Bobby Pelland III Adds Super Late Models to Busy 2013 Slate
Bobby Pelland, III of Cranston, RI experienced the best season of his young racing career, earning a career best 2nd in Seekonk Late Model point standings and 3 wins. Pelland called last season, “Definitely an improvement, I think myself as a driver had more experience and confidence going into the year as well as finding some stuff in the car to wake it up,” Pelland said. “Overall, it was a great season and great points battle. Unfortunately, we had some bad luck due to wrecks and parts failures, but I can’t thank my team enough for never giving up.”
After race 10 of 17, Pelland faced a 37-point deficit to Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. Within three races, Pelland had reduced the margin to six. As DeGasparre and Pelland swapped the points lead, 2nd place remained within six markers for the rest of the year. Pelland led the points standings for three of the last 4 weeks before DeGasparre regained the points lead by six on the final points night for his sixth Late Model crown. “I think that says something about Team V and the guys”
“The 71 team has been a staple in the Late Models at Seekonk for years,” Pelland said. “I remember watching him when I was maybe as young as 10 when I was at the track watching my father. They clearly have their stuff in order and the team is run great by Gerry Sr. As far as Gerry, the accolades speak for themselves. He is clearly a great driver. It’s no secret he will be in contention for the title and I hope it’s a great battle between Gerry and I again this year, with a little different results of course.“
For the upcoming season, Pelland will compete full-time at Seekonk in the Pro Stocks and the Late Models. Pelland’s goals are the Late Model championship and Rookie of the Year in Pro Stocks. Pelland wants to “have a strong rookie season in the points, and hopefully grab a win or two.” “I can’t wait for all the seat time and learning to adjust regularly between cars and tracks, especially at Seekonk.
Connecticut’s Thompson International Speedway made changes over the offseason to allow the ACT Tour Late Models to compete. Pro Stocks will be competing in “Open” races and two Granite State Pro Stock Series-sanctioned events. “I think what Thompson did was great,” Pelland said. “It definitely attracts me to bring an ACT car down there on an easy week and one of my Pro Stocks for the open races”
Pelland sees this season as a major opportunity to continue his career advancement. “Going into this year if the money and time is in place, we’d also want to run, ACT, PASS, and GSPS as well as get down to Thompson for some Late Model and Super Late Model races,” Pelland said. “Basically, (the) plan for this year is to race as much as possible in different cars and on other tracks to hopefully put some pieces in place for future years.”
Pelland’s first race of the season is this weekend’s American-Canadian Tour Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway. “Lee is a real tough track and will obviously be racing tough competition,” Pelland said. “But I have run Oktoberfest a couple times and Ryan has won that race in the past so I’m confident my guys will give me a good piece. It will just be my job to get it done.”
Pelland will also travel to Oxford Plains Speedway for the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 on July 21. The 3/8 mile facility was purchased by Tom Mayberry during the offseason. Mayberry’s Pro All Stars Series will sanction the $25,000 to win event, marking the return of Super Late Models headlining the richest single-day short track race in America. “With the cars we have, we plan on having a car ready for that race and go home from Seekonk and switch cars and head to Maine.” Pelland went on to say, “I love Oxford and think we’ll run good there it’s a lot like Seekonk“
Team V consists of Pelland and his teammate, 2-time Seekonk Late Model champion Ryan Vanasse in Pro Stocks and Late Models. Last season, Vanasse finished 2nd in Seekonk Pro Stock points and won the Late Model season finale on DAV weekend. Both families have many years of experience at Seekonk. Ryan’s father Paul won Sportsman races at Seekonk. Pelland’s grandfather Bob Sr. owned race cars for the likes of Flash Flanagan and Wayne Dion, while Pelland’s father Bobby Jr. won the 1994 Seekonk Sportsman crown.
“We have more cars then crew members, but we love it so that’s why we do it,” Pelland said. “I think the team does run better because Ryan and myself can say how we thought the track changed from heats or practice and talk to each other about it. My father and Ryan have coached me every step of the way and are always there to help. I can’t thank them enough, I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without their guidance”
Pelland went on to thank his team members: “My dad my car owner, Ryan (teammate) Mike (crew chief) Ron (car chief), Jay, Danny, Uncle Dave, Eric, Paul and lots of other people behind the scenes.” Pelland’s sponsors are A&A Auto parts, Roll-A-way Disposal, Donald’s Car Corner, and Schnitzer Northeast.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com