Thompson Notes: Rick Gentes Grabs Late Model Win; Eric Bourgeois, John Studley And Scott Sundeen Also Winners

THOMPSON – Rick Gentes didn’t have to buy a ticket for the grandstands at Thompson International Speedway Thursday night, but he was competitor and fan on the track.

Rick Gentes celebrates his victory Thursday at Thompson International Speedway

Gentes got to take in a show on the track and in the end he was the one being celebrated in victory lane.

Gentes won the 25-lap Late Model feature Thursday at Thompson.

“It was pretty good,” Gentes, of Woonsocket, R.I. said. “It was pretty exciting. I don’t usually get too excited when I’m driving, but I was having a good time.”

Marc Curtis Jr. of Worcester, Mass. was second and Glenn Boss of Danielson third.

Chad LaBastie was the dominator out front in the early stages. On lap 10 Gentes moved past John Falconi into second place.

Gentes briefly went by LaBastie for the lead on lap 12 but LaBastie battled back to regain the top spot at the line. On lap 13 Gentes went back by to take over the top spot.

On a lap 15 restart LaBastie went back to the front and looked on cruise control to victory lane. But on lap 21 LaBastie tagged the wall in turn four, allowing Gentes to easily go to the front. Gente went unchallenged the rest of the way.

“To be honest with you, I think he just forgot to lift going through the turn and I came out on top,” Gentes said of LaBastie losing the lead. “It’s good to come back and start off with a win. We had a good car at the Icebreaker. We wrecked on the first lap and managed to get back to third. We’ve had a good car both races.”

Scott Sundeen of Douglas, Mass. held off Larry Barnett of Moosup to win the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature. Jesse Gleason of Lisbon was third.

John Studley of Framingham, Mass. was able to hold off Cam McDermott of Scituate, R.I. to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature. Glenn Griswold of Vernon was third.

Eric Bourgeois of East Haddam won the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.