STAFFORD – Fans at Stafford Speedway Friday night hoping for a late race showdown in the SK Light Modified feature, got their wish, twice.
Nick Anglace held off the charges over Chris Matthews in the closing laps, and then on a green-white-checkered finish to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Friday at Stafford.
It was the first full-field victory of the season in the division for Anglace, of Seymour, who also won one of two points paying duel events at the NAPA Spring Sizzler on April 25.
“I didn’t expect Chris Matthews to put on as hard a charge as he did,” Anglace said. “I looked in my mirror and I’m like, ‘Oh, I got this.” But Chris is a really good driver. You know, he’s the all-time winningest driver [in the division]. So, you know, when you can beat him, you did something special.”
It was the seventh career victory in the division for Anglace.
“I was a little nervous getting in the car, you know the adjustments that I was calling for, I was kind of torn of what I was going to do, what I wanted and ultimately I just went with my gut. You know my girlfriend’s like “Dude just go with whatever you feel.’ So at the last second I told them what I wanted, we did it and it was just the right call and it made out really really good.”
Matthews, of Stafford, was second and Jason Finkbein of Coventry third.
Matthews, who won the April 26 feature for the division, has finished second in his other three starts this season.
“We’re feeling real good about it,” Matthews said. “It’s always a good feeling and fun when you’re doing well. This sport, the highs are high and the lows are low. So while it’s high, we’re going to ride it and just enjoy it and just keep doing what we’re doing.”
With Anglace leading and Matthews in second, caution flew on lap 15. On the restart, Matthews stayed to the outside of Anglace to set off a fierce side-by-side battle. Anglace led at the line to complete lap 15. Matthews was ahead in the outside lane to complete lap 16. Anglace was ahead at the line to complete lap 17. Coming off of turn two on lap 18, Matthews slid in behind Anglace. On lap 20 caution flew for a stopped car to set up the green-white-checkered.
On the ensuing restart, Anglace and Matthews went side-by-side for the lap with Anglace leading at the white flag. Anglace cleared Matthews off of turn two on the final lap.
“If there’s anybody I want to beat I’d rather it be Chris Matthews,” Anglace said “… You know, if you win and you battle it straight up and you come out on top you’re doing something right, you’re moving in the right direction.”
Said Matthews: That was some real good door-to-door, hard racing and definitely love to put on a show for everyone. This thing was just on rails. Chassis Pro car just really hooked up and good to us.”
Follow Us On Your Favorite Socials
Discover more from RaceDayCT.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Speak Your Mind