The Granite State Pro Stock Series returned to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday for their second outing of the 2021 season at the track.
The race was originally scheduled for 150 laps, but between the 90+ degree temperatures and a thin field of 14 cars, the race was shortened to 120 laps. With a sudden Pro All Star Series schedule change (Sunday to Saturday) and the Oxford 250 lingering just weeks away, a handful of drivers made the last-minute decision to race at Oxford in preparation for the big event opposed to partaking in the $3,000 to win race at Beech Ridge.
The GSPSS events kicked off with time trials for all 14 competitors. Last year’s event winner, Wyatt Alexander, topped the leaderboard in time trials with a 15.166 lap time. Beech Ridge regulars, Rusty Poland and Joe Pastore, rounded out the top 3.
Two 12-lap heat races followed the time trials. This would determine the starting line-up for the main event. After the initial start of the first heat was called off by race control, Joe Pastore and Wyatt Alexander spearheaded a battle for the top spot once the field went green.
While the leaders battled it out, Evan Beaulieu and Alan Tardiff began to duke it out for third. The two drivers went back and forth for a handful of laps before Beaulieu pulled away with the advantage on lap 8.
Pastore and Alexander fought it out to the finish, where Pastore scored the heat victory by a nose. Evan Beaulieu rounded out the top 3.
Rusty Poland and Gabe Brown went head to head for the early lead in the second and final qualifying heat. The two drivers battled it out for a handful of laps before Brown pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 6.
Corey Bubar was on the move in the closing laps of the heat, challenging Rusty Poland for the runner-up spot with just two laps to go. Bubar won the battle, then setting his sights on Gabe Brown at the top of the leaderboard. The two drivers battled it out until the end, where Bubar ultimately took the victory after a final lap pass. Rusty Poland rounded out the top 3.
Corey Bubar took off with the early lead in the 120-lap feature. Gabe Brown was also on the move early, advancing into the runner-up spot over Rusty Poland on lap 4.
Friends and competitors, Wyatt Alexander and Evan Beaulieu, went head to head for fourth on lap 8 while Joe Pastore waited in the wings, ready to strike.
Alexander pulled away with sole possession of the spot on lap 10 as Pastore followed in succession. Pastore continued to push the envelope, pulling to the inside of Alexander on lap 25. The two drivers battled side by side for a handful of laps before Alexander cleanly pulled away from his competitor.
Corey Bubar was setting a blistering pace in the first half of the race and began approaching lap traffic on lap 40. He successfully lapped Mike Mitchell and Charlie Sanborn prior to the 5-minute competition caution on lap 60.
Just before the caution, Chasing the Checkered driver, Charlie Sanborn, pulled into the infield pits. The #1 machine was unfortunately plagued with electrical issues, ultimately ending the day early for the driver and team.
Corey Bubar took off with the lead once again on the restart as Gabe Brown and Rusty Poland battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. Brown was able to fend Poland off once again, pulling ahead with the advantage 5 laps later.
Poland was still digging, powering his way back to Gabe Brown’s inside door on lap 76.
Joe Pastore’s trouble began on lap 80 as be began to descend through the field. He pulled to the pits shortly thereafter, retiring the #20p machine for the night. Josh King took a spin on lap 91 in turn 2, resulting in a late-race caution.
Corey Bubar maintained his lead on the restart as Rusty Poland powered into the runner-up spot over Gabe Brown. Dave Oliver, this season’s first GSPSS winner, posed a threat for Wyatt Alexander in the closing laps for fourth. But, Alexander was able to fend him off.
Rusty Poland was slowly reeling in Corey Bubar in the closing laps of the feature, but Bubar was able to hold him off, securing his first victory in the touring division. Gabe Brown, Wyatt Alexander and Dave Oliver rounded out the top five.
Official Finish:
- Corey Bubar
- Rusty Poland
- Gabe Brown
- Wyatt Alexander
- Dave Oliver
- Alan Tardiff
- Donnie Colpritt, Jr.
- Evan Beaulieu
- Mike Mitchell
- Jacob Dore
- Josh King
- Joe Pastore
- Casey Call
- Charlie Sanborn
As always, the Granite State Pro Stock Series put on a professional and entertaining show at Beech Ridge. It’s always a smooth event when GSPSS is in town and I can’t wait for more racing action next season!
You can catch the next GSPSS event on Saturday, September 4th at Monadnock Speedway.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks and touring divisions. I hope to see you soon!
Cover photo credit: Jamie Williams – Finish Line Photography
