Fred Astle, Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Rick Martin and Scott Bruneau Pick Up Independence Day Weekend Victories
SEEKONK, MA — Fred Astle Jr of Westport broke a streak of bad luck to find himself carrying the checkered flag for the first time this season. Elmer Wing III jumped out to the lead on the opening lap, from his outside pole starting position, and led the first few laps. Astle, who started fifth, jumped into second on the opening lap, when pole sitter Tom Scully Sr. struggled on the opening lap.
By lap five, Astle slid by Wing, and set sail at the top of the leader board. Kyle Casper followed Astle into second, and followed the six time champion to the checkered. Dave Darling, who started twelfth used some a couple of cautions to help him get through, and made his way to third at the final checkered. Kevin Folan and Mike Brightman were fourth and fifth.
1) Fred Astle Jr 2) Kyle Casper 3) Dave Darling 4) Kevin Folan 5) Mike Brightman 6) Tom Scully Jr 7) Ryan Vanasse 8) Dick Houlihan 9) Kevin Casper 10) Elmer Wing 11) Bob Hussey 12) Ken Spencer 13) Mike Mitchell 14) Bob Pelland III 15) Darryl Stampfl 16) Dave Silvia 17) Cory Cleary18) Sam Parazzo 19) Tom Scully Sr 20) Bill Joerres
Gerry DeGasparre Jr picked up his second win of the season, and tightened up the championship chase. Tyler Thompson and Charlie Rose set the tone early, battling side by side for the lead in the opening laps, with Thompson setting the pace for the first few laps before Rose took over. Gerry took over second on a lap seven restart, and fell behind Bob Pelland III on a lap twelve restart. Pelland battled Rose for the lead, leading the halfway lap, but slid back to third by lap 18.
DeGasparre took over the lead on lap 19, and held on through a couple of restarts to pick up the victory. Rose ran second for a few more laps before Pelland and Dylan Estrella moved past for second and third Rose finished fourth with Bill Bernard fifth.
1) Gerry DeGasparre Jr 2) Bobby Pelland III 3) Dylan Estrella 4) Charlie Rose 5) Bill Bernard 6) Jeramee Lillie 7) Mark Hudson 8) Joe Kohler 9)Ryan Lineham 10) Greg Cotter 11) Roland Wheeler 12) Mike Marfeo 13) Tyler Thompson 14) Dave Hutchins Jr
Scott Bruneau stayed perfect in the Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series, picking up the second round, matching his first round finish. Rey Negley jumped out front and showed the way over Scott Serydynski and Jimmy Belmont. Serydynski and Belmont raced wheel to wheel for a few laps before the former champion settled into second. Serydynski ran there for several laps before contact sent him around and out of contention.
Negley continued to hold on with Bruneau working the inside, sliding by for the lead on lap 18, with points leader Rey Lovelace and Bob Bettencourt Jr both snuck past into second and third. Negley slid down and held on for fourth with Charles Beal finishing fifth.
1) Scott Bruneau 2) Rey Lovelace 3) Bob Bettencourt Jr 4) Rey Negley 5) Charles Beal 6) Ed Gannon III 7) Crystal Serydynski 8) Craig Pianka 9)Gerard Berthelette 10) Scott Serydynski 11) Chris Beaulieu 12) Austin Blais 13) Bill McNeil 14) Tim Eaton 15) Daryl Perry 16) John Hanafin 17)Joe Melberg 18) Paul Lallier 19) Jimmy Belmont 20) Jeff Ellis 21) Manny Dias
Rick Martin shook off last weeks misfortune, and showed the fight that brought him five championships. Martin jumped past pole sitter Darryl Church on the opening lap and never looked back. In a race that went nonstop, Martin was able to work through the lapped traffic with ease and hold on to a four truck length advantage over Church for the distance.
Nick Uhrig settled into third on the opening laps and held on through the checkered. Rob Murphy crossed for fourth with Barry Shaw overtaking John Paiva late in the race for fifth.
1) Rick Martin 2) Darryl Church 3) Nick Uhrig 4) Rob Murphy 5) Barry Shaw 6) John Paiva 7) Branden Dion 8) Scott Dion 9) Joey Parker 10) Dave Haywood 11) Joey Wakefield 12) Anna Gregoire 13) Bill Schoeler 14) Chase Belcher 15) Frank Duquette 16) Taylor Therrien 17) Dane Saritelli 18)Jim Hawkins 19) Billy Clarke 20) Mike Duarte
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR