Cassius Clark cruises to season-opening victory in PASS Super Late Model main
OXFORD, Maine – Stock car drivers and teams have six, seven, sometimes even eight months to prepare for a season. Still, it's often harder to get ready for that first race than a doubleheader weekend in the middle of summer.
Cassius Clark and the Chapman Racing Team are one of premier operations on the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Model series, but their preparations for Saturday night's New England Dodge Dealers 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway was as much a game of "beat the clock" as it is for every other gang of weekend warriors.
"We didn't even get the motor put in the car until 1:30 this morning," Clark said in victory lane after winning the season-opener at the track his Farmington family has always considered home. "These guys just stuck with it. We didn't turn a lap in the first practice this morning, but we overcame that and here we are."
Clark played the waiting game to perfection, taking the lead on lap 95 and outlasting a dozen caution flags to capture the season-opening Pro All Stars Series New England Dodge Dealers 150.
He won for the second time in his last three PASS appearances at the track where his father, Billy, was a Late Model Sportsman great from the 1960s until the early 1990s. The second-generation star stormed away from Dale Shaw after the final resumption on lap 134 and extended his margin of victory to more than three seconds on the 3/8-mile oval.
Shaw held off Scott Chubbuck for second. Reigning OPS Oxford Networks Pro Stock champion Tim Brackett crossed the stripe fourth but was disqualified for a technical infraction. According to Brackett, he is meeting with PASS officials to appeal the verdict on Wednesday.
Johnny Clark moved up to fourth with Travis Benjamin fifth. Rick Martin, Garry Johnson and Chuck LaChance rounded out the cars on the lead lap.
It was also opening night for four OPS Weekly Racing Series divisions. Dale Verrill highlighted that slate with a thrilling win over Carey Martin that concluded with the Late Model Stock drivers in a drag race to the finish line and with the persistent Martin crashing his car over Turn 1 after the checkered flag.
Kenny Harrison continued his domination of Opening Day in recent seasons with a wire-to-wire Limited Sportsman win. Tommy Tompkins and Jeff Moon claimed victory in twin Strictly Stock features, and Larry Melcher aced the Mini Stock test.
Forty cars from three starts and three Canadian provinces attempted to qualify for the PASS main event, with 33 taking the green flag. Many pre-race favorites, including Mike Rowe, Jeff Taylor, Ben Rowe and Alan Wilson, encountered a variety of difficulties and weren't in the hunt at the finish.
Cassius Clark was the fifth different driver to lead the race after Shaw, Corey Williams, Ricky Rolfe and Chubbuck all took a turn at the front.
There were seven lead changes over the first 62 laps, alone, and the race was slowed by caution seven times during that span.
"We knew we had a good car," Clark said. "We were just taking our time. Everybody raced us pretty clean."
Clark started fifth, quickly advanced to fourth and remained there for most of the first half of the race while Shaw, Chubbuck and Rolfe diced it out for the top spot.
Rolfe reclaimed the lead for the third time on a lap 61, pulling in front of Chubbuck, but Clark latched on and ran down the 2003 OPS champion in traffic. Clark made his winning pass to the outside with Rolfe caught behind the slower car of Richie Dearborn.
The best battle thereafter was between old rivals Shaw and Chubbuck.
"Cassius had the best car all night. I was driving it for all it was worth trying to hold off the 29 (Chubbuck). It's a lot of fun when we can race that way without getting into each other," Shaw said.
Shaw indicated that he plans to scale back his racing schedule somewhat in 2006 while focusing on the TD Banknorth 250 at OPS in July.
"My boy (D.J.) is 16 years old and is starting to race at White Mountain (Motorsports Park in New Hampshire) this year," Shaw said. "It's time to realize that I'm getting to the end and he's at the beginning. I'm going to try to focus on his career and being a nervous dad."
Third place was also a positive sign for Chubbuck, who broke through with a top-five finish in the 250 last year.
"This is all about Jay Cushman. He owns the car and he gives us everything we need to win," Chubbuck said. "We're definitely hoping this is the year for him and us to win the 250."
Verrill waited 17 years to return to the winner's circle at OPS last July. It was the familiar #18 of Martin who tried to make Verrill wait a little while longer for the next one.
Three restarts, including one with seven laps remaining in the 40-lap LMS scramble, gave Martin an opportunity to take his best shot at Verrill. The four-time Limited Sportsman champion turned his wheel to the outside lane as the white flag appeared and pulled even with Verrill twice on the last lap.
As the two entered the final turn, Verrill forged ahead by a few feet in the outside lane. Martin stood on the accelerator one final time but fell half a car length short before losing the grip, veering off into the dirt and brushing the concrete retaining wall.
"Dale gave me a little shot on the last lap, but hey, I absolutely would have done the same thing to him," Martin said. "Coming out of turn four, all you think is you're trying to win, and I wasn't lifting for anything."
Martin achieved what could become a recurring feat during the 2006 season: Two top-five finishes on the same night. He had only a few seconds to switch to his LMS car after a fourth-place run in the preceding Limited feature.
His bid for the win was one of countless exciting elements in the Late Model encounter, which included multiple runs from the rear of the field by the ultra-fast Bill Childs Jr. and an impressive return to the division by reigning Limited champion Dennis Spencer Jr. Spencer raced from 16th to fourth in the event.
Dave MacDonald was a surprising third, and he promised it won't be the last we see of him in victory lane. While Martin dogged Verrill to the outside, "Grateful Dave" was knocking at the back door.
"This thing is hooked up," MacDonald said. "I could have gotten under (Verrill), but I wanted to do it the right way. We're going to win a race. We're going to win a lot of races with this car."
The same could be said of Harrison and his Ken and Roxanne Farley-owned #85. The former Limited Sportsman champion has lost track of the number of consecutive years that he's won an Opening Day feature.
"It's either four or five years. I can't remember. Whatever it is, we were pretty confident," Harrison said.
Harrison drew the pole and quickly extended his advantage to almost a full straightaway. His biggest problem in the caution-free, 35-lap event wasn't lapped traffic or anyone charging in the rear-view mirror. Rather, it was well-founded concern about the gremlins underneath the hood.
"I got on the radio at about halfway and told the guys, 'You're never going to believe this, but the motor is skipping,' " Harrison said. "I'm sure there a lot of other people who would probably think that's great."
If winning breeds contempt, well, Kenny's probably right. This was his 33rd victory in a stellar OPS career dating back to the late 1980s.
David Tripp returned to the Limited chase in teammate Spencer's championship ride of 2004 and 2005 and cashed in an impressive second-place finish. Steve Bennett Sr. reintroduced his #22 colors after a year in Dennis McNeil's #31 and took home third-place honors. Martin held off Terry Merrill for fourth.
Familiar colors took Oxford Networks Pro Stock veteran Tompkins to a win in the first Strictly Stock 20-lapper. Tompkins drove a car that Ed Towers purchased from Jim Davis Jr., who won three features and the Wal-Mart Rookie of the Year trophy in Strictly Stock last season.
"It had to be a car that was ready to run, because I don't have to time to work on this car and my Pro Stock," Tompkins said. "It's pretty obvious that Jim Davis builds a great car. We pretty much started up front tonight, but you'll see this car come from the back next week."
Tompkins denied Ben Tinker his second straight opening-night victory. Tinker took second with ease over Rick Thompson, Zach Emerson and Roy Weymouth.
Moon thoroughly dominated the second Strictly sprint after taking over from Bill Dunphy on the third circuit.
"That is the best this Ford has ever gone, and it's run pretty good in the past," Moon said. "I'll take outside pole any day."
Jerry Freve was never seriously challenged for second, while B.J. Chapman charged from deep in the field to lock up third.
Melcher was in the right place when early Mini Stock leaders Don Mooney and Jim Childs ran afoul of slower traffic. He went from third to a runaway leader on lap 8 and coasted to a convincing win.
Summer Racing Series Runnin' Rebel champion Adam Polvinen ovecame pre-season motor and clutch problems to christen his Mini Stock career with an eye-opening second place finish. Childs chased down the leaders and recovered from his off-track excursion to capture third without the benefit of a caution flag.
"I think we had a good enough car to get around (Mooney and Childs) anyway, but we're never going to know," Melcher said.
The Weekly Racing Series continues with Sunoco Race Fuels Night on Saturday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the first points race of the season for the Oxford Networks Pro Stocks, the program also features a 100-lap Mini Stock main event as part of the Cole-Man's Concrete Iron Man Triple Crown Series.
PASS NEW ENGLAND DODGE DEALERS 150
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (5) #8 Cassius Clark, Farmington, 224
2. (1) #60x Dale Shaw, Center Conway, N.H., 224
3. (4) #29 Scott Chubbuck, Wiscasset, 224
4. (26) #54 Johnny Clark, Farmingdale, 224
5. (20) #17 Travis Benjamin, Morrill, 224
6. (17) #14 Rick Martin, Taunton, Mass., 224
7. (16) #35 Garry Johnson, Hollis, 224
8. (30) #38 Chuck LaChance, Cushing, 224
9. (2) #47 Corey Williams, Boothbay, 223
10. (29) #0x Bill Penfold, Yarmouth, 223
11. (6) #24 Mike Rowe, Turner, 222
12. (8) #33 Richie Dearborn, Hollis, 222
13. (10) #8T Alan Tardiff, Lyman, 221
14. (13) #00 Jeff Taylor, Norridgewock, 221
15. (22) #7 Curtis Gerry, Waterboro, 213
16. (11) #71 Gary Drew, Otisfield, 202
17. (9) #53 Alan Wilson, Hebron, 195
18. (19) #4 Ben Rowe, Turner, 192
19. (15) #28 Kirk Thibeau, Fort Fairfield, 192
20. (3) #51 Ricky Rolfe, Albany Township, 192
21. (27) #40 Eric Chase, Milton, Vt., 191
22. (23) #17x Jeremie Whorff, Topsham, 169
23. (33) #11 Scott King, Livermore Falls, 144
24. (32) #66 Andy Shaw, Center Conway, N.H., 141
25. (24) #97 John Flemming, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 124
26. (18) #91 Patrick Laperle, St. Denis, Quebec, 52
27. (25) #44 Travis Khiel, Denmark, 52
28. (28) #10 Chris Kennison, Oxford, 49
29. (31) #55 Gary Smith, Bangor, 36
30. (7) #52 Shawn Tucker, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 26
31. (21) #0 Bill Whorff Jr., Topsham, 19
32. (14) #72 Scott Robbins, Dixfield, 7
DQ (12) #60 Tim Brackett, Buckfield, 224
Lap leaders: D. Shaw 1-4, Williams 5, D. Shaw 6-34, Rolfe 35, D. Shaw 36, Rolfe 37-57, Chubbuck 58-61, Rolfe 62-94, C. Clark 95-150.
Cautions: 12 for 74 laps
Time of race: 1 hour, 36 minutes, 37.679 seconds.
Margin of victory: 3.028 seconds.
Fast lap: Dale Shaw, 15.088 seconds.
Heat winners: D. Shaw, Williams, Rolfe, Chubbuck.
Consolation winners: Benjamin, B. Whorff.
LATE MODEL STOCK (40 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (4) #56 Dale Verrill, South Paris, 40
2. (7) #18 Carey Martin, Denmark, 40
3. (10) #69 Dave MacDonald, New Gloucester, 40
4. (16) #8 Dennis Spencer Jr., Norway, 40
5. (11) #04 T.J. Watson, Harpswell, 40
6. (18) #1 Billy Childs Jr., Leeds, 40
7. (3) #5 Mark Brackett, Jay, 40
8. (8) #44 Jim Duguay, Greene, 40
9. (6) #93 Mike Ferguson, Rangeley, 40
10. (19) #42 Richard Tibbetts, Wilton, 40
11. (17) #70 Gary Chiasson, Peru, 40
12. (13) #28 Glen Luce, Turner, 40
13. (9) #77 Jon Brill, Sebago, 40
14. (14) #2 Richie Morse, Waterford, 40
15. (15) #20 Erick Leiter, Livermore Falls, 38
16. (5) #57 Doug Coombs, Livermore, 24
17. (2) #7 Nick Reno, West Bath, 22
18. (1) #03 Travis Adams, Canton, 0
DNS: #63 Don Wentworth, #40 Rick Valentine, #99 Cecil Bryant
Lap leaders: Reno 1, Verrill 2-40.
Cautions: 3 (laps 0, 22, 33)
Time of race: 27 minutes, 29.303 seconds.
Margin of victory: 0.079 seconds.
Fast lap: Mike Ferguson, 16.083 seconds.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN (35 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (1) #85 Kenny Harrison, Pownal, 35
2. (8) #8 David Tripp, Oxford, 35
3. (2) #22 Steve Bennett Sr., Buckfield, 35
4. (6) #18 Carey Martin, Denmark, 35
5. (10) #36 Terry Merrill, Saco, 35
6. (7) #1 Tommy Ricker, Poland, 35
7. (5) #0 Shane Green, South Paris, 35
8. (9) #61 Matt Williams, Brownfield, 35
9. (3) #46 Bill Sprague, Minot, 34
10. (11) #65 Cory Newendyke, LItchfield, 34
11. (12) #44 Neil Martin, Freeport, 34
12. (4) #25 Bruce Helmuth, Auburn, 14
DNS: #77 Troy Morse, #63 David Vaughn
Lap leaders: Harrison 1-35.
Cautions: None
Time of race: 10 minutes, 16.007 seconds.
Margin of victory: 1.512 seconds.
Fast lap: Kenny Harrison, 16.988 seconds.
STRICTLY STOCK #1 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (4) #113 Tommy Tompkins, Carthage, 20
2. (2) #19 Ben Tinker, Gray, 20
3. (1) #07 Rick Thompson, Casco, 20
4. (3) #23 Zach Emerson, Durham, 20
5. (10) #61 Roy Weymouth, Winthrop, 20
6. (8) #12 Skip Tripp, Sabattus, 20
7. (9) #0 Sumner Sessions, Norway, 20
8. (12) #66 David Weir, Center Conway. N.H., 20
9. (15) #36 Ron Charpentier Jr., Wales, 20
10. (11) #91 Danny Smart, West Buxton, 20
11. (16) #55 Kurt Hewins, Leeds, 20
12. (18) #77 Perry Tucker, Buckfield, 20
13. (19) #45 Travis Mains, Freeport, 19
14. (6) #84 Chris Coolidge, Norway, 19
15. (5) #53 Dick Damon, Livermore Falls, 19
16. (13) #42 Kim Tripp, Oxford, 6
17. (17) #73 Dave Cannon Jr., Vassalboro, 3
18. (7) #P38 Skip Turner, Carthage, 3
19. (14) #5 Jason Gaboury, Augusta, 2
Lap leaders: Thompson 1-2, Tinker 3-9, Tompkins 10-20.
Cautions: None
Time of race: 6 minutes, 6.092 seconds.
Margin of victory: 0.717 seconds.
Fast lap: Tommy Tompkins, 18.351 seconds.
STRICTLY STOCK #2 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (2) #97 Jeff Moon, Gray, 20
2. (3) #39 Jerry Freve, Buckfield, 20
3. (11) #81 B.J. Chapman, Naples, 20
4. (13) #00 Jeff Merrill, Roxbury, 20
5. (9) #1 Guy Childs, Turner, 20
6. (4) #76 Don Harvey, Pownal, 20
7. (6) #67 Rusty Gaghan, Winthrop, 20
8. (5) #777 Mike St. Germain, Auburn, 20
9. (16) #57 Glen Henderson, Sabattus, 20
10. (14) #35 Phil Mitchell III, Poland, 20
11. (7) #16 Tim Read, Minot, 20
12. (15) #9 Justin Karkos, Wilton, 20
13. (1) #4 Bill Dunphy, New Gloucester, 20
14. (18) #6 Matt Moore, Oxford, 19
15. (10) #90 Dale Brackett, Oxford, 19
16. (17) #11 Mike Stewart, Durham, 19
17. (13) #56 Mike Short, Auburn, 15
DNS: #64 Randy Heath, Casco
Lap leaders: Dunphy 1-2, Moon 3-20.
Cautions: None
Time of race: 6 minutes, 40.724 seconds.
Margin of victory: 3.895 seconds.
Fast lap: Jeff Moon, 18.470 seconds.
MINI STOCK (30 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, Hometown, laps completed
1. (7) #41 Larry Melcher, Jay, 30
2. (13) #73 Adam Polvinen, Minot, 30
3. (5) #10 Jim Childs, Leeds, 30
4. (1) #92 Chris Varney, Scarborough, 30
5. (3) #19 David Mooney, Wales, 30
6. (6) #57 Bill Thibeault, Oxford, 30
7. (2) #80 Don Mooney, New Gloucester, 30
8. (9) #14 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls, 30
9. (4) #33 Dan Morris, Auburn, 30
10. (14) #31 Butch Keene, Turner, 30
11. (12) #13 Tony Bennett, Bethel, 29
12. (8) #44 Jim Robbins, Dixfield, 29
13. (11) #47 Curtis Gleason, South Portland, 29
14. (10) #77 Ashley Marshall, Jay, 28
15. (16) #08 Kevin Bishop, Oxford, 28
16. (17) #60 Scot Moore, Oxford, 27
17. (15) #88 Larry DiPietro Jr., Rome, 1
18. (18) #90 Dale Durgin, Norway, 1
19. (19) #5 Steve Barker, Jay, 0
DNS: #91 Bob Guptill, Mechanic Falls
Lap leaders: Don Mooney 1-7, Melcher 8-30.
Cautions: None
Time of race: 9 minutes, 14.764 seconds.
Margin of victory: 1.885 seconds.
Fast lap: Larry Melcher, 18.165 seconds.
Sources: Oxford Plains Speedway PR