Squeglia Survives Star Classic
The Star Classic started in Epping amid a couple afternoon showers during practice. Eventually Mother Nature cooperated and opened up blue skies and sun. Race winner Joe Squeglia of Derry, NH set the pace early on earning the fastest time in the first practice. Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH set the pace in second practice with Squeglia close behind.
The only hiccup in the heats came in the third heat when Steve Murphy of Tewksbury, MA and George Bessette made contact in turn four. Bessette cut a tire and Murphy made contact with the wall, starting a long night for his crew.
In the feature Bobby Cabral of Kingston, NH started on the pole with Squeglia on the outside. Points leader Barry Gray started 16th, and DJ Shaw who came into the race only four points behind started ninth. Squeglia started the race taking an early lead and holding it for the first ten laps until Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH was able to pass him.
A caution on lap 17 Cory Casagrande of Stafford Springs, CT spun on the front stretch. This gave Squeglia a chance to take the lead again and hold it until lap 72. On lap 24 the yellow flew when Brad Babb of Windham, ME and Cabral made contact in turn four collecting part of the field. Jacob Dore of Sanford, ME and Bessette later made contact in turn two bringing out the yellow again.
The field saw some good racing between laps 43 and 82, allowing Shaw to capture the lead for ten laps until the caution flew on lap 82. Squeglia took his chance and captured the lead again on lap 83 and held it until lap 96 when the yellow checker flew as Gray Spun coming out of turn four. Shaw took second place giving him a 20 point lead ahead of Barry Gray. Tracy Gordon of Strong, ME rounded out the top three.
Saturday, September 17th the Granite State Pro Stock Series will be at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH to make up the JBH 100. For more information follow the Granite State Pro Stock Series on Facebook or at www.gspss.net
Unofficial Finish
1 03 Joe Squeglia
2 60 DJ Shaw
3 41 Tracy Gordon
4 09 Jeremy Davis
5 51 John Peters
6 51 NH Jeremy Harclerode
7 12 Derek Griffith
8 05 Jacob Dore
9 1 Cory Casagrande
10 32 Steve Murphy
11 01H Bill Helliwell
12 21 Josh King
13 40 Mike Mitchell
14 29 Barry Gray
15 23 Glenn Martel
16 15 George Bessette
17 14 Bobby Cabral
18 63 John Salemi
19 82 Bobby Baillargeon
20 98 Walt Hammond
21 57z Zig Geno
22 4 Brad Babb
23 66 Mike Parks
Contingency Winner Car # Name
AR Bodies (Hard Luck) 66 Mike Parks
Bond Auto Parts (2nd Place) 60 DJ Shaw
Bond Auto Parts (Last car on Lead Lap) 29 Barry Gray
Coilover (Feature winner) 03 Joe Squeglia
Embroidery Expertee’s (3rd Place) 41 Tracy Gordon
Five Star Bodies (5th Place) 51 John Peters
MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat Winner) 14 Bobby Cabral
MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat Winner) 03 Joe Squeglia
MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat Winner) 12 Derek Griffith
Magnus Racing (2nd Place) 60 DJ Shaw
Powertrain (4th Place) 09 Jeremy Davis
RB Performance (3rd Place) 41 Tracy Gordon
RB Performance (7th Place) 12 Derek Griffith
Seymour Performance (Random Draw) 40 Mike Mitchell
Sunoco (Heat Winner) 14 Bobby Cabral
Sunoco (Heat Winner) 03 Joe Squeglia
Sunoco (Heat Winner) 12 Derek Griffith
VDL Fuel (5th Place) 51 John Peters
Track—Star Speedway, 0.25 mile Epping, NH.
Race—Star Classic
Time of Race— 1:10:20
Cautions—(10) — 17, 25, 38, 42, 42, 46, 82, 86, 89, 96
Best Lap Time— 13.542
Best Lap by—Joe Squeglia
Lap Leaders—(3) Squeglia 78, Griffith 8, Shaw 10
Sources: Mike Parks/GSPSS PR
Photos by Troy Bregy