Boniface takes Mod Checkers
Winchester, NH: Neither cool temperatures, light wind, nor the threat of a hurricane would stop a great night of hot racing at the northeast’s fastest high bank. More new comers would appear in our mini stock division in the #60 of Jason Parker who really made his first start last week and the #25 of Tim Griffith. As heat races started, it seemed that the cooler temperatures had really changed the track and racers were working hard between practice and heats to change set ups and get their cars to stick. After qualifiying, teams would still be working hard to adapt the car to the track and some seemed to really hit the nail on the head.
The Young guns feature got off to a bumpy start and when the #50 of Cordell Colon gets hit he is unable to refire the engine and is pushed to the infield all while under caution prior to the green. It would be Hillary Renaud out to a commanding lead, and many would wonder if tonight would be her night as she has seen the podium several times but that first win has been so elusive. Second place would see two racers, Tyrell Dugre and Matt Parmenter fighting for position like veterans. Renuad would hold on and get her first win of the season and a victory lane douse in cold water, while Dugre was in for second and Parmenter for third.
Mini Stocks 25 lap feature had troubles getting started as anxious drivers would twist and turn before completing the first lap. In the case of #15 of Chris McTaggart, he would turn completely around on the back stretch, which collected the #89 of Shawna Wallace who hit him head on. Also involved were the #87 of Beth Adams and #16 of Chris Davis. Wallace and McTagarrt were done for the night, but Adams and Davis would continue after a trip to the pits. Officials would red flag the race for clean up for several minutes. Upon the restart the #25 of Tim Griffith got into the side of #43 of Adam Manley, who would get towed off with heavy damage. Upon the restart the #3 of Joey Rogers would be in the top spot. As the racing was able to stay green near half-way point Rogers was leading being pursued by the #13 of Joey Kendall, #99 of Kim Rivet , #45 of Eric Dejackome, #16 of Chris Davis, and then #87 of Beth Adams. Davis and Adams were driving like they were on fire to get back up front after being involved in the earlier caution. Rogers and Kendall would be racing side by side for several laps when Kendall, on lap 23, gets by and goes on to pick up his 6th win of the season, followed by Rogers and third to Kim Rivet.
Super Stocks were ready for 25 Laps of their feature event. This divsion has ran the last two weeks caution free,but not so tonight when on lap three #29 of Eddie Brehio III, #44 of Brian Chapin and #7 of Joe Bates all get together coming out of turn four. Brehio gets the worst of the deal having heavy damage to right front wheel along with right side body damage. Chapin made his trip to the pits and returned with a few less body parts. Bates seemed okay and never went off the track. Caution would fly again on lap six when the #03 of Andy Brooks Jr. stops on the front stretch with damage to his right front and is towed off. The restart of lap seven has #70 of Kevin Ouellette in front then #37 of Bill Johnston, #33 of John Lavoie, #96 of Nancy Munie, and #71 of Dave Striebel. On lap sixteen, coming down the back stretch Lavioe rides up on the wall, but never misses a beat in trying to get to Bill Johnston who is now the leader. A lap twenty caution on track when the #18 C of Chris Curtis gets turned by Kevin Ouellette. Johnston gets the win, Lavoie for second and #54 of Nick Gravel in third. Lavoie commeted during his interview that after hitting the wall the car seemed to get faster.
Tour Type modifieds were next for 50 ground pounding laps of competition. Kirk Alexander comes into tonight with the points lead followed by Todd Patanode in second and a tie between Jim Boniface and Victor Johnson for third place. The #84 of Brandee Tree would set the pace from the pole. There was a lap four caution on the speedway when the #2 of Frank L’Etoile seems to have a flat, and the #27 of Roy Stiedel spins. On the restart Tree gets sideways and the malay collects #76 of Shelly Perry, #21VT of Josh King with heavy front end damage, X6 of Eric Leclaire with left front damage, the #71 ME of Josh Cantara with left rear damage, and #71 of Rob Williams with heavy front damage. Johnson would assume the lead on the restart with challengers Boniface, Patanode and others wanting that spot. Once up to speed, Boniface would be commited to getting to the front. He and Johnson would be side by side, but in a classic Jim Boniface move he would get up on the outside and take the lead on lap seventeen. Boniface would bring the #24 of Todd Patanode with him, and the two of them would take a long lead over the other racers. Patanode would try several times to get by Boniface, but it seemed that the #88 car was riding a rail and Bonfiace would get the win. Patanode was in for second and #43 of Kirk Alexander was in for third.
The full size Enduros would round out the night with a 50 lap feature. They were able to run green to checkered without stopping. The #95 of Joe Ethier spun into the infield on lap twelve, but continued without missing a beat. The A7 of Barry Schonberg and the 16 of Duane Stonier would battle through most of the race, but Schonberg would hold on to take the win. Stonier would finish second followed by the 145 of Ed Laflond.