STAFFORD – In 2018 it seemed almost impossible for the competition in the Late Model division at Stafford Speedway to keep Tom Fearn out of victory lane.
In 21 Late Model features in 2018 at Stafford Fearn had 12 victories, six seconds and one third place finish.
So it was fair to say that going winless over the first four events of the 2019 season had many wondering where Fearn, the reigning Late Model champion, disappeared to.
Friday Fearn was back to doing what was so familiar in 2018.
Fearn held off Kevin Gambacorta over the closing lap to get his first of the season in the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
After the race it was Fearn that pointed out that it took him a bit in 2018 to find his first win. Fearn got his first victory in 2018 in the fourth race of the season. That first win kicked off a streak of six consecutive victories as he went on to win 12 of the final 18 events.
“This year the different tire kind of threw us a curveball a little bit,” Fearn said. “It took us a few weeks to get it figured out.”
Gambacorta of Ellington was second and Paul Arute of Tolland third.
Fearn, who became the division’s all-time winningest driver at Stafford last season, went by Arute for the lead on lap six and never trailed again.
“This week I made sure that I wasn’t letting anybody get away from me at the beginning,” Fearn said. “I made a couple bold moves in the beginning and I had the car that I was able to do that with. The hard work of the crew during the week and [car owner Stu Fearn] with his engineering and thoughts and bookwork turned things around a bit.”
Gambacorta has been the hottest driver in the division in 2019. Friday marked his fourth consecutive podium finish, including a win last week.
“I think Kevin Gambacorta, I think this whole thing fell right into his setup,” Fearn said. “We’re still searching for probably a little bit better. We’ll keep at it. But getting a win boosts team moral. They’ll be more excited now to go work on the car.”
Gambacorta used a late push to get on Fearn’s bumper through the final two corners.
“I can’t believe how well this season is going so far,” Gambacorta said. “Just appreciate everybody that comes up here on Friday nights and helps us. … I wish I had one more lap or tried that earlier. I think we have the best car here.”
Well, it’s about time! LOL
Congrats to Tom and the #92 team. Good job