham, Jim Reppi, Kirn Duell, Dan Vail, Mike VanDusen and Tim Falter.

NON-QUALIFIERS RACES

FEATURE NO. 1—Randy Glenski, Gary Donahue, Dale Stettler, Glen DeVaul, Dan Conyne, Sam Reakes, Sr., Don Ronca, Jim Weatherup, Dick Schoonover, Charlie Donk, Hugh Campbell, Rick Revette, Don Ackner, Mike Schofield, Joel Thomas, Danny Spratt, Fran Hilton, Roy Shields, Jeff West and Mike Button.

FEATURE NO. 2—C.D. Coville, Mike Seager, Dave McGough, Bob Savoie, George Sifo, Mike VanDusen, John Proctor, John Cunningham, Tom Faulkner, Dan Vail, Lash Camenga, Gary Hubbard, Stan Samul, Kim Duell, Tim Faulter, Jon Button, Dick Marcinko, Mike Root and Jim Reppi.

LATE MODELS

HEAT NO. 1 —Russ Marsden.
HEAT NO. 2—Dave House.
HEAT NO. 3—Chuck Whitney.
CONSI—Schwandner.

STREET STOCKS
HEAT NO. 1—Bill Burton.
HEAT NO. 2—Herm Flowers.
HEAT NO. 3—Keith Bliss.
HEAT NO. 4—Bill Gill.
CONSI—Bob Goutermout.
CONSI NO. 2—Dan Deline.

INAUGURAL "VICTORIA 200"  - Billy Pauch, Ronnie Tobias, Billy Schinkel, Kenny Bell, Mike Arminio, Donnie Wetmore, Roger Phelps, Jim Mahaney, Vince Quinneville, C.D. Coville, Randy Masser, Bob Fidler, Mike Perrotte, Joe Sobotka, J.J. Michaels, Ted Lamb, Charlie Davis, Ray Dalmata, John Podolak, Leroy Hurlbut, Jim Pitcher, Randy Glenski, Glen DeVaul, Pete Bicknell, Walt Koperda, Ron Proctor, Crash Nash, Mike McCarthy, Gibby Fountain, Paul Jensen, Barry Poitras, John Barker, Jim Wood, Bob Holland, Doug Worthing, Tom Taber, Bob Smith and Bob Podolak.

LATE MODEL FEATURE - Chuck Whitney, Mike Brenner, Russ Marsden, Bill Roese, Jim Smith, Bill Wentworth, Bill Updike, Ken Updike, Roger Schwandner, Sonny Mandigo, Jeff Walts, Niles Busier, Dave Haney, Craig Pritchard, Mike Dickquist, Joan Borissow, Frank Mason, Tom Juhl, Joe Cook, Harold Tracy, Byron Catalano, Dave House, Rob Campolietta and Randy Manwarren.

STREET STOCK FEATURE - Bill Burton, Bill Gill, Tracy Doyle, Bret Belden, Gerry Newman, Gary Cleveland, Dick Sweet, Keith Bliss, John Kiskiel, Herm Flowers, Tim Hopkins, Jason Shenandoah, Tim Gareau, Tim Mayes, Mark Wolfanger, Ron Vail, Bob Goutermout, Carl Clothier, Bill Clark, Chris Cunningham, Tom Virkler, Dick Werner and Tim Sears.