Winchester, NH: This past Friday, Monadnock Speedway hosted their Friday Night Championship race for the Modifieds and Outlaw Pros. Todd Patnode of Richmond, NH took the Modified title as Russ Hersey of W. Swanzey, NH captured the Outlaw Pro Championship on a wild night of racing. Winners of the Friday Night Special included Joey Kendall (Mini Stocks), Ed Brehio III (Super Stocks), Brandon Ovitt (Outlaw Pros) and Kirk Alexander (Modifieds). The enduro winners were Joe Ethier in the Full Size and Matt Gauffin in the 4-Cylinder.
Dennis Wallace led the Mini Stock to the green. On lap three, a caution came out for rookie Jamey King. On the restart, Wallace held on as Ron Normandin and Derek Bergquist followed closely for the top three. On lap seven, Bergquist took over the top spot as Joe Kendall worked his way into second. By lap nine, a a battle for the lead developed between Bergquist and Kendall as they ran bumper to bumper. Tim Jackson attempted to make the pass on Beth Adams for fourth but was denied. At half way, Bergquist and Kendall continued to battle as Jackson took the inside of Normandin for third. Less than ten to go, the leaders approach heavy lap traffic as Kendall took advantage of the lap traffic and moved into the lead. Five laps to go, Kendall and Bergquist pulled away from the field followed by Jackson, Adams and Danny Fields. On the final lap, Kendall was shown the white flag as Adams worked to hold off Fields for fourth. At the checkers, it was Kendall followed by Bergquist, Jackson, Adams and Field.
Super Stock field rolled onto the track with Andy Brooks Jr on the pole. On the start, Brooks quickly took the lead as Nancy Muni took away second from Dave Striebel. Lap ten, Brooks remained the leader as Ed Brehio III moved into the top five and attempts the inside of Kevin Ouellette for fourth. On lap twelve, the yellow flag waved as Ouellette attempted to pass a lap car as Scott Zilinski went to the high side causing it to be three wide. Contact was made between the lap car and Ouellette causing Ouellette to spin. On the restart, Brooks was scored as the leader for one lap as another caution came out as Austin Brehio made contact with Jeff Wright. One lap was completed and another caution came out as contact on the front stretch was made between Bill Johnston and Nick Gravel ending the night for Gravel and Zilinski. The field settled down and on lap sixteen the new leader was Ed Brehio III as Brooks settled in the second spot. Lap twenty, Rookie Brehio III began to feel the pressure from Matt Mead who worked his way into the second spot. Brooks felt the heat from Jeremy Sorel for third. Two laps to go, the leaders approach lap traffic as both Brehio III and Mead worked through it. Sorel made one last effort to the inside of Brooks for third. At the checkers, it was Brehio III followed by Mead, Brooks, Sorel and Muni.
Steve Gauthier was the early leader in the Outlaw pro feature event followed by Aric Blanchette and Barry Gray. By lap two, Mike Parks moved into the top three and worked on Gray for second. Lap five, Hersey moved into the fourth position and looked to the inside of Parks for third. Lap ten, Hersey was on the move as challenged Gauthier for the lead on the high side. In two laps, Hersey became the new leader as Parks continued to run third. On lap eighteen, a caution came out for Matt Zenisky, Kevin Bolduc and Emerson Cayer. Bolduc took the most damage and to retire from the event. On the restart, Hersey felt the new challenge from Bryan Baker for the top spot as Gauthier held third. On lap twenty-two, the leaders approach a car entering onto the track from the infield. Both Hersey and Baker tried to avoid the car causing both to go high. Hersey took a hard hit into the front stretch wall. On lap twenty five, Brandon Ovitt showed the way as the leader followed by Blanchette and Gray. Five laps to go, Gray made the pass on Blanchette as Baker followed for third. On the final lap, it was Ovitt followed by Gray, Baker, Cayer and Blanchette.
The Modifieds came roaring onto the track as Rusty Ball took the field to the green. The battle for the lead developed early side by side as Eric LeClair fought Ball for the top spot. Rob Williams, Dave Brube and Jim Boniface follwed close behind. Lap ten, the top five ran close as Berube took over second as Boniface moved into third. On lap fifteen, berube took over the top spot as Kirk Alexander ran close behind in second. On lap sixteen a caution was displayed as Williams and Ball made contact causing a multiple car pile up involving nine cars. On the restart, Berube continued to lead as Alexander looked high for the pass. On lap twenty three, the Alexander won the battle and took the lead as Berube settled into second. Todd Patnode, Bryan Shumway and Vic Johnson followed for the top five. Lap three thirty five, Alexander continued to lead as Berube held off Patnode. On lap thirtynine, fifth place runner Vic Johnson went to the pit area giving the spot to Ed Reed. Five to go, Alexander remained the leader with Berube and Patnode battling for second. At the checkers, it was Alexander fir his fifth victory this season followed by Berube, Patnode, Shumway and Ed Reed.
This Saturday, Monadnock Speedway will host the final event of the season. The Coca Cola Super Saturday will include the championship race for the Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros along with the visiting tours of Pro 4 Modifieds, Allison Legacy and All Star Race Trucks. The special event will also have spectator races, big wheel races, the great school bus race and a demolition derby. Race time is at 2pm.
For more information, call the speedway’s office at 603-239-4067 or log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.