Pro Stocks Return to Hudson Speedway with Gate City Classic
Granite State Pro Stock Series to run historic 100-lap race
HUDSON, NH — The Granite State Pro Stock Series will mark the return of Pro Stock racing to the tight, high banked quarter-mile asphalt oval of Hudson Speedway in Hudson, NH on Sunday, July 8 for one of the most storied races, the Gate City Classic.
The Gate City Classic began as a Pro Stock race in 1978 and attracted some of the bigger names in New England, including Hudson’s own Dave Dion. Current Granite State Pro Stock Series competitors Babe Branscombe, of Nottingham, NH, and New England Auto Racers Hall-of-Fame member Pete Finadaca, of Fitchburg, MA, are former Gate City Classic winners. Fiandaca is seven-time Hudson Speedway champion. Both drivers are expected to contend for the Gate City Classic, again.
Hometown racer Derek Griffith will challenge to become a Gate City Classic winner, as well. Griffith scored an impressive runner-up finish in the season opener at Monadnock Speedway and heads to his hometown track, which he has scored multiple victories.
Point leader Mike O’Sullivan is expected to attempt to add his name to the Gate City Classic winner’s list. O’Sullivan, of Springfield, MA, won the season opening event at Monadnock Speedway. Also expected to attempt to become a Gate City Classic winner are veteran racers Barry Gray of Belchertown, MA, Bobby Cabral of East Kingston, NH, Geoff Rollins of Groton, MA, Jay Sands of Seabrook, NH, Dennis Maxfield of Fitchburg, MA, Bobby Baillargeon of Kingston, NH, and Rich Eaton of Seabrook, NH.
New Hampshire’s Mike Parks and Zig Geno, Massachusetts’ Fran Colson, Keith Caruso, and Carl Erikson, Vermont’s Josh King, Maine’s Reid Lanpher, and Connecticut’s Les Hinckley are also expected for the Gate City Classic.
The Gate City Classic 100 will be the second race for the 2012 Granite State Pro Stock Series season. Heat racing starts at 6:03pm.
The tight quarter-mile Hudson Speedway is located just off New Hampshire Route 102 on Old Derry Road in Hudson, NH, a short drive from US Route 3 and Interstate 93 and New Hampshire’s second largest city, Nashua, NH.
For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, please visit www.gspss.net. For more information on Hudson Speedway, visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.
Sources: Mike Parks/GSPSS PR