Hudson NH – Chad Wendell and Keith ‘Slika’ Ennis were both first time winners at Hudson International Speedway this past Sunday June 20th.
Wendell won the Thunder Light feature in his sixth career start following in the footsteps of his dad Mitch Wendell and brother Dean Wendell who have both visited victory lane many times in their own careers. Wendell took over the points lead with his win and hopes to continue another Wendell family tradition by collecting the championship hardware at season’s end like his dad and brother have. Erica Page ran well but didn’t have enough to catch Wendell and brought her pink Ford Escort home second. Third through fifth were Dylan Beecher, Dan Smith and John Daughenbaugh.
Charles Roberto started on the outside pole of the Rookie Stock feature and took the lead going into turn one. Roberto was driving the race of his career keeping Ennis, who was in second place, a few car lengths behind him lap after lap until a caution with two to go set up a single file restart. Ennis caught Roberto snoozing as the green flag dropped and got beside him as the two crossed the start/finish line. Ennis had the lead by turn one and drove onto victory. Dean Wendell put on another late race charge to finish second and Roberto had to settle for third. Fourth through tenth were Scotty Duval, Heath Toutellotte, Billy Clement Jr., Dan Murphy Jr., John Morin Jr., Chris Augevitch and JERRY LEPAGE.
Ron Bolduc won his second in a row in the Outlaw Sportsman feature. Geoff Rollins was within a few car lengths of Bolduc for most of the last half of the race and finally got to Bolducs bumper as the white flag flew. Contact between the two in turn one wasn’t enough to slow Bolduc and he crossed the stripe with Rollins just a few feet behind. Fan favorite Peter Fiandaca finished third. Fourth through tenth were Tim Casey, Bobby Allen, Sandy Lee, Kevin Kephardt, John Meany, Rick Woodside Jr. and Keith Walton.
Defending Roadrunner champion Louie Maher picked up another win in his Super Street Honda. Derek Griffith finished second making it back to back runner up finishes in his first two races since bumping up to the Roadrunners from the Thunder Lights. Griffith finished just a few car lengths behind Maher. Right behind Griffith in the finishing order and on the speedway was Loren Smith Jr. Smith Jr. got a look inside Griffith in the closing laps but wasn’t able to pass the youngster. Fourth through tenth were Dan Soucy, Jef James, Mike Walsh, Jen Lord, Eric Miller, Johnny Reefer and Ken McIlvane.
Jesse Tellier won the 4 Cylinder Enduro followed by Billy Pat, Richard Beauchese, Isaac Chabot and Paul Holdsworth.
Mark Nevers won the Full Size Enduro followed by Paul Holdsworth and Scotty Duval.
Charlie Baldwin won the Spectator Drags, Paul Holdsworth won the Flagpole Race and Scotty Duval won the Spectator Race.
Next race at Hudson Speedway is June 27th with the NE V-6 Modifieds, plus double features for three divisions including the Rookies, Roadrunners and Thunder Lights and as always the Flagpole Race, Spectator Race, and Spectator Drags. Gates open at 4pm and the first race is at 6pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.