O’Sullivan Victorious at Monadnock Speedway
On Sat May 25 the Granite State Pro Stock Series Invaded the Monadnock Speedway and for the third time at