STAFFORD – With a win and three seconds over the first four events in July at Stafford, Adam Gray has been the hottest driver in the track’s Late Model division.
But quietly coming close to Gray’s heat of late was Darrell Keane.
Keane came into Friday night’s event at Stafford with three consecutive podium finishes. Keane had third place finishes on July 8 and July 15 and a second place finish on July 22.
Friday Keane finished his July climb up the podium.
Keane checked out from the field to win the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the fourth career Late Model victory for Keane, of Enfield, and first win since Aug. 21, 2020.
“First and foremost, everything is dedicated to the Slater family,” Keane said. “Botticello employees, it’s been a rough week for all of them. This is for them. I told Dennis [Botticello] on Sunday I was going to win for them. And this is for my dad. Thank you everyone.”
Kevin Gambacorta of Ellington fought through numerous issues to finish second.
“It was looking like I didn’t think we were going to get to the top-five. I don’t even know how to describe what was going on tonight. We were caught up in all kinds of stuff. I couldn’t shift, I had to start in high gear. Something is wrong with the shift, the linkage, something. But I still had third gear.”
Gray, of Belchertown, Mass., was third. It marked the ninth consecutive podium finish for Gray, who had four wins in June and three seconds and a win in the first four races of July.
“No complaints,” Gray said. “We’re keeping this podium streak alive. I’ve got about the best crew here that keeps me doing this every week.”
Great job Darrell ! I cannot imagine what you and your team does week to week but you made it an exciting race to watch for the fans. Thank you again.