GROVETON, NH – Jeremy Davis used the outside groove to pass Wayne Helliwell, Jr. and power his way to Victory Lane in the Granite State Pro Stock Series at Speedway 51.
Helliwell, Jr. seemed to be the car to beat early, as the two-time American-Canadian Tour (ACT) champion shot out to a commanding lead. Jeremy Davis jumped to the second spot, and began to run Helliwell, Jr. down, before the first of ten cautions brought the field back together on lap 37. Helliwell, Jr. would fend Davis off on the first restart, but Davis would hold his own on the outside groove after a restart on lap 67. Barry Gray would slow in turn one and two bringing out the caution, just before Helliwell, Jr. and Davis would tangle, leaving Davis sideways in the infield. With Gray being the caution car, Davis and Helliwell, Jr. would get their spots back, setting up another battle.
Derek Griffith and Brad Babb were fighting for the third spot, while Davis and Helliwell, Jr. continued their battle for the top spot. Helliwell, Jr. began to fade, and brought his Bruce Bernhardt-owned Ford down pit road under caution, retiring for the night.
That set up a dance with Davis and Derek Griffith. Davis jumped to the lead, with Babb following him on the inside groove, before Griffith’s engine suffered terminal issues, spilling oil on the raceway and bringing out the caution.
Davis would fend off Babb for the rest of the race, picking up the Twisted Tea Firecracker 151 win, and the $2000 payday.
The win was the third career Granite State Pro Stock Series victory for the Tamworth, NH driver. After the race, Davis would say “I knew that after lap 100 we would be the fastest. We had to set the bleeders low, and it took a lot for them to come in on all those restarts.”
On the battle with Helliwell, Jr., Davis continued “Racing with Wayne can be fun. He definitely will take every inch that’s his, and sometimes a little more. I’m not afraid to do the same with him, but I’m sure it was a great show for the fans.”
Babb would settle for second, after winning the feature event in the Late Model division at Speedway 51. Babb was appreciative of his night, saying “I can’t thank Joey enough for hosting this series, and letting me drive his late model. I felt like we had a fourth or fifth place car. We got lucky, but sometimes all it takes is a little bit of luck.”
Derek Ming made his Granite State Pro Stock Series debut at his home track, and came away with a third place finish. Derek felt his night was successful, stating “I definitely had a lot of fun. I enjoyed running with the guys, and everyone treated me good. I didn’t want to overdrive the car, and the car got better towards the end, which is what you need.”
Pole sitter Mike O’Sullivan finished fourth, with newcomer Kevin Casper in fifth. Second-place point driver Barry Gray gained valuable championship points by overcoming multiple setbacks to finish sixth. Mike Mitchell, Mike Parks, Josh King, and Helliwell, Jr. rounded out the top ten. Parks and Davis picked up qualifying heat wins.