THOMPSON – Thompson Speedway is Rick Gentes’ playground and Saturday the Woonsocket, R.I. driver protected his turf from the outside invaders.
Rick Gentes celebrates a Late Model victory Saturday at Thompson Speedway (Photo: Thompson Speedway)
Gentes made it through three green-white-checkered restarts to win the 25-lap Late Model feature Saturday, part of Sunoco World Series Weekend at Thompson Speedway.
On the two initial bruising green-white-checkered attempts, it was no holds barred action between Gentes and Carey and Parent.
On the final chance to finish the event though it was Gentes, the track’s all-time winningest Late Model driver, getting away from the outside Carey to win.
“I don’t know, we were running really good there and on that restart Tom sent it in on the bottom and kind of used me up a little bit so I returned the favor there on the last lap,” Gentes said.
Dillon Moltz of Waterford, also a non-regular in the division was second. Marc Curtis Jr. of Worcester, Mass. was third on the track but was later disqualified, moving Carey, of New Salem, Mass., to third.
Corey Hutchings of Salem recovered from a heat race wreck earlier in the day to come from the back of the field and win the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature.
Hutchings went by Bill McNeil of Preston on lap 19 and held on for the win.
“We had a good car since we unloaded,” Hutchings said. “Unfortunately I just got tangled up in a heat race and I told the boys ‘We’ve got a shot if cautions fall right and things happen our way.’ Lo and behold and I was up in position and I was like ‘Holy crap I’ve got a shot.’ My attitude is I never give up. I just keep driving as hard as I can every lap and I finish where I finish.
McNeil held on for second and Ed Puleo of Branford was third.
Wayne Coury Jr. of Milford won the 20-lap Outlaw Sportsman feature. Tom O’Sullivan of Springfield, Mass. was second and Cory Casagrande of Stafford third.
“All I ever wanted to was to win a race at the World Series,” Coury said. “This is awesome.”
Mike Viens of Seekonk, Mass. held off Chad Baxter of Pascoag, R.I. to win the 15-lap Mini Stock feature. Jeff Moffat of Smithfied, R.I. was third.
Viens also won the 15-lap Outlaw Mini Stock feature. Nick Anderson of Oxford Mass. was second and Steve Dumas of Quincy, Mass. third.
Adam Norton of North Brookfield, Mass. won the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature. John Studley of Framingham, Mass. was second and Scott MacMichael of Newrory, N.H. third.
Duane Noll of Monroe won the 20-lap New England Truck Series feature and also won the series title.
Andy Lindeman of Poestenkill, N.Y. was second and Tony Lafo Higganun third.
Dan Meservey Jr. of Brewster, Mass. won the 20-lap New England Pro Four Modified feature. Rob Richardi of West Chatham, Mass. was second and Randy Cabral of Plymouth, Mass. third. Robin Berghman of East Providence, R.I. finished fifth to clinch the series title.
George Rego of North Dartmouth, Mass. won the 15-lap Outlaw Street Stock feature. Paul Newcomb Jr. of Plymouth, Mass. was second and Bill Davis of Monson, Mass. third.
—- Follow RaceDayCT at Facebook
—- Follow RaceDayCT on Twitter
—————————————————————
He is not a winner. He is a cheater. Dirty driver. Nasty. That’s what I saw tonight.
I thought Rocco would dominate and impose his will for the LM race but when he last raced at Thompson he was told don’t bring the illegal drivetrain he had in the car.. Well.. Next time around at Thompson the car was a boat anchor. Thanks for the lost bet.