STAFFORD – Alexandra Fearn closed out the 2020 season at Stafford Speedway celebrating victory in the final Limited Late Model feature of the season.
Saturday the momentum of six months ago carried right through to the 2021 season for the East Longmeadow, Mass. driver.
Fearn used a lap 16 restart to get by Jeremy Lavoie for the lead and then drove to victory in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
“We kind of had a little bit of work to do this morning,” Fearn said. “The car was fast, but I knew that as always there’s more speed to get. I can’t thank everyone who does everything they do for me enough. I wouldn’t be here without them. A lot of people do a lot of things for me.”
Lavoie, of Windsor Locks, was second and Rich Hammann of Tolland third.
Chris Meyer of North Franklin came out on top of a dramatic green-white-checkered closing to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
Nick Hovey of Chaplin was second and Jason Finkbein of Manchester third.
“The car was real tight to start the race,” Meyer said. “Something we struggled with since we’ve come here. And I don’t know what happened, I fell off the pace and I wasn’t any good and all of the sudden the thing just started handling. And when the caution came out I was like ‘Now it’s time to get it done.’
Meyer got under Frank L’Etoile and Travis Hydar coming off of turn four on lap 19 to setup a three-wide battle for the top spot coming to the white flag. Hovey pushed
“That’s Street Stock racing,” Meyer said. “You’ve got to hold your own. … This car doesn’t look too bad for a three-way battle to the win like that. I’m looking forward to racing with [Hydar and L’Etoile] for the championship this year. Even Hovey. Hovey gave me a run for my money in turn three.”
Michael Bennett of Willington got by Michael Wray for the lead on lap 16 and went on to win the 30-lap Late Model feature.
It was the first victory for Bennett since Sept. 22, 2017.
Adam Gray of Belchertown, Mass. was second and Wray, of Northford, was third.
Arguably the best race of the day and an incredible performance by Chris Myer. L’Etoile cruising to a fairly easy win and it all went south as Myer mired in third wins it based solely on opportunism and ability near as I can figure. L’Etoile just as good did nothing wrong and handled the completely acceptable bumper tag that he was dishing out early in the race.. Then the three wide, stuff happens, L’Etoile forced high so he’s out of it and Hydar a victim of circumstance as well. It will go the other way in the future for sure..
Hovey the surprise contender and Wicker with much work to do to recapture his past dominance.
This is going to be a terrific division to watch this year with all these experienced, tough as nails drivers.
Congrats to Alexandra Fearn, Chris Meyer and Michael Bennett and your respective crews for your opening day wins. Great job by all.
The real question of the day, is Johnny Walker’s hat OK? It took a beating!
An outstanding job by Chris Meyer to win on opening day. Nice to see many new quality cars in the Street Stocks this year. Clearly the most exciting finish of the day.