Rich, Siemons, Gray, McPhail and Gioia Take Wins at Legion Speedway
WENTWORTH, NH — On Hawthorne Automotive night at the Legion Speedway, Tyler Rich took home the win in the 30 lap Sprint Cars of New England feature in a hard fought and bizarre event which saw emergency lights pressed into service when a short section of the track lights in turn three failed. Although the event was slowed by four caution flags, none of the mishaps took place in the area illuminated by the emergency lights.
“The top was the fast way around tonight,” Rich said in victory lane, “but I couldn’t actually see much in turn three, so I had to kind of feel my way up to the cushion.”
Modified veteran Gary Siemons picked up his fourth Sportsman modified win of the waning season, once again showing that when he’s got his car dialed in, he’s as untouchable as Elliott Ness. The double duty duo of Chris Donnelly and Kevin Chaffee – each was also competing with the Sprint cars of New England- came from deep in the pack to finish second and third respectively. Jeff Huntington, who led for much of the race until his tires appeared to go away, was fourth and Josh Sunn, competing at his third track of the weekend was fifth.
After making an impressive debut in a Sprint Car at Canaan on Friday, Brian Gray was back at the old home stand, taking the fast and decisive win in the 600cc Mini Sprints. Former Mini Sprint chauffer picked up the Street Stock win and Rob Gioia, who made a last minute decision not to race his pavement car in the Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road international Speedbowl, took home the Outlaw Mini Stock win.
Just two more weekly events remain in the Legion Speedway Sunday Twilight Series, where the first green flag drops at 5:00 pm. The season ends with Legion’s second annual open cockpit wingless weekend on September 22.
SCoNE (30 laps): 1. Tyler Rich, 2. Dan Douville, 3. Chris Donnelly, 4. Rick Martel, 4. Will Hull, 6. Jake Williams, 7. Clay Dow, 8. Butch Valley, Jr., 9. Spencer Allen, 10. Troy Comeau, 11. Steve Hutchinson, 12. Dou Sanborn, 13. Bob Giuliani, 14. Randy Wimert, 15. Lacey Hanson, 16. Tunk Berry. DQ: Kevin Chaffee.
Modifieds (25 laps): 1. Gary Siemons, 2. Chris Donnelly, 3. Kevin Chaffee, 4. Jeff Huntington, 5. Josh Sunn, 6. Chad Turck, 7. Allan Hammond, 8. Jack Cook, 9. Robert Tucker, 10. Troy Comeau, 11. Evan Kingsbury, 12. Cory Swenson, 13. David Heath, 14. Jordan Fornwalt, 15. Todd Petchke, 16. Mike Gramolini, 17 Teddy Salomaa, 18 Ronnie Hicks.
600cc Mini Sprints (25 laps): 1. Brian Gray, 2. Luke Greenwood, 3. Toby Tatro, 4. Jamie Glidden, 5. Kolin Huntington, 6. Tony Shaw, 7. Spencer Allen, 8. Jillian Badger.
Street Stocks (20 laps): 1. Doug McPhail, 2. Troy Comeau, 3. Allan Hammond, 4. Nick O’Haire, 5. Doug Boucher.
Outlaw Mini Stocks (20 laps) 1. Rob Gioia, 2. Chris Conroy, 3. Jim Durkee, 4. Dave Durkee, 5. John Knight, 6. James Capps, 7. Andy Johnson, 8. Sean Lantas, 9. Don Reynolds, 10. Mike Lique, 11. Finch Fenton, 12. Greg Millette, 13. Russ Coutu, 14. Derek Durkee, 15. Dan Collins.
Sources: Mark McKeon/Legion Speedway PR