Zane Zeiner Wins Emotional Rod Spalding Classic 75 at Chemung

Zane Zeiner claimed an emotional victory on Saturday night, winning the Rod Spalding Classic 75 at Chemung Speedrome.

Zeiner led all 75 laps of the Race of Champions Modified Series event, giving him his second win of the year with the series at Chemung.

After climbing out of his car, Zeiner dedicated the win to Evan Canfield and the Canfield family. The Canfield family have been long-time supporters of the Race of Champions Family of Series, and the emotion was apparent for Zeiner in victory lane.

RELATED: Helmet Pass for the Canfield Family in Honor of Evan Canfield to Take Place at Rod Spalding Classic

"It's been a real emotional week here," said Zeiner. "This is definitely for Evan and the Canfield family. I'm a little choked up. They were like a second family to me when I started out here.

"A lot of pressure, which I'm not great with, I apologize. It was a good car. I just tried to hit my marks. My brother-in-law, Brett, kept me calm the whole time. I wasn't real talkative tonight on the radio. It was just one goal tonight, to come here and do. We accomplished it, and that was that."

Early in the race, Zeiner felt plenty of pressure from the No. 51 of Shawn Nye. Zeiner admitted to running a little harder than he wanted during the early stages of the race to maintain the lead.

"[Nye] had a good car, but he was pushing me more than I wanted to," said Zeiner. "Late in the race there, Brett said he started following my line and started saving his stuff and got a little bit better. I still had stuff left in the tank just in case for who was coming.

"It was a good car. I know someone was riding shotgun with me tonight."

Andy Jankowiak finished second, passing Nye in the final 10 laps of the race. It was a good finish, but perhaps more importantly, Jankowiak finished.

Jankowiak has plans to race at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday and Michigan International Speedway with the ARCA Menards Speedway on Friday before the Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak 110 at Lancaster Motorplex next Saturday.

"It felt like I'd catch him for a lap and then he'd get away from me," said Jankowiak. "We were probably pretty similar there, and he's pretty good. It would have been interesting with a caution to see if we'd get up there. Maybe a mistake here or there, something, who knows? We were a little tight, so I was probably going to have a hard time getting underneath him.

"I didn't wreck it. I don't have to fix it, that's important. We're racing Thompson and Michigan this week, so I'm in 10 different states. Crashing was a zero-option."

Nye finished third, grateful for a podium finish. The third-place run is Nye's first top-five with the RoC Modified Series, improving on his previous career-best of eighth at Spencer Speedway in 2023.

"It was fun," said Nye. "It's great that we have a car now we can race. A top three is a win for us, for sure. I just want to thank the crew. We borrowed a carburetor from the 73 car today, so thanks to him."

Fans can watch next Saturday's Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak 110 from Lancaster Motorplex live on RacingAmerica.TV.

-Photo credit: MoJo Photos, Race of Champions

Rod Spalding Classic 75 Unofficial Results