182nd Annual Ontario County Fair Stock Car Titles To Pangrazio & Peckham
Ortiz & Fletcher wrap-up Wednesday night speedway special with vintage runs to checkers
Canandaigua, NY – July 23, 2025 – Tom Skibinski, Land of Legends Raceway PR
The Ontario County Fair carried on for its 182nd edition and it was full-fender veterans Josh Pangrazio and Nate Peckham continuing their success with title runs in the annual full-fender championship tilt presented by Smith Bros. Drywall. at Land Of Legends Raceway.
Pangrazio’s second win of the 2025 season was the biggest yet as he collected $1,500 for his record-tying fourth triumph in the 13th Les Whyte Top Gun Shootout for Auto Value Parts Stores Street Stocks while Peckham’s first trip to DAV Victory Lane of the ‘25 campaign for Lloyd's Contracting Hobby Stockers earned him $750.
The lone appearance by the Vintage Stock Cars closed out the mid-week special with a pair of past Canandaigua regulars taking home trophies, LOLR Wall of Famer Jipp Ortiz capturing the Sportsman Classics race and Tom Fletcher claiming the combined Modified/Vintage Classics main.
Following postponement from last September, for the second straight year the Empire Street Stock Series presented by Butler Excavating and powered by Neff Landscaping headlined trackside action during the Ontario Co. Fair. Already scoring TGOS victories in 2019, ‘20 and ‘21, Pangrazio needed nearly all of the 25-lap finale to get the job done this time around.
“Track had some good character to it, just biding my time and being patient, hitting my marks, trying to keep the toe in the thing and not burn the tires off,” remarked Pangrazio, 42, whose second win of the year at LOLR bolsters his total to 16 in 2025 with nine victories posted at Ransomville Speedway and another five coming at The Dirt Track at Genesee. “(Minutolo) definitely had a fast pace going on there so I just settled in and kept him in my sights. Just hitting my marks and thankfully in the end we came out on top.”
After the top-3 heat race qualifiers re-drew for starting positions, pole-sitter Rick Crego jumped out to an early lead as Debbie Everdyke, former wife of Les Whyte, waved the opening green flag. The initial yellow flag unfurled just as fast when track points leader C.J. Guererri’s mount came to a sudden stop high between turns one and two, a broken front-end suspension the culprit ending his night with just a single lap complete. Guererri’s only consolation was receipt of the $50 Hard Luck Award provided by Close Racing Supply.
Filing into fifth on the 12-car starting grid, Marc Minutolo edged past Crego on the ensuing lap two restart and by the midway mark had built up a commanding eight car-length advantage over fourth-place starter Pangrazio. Yet that margin quickly vanished when Pat Hobbs looped his mount low exiting turn one to incur yellow.
Three consecutive cautions consumed the action from lap 18 to 20, and the third slowdown proved to be the charm for Pangrazio as the driver from Kent charged around Minutolo rounding turn two to forge the final lap change with five to go. A front stretch crash involving Justin Neff and Hobbs on lap 21 required the last yellow flag and left only a half-dozen cars on the track to see the checkers.
Minutolo made a valiant effort closing to within a car-length at the stripe, yet the red #7 LTR Rigging & Hauling-Stubby's Stump Grinding-BFH Construction Ford Mustang would not be denied Josh’s 22nd career win in Canandaigua. Crego settled for third while Damian Long slipped past Mike Welch for fourth in the closing stages.
“I knew Marc is really good on the bottom (lane) so therefore that’s why I gave him the outside (on that last restart),” Pangrazio added. “Have to thank Joel (Smith, owner), from Close Racing Supply. If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
ESSS returns to competition on Sat. July 26 at Weedsport Speedway with Pangrazio, winner in three of the first four series races, holding a slim points lead, 228-212, over Welch, the only other tour winner in ‘25. Long (174) follows in third chased by Luke Boom (170) with Mike Kelly (162) to round out the top-five.
Land Of Legends Raceway hosts the 2025 ESSS season-finale on Sat. Sept. 27 with the area’s top travelers vying for another lucrative top prize plus lap bonuses and contingency awards in the headline 40-lap Top Gun Shootout.
The 20-lap Hobby Stock race kicked off the full-fender feature line-up on Wednesday with 15 racers signing in for Fair festivities. Peckham started fourth and became the fourth different leader by lap 14, pulling away for a comfortable half-straightaway victory, his first at the fairgrounds half-miler since Sept. of ‘23.
“Felt really good,” said a relieved Peckham following his 16th career stock car win at LOLR. “I’ve had a little bit of push, little slide out of the corner all year long. Finally last week changed a little bit more and it seemed to be hooked up tonight. A little less weight in the back, different tire sizes, a little bit of this and that, not much.”
