Cabral Crowned Granite State Pro Stock Series Champion
Inaugural series champion claims awards at banquet; Frahm car owner champion
MANCHESTER, NH — Veteran stock car racing driver Bobby Cabral was officially crowned Granite State Pro Stock Series champion during the series’ inaugural banquet held at The Yard Restaurant in Manchester, NH on Friday, January 18.
Cabral, of Kingston, NH, claimed the series’ first championship with one win and five top-five place finishes, while never finishing lower than seventh during the season. The series championship battle went into the final race of the season, where Cabral’s third place finish netted him the series championship.
Cabral and car owner Dave Frahm were celebrated as the driver’s champion and series’ champion, respectively. Cabral received a championship trophy and a championship jacket from American Racer racing tires. Frahm received the championship earnings.
Bobby Baillargeon of East Kingston, NH was celebrated as the championship runner-up. Barry Gray of Belchertown, MA claimed third place prizes, with Rich Eaton and Fran Colson taking home fourth and fifth place prizes, respectively. Carl Eriksson, Mike Parks, Derek Griffith, Keith Caruso, and Phil Meany also claimed driver’s trophies, as well. Eriksson, Parks, John Griffith and Louie Mechalides, Steve Litwin, Mike Notargiacomo, and Josh King claimed additional car owner prizes.
Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH claimed Rookie of the Year honors for his first season in Pro Stock competition. Griffth, racing against a well veteran core of drivers, earned a runner-up finish in the first Granite State Pro Stock Series event, and ended the season an additional two top-ten finishes. Griffith earned a $1,000 gift certificate to ARBodies and a $300 award from Jack’s Competition Engines.
Distance Racing Products of Fairfield, ME awarded a brand new Distance Racing chassis to Bobby Baillargeon after his name was selected during a random draw. ARBodies awarded $500 gift certificates to Josh King and Mike Parks via a random draw. Drivers eligible for both drawing competed in every Granite State Pro Stock Series event in 2012.
Series President Mike Parks and Managing Event Director Josh Vanada thanked the drivers, car owners, officials, fans, media members, and track owners for their involvement in the inaugural season. Both Parks and Vanada gave special thanks to Larry and Dee Cirillo, owners of Monadnock Speedway, and the Webber family, owners of Star Speedway and Hudson Speedway, for their involvement in hosting the Granite State Pro Stock Series during its inaugural season.
The banquet officially brought an end to the 2012 Granite State Pro Stock Series Season. An 11-race season has been scheduled for the second season, with the opener set for the famed Icebreaker weekend at Thompson Speedway in Thompson, CT on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14.
For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, visit the series’ official website at www.gspss.net the series’ official Facebook page.
Sources: Mike Parks/GSPSS PR