2023/07/23 – Andrew Hook & Chris Stevens win the Biker Gang Twin-25s! [+YouTube]
Sunday, July 23rd, 2023, Oswego, N.Y. — Four winners for four features thus far in 2023! In the 1st feature, Andrew Hook led from start to finish from the pole position in the Galletta’s #0, while Chris Stevens piloted the Galletta’s #4 kart past a handful of karts to at first storm off (and then hold off his ever-persistent brother Matt as the track condition developed bumps) to win the 2nd of the Twin-25s! They join AJ Larkin and Matt Stevens in victory lane thus far this season.
Nic’s Biker Gang made it!
The track and karts were ready to roll at 7:30 PM with the usual scarce drivers… but a slew of crotch rocketeers — including a few 1st timers — to the rescue, led by returning vet Nicolas Olivares arrived. However, this set the timing off due to newer drivers needing to get situated with the karts suitable for them, then a qualifying heat (that also doubled as a makeup-point race) also had many hitches and delays. Sadly, the Larkin Bros. left before the feature events, but we hope they weren’t discouraged and make it back for the rest of the season, as their work getting the track race ready thus far in 2023 has been invaluable.
Now here are all of our raw videos (complimentary thanks to Chris and Rung Stevens for R & C Sushi LLC) and coverage of the action.
Heat and Twin 25-Lap Features [Unedited Tower Camera by Rung ‘Aou’ Stevens]
Makeup Points & New Driver Qualifier Heat – Unedited Video from the 3rd & 4th Turn [Chris Stevens]
Nic’s Biker Gang was an unexpected late arrival, and they battled it out in a qualifier/refresher/newbie/makeup point heat race. Sadly our show started a little later than our anticipated 7:30 PM start to get them situated. Below is the unedited cellphone footage of the race from turns 3 & 4.
2023 Video Playlist
Qualifier / Makeup Heat Finish
1. Nicolas Olivares (Galletta’s #1)
2. Bob Failmezger (Galletta’s #6)
3. ® Jeremy Burton (Galletta’s #93)
4. ® John Mathis (Galletta’s #33c)
5. Randy Baldwin (Galletta’s #9)
® = 1st time recorded on track
Twin 25 Lap Features [Unedited GoPro Helmet Camera by Chris Stevens]
Steve Larkin was scheduled to start the front row but left during the Heat, as did one of last week’s winners, his brother AJ. We are scoring them as they were there, warming up karts and ready to go when the night began. The karts they intended to drive are even seen in the infield (AJ was slated to go in the #5, but the engine seized up in warmups and he was going with the #43 instead). The lineup is how the start would have been if they stayed.
25-Lap Feature #1 Start
1. DNS – Steve Larkin (Galletta’s #7)
2. Andrew Hook (Galletta’s #0)
3. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8)
4. Nicolas Olivares (Galletta’s #1)
5. Bob Failmezger (Galletta’s #6)
6. DNS – AJ Larkin *ƒ (Galletta’s #5 / 43)
7. Matt Stevens *ƒ (Galletta’s #3)
8. ® Jeremy Burton (Galletta’s #93)
9. ® John Mathis (Galletta’s #33c)
10. Randy Baldwin (Galletta’s #9)
11. Melissa Stevens (Galletta’s #19)
DNS = Did Not Start (But qualified and was in attendance)
*ƒ = 2023 Feature Win
® = 1st Time Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
YouTube Livestream of 25-Lap Feature #1
25-Lap Feature #1 Finish
1. Andrew Hook *ƒ (Galletta’s #0)
2. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8)
3. Bob Failmezger (Galletta’s #6)
4. Nicolas Olivares (Galletta’s #1)
5. ® Jeremy Burton (Galletta’s #93)
6. Randy Baldwin (Galletta’s #9)
7. ® John Mathis (Galletta’s #33c)
8. DNF – Matt Stevens *ƒ (Galletta’s #3; #74)
9. DNF – Melissa Stevens (Galletta’s #19)
10. DNS – Steve Larkin (Galletta’s #7)
11. DNS – AJ Larkin *ƒ (Galletta’s #5 / 43)
DNS = Did Not Start (But qualified and was in attendance)
DNF = Did Not Finish
*ƒ = 2023 Feature Win
® = 1st Time Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
YouTube Livestream of 25-Lap Feature #2 [Assisted mid-race by Andrew Hook]
2nd Feature is usually an invert of the 1st EXCEPT for Feature Winners in the back no matter what.
