September 21, 1991

SOMEONE BUT PAUCH WINS "VICTORIA 200" - COZZE TAKES FULTON CLASSIC

FULTON, NY - As the saying goes "All good things must come to an end", the much publicized Billy Pauch 200 finally came to a closing. The previous five Pabst "VICTORIA 200" win streak drew to a halt this past Saturday night at the Fulton Speedway as Frank Cozze in the Waite's #44 took the win in the huge Fulton classic.

The largest crowd in Pabst "VICTORIA 200" history and the largest car count as well were on hand as the Fulton Speedway presented the 6th edition of the Richest Small Block Modified race in the Nation. After an incredible ten heat race event, four consolations, and a 200 lap feature event, Frank Cozze from Wind Gap PA was the victor ending the incredible five wins-in-a-row for Billy Pauch at the track.

Kenny Tremont and Alan Johnson led the huge 45 car Small Block Modified starting field down to the green flag that started the classic event and it was Tremont who took the lead. But Kenny wasn't the man to beat on this night as Jack Johnson in the Ryan's Cafe #12 took over on the 3rd circuit. Doug Hoffman was the first to seriously challenge the Olsen mount as the Hoffman #60 over machine dogged Johnson for the top spot.

Roger Laureno came through the field quickly from his eleventh spot to challenge Hoffman for the control of the event but both were foiled by the quick Freightliner #6 of Brett Hearn as he took over on the 34th circuit right after a brief caution period.

Where was Billy Pauch you ask? Well, the five time defending champion of the Pabst "VICTORIA 200" was right in the middle of the fray as he got by the Hearn machine on the 40th circuit.

Pauch stayed right there at the top of the field but 'Jumpin" Jack took it right back but for only five laps as the super competitive Fulton surface stayed consistent as Pauch came right back on the typical high side.

Pauch and Johnson switched the lead multiple times over the next green flag circuits but a Fulton Speedway regular came to the head of the pack with just 21 laps to go in the opening 100 lap segment and held on for the $ 1,000 bonus at the events "rest period". J.J. was rewarded with a check for $ 1,000 from Halsey Machinery. Jack Johnson, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch, and Brett Hearn rounded out the top five in the initial 100 laps of the event.

With Michaels running out to an incredible lead at the end of the first 100 laps, 5 lapped cars lined up in between himself and second place. At the green of the second 100, Michaels ran out into another good lead but fate didn't lean towards his #31 Troyer mount as the fast moving Frank Cozze got by the Fulton Speedway regular and into the lead on lap 121, just 79 laps from the end of the event.

Michaels held well in second for only 2 few precious laps as Jack Johnson and Ronnie Tobias closed in on the Baldwinsville native. The second spot switched hands many times between the three speedsters till Jack Johnson took over for good on the 179th go-around.

Ronnie Tobias tried valiantly in the final laps of the event for second but Johnson held on to repeat his finish of one year ago. The race for fourth intensified over the final stages as well as both Billy Pauch and J.J. Michaels changed hands with the spot many times but it was Pauch who had his worst ever Fulton finish after his best ever starting position, 8th.

But they all followed the man at the front of the field as Frank Cozze ended the Billy Pauch era at the Fulton Speedway with the win which was worth in excess of $17,500 for his victory in the Pabst "VICTORIA 200".

"We wrecked everything in the heat race from the oil pan on," remembered a post-race Cozze. "If it wasn't for us qualifying in the heat, we never could have gotten the car back together in time for the consi."

"This was the biggest win of the year," continued Cozze. "It even ranks up there with my biggest ever. We never even decided to run this car until Wednesday after my other owner backed out on me at the last minute after they had problems with the car."

"Beating Billy (Pauch) is great. He's a great driver and it's real easy to run with him. I'm glad I was the guy to beat him." In the end it was Cozze over Jack Johnson, Ronnie Tobias, Billy Pauch, J.J. Michaels, Brett Hearn, Steve Paine, Doug Fuller, Jim Mahaney, and Duane Howard rounding out the competitive top 10 finishers.

A total of 110 cars tried to make the 45 car Pabst "VICTORIA 200" field with such drivers as Billy Schinkel, Doug Worthing, Doug Fuller, Scott Pursell, and Jeff Rudalavage having to rely on their guaranteed starting spot to garner a way into the event. Ron House earned the press vote while Outlaw Circuit regular Tom Juhl Jr. was the events promoters option.