The Sport Series 100 is the highlight event for the Sport Series every season at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and the track hosted the annual event this past Saturday. Clyde Hennessey has been red-hot over the first 7 weeks of the season, collecting a handful of wins, but the division continues to remain arguably the most competitive division on Saturday nights.
Adam Lovejoy, making his return to the track in the #2, powered into the early lead in the first Sport Series heat. Nick Campbell was sluggish on the start and tried to inch his way to the pits but came to a stop on the track, leading to an early caution.
Ryan Phillips was on the move once the field got rolling again, clearing Bubba Pelton for the runner-up spot on lap 10. But, Clyde Hennessey was right there, stealing the spot away in the closing laps of the heat. Adam Lovejoy took home the heat victory, followed by Clyde Hennessey and Ryan Phillips.
Last week’s winner, Todd Libby, pulled into the early lead in the second Sport Series heat. Frank Wear was on the move early, advancing into the runner-up spot over Matt Dow on lap lap 2 and setting his sights on the leader. By lap 5, he was on Todd Libby’s outside, challenging him for the top spot. After battling it out for a handful of laps, Wear finally cleared Libby for the top spot on lap 10. On the same lap, Joey Pastore advanced to third over Matt Dow. Frank Wear picked up the heat victory, followed by Todd Libby and Matt Dow.
Frank Wear took off with the early lead in the feature race. After making contact with the #12 of Terry Merrill, Dave Charest took a spin on lap 5 in turn 1, leading to the first caution of the feature.
Frank Wear pulled away again on the restart as Joey Pastore advanced into the runner-up spot over Adam Lovejoy. Clyde Hennessey was also on the move, challenging Adam Lovejoy for third on lap 11. He cleared Lovejoy two laps later, then setting his sights on Pastore at the front of the field. After making contact with Terry Merrill, Matt Gain took a spin on lap 17 in turns 1/2, leading to another early-race caution.
Pastore shot out to the lead on the restart as his competitors continued to battle it out behind him. Charlie Sanborn, Devin Curit and Bubba Pelton went 3-wide for sixth on lap 29. Devin Curit pulled away with the spot as Charlie Sanborn and Bubba Pelton settled in behind him. Ryan Phillips went off-track on the same lap in turns 3/4, leading to another caution.
Pastore took off with a healthy lead on the restart as Devin Curit advanced to fourth and Matt Dow advanced into the top 5 over Adam Lovejoy. The field was spread out by the halfway mark besides the heated battle for eighth place going on between Charlie Sanborn and Terry Merrill, with the two drivers swapping the position back and forth with each and every passing lap. Dave Charest went around on lap 61 in turn 3, leading to another caution.
Joey Pastore continued to exude dominance, pulling away with the lead once again on the restart. Devin Curit powered into the runner-up spot over Frank Wear on lap 63. After last week’s post-race technical violation, Curit was forced to start at the rear of the field for both the heat and the feature. But, with 37 laps still remaining in the future, he had successfully climbed his way through the field and was within arms reach of the leader.
Bubba Pelton was on the move in the second half of the feature after falling back early, advancing to third over Frank Wear on lap 70. Wear briefly made his way to Pelton’s inside on lap 78, challenging him for the spot before settling into line once again. Terry Merrill and Charlie Sanborn reignited their battle on lap 85, going head-to-head for seventh. Zach Bowie made hard contact with the turn 4 wall on lap 92, leading to a late-race (and extended) caution.
Pastore held strong on the restart, pulling away from Devin Curit. Matt Dow was all over Bubba Pelton for fourth on lap 96, clearing him just one lap later. Pastore took home the win, collecting another victory in 2019. Devin Curit, Frank Wear, Matt Dow and Bubba Pelton rounded out the top five.
Joey Pastore displayed dominance during the 100-lap feature, putting on a clinic in the Sport Series. Clyde Hennessey continues to sit pretty at the top of the point standings, but the top 5 in points continues to be a very tight battle, week-in and week-out. It will be exciting seeing how the final 13 weeks of the season play out!
Check out my full Pro Series recap here and my full Wildcats recap here.
The speedway will attempt to start the Thursday Night Thunder season (again!) this coming Thursday, June 27th. The racing action begins at 7:00 pm, adult admission is only $7 and kids 12 and under get in free!
NASCAR Nite is back to its regular programming next Saturday, June 29th. The racing action begins at 7:00 pm, adult admission is only $12 and kids 12 and under get in free!
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