STAFFORD – Last year Alexandra Fearn ended the season in a tie with Andrew Durand at the top of the Late Model standings at Stafford Motor Speedway.
The 2020 championship for the division went to Durand based on his seven victories. Fearn had three wins last year.
This year Fearn has guaranteed that she won’t be losing any tiebreakers when the championship is decided for the Limited Late Model division.
Fearn, of East Longmeadow, Mass., drove to her division leading fifth victory of the season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks was second and Mike Hopkins of Stafford third.
On lap four Fearn got under Matt Clement for the lead down the backstretch. Going into turn three contact from Damien Palardy sent Clement spinning. Because Clement was the car that brought out the caution Fearn was able to hold the lead, a spot she wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the way.
“A lot of it just had to do with luck,” Fearn said of her march to the front early. “I thankfully was able to avoid some stuff that happened in front of me. That was luck and maybe like one percent actual skill. I got really lucky and got out to the lead early and I was able to keep my cool. I was pretty nervous on the restarts. I’m not known for being good on restarts.”
John Blake led every lap on the way to victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature.
It was the first career victory in the Late Model division for the North Haven driver.
“I don’t know what to say,” Blake said. “I never figured I’d be here. … It means a real lot. We work hard. I really don’t even know what to say.”
Adam Gray of Belchertown, Mass. was second and Kevin Gambacorta of Ellington third.
Derek Debbis of Oakdale used a late pass of Steven Chapman to win for the sixth time this season in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.
Chapman, of Ellington, held on for second and George Bessette of Danbury was third.
Debbis used a restart with six laps remaining to get by Chapman for the top spot.
“He got me a little early on that restart but I just kept the momentum right up on top,” Debbis said. “He got a little tight through the center. I took the advantage while we had it.”
Chris Meyer bounced back from an 18th place finish on Sept. 3 to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
It was the fifth victory of the season for the North Franklin driver.
“It was a serious disappointment last week but that was last week,” Meyer said. “We were able to recover this week and put it in victory lane. The car was on rails.”
Frank L’Etoile of Wethersfield was second and Nickolas Hovey of Chaplin third. \
Congrats to John Blake and your entire team for your first career late model win. Great job.