Stafford Notes: Tom Fearn Continues Racking Up Late Model Victories

Tom Fearn (Photo: Stafford Speedway/Driscoll MotorSports Photography)

STAFFORD – After Tom Fearn had to sit out a week early in the 2015 season because of a suspension he said the focus for the remainder of the year would be solely on collecting wins. Points meant nothing.

He wasn’t kidding.

The dominant force in the division this season continued his fiery roll Friday, using a late run to the front to win the 30-lap Late Model feature at Stafford Motor Speedway.

It was the eighth victory of the season for Fearn, of East Longmeadow, Mass.

Josh Wood of Palmer, Mass. was second and Michael Bennett of Stafford third.

Fearn passed Bennett for second on lap seven, but by that point Wood had opened up a lead of more than a second.

From that point Fearn began eating into that lead lap after lap. By lap 23 Fearn was all over Wood’s bumper.

After two attempts to get under Wood in turn three, Fearn got his run low under the lead off turn two on lap 28 and took over the top spot through turn three for good. Wood was left to fight Bennett off for second place.

“Josh was real good there at the beginning,” Fearn said. “I just said ‘I’ve got to bide my time here and keep going.’ All of the sudden he started getting bigger so that was good for me. He ran a good race.”

Said Wood: “The long green flags really hurt the car. Going in [to the corners] I’d just get squirrely and I couldn’t get enough drive in. But I’ve got to thank the crew. The car has really improved lately.”

Albert Saunders of Stafford went by David Comeau for the lead off turn four on lap 12 and held on to win the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.

Duane Provost of Springfield, Mass. was second and Andrew Hayes of Charlton, Mass. third.

Brandon Michael was victorious in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.

Zack Robinson of Putnam was second and Marcello Rufrano of North Haven third.

Devin O’Connell recovered from an early race incident and rallied to win the 20-lap Legends feature.

It was the eighth victory of the season for O’Connell, of Madison.

Noah Korner of Canton was second and Michael Hopkins of Springfield, Mass. third.

Payton Henry of Willington won the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature. Nick Salva of Prospect was second and Tony Membrino Jr. of Plantsville third.