Two-time ACT Champ Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Wins Bond Invitational

By admin September 20, 2014 ACT, ACT LM Tour, NHMS

Loudon, NH – Two-time American Canadian Tour Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. claimed the win in the 6th annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, September 20. The race was called complete on lap 44 due to darkness.

“Unbelievable!” said Helliwell in the post-race press conference. “To be honest, I always have high hopes. We had a good car after practice. I’ve been under the weather the last couple weeks and it’s great to come back like this. Unbelievable!” he continued.

The 43 car field provided three and four wide action for the majority of the scheduled 50 lap event before being called on lap 44. Helliwell marched from his 16th starting position to take the lead on lap 16 from Turner, ME’s Glen Luce, who led the first 15 laps. Helliwell had to hold off Montreal, QC’s Patrick Laperle through the final four cautions of the event.

The race was called off due to darkness after the field took the green flag on the final restart on lap 44 and a multi-car accident occurred on the backstretch bringing out the red flag. Conditions became too dark, while clean-up was occurring and the decision was made to call the race with 44 laps complete.

Laperle came from the 25th starting position to take second for the second time in three years. Three-time Bond Invitational winner Eddie MacDonald or Rowley, MA completed the podium. 2010 Bond Invitational winner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. and Quebec’s Alex Labbe completed the top five. Jimmy Hebert, Glen Luce, Travis Stearns, Scott Dragon, and Tom Carey, Jr. rounded out the top ten.

The American Canadian Tour Late Models complete their 2014 point counting season next Saturday, September 27 with the Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. The stars of ACT will then be back in action on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5 for the 52nd People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road in Barre, VT.

6th Annual Bond ACT Invitational Unofficial Results
American Canadian Tour
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed
1. (16) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 44 Laps
2. (25) Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC, 44 Laps
3. (17) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, 44 Laps
4. (23) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 44 Laps
5. (20) Alex Labbe, Quebec, QC, 44 Laps
6. (19) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 44 Laps
7. (3) Glen Luce, Turner, ME, 44 Laps
8. (1) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 44 Laps
9. (12) Scott Dragon, Colchester, VT, 44 Laps
10. (33) Tom Carey, Jr., New Salem, MA, 44 Laps
11. (5) Brandon Atkins, Au Sable Forks, NY, 44 Laps
12. (21) Guy Caron, Lempster, NH, 44 Laps
13. (7) Todd Davis, Claremont, NH, 44 Laps
14. (29) Aaron Fellows, Croyden, NH, 44 Laps
15. (18) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 44 Laps
16. (6) Tyler Cahoon, St. Johnsbury, VT, 44 Laps
17. (31) Jeff White, Winthrop, ME, 44 Laps
18. (24) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 44 Laps
19. (30) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 44 Laps
20. (2) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT, 44 Laps
21. (4) Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME, 44 Laps
22. (28) Dany Trepanier, St-Edouard, QC, 44 Laps
23. (13) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 44 Laps
24. (32) Martin Latulippe, Vallee-Jonction, QC, 44 Laps
25. (43) Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA, 44 Laps
26. (15) Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME, 44 Laps
27. (36) Taylor Martin, Windham, NH, 44 Laps
28. (38) Stephane Descoste, Oka, QC, 44 Laps
29. (14) Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben, ME, 44 Laps
30. (9) Josh Masterson, Charlotte, VT, 44 Laps
31. (41) Brett Gervais, Island Pond, VT, 44 Laps
32. (10) Jason Corliss, Barre, VT, 44 Laps
33. (35) Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, MA, 44 Laps
34. (37) Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH, 44 Laps
35. (42) Josh Demers, Middlesex, VT, 43 Laps
36. (40) John Falconi, Oakham, MA, 41 Laps
37. (11) Kyle Welch, Newport, NH, 37 Laps
38. (22) Jamie Aube, N. Ferrisburg, VT, 37 Laps
39. (39) Richard Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI, 25 Laps
40. (34) Ricky Roberts, Washington, VT, 25 Laps
41. (8) Cody Blake, Barre, VT, 17 Laps
42. (26) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 1 Laps
43. (27) Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC, 1 Laps
Lap Leaders: Glen Luce, 1-15; Wayne Helliwell, Jr., 16-44.
Cautions: 6 (Laps 1, 13, 25, 25, 44, 44(red) Race Over for Darkness)
Time of Race: 1 hour, 8 minutes, 28 seconds
Margin of Victory: N/A

Sources: ACT PR