Reid Lanpher #59
Manchester, Maine
Two weeks after getting his driver’s license, 16-year old Manchester, Maine resident Reid Lanpher achieved a lifelong dream when he races in the Pro Series at Beach Ridge Motor Speedway. A stout field of 29 Pro Stocks arrived at the Ridge to compete in the opening event of 2014 for the NASCAR All American Series.
Lanpher, a sophomore at Maranacook High School, was required to start at the rear of his 14 car heat due to his rookie status. In 12 laps, the Jason Ricker prepared, EZ Hauler Trailers, EJP Racing, Eastern Township Docks Chevy Monte Carlo SS passed 11 cars to grab a 3rd place finish which set up a 6th place starting position for the 50 lap final.
Lanpher got up to 2nd before a series of cautions slowed his charge to the front. When the last caution flag flew on lap 33, Lanpher picked up a rivet in his right rear tire, causing the tire to lose air pressure. He managed to hold on to 5th as the checkers fell.
After the race Lanpher said “the car was great right up until that last re-start. I had no idea what happened at the time but it got really tight and I had to wait to get back on the throttle. Jason (Ricker) had called the perfect race and we were holding back to make a charge for the lead before we picked up that rivet under that last caution. I really felt I had something for the leaders as I had passed all but one of them already and was not running 100% when I did so”
“It was still a pretty good week. I made it into the National Honor Society at school and got to race at the Ridge, which is something I have been dreaming about for a long time. Everyone raced me clean and I hope that they realize I will do the same to them. Some of the veteran could have dumped me as I was coming up through but they did not and I hope I earned their respect while showing them they will have no issues running door handle to door handle with me”.
Lanpher will continue his busy holiday weekend when he competes at Oxford Plains Speedway on Memorial Day with the NELCAR Tour in his Legend car.
Follow Reid Lanpher at:
https://www.facebook.com/ReidLanpherRacing