Driver Profiles

by Dave Roberts

Nigel Pendykoski of Niagara Falls, Ontario had an incredible 2024 season in the Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning Sportsman division, winning eight times. It would be his first full season in a stock car class, having previously raced go-karts at both Ransomville and Merrittville along with several other northeast tracks. He has won kart championships in both the Junior 2 and Junior 3 ranks.

The 18-year-old has graduated from high school and is employed at Bicknell Racing Products in Canada.

Nigel has quite the sponsorship list…DDL Accounting Firm, Pace Automotive, Lindberg Electric, Source Trucking, UBC Built Local 18, Stranges & Associates, John Bevan, Barry Weaver and Doug Flake.

Working with Nigel is crew chief Ezell, his father- Mike, AJ, Doug, Trent and John, his grandfather, who drove Street Stocks, at Merrittville and Humberstone.

Nigel got interested in local short track racing, when his friend James Little would take him to the track to watch James’s dad Ivan Little, a local modified star.

Nigel will run the DIRTcar Sportsman division in 2025 and a goal of moving up to 358 Modified class after adjusting to the Sportsman. His long-term goal is to join the DIRTcar big block Modified division. Nigel is planning on competing in the 2025 DIRTcar Sportsman Western Series.

Mike Welch of Stanley, NY recently won the 2024 Ransomville Speedway KiPo Chevrolet Street Stock championship in his first full season at the half-mile Niagara County clay oval. On his bucket list was a win at the Big R and although he campaigned there a hand full of times over the course of the past decade, that win had eluded him. Knowing more seat time was needed, Welch decided to run the full season in 2024 which proved to be a good choice as he picked up not only his first win but a second as well. Welch would trail in points on the final points night, overcoming an eight-point deficit from then points leader Brandon Sherwood, who also lent Mike a carburetor before the night’s activities.

Mike has been a competitive short track racer for 21 years, winning ten Land of Legends Raceway Park Street Stock championships. He’s also won a Street Stock title at Weedsport (NY) Speedway and a Pro Stock championship at Utica Rome (NY) Speedway along with the Parts Plus Street Stock Series. His total win count currently sits at 123. He is also a member of the Land of Legends Wall of Fame.

Away from the racetrack Mike is the District Manager at Auto Value Parts, which is also a sponsor on the Welch Race Team. Additional Sponsors for the 2024 campaign were Mountain Dew Code Red, TLC Trips, OTR-On the Rocks Grill, Buds Apple Pie, Rid-O-Vit, Smith Brothers Drywall, Eldredge & Sons Scrap, CRS, Smugglers, Tradition Ford, Stirling Lubricants, and Canandaigua Window Cleaners. For 2025 – Orange Crush will replace Mountain Dew Code Red.

Helping at the track are Maynard and Bud. Mike is the DIRTcar head tech inspector and director of the Empire Street Stocks Series. His biggest fans are his mother Jean and his girlfriend Tana. His sons Nate and Seth and daughter Alicia keep track of how he does at Ransomville Speedway weekly. Mike also raced weekly at the Land of Legends Raceway where he won a pair of races in 2024 – one of which happened to be when his grandson Ace was attending his first race. Mike is also grandpa to Lucas and Macey.

Mike is certainly one of the good guys in the pit area. always willing to lend a helping hand to fellow racers. While racing can be a high emotion sport, Mike sets a great example as maintaining a level head regardless of how his night went or anything that may happen on the racetrack.

by...Dave Roberts
Derek Wagner of Middleport, NY came into 2024 as the two-time defending Stirling Lubricants Champion. Making it three in a row is a tough feat to accomplish and Wagner found himself in an uphill battle early.

“We had such a rough start in 2024, it’s tough when you come off of two straight championships,” said Wagner. Despite having a very competitive season scoring 10 top ten’s and 6 top five’s, he would score only one victory. To say the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman class is highly competitive would be an understatement.

Wagner got his stock car racing experience, before moving into the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman, racing Mod Lites and Four Cylinders, traveling from New York to Virginia.

Derek has one of the best wenches in local short track racing on his team…Dave Botsford, who worked with DIRTcar Modified racing stars Danny Johnson and Alan Johnson. Dave is also Derek’s father-in-law. Derek married Dave’s daughter, Shannyn, in October 2023.

Derek has eight career Ransomville Speedway Stirling Lubricants Sportsman feature victories and crossed one major event off his bucket list in 2024, by driving at Charlotte Motor Speedway this past October to compete in the Short Track Championships. Over 500 cars filled the pit area for the three day stint, approximately 37 of them being DIRTcar Sportsman.

