STAFFORD – Adam Gray marched to the front early and then cruised to his third victory of the season in the 30-lap Late Model feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the 36th career victory in the division for the four-time division champion.
“We were definitely on a mission tonight,” Gray said. “Last week the car was phenomonal in both features. We needed a caution, we started so far back. Tonight it was dead on.”
Chris Meyer of North Franklin was second and Andrew Durand of Chicopee, Mass. third.
“The car was on rails,” Meyer said. “Adam was a tick better. He pulled away a little bit. We reeled him a little, but it was just that little gap I couldn’t close up.”
Chris Buffone set the pace out front in the opening laps.
On lap four Chris Meyer got under Tom Fearn for second place with Adam Gray following to third.
On lap six Gray found the lane to get under Meyer for second. Two laps later Gray used a diving move into turn one to get by Buffone for the lead.
A scary moment erupted on lap nine. Kevin Gambacorta and Paul Varricchio Jr. were battling for position with Wayne Coury Jr. and Bobby Stirk just behind them. Contact sent Gambacorta spinning out of turn four, collecting Coury and Stirk. Contact in the melee sent Stirk nearly head-on into the frontstretch wall and his car burst into flames. Stirk was able to immediately get out of his car.
“I had nowhere left to go,” Stirk said. “I’ve got to thank Rob Russell for building one hell of a race car. That was a hell of a hit and I walk away perfectly fine. Fire scared the crap out of me, but we got out, we’re OK.”
All drivers involved walked away uninjured.
Gray pulled away on the ensuing restart and went unchallenged the rest of the way.
Other stories from Stafford Friday
Redemption: Mike Christopher Comes Back From Wreck To Win SK Modified Feature At Stafford
Barely Defending: Nickolas Hovey Holds Off Alexander Pearl SK Light Modified Win At Stafford
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