As usual, the Beetle Bugs kicked off the Thunder program with a 25-lap feature. There was a 3-wide battle for the early lead, with Derek McKeen leading the charge as Brandon Lizotte and Dustin Salley filed in behind him. Brandon Lizotte was in hot pursuit of the lead, making his way to Derek McKeen’s inside door in the opening laps of the feature.

Dustin Moreau tangled with Jordan Lopes on lap 4 in turn 4, resulting in Moreau taking a spin and Lopes losing a wheel. The incident led to the first caution of the feature.

Derek McKeen held the slight advantage on the restart, but Brandon Lizotte was back at his door by lap 5 and took over the lead the following lap. While battling for position on lap 10, Dustin Salley and Derek McKeen made contact in turn 1. This resulted in Salley having a right front tire go down and the driver headed to the pits as McKeen fell to the back of the pack. Corey Roussel benefited from his competitors’ shortcomings as he advanced into the runner-up spot.

Ed Johnson was on the move mid-race, going head to head with Butch Keene for third on lap 13, eventually taking over the spot. Derek McKeen pulled off-track in turn 3 on lap 19, retiring to the pits.

While battling for position once again on the final lap, Butch Keene and Ed Johnson both went sideways in turn 2. Johnson managed to hold onto it without losing any ground on the track as Keene spun, falling to the back of the pack. Brandon Lizotte sailed into the victory, collecting another checkered flag. Corey Roussel, Ed Johnson, Josh Knoll and Adam Warnock rounded out the top five.

Tyler Lerman took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Mad Bomber JV feature. Seth Drown took a spin in turn 2 on the initial lap, coming to a stop in the dirt. The incident led to an early race caution.

Tyler Lerman took off with the lead once again on the restart as Taylor Graffam advanced into the runner-up spot behind him. Desiree Lachance filed in behind her, moving up to third. Graffam continued her charge to the front, making her way to Lerman’s inside door on lap 6, challenging for the lead.

Taylor Graffam completed the pass, taking off with the lead as Josh Hodgdon advanced to third over Desiree Lachance. While battling for position, the two drivers made slight contact, resulting in Lachance nearly taking a spin and ultimately losing a few spots on the track.

Hodgdon continued his pursuit to the front as he pulled up to door of his brother, Tyler Lerman, on lap 15. The brothers battled it out for the runner-up position before Hodgdon eventually pulled away with the spot. Desiree Lachance took a spin on lap 19 in turns 1 and 2, resulting in a late race caution.

After a solid showing all day, Tyler Lerman took a spin on the restart, miraculously avoiding making contact with all of his competitors. As Lerman fell to the back of the pack, drivers went 3-wide for fifth in the closing laps, with Jon King taking over the spot. Taylor Graffam was able to hold off Josh Hodgdon in the closing laps, securing her second victory of the 2021 season. Joey Israelson, Brandon Williams and Jon King rounded out the top five.

Graffam was elated in her first career post-race interview at the track, thanking her friends, family and team for their ongoing support.

Keith Petrin took off with a huge jump in the 25-lap Mighty Trucks feature as his runner-up competitor, Derrick Drown, fell to the back of the pack. Father-son duo Jeff Gillette, Sr. and Jeff Gillette, Jr. went door to door for third on lap 8, with Gillette, Sr. pulling ahead with the advantage the following lap.

Derrick Drown was on the rebound on lap 10 as he found himself at Jeff Gillette, Jr.’s door on lap 10, challenging for fourth. The two drivers battled it out until lap 12, where Drown pulled ahead with the advantage. While battling for position, Nate Zinc and Trace Ayers both took spins on lap 15, resulting in a late race caution.

Keith Petrin powered into the lead on the restart as Derrick Drown’s shortcomings on restarts continued as he fell to the back of the pack once again. Jeff Gillette, Sr. and Dave Lamson duked it out for the runner-up spot on the restart and the battle lasted for a handful of laps before Gillette, Sr. claimed sole possession of the spot on lap 20.

Nobody was any match for Keith Petrin as he sailed into the victory, capturing his second win of the 2021 season. Jeff Gillette, Sr. and Dave Lamson rounded out the top 3.

Brandon Johnson took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Mad Bomber Varsity feature, but Tom Lovejoy, Jr. was right on his heels. Mike Dearden, Paul Lund and Richard Bourgeois-Lang tangled on the backstretch on lap 3, resulting in the first caution of the feature.

Brandon Johnson and Tom Lovejoy, Jr. went head to head for the lead on the restart. Johnson held onto the top spot as Mike Roe joined the battle, hot on Lovejoy Jr.’s heels for the runner-up spot. Drew Morse was also on the move, advancing to fourth on lap 10 after starting the feature from the tail-end of the field.

