NEW EGYPT — New car, new motor, new team — but it was the Billy Pauch of old at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday night, as the Frenchtown flyer and three-time track champion overpowered the entire Modified field to win the first event of 2005.

Starting near the front, Pauch grabbed the lead in a thrilling three-abreast pass on the initial green and simply dominated for almost all of the distance. The “almost” caveat was courtesy of last year’s Superstars Series champ Ryan Godown, who outright surprised Pauch on a lap 26 restart, surging out front to bump Pauch from the lead off turn No. 2. Pauch rapidly regained his composure and the top spot, blasting by Godown to show everyone just who was who. It was Pauch for the satisfying $2,500 score, his first for the new team and his 56th career win at New Egypt.

Godown was a strong second, followed by Roger Laureno, Bucky Kell and Darren McCaughey. Top guns Jimmy Horton, Frank Cozze and Keith Hoffman all suffered through skirmishes and flat tires to record less than memorable finishes.

Jeff Geiges, of Lawrenceville, persevered to take the lead from 2004 opening day winner Willie Osmun to win his first Sportsman feature event since 2002. It was a big win for the little guy, as Agin Signs & Designs upped the ante an extra $250 to put a cool $1,000 in Geiges’ pocket. Osmun was the runner-up, with Gary Butler third, Glenn Hisko in fourth and Rich Scagliotta in fifth.

It was déjà vu in the Super Stock race, with Cream Ridge’s Jake Roveda picking up right where he left off last October to land in the winner’s circle. The 2000 division champ, Billy Bauer, was second, with Ralph Gargiulo third, defending-titleholder Rob Ormsbee in fourth and George Quinlan finishing fifth.

For the DIRT-sanctioned Haldeman Ford SS Sprints, it was more of the same — watching 2004 champion Art Liedl of Flemington, make off with the money. After a scary three-car flip on the first lap that involved Weldon Collier, Rick Cozze and Steve Wilson (all were OK), Liedl inched past teammate Larry McVay to take control and never looked back. Pennsy Sprint runner Kevin Nagy made it a race at the end, but ultimately settled for second. McVay, George Idell Jr. and Craig Martin trailed the top two at the line. Courtesy of an anonymous fan, Liedl’s winning crew chief collected a $50 cash bonus.

A record 22 novice drivers took the wheel for the first time in the initial race of the Advantage Financial/Cradle Rock Developers Rookie Sportsman series, with Ben Donaruma, Flemington, taking the checker and the trophy in a close finish over Dan Cucinotta. Jeff McCaughey, Clay Butler and Robbie Nixon were third through fifth.