Hudson N.H. – “Rockin” Ronnie Robinson returned to victory lane at Hudson International Speedway this past Sunday, July 10 in the Rookie Stocks division. It marked the first time since 1995 he took the winners trophy home. Robinson has run sporadically at Hudson in the years since his last win but has made Hudson his home track this year.
Robinson started on the outside pole and led every lap. Robinson never had more than a few car lengths lead and held off the field on a few restarts. Following Robinson over the stripe were Jerry Lepage, John Morin Jr., Dave Helliwell, Bill Helliwell, Corrie Merritt, Dan Murphy Jr., Scotty Duval, Mike McHugh, and Andy Nichols. Robinson and Bill Helliwell won the heats.
Jay Maki won the Outlaws main.
In previous seasons the Outlaws had been known for their full contact type of racing but had really toned that down this year. This week’s race included lots of contact, cut tires and a pileup that included three quarters of the field.
It was Maki’s first win of the 2011 racing season. Dean Wendell finished second and Ron Lord was third. Matt Robinson had a fantastic race in which he led most of the first half and then came back from a late race spin to finish fourth. Sandy Lee was fifth followed by Shawn Waites Jr., Todd Warren, Derek Griffith, Shawn Waites Sr., and Stan Maki. Jay Maki and Ron Lord Jr. won the heats.
Johnny Reefer picked up his second win of the season in the Roadrunners. Jen Lord led the first few laps of the feature until Reefer moved up from his sixth starting spot to take over the top spot. By the halfway point of the race Jason Carroll had moved into second place just a car length or two behind Reefer. Nick Fisette and Jef James were having a side by side battle for third a quarter of a lap behind the top duo. With five to go Reefer and Carroll caught a group of lapped cars and began slicing through the group. Carroll made a few moves diving underneath cars while Reefer went to the outside but Reefer made all the right moves and held on for the win. Carroll was second. James won the battle with Fisette for third and was able catch the top two in the closing laps but had to settle for his 5th third place finish of 2011. Fourth through tenth were Fisette, Ray Pat, Jen Lord, Scott Dunklee, Robert Rund, Matt Lombard, and Jake Joslin. Carroll and Reefer won the heats.
Defending Thunder Light champion Chad Wendell won his second feature of the season. Wendell started second and led every lap of the caution free race. Justin Beecher finished second. Beecher started further back than Wendell and spent the first half of the race working up through traffic. Beecher made it into second place and began cutting into Wendell’s lead but ran out of laps as he got closer. Following Beecher across the line were Meegan Lord, Jarod Soucy, Mike Erickson Jr., and Carlos Esquivel. Soucy won the heat.
Jim Galakos won the Spectator Drags and the Spectator Race. Scotty Duval won the Flagpole Race.
Next Sunday July 17 at Hudson Speedway is Enduros, Rookies, Roadrunners, Thunder Lights, Spectator Race, Spectator Drags, and Flagpole Race. For more info go to www.hudsonspeedway.info.