Bessette, Stone, Falconi, and Gagnon as Brilliant as the Firework Sky
Thompson, CT — The Mini Stocks were the first to take to the 5/8th mile oval and none other than Chris Gagnon took the checkered fag. The win would mark his fourth of the season and second in as many races after tech inspection gave him the win on last Thursday.
The lead position was not the place to be during the Late Model feature. George Greco jumped to the lead from his pole starting position but lost the lead when he spun in turn two. Charles Bailey III took the lead on the ensuing restart. Jeff Plakias used the lapped car of R.J. Marcotte as pick to take the lead from Bailey. Plakias’ lead was short-lived as Rick Gentes got a jump on a lap 10 restart. Gentes, himself, spun while leading giving the lead back to Plakias. Plakias was struck by the “jinx” as his car failed to come up to speed on the restart. Bruce Adams inherited the lead but on the lap 20 restart John Falconi grabbed the point and went on to take his second win of the season. Both Rick Gentes and George Greco rebounded from their early problems to finish in the top five.
The forty Strictly Stocks had a tough time getting going Sunday night. The event was plagued by a number of cautions with the worst coming on lap 13 when fourth running Cliff Gaumond got of shape in front of the field. Collected in the pile-up where several fast cars that had moved through the field; including point leader Lyle Wolfinger. Mark Jennison led the lion’s share of the race until a lap 17 restart when his car did not come up to speed. Ryan Stone flexed his muscle for the drop of the green, motored through the field, and took down win number 3 on the season.
The Pro Stocks set a torrid pace for the first half of their feature event. Bobby LeClerc and George Bessette distanced themselves from the field during the 14-lap green flag run. A caution on lap 14 for a spin by Bernie Croteau and Ron LaPerche bunched up the field allowing other competitors a shot at the front duo. Bessette would unseat LeClerc for the lead on lap 17 while point leader Dick Houlihan had moved into the top-five. As the laps wound down the hottest battle on the track was for third between Steve Ribbe and Dick Houlihan. When the checkers flew it was Bessette taking his second consecutive win, this time over Bobby LeClerc, and Dick Houlihan. Roger Godin recovered from a lap eight spin to finish eighth.
Late Model finish: John Falconi, Marlboro, MA; Jerry Young, Jr., Jewett City, CT; Lonnie Mecteau, Plainfield, CT; Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; George Greco, Easton, CT; Scott Bronczyk, N. Grovenor Dale, CT; Charles Bailey III, Plainfield, CT; Gerry Konopka, Lebanon, CT; Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; and Jeff Plakias, Agawam, MA.
Strictly Stock Finish: Ryan Stone, Branford, CT; Scott Cook, Uncasville, CT; Jeff Hesselton, Auburn, MA; Randy Waterman, Danielson, CT; Bill McNeil, Taftville, CT; Tim Taylor, Danielsin, CT; Mark DeCosta, Cranston, RI; Randy Stevens, Charlton, MA; Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT: and Todd Dean, Danielson, CT.
Pro Stock finish: George Bessette, Danbury, CT; Bobby LeClerc, N. Dighton, MA; Dick Houlihan, Berkley, MA; Steve Ribbe, Kingston, MA; Bruce Adams, Dayville, CT; Ken Kohler, Jr. N. Providence, RI; Mike Weeden, Roger Godin, Spencer, MA; Mike Hassell, Burrillville, RI; Phil Rondeau, Baltic, CT.
Mini Stock: Chris Gagnon, Moosup, CT; Chuck Weimer III, Danielson, CT; Roger Larson, Jr., Milford, MA; Roger Larson, Milford, MA; Brian Marcotte, Danielson, CT; Pat Moreau, Auburn, MA; Gene Vitiello, Pascoag, RI; Chris Kilgar, Worcester, MA; Ron Rixham, Sutton, MA; and Dave Huard, Oxford, MA.
Sources: Thompson Speedway PR