Frank ‘Bubba’ Burnell Jr. took off from the start yet matching the Street Stock show, a lap two caution slowed the action right off the bat, this time for Justin Eldredge who pulled to the homestretch infield suffering terminal mechanical issues to end his night too early. Riding a two-race win streak, Blane Smith moved to the point on lap two before Minutolo, the master of double-duty, ducked low exiting the second corner to take over the top spot.
By the halfway point Minutolo managed a narrow lead but it was Peckham now in pursuit steering his potent self-sponsored blue no. 90 Chevrolet Camaro. Lap after lap the Seneca Falls chauffeur reeled in the leader, swapping his low line for the high side where he sped around Minutolo in turn four to forge the final lead with a half-dozen circuits still remaining.
Minutolo’s night came to end on lap 15 after an overheating issue ended any chance of catching Peckham in the stretch run. Back under green Peckham pulled away at will while runner-up Burnell suddenly ducked pitside to provide the leader even more room for error. Yet Peckham ran mistake-free, out-distancing Smith for the win while Tyler Burnell, Craig Dingy and Kevin Schrader filled out the final front-five.
“Was watching (Minutolo), catching him, just a matter of time,” figured Peckham, 55, following his eighth top-5 finish in 10 events this year at LOLR. “Pretty sure I was gonna get around outside but you never know, Marc can make that car pretty wide if he wants to. Have to thank Joe, he’s my pit guy, and I get a little help from the motor guy too. But I do pretty much everything else myself after that.”
The annual Vintage Car invasion attracted 19 entries with two 12-lap features staged after a trio of six-lap qualifying heat races filled the bill.
Already with 40 Pro Stock wins and a DIRT Sportsman triumph at the fairgrounds, four-time LOLR Pro Stock points king and overall Mr. DIRT champion Ortiz put his first Vintage victory in the Canandaigua record book.
“Thrilled for the opportunity to come back here, where I loved so much and actually ran pretty decent,” said Ortiz, whose father Ed was the Sportsman Modified points champion at Canandaigua in 1962 & ‘63. “This is a great group of guys and fun to race with. We all have the same life-long love for the sport.”
On this occasion, Ortiz buckled in behind the wheel of a restored red ‘84 Troyer car numbered 58 helping to commemorate the career of Merv Treichler, who ironically won the last of his nine Big-Block Modified features at LOLR in 1984.
“Merv is a legend. He was one of my heroes as a kid growing up so it’s quite an honor. Tried to copy the Syracuse car with the big hood on but I couldn’t see over it,” stated Ortiz, who towed in from Ransomville to find familiar ground in victory lane.
Mike Jacobs ran out front early before Adam Doll took the lead on lap three. Ortiz grabbed second on lap eight and finally tracked down Doll with just three laps to go. Finishing further back in fifth-place was Jim Harter, now 71, who was crowned the Expert Amateur Street Stock points champion at Canandaigua in 1981.
Matching his success from a year ago, Fletcher returned in the red #craZ8 Mike McLaughlin tribute car that sported a 1980 Gremlin body over another Troyer chassis to score a runaway victory. Sporting a #0 team car from the Ortiz Garage, former Canandaigua kingpin and 1992 Mr. DIRT Sportsman titlist Todd Burley, wearing a Gil Tegg driver’s uniform, led lap one before relinquishing the point and eventual win to Fletcher on lap eight. As the lone “Vintage” car racer in the scheduled 9-car field, Loren Lincoln was declared that division’s winner despite a burned clutch relegating him to a 7th-place finish in the #111 replica coupe of ‘Screamin’ Sammy Reakes.
LEGEND LEDGER
As racers have off from the fairgrounds on Sat. July 26, the final month of points at Land Of Legends Raceway kicks off Aug. 2 with Hoselton Auto Mall backing a full card of Big-Block Modified, Sportsman, 305 Sprint, Street Stock, Hobby Stock and New Legends Sportsman action with Kids Power Wheels races joining the show. Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation is the evening’s 50/50 beneficiary with pit gates opening at 3:30pm and spectators admitted at 5 o'clock. Hot laps start at 5:30 followed by heat race qualifiers at 6:30.
SKIDMARKS
Once more commanded by award-winning executive producer Art Rorick, the talent-laden LOLR TV broadcast team boasting production assistants Makenna Hansen & C.J. Miller, graphics coordinator Mark Rore, camera operators Mike Yawney, Jim & Michelle Mullen, and veteran voices Steve Ovens (PA announcer) and Doug Elkins (pit reporter) maintains its presence on-site to provide LIVE video coverage of every event through Land of Legends TV, with LIVE streaming continuing to be offered FREE in 2025. On-line registration at https://landoflegendstv.com for a free account is the only step to take.
Also available for download is the LOLR mobile app found at Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.landoflegends or
App Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/land-of-legends/id1508128970?uo=4 to secure your raceday pass today.
In addition to LOLR's weekly racing being simulcast on Land of Legends Raceway TV, each show will also be broadcast live on DIRTVision and highlighted by the mighty DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. To watch, sign up for an annual Platinum FAST PASS with DIRTVision and experience every event either online or through the DIRTVision App.
2025 TICKET BUNDLES & PIT PASS SPECIALS STILL AVAILABLE
General Admission Ticket and Pit Pass bundles continue to be offered to LOLR fans and race teams while providing a great opportunity to save money in the process. G.A. packs of 20 ($220) or 50 ($475) and Pit bundles of 20 ($700) or 50 ($1,700) must be pre-ordered to be used during the upcoming season.
Regular weekly G.A. ticket prices continue at $15 Adults and $13 Seniors (65 yrs. and older) while Kids 16 yrs. and under (must be accompanied by an adult) remain FREE. Pit passes are $40. For those youngsters needing pit access, a Child Season Pit Pass is $50 for tykes under 2 yrs. and $150 each for kids 2-13. All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian while competitors are not eligible for kids season passes.
Camping is FREE in outer parking areas and for inside parking, modest charges of $15 for cars and $25 for motorhomes/campers are standard fairground fares.
*Individual tickets carry a $15 value and are valid for any regular Saturday Spectacular event. For special events, ticket holders may use one bundle ticket (worth $15) towards the price of admission and pay the difference at the gate
To purchase ticket and pit pass bundles or discuss marketing opportunities available at the track in 2025, please contact LOLR Director of Marketing & Operations Tana Robinson via e-mail tana@landoflegendsraceway.com or cell 716-799-5669.
Check out www.landoflegendsraceway.com often as the latest news and season schedule information will be posted right up to raceday.
Land of Legends Raceway is located at the Ontario County Fairgrounds, east of the city on Town Line Road (County Road 10), with easy access off either Exit 43 (Manchester, Route 21 South) or Exit 44 (Farmington, Route 332 South) of the New York State Thruway, just ½-hour southeast of Rochester.
Land of Legends Raceway Event Summary – July 23, 2025
Smith Bros. Drywall presents 182nd Ontario Co. Fair Championships
Empire Street Stock Series presented by Butler Excavating and powered by Neff Landscaping Race #4
Auto Value Parts Stores Street Stock
13th Les Whyte Top Gun Shootout Championship
*Feature (25 laps): 1. 7-JOSH PANGRAZIO ($1,500), 2. 25b-Marc Minutolo, 3. 5c-Rick Crego, 4. 00d-Damian Long, 5. 00-Mike Welch, 6. 57j-Tony Harris, 7. 3-Patrick Hobbs, 8. 33-Justin Neff, 9. b00m-Luke Boom, 10. 84m-Mike Kelly, 11. 63-Mike Fellows, 12. cj1-CJ Guererri.
Heats (8 laps / Top-3 redraw)
Spaid Special #1: Crego ($20), Hobbs, Welch, Boom, Neff, Fellows.
Spaid Special #2: Pangrazio ($20), Eldredge, Guererri, Long, Kelly, Harris.
In Memory Of Les Whyte / Debbie Everdyke Hard Charger Award $200: Tony Harris.
NG Promotions Hometown Finisher Award $100 (highest LOLR finisher): Marc Minutolo.
Close Racing Supply 5th-Place Finisher Bonus $100 (Gift Certificate): Mike Welch.
Joe Wilcox Transmissions 7th-Place Finisher Bonus $100 (Gift Certificate): Pat Hobbs.
Close Racing Supply 10th-Place Finisher Bonus $100 (Gift Certificate): Mike Kelly.
Close Racing Supply Move Of The Race Award $50: Josh Pangrazio.
Close Racing Supply Hard Luck Award $50: C.J. Guererri.
Close Racing Supply Worst Number Pill Draw Prize $50: Mike Kelly.
Close Racing Supply Longest Tow Award $50: Justin Neff.
Jim DePuy In Memory Of Jason Quigley $100 (Case of Oil & Wix Filter): Mike Welch.
Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning $50 (Gift Certificate): Damian Long.
$875 Lap Money.
