Alexandra Fearn celebrates her first victory in the Limited Late Model division at Stafford Motor Speedway Friday (Photo: Jim DuPont)
Call it the division of sibling success at Stafford Motor Speedway.
In 2017 at the track twins Albert and Cliff Saunders each have a pair of victories in the Limited Late Model division.
Friday night at Stafford, rookie Alexandra Fearn added another set of siblings to the victory roll for the division this year.
Fearn, of East Longmeadow, Mass., rolled to her first career victory in the division in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Bryan Narducci of Colchester was second and Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks third.
Fearn joined her younger brother and fellow division rookie Ryan Fearn, who got his first career win in the division on July 21.
Alexandra Fearn looked to be in position to challenge for victory last week at Stafford before a mechanical issue took her out of the event.
“This is a great feeling, especially after some of the hardships we’ve had this year,” Fearn said. “And especially after last week. That was really disappointing and weird.”
The Fearn siblings moved up to the division this season after both recorded victories previously in the track’s DARE Stock division.
Alexandra Fearn went to the lead on the first lap and stayed there until Lavoie got by her for the lead by a nose on the inside on lap 15. The pair continued to battle side-by-side with Lavoie leading the next lap. Alexandra Fearn rallied back to retake the lead on the outside on lap 17. On lap 18 Narducci made the battle for the lead a three-wide affair going into turn three. Alexandra Fearn came out of the fight with the lead, with Narducci in second. Alexandra Fearn was able to fend of Narducci’s last lap challenge to take the checkered.
“It feels great to be here racing with [Lavoie],” Alexandra Fearn said. “He was on the inside and I was on the outside. That was so cool. Great racing. I love racing with him. We worked so hard on this car all week and this is really a huge payoff after this crazy year we’ve had.”
Darned tootin Alexandra gets a shout out for her first win in the LLM. No easy rabbit run for her as she had to prove her metal as a driver to earn the checkers. And the victory lane interview. Always poised and positive. Sure she could have whined about bad fortune and a certain driver that has cost her dearly this year. But instead she mentions overcoming adversity and how much she likes competing against the 6. She could be giving lessons to Ted Christopher on how not to be a sore winner.
Congratulations Alexandra. Well deserved.
what happened between the 87 skl (Joey F ) and 8 skl (Sears)?
Give Lavoie credit. Narducci for the second week in a row dives into turn three going three wide with absolutely no prospect of making a clean racing move and Lavoie has the brains to avoid the wreck by backing out. Narducci is a lucky kid with connections and equipment that far exceeds his ability and judgement and in my view he’s a menace at times. He easily could have wrecked Alexandra again with that nonsense. Mainly cause he doesn’t learn from his mistakes and is perfectly prepared to play chicken on the track if that is what it takes to gain a position. All ego in victory lane as well and amnesia for yet another bone head move from the kid.
I don’t know what the 87 was thinking. He came barreling down the front straight and the 8 was stopped right before turn 1. The 87 hit the 8 going way too fast for track conditions and went right over him. He totally wrecked the 8 car for no reason. The whole thing was unnecessary. He owes the 8 a new car. Stafford needs to penalize the 87 big time. i am thinking suspension.
Way to go Alexandra. I root for her every time I see her race. Out of the whole Fern family she is the best driver. She also gives the best victory lane speeches.
Doug.. not sure why you have such a thing against Bryan Narducci. It’s probably time for you to get a life. He’s a good kid and super talented. He takes chances, but they are calculated chances. He will make mistakes, but as we have seen with the veteran drivers, they do the same. He is so thankful for the opportunities he has been given and he goes out each week proving that he belongs out there. He has been racing for over ten years. And yes, he comes from a racing family. He is lucky to be a part of the Narducci/Pearl racing legacy. Spend some time with him and you will see who he really is.
Doug.. not sure why you have such a thing against Bryan Narducci. It’s probably time for you to get a life. He’s a good kid and super talented. He takes chances, but they are calculated chances. He will make mistakes, but as we have seen with the veteran drivers, they do the same. He is so thankful for the opportunities he has been given and he goes out each week proving that he belongs out there. He has been racing for over ten years. And yes, he comes from a racing family. He is lucky to be a part of the Narducci/Pearl racing legacy. Spend some time with him and you will see who he really is.
Zoey he maybe the the nicest kid in the pits but he’s the last person I want behind me in a race ,maybe when he has to peel his car off the wall a few times he will smarten up
I have a thing with Narducci Zoey. He has the thing with that bonehead three wide sucker move in turn three. And you people with your awe shucks he’s just a talented kid making a bold move is getting tedious. You’re enabling him. Alexandra won’t say it cause she’s a lady, Lavoie did mention his repeat of the bonehead move and you people ignore it. He on occasion is a menace with superior equipment and poor judgement. You expect that of a kid but having adults encourage it is disgraceful.
Doug, you really don’t have a clue about racing today in its true form do you. Those so-called three wide bonehead moves that you refer to on Bryan’s part were nothing short of magnificent. On all three occasions nobody was touched or harmed by his actions. It’s obvious you’re part of the Fearn clan and that’s fine but don’t put down one of the best drivers to come into this class since its inception. As I stated previously the kid has an abundance of talent not only to win multiple times in the limited late model but to jump into a sk light and win as well at Waterford. Seeing how big of fan of Alexandra’s you are to your point mentioned how gracious she is while in victory lane obviously you didn’t listen to any of her interviews last year or you choose to ignore them. I never heard anybody in all the years that I’ve gone to Stafford which started in the 60’s whine and complain about competitors doing something to her during the course of a race. She sounded like a spoiled little brat so for her to make mention of Narducci or any other competitor in a negative way is hippo critical.
