P.J. Stergios Wins “Back to Back” at Twin State for NEMA Lites Midgets
CLAREMONT, NH — In his home state of N.H., P.J. Stergios, (#11), takes his second win in a row, and three on the year in the family owned Beast chassis. Starting from the tenth spot, it wasn’t until the late stages of the race when he was able to take the point. Andy Barrows, (#46x), finished runner-up with Scott Bigelow, (#32), third.
Under a clear sky, and on a slick track from the day’s heat, Richie Morrocco, (#25), took the lead at the green, followed by Anthony Payne, (#21) second, Barrows third, Kevin Hutchens, (#27) forth, and Ryan Krachun, (#29), fifth.
On lap four, Barrows, along with Bigelow team member, Paul, was able to power to the front where they would dominate until lap eight when a three wide fight for third through fifth occurred. As a result, Stergios was able to blast all the way into second and P. Bigelow slid back to forth, while Hutchens went into third.
What followed was a battle for the lead that had a very patient Stergios stalking the well handling #46x, that kept Barrows in the lead. Barrows would say post race that “my brakes weren’t the best, but we set up the car for late in the race, and it paid off.”
After getting through some traffic, eventual third place finisher, Scott Bigelow; who entered the top five on lap eleven; got to the third spot on lap twenty one. A lap later, Stergios’ patience netted results as he got past the 46x to take the lead for good.
Hutchens, who owned the third spot for fifteen laps, brought out the only yellow with a spin after a close battle with Anthony Nocella, (#9), on lap twenty three.
The single file restart had a running order of Stergios, Barrows, S. Bigelow, Nocella and P. Bigelow. The fast group would finish in that order giving Stergios his third checkers of the year.
The 26th lap:
– Scott Bigelow, after spinning twice in his heat race, made no less than five adjustments to the car for the feature, netting a third place finish.
– Dennis Potter, (#03), who entered his third race of the year in his x- Bobby Seymour Lite midget, said, “these cars are very sensitive to drive, but I love doing it.”
– Also in his third Lite race of the year, RJ Tufano chased the set-up all night, finishing seventh. “I’m excited about being here, lots of fun.”
– Hard work paid off for Andy Barrows and crew as the #46x came home second after a nagging brake issue in his heat. Unfortunately, car owner Jeff Johnson was not at the race Saturday to witness the great run.
– Matt Swanson, regular driver of the #9 Seymour Lite racer, was away racing at Star Speedway for the night. Anthony Nocella subbed in, finished fourth.
Sources: Bill Van Slyke/NEMA PR