THOMPSON – On April 11 at Thompson Speedway, Ryan Waterman crossed the finish line first in the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature at Thompson Speedway.
But there was no celebrating for the Danielson driver that day. After taking the checkered, Waterman was immediately penalized and stripped of the victory for aggressive driving with Corey Hutchings on the final lap.
Wednesday at Thompson it was the Waterman/Hutchings show again at the front of the field, but this time Waterman got to have his celebration.
After a feisty battle for the top spot, Waterman passed Hutchings for the lead for good on lap 16 and went on to win the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.
“I tried to keep my head calm for once,” Waterman said. “I wanted to race him good and I think I did, we had some fun. His car just went away fro him.”
Hutchings, of Salem, held on for second. Frank L’Etoile of Wethersfield was third.
Waterman went to the lead on lap five past L’Etoile. On lap 12 Hutchings went under Waterman for the lead. Waterman stayed on Hutchings’ bumper. Two laps later Hutchings got loose in turn two, giving Waterman an open door to the low lane and a route to the lead.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, R.I. won the 25-lap Late Model feature. Brian Tagg of Oxford, Mass. was second and Larry Gelinas of Buxton, Me. third.
Eric Bourgeois of Haddam won the 20-lap Mini Stock feature. Dave Trudeau of Mansfield was second and Nick Matera of Warwick, R.I. third.
Nice to see Brian Tagg have a good run