Polewarczyk, Baldwin, Dunn, Meservey, & Tarbell Win in Canaan’s Farewell

From Pole to Pole- Joey Wins the Last Canaan Feature

The Granite State Pro Stock Series had the privilege to run the last race ever on the Canaan Fair Speedway asphalt last Saturday night, September 14, 2013. You would have thought it was Friday the 13th or a full moon night with all the trouble that occurred while running the 100-lap race.

In the end, Joey Polewarczyk drove a nearly flawless race, leading from the drop of Bryon Callen’s green flag, and holding off a full field of potent Pro Stocks. Sixteen caution flags slowed the on track action and kept the field tightly packed throughout the event. Pole, from Hudson, NH, leading from the start, could never get very far ahead as Jeremy Davis applied pressure until a lap 4 restart, when Davis wrestled the lead away from Pole, but Joey wasn’t going to give up and dogged Davis until a lap 40 restart saw the lead swap again. Pole would not relinquish that lead and he would run like he was on a rail, crossing under the checkers with a win for his first GSPSS appearance. This was also the first time Joey Pole had raced on the Canaan Fair Speedway asphalt.

In victory lane, Joey said “The Granite State Series is a tough division with a lot of great drivers. I’m really happy to win in the first time out in the series and also happy to win the last one at Canaan.”

[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape

Jeremy Davis of Tamworth, NH came home in the runner-up position after starting on the pole and swapping the front position with Pole a couple of times. The farthest back Davis would run was fourth after Matt Frahm of Salem, NH powered by, taking over second, but Frahm slid out of the spot on lap 82 and Davis inherited the spot. Then Larry Gelinas of Scarborough, ME and Donnie Lashua of Canaan, NH caught and passed a fading Davis on lap 95, but two laps later Gelinas got loose off turn 2 and Lashua would make contact, sending them both to the rear.

In his interview Davis said he was “Happy to finish second, but really wanted to win the last one run at Canaan…I’m sad to see it go…It was fun running up front with Joey.”

Third place Mike Parks of Springfield, VT started his adventure from the fifth row and ran in mid pack trying to save his equipment, until Frahm, Gelinas and Lashua were eliminated from podium finishes with their spins late in the race. Said Parks “I needed long green flag runs to be competitive, short runs didn’t help at all, but I’m happy with third…I only wish those guys showed each other more respect out there.”

The outstanding performance of the race has to go to Matt Frahm, who looked like he was the only one to overpower Pole. Frahm worked his way into second and pressured Pole, trying an inside pass off turn 4 on lap 82, but not wanting to make contact with the leader, Frahm pinched himself down to the point of spinning out of contention.

Bryon Baker of Claremont, NH would finish fourth, Points leader Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA rounded out the top-5.

Baldwin Blasts to Victory

George Baldwin sweeps both his heat and his feature in a dominating fashion to become the last winner of the Super Street division at the Canaan Fair Speedway. Cory Casagrande in the 71CT trailed Baldwin for second and the 99 of Jeff Morse followed in third for a podium finish. Michelle Fishpanski, Tyler Searls and David Piper rounded up the top-6.

Dunn Does Canaan Bandits

Josh Dunn used his pole position start to win the Bandits feature. Jarrod Savoy was second, Kodi Sabins third, Larry Holmes fourth, Kyle Currier fifth.

Meservey Streaks to Canaan Pro Four Win

Dan Meservey Jr. of Brewster, MA started the feature in last position, due to engine trouble earlier in the day, but he put all of that behind him at feature time. By lap 9 Meservey lazered by Phil Lausier of Hudson, NH into the lead, and never looked back, winning in his first ever appearance at the Canaan Fair Speedway. Lausier hung on for the runner-up spot after starting on the pole and battling with Dan Fresh of Holliston, MA whom finished third. Mark Charette of Wolcott, CT was the top finisher in the Limited Class.

Tarbell Pure Stock Winner

After winning his heat race, Brian Tarbell closed out the Canaan Speedway season by racing to a last lap pass for the win in the Pure Stock division. Matt Morrill followed Tarbell for second, Joe Tetrault raced through the pack to take third, Erin Vien was fourth, and Evan Burke crossed the line fifth.

 

 

 

 

Granite State Pro Stock Series Order of finish

  1. 97 Joey Pole
  2. 09 Jeremy Davis
  3. 66 Mike Parks
  4. 11 Bryon Baker
  5. 08 Mike O’Sullivan
  6. 01 Wayne Helliwell Sr
  7. 21x Matt Pepin
  8. 14 Matt Frahm
  9. 37VT Zachery Jewett
  10. 37x Donnie Lashua
  11. 48 Larry Gelinas
  12. 46 Jake Vananda
  13. 36 Jay Sands
  14. 42MA Russ Hersey
  15. 15 George Bessette
  16. 82 Bobby Baillargeon
  17. 57 Zig Geno
  18. 37 Fran Jr Colson
  19. 21 Josh King
  20. 16 Tommy O’Sullivan
  21. 71 Carl Erickson
  22. 22 Barry Gray

Heat Winners were: 09 Jeremy Davis, 08 Mike O’Sullivan, 42 Russ Hersey

Consi winner: 71 Carl Erickson

 

Sources: James Snape/YankeeRacer.com