Barry Gray Captures Granite State Pro Stock Series Finale, Bobby Cabral Inaugural Champion
WINCHESTER, NH — Multi-time Monadnock Speedway champion Barry Gray made sure he put a one in the win column as he captured his first career Granite State Pro Stock Series win at Monadnock in the Halloween Vampire 100, which also saw veteran racer Bobby Cabral capture the inaugural Granite State Pro Stock Series championship.
Gray, of Belchertown, MA, captured the lead on lap 29 from polesitter Jake Vanada with a move to the inside of Vanada’s car. Gray then had to hold off Fran Colson late in the 100-lap event when Gray had trouble maneuvering his way around lap traffic.
“Not to put the pressure on my boys tonight, but I told them we had won at least one race for the last 20 years in-a-row and we didn’t get it tonight, we were going to miss one,” Gray stated in victory lane. “They worked extra hard. My hats off to Monadnock, this (race) was postponed and a lot of fans came out tonight, and Bobby on his championship.”
Colson of Gardner, MA scored the runner-up position. Cabral, of Kingston, NH, was crowed the Granite State Pro Stock Series champion with a third place finish. Cabral struggled during the first half of the 100-lap event, but fought back during the second-half of the race.
“We got the toe knocked in quite a bit right off the bat and I had move around quite a bit,” Cabral stated. “I changed my line and my guys kept me calm on the radio. If it wasn’t for Roger (Dion), and Fred (Skaff) keeping me calm, we probably wouldn’t be here right now. It was a pretty tough night.
“I want to thank Dave Frahm and his family for letting me drive this car. Without these guys, I wouldn’t be here. And here we are. We’re the champions.”
Phil Meany of Gardner, MA crossed under the checkered flag in the fourth position. Zig Geno of Canterbury, NH scored his first career Granite State Pro Stock Series top-five finish with a fifth place finish. Erick Sands, Bobby Baillargeon, Keith Caruso, Larry Gelinas, and Carl Eriksson completed the unofficial top-ten finishers.
Unofficially, Cabral, Baillargeon, Gray, Rich Eaton, and Colson finished first through fifth, respectively, in the championship standings.
The inaugural Granite State Pro Stock Series season has now concluded. Stay up-to-date in the offseason with the Granite State Pro Stock Series on the official website, www.gspss.net, as well as on Facebook.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Halloween Vampire 100
Granite State Pro Stock Series — Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (3) Barry Gray, Belchertown, MA
2. (11) Fran Colson, Gardner, MA
3. (9) Bobby Cabral, East Kingston, NH
4. (8) Phil Meany, Gardner, MA
5. (13) Zig Geno, Canterbury, NH
6. (2) Erick Sands, Farmington, NH
7. (7) Bobby Baillargeon, Kingston, NH
8. (12) Keith Caruso, Millbury, MA
9. (16) Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME
10. (10) Carl Eriksson, Deep River, CT
11. (18) Adam Lapoint, Winchester, NH
12. (1) Jake Vanada, Berkley, MA
13. (14) Derek Griffith, Hudson, NH
14. (5) Rich Eaton, Seabrook, NH
15. (6) Jeremy Davis, Tamworth, NH
16. (4) Jay Sands, Seabrook, NH
17. (15) Mike Parks, Walpole, NH
18. (17) Josh King, Vernon, VT
Did Not Start: Pete Fiandaca, Fitchburg, MA
Lap Leaders: Jake Vanada (1-28), Barry Gray (29-100)
Cautions: 7 (7, 13, 15, 21, 53, 53, 75)
Heat Winners: Barry Gray, Bobby Baillargeon
Sources: GSPSS PR