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STAFFORD – It was a first-time SK Light Modified victory for Alexander Pearl last September at Stafford Motor Speedway that in many ways got lost in the madness of the division’s final event.
It was on that day that Marcello Rufrano and Bryan Narducci went into the season finale in what was a head-to-head battle for the division title. Whoever beat the other got the championship. And that championship battle ended with two wrecking in a battle for the lead, which led to questions and controversy regarding the championship.
Quietly celebrating his first career victory in the division that day was Pearl.
Saturday at Stafford Speedway the Salem teenager got the chance to stand center stage in victory without the commotion and mayhem like last year.
Pearl held off the late challenges of Teddy Hodgdon and Mark Bakaj to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Saturday at Stafford. It was his second career victory.
“It feels really amazing.,” Pearl said. “Last year I felt almost overshadowed. This year, I had to deal with a bunch of fast people and I was able to hold them off and this feels really really awesome.”
Bakaj, of Lebanon, was second. Jon Puleo of Branford, making his second start in the division, was third.
Pearl clawed his way from the 12thstarting spot to the lead quickly. By lap 13 Hodgdon was all over Pearl in a battle for the top spot.
Hodgdon looked to have made the move to get by Pearl on lap 14, but a caution reverted the field back to the previous running order. On lap 18 Hodgdon got under Pearl through turns three and four with two making contact. The fight for the top spot ended with Hodgdon spinning out of the second position and ending up stopped in the turn four grass.
“We were racing really tight and we were both going for the win,” Pearly said. “I’m not really sure what happened, but there was contact and he ended up going around.”
Hodgdon did everything to win the race but win the race. Bad timing on cautions for sure. Good car, good driver. Pearl as well.
Was that a great race or what? But we expect it don’t we.
Watch the rookie in name only Chapman. He’s learning at light speed and may just compete for the championship.
If I saw it right last week Narducci was a bit of a hammer and this week he had issues as well didn’t he? Are we seeing a petulant youngling emerging that has yet to learn how to show grace in the face of unfortunate events?
Patience grasshopper.