Lloyd's Contracting Hobby Stock “Hoedown”
*Feature (20 laps): 1. 90-NATHAN PECKHAM ($750), 2. 55b-Blane Smith, 3. 57jr.-Tyler Burnell, 4. 22c-Craig Dingy, 5. 97-Kevin Schrader, 6. 24k-Kevin Lloyd, 7. 57b-Frank 'Bubba' Burnell Jr, 8. 25b-Marc Minutolo, 9. 16XL-Derek Excell, 10. 98t-Jack Terrell, 11. 56-Eddie Stevens, 12. 22j-Randy Johnson, 13. 25j-Justin Eldredge, 14. 21b-William Bradley, 15. 569-Tyler LeGrett.
Heats (6 laps)
#1: F.Burnell, Minutolo, Excel, T.Burnell, Terrell, Lloyd, Bradley(DNS), LeGrett(DNS).
#2: Smith, Peckham, Schrader, Eldredge, Dingy, Stevens, Johnson.
Vintage Stock Cars
*Modified/Vintage Classics Feature (12 laps): 1. CraZ8-Tom Fletcher, 2. 20-Johnny Hill, 3. 0-Todd Burley, 4. 9-Joe August, 5. 20p-Brad Litzenberger, 6. 45-Tom Sebring, 7. 111-Loren Lincoln, 51-Rich Townsend(DNS), 1-Ed Lawrence(DNS).
Modified Heat (6 laps)
#1: Hill, Fletcher, Litzenberger, Townsend, Sebring, Burley, August(DNS).
Vintage Heat (6 laps)
#1: Lincoln, Lawrence.
*Sportsman Classics Feature (12 laps): 1. 58-Jipp Ortiz, 2. 00-Adam Doll, 3. 41-Tim Natalino, 4. 14-Mike Jacobs, 5. 5-Jim Harter, 6. 18-Allyson Rushlo, 7. 66-Tom Church, 8. 76-Ray Preston, 9. 33-John Smith, 10. 7x-Craig Chisom.
Heats (6 laps)
#1: Jacobs, Rushlo, Smith, Preston.
#2: Natalino, Doll, Ortiz, Church, Chisom, Harter.
NEXT EVENT: Saturday Spectacular, August 2 @ 6:30pm; Hoselton Auto Mall presents Big-Block Modified/Sportsman/305 Sprint/Street Stock/Hobby Stock and New Legends Sportsman plus Kids Power Wheels Races with Empire State Scholastic Esports Federation Benefit.
*No Racing Sat., July 26.
Track Instant Info
Website: www.LandOfLegendsRaceway.com
E-Mail: info@LandOfLegendsRaceway.com
Twitter: @LandofLegendsNY
Facebook: @LandofLegendsNY
Instagram: @LandofLegendsNY
Live Stream: https://landoflegendstv.com/
Along with recognizing its weekly 50/50 raffle fund beneficiaries, Land of Legends Raceway is proud to salute several sponsors and corporate partners that continue to help bring its fans the best Saturday night racing show in the Northeast. Listed alphabetically are 2025 division sponsors Auto Value Parts Stores, Hutchinson Property Preservation, Lloyd's Contracting, MighTea Boba, Pepsi Geneva Club Beverage, Stirling Lubricants; event sponsors AMS Enterprises, Auto Value Parts Stores, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Busch Light/Lake Beverage, Disabled American Veterans, Disbatch Brewing Company, Ferris Mowers, Honeoye Auto Parts, Hoselton Auto Mall, iFreeze Storage & Distribution Center, LSI Solutions, Pace Electronics, Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage, Phelps Cement Products, Prouty's Bar & Grill, Regional Truck & Trailer, Ryan Phelps Auto Sales, Seneca Meadows Landfill, Smith Bros. Drywall, Tradition Automotive Group, VP Racing Fuels, Wilbert's U-Pull It; promotional partners Always Locked Self Storage, American Woman Designs, Auto Wash Car Wash, Baker's Exterminating, Casella Waste Systems, Champion Power Equipment, Close Racing Supply(CRS), Comfort Windows, Elab Smokers Boutique, Emerson Oil Company,, Hoosier Racing Tire, Legott's Club 86, Mac's Dairy Bar & Mini Golf, Meyer's Finger Lakes RV, Mike Emhof Motorsports, Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame, Ontario County Fairboard, On The Rocks Bar & Grill, The "Original" Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, Rose City Drive-In, Ruggles World of Auto Body, Schultz Heating & Cooling, Stop DWI NYS, Superior Plumbing, Turn 5 Media, United Rentals, Voodoo Ranger Hard Tea, Wicked Tees.