STAFFORD – On Aug. 5 at Stafford Speedway Adam Gray recorded a fifth place finish in the 30-lap Late Model feature.
It was a finish that represented the end of a streak of 10-consecutive podium finishes in Late Model features at Stafford.
Friday Gray rebounded looking to start a new podium streak in the perfect fashion.
Gray passed Andrew Molleur for the lead off turn four on lap 17 and went unchallenged the rest of the way out front to win the 30-lap Late Model feature.
It was the fifth victory of the season for Gray, of Belchertown, Mass.
“We never stop working on this thing,” Gray said. “Today we were one of the slowest cars in practice. My guys threw the kitchen sink at it with no qualifying. We said ‘Hey, let’s see what we can do.’”
Molleur, of Shelton, was second and Kevin Gambacarto of Ellington third in the caution marred event.
“It’s Friday night short track racing,” Gray said.
Alexander Pearl went by Jason Chapman for the lead on a lap 14 restart and wen to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.
It was the third win of the season for Pearl, of Salem.
“The last two weeks we sucked,” Pearl said. “Found some things wrong with the car and we fixed them and the car was stout tonight. We took advantage of the lane that we were in in the beginning and was able to have a good race with [Tyler Chapman] and [Jason Chapman].”
Tyler Chapman of Ellington was second and Nick Anglace of Ansonia third.
Travis Downey of Barkhamstead got his third victory of the season in the 20-lap Street Stock feature.
Travis Hydar of Woodbury was second and Bobby Stirk III of Naugatuck third.
“There’s nothing easy about racing [Travis Hydar],” Downey said. “… Real happy to be here.”
Jeremy Lavoie passed Alexandra Fearn for the lead on lap 18 and went on to win the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
It was the third victory of the season for Lavoie, of Windsor Locks.
Rich Hamman of Tolland edged Fearn, of East Longmeadow, for second place at the checkered.
Congrats to Adam, Barry and the #97 team. Good job.
Late model race was more like watching an enduro. Like the 99 said in his interview the drivers have no respect for each other. No wonder there is no more than 15 cars per week showing up. 92 gets a flat tire , stops going to pit road and brings out a caution and gets to keep his position.Whats up with that?
To clarify . i meant the 92 did not loose a lap or get penalized.
There’s a few that race with respect ,then a few have a little respect and then you have Bennett
JH-
92 LM, Tom Fearn, did sit on the grass after spinning out due to the flat tire. He lost a lap in the process. Restarted a lap down after pitting for a replacement tire then luckily, a few laps later, the yellow came out again and he got the lucky dog and the rule is drop to the back of the pack and you get the lap back under yellow.
Restarted last, and I mean last, and fought hard to get up and finish 4th in the end. Could have been much worst
Stuart, Thanks for the explanation I was unaware of the lucky dog rule.