25-Lap Feature #2 Start
1. ® John Mathis (Galletta’s #33c)
2. Randy Baldwin (Galletta’s #9)
3. ® Jeremy Burton (Galletta’s #93)
4. Nicolas Olivares (Galletta’s #1)
5. Bob Failmezger (Galletta’s #6)
6. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #4)
7. Matt Stevens *ƒ (Galletta’s #3)
8. Andrew Hook *ƒ (Kraken #39)
9. DNF – Melissa Stevens (Galletta’s #19)
10. DNS – Steve Larkin (Galletta’s #7)
11. DNS – AJ Larkin *ƒ (Galletta’s #5 / 43)
DNS = Did Not Start
DNF = Did Not Finish
*ƒ = 2023 Feature Win
® = 1st Time Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
25, Oops, no 30-Lap Feature #2 Finish
1. Chris Stevens *ƒ (Galletta’s #4)
2. Matt Stevens *ƒ (Galletta’s #3)
3. Bob Failmezger (Galletta’s #6)
4. Nicolas Olivares (Galletta’s #1)
5. Randy Baldwin (Galletta’s #9)
6. DNF – Jeremy Burton (Galletta’s #93)
7. DNF – ® John Mathis (Galletta’s #33c)
8. DNF – Andrew Hook *ƒ (Kraken #39)
9. DNF – Melissa Stevens (Galletta’s #19)
10. DNS – Steve Larkin (Galletta’s #7)
11. DNS – AJ Larkin *ƒ (Galletta’s #5 / 43)
DNS = Did Not Start
DNF = Did Not Finish
*ƒ = 2023 Feature Win
® = 1st Time Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
The Formula: 7/16 – 7/23/2023 Galletta’s Points Earned
|
POS.
|
Driver |
Heat
|
x2
|
F1
|
F2
|
LP
|
2/3 P
|
Pen
|
W2 TOTAL
|
W1 TOTAL
|
2 Week TOTAL
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
ANDREW HOOK (1) |
0
|
0
|
68
|
56
|
26
|
0
|
0
|
150.0
|
112.0
|
262.0
|
|
2
|
CHRIS STEVENS (1) |
0
|
0
|
65
|
82
|
26
|
14 (28)
|
0
|
186.0
|
152.5
|
338.5
|
|
3
|
Bob Failmezger |
41
|
41
|
62 |
74
|
0
|
18.5 (37)
|
0
|
236.5
|
0
|
236.5
|
|
4
|
Nicolas Olivares |
47
|
47
|
59
|
70
|
0
|
6.5 (13)
|
0
|
229.5
|
0
|
229.5
|
|
5
|
® Jeremy Burton |
38
|
38
|
56
|
62
|
0
|
2 (4)
|
0
|
196.0
|
0
|
120.0
|
|
6
|
Randy Baldwin |
31
|
31
|
53
|
66
|
0
|
0.5 (1)
|
0
|
182.0
|
0
|
182.0
|
|
7
|
® John Mathis |
34
|
34
|
50
|
59
|
4
|
2 (4)
|
0
|
183.0
|
0
|
183.0
|
|
8
|
MATT STEVENS (1) |
0
|
0
|
47 |
78
|
0
|
13.5 (27)
|
-5
|
138.5
|
162.5
|
301.0
|
|
9
|
MELISSA STEVENS |
0
|
0
|
44
|
53
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
97
|
100.0
|
197.0
|
|
10
|
Steve Larkin |
0
|
0
|
41
|
50
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
91
|
130.0
|
221.0
|
|
11
|
AJ Larkin (1) |
0
|
0
|
38
|
47 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
85
|
155.5
|
240.5
|
|
12
|
AJ Nason |
0
|
0
|
38
|
47 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
109.0
|
109.0
|
The competitors this evening! Great race all things considered! Cheers!
GALLETTA’S GREENHOUSE KARTING SPEEDWAY POINT STANDINGS
(Totaled between 7/16/2023 – 7/23/2023)
|
POS.
