Andy Barrows Scores First Career NEMA Lites Feature in Shane Hammond Memorial Race at Speedbowl
Waterford, CT — Andy Barrows scored his first-ever NEMA Lites feature victory in the second-annual Shane Hammond Memorial Race at the Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday evening.
The 27-lap event is held yearly in honor of the popular Hammond, who lost his life in a NEMA event at the Thompson Speedway in April 2008.
Passing polesitter Paul Bigelow on lap-5 Barrows took command early, quickly building-up a substantial lead. The battle behind him was a heated affair, as Bigelow, Anthony “Bug” Marvuglio (brother of the late Hammond), and Joey Mucciacciaro battled for the runner-up spot.
Following each of the events three restarts Barrows maintained the lead, eventually sneaking-away by several car-lengths. The final yellow occurred with only 2-laps remaining.
Mucciacciaro passed Marvuglio for 2nd on the final circuit. Rounding-out the top-5 were Bigelow and David Moniz.
“This is a great night for me for sure, being my first-win” stated Barrows in victory lane. “I’d like to thank my crew for getting me here, and also all of the fans that came out tonight for this special event honoring a friend. I’d also like to mention my dad, who unfortunately isn’t here as he’s not been feeling well.”
Second-place Mucciacciaro admitted to his car getting “better” as the race wore-on. “Really, the car got much faster after the tires came-in on the longer runs” he stated. He dedicated his podium finish to his grandmother who passed away on Thursday.
Completing the top-3, a happy Marvuglio felt good in stating that the race was one that his late brother Shane would have approved-of. “It was awesome. I started the race just wanting to bring the car to the finish in one-piece and we accomplished that tonight. Really, the event went just the way my brother would have wanted. I’m very happy with getting a top-3 tonight.”
Heat winners were Barrows and Jim Santamaria.
The NEMA Lites next see action at Massachusetts’ Seekonk Speedway on Friday evening, August 5. The next night they appear at Twin State Speedway in Claremont, New Hampshire.
For more information log-on to www.nemaracing.com.
NEMA LITES FEATURE RESULTS (27); 1. Andy Barrows, 2. Joey Mucciacciaro, 3. Anthony “Bug” Marvuglio, 4. Paul Bigelow, 5. David Moniz, 6. Christian Briggs, 7. Jim Santamaria, 8. Bethany Stoehr, 9. Randy Cabral, 10. Paul Luggelle, 11. Ryan Bigelow, 12. Kenney Johnson, 13. Kevin Park, 14. Kelly Ferrell, 15. Lanson Fornoro. (DNS) BJ MacDonald, Seth Carlson.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR