Ross Kenseth Claims Thunder Valley National 200 Victory at Autodrome Chaudiere
Vallée-Jonction, QC — It took an extra day to get the event in, but day two was a charm for the PASS Super Late Model National event at Autodrome Chaudiere as Ross Kenseth held off Jay Fogleman and Karl Allard to claim the third leg of the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown Series this past Sunday afternoon.
Ross Kenseth and Austin Theriault led the field to green with Theriault leading lap one before Kenseth dove underneath on lap two to take the point. The first caution of the day flew on lap 5 for a spinning Jean-Francoise Dery. Series point leader Johnny Clark limped to the pit area with a flat tire, returning just before the green flag flew again. Kenseth held his lead until caution flew on lap 26 for rain. The track dried quickly and action resumed after a fifteen minute delay. Caution would fly again for a hard crash as Curtis Gerry looped his mount in front of Travis Benjamin, and Benjamin climbed over the top front fender of Gerry and Chad Dow got involved in the tangle as well.
At this point the top runners were Kenseth, and Jay Fogleman. The pair ran nose to tail until lap 54 when Karl Allard and Danny Poulin got together in turn one bringing out another caution on. On the restart, Fogleman continued to dog Kenseth, until he had a tire go down and slapped the wall on lap 69. Fogleman would return and joined the field at the rear. This time Austin Theriault was Kenseth’s challenger with Johnny Clark now up to third. On a lap 84 restart Kenseth and Clark battled hard for the point, and Clark assumed the top spot, but Kenseth took it back as the teams took a fifteen minute half way break for pit stops and a two tire change.
When the race resumed, Clark took over the point with some great top ten racing behind as Ben Rowe, DJ Shaw and Jay Fogleman cross the start / finish line three wide in a great three car battle.
Karl Allard and Cassius Clark were now running second and third behind race leader Johnny Clark. Kenseth, whom was shuffled back to fourth on a lap 129 restart was now a factor again as he challenged Clark for the lead on lap 147, and passed him in turn two. Clark was not to be denied until he went into turn four too hard and looped it bringing out the caution once again. Clark refired his mount and rejoined the field.
Cassius Clark outgunned Kenseth on the restart, but Kenseth battled back to the point on lap 168. Kenseth then held off all challengers to capture the checkers on the 200 lap event. Jay Fogleman raced back to a solid second place finish ahead of Karl Allard, Johnny Clark and DJ Shaw. Positions six through ten included Cassius Clark, Michael Lavoie, Steve Cote, Joey Doiron and Ben Rowe.
By virtue of his fourth place finish, Johnny Clark won the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown championship. Kenseth lead more than 170 laps of the event, and took home over $17,000.
UNOFFICIAL PASS NORTH SLM RESULTS
200 Laps – CHAUD #3 – 9/8/13
1) 25 – Ross Kenseth – 200 Laps
2) 4f – Jay Fogleman – 200
3) 7a – Karl Allard – 200
4) 54 – Johnny Clark – 200
5) 60 – DJ Shaw – 200
6) 77 – Cassius Clark – 200
7) 49 – Michael Lavoie – 200
8) 12 – Steve Cote – 200
9) 73 – Joey Doiron – 200
10) 4n – Ben Rowe – 200
11) 129 – Spencer Davis – 200
12) 2qc – Dany Poulin – 200
13) 36 – Alex Labbe – 200
14) 91 – Patrick Laperle – 200
15) 17 – Travis Benjamin – 200
16) 42qc – Eric St. Gervais – 200
17) 7 – Curtis Gerry – 199
18) 27qc – Alexandre Gingras – 199
19) 8f – Tate Fogleman – 199
20) 39 – Chad Dow -199
21) 75 – Marc Bilodeau – 171
22) 16 – Kevin Roberge – 147
23) 61 – Marc Andre Cliche – 145
24) 27 – Brent Dragon – 128
25) 21qc – Jean-Francoise Dery – 118
26) 18 – Austin Theriault – 85
Sources: PASS