THOMPSON – John O’Sullivan used a last lap pass of Steven Chapman to score victory in the 30-lap SK Light Modified feature Tuesday at Thompson Speedway.
Chapman, of Ellington, was second and Dalton McCarthy of Oxford, Mass. third.
Chapman looked on the way to victory before caution flew on lap 27. On the ensuing restart O’Sullivan, of Salem, was able to stay on the inside of Chapman to set up for a late race side-by-side battle.
Chapman led at the line on laps 27, 28 and 29 with the pair running side-by-side each lap.
On the final lap O’Sullivan got Chapman up high on the track through turns one and two. O’Sullivan cleared Chapman off of turn two.
“He was wicked fast,” O’Sullivan said. “The only shot I had was that restart to take as much of the bottom as I could. He’s so fast. That’s all we could do to win the race. I’ve got to thank my guys, we’ve struggled so much this year. To be up here is awesome.”
Said Chapman: “I definitely had a faster car, just, you can’t win out of the marbles.”
Paul Newcomb of Plymouth, Mass. won the 50-lap Open Street Stock feature.
Chad Baxter of Pascoag, R.I. was second and Ryan Waterman of Danielson third.
Newcomb went by Baxter for the lead on lap 29 and never trailed again in the caution-free event.
Kevin Moore of Moosup topped the field in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.
Jared Roy of Sterling was second and Dave Trudeau of Mansfield third.
Heartbreaker for the # 84 of Bill Schoeler, Finally took His qualified spot in the Heat race , and Feature ( usually starts scratch and comes from the rear of the field)…..He has one of the FASTEST minis each week on Race Monitor … Started 1st and was way way out FRONT …. doubtful anyone would catch him … BUT with 5 laps to Go … SNAP .. CRACK.. POP…. looked like HE broke another AXLE… and THE WIN slipped away .. Keep at it Bill!! your 1ST WIN is just another 5 laps or so Away ….!!!! Maybe buy the replacement axle at HONDA for better Durability ….?? First Win at Thompson is coming soon for one of the great “old timer” guys in Racing … Bill works at Seekonk Tunnel / Bridge area … Bill was a Driver in the former 4 cylinders at Seekonk … If you see Bill , encourage Him to keep chasing that WIN…. The High Banks owe you ONE ….
Great comment Jake, very informative, from turn 4 I didn’t get a good look at what happened. A classy move by Bill to limp it off the track and not sit and bring out the caution.
O’Sullivan is not the guy you want to be outside of. Just saying.