“I’ve always wanted to do that, but we were off after we messed up on the set up on the final night. The competition is so tough. We started tenth and got up as high as seventh”.

Derek’s biggest career victory was the 2017 King of the Hill, the final year they ran the Sportsman class for the King of the Hill.

Derek is dedicated to the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman class and shows no interest in moving up to the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds,“I like what I’m driving now, so I’m staying put.”

Sponsoring Derek Wagner Racing is Performance MFG, Eleanor Delilah, Villianis Lawn Landscape, Five Star Automotive, Drum Oil & Propane, N & M Farms, Pudgies Veggies, Harris Beach, Sigmamotor, Fish’s Automotive, Don & Jacquie O, Shelby Crushed Stone, CB Crane,
Wandering Trails Taxidermy, Middleport Tractor, Spanky, Meg and Gary and Milne Mfg, Hydro Fab, Memory of Ma Bailey and noclassratsgarage.

Along with Dave Botsford, Lyle Demmin, Scot Newman. Larry Wagner and Jesse Cottriss, who also competes in the Ransomville Speedway Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds.

by Dave Roberts

Mat Williamson of St. Catharines, ONT won his fourth consecutive Krown Undercoating 358 Modified championship in 2024 at the Big R. An impressive feat one would say. However, add in his first championship at the Land of Legends Raceway and the highly coveted DIRTcar championship, and Williamson enjoyed what many would consider one of his best seasons to date.

Williamson’s first full season at Ransomville Speedway was in 2021 when he won five feature events leading him to the first championship there. Overall, Mat has captured 23 career Krown Undercoating 358 Modified feature victories at the big R.

Along with his four victories in 2024, Williamson was consistent when he wasn’t grabbing the checkered flag. Finishing in the top ten, eleven times.
“It was another good season at Ransomville Speedway,” said Williamson, who met with local car owners Pete Cocco and Paul Wendt just prior to the 2021 season about driving for them at Ransomville. The team enjoyed success right out of the gate and show no signs of slowing down.

In addition to his good fortune at Ransomville Speedway, Mat also captured the checkered flag in the Pepsi Big Blocks at Land of Legends Raceway, aiding him in garnering his first championship in a big block at a weekly track. This in his first season as a regular. Mat dominated the Super DIRTcar Series with eight victories.

Mat married his girlfriend, Natalie, over the past summer. Mat’s father is Randy Williamson, co-owner of Bicknell Racing Products. His parents, Randy and Tracy, are big supporters of Mat and have been a large part of his success.

Mat, 34, is a 2019 Super DIRTcar big block Modified champion and 2023 and 2020 Super DIRTcar 358 Modified champion. Mat won his second consecutive Salute to the Troops 150 at Oswego Speedway during the 52nd annual Super DIRT Week in October. In 2023, Mat won both the Salute to the Troops 150 and the Billy Whittaker Cars 200.

Ensuring Mat has the best seat possible, the following can be found either in the shop, at the track or both - John Cocco, Pete Cocco, Scott Kerwin, Mike Seefeldt, Johnny Villella, Mike Sweet, Edward Bubby Pawlak, Ray Samuel, Jon Kaior, Aiden Seefeldt & Marlee Seefeldt.

Sponsoring Williamson’s ride was Wendts Propane and Oil, Eibach Springs, Mark Cerrone Inc, Hytech Concrete, FL Services, Military Towing, All Pro Home Inspection, Rutland Corwin Funeral Home, Dilly’s Dirt Works, SW Service Centre, FW Webb, Cavagna Group, Quality Steel, Scruples Bar, Paul Collins, & Bud's Apple Pie.

Scott Just of Ransomville, NY will return to the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds for the 2025 season. Scott ran the division in the 2010 and 2012 seasons. Lately, he's been behind the scenes in both Ransomville Speedway’s stock car and Thursday’s go-kart program.

Scott was recently honored with the Etue/Stolzenburg Sportsmanship Award at the Ransomville Speedway go-kart banquet at the South Wilson Fire Hall. Scott is always there to lend a hand, advise fellow go-kart teams and always with a smile. "The Little R has a true friend in Scott," commented General Manager Tana Robinson. "Scott is always willing to jump in where needed and his knowledge of the karting scene is big plus for us."

