Successful Opening Night at Monadnock Speedway
Winchester, NH: Opening Day for the Monadnock Speedway can be summed up by new word “Wow”. That was what the Sportsman Modified Division feature winner Ricky Labrecque said when interviewed trackside after his win. Race fans were treated to the first of many, action packed Saturday nights at the fastest high banked quarter mile in the East. Labrecque picked up his first win in the Sportsman Modifieds, followed closely by Nick Boivin in second and Bill Kimball in third.
Race features for the night began with the mighty Mini Stock division. Chris McTaggart (last year’s division champion) would, after valiant effort, finish second to Joey Kendall who put his #13 in the lead and never looked back. Tim Jackson picked up a podium finish in third.
Super Stocks saw a large car count and clean hard racing to the finish that set veteran Joe Bates from Langdon, NH in victory lane. Bates has raced many different series in his career including Legend Cars and mush more. Nancy Muni who always a strong competitor finished second, Bill Johnston was wired for third.
Outlaw Pro winner was Barry Gray who started from the pole. The event saw spills and thrill, with laps ticking away Bryon Baker finished second. Last year’s divisional champion, Russ Hersey, came in third. This year Hersey will do double duty competing in both the Outlaw Pro and Sportsman Modified division.
The Modified Racing Series 100 lap main event left everyone on the edge of their seats. The series started with the “rolling thunder” seeing both regulars to the series and locals who joined them. Jim Boniface would open a large lead several times, but on lap seventy five would be reeled in by veteran series competitor Dwight Jarvis. Jarvis would challenge Boniface and take the lead on lap seventy eight. Jarvis would himself hold off Sanford Maine driver Jacob Dore who finished second with Boniface coming home third.
Ryan Rivet held the lead early for the Full Size Enduro event. At the half way mark, Duane Stonier challenged Rivet for the lead. Ten to go, Stonier was the leader as Yagmin made the inside pass on Rivet for third. At the end, Stonier scored the win shutting down Yagmin who came in second followed by Rivet for third.
Many red flags marred the 4-cylinder Enduro event with Eric Pomasko coming out on top. Rob Thompson saw the lead early but could not hold off Pomasko on lap twenty six. Ten laps to go, Gauffin put the pressure on Pomasko’s back bumper for the lead. Pomasko held strong for the win followed by Gauffin and Scott Hatt.
Fans of all ages were treated by the racers to an awesome night, if this sets the pace Monadnock Speedway will be the best in high bank racing. Next Saturday, May 8th, the show will consist of the return of the Monadnock Speedway Tour Type Modifieds, STAR Antique Racers, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Young Guns and Full Size Enduros. The event will start at 6pm. For more information log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.
Young Guns Top Ten: Joe Boivin, Belchertown, Ma; Adam Manley, Puney, VT; Scott Betourney, Winchendon, Ma; JT Cloutier, Fitzwilliam, NH; Tyrell Dugre, Antrim, NH; Peri Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Andrew Martell, Charlestown, NH; Matthew Parmenter, Winchendon, Ma
Mini Stocks Top Ten: Joey Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Eric Dejackome, Athol, Ma; Winchendon, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Timothy Griffith, Athol, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT
Super Stocks Top Ten: Joe Bates, Langdon, NH; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Nick Gravel, Groton, Ma; Chris Curtis, Rutland, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinveille, Ma; Dana Shepard, Putnhey, VT; Cord Becher, Winsted, CT; Kevin Russell, Fitzwilliam, NH
Outlaw Pro Top Ten: Barry Gray, Belchertown, Ma; Bryon Baker, Claremont, NH; Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Mike Parks, Walpole, NH; Ron Smith, Oakham, Ma; Geoff Rollins, Groton, Ma; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH; Emerson Cayer, Contoocook, NH; Matt Zenisky, W. Springfield, Ma; Adam Lapointe, Winchester, NH
Sportsman Modifieds Top Ten: Ricky Labrecque, Contoocook, NH; Nick Boivin, Belchertown, Ma; William Kimball, Bennington, NH; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Dave Knight, Marlborough, NH; Heather Desrochers, Granby, Ma; Earl Moul, Bellows Falls, VT; Nathan Kehoe, Windham, VT