Norm Sears first win of the season Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway ended up getting him gassed up for a run at more victories.
Sears, of Andover, was victorious in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature Friday and New England Racing Fuel Support Performer Award this week.
Bruce Thomas Jr., the winner of the Late Model feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl led the voting at the conclusion of polling at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, but his vote total was disqualified for use of a manipulated voting system by certain voters.
Sears was far ahead of the field during most of the voting period until late Tuesday evening, when an irregular pattern of voting took place that within minutes more than doubled Thomas’ vote total. Opinion Stage polling software detected use of a “Fast IP Changer” to allow for the “single vote per person” system to be manipulated. Thomas was made aware that an individual or individuals had manipulated the voting system and volunteered to be removed from the running for the award.
Each week during the 2014 racing season the New England Racing Fuel RaceDayCT Support Performer of the Week will be chosen from among drivers competing in events in one of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly support divisions (excludes SK Modified divisions) at Stafford Motor Speedway, Thompson Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl.
Sears will receive a $20 certificate for race fuel from New England Racing Fuel. The final voting results are listed below.
It’s sad there are people that have to be dishonest and cheat over a $20 gift card… However, I hope people do not think poorly of Bruce for any reason because of this. He is a stand up guy and helps our Late Model team even as we compete against him at the Waterford Speedbowl.