After an evening storm washed out last week’s NASCAR Nite festivities, competitors from all 3 divisions were itching to get back on the track on Saturday. With clear skies above and not a rain cloud in sight, it was game time at 7:00 pm.
The Sport Series kicked off the racing action, with Jason Curtis pulling to the early lead in the first heat as Chasing the Checkered driver, Dave Charest, lingered closely behind him. Adam Lovejoy was on the move early, advancing up to third in the opening laps of the heat. He made his way to the inside of Dave Charest for the runner-up spot on lap 10, securing the spot on the final lap as Charest fell back behind Lovejoy and Devin Curit. Jason Curtis took home the heat victory, followed by Adam Lovejoy and Devin Curit.
Matt Dow powered into the early lead in the second Sport Series heat. Ryan Phillips was also on the move early, clearing Mike St. Pierre for the runner-up spot on lap 4 with Joey Pastore and Clyde Hennessey in tow. Pastore was hungry for more, pulling alongside Phillips for the runner-up spot on lap 9. Matt Dow secured the heat victory, followed by Ryan Phillips, who had narrowly beat Joey Pastore to the finish line.
Dan McKeage and Nick Cusack went head-to-head on the initial start of the first Pro Series Heat, with Cusack finally taking control on lap 3. Travis Buzzell was on the move, making his way to Cusack’s inside on lap 6, challenging him for the lead. Trevor Sanborn was also navigating through the field, advancing to third on lap 6. Donnie Colpritt, Jr. pulled to the side of Trevor Sanborn on lap 10, battling it out for third. Nick Cusack held off Travis Buzzell, capturing the heat win by a .01 second margin of victory. Colpritt beat Trevor Sanborn to the line, coming home third in the heat.
Mike Rowe and Corey Bubar started on the front row in the second Pro Series heat. After the initial start was called off by race control, Corey Bubar got a huge jump over Mike Rowe on the restart. Dave Oliver was on the move late into the heat, launching a battle with Mike Rowe for the runner-up spot on lap 10. Corey Bubar took home the heat victory while Dave Oliver beat Mike Rowe to the line, finishing second in the heat.
Mark Grantham showed strength in the early laps of the first Wildcats heat, pulling away with the lead. But, Wade Kennedy was all over him by lap five. Kennedy stuck on Grantham lap after lap, finally completing the pass for the lead on lap 8. Kennedy went on to capture the heat victory, followed by Mark Grantham and Kaleb Bean.
The initial start was called off in the second (and final) Wildcats heat. Once the field got rolling, Cole Watson took off with the early lead as Dave Cameron lingered closely behind him. By lap two, Cameron was already all over Watson for the top spot. Nate Leavitt was making his way through the field in the closing laps of the heat, joining the battle at the front of the field on lap 9. Cole Watson held off his competitors, taking home the heat victory. Dave Cameron and Nate Leavitt rounded out the top three.
After the fields were set, it was time for the Sport Series drivers to take to the track for their 35-lap feature race. Points leader, Clyde Hennessey, took a spin on the initial start. Bubba Pelton was also caught up in the incident and it led to an early-race caution.
After the initial restart was called off, Jason Curtis took off with the early lead. But, Adam Lovejoy was right there, ready to strike with Devin Curit on his heels. Joey Pastore joined the battle at the front of the field on lap 9, hungry for a spot at the top of the leaderboard.
Chasing the Checkered driver, Charlie Sanborn, was also on the move early, passing 6 cars by lap 11 after starting the feature back in 12th. Adam Lovejoy finally got the upper hand on Jason Curtis on lap 11, pulling to the lead. But, Charlie Sanborn was still on the move a little further back in the field, breaking the top five on lap 15. Bubba Pelton and Jason Curtis made contact on lap 17, resulting in Jason Curtis going for a spin in turn 4. The incident led to a mid-race caution. Dave Charest also took a spin on lap 19 in turn 4, leading to a quick caution.
Once the field settled down and went back green, Adam Lovejoy and Joey Pastore spearheaded a battle for the lead at the front of the field. Jim Colpritt got into Dave Charest on lap 23, leading to Colpritt taking a spin in turn 4. The field remained green as Colpritt was able to drive away under his own power.