Scott also drove Ransomville Speedway’s Sportsman class in 2003 to 2009. He also ran 360 Sprints 2013 as part of a two-car team with his father Dave.

Scott had several family members racing at Ransomville Speedway in 2024. His stepdaughter Abby Castile was in the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman division and his sister Jocelyn was in the Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning Novice Sportsman class. His son Jayme and sister Raelyn ran in the Bud’s Apple Pie Jr 2 class in the go-kart program.

“I was certainly busy during the season,” said Scott, 36, who is employed by Stirling Lubricants as a salesperson. Scott also owns a business called Scott Just Enterprise. The business does suspension work, signs and graphics, 3d printing, & custom fabrication.

His thoughts in getting back behind the wheel? “I don’t have any expectations with the 358 Modified. I’m just going to go out and play.” Safe to say, Scott will be a great addition to the headlining division.

Sponsoring Scott will be Stirling Lubricants, Maxima Racing Oils, Scott Just Enterprises, Kevin Carpet Cleaning, and Hanes Excavation.

His crew will be his father, Dave and his wife, Kaelie, sisters Roselyn and Jocelyn, his son Jayme, his stepdaughter Abby Castile and Doug Castile.

Ryan Susice of Wilson, NY grew up at Ransomville Speedway, his father Roy drove several divisions here. As a matter of fact, Ryan grew up just around the corner from the speedway.

Ryan took much of the 2023 season off as his son Axton was born fifteen weeks early. Both Ryan and his wife, Rebecca had their attention on the health of Axton.

In Ryan’s return in 2024, he picked up two Krown Undercoating 358 Modified feature victories. He had twelve top ten finishes, finishing third in points. Going into the final points night of 2024, Ryan still had a chance for the title. He’s one of a few drivers at Ransomville Speedway that has won championships in three different classes. His first came in the Street Stocks ranks in 2007. In 2009 and 2010, he won the track’s Sportsman title. A feat tough to accomplish at any facility, Ryan won three championships in a row in the headlining Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds. Ryan was honored recently at the Ransomville Speedway banquet with a Performance Award for his efforts in the 2024 season.

Ryan is employed at Bicknell Racing Products at its Niagara Falls, NY warehouse.

Ryan’s sponsors are Transport Sales & Service, DMS Powder Coating, Bud’s Apple Pie, Black Lab Metal Fabrication, J & D Tires and Bicknell Racing Products.

Ryan gets plenty of help in the pits and in the garage from his father, Roy along with Toby, Drew and Kyle.

Ryan also has experience with 360 Sprints. Ryan won Sprint feature events at Merrittville, Humberstone and Brighton. He had a seventh in a World of Outlaws Sprint event at Oshweken Speedway, a highlight in his racing career.

Ryan is also Ransomville Speedway’s race director for its highly successful go-kart program.

“I like being involved with Ransomville Speedway’s future,” said Ryan

Article Credit: Dave Roberts

Cody McPherson of St. Catharines, ONT won his second career Ransomville Speedway StIrling Lubricants Sportsman division championship in 2024, picking up six wins. In addition to the Ransomville title, Cody also won his third career Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman championship and his seventh career Merrittville Speedway Sportsman championship. McPherson won 25 Sportsman features in 2024 in 46 events, also winning at Merrittville, Weedsport, Ohsweken, Humberstone and Brighton. When McPherson didn’t win a Ransomville feature, he was in the top ten eleven times.

“It was a great year,” said McPherson of his 2024 season, who shared a Ransomville Sportsman title in 2015 with James Friesen.

Cody comes from a racing background, his uncle Bill Willard and aunt Tammy Willard, both drove Sportsman and 358 Modifieds in the 1980’s. Cody was only 13 years old when he started his racing career in Merrittville Speedway’s Hoosier Stock class (Street Stocks) in 2011 with former local DIRTcar Modified driver Mike Granton as a mentor.

The 32-year-old racing star is employed by the City of St. Catharines.

Cody’s crew consists of himself and Rick Ballante.

Cody’s sponsors are Williard Concrete Trucking, Rick’s Delivery, C. McPherson Trucking, Right Choice Auto & Leisure, Alliance Tire Service, Beverloch Spray Foam, Billy Baker, PVM Hydraulics, DVC Company and Guy MacPherson Haulage.

Article Credit: Dave Roberts

Second generation driver Dave Stolzenberg will return to Ransomville Speedway’s Ki-Po Chevrolet Street Stock division for the 2025 season. Stolzenberg has an easy plan for the upcoming season.

