Tony Hanbury Scores ROC Sportsman Win on Opening Night at Spencer

Tony Hanbury scored the win in the Race of Champions (ROC) Sportsman Modified feature at Spencer Speedway Friday night.

The ROC Sportsman Modifieds headlined the 69th opening night at Spencer, and Hanbury enjoyed a near-perfect evening. He won the third heat race of the night before leading from flag to flag in the 40-lap feature.

“It was spot-on from the time we unloaded today,” said Hanbury in victory lane. “We didn’t really do a lot. We put tires on it, put some fuel in it. It never really changed. It freed up at the end, but this was probably one of the best cars I’ve had in a long time. The car was spot-on, yes.”

Hanbury’s closest competition at the end of the event was Andy Lewis, Jr. Ultimately, Hanbury held on for the victory over the closing laps.

“He’s one heck of a racer and learning every day,” said Hanbury aout Lewis, Jr. “He’s getting really good; good equipment and everything. Had a good race with little Timmy Lewis also. Luckily, our car was better in the beginning also.”

Lewis, Jr., a two-time champion in ROC’s 602 Modified, scored his best finish with the ROC Sportsman Modifieds with a runner-up showing.

“The car was good,” said Lewis, Jr. “We were good in qualifying and practice. During the race, it was a little loose off.

“It was fun trying to get by him a couple of times. We were just a little loose off, but overall, it was a good finish.”

Mike Leaty rounded out the podium on a special evening for the veteran racer. Friday’s event marked the first time Leaty has competed in the same event as his daughter, Alyssa, making her ROC Sportsman Modified debut.

Alyssa Leaty completed all 40 laps in her first race with the series, finishing 14th.

“I had no idea where she was,” said Mike Leaty. “I just parked it here and watched the cars go by to see if she was still out there. Fortunately, she was. Hopefully, she gained a lot of experience tonight. That’ll help her for next time.

“Good race, had a lot of fun with a lot of guys. Truthfully, I think it’s better to have a Modified race first, right when it widens out the groove, makes it easier to pass. No excuses, it was a lot of fun. Everybody raced with respect and brought it home third.”

Other winners on the evening at Spencer includes Jacob Christman (ROC Super Stocks), Kyle Casper (Four Cylinders), Ashley Schoonmaker (Six Cylinders) and Jeana Dietz (ROC 602 Sportsman).

The Race of Champions Family of Series returns to action on Saturday, June 8 at Holland International Speedway. The Sportsman Modifieds headline the Sealmaster 100 next Saturday.

-Photo credit: MoJo Photos/Race of Champions

ROC SPORTSMAN MODIFIEDS AT SPENCER - UNOFFICIAL RESULTS