Boniface Scores Modified Win
Winchester, NH: Every dad celebrating as a fan or competitor was treated to an old fashioned Saturday night asphalt show down at Monadnock Speedway this past Saturday. No matter which division you enjoy the most this evening would prove once again that there is no other place to see this much excitement for the family.
After a two week break due to Mother Nature the racers were all eager to get going, maybe some too eager! Hot weather and a warm breeze would set the tone for the nights races.
The young guns were the first feature with Adam Manley and his BMW starting from the pole and taking his first checkered flag of the year. Joe Boivin finished second and Matt Parmenter, who already has a victory in this division, rounded out third place. Competitor J.T. Cloutier, last event winner, was called to help his Cal Ripken Baseball Team in their championship so was unable to show. Parmenter may prove to be someone to watch with his consistent finishes.
Mini Stock class once again had large field of racers. Joey Kendall was unable to answer the bell for the feature after having issues in qualifying. Hopefully we’ll be able to see Joey back right after the racing break. Veteran Beth Adams would start from the outside pole and take the lead from Kim Rivet. A lap 10 caution would fly when Mike Metcalf looses his right front wheel in turn 1. Tim Jackson, who seems to be the force to reckon with, started at the rear of the field and by lap 15 would take the lead and go on to take his fourth straight win. Jackson was followed by Beth Adams and Eric DeJackome.
The Super Streets feature was 25 laps of wheel to wheel racing. There would only be one caution on lap 21 when Eddie Brehio III would spin resulted by contact from Joe Bates. Brehio would take a quick trip into the pits and return. Nick Gravel would go the distance from his start on the pole to put up his first win of the year. He was followed by Bill Johnston and John Lavoie. Johnston would continue to press that all important championship points lead.
Pro 4 Modifieds were next to hit the ground running. This series, that is celebrating 40 years of continuous shows, started from dune buggy VW style race cars pounding the beaches of Cape Cod until the early 70’s. The lap times turned make it hard to believe they only have 4 cylinders. There was a lap 6 caution for Phil Lausier who spun in turn two. The #12 car driven by Rob Richardi Jr took off from his pole start and lead until getting involved with the lap car of Bill Joerres on the white flag. Norm Wrenn would take the win followed by Brian Vincent and then Tyler Anderson.
The Outlaw Pro’s were pre-qualified from two weeks ago and would resume on lap 3 with Mike Parks setting the pace. On Lap 11, after a head to head battle with Parks, Barry Gray would get the lead and at times stretch it out to a full straight away. On lap 36 the caution would wave after Fran Colson Jr hit the front stretch wall. Gray would get his third win in a row followed by Mike Parks and a hard charging Steve Gauthier.
Sportman Modifieds were also a pre-qualified feature from weeks past, and would see Russ Hersey take the lead on lap six and never look back. Bill Kimball would make several attempts to upset Hersey but settled for second with Eddie Brehio Jr on the podium in third. This class continues to see more cars added each week.
Tour Type Modifieds had seen Roy Seidell wreck hard during heat racing and not able to return for the feature. This race started 26 cars and proves this track, and its fans, are modified to the core. Drivers may have been a little too anxious as lap one was just about to be completed when six cars turned while trying to come to the line. All six, with the exception of Eric Leclair, would have no damage. Leclair had to change a tire and was able to come right back out. Upon the restart several cars checked up and caused a 7 car pileup in front of the the grand stand. The race was red flagged while track crews separated the machines. On lap 9 Jim Boniface would drive hard into turn three and dove to the inside passing three cars ahead of him and snatching the #1 spot. Boniface would take the checkered flag as he was able to hold off Bryan Shumway and Victor Johnson who took second and third place.
Full Size Enduros would go green to checkered despite starting with limited light due to a malfunction with the center section of lights. The lights would come on and the win would go to Dan Yagmin followed by Joe Either and Ryan Rivet.
4 Cylinder Enduros would see many lead changes including race leader Dick Houle who would get tangled up with a lap car of Toby Wells, and relinquish the lead to Julia Raymond. The cars were stopped on red flag with the top two cars of Raymond and Bruce Clark sitting side by side. Raymond took off like a rocket when the green was thrown while Clark seemed to miss a shift. With five to go the #68 of Matt Gauffin would power his Saab past Raymond and take the win. Raymond would be second and Rob Thompson would finish third
Racers are off next week as the Sprint Cup Cars come to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The next event will be held on Saturday, July 3rd, the traditional Firecracker Night featuring 100 lap Modified Racing Series. Race time is at 5pm. For more information, log onto www.monadnock speedway.com.