STAFFORD – It’s often said in motorsports that getting that first victory in any a division is the toughest thing to do.
Michael Gervais Jr. had something to say about that philosophy Friday at Stafford Speedway.
Gervais, of Wolcott, held off the charges of Jimmy Blewett over the final 20 laps to win the 40-lap SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
It was the fifth career SK Modified victory at Stafford for Gervais, but his first since June 12, 2015.
“Usually your first one is the hardest,” Gervais said. “For me it was the fifth.”
Blewett, who won in his debut with the Petty Cash Motorsports team last Saturday, was second.
“They gave me a great race car,” Blewett said. “Last week we started up front, so when you start up front you finish up front, it says one thing. But tonight we started in the back and worked our way to the front and there isn’t a scratch on this thing.”
Two-time defending division champion Todd Owen of Somers third.
“Michael Gervais is one of the best guys out here to race with,” Owen said. “To see him get a victory, I wouldn’t want to get beat by anyone else.”
Mike Christopher Jr. controlled the pace out front in the early going.
On a lap 10 restart it was Owen moving to second past Tyler Leary. On lap 12 Owen got under Christopher into turn three and came off of turn four with the lead.
On lap 14 Blewett moved into third. Two laps later Gervais got by Owen for the lead low off of turn four. On lap 17 Blewett followed suit by getting by Owen for second place.
“It was definitely not easy knowing [Blewett] was behind me,” Gervais said. “We had a good car. Once we got it to the front, the car was awesome. It was on rails.”
Said Blewett: “We both had really strong cars there. I was just a little tight off [the corners] toward the end of that run and really couldn’t get that run that I really needed to try to pull out of line there. I haven’t raced with [Gervais] much, but he ran me very respectful down there so I didn’t really want to push the issue. We were side-by-side a few times coming through traffic and I just wanted to show that respect back to him.”
Oh Stephen really? Was that really necessary on LAP NINE? The 3 was the weak link, Flannery was all over him then went high realizing it was the only way around. Kopcik fills the void and proceeds to jam Talman in the apex of the corner. Come on man this isn’t your first rodeo. That’s a rookie blunder. Looks like Kopcik is regressing.
Nobody dislikes Michael Gervais. This win extremely popular. A win not surprising but the degree of dominance a little unexpected. Blewett needs to be given credit as well. Mired deep in the field he raced the classic SK race early being patient since there was nowhere to go. The wreck happened, he found openings on the retart uncorking the cars speed and made hay as the sun rose. An ideal start for the 85 team.
Big strides for the 99 team this week. Like it!
Kopcik must have been worried they were going to tech all the cars in the top-10 last night. #kingofthecheaters