Paul Lund was on the rebound, challenging Drew Morse for fourth on lap 12 and pulling ahead with the advantage the following lap. After battling it out for a handful of laps, Tom Lovejoy, Jr. edged out Mike Roe for the runner-up spot and wanted more, pulling to the top spot over Brandon Johnson on lap 13.

Lovejoy, Jr. and Johnson remained glued to each other in the coming laps, swapping the lead back and forth before Johnson pulled ahead with the slight advantage on lap 20. The leaders began approaching lap traffic with 3 laps to go and Johnson went sideways in turn 4, allowing Lovejoy, Jr. to pull ahead once again.

Tom Lovejoy, Jr. maintained his advantage to the finish, picking up his first feature victory of the 2021 season. Brandon Johnson, Paul Lund, Mike Roe and Drew Morse rounded out the top five.

The NELCAR Legends Tour rounded out the Thunder program with a 25-lap feature. Luke LeBrun took off with the early lead as Nick Cusack and Trevor Krouse battled it out for third behind the leaders. Cusack ultimately won the battle, then setting his sights on his competitors at the top of the leaderboard.

Colby Meserve was also on the move early, making his way to Trevor Krouse’s inside door on lap 8 and advancing to fourth the following lap. Nick Cusack was all over Jack Walker for the runner-up spot on lap 11, but Colby Meserve was hot on their heels.

Cusack pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 13, but Meserve pulled up to his door the following lap, stealing the spot away. Connor Holderbach was coming through the field in the closing laps, completing the pass for fourth over Jack Walker on lap 19.

Luke LeBrun was long gone in the closing laps, continuing his dominance in the division as he captured yet another feature victory. Colby Meserve, Nick Cusack, Connor Holderbach and Jack Walker rounded out the top five.

The Thunder program continues to excite at Beech Ridge and this past weekend, we saw four repeat winners in Victory Lane. Drivers like Brandon Johnson, who hasn’t finished outside the podium in 2021, continue to impress week after week. Tyler Lerman and other newcomers continue to show promise and with time, those victories will come.

You can catch the next week of Thunder action this coming Saturday, June 19th. 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!

Featured cover photo credit goes to Jamie Williams at Finish Line Photography!

The post Tom Lovejoy, Jr. Returns to Victory Lane at Beech Ridge appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

Butch Keene held the early lead in the 25-lap feature, but Ed Johnson was quick to steal it away. Dustin Salley was also on the move early, making a bold move for the runner-up spot on lap 7 as he took it 3-wide with the leaders. While still battling for position on lap 8, Salley went off-track in turn 8, losing a handful of positions as the field remained green.

Adam Warnock, returning to competition in week 2, was all over Darryl Quinlan’s back bumper for third on lap 12. He was at his door just two laps later, taking over the spot. Dustin Salley was on the road to recovery in the closing laps, battling Derek McKeen for fourth. McKeen bobbled on lap 23, allowing Salley to take over the position.

Butch Keene began to close in on Ed Johnson in the closing laps, but Johnson was able to hold him off, capturing the feature victory. Adam Warnock, Dustin Salley and Derek McKeen rounded out the top five.

Ed Johnson was able to climb out of his car on the front stretch after his victory, nabbing a post-race interview with Charlie Sanborn. Traditionally, Thunder drivers are not interviewed until championship night. Beech Ridge is turning a new leaf this season, interviewing the winner of (1) Thunder division per week. Ed Johnson cited the moment as one of the “coolest moments” in his racing career, thanking his family, friends and crew for their hard work and endless support.

The Mad Bomber Junior Varsity division took to the track next for their 25-lap feature. Last week’s winner, Josh Hodgdon, faced troubles early, taking a spin on the back stretch before the initial start of the race.

Jonathan King took off with the early lead in the #7 machine once the field got rolling. Taylor Graffam was also on the move early, advancing to third over Seth Drown on lap 2. David Roberts took a spin on lap 4, leading to the first caution of the evening. Josh Hodgdon began making quick work on the field in the early laps of the race, but retired to the pits after the first yellow, never to return to the track.

Taylor Graffam briefly fell back to fourth before overtaking third from Danny Wescott on lap 10. She found her way to the inside of Joey Israelson just two laps later, claiming the runner-up spot. Graffam had tracked down Jonathan King by lap 15, all over his back bumper for the lead. The two drivers were door-to-door the following lap, battling for the top spot.

Graffam made a bold crossover move on lap 20, diving to King’s inside. The two drivers went 3-wide with a lap car on lap 22, swapping the lead back and forth before Graffam pulled away with the advantage in the final turn. Graffam crossed the checkered, scoring her first career victory in the Mad Bomber Junior Varsity division and later celebrated with her friends and family in the pit area. Jonathan King and Joey Israelson rounded out the top 3.

The Mighty Trucks took to the track following the NASCAR Nite heats, continuing the competition with another 25-lap feature. Brad Weismann held onto the early lead, but Dave Lamson was quick to steal it away. Keith Petrin, returning to competition, was on the move early, advancing to third on lap 3.

Jeff Gillette, Sr. went heavy sideways on the backstretch on lap 10, allowing Derrick Drown to pull up alongside his door for fourth. The two drivers battled it out for a couple of laps before Gillette pulled away once again on lap 13.

Keith Petrin began reeling in Brad Weismann in the closing laps and was at his back bumper by lap 24. Weismann was able to hold him off, securing the runner-up spot as Dave Lamson pulled away with the feature victory. Derrick Drown and Jeff Gillette, Sr. rounded out the top five.

The Mad Bombers rounded out the Thunder competition with their 25-lap feature event. The feature began with melee as the leader went spinning in turn 1 on the initial lap, but the field remained green as Brandon Johnson took over the top spot.

Week 1 winner, Drew Morse, was on the move early, challenging Richard Bourgeois for the runner-up spot on lap 6. Morse went sideways all the way through turn 4 on lap 6, but managed to hold onto it. Morse even managed to advance position, nabbing the runner-up spot on lap 7.

Brandon Johnson was on a rail the entire race, following in his father’s footsteps as he secured the feature victory. This was the second time in two years that the father-son duo scored victories on the same night of competition. Drew Morse and Richard Bourgeois rounded out the top 3.

The Thunder program was filled with excitement yet again in week 2 at Beech Ridge. Drivers like Taylor Graffam continue to grow better and better each week. Butch Keene and other new additions to Beech Ridge are finding their footing and showing their strengths as well in their respected divisions. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out over the course of the 2021 season.

Catch the next round of Thunder competition next Saturday, May 15th. The racing action begins at 4:00pm. Kids of ALL AGES are now allowed in the pits and grandstand admission is still just $12 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under.

Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short track. I hope to see you soon!

The post Taylor Graffam Captures First Career Mad Bomber JV Victory at Beech Ridge appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

Drivers and teams returned to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Thursday night for the fifth week of Thursday Night Thunder.

As always, the Beetle Bug Varsity division was the first division on the agenda for the night. 

Ben Krauter took off with the early lead in the 15-lap feature as Jeff Walker powered into the runner-up spot. Walker challenged Krauter for the lead on the outside on lap 6, later taking over the top spot on lap 11.

Jon Talbot was on the move late in the feature, climbing into the fourth spot on lap 12.

Jeff Walker held off Ben Krauter for the win, making it his fourth consecutive victory. Ed Johnson, Jon Talbot and Brandon Varney rounded out the top five.

Ed McConologue took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Mad Bomber Varsity feature. 

Todd Libby and Chad Reynolds both took spins on lap 8 in turn 3, but the field remained green.

Johnny Wolfe was on the move, going from third to first in one lap on lap 8.

Jason Gammon powered into the runner-up spot on lap 10, setting his eyes on Jonny Wolfe at the front of the field. He challenged to Wolfe’s inside on lap 13, making his way into the lead the following lap. By lap 15, there was a 2-car breakaway at the front of the field.

The #9 of Mike Dearden got hard into Ed McConologue on lap 17 in turn 2, leading to a late-race caution.

Johnny Wolfe got a great jump on the restart, but Jason Gammon was back into the lead by lap 15.

Tom Lovejoy, Sr. was on the move in the closing laps of the race, powering into the top 5 on lap 20 after falling to the back of the pack earlier in the feature.

Jason Kennedy and Brian Picard both went around on lap 22 in turn 3, leading to a late-race caution.

Jason Gammon lost momentum on the restart, powering Johnny Wolfe into the lead. Wolfe took home the win, making it his first feature victory of the season. 

Lyman McKeage, Jason Libby, Jason Gammon and Tom Lovejoy, Sr. rounded out the top five.

Defending race winner, Kris Knox, was notably absent in the 15-lap Mighty Trucks feature. 

Will Potter took off with the early lead, but Keith Petrin fought through the field early, breaking into the lead on lap 3.

Defending Mighty Trucks champion, Jeff Gillette, was on the move, powering into the runner-up spot on lap 5 after starting in the rear of the field.

Jared Kimball made his way to Jeff Gillette’s inside on lap 9, challenging him for the spot. Gillette got sideways on the front stretch on lap 10, allowing Kimball to take over the spot.

Keith Petrin took home the victory, collecting his fourth top finish of the season. Jared Kimball, Jeff Gillette, Will Potter and Mark Grantham rounded out the top five.

Taylor Graffam took off with the early lead in the Ladies League feature. 

Courtney Cameron took a spin on lap 2, clipping Desiree LaChance in turn 4. The incident led to the first caution of the feature.

As Graffam pulled away with the lead once more, Betty Nelson powered into the top 5 on lap 6. Nelson was behind the wheel of a borrowed #27 car after experiencing mechanical issues with her typical #8 machine.

Lap 7 brought more trouble for Courtney Cameron and Desiree LaChance, who both went around in turn 4. There was no caution this time around, as both cars were able to get rolling once again.

Laura McKeage was all over Jenna Webster for the runner-up spot on lap 15, eventually stealing the spot away the following lap.

Holly Gain and Courtney Cameron collided on lap 16 in turn 1, leading to a late-race caution.

Taylor Graffam was able to pull off her competitors, capturing her first career feature victory, just weeks after taking home her first podium finish.

Laura McKeage, Betty Nelson, Jenna Webster and Sara Libby rounded out the top five.

Danny Wear took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Legends feature.

A caution was brought out for debris in turn 1 on lap 3, bringing the field back together.

Tylar Braunschweig took over the lead on the restart as Kevin Girard, Jr. powered into the runner-up spot.

Charlie Buxton took a hard spin on lap 10, sliding into the tires in turn 1. This led to yet another caution.

The #38 of Matt Bourgoine gave Braunschweig a hard push on lap 11 in turn 1, sending Braunschweig for a spin and leading to another caution.

Austin Teras and Charlie Buxton made hard contact on the backstretch on lap 12, collecting Nick Calvert and Tylar Braunschweig. The incident led to another mid-race caution.

Bourgoine pulled away with the lead on the restart as Chris Burgess fought his way into the runner-up spot.

Bourgoine had pulled away with a healthy lead on lap 20. He held onto the lead for the remainder of the feature, capturing the victory.

Kevin Girard, Jr., Chris Burgess, Parker Varney and Ryan Doucette rounded out the top five.

As Kara Krauter took off with the early lead in the 20-lap Beetle Bug Junior Varsity feature, Robert Taylor took a spin in turn 4. Taylor was able to regain speed as the field remained green.

Derek McKeen got hard into Tom Lovejoy, Jr., who was making his Beetle Bug JV debut, on lap 4 in turn 2. The move resulted in Lovejoy retiring the #79 machine for the remainder of the feature.

Chris Case was on a mission, powering from third to first in one lap on lap 8.

Kara Krauter and Alex Parechanian made contact on lap 13 in turn 1. Both drivers were able to correct their cars, resulting in the field staying green.

Kara Krauter came to a slow on lap 14, leading to a late-race caution.

Chris Case got a great push from Brandon Lizotte on the restart, allowing him to pull away with the lead over Alex Parechanian in the #45 Dream Machine.

Chris Case ran away with the victory, capturing his first feature win of the 2018 season after having an uncharacteristically slow start to the season.

Alex Parechanian, Brandon Lizotte, Jim Emmons and Darryl Quinlan rounded out the top five.

The 25-lap Mad Bomber Junior Varsity feature was the final feature of the night.

Dylan Shores pulled away with the top spot on the initial lap, but Dan Collins managed to snatch it away from him on lap 2, taking off with the top spot.

Robert Pierce and Tom Lovejoy, Jr. made hard contact on the backstretch on lap 2, resulting in Lovejoy taking a hard hit into the wall in turn 2. Thankfully, Lovejoy was able to walk away from the incident.

As Dan Collins pulled away with the lead once more, Dylan Shores was pushed to the outside line on the restart, falling to the back of the pack.

Scott Eck was on the move mid-race, making his way around Bob Darrell Wilson for third on lap 12.

The #5 of Richard Maynard took a spin on lap 14 in turn 1, leading to a caution. 

The #25 of Kyle Gailloux took it 3-wide for the lead on the restart, pulling away with the top spot.

Scott Eck powered into the runner-up spot on lap 17 as Cam Jones and Garrett Lamb filed in behind him.

Gailloux was checked out by lap 20, which led to his eventual victory, his first feature win of the 2018 season.

Cam Jones, Garrett Lamb, Scott Eck and Mike Sanford rounded out the top five.

Thursday Night Thunder continues on this Thursday, July 26th. Adult admission is only $7 and children 12 and under are FREE!

Get out there and support your local short track!

Thank you again to Drown Excavation and Four Season Synthetic for their endless support for Chasing the Checkered. Contact Drown Excavation for all of your demolition and excavation needs and Four Season Synthetic for all of your oil, lube and filter needs!

The post Taylor Graffam Captures Her First Career Victory at Beech Ridge appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.