Jim Boyle Makes History on the Road Course
Waterford, CT Driver Victorious at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
THOMPSON, CT – Jim Boyle became the sixth different winner in seven races, grabbing the checkers in the A-1 Auto Center/Stebbins Discount Stump Grinding 15 event at the Stock Car Road Race Challenge, on the road course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
Co-point leaders Chris Douton and Geoff Rollins led the field to the green, after posting the two quickest laps in qualifying on the 1.7-mile road course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Douton would experience adversity immediately, sliding off the pavement in Turn 1, and relinquishing positions to Rollins and Joe Arena. Douton would fight back, and overtake Arena, before suffering clutch malfunction, and ending his day.
That left room for Rollins to capitalize, but with five laps remaining, his engine exploded into a sea of smoke, bringing out a full-course yellow.
Jim Boyle, who worked his way up from his fourth place starting position, inherited the lead when the race resumed. Joe Arena and Steve Kenneway made contact entering the treacherous Turn 1, tearing the front bumper off Arena’s automobile, but both cars remained on the track.
A former Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park oval champion, Kenneway would chase Boyle in the closing laps, but could not make up ground, as Boyle picked up his first victory on the tour.
Being greeted by his family and crew, Boyle said in Victory Lane “That was a definitely a workout. We broke the throttle spring on lap 2, and it’s been one heck of a run.”
Kenneway would settle for the second spot, recording his best finish on the tour to date. A satisfied Kenneway continued “Every time I thought I was gaining on Jim [Boyle], he just seemed to pull away. It was a lot of fun.”
Arena completed the podium, finishing in the third position. Joe explained “This was a great event, and I’m happy to come away with a third.”
Larry Barnett would cross the line in the fourth spot, after putting pressure on Arena and Kenneway earlier in the race. Newcomer Trace Beyer made his debut count, claiming the fifth position. John Berchem and Brent Gleason finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with Rollins, Patrick Tanguay, and Douton rounding out the field. Douton’s qualifying time of 1:25.119 is the official record for the North East Street Stock Tour on the 1.7-mile road course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
The North East Street Stock Tour will crown the champion of the inaugural season on October 16-18, returning to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the World Series of Racing, on the 5/8-mile oval. For more information, visit www.nestreetstocktour.com.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
A-1 Auto Center/Stebbins Discount Stump Grinding 15
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
9/12/15
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
- (4) Jim Boyle Waterford, CT
- (6) Steve Kenneway Lowell, MA
- (3) Joe Arena Bristol, CT
- (7) Larry Barnett Moosup, CT
- (9) Trace Beyer Dover, VT
- (10) John Berchem West Greenwich, RI
- (8) Brent Gleason Glasgo, CT
- (2) Geoff Rollins Groton, MA
- (5) Patrick Tanguay Lebanon, ME
- (1) Chris Douton Waterford, CT
Sources: Shawn Sicard/OTB Promotions, Inc.