FONDA, N.Y. — Justin Barger spoiled Jessica Zemken’s victory party in the Earl Halaquist Memorial race for the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Aug. 5 at Fonda Speedway.
Starting on the pole, Zemken took the early lead, but struggled in lapped traffic and Barger used that to his advantage to grab the lead on lap 11. However, a yellow flag negated the pass. Following the restart, Jeff VanDusen took second from Barger on lap 14, but two laps later Barger regained the position.
Barger ran down Zemken and drove under her with five laps remaining. He led the rest of the distance, with Zemken second.
Jason Barney, who started 16th, was third ahead of VanDusen and Jami Russell.
“On a short run I was in trouble, but I knew that I had 10 laps,” said Barger. "I liked those long runs because once I got going I could run both the top and the bottom."
Brett Hearn claimed the $6,000 victory the in 60-lap NMX Go Green modified event.
The finish:
Justin Barger, Jessica Zemken, Jason Barney, Jeff VanDusen, Jami Russell, Ryan Bohlke, Russ Bennett, Lance Yonge, Michael Parent, Alain Bergeron, Tommy Wickham, Tim Kelly, Jeff Cook, Bubby Kerrick, Jared Fink, Anthony Cain, Kory Gurney, Gordy Button, Chuck Hebing, Steve Poirier, Doug Emery, Mike Stelter, Cory Sparks.