Matt Dow and Devin Curit were battling it out for third in the closing laps of the feature as Joey Pastore and Adam Lovejoy continued to swap the lead back and forth ahead of them. Joey Pastore finally got the advantage over Adam Lovejoy on lap 28, pulling to the lead. But, Lovejoy was all over Pastore once again on the final lap. Joey Pastore managed to hold him off, picking up his fourth feature victory of the 2019 race season. Adam Lovejoy, Devin Curit, Matt Dow and Charlie Sanborn followed, rounding out the top five.
With the feature win, Joey Pastore is now tied with Clyde Hennessey for the points lead and there are just 21 points separating the top four drivers in the division. With plenty of race season left, anything can happen.
The Pro Series took to the track next for their 40-lap feature. Nick Cusack pulled into the early lead as Gary Smith quickly navigated his way through the field behind him. Smith made his way to Cusack’s inside on lap 11, challenging him for the top spot. After battling it out for a handful of laps, Smith finally pulled away from Cusack on lap 18 as Dave Oliver also advanced up to third.
By lap 20, Oliver was challenging Cusack for the runner-up spot, clearing him for the position just two laps later. Trevor Sanborn followed closely behind, stealing the spot away from Dave Oliver on lap 23. He continued his pursuit to the top of the leaderboard, taking over the lead on lap 30. Travis Buzzell took a spin on lap 32 in turn 4, leading to a late-race caution.
Trevor Sanborn took off with the lead on the restart and eventually took home the feature victory, which is his first of the 2019 season. Gary Smith, Donnie Colpritt, Jr., Dave Oliver and Corey Bubar followed, rounding out the top five.
With his fourth place finish, Dave Oliver is now tied with Dave Farrington, Jr. for the points lead in the Pro Series. The division remains close, with just 23 points separating the top 5 drivers in the standings. It’ll be interesting who will rise to the top in the second half of the season.
The Wildcats got their opportunity to shine with out-of-car introductions before the start of their 30-lap feature. The feature got off to a rough start for Dave Cameron, who lost power on the backstretch before the field went green. The initial start was also called off, leading to a pile-up in turn 1 involving Dave Cameron, Garrett Lamb, Dan Bean and Cole Watson. Dave Cameron took the heaviest hit, going for a wild ride before landing in the dirt.
Wade Kennedy took off with the lead on the restart, pulling away from his competitors. After an ugly start to the feature, Dave Cameron miracuously returned to the track on lap 3, quickly catching up to the tail-end of the field.
Cole Watson made his way to the outside of Mark Grantham for the runner-up spot on lap 7, clearing him the following lap. Nate Leavitt was also on the move early, clearing Grantham for third on lap 9. By the halfway mark, there was a 3-car breakaway at the front of the field.
Garrett Lamb, making his first career Wildcats start, finally broke the top ten on lap 20, later advancing to ninth on lap 25. Nate Leavitt was all over Cole Watson for the runner-up spot on lap 24, clearing him just two laps later. He was all over Wade Kennedy in the closing laps of the feature, but Kennedy was able to hold him off, scoring his first official feature victory (1st win was encumbered) of the 2019 season. Nate Leavitt, Cole Watson, Ed Connolly and Kaleb Bean rounded out the top five.
Dave Cameron still holds an eight point lead over Cole Watson in the point standings, but just 14 points separate the top 3 drivers in the division. With nearly half of the season left, the points can change at any given moment.
Saturday night brought yet another new face to Beech Ridge Victory Lane as others continued to stand out in their respected divisions. The points battles are still heating up as the season rolls on, which is sure to bring a wild end to the 2019 season come September! Only time will tell…
Thursday Thunder will attempt to roll on this coming Thursday, July 18th. Racing begins at 7:00 pm, children 12 and under get free admission and adult admission is only $7!
NASCAR Nite driverrs will be taking a break this week as the Monster Truck Throwdown rolls into town, but will return next Saturday, July 27th. The racing action will begin at 7:00 pm, children 12 and under get free admission and adult admission is only $12!
See you there!
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