STAFFORD – It was the exuberance of a family’s lifetime chase that poured out in victory lane from George Bessette Jr. Friday at Stafford Speedway.
The former Street Stock champion held off the charges of Josh Carey over the closing laps to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the first SK Light Modified victory for Bessette, of Danbury, who arrived in the division full-time in 2020.
“It’s completely unreal,” Bessette said. “My dad has been trying to win a Modified since I was born and he couldn’t do it. I had to get the whole monkey off the team’s back. … We sure as hell made this car faster than ever this week.”
Carey, of Belchertown, Mass., was second. Mark Bakaj of Lebanon, driving in replace of the injured Joey Ferrigno in the No. 87 car, was third.
Right on. That was the theme for Limited Late Model driver Matt Clement Friday at Stafford Speedway.
Clement, of Wethersfield scored his second victory of the season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
“We’ve been struggling all year this year,” Clement said. “The luck hasn’t been going our way. Finally this week, the setup was right, the tires were right, the car was right, my crew was right, I was right. We took advantage. I got aggressive out there the first few laps, hugged the bottom, and came to the front.”
Alexandra Fearn of East Longmeadow, Mass. was second and Mike Hopkins of Springfield, Mass. third.
I was not a fan of Bessette in the Streets and when he moved up not optimistic he had the patience and nuance to pilot a more sophisticated modified.. Boy was I wrong. He’s been outstanding from the start. Patient, strategic and bold when the situation called for it but certainly not reckless not even when he started. He’s gotten caught up in wrecks he had nothing to do with and delivered great commentary immediately after showing maturity and perseverance. He more the earned this win so good for him and the team. There will be more.
Doug, Bessette was always a very patient driver and aggressive when he needed to be. Bessette was one of the best street stock drivers in the division at the time. only at the ripe age of 15 he beat some of the veterans in the field for a championship and racked up 10 career wins, including a consistent track record. It’s fair to say you were not a fan and may be a little biased due to some of you comment history, but Bessette always was an outstanding driver. You cannot take that away from the young man.
2019
#39 Street Stock, driver George Bessette, Jr.
Infraction- Contact with #2 car on lap-18 of the feature event.
Penalty- Placed to the rear of the running order under caution flag conditions.
#39 Street Stock, driver George Bessette, Jr.
Infraction- Actions detrimental to the sport, off-track, Driver is responsible for their team.
Penalties- Suspended from Stafford Motor Speedway for next completed event.
Placed on probation through December 31, 2019.
2018
#39 Street Stock, driver George Bessette, Jr.
Infraction- Contact with #11 car in turn 1 on lap-15 during the feature.
Penalty- Placed to the rear of the running order under caution flag conditions.
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#39 Street Stock, driver George Bessette, Jr.
Infraction- Contact with #78 car in turn 1 on lap-15 during the feature.
Penalty- Placed to the rear of the running order under caution flag conditions.
Point taken. That’s not very many penalties and one was out of his control.
Fans are by nature biased. It’s the entire point of being a fan.
I remember a lot of whining in victory lane about other drivers. Perhaps that what I’m remembering. A whiner then, pretty tough now.