STAFFORD – When it comes to the Late Model division in the month of June at Stafford Speedway, ownership of victory lane was held tightly by Adam Gray.
With the turn of the calendar to a new month, it was Andrew Molleur making sure a new name got a chance back at winning in the division.
Molleur snapped Gray’s four race winning streak by holding him off to win the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the first victory of the season for Molleur, of Shelton, who also has two Late Model victories this season at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
“My awesome crew, [Rob Russell Chassis], these guys never give up every week,” Molleur said. “We’ve had some bad luck this year. We’ve had some good finishes and some bad ones. I can’t thank them enough for never giving up. It gets frustrating at times. But they never give up and they never stop believing in me. I can’t thank them enough. Man it’s just so cool to win at Stafford.”
Gray, of Belchertown, Mass. was second and John Blake of North Haven third.
“Can’t be upset,” Gray said. “Start in the back, worked out way up through traffic. Car was good, lost brakes toward the end. Kind of hoping for a caution when I was third to see what I could, but Andrew was on fire tonight.”
Travis Downey of Barkhamstead held off Bert Ouellette to score his first career victory in the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
Downey was greeted in victory lane by former Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip.
“Great race,” Downey said. “These guys raced me clean. Bert is an awesome guy to race with. Super happy to be here.”
Ouellette, of Ellington, was second and Travis Hydar of Woodbury third.
George Bessette Jr. of Danbury held off a charging Tyler Barry on the final lap to get his first victory of the season in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.
Bessette and Barry made contact off of turn four coming to the checkered flag with Barry ending up making hard contact with the wall.
“We’ve had some really bad luck lately,” Bessette said. “I didn’t let that get to me. We went out there with a positive mind and attitude and we came back on top. I did get into Barry a little bit, but I got a little tight at the end. … I apologize for that. But going for a win here is like winning the Daytona 500.”
Barry, of Griswold, held on for second and Chris Matthews of Stafford was third.
“It’s pretty simple, I think I just got ran out of room there at the top,” Barry said. “He gave me the top into [turn] three so I took it. After that I thought we were going to have a good race to the finish. … I’m just glad we got second still after that I guess.”
Matt Clement of Wethersfield won the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
Jeremy Lavoie of Windsor Locks was second and Devon Jencik of Canton third.
Good racing in the sk an skl – again the guy making the calls on rough riding is consistently terrible. The 7 spins all by himself, causes a big wreck behind him – stafford sends the 41 to the back for making contact w the 7 – the kid had no where to go… Bone head move by the 50 in the sk’s – he deserves a week off for that wreck
What happened to poor Michael Bennet , did he get a little of his own medicine
Steve, I agree that Pearl appeared to break loose on his own, then the 41 finished the job (not much for Chapman to do at that point it was right in front of him)
but the announcers alluded to something occuring on the backstretch that led to it. I don’t know how accurate or plausible that is but I think it came from Kyle Rickey who is always delightfully neutral & observant.
As always, the videos will tell the whole story.
As for Michael Bennett, he didn’t get “a little” of his own medicine, he got a few big doses before the big one came. Frankly, I give him a whole lotta credit for just heading straight back to the paddock and not creating a big fuss on a big night for the track.
Steve and Paul, I thought the same thing, terrible call by Scott Tapley to put the 41 to the rear. Then, the 29 turned right into Amanda West’s LF, causing her to put the 69 into the wall, and no penalty to the 29 🤷♂️
Paul your right , I was expecting him to go after someone but I think he will be fined for not going to ambulance
Elect, yes I believe you are correct, when I saw the replay yesterday on Flo Sports I said the same thing. The safety procedures are in place for a reason and must be followed even when you are upset. Failure to do so and setting your own rules cannot be tolerated so a fine or penalty very well could add insult to injury, so they say, come Tuesday when the penalty notices come out.