Hudson NH –Jerry Lepage scored his first career win in the Rookie Stocks on Sunday evening July 25th at Hudson International Speedway. Lepage started on the pole and led every lap of the race. Past the halfway point of the race Keith “Slika” Ennis was running second and looked like he going to be able to mount a challenge to Lepage but tangled with Andy Nichols on a restart and both cars spun out of contention for the day. Lepage held on from there to become the eighth different winner in twelve Rookie Stocks mains this year. Second through tenth were Billy Clement Jr., Dan Murphy Jr., Dean Wendell, Bill Helliwell, Ennis, Corrie Merritt, Larry Fortin, John Morin Jr. and Nichols. Murphy and Clement were the heat winners.
Kevin Kephart won his first Outlaw Sportsman Main. Ron Lord Jr. led the first few circuits until Kephart took over the top spot. At the halfway point Rick Woodside Jr. had made it into second place and Geoff Rollins had made it into third. With laps winding down, Woodside was closing in on Kephart and Rollins was closing in on Woodside Jr. Woodside Jr. made it to about a car length behind Kephart in the last corner of the last lap but had to settle for second and Rollins had to settle for third. Fourth through tenth were Ron Bolduc, Tim Casey, Keith Walton, Lord Jr., John Meany, Joey Ventrillo and Bobby Allan. Walton and Woodside Jr. won the heats.
The Roadrunner feature saw pole sitter Eric Miller lead from the drop of the green until the checkers were in sight just feet from the finish. Miller was leading a tight pack of four or five cars for most of the last half of the race. Loren Smith Jr. was able to get his nose in front Miller a few times but wasn’t able to complete the pass. In the last corner of the race the tight pack tightened up a bit too much and the loser was Miller as he spun coming out of turn four collecting Jef James as he spun down the speedway. Last week winner Dave Helliwell, Smith Jr. and Louie Maher passed Miller and James as they were slowing in the infield. Helliwell won his second feature in as many races since he joined the Roadrunner ranks. Second through tenth were Smith Jr., Maher, Miller, James, Johnny Reefer, Jason Carroll, Derek Griffith, Pete Raby and Shawn Miller. Carroll and Maher were the heat winners.
Chad Wendell won both the Thunder Light feature and heat. Second through fifth were Justin Beecher, Nick Fisette, John Daughenbaugh and Carlos Esquivel.
Tommy Baldwin won the Spectator Drags and the Spectator Race. Robin Burke won the Flagpole Race.
Announcer John Spence returns to Hudson Speedway next Sunday August 1st . Spence was the Hudson track announcer for two decades between the mid 70’s and mid 90’s. Also next Sunday is the “Fats “ Caruso Memorial for the New England V-6 Modifieds. Caruso was elected to the Near Hall of Fame in 2000 for a driving career that spanned six decades. His grandson Keith Caruso has visited Hudson victory lane many times and currently leads the points in the V-6 Modifieds. The Classic Lights, Rookies, Roadrunners and Thunder Lights will also be in action in addition to the Flagpole Race, Spectator Race and Spectator Drags. Gates open at 4pm and the first green flag drops at 6pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.