STAFFORD – Andrew Durand passed Tom Fearn for the lead on lap 17 and never trailed again on the way to victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the first victory of the season for Durand, of Chicopee, Mass., and his fourth overall in the Late Model division at Stafford. It was the first win for Durand since Sept. 22 of last season.
[Fearn] was pretty fast,” Durand said. “I was trying to get underneath him a couple times. He’s probably one of the hardest guys to pass out there. I’ve got thank everybody for having a clean race out there and keeping it green.”
Cliff Saunders of Stafford was second.
“The car has been so good this year,” Saunders said. “I’ve really got to thank Bob Fill for building the car and doing the setup. I never would have expected when I came back to racing after a two-year break that I would start the year with four top-five’s in a row.”
Reigning division champion Kevin Gambacorta of Ellington was third for his fourth podium finish in four events this year. Gambacorta also has two victories and was third in the season opening event.
Fearn start on the pole dominated the first 14 laps.
By lap 15 Durand was was all over Fearn and peeking under him through turns one and three. Durand kept up the attack on lap 16. On lap 17 Durand found the power in the low lane off of turn four to take the lead.
On lap 18 Chris Meyer got under Fearn through turns one and two to take over second place.
On lap 23 Saunders found a lane low to get by Meyer for second, with Gambacorta following to second place. Out front Durand had checked out from the battle for second place.
Congrats to Andrew,Jerry and the 43 team, great job.👍👍
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