Astle, Vanasse, and Tripp repeat. Justin Travis wins first career Street Stock Main
Seekonk, MA — Fred Astle Jr. picked up his second win of the season on the Fourth of July. Astle took over on a lap 14 of the 40 lap Pro Stock feature, using the outside lane to work his way to the front.
Kyle Casper got the jump on the start and set the pace for the first 13 laps as Tom Scully Sr. settled in behind for the first several laps. Outside pole sitter Steve O’Brien fell back to third, as was running there on lap four when he spun in turn 4, taking Ryan Vanasse with him. Vanasse hit the wall hard, and the Team V Transportation Chevy was done for the night with heavy right front damage. O’Brien was able to continue.
Mike Brightman and Fred Astle restarted third and fifth, and used the inside lane on the restart to move up to second and fourth. Once in third, Astle slid up the track to the outside lane and started to work by the Impact Collision Parts Ford of Brightman. By lap thirteen, Astle overtook second, and a lap later, the defending champion was edging the Wood Frame Structures Chevy out front. Following on the outside was the Tom Scully Jr., who took over second on lap 16. Current points leader Dave Darling was also moving through the field and sat fourth at the halfway point behind Casper. Brightman rounded out the top five.
The second caution came out on lap 24, when the Somerset Federal Credit Union Chevy of Casper was spun, putting Darling to the rear for the assist. Brightman, Scully Sr., and Jeramee Lillie rounded out the top five as the field got back underway. For a few laps, it appeared that the Wheelock’s NAPA Auto Parts Chevy of Scully Jr. might have something for Astle as the duo ran side by side for the lead for here laps, with eventually Scully settling in behind Astle.
Lillie had made it up to fourth, but slid the Houle Motorsports Chevy back on the outside as Scully Sr., Rob Murphy and Darling got by in the closing laps. Over the final several laps, Astle and Scully Jr. opened up a comfortable lead over Brightman, and finished over a second ahead of Brightman. Tom Scully Sr. and Rob Murphy rounded out the top five.
“I have to thank my girlfriend Julie for spotting for me tonight,” Astle pronounced. “It’s the first time that she has done this for me and she did a great job. Thanks to Ron Laure, my car owner for giving me a great car. Thanks also to Wood Frame Structures and Spring Break Tanning.”
Ryan Vanasse made it four on the season in the Late Model 30 lap feature. Jon Dickerman took command of the Late Model event on lap two, overtaking pole sitter Bob Hussey., and set the pace with Matt Breault following his tire tracks. Hussey tried to hang on on the outside, but backslid over the next several laps. Jake Vanada settled into third with Kevin Casper and Gerry DeGasparre running fourth and fifth.
Casper’s run took a wrong turn on lap 10, when he was hit from behind by eventual winner Vanasse. Casper only lost five positions before returning to speed, but lost a bit of momentum. As the field crossed for the half-way, the Airgas Toyota of Dickerman had his hands full, as Matt Breault was putting heavy pressure for the lead. Breault tried the outside lane, but on lap 17, the 7th Sign Graphics Dodge got the run on the inside and took command of the race.
The first caution came out on lap 18, when Tyler Thompson could not make it back around to the pits. This lined Dickerman back to the outside of Breault with Vanasse, Vanada and DeGasparre the top five. Dickerman ran the outside tough for a couple of laps, but eventually fell to the Team V Transportation Chevy of Vanasse, as The Rocket slid by on the inside. Vanasse followed Breault for a few laps before taking the long way around. With five laps remaining, Vanasse too the lead and started to pull away. Kevin Casper was making his way back to the front, and moved into third on lap 26. He moved into second with only two laps remaining. Last weeks winner Bill Bernard was able to clear some traffic late in the race, and moved into third on the final lap. Breault and DeGasparre rounded out the top five.
“It’s already been a busy day for us,” and excited Vanasse spoke. “After we wrecked this car in practice, the guys told me not to worry. When they tell me that, I don’t.”
Lenny Guy jumped out to the early lead and led the first couple of laps for the Seekonk Sport Trucks before Jody Tripp took over and went around Guy for the lead on lap three. Guy held off Rick Martin for a few laps before Martin put Guy back to third on lap 6. John Paiva and Steve Dumas battled for fourth and fifth.
Martin was running his Toyota truck for the evening, as his primary Chevy had engine problems in practice. He had to go to his home in Westport and swap trucks, and made it in with just a few minutes to spare. But Martin came up short as Tripp cruised to his third win of the season. With this win, he closed up the slim margin for the lead in the season long Championship Chase.
In the 25 lap Street Stock feature, Just Travis got into the orange 98 owned by Jay Steeley, after Travis’ car was wrecked the week before. Travis moved out front at the drop of the green, and never looked back in the 25 lap main event. Chris Rioux and Crystal Serydynski ran second and third with Gerard Berthelette and Pat Delaney rounding out the top five.
The first caution came out on lap 9, when several cars tangled, ending the night for Scott Serydynski, Roland Wheeler and Ray Negley. Others involved were Delaney and Elmer Wing III. Scott Bruneau moved into third, with Mike Lima and Gerard Berthelette rounding out the top five.
The second caution came out on lap 19 when Chris Beauleau retired from the event and bunched up the field one more time. Travis was on a mission, as he jumped out front and never looked back. Lima was able to overtake Berthelette for fourth over the final several laps and even Bruneau for third. Berthelette fell back a couple of more positions, as Paul Newcomb and Mike Mitchell both got by for a top five finish.
“I want to dedicate this win to my father who passed away last year,” an emotion Justin Travis said in Victory Lane. I also need to thank Ken Rego and especially Jay Steely for letting me borrow his car for this week.”
The New England Antique Racers and Senior Tour Auto Racers were in town to give the fans a look into yesteryear.
Art Chartler was the N.E.A.R. Winner, while Rick McDowell and George Summers were the winners in the S.T.A.R. classes.
ARC Action returns on Saturday Night July 11, with the annual motorcycle run to benefit the Ronald MacDonald House in Providence. It is also the night for the annual Monster Golf Tryke Race. For more information, please visit the all new Seekonk Speedway website at seekonkspeedway.com.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR