Seekonk, MA — Flyin’ Freddie Astle labored his way to the front, and then put on wings once he got into the lead to take the Phil’s Propane 75-Lap Feature and become the first Pro-Stocker to chalk up a second victory on the season. Point’s leader Mike Brightman of Acushnet worked his way into second just before the midpoint of the race, and though he dogged the Westporter to the finish line 39 laps later, did not have an answer for Astle. Taunton’s Ken Spencer, Dick Houlihan of Bridgewater and Rehoboth’s Dave Darling completed the top five on the evening.
Spencer, starting on the outside of the front row, escaped from Polesitter Kevin Casper of Somerset, and led the first 20 laps of the extended feature. They were door-to-door at the start, but when Houlihan attempted to run a 3-wide, underneath pass on Casper, Spencer escaped into the lead. Kyle Casper and Houlihan swapped places, Kyle tried under Kevin, was denied, then Houlihan got under to take third back. By this time, he had Astle on his tail, after the latter had moved quickly up from his starting place outside the fourth row. Brightman had been shadowing him from his own start inside on the fifth echelon.
Astle edged past Spencer on lap 21, Brightman was third, Darling fourth and Houlihan fifth. On the next lap, Darling came up fast on Brightman’s tail, braked hard to avoid collision, but still tapped Brightman. The combined braking and tap put Darling into a turn one spin, bringing out the caution. Brightman wavered, but continued.
Astle and Spencer dueled for the lead, with Astle going back to the lead. Brightman edged Houlihan for third and Scott Dion settled into fifth.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Winchester, NH — Todd Szegedy showed everyone why he is still someone to watch on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
