Lindeman Sweeps ARTS Season Opener Double-Header Weekend
Andy Lindeman of Poestenkill, NY won the AllStar Race Truck Series 2009 season opener at Twin State Speedway on Friday, May 15th. This was the first half of a double header weekend. Andy drives the #3 sponsored by Dawson’s Towing, Thorpe Electric, Freedman Bros. Salvage, Well’s Communications, JCS Truck Repair.
The day’s event started off with two 10-lap heat races. 2008 Rookie of The Year, Greg Butler, Jr. of East Hampton, CT driving the #85 sponsored by East Hampton Auto Parts, Cottman Transmission of Portland, Storm Tech, Jepson Racing Engines, and G & S Auto Center went from green to checker winning the first heat. Rookie John St.Germain of West Sand Lake, NY driving the #14 sponsored by Dawson’s Body Shop, JCS Repair, Larry Dickinson Construction, BPW Enterprises, and PDT Taping won the second heat setting up the field for the feature event.
Keith Chapman of Mystic, CT driving #22 sponsored by B & W Paving & Landscaping was on the pole leading the field to the green for the feature. Chapman held the lead for the first three laps while everyone was scrambling behind him. It didn’t take long for 2008 Points Champion Andy Lindeman to make a bold move diving to the inside and moving up into 2nd by lap 2. By lap 4, Lindeman was leading the race with Chapman, Greg Butler, St.Germain and Gee Perry of Granby, CT driving the FEB Construction #83 rounding out the top 5.
The 1st caution came out on lap 14 for a spin when Jim Wray of Ledyard, CT driving the #2 sponsored by B & W Paving & Landscaping and Greg Butler got together. As the trucks were coming down for the green for the re-start, Greg Butler erupted in a cloud of smoke immediately bringing out the caution for the track to be checked for any debris and/or fluids. When chief starter Scott Michie attempted once again to drop the green, Wray developed a flat tire and came to a stop in turn 2 and the yellow quickly flew once again. On the re-start Lindeman jumped in front once again leading the field. On lap 17 the final caution of the night came out when St.Germain and Chapman got together coming out of turn 4 sending the field scattering with several trucks spinning across the start-finish line. As Lindeman cruised his way to victory, the battle was on between Perry; Rookie Rich Brooks of Groton, CT driving the #46 sponsored by TK’s Custom Auto, Janet Larkin of Primerica; and Rookie Dan Butler of Manchester, CT driving the #25 sponsored by East Hampton Auto Parts, DRG Custom Apparel, Cottman Transmission of Portland, Boston Children’s Hospital, Jepson Racing Engines for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Perry claimed 2nd, Brooks with a battered truck held on for 3rd, and Dan Butler came in 4th matching his best finish in ARTS.
On Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway Lindeman cruised once again to victory. Saturday’s events started out with a single heat race due to the increased field at Monadnock due to the make up from the previous week as well as the threat of bad weather moving in on the track.
Rookie St.Germain went wire to wire in his first heat win in the ARTS series as the rest of the field shuffled for positions. Chapman also put in a great run during the heat running up front until he was passed by Lindeman on the last lap putting Lindeman in 2nd, Chapman in 3rd, Perry in 4th, and Brooks in 5th setting the field for the feature.
St.Germain sat on the pole for the 30-lap feature with Chapman on the outside. The only caution of the night flew on lap 5 when Wray spun causing Brooks to also spin to avoid collecting him. When the green dropped, Perry was in the lead with Lindeman in 2nd, St.Germain in 3rd, and defending rookie Greg Butler moving into 4th. But Perry’s would soon fade as he developed a slow leak in his right front tire allowing Lindeman to take over the lead and hold off all challenges to take the checkered flag again for the 2nd night in a row leaving the battle for the night for 2nd. Perry held on the best he could with his tire going down but by lap 16 St.Germain had worked his way around him and had his sights set on Lindeman with rookie Brandon Warren of Chicopee, MA driving the #55 sponsored by Homestyle Café and Team Kurtis Fight For A Cure for Cancer in Kids, coming from the back of the field into 4th. By lap 19 Warren moved into 3rd passing Greg Butler while Perry and Chapman continued to fall back in the field. As Lindeman cruised to his victory the 2 rookies, Warren and Chapman, along with Greg Butler battled it out for 2nd. At the drop of the checker it was Lindeman winning with St.Germain in 2nd, Warren 3rd, Greg Butler 4th, and Chapman rounding off the top 5.
The next scheduled event is scheduled for June 13th at Monadnock Speedway.
Friday Results: Andy Lindeman, Gee Perry, Rich Brooks, Dan Butler, Tom Smith, Brandon Warren, Derek Chriss, Jim Wray, Greg Butler, Keith Chapman, John St.Germain
Saturday Results: Andy Lindeman, John St.Germain, Brandon Warren, Greg Butler, Keith Chapman, Gee Perry, Rich Brooks, Derek Chriss, Dan Butler, Tom Smith, Jim Wray
Capital Motorsports contingency winners were Greg Butler Friday and Tom Smith Saturday. Racing Junk.com contingency winners were Andy Lineman, Gee Perry, and Rich Brooks for Friday and Andy Lindeman, John St.Germain, and Brandon Warren for Saturday.
Sources: ARTS PR