Joe Arena Grabs North East Street Stock Tour Title; Ed Puleo Wins Thompson Sunoco World Series Race

Joe Arena

THOMPSON – When the North East Street Stock Tour took the checkered flag on their season ending 20-lap event at Thompson Speedway Saturday Joe Arena was directed to head to the start/finish line.

“I said ‘For what?’” Arena said.

Arena was directed there to be celebrated as the division’s first champion.

Arena, of Bristol, finished second in the 20-lap feature at the Sunoco World Series Saturday to clinch the series title.

Arena came into the season finale third in the standings, nine points behind leader Geoff Rollins and four behind second place Chris Douton.

Rollins and Douton were both involved in incidents during the feature.

“I just can’t believe this is really happening,” Arena said. “This was a longshot at best. … Geoff [Rollins] and [Chris Douton] are both fast racecars and I said ‘Well, we’re going to go for the win.’ They had a little issue and I can’t believe this.

“This is absolutely awesome. I can’t believe this. I went into this tour to have some fun and try something different and I had no clue we’d be this competitive this fast. This is a super deal.”

Rollins ended up 11th and Douton 15th in the 24-car field.

Ed Puleo of Branford won the feature in his series debut. Steve Kenneway of Lowell, Mass. was third.

“If there’s one guy to battle with, I’m happy it was with Joe,” Puleo said. “We’ve raced a lot in the past, you can trust him, he’s a good driver, and congratulations on his championship.”