by Jay | May 14, 2012 | Maine, New England, Unity
Brian Whitney of Burnham became the first two-time feature race winner of the season in the top-tier Late Model division Saturday at Unity Raceway.
Whitney led the 35-lap event from wire-to-wire, holding off challenges from reigning track champion Jeff Burgess of Fairfield on a late-race restart to seal the victory. Burgess earned runner-up honors, and remains atop the championship standings.
Palmyra’s Ajay Picard finished an eventful day that included a wet, off-track excursion into the backstretch “moat” during the main event, and a heat race crash, with a third-place finish. Burnham’s Frank Moulton rebounded from several pit stops to claim a fourth-place finish in front of Unity’s Mark Dodge. Whitney also won the heat race.
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by Jay | May 14, 2012 | Maine, New England, Speedway 95
Nate Weston of Norridgewock survived an early duel with Shane Tatro of Holden as they battled for the lead through 5 restarts early in the Gardner Construction Enterprises 50 lap feature event for the Maine State Lottery Sportsman Division. Weston went on to hold the lead through 4 more cautions to win his first feature race of the young season. Tatro brought out the 6th caution on lap 31 when his motor blew up on the front stretch while slowly fading from the leaders as the motor went bad. D.J. Moody of Prospect came from the rear of the field following the last caution of the race on lap 42 to place second, with Mike Overlock of Franklin finishing third after having caused caution number 2 when a tire went flat, forcing him to pit for repairs. Kris Matchett of Skowhegan ended up fourth after being the only car other than Weston to make all 50 laps without pitting. Steve Moulton finished fifth after running with the leaders early, but having mechanical problems slow his car in the late stages of the event. Only five of the 11 starters were on the lead lap when the race ended. Tatro had won the evening’s qualifier, placing him on the pole for the start. Weston started outside pole by finishing second in the preliminary event.
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by Jay | May 14, 2012 | Bear Ridge, Modified, New England, Vermont
Pierson takes Coupes; Reynolds and King have memorable night
Jason Gray led a parade of stock car winners through victory lane at Bear Ridge Speedway on Wells River Chevrolet Night on Saturday. Gray was joined in the winner’s circle by Gene Pierson, Jordan Fornwalt, Rob Gioia, Don Reynolds, and Julie Stender.
Gray, of East Thetford, VT, dominated the 35-lap Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modified feature for his fourth career win. He took the lead from former track champion Gary Siemons on lap 12 and cruised to the win. Dan Eastman of Thetford Center, VT flew up the outside lane from his ninth starting position to finish second, with Orford, NH driver Siemons third at the finish. Bryan King finished fourth. Josh Sunn crossed the finish line fifth but was disqualified in post-race inspection when his car failed to meet minimum weight; Jeff Elliott inherited the position.
Pierson ran to his first win of the year in the 30-lap Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe race. The East Corinth, VT driver held on despite constant pressure from sophomore driver Jason Colbeth of Newbury, VT. Colbeth matched his best career finish with Jason Horniak third. Tim Hodge and Mike McGinley completed the unofficial top five.
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by Jay | May 14, 2012 | Massachusetts, New England, Seekonk Speedway
Bobby Pelland III, Mike Cavallaro and Paul Lallier also win
Warwick RI’s Ryan Vanasse has been one of the hottest drivers at Seekonk Speedway over the past three plus seasons. In that time, he has won two Late Model Championships, as well as over 15 feature wins, including a division record of 11 in 2011. This year, Ryan made the full time move back to the Pro Stocks, and has continued his momentum.
Ryan moved into the lead early on, after a hard fought battle with Tom Scully Jr, and held on to win the Pro Stock main event. His win was not without concern, however. While leading, he made contact with the lapped car of Danny Cabral. Many thought that he may have bent something in the front suspension. No damage was done, and he was able to hold on through a couple of late race restarts. Tom Scully Jr of Cranston RI held on for second, with Rehoboth’s Dave Darling, Westport’s Fred Astle Jr and Kevin Casper of Somerset rounding out the top five.
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by Jay | May 11, 2012 | ACT, Canaan, New England, New Hampshire, Touring Series News
RPM Motorsports: Subway Fresh Fit 150
Canaan Fair Speedway Race Preview
THE STORY
GEORGIA, Vt. – Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., and RPM Motorsports take a break from ACT Late Model Tour racing this week to compete in the $5,000-to-win Subway Fresh Fit 150 at Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, N.H., on Saturday, May 12. Hoar finished second last year in the open competition for ACT-legal Late Models, and he’s looking to use the event to get the RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger back on track following a disappointing 11th-place finish last weekend in the ACT Spring Green 112 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
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by Jay | May 11, 2012 | All-Star Speedway, New England, New Hampshire, PASS, Star Speedway, Touring Series News
Mulkern Racing: PASS North Series
Star Speedway Race Preview
THE STORY
FALMOUTH, Maine – Lonnie Sommerville of Saint John, New Brunswick, will try and keep momentum rolling when the PASS North Series heads to the Star 150 at Star Speedway in Epping, N.H., on Saturday, May 12. Sommerville is locked in a tie for the PASS North Series points lead after one event, and he finished fourth in this event last season in the Mulkern Racing No. 48 A.E. McKay Builders Chevrolet. Sommerville heads into the race after finishing second in the season opener at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway last weekend.
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