Patnode, Maher and Hamman in Victory Lane
Winchester, NH – This past Saturday at Monadnock Speedway practice session started with a slight delay from the first of several passing rain showers. After practice was completed another round of showers and track drying delayed the start of qualifying by an hour. Qualifying for Monadnock’s six regular divisions and the Valenti Modified Racing Series went off without a hitch, the National Anthem was presented and…another round of showers and track drying.
Not to be deterred, the Mini Stock feature finally took the green. Five cautions and nineteen of their scheduled 25-laps later the race was declared complete as another quick shower moved in. Louis Maher of Baldwinville, MA, was credited with his second win of the season ahead of Tim Wenzel and Kevin Cormier, both of Agawam, MA.
Another quick drying session and the Pure Stocks rolled onto the high-banks for their 25-lap event. Rich Hammann of Tolland, CT, took off at the drop of the green and rolled to his first win. Mike Douglas of Turners Falls, MA, was second for his first career podium appearance. Rookie Sammy Silva of Alstead, NH, was third.
With weather issues still looming on the western horizon, Monadnock officials shuffled the schedule to get the Valenti Modified Racing Series Firecracker 100 on the track. Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks, CT, took the lead from the pole and lead the first twenty-four laps before giving way to Swanzey, NH’s, Todd Patnode. Patnode was firmly in command of the race until a two-car confrontation brought out the caution flag on lap sixty-seven. That was Mother Nature’s signal to drizzle some more moisture on the event. At that point VRMS officials yellow-checkered the race, awarding the win to Patnode. Connecticut driver, Jeff Gallup, was second. Rob Richardi of Easton, MA, had a strong run for third.
The remainder of the night’s features will be rescheduled for future events in the coming weeks. And, in spite of a continuing mist, race fans stayed in their seats as Atlas Pyrotechnics rolled out their always exciting fireworks display as a climax to an interesting night of action.
With hopes for sunnier skies, this Saturday night Monadnock Speedway will host the third leg of the six-race NHSTRA Mini Stock “Battle of the Belt” along their regular six divisions of NASCAR racing. It’s Christmas in July night, so fans are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to local charity and receive five dollars off their $15 Adult admission price. Racing starts at 6 PM.
Pure Stock Results: Rich Hamman, Mike Douglas, Sammy Silva, Taylor Streibel, Chris Davis
Mini Stock Results: Louis Maher, Tim Wenzel, Kevin Cormier, David Greenslit, Nathan Wenzel, Cory Plummer, Shelby Avery, Kevin McKnight, Jared Roy, Dana Shephard, Kevin Clayton, Gordon Farnum, Haydon Grenier, Ethan Marsh
