Hudson NH – George Baldwin won the Inaugural race for the Independent Modified Racing Series this past Sunday at Hudson Speedway. It was fitting that the race named the Gate City Classic, a race name revived after many years dormant, was won by Baldwin who drove to many victories and the 1992 Thunder Car Championship at Hudson Speedway in the 80’s and 90’s. Baldwin led from green to checker and was never challenged while running a flawless race. Joining Baldwin in victory lane was his father Choppy and brother, Johnny, both of them former feature winners at Hudson Speedway.
Dave Flammia Jr. drove a steady race and finished second. Gregg Hurley struggled with handling issues, spun a few times, and finished third. Tony Carroll also had handling issues and after contact with Hurley put him into the backstretch tire barrier and had to call it a day and finished fourth. Len Johnson retired early with mechanical woes and finished fifth.
Heath Tourtellotte took the win in the Rookie Stocks, also leading from green to checker, for his first career win. The win wasn’t as easy for Tourtellotte as John Cianciulli made his way from his fourteenth starting spot to second by the halfway mark and set his sights on Tourtellotte. Cianciulli made up ground on Tourtellotte but fell short when the checkers fell by a few car lengths and had to settle for second. Third through tenth were Corrie Merritt, John Swain, John Morin Jr., Dean Wendell, Jerry Lepage, Scotty Duval, Brian Harron and Larry Fortin.
Dan Fortin returned to victory lane in the Thunder Light division. Bobby Stirk lll was second. Third through fifth were Derek Griffith, Tyler Hatch and Jen Lord.
Louie Maher continued his dominance in the Roadrunners with his twelfth win of the year. Jef James, Don Soucy, Darren Jacobs, Patrick D’Alba, Peter Raby, Eric Miller, Ron Lord Jr. and Nick Gilman all finished in the top ten.
Bob Murphy won the Grand Enduro followed by John Swain and Scotty Duval.
Patrick D’Alba won the 4 Cyl. Enduro followed by Tom Hamilton and Johnny Reefer.
Ricky Marrocco won the Spectator Drags, Danny Angrove won the Flagplole Race and Jay Beaudoin won the spectator Race.
Next Sunday October 11th it’s a doubleheader at Hudson Speedway with the Outlaw Sportman and the Classic Lites plus Rookie Stocks, Roadrunners, Thunder Lites, Spectator Race, Spectator Drags and Flagpole Race. Gates open at 11am and the first race at 1pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.