Logan Takes ALNRS Opener
Newburgh, NY — The 2008 ALNRS season opener is in the books. The ALNRS kicked off their weekend Saturday with the teams taking advantage of the full day of practice before Sundays big event at Lee USA Speedway. Sunday morning the teams began the day with Lee’s spectacular trackside breakfast before making their final adjustments to their Allison Legacy Race Cars for the day’s final round of practice. Not long after practice the drivers were back in the cars for the first of two qualifying races. Heat one saw second year driver Shane D’Agostino of Taunton, MA on the pole by luck of the draw. On the outside was Shannon Smith of Hancock, ME. followed by James Logan, Melissa Fifield, Tommy Barrett, Kyle Poodiack and William Schneider. On lap three Logan would grab the lead and never look back leading the final 8 laps of the 10 lap heat race. Heat number two would have 2007 Rookie of the Year Kristy Chaves on the pole with Randolph, VT driver Dylan Smith on the outside followed by Cody Gneiting, Michael Vasquez, Sr., Danny Grennon and Stephanie Berardi. Once the green flag dropped the #24 Acme Sanition driver Kristy Chaves of Little Compton, RI would not look back leading all 10 laps.
The feature lineup would see Dighton, MA driver James Logan on the pole with Chaves on the outside. Lap 6 would bring out the first caution after a spin by the #19 driven by substitute driver Danny Grennon. Track officials would also send the 34 of Dylan Smith to the back for contact with the 19. Once racing resumed it would be a dog fight up front between Logan and Chaves. The 24 would bring out the second caution on lap 14 as she spun in turns 3 & 4 while battling for the lead. On the restart aDP Rookie of the year contender William Schneider of Northport, NY would find his first meeting with the outside wall as he spun off of turn two thus ending his day early. On lap 17 fellow rookie Kyle Poodiack would lose the handle on his #3 Webber Foundations sponsored Monte Carlo coming out of turn two. On the restart young gun Tommy Barrett and Shane D’Agostino would have an untimely meeting in turn two thus ending what appeared to be a top five finish for both drivers. Do to time restraints Lee officials were forced to yellow checkered the race two laps short of the scheduled 20 laps thus handing the win to James Logan who had led every lap of the feature event. In second was Danny Grennon followed by Somers, CT driver Cody Gneiting who started off where he left off in the final race of 07’season in third place.
The ALNRS will return to competition in three weeks as they return to Lee USA Speedway as part of their weekly show on May 9.
Sunday’s Complete Results
1. James Logan
2. Danny Grennon
3. Cody Gneiting
4. Dylan Smith
5. Shannon Smith
6. Kristy Chaves
7. Michael A. Vasquez, Sr.
8. Melissa Fifield
9. Stephanie Berardi
10. Kyle Poodiack
11. Shane D’Agostino
12. Tommy Barrett
13. William Schneider