|
Driver |
TOTAL
|
FEATURES
|
WINS
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
CHRIS STEVENS (1) |
338.5
|
4
|
1
|
|
2
|
MATT STEVENS (1) |
301.0
|
4
|
1
|
|
3
|
ANDREW HOOK (1) |
262.0
|
4
|
1
|
|
4
|
® AJ LARKIN (1) |
240.5
|
4
|
1
|
|
5
|
® Bob Failmezger |
236.5
|
4*
|
0
|
|
6
|
Nicolas Olivares |
229.5
|
4*
|
0
|
|
7
|
® STEVE LARKIN |
221.0
|
4
|
0
|
|
8
|
MELISSA STEVENS |
197.0
|
4
|
0
|
|
9
|
®¹ Jeremy Burton |
196.0
|
4*
|
0
|
|
10
|
®¹ John Mathis |
183.0
|
4*
|
0
|
|
11
|
® Randy Baldwin |
182.0
|
4*
|
0
|
|
12
|
AJ Nason |
109.0
|
2
|
0
|
KEY:
CAPS = Started Every Feature
* = Makeup Heat Race (Makeup for missed Features)
® = 1st Season Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
®¹ = 1st Time Rookie Driver at Galletta’s
HANDICAP
| ® John Mathis |
0
|
| ® Jeremy Burton |
0
|
| Steve Larkin |
0
|
| Bob Failmezger |
0
|
| Nicolas Olivares |
0
|
| Randy Baldwin |
0
|
| AJ Nason |
0
|
| AJ Larkin (1) |
1
|
| ANDREW HOOK (1) |
1
|
| MATT STEVENS (1) |
1
|
| CHRIS STEVENS (1) |
1
|
| RETURNING VETS |
–
|
| NEWBIES |
–
|
| MELISSA STEVENS |
0
|
Did You Know? Oswego Speedway Winners… Raced at Galletta’s!
 Tyler Thompson: 2023 Mr. Supermodified |
 Cameron Rowe: 2023 Mr. SBS |
Saturday, 7/22/2023 – A strange coincidence happened the day before our race. Two drivers who have raced at Galletta’s won their respective big-money races at Oswego Speedway (the track that inspired us to make our backyard speedway as kids)!
Cameron Rowe hasn’t raced at Galletta’s in over 20 years, but in 2001 (when he was a rookie SBS driver), he also raced roughly a full season at Galletta’s. He helped us set up stagger on the karts before frustrations made him lose the Visitor’s Title when he quit the Club before the 2001 Galletta’s Klassic (and he drove the Galletta’s #2 all year, kept breaking down on him, which took him out of a feature win more than once). We could tell that he was a good, hard-nosed driver, so through the years it was cool to see him win before, especially the SBS Classic, and just yesterday’s Mr. SBS as well.
Then, young Tyler Thompson joined us for a race on occasion over the past few years, and he also won the biggest race in the sport as well. He pulled an upset as a youngster when he beat many savvy vets to win an Oswego Supermodified Classic a few years back, and he also secured the Mr. Supermodified Title the prior evening as well.
Pretty cool fun fact to see!
Rung 'Aou' Stevens' Facebook Livestream
And this week, no filed reports against Mrs. Rung Stevens' live Facebook reels. (That we know of...) She battled through last week's complaint department to give us yet another live stream! This makes 6 days that we know of without a complaint.
If you look closely at the video chat, you will find one Mr. AJ Nason on Facebook instead of racing with us! Sadly had to watch from Cortland and filled us in as to why: after winning in his brother's car Saturday Night at Skyline Speedway in Cortland, NY, his mother fell 26 feet out of the stands cheering for her son's triumph, dislocating her hip and sustaining a concussion! We wish Mrs. Nason a speedy recovery!
The competitors this evening! Great race all things considered! Cheers!
WHOOPS! We spoke too soon! A complaint by Melissa Stevens WAS lodged to the property owner at Rung Napha Stevens' camerawork again this week. Apparently, Aou's friend's kid said something that offended her, and her friend was allegedly snooty or someone was called a loser or something. This is rich considering Melissa still owes Chris, Rung, and her mother-in-law $4.5k for that roof that canceled the 2021 season, and the father of the kid and husband of the one she's complaining about brought over lumber and supplies without pay or thanks, too. Sigh
This now resets to 0 days without a complaint from Melissa Stevens and/or her Mom in Wolcott (who is still banned from the property).
Stay tuned!
In Closing...
This week we started on time, which has been a problem over the years. Our features started late because of a Rookie/Refresher/Makeup Point Heat race that took a while to get started and done, but it got done!
But on a side note… we can’t help but notice — as they sometimes do it on social media — how some former drivers mock and/or constantly tell other drivers not to come because we’re always starting late. We have a hard enough time keeping regular drivers without this (which, in turn, sometimes causes late starts while we’re waiting for drivers to come or training new ones!!!), thanks. So… look… if it’s a bit too late for you and you aren’t going to race, that’s your choice (and we understand, especially when we have work the next day) but why try and stop other people from coming? Are you a gossiping old lady? We have one of them around, one too many, and they don’t need help!
But we’ve said how sometimes part of the problem is when Matt is not ready (often earlier in the year or when too many karts have been broken the weeks before), people arrive and wait too long (and obviously and understandably get sick of it), then when Matt is on time, people aren’t here (as they don’t come back). This has been a problem for decades now. We either start on time without enough drivers or start late with too many. Now, it’s literally impossible to please everyone, and it’s something we have always needed to work on, but the fact of the matter is if we always start on time, people will have one less reason to not come back.