Beech Ridge Motor Speedway was full of excitement this past weekend, with the track’s weekly divisions competing in addition to a national qualifier for the NELCAR Legends tour and the Granite State Pro Stock Series 150-lap thriller.
The “TNT” competition began with the Beetle Bugs division, where Darryl Quinlan and Ed Johnson went head-to-head for the lead in the early laps of the feature. Johnson eventually pulled away with the lead on lap 5.
Dustin Moreau took a spin on lap 8 in turn 2, but he remained on track and the field stayed green. Ed Johnson sailed into victory, picking up his second-consecutive first place trophy. Darryl Quinlan, Chris Case and Dustin Moreau rounded out the top four.
Next up was the Street Devils division, where drivers were 3-wide for the lead before Paul Goodrich took over the top spot. Darryl Quinlan was reeling in Goodrich in the closing laps, but Goodrich was able to hold him off, securing the victory.
Joey Israelson took off with the early lead in the Mad Bombers Junior Varsity feature. Josh Hodgdon lost some ground after some hard racing in the early laps of the feature, but was back into third place by lap 7. He later advanced into the runner-up spot on lap 12, then setting his sights on Israelson at the front of the pack.
Hodgdon was all all over Israelson in the coming laps and at his door by lap 15. Hodgdon advanced into the lead the following lap, setting himself apart from the competition. Tyler Lerman was creeping up on Joey Israelson for the runner-up spot in the closing laps, all over his back bumper by lap 22. Hodgdon was able to hold off the competition, scoring his second consecutive feature victory. Joey Israelson, Tyler Lerman and Taylor Graffam rounded out the top 4.
Jared Kimball powered to the early lead in the 20-lap Mighty Trucks feature. But, Dave Lamson was right there, at Kimball’s door by lap 2 and advancing to the lead that same lap with Jeff Gillette, Sr. in tow.
Kolby Morrell was also on the move early, clearing Derrick Drown for fourth on lap 4. Brad Weismann battled his way into the top 5 in the closing laps of the race, clearing Derrick Drown for fifth on lap 15. Kolby Morrell was all over Jared Kimball’s back bumper for third on lap 16, hungry for a podium finish.
Dave Lamson captured the victory, which is his first feature victory at the track in 14 years. Jeff Gillette, Sr., Jared Kimball, Kolby Morrell and Brad Weismann rounded out the top 5.
Chris Burgess took off with a sizable lead in the early laps of the Mad Bomber Varsity feature. Derrick Burnham took a spin on the initial lap in turn 4, resulting in an early-race caution.
Chris Burgess took off with the lead once again on the restart, but the competition was in hot pursuit of the leader. Drew Morse and Kris Knox split Chris Burgess on lap 8, with Knox taking over the lead as last week’s winner, Brandon Johnson, snuck his way into the runner-up spot.
After a solid performance, Johnson took a spin in front of the pack on lap 10 in turn 2, but the field remained green. In the midst of chaos, Scott Eck meandered his way into the runner-up spot. Nobody could match Kris Knox in the closing laps of the race as he took home the feature victory. Scott Eck, Dean Hanscom, Drew Morse and Brandon Johnson rounded out the top five.
The “TNT” portion of the day’s events concluded with a $1,500 to win, national qualifying event for the NELCAR Legends tour. Luke LeBrun dominated the field once again, scoring himself a big paycheck and a national qualifying spot.
Saturday was full of a lot of exciting racing action, but nothing beats witnessing a driver scoring his first victory in over 14 years. It was a sweet victory for Dave Lamson and his team and was hopefully one of many to come!
Join us again next Saturday, August 22nd, for week 5 of Beech Ridge’s open competition season. The racing action begins at 3:00 pm.
Get out there and support your local short track because they need our support more than ever right now.
I hope to see you there!