“I just want to have fun and enjoy racing with my racing family at Ransomville Speedway. I’m ready to come back,” said Dave, who has ten career victories at Ransomville Speedway, the biggest being the 2003 Street Stock King of the Hill. Elsewhere, he also won at Humberstone Speedway.

Dave comes from the RUSH Late Models, where he spent the last five years.

Dave’s father, Dave Sr recently passed away in early January 2025. He was also a Ransomville Speedway Street Stock competitor and had worked at Richard Childress Racing in North Carolina.

“He was a great dad and he taught me a lot about racing,” said Dave of his father. Dave is also hoping to compete in some of the Empire Street Stock Series events away from Ransomville Speedway.

Some history about Dave Sr - Not only was he a racer at Ransomville speedway, but he was also a successful car owner and built a numerous number of chassis for both street stocks and pro stocks. “My dad was one of the good guys in the pits,” commented Dave Jr. “My dad loved to help anyone and everyone, never kept secrets from any competitor. My dad said before that he would rather help someone that raced against him, and watch them be competitive, than not help someone who struggles, and get wrecked by them week in and week out.”

Little Dave, as many call him, is a welder away from the racetrack and has three boys James 27, Zack 20, and Matthew 19. Dave is 47 years old, currently lives in Wilson and been racing for 25 years.

Dave’s sponsors are 716 Auto Glass, Harris Outdoor Services, Bud’s Apple Pie, RM Inc, Robert MacVie, SANY, Judge David Truesdale, RCS Snow Removal and Mark The Barber.

Helping Dave on the race car is Clayton, Matthew and Evan. One of his biggest fans, his mom, is also a great help to him.

credit - Dave Roberts

Another familiar name will be coming back to Ransomville Speedway in 2025, Alex Morris of Niagara Falls, NY.

Alex got his start in short racing at the age of 16 in 1991. The 50 year old Ironworker won several feature events in his career. Alex comes back to Ransomville Speedway on a weekly basis after a seven year absence. He drove a Vintage car in 2002, and won four times.

“The Vintage car was a lot easier to handle than the Street Stock,” recollected Morris.

Alex won the Ransomville Speedway KIPO Chevrolet Street Stock championship in 1998, 2001, 2012, and 2013. He comes back to a division that is altogether different since the last time he was a Ransomville Speedway regular. The cars now look more like Late Models. He did have a chance to drive a current Street Stock, owned by Ken Camidge in a recent King of the Hill event.

“I’m back to give it another shot,” said Morris. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. The drivers in this class have a lot more money in their cars than I do, added Morris.”

Alex’s career highlight was at the end of 2010, after missing the entire season, he would win the Ransomville Speedway King of the Hill event and followed it up with a win at Canandaigua Speedway the following night.

Alex isn’t expecting to come out of the box, and set the KIPO Chevrolet Street Stock division on fire.

Alex is ready for a full Ransomville Speedway season, but doesn’t rule out some Empire Street Stock events elsewhere.

Alex’s sponsors for the 2025 season are Alp Steel, Bob Parkhill, Martin Blacktop and Cory Sawyer Motorsports.

Gerald Poole will be helping Alex at the race track. Bob, Ken and John will also lend a hand.

credit - Dave Roberts

STARTING OVER AGAIN

Jeff Sonnenberg of Grand Island, NY will start his racing career over again when the 2025 season begins. Sonnenberg will compete in the KiPo Chevrolet Street Stock division. Jeff is now 68 years old, making him a senior driver in the Ransomville Speedway pit area.

Jeff is not new to Ransomville Speedway, he competed in the Sunflowers of Sanborn MIni Stocks, Stirling Lubricants DIRTcar Sportsman and Kipo Chevrolet Street Stocks in the 2000’s.

Jeff was 55 years old when he first started racing. He beat stage 4 throat cancer, after being diagnosed in 2009. Originally from Erie, PA, Jeff watched his father, Raymond, race Late Models at Pennsylvania tracks, Wattsburg Speedway, Eriez Speedway and Stateline Speedway, in 1950’s and 1960’s.

“Racing was always a bucket list for me,” said Sonnenberg. “I spent a lot of years in the grandstands watching. When I beat cancer, I decided it was time to give driving a try."

His goal in his first season back, is show up every week.

His number on the race car, will the same of his dad’s…J12.

Jeff admits he does much of the work garage work himself. Jeff takes advice from Ransomville Speedway 358 Modified driver Ryan Susice along with Cole and Austin Susice.