Beech Ridge VMRS Checkers to Steve Masse for Second Win
Scarborough, ME. – Steve Masse, of Bellingham, Ma, started on the pole, led the first 63 laps, took back the lead from Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA., on lap 94 , and went on to win the Valenti Modified Racing Series ‘Beech Ridge 100’ Saturday night, Aug 3, at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, ME.
Masse forfeited the lead when passed by David Pinkham, of Buxton, ME.,
on a lap 64 restart. Pinkham fronted the field until lap 72 when Nocella made a race-leading pass. Nocella and Masse battled for the top spot until Masse was able to work his way by to secure the victory.
The win is Masse’s sixth career VMRS victory, his second first place finish this season, and he becomes the seventh different series driver to win at the historic 1/3-mile oval.
A pack of 14 cars racing side by side for close to 40 laps at a conservative pace for tire maintenance chased Masse with no one making a run to the front.
The leader himself soft-pedaled around the speedway for many laps. “They were letting me know when the traffic was coming and who was coming,” said Masse.“ I tried to pace the car and save the tires. It was a little tight at the end but I think I did a good job saving (tires).
Masse, who won at Waterford, CT., in April, has run into bad luck since but the checkered flag put a smile on the 23-year-old driver.” I pride myself in putting good people around me to pick myself up. We got the job done today.”
Nocella hung on to finish runner-up, another impressive showing for the second year driver. Said Nocella, “It was definitely our best run so far. Thought we had something but got a little loose. Definitely getting better and better. These guys work hard and you can tell now.”
Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT., started off August with a third place finish. With the emergence of young drivers finding success this season, the two-time champion now is a series veteran. “I am starting to feel old said Pasteryak chuckling, I’m only 32.”
“I had a good car. I got a little bit too far behind and used everything I had at the end trying to catch him (Masse). When I got there I had nothing for him. Good run. Way better than I have ever run here at Beech Ridge in the past.” said Pasteryak.
Richard Savary, of Canton, MA., and Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, PA., rounded out the top five.
Sixth through tenth were, Tony Ricci, Louie Mechalides, Tommy Barrett, Pinkham, and Jon McKennedy.
The race was completed in 31 minutes with only one minor caution flag thrown on lap 64.
28 race teams entered the event. Heat winners were Masse, McKennedy, Nocella, and Dana Smith won the consi.
Next Events –
Thompson Speedway August 8, 2013
Waterford Speedbowl August 10, 2013.
Race No. 8 of 17- Beech Ridge Motor Speedway
Entrants: 28 (24 starters)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 31:31:675
Best Lap Time: 15:249 (Pennink)
Lead Changes: 3 (among 3 drivers)
Lap Leaders: Masse 1-64, Pinkham 65-70, Nocella 71-93, Masse 94-100
Cautions: 1 caution, on lap- 64.
Unofficial Finish: Masse, Nocella, Pasteryak, Savary, Pennink, Ricci, Mechalides, Barrett, Pinkham, McKennedy, Wrenn, D. Jarvis, Kopec, Zachem, Ianarelli, Owen, J.Jarvis, Patnode, Smith, Doucette, Mead, Holdridge, Fredrickson, Goodenough.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./VMRS PR