STAFFORD – Leading lap 30 made for a big 40 Friday at Stafford Speedway for Andrew Durand.
Durand used a power move on a lap 18 restart to go to the front and held on to win the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the second career Late Model division victory for the Chicopee, Mass. driver and his 40th victory overall at Stafford.
Durand is the all-time winningest driver in the track’s Limited Late Model division with 33 victories and also has five wins in the Street Stock division. Durand is ninth on the track’s all-time win list overall.
Durand powered by race leader Alexandra Fearn into turn one on the decisive lap 18 restart and was never challenged the rest of the way.
“I was able to get the jump on her,” Durand said. “She shifted a little early I think for third gear and we were able to get out on the outside of her and send it in there. I think that’s what we needed to get around her. I knocked my [suspension] during an accident on the backstretch so the car wasn’t perfectly there so I had to get her right away or it wasn’t going to happen.”
Fearn, of East Longmeadow, Mass. held on to finish second for her first podium finish. Fearn is in her first full-time season in the division.
“This is for everyone that said shouldn’t be here and all of that,” Fearn said. “We definitely have a good car and we definitely can get it done. I think this will give us momentum for the rest of the year.”
Wayne Coury Jr. of Fairfield was third.
“We started eighth, I got shuffled back early, had to work our way all the back up there.” Coury said. “… Overall a good night. This thing was so much better than it’s been the past couple of weeks. These guys have been putting lot of effort into it. I’m super excited about it.”
Fearn started on the pole and defended that spot deftly from the start.
On a lap 10 restart it was Zack Robinson challenging Fearn for the lead. The pair went side-by-side for a lap with Robinson leading at the line. The side-by-side battle continued on lap 11, with Robinson edging Fearn again at the line in the outside lane. On lap 12 Fearn was able to edge in front of Robinson off of turn two and clear him off of turn four.
Durand moved to second past Robinson on lap 13.
Caution flew on lap 18 for the stopped car of Duane Noll on the backstretch.
On the restart it was Durand getting the jump from the outside to beat Fearn into turn one. Durand came out of turn two in control of the lead. Fearn chased Durand the rest of the way but never found a lane to challenge again for the lead.
“I thought for a minute there that we had the win, but the car just kind of faded away,” Fearn said. “Andrew had a decent car too and I’ve raced with him a lot in the [Limited Late Models], so it was nice to be racing him again. I really love racing with him. Congrats to him.”
Congratulations to Andrew, Jerry and the #43 crew for the win Great Job.
A Shout out to Alexandra Fearn on the second place finish. You getting the hang of it, and a victory is coming. Ignore those sexist pigs who say you don’t belong. Your a better driver than 3)4 of the men in the paddock. Can’t wait to see that first, of many, win.