Rich, Siemons, Gray, McPhail and Gioia Take Wins at Legion Speedway

By: Mark McKeon

WENTWORTH, NH – On Hawthorne Automotive night at the Legion Speedway, Tyler Rich took home the win in the 30 lap Sprint Cars of New England feature in a hard fought and bizarre event which saw emergency lights pressed into service when a short section of the track lights in turn three failed. Although the event was slowed by four caution flags, none of the mishaps took place in the area illuminated by the emergency lights.

“The top was the fast way around tonight,” Rich said in victory lane, “but I couldn’t actually see much in turn three, so I had to kind of feel my way up to the cushion.”

Modified veteran Gary Siemons picked up his fourth Sportsman modified win of the waning season, once again showing that when he’s got his car dialed in, he’s as untouchable as Elliott Ness. The double duty duo of Chris Donnelly and Kevin Chaffee – each was also competing with the Sprint cars of New England- came from deep in the pack to finish second and third respectively. Jeff Huntington, who led for much of the race until his tires appeared to go away, was fourth and Josh Sunn, competing at his third track of the weekend was fifth.
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Marc Jenot Memorial at Legion Speedway

The late, great Marc Jenot, longtime racer at the Legion Speedway who passed away over the winter, was memorialized on Sunday, August 25. It was also Mechanic’s Race night as part of their Sunday Twilight series.

The Sportsmen Modified feature was a wild affair with several lead changes over the 25 laps. Eventually, Allen Hammond (#77) made his way to the front and rolled on to the win. “Flyin'” Ryan Avery (#01) held off Gary Seimons (#51), earning them the second and third place trophies.

The #55 car of Derek O’Hearn cruised to the win in the Super Street feature. Doug McPhail (#6) had a tough race, but at the end stood in place to take the second-place trophy. James Fadden (#9) unfortunately failed the post-race tech inspection, which put the third-place hardware in the hands of Allen Hammond (#1). Hammond has been pulling double duty the last couple of weeks, having recently acquired a Super Street racer.
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Seimons, McPhail Win at Legion Speedway

Gary Seimons and Doug McPhail took home two of the top Hawthorne Automotive trophies on Sunday, August 18 at the Legion Speedway in Wentworth NH. The track also celebrated the women behind the scenes with Powder Puff races in three divisions.

Gary Seimons had a tough job getting his #51 Sportsman Modified past the hard-charging #26 of Jeff Huntington. When he finally accomplished the task he raced off into the distance and claimed his third feature win of the season. Allen Hammond (#77) won an equally difficult battle with Chad Turck (#56) for third.

Doug McPhail (#6) is currently in the tightest points race at the Legion Speedway, leading the Super Street division by a couple of handful of points. He helped his cause and inched closer to his first ever championship by winning the feature on the 18th. Nick O’Haire in the #09 “Flintstone Flyer” had his best finish of the season, coming in a close second and holding off third place “Super” Sam Comeau’s #30.
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Sprints, Kids, and Gentleman Jack at Legion

The Legion Speedway welcomed its biggest crowd and largest car count of the 2013 Sunday Twilight season on August 11. They were visited by the Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE) and the Granite State Mini Sprint Club, as well as their regular four divisions. They also got to have some fun with the youngest fans on their annual Kid’s Night. The title sponsor for the evening was New England Motor Racing Supply of Hollis, NH.

The management of the Legion Speedway would like to thank the incredible staff at the Speedway for doing a fantastic job of getting things done and keeping things moving throughout a very busy evening. Thanks also to all the drivers for a high level of professionalism and sportsmanship. And finally, to Lynn Comeau for coordinating the wonderful Kids Night events, which included rides in the race cars and the very exciting bicycle races. Everybody worked together to make a very busy evening into a lot of fun for everyone. It was a beautiful thing.
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All Sprint Cars Great and Small

The Legion Speedway in Wentworth, NH was visited by the SCoNE (Sprint Cars of New England) tour on Sunday, July 21. It was part of their Twin-State Championship series that includes the Canaan USA Speedway and Bradford VT’s Bear Ridge Speedway. The evening’s racing was sponsored by Route 118 Automotive and Trevor Rocke Auto Body.

Veteran Modified driver Rick Martel (#28) was recently given the opportunity to move up to sprint cars this year. He has taken full advantage of the chance. Starting from pole position he led every lap of a caution-free 25-lap feature. That simple statistic does nothing to express how hard he had to work for the win. Series veteran “Dangerous” Dan Douville (#7) came from deep in the field to second place, and nearly stole the win on the final corner. SCoNE points leader Chris Donnelly (#17) held off teammate Tyler Rich (#20) to take third.
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Beliveau, Greenwood Rule Mini-Sprints

The Granite State Mini-Sprints visited the Legion Speedway in Wentworth, NH on July 14 as part of their Sunday Twilight series.

Kyle Beliveau borrowed his father, Peter’s 500cc Mini-Sprint (#76) and used it to win the division’s feature event of the evening. Josh Boisseneau (#05) made a real battle of it but had to settle for second. Shenia Covey (#20) held off challenges from Patrick Smith (#21) and Tom Chaffee (#11) to finish third.

Luke Greenwood (#89) continued his dominance of the 600cc Mini-Sprint class with yet another main event win. Jake Williams (#73) put up a valiant battle and in the end had his hands full holding off Brian Gray (#3). The two drivers finished second and third respectively.
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