George Bessette Opens Granite State Pro Stock Season with Icebreaker Victory
George Bessette of Danbury, CT added his name to the growing list of winners on the Granite State Pro Stock Series. The second year touring group opened the season at a new venue, but it was a familiar face for the Thompson Speedway fans waving the checkered flag. “This is for them,” George beamed from Victory Lane, pointing to the LaMountain Bros. team. “The fans have watched me run like a bag of you know what for the past couple of years, and to win today, feels great!”
The 50 lap main event started with Billy Brady of Marston Mills, MA and Glenn Tyler of Hampton Bays, NY bringing the 21 car field down to the green. Tyler jumped out to the lead, and set a fast pace around the 5/8 mile oval. Brady ran second, but started to slide back just a little, as Mike O’Sullivan moved into the runner up position. O’Sullivan put pressure on Tyler, but could not squeeze by the Katie’s of Smithstown machine.
Former Thompson Pro Stock Champion Larry Gelinas of Buxton ME ran fourth for several laps before being overtaken by Tyngsboro’s Louis Mechalidas, who was working his way up from his tenth starting position. By the time he moved into fourth, he had some ground to make up, and in ten laps, was up to third. As he closed in on the leaders, he made quick work finding himself in a battle for the lead.
Sat. 04/13
[Photo Gallery] by Paul Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Sun. 04/14
[Photo Gallery] by Paul Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Lightning Lou moved to the inside of Tyler as they came off turn four, and moved to the top of the leader board as they completed lap 21. From there, the MacLellan Metal Finishing Chevy checked out from the rest of the field.
At the lap 25 mark, Mechalidas had already opened up a second advantage on Tyler, O’Sullivan, Brady, and Bessette, who had just moved into the top five. Gelinas, Jake Vanada, Carl Eriksson, Jim Banfield and Mike Parks were sixth through tenth.
At the 30 lap mark, the Flamingo Motorsports Chevy of O’Sullivan started to pressure Tyler once again, and on lap 35, took over the second position. By that time, the lead was several seconds from first to second. The lapped traffic didn’t slow down the leader at all, but on lap 41, Mechalidas slowed down the back stretch, and with that slight puff of smoke, the whole complexion of the race changed.
On the restart, the new leader, Mike O’Sullivan chose the outside lane over Bessette, who had just moved into third past Tyler. Bessette raced wheel to wheel with O’Sullivan, something these two drivers have done many times over the years, and as they came off turn two, the Danbury, CT native found himself at the top of the leader board. Jake Vanada moved into third just before the second caution came out for Carl Eriksson, who spun off the second corner and hit the backstretch wall. Bessette had the lane choice, and gave O’Sullivan the same option, the inside lane, but once again, the MadDog showed the way as the duo raced off the second turn for the third and final restart.
With a fist up in the air, Bessette crossed under the Sunoco Checkered Flag, becoming the eighth different winner in series history, extending the streak of different winners for the second year series. O’Sullivan crossed the line in second, with Tyler moving back into third over the final few laps. Jake Vanada and Jim Banfield rounded out the top five.
Louie Mechalidas picked up the Performance Unlimited Performance of NH ½ way leader bonus, along with the AR Bodies Hard Luck Award. The Bond Auto Parts award goes to Jay Sands, as the last driver on the lead lap. Jim Banfield received the Sherwood Wheel $50.00 gift certificate for his 5th place finish. Matt Frahm picked up the most positions, earning him the Ricky’s Real Racer award.
George Bessette, Larry Gelinas and Glenn Tyler received the Sunoco Qualifying Race Winner awards on Saturday.
The Granite State Pro Stocks return to action on Saturday, May 4th, at the Canaan Fair Speedway for a 100 lap main event, along with the Pro4 Modifieds, Vintage Outlaws and Bandits. Qualifying starts at 5pm for all 4 classes.
For more information, check out our website at gspss.net, or find us on Facebook under Granite State Pro Stock Series.
1 15 George Bessette 50
2 08 Mike O’Sullivan 50
3 21Ny Glenn Tyler 50
4 46 Jake Vanada 50
5 13 Jim Banfield 50
6 92 Billy Brady 50
7 66 Mike Parks 50
8 29 Barry Gray 50
9 09 Jeremy Davis 50
10 21 Josh King 50
11 87 Erick Sands 50
12 14M Matt Frahm 50
13 36 Jay Sands 50
14 91 Jeff Hartwell 48
15 96 Matt Zenisky 48
16 48 Larry Gelinas 47
17 1m Norm Wrenn 44
18 71 Carl Eriksson 44
19 47 Louie Mechalides 41
20 44 Austin Brehio 32
21 2 Keith Caruso 31
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Granite State Pro Stock Series PR