FULTONVILLE - The sportsman division took center stage with double features Sunday at The Ridge.
Gloversville's Chad Edwards got his race day off to a strong start, taking home the victory in the heldover 35-lap, $750-to-win feature that was rained out June 24.
Edwards could not make a sweep of the program's features as Greg Pessolano took command midway through the second feature to pick up his second feature win of the season.
Article Photos
Greg Pessolano passes Chris Schaffer for the lead in the second sportsman feature Sunday at The Ridge.
The Leader-Herald/James A. Ellis
Joining Edwards and Pessolano with victories were Bobby Varin (modified), Don Folts (street stock), Chuck Wainwright Jr. (cruisers) and Dana Polumbo (rookie sportsman).
After crossing the line three-wide with Brian Pessolano and Kurtis Hohensheldt on the opening lap of the first sportsman feature, Korey Wilder took control of 35-lap event.
Wilder was well ahead by the time Edwards found his way into second place on lap eight after starting seventh in the 17-car field.
A lap-12 caution brought Wilder back to the field, but he held off Edwards and Pessolano on the restart and remained on the point until sliding up the track on lap 25, allowing Edwards to slip through on the low side to take the lead.
Wilder charged back but could not get to Edwards before the checkers fell over his hood for his third win of the season.
Pessolano was third, with Chris Schaffer fourth and Tony Farone fifth.
Schaffer and Greg Pessolano brought the second sportsman feature to the green with Schaffer grabbing the early lead over Pessolano.
Pessolano pulled to the outside of Schaffer exiting turn four on lap 12 and came away with the lead, leaving Schaffer to battle with Edwards for the runner-up spot.
The caution flew with five laps remaining, tightening the pack, but Pessolano was up to the task, holding off Schaffer and Edwards for the victory.
Brian Pessolano placed fourth, with Jon Miller rounding out the top five.
Bob Vedder and Floyd Billington brought the field of 13 modifieds to the green with Vedder and Varin, who started third, crossing the line together on the first lap. Varin pulled ahead going into turn one and drew away from the pack.
Billington took over the second spot on lap three, leaving Craig Hanson, Marc Johnson, Danny Varin and Vedder to battle for third.
The first caution of the race flew on lap 13 when Jackie Brown slowed on the backstretch with a flat tire. Brown made it pitside and rejoined the race at the back.
The yellow flew again on the restart when Vedder spun between turns one and two.
Varin had little trouble holding his lead on the restart and pulled away for his fourth win of the season and 18th career at The Ridge.
Hanson was second, followed by Jeremy Wilder, Johnson and Danny Varin.
Folts took the lead at the drop of the green in the scheduled 20-lap street stock feature.
The race was shortened to 15 laps after the red flag was thrown on lap nine for a wreck involving Chuck McSpirit and Jason Samrov that sent McSpirit rolling on the frontstretch. McSpirit was uninjured in the wreck, but only four cars were left in contention.
Folts turned back challenges from Rob VanAernam for the win. Mark Lester took third and Samrov returned to the track to finish fourth.
Racing returns to The Ridge next Sunday with twin 25-lap modified features on tap with a regular race program for the sportsman, street stock and cruiser divisions. There also will be a fireworks display.