The Pro Series followed up last weeks 120 lap Granite State Pro Stock Series event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway with another exciting 35 lap feature on Saturday.
13 drivers showed up to compete in the Pro Series events and underdog, Rusty Poland, hoped to continue to lead the charge in a tight points battle.
Joe Pastore took off with the early lead in the first 10 lap qualifying heat. Rusty Poland made a bold move early, taking veterans, Bill Rodgers and Dave Oliver, 3-wide for third in the opening laps. Poland made it stick, pulling away with sole possession of the spot.
Corey Bubar tracked down Joe Pastore by lap 5, pulling to Pastore’s inside door as he challenged for the lead. The two competitors battled it out until the final lap, where Pastore ultimately picked up the heat victory. Rusty Poland rounded out the top 3.
Wyatt Alexander pulled ahead with the early advantage in the second and final qualifying heat. Nick Cusack was on the move early, quickly advancing into the runner-up spot over Travis Buzzell.
Gary Smith made his way to Travis Buzzell’s door on lap 2, challenging for third. Smith took over the spot the following lap and immediately moved onto Nick Cusack, stealing the runner-up spot away from Cusack on lap 6.
While his competitors battled it out for position, Wyatt Alexander had checked out in the closing laps, capturing the heat victory. Gary Smith and Nick Cusack rounded out the top 3.
Following the Sport Series feature, the Pro Series returned to the track for their 35 lap main event. Joe Pastore held the early advantage over Wyatt Alexander in the feature, but Alexander fought his way back to Pastore’s inside door on lap 4, spearheading a side by side battle for the top spot.
Gary Smith took a peek to the inside of Rusty Poland on lap 7, posing a challenge for fourth. Poland was able to hold him off and began to track down the leaders.
After battling it out for a handful of laps, Joe Pastore pulled ahead with sole possession of the lead on lap 10. Wyatt Alexander had backed off for a couple of laps, but was back to challenge Pastore just 5 laps later.
Evan Beaulieu took a hard spin on the front stretch on lap 19, resulting in a late-race caution.
The initial restart was called off by race control, but Pastore and Alexander continued to duke it out for the top spot once the field went green. Rusty Poland powered into the third spot on the restart, but Gary Smith was back on his inside, challenging for the spot on lap 22.
Poland managed to fend off Smith once again as the battle for the top spot continued to heat up in front of him. Wyatt Alexander was hungry for the lead in the closing laps of the race, diving back to Pastore’s inside with 10 laps to go and refusing to give up without a fight.
The two drivers battled it out until the bitter end, where Pastore was able to hold off Alexander to the line. Rusty Poland, Gary Smith and Corey Bubar rounded out the top 3.
Saturday brought great luck for Joe Pastore and the #20p team. On Saturday morning, Pastore’s young son, Jace, had discovered a coveted four leaf clover. Following the lucky find, Jace went on to draw the pole for his dad in the pre-race driver’s meeting. The good luck surely manifested throughout the day and paid off at the end of the night!
Joe Pastore and Wyatt Alexander put on a wildly exciting show on Saturday and Rusty Poland and Gary Smith continue to put on a nail biter in the championship points race.
How will the rest of the season play out with just 3 races remaining in 2021 at the track? Stay tuned to find out!
The 2021 Super Saturday season continues on this coming Saturday, August 28th. The racing action kicks off at 4:00 pm.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks. I hope to see you soon!
Cover photo credit goes to Jamie Williams at Finish Line Photography.
