McCallum Triumphs in New Thompson Pro Stock 100
Thompson, CT — Jim McCallum of Fall River, Mass. took his second 100 lap Pro Stock race at The New Thompson Speedway on Sunday night. He was able to avoid the numerous wrecks and nine caution periods that whittled the original 37 starters down to 18 who were still running at the end of the Winston-Cumberland Farms 100 Presented by ABCO Refrigeration. Mike Camarra of Kingston, Mass. and Rusty Bryant of Weymouth, Mass. brought the hungry field of cars down for the green flag. But, by the seventh lap Camarra dropped back with Bryant inheriting the lead after two false starts. Bryant continued to lead the race through two more yellow flag caution periods and was being shadowed by McCallum.
On lap 47, McCallum was in the right spot when Bryant tangled with Fred Astle, Jr. another Fall River, Mass. driver which brought out the fifth yellow caution period of the race. At the half-way mark, 50 laps, Jim McCallum was in firm control of the race and was able to avoid further trouble in four more successive yellow caution periods. Roger Godin of Spencer, Mass. tried to stalk McCallum for the final 48 circuits but was never able to get a bead on the leader when the race was stopped for problems on the track four more times in the long event. Godin had to be satisfied with the runner-up spot while Rusty Bryant was able to salvage a third place after a quick trip to the pits for new tires and some body work. Chris Perley of Rowley, Mass., an infrequent competitor at The New Thompson Speedway came in fourth while Dick Houlihan of Berkley, Mass. rounded out the top five. Winner McCallum took home the lion’s share of the $17,000 purse, which was $3,500. “I was able to keep out of trouble and that’s what helped, said McCallum, a man of few words.