Wilk First in Granite State Pro Stock Series Record Book
Sixteen cars enter Gary’s Disposal 100 in series’ debut at Twin State Speedway
Claremont, NH — Chris Wilk etched his name in the record books as the first-ever winner on the new Granite State Pro Stock Series on Friday night, winning the Gary’s Disposal 100 at Twin State Speedway. Wilk survived a green-white-checker restart and a late charge from Donnie Lashua for the win.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series was founded by officials from the Valenti Modified Racing Series including series president Jack Bateman, Pro Stock/Super Late Model competitor Mike Parks, and late VMRS series director John Hoyt. Twin State Speedway’s Gary’s Disposal 100 was the prototype event for the budget-minded touring series.
Wilk, of Mendon, VT, led the first dozen laps of the Gary’s Disposal 100 after starting on the pole position in the 16-car field. Parks grabbed the lead after the first restart on lap 12, but triggered the next caution period when he suffered a flat tire and the field stacked up behind him, leaving Barry Gray spun in the middle of the track. Wilk moved back ahead on lap 22 and stayed out front through the end of the race, but had all he could handle from a rebounding Gray and later Lashua.
After driving through the pack following his spin, Belchertown, MA veteran Gray moved inside Wilk at lap 64 to attempt a pass for the lead. The two made contact on the frontstretch, sending Wilk into a slide. Gray’s right-front suspension broke from the contact, though, and he was forced to retire from the race. Wilk stayed out front with pressure from Canaan, NH driver Lashua during the final 15 laps, and held onto the point after the seventh and final caution flag flew on lap 98 to take the win.
Wilk, a former Twin State Speedway champion now competing at Devil’s Bowl (VT) Speedway and Lee USA (NH) Speedway took the win. Canaan Fair (NH) Speedway standout Lashua finished second, with Seekonk (MA) Speedway driver Jake Vanada of Berkley, MA third. Former White Mountain (NH) Motorsports Park driver Jeremy Davis of Tamworth, NH finished fourth, and Parks, a Monadnock Speedway regular from Walpole, NH, rebounded for fifth.
Sulo Burbank, Ricky Bly, Fran Colson, Kevin Bolduc, and Austin Brehio completed the unofficial top ten. Wilk and Bly won the qualifying heat races, presented by Bly Machine.
“When they announced this race last fall, I thought it was a great idea. It really gives the guys that can’t afford to race in other series a chance to compete for some money and run some laps,” said Wilk, who pocketed $2,000 for his win. Lashua received $1,200 for his runner-up finish.
“Our rule package keeps a budget on the shocks and a budget on the motor and it makes it a little bit affordable,” Wilk said. “I think the series is going to be great. I think we had a good turnout tonight with sixteen cars, and I think when people see that we put on a good race it’s definitely going to be a good selling point so they can get some more tracks and maybe we can get six or eight of these races next year. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll definitely be on board with whatever they do.”
David Greenslit of Waitsfield, VT led every step of the 50-lap Strictly Stock feature presented by VPE Inc. Greenslit survived eight caution periods and was one of only six drivers running at the finish. Brian Tarbell finished second with Michael Burke third.
Fourteen year-old Emily Packard of East Montpelier, VT won a 30-lap feature for the Allison Legacy North Racing Series. Packard led every lap of the event and was virtually the only driver not involved in one of the several multi-car incidents. Peter Portante was scored second with James Logan third.
Jeremiah Losee of North Springfield, VT dominated the 25-lap Wildcat feature for entry-level four-cylinder cars. Matt Gauffin finished second after a race-long battle with Robert Leitch, who finished third.
Presenting sponsors for the Granite State Pro Stock Series event at Twin State Speedway were Gary’s Disposal & Recycling, VPE Inc., Bly Machine, and Bond Auto Parts. For more information, visit www.granitestateprostockseries.com.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Gary’s Disposal 100
Granite State Pro Stock Series — Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH
Friday, August 19, 2011
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown-Laps
Gary’s Disposal Granite State Pro Stock Series 100
1. Chris Wilk, Mendon, VT — 100
2. Donnie Lashua, Canaan, NH — 100
3. Jake Vanada, Berkley, MA — 100
4. Jeremy Davis, Tamworth, NH — 100
5. Mike Parks, Walpole, NH — 100
6. Sulo Burbank, Gorham, ME — 100
7. Ricky Bly, Sunapee, NH — 100
8. Fran Colson, Gardner, MA — 98
9. Kevin Bolduc, Fremont, NH — 97
10. Austin Brehio, Hopkinton, NH — 97
11. Kevin Menard, Sharon, VT — 96
12. Josh King, Vernon, VT — 96
13. Barry Gray, Belchertown, MA — 64
14. Steve Gauthier, Winchendon, MA — 62
15. Adam LaPointe, Winchester, NH — 10
16. Geoff Rollins, Groton, MA — 8
VPE Inc. Strictly Stock (50 laps)
1. David Greenslit, Waitsfield, VT
2. Brian Tarbell, Springfield, VT
3. Michael Burke, Bellows Falls, VT
4. Greg Williams, Turners Falls, MA
5. Dustin DeCoteau, Claremont, NH
6. Thomas Coates, Jr., White River Junction, VT
7. Geoff Rollins, Groton, MA
8. Tara Tarbell, Springfield, VT
9. Joe Lanou, Charlestown, NH
10. Evan Burke, Bellows Falls, VT
11. Dick LaMotte, Ascutney, VT
12. Stephen Donahue, Graniteville, VT
13. Alyssa Rivera, Bellows Falls, VT
Allison Legacy North Racing Series (30 laps)
1. Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT
2. Peter Portante, Plainville, CT
3. James Logan, Dighton, MA
4. Trey McNeil, Fitchburg, MA
5. T.J. Jeski, Dracut, MA
6. Brad Zehensky, Bow, NH
7. Anthony Ryan, Danbury, CT
8. Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, NH
9. Nicoal Perrault, Northfield, NH
10. Nathan Johnson, Troy, NH
11. Dave O’Connell, Madison, CT
Wildcat (25 laps)
1. Jeremiah Losee, North Springfield, VT
2. Matt Gauffin, Hancock, NH
3. Robert Leitch, Cavendish, VT
4. Rob Olney, III, Ludlow, VT
5. Dick Houle, Brattleboro, VT
6. Josh Rondeau, Claremont, NH
7. Pat Houle, Vernon, VT
8. Tim Paquette, Bennington, NH
9. Gary Johnson, Jr., Keene, NH
10. Hillary Renaud, Vernon, VT
11. Jim Carley, Unity, NH
12. Julia Raymond, Winchester, NH
13. Chris Carver, Charlestown, NH
Sources: John Spence, Sr./Granite State Pro Stock Series PR