Ramstrom Survives for Easter Bunny 150 Triumph At Hickory

By admin April 20, 2019 Hickory, PASS, PASS National

HICKORY, NC (April 20) – Massachusetts racer Derek Ramstromprevailed in a wild race to claim the victory in the 14thAnnualMyComputerCareerEaster Bunny 150 Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway.  Ramstrom’s victory was his second straight Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model win at Hickory after claiming the checkered flag there last November.

“You know a lot of stuff happened in front of me with the leaders tonight, so things played out in my favor and we earned it,” said Ramstrom in victory lane.  “We’ve had a rough start to the season and we really needed this victory.  Everyone was racing really hard to halfway because we all thought the rain was coming. It was definitely a good time.”

In qualifying, Peltier took his 23rd career quick qualifying time in PASS with a lap of 14.603seconds (89.488MPH).  After the top 10 qualifiers redraw, Peltier would move back to the sixth starting position, while Tate Fogleman and Mike Hopkins would move up to the front row.

With rain being a persistent threat throughout the day and into the evening, the competition was fierce as Fogleman jumped into the early lead.  Peltier and fellow Easter Bunny 150 winner, Stephen Nasee, moved to the outside groove early on and bypassed Fogleman for the lead on lap 15.  The first caution of the night would wave on lap 28 for a spin by Christian Rose on the backstretch.

Following the restart, Peltier would slip in turn two allowing Mike Hopkins to move by on the outside and into the lead.  But, after a caution on lap 36 for a spin by Molly Helmuth and Ray Christian, III, Hopkins relinquished the lead, pitting to evaluate a vibration in his car.  This handed the lead back to Peltier, who would be dogged for the next 100 laps by Bubba Pollard.

Defending PASS National Champion, Derek Griffth, was eliminated in a crash on the front stretch on lap 76, which also collected current National points leader, Jake Johnson.  Then, just five laps later, Jerrick Johnson spun in turn four, collecting Kyle Plott and Matt Craig among others.

Over the next 60 laps, Peltier and Pollard would compete in a heavyweight bout for the lead, trading the lead back and forth, as they also traded sheet metal on occasion.  It would come to a head with 16 laps to go as the two made contact down the backstretch and again in turn four, sending Pollard for a spin. Peltier would be placed at the rear of the field with Pollard for his involvement in the incident.

This put Fogleman out front again, until lap 140 when he was bypassed on the outside for the lead by Hopkins.  The caution would wave just three laps later for wall contact by Craig in turn two.  On the restart, both Fogleman and Corey Heim were able to move around Hopkins and into the top two positions.  But, with four laps to go, Fogleman spun after contact from Heim to bring out the caution, resulting in both cars going to the rear.

On the final restart, Ramstrom was able to get by Hopkins for the lead and led the final four laps for his first ever triumph in the Easter Bunny 150.  Following them at the checkers were Brandon Setzer, Travis Stearns, and rookie Justin Crider.  Rounding out the top ten were Pollard, Gracie Trotter, Trey Jarrell, Nasse, and Nicholas Naugle.

The PASS NorthSuper Late Models will be in action next Sunday afternoon, April 28 for the Honey Badger Bar & Grill 150at Oxford PlainsSpeedway in Maine.  While the PASS National Championship will hit the track again on Sunday, June 23at New Hampshire MotorSpeedwayin Loudon, NHas part of the 3rd Annual New England Short Track Showdown.  Entry forms are currently available for Oxford Plans at ProAllStarsSeries.com.  Be sure to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

PASS Super Late Model – 14thAnnual Easter Bunny 150 – Unofficial Results

  1. 35 – Derek Ramstrom 150
  2. 15 – Mike Hopkins 150
  3. 6 – Brandon Setzer 150
  4. 16me – Travis Stearns 150
  5. 7c – Justin Crider 150
  6. 26p – Bubba Pollard 150
  7. 21 – Trey Jarrell 150
  8. 51n – Stephen Nasse 150
  9. 2 – Gracie Trotter 150
  10. 08 – Nicholas Naugle 150
  11. 33 – Preston Peltier 150
  12. 76 – Jerrick Johnson 150
  13. 78 – Corey Heim 150
  14. 21b – Trey Bayne 149
  15. 24j – JP Josiasse 148
  16. 16 – Molly Helmuth 147
  17. 8f – Tate Fogleman 145
  18. 54 – Matt Craig 141
  19. 96 – Wyatt Alexander 133
  20. 7 – Travis Benjamin 132
  21. 28 – Jared Irvan 128
  22. 92 – Jason Stanley 119
  23. 21x – Bronson Butcher 89
  24. 45 – Kodie Conner 77
  25. 50 – Jett Noland 77
  26. 4p – Kyle Plott 77
  27. 13 – Wes Burton 77
  28. 15ma – Jake Johnson 76
  29. 12g – Derek Griffith 71
  30. 4n – Ben Rowe 60
  31. 93 – Ray Christian, III – 36
  32. 43 – Devin O’Connell 36
  33. 33. 26 – Christian Rose 33

Sources: Alan Dietz/PASS PR
Photo Credit – Speed51