Tom Fearn celebrates victory in the Late Model feature Friday at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Jim DuPont)
STAFFORD – A week ago Tom Fearn watched the closing stages of the Late Model feature at Stafford Motor Speedway with his car parked in the infield with transmission issues.
Friday everything shifted into its proper place for the East Longmeadow, Mass. driver.
Fearn drove away from the field get his first victory of the season in the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Albert Saunders of Stafford was second and Paul Arute of Tolland third.
It proved the perfect redemption for Fearn, who had to pull off the track while leading on lap 20 of 30 last week
“We gave one away,” Fearn said. “I don’t think in all the years I’ve been racing I’ve really gave one away like that. We did all the work, got to the lead and then had that restart there. I guess when you have a part failure it’s one of those things.”
Fearn passed Saunders for the lead on lap 13 and never trailed again.
Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks got his second victory of the season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. Lavoie was the first repeat winner in the division this year.
Justin Bren of Palmer, Mass. was second and Ryan Fearn of East Longmeadow, Mass. third.
Johnny Walker of Ludlow, Mass. came from deep in the field to get his second victory of the season in the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
Jason Lafayette of Somers was second and Nicole Chambrello of Kengsington third.
Walker passed Lafayette for the lead following a lap 16 restart and never trailed again.
Andrew Molleur of Shelton won the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature. Mark Bakaj was second of Lebanon was second and Brett Gonyaw of Vernon third.
Loved how after molleur won in the winners circle interview the guy asked “so Andrew How old are you” I just about fell over. Kid didn’t even get it he’s like I’m 15. Lol.People never forget liars when they blame others instead of admitting guilt.
I heard they checked rears in the skl’s last night- did they only check the top 3? curious because Narducci finished 4th
I figured for sure in the sk lights they were going to tech birth certificates last night.
Sk lites are good
Lites are slow as molasses
It’s time to bring the LLM and the LM together somehow. 9 cars in the LM and 11 in the LLM.
As a 40+ plus year fan at Stafford I really always enjoyed the Late Models. The problem is a 9 car field and it is still early in the season. I have wrote this before, but it is time to consider ACT rules for the division. I am sure Chuck Z. and the tech crew can come up with a rules package to not obsolete the current cars. Fan interest is lacking as 30 laps with 9 cars is not what Stafford became famous for. Everyone else in the New England and New York tracks all use the ACT rules package. Pay the cars the $ and they will come and make a previously great division a fan favorite as in days of old.
Richie I agree that the late models of old were a great show. ACT is not the answer. The ACT cars are big bucks. I think Stafford should stay with the metric frame type for all three divisions. Most tracks that run ACT type cars in our area don’t draw big fields. I would push the after market metric frame. JMO.