Ok In the Know. I’m part of the Fearn clan, know nothing of racing, a relatively inexperienced 16 year old never makes mistakes and Alexandra was a total whiner in the winners circle in prior visits there. Wrong, unprovable anecdotes based on vague remembrances and completely inaccurate assumptions. Pathetic.
In The Know How critical are hippos?
C’mon guys. Back off. It’s pathetic how you guys can criticize someone’s happiness for a good accomplishment and make it into something less rewarding. Both the Fearn kids and the whole team work their butts off every week. Can’t blame either one of them if they happened to show a little frustration once in a while. Should be more family and teams that dedicated.
You seem like a really good guy Bob Npt but that Rodney King can’t we all get along deal is tedious. If you want to weigh in with one liners patting whomever on the head and say good job son thats fine for you. Others like to push a little bit and engage in a spirited back and forth. The thing you miss is we’re all on the same side- racing fans.
Check the article on Johnny Walker. I made a comment about what appeared to be his horsepower advantage. He and his crew chief gave spirited rebuttals and were kind enough to keep us abreast of the dyno testing Stafford mandated be done on their engine. It came back perfectly fine and we all gained by a front runner weighing in as the events were happening. Your entries don’t offend anyone but they also do not illicit further exchange of information as well.
You’re entitled to your mushy at-a-boys. But don’t be getting all judgemental when a couple of us get into it with a little spirited banter. Again, we’re all sharing the same love of racing. And by the way if you paid attention you would know I couldn’t be more glowing in my praise for Alexandra having used the adjective “epic” more then once.
response to in the know. What is the problem? Don’t have a name? So Mr. Narducci did 3 bonehead moves and nobody got hurt. What about 3 weeks ago when he pounded the rear of Alexandra’s car in turn one. She spun up the track and backed into the turn one wall. Her car was at least 3 feet shorter. She was not hurt but her car was very badly damaged. I am sure her crew worked very hard many nights to get it back into shape. Ask them about the way Narducci drives. I’m trying to help you here Doug.
Doug, I think you’re more of a racing critic than a racing fan. Just have a hard time giving anyone credit for anything. Always criticizing.
Hey Joe. Yes I hear you and as far as I’m concerned you can’t repeat the incident that put the 12 in the wall enough. Totally open track to the top and bottom and Narducci literally picks the wheels off the ground and spins her into the wall. It was frightening. Let me ask you Joe White your opinion. Did you see Narducci go three wide the last two weeks in turn three and if so so you have an opinion on the tactic and/or the result?
Mr White, if in fact that is your real name Doug doesn’t need any help criticizing drivers especially Mr Narducci. Btw Joe the incident with Bryan and Alexandra which was ages ago not 3 wks (Mr Narducci has 2 wins and a second in last 3 wks) was a racing accident. From what I understand Alexandra was backing up the corner and Bryan went into the corner as normal and unfortunately got into the back of her spinning into the wall. Nothing intentional I assure you. And as far as who cares what the Fearns think of Mr Narducci’s driving they don’t. He’s a very talented driver who made a mistake and will more than likely make some more on his way thru the ranks like most of the veterans.
Doug, I have been reading your comments for the last couple of weeks and seems to me that the Fearn girl has never made a mistake. You are correct that Bryan made a bonehead move months ago. Since that time I have seen him drive with smarts and aggression and not hit anyone in those three wide moves, making each pass cleanly! It’s obvious that this is just a stepping stone for this young man, which this division was designed to do. He has already moved up and won. To say he has backing and money shows you have no idea. The Fearns have been in the sport for decades and probably have more backing than Bryan. Hopefully in years to come Bryan will be able to obtain sponsorship and keep moving up. It would be a joy for me to be able to spot for him someday!
In the know, Doug fails to mention that Ryan Fearn drove through Bryan a couple of weeks before after Bryan passed him clean on a restart, costing him the win. So I guess the Fearns aren’t perfect like he thinks they are!
Well now you’re just being ridiculous.
Tour Spotter- What does Ryan have to do with anything discussed other then the last name?
Tour Spotter-Why does Fearn backing of lack there of make Narducci’s backing more or less other then to make some silly false comparison that is completely irrelevant.
Tour Spotter- In the two turn three incidents I have a beef with you say Narducci did “not hit anyone in those three wide moves, making each pass cleanly”. You’re kidding. In the first with Saunders and Fearn he spun himself and the second with Fearn and Lavoie, Lavoie backed out to avoid a wreck. You can’t even get what happened right.
In the Know- “nothing intentional”. Agreed, just a bonehead move but I like your flourish implying the 12 backing out too aggressively was the reason.
Bob Npt- I’m sending you a fresh set of “at a boys” for you to pass out. I don’t know if you’ll have time to use them however since you may bore everyone to death first.
Thanks fellas as I said we’re all on the same side. Racing fans you betcha.
Thank you Doug. Plenty of “at a boys” to go around.