Ryan Hammar Goes Two in a Row at Beech Ridge
The Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour returned to the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this past Saturday, May 4th for the running of the Pro All Stars Series event presented by Lee Family Trailer Sales. This event is always one of the biggest of the season for the teams, as it gives them a good starting point going into the summer stretch, which includes ten races on Thursday nights. With 21 of the most competitive Legend Cars in the country, it was set to be another great race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
In the first heat race it was the 2x of TJ Laro on the pole with Tylar Braunschweig in the 70 on the outside of the front row. The heat race ran caution free while Laro got out to a lead, but he had defending champion Matt Bourgoine in the 38 right on his bumper the whole time. The two battled hard but Laro was able to keep the lead and take the heat win over Laro. Evan Beaulieu drove from eighth to beat Anthony Pagliarulo by inches for third place.
The second heat race had the 4 of Peter Craig staring in the first position with Nelcar Tour president Terry Kirk on the outside of the front row. With Craig leading most of the way ahead of Kirk, the outside line began to work in with Ryan Hammar in the 2 car taking the lead. He would get his second heat win in a row. Alan Smith drove the 33 to a runner up finish with Matt Grant in the 84 grabbing the third position.
The 35 lap feature event presented by Lee Family Trailer Sales was up next for the 21 Legends Car field. Teammates TJ Laro and Ryan Hammar shared the front row. On the start, the outside line proved to work well for Hammar, as he got ahead of Laro with Beaulieu and Smith fighting for third. While the race ran caution free, Matt Bourgoine worked his way from the rear of the field through the field, again on the outside line. It was a great race behind the two leaders Hammar and Laro for the third spot, with Beaulieu, Bourgoine, Smith and the 51 of John Peters fighting for the final podium spot. The race ran caution free once again, as it was proved to be one of the cleanest days in Legends Car racing. Ryan Hammar drove away with his second win in a row, with Laro in second. Bourgoine got by Beaulieu with two laps remaining to grab third. Beaulieu finished fourth with Peters getting his first career top five in fifth.
With the win, Hammar is two for two in the PASS Series events this season. The Tour is back in action next weekend, Saturday, May 11th at the tight quarter mile Star Speedway in Epping, NH. Last season the Tour brought as many as 26 cars to a caution free event at the fast track, with some of the best racing of the season. Racing will kick off at 6PM. Special thanks to Lee Family Trailer Sales for their partnership at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway! For more news, info and how you can get into a Legends Car, visit Nelcar.net.
Sources: Evan Beaulieu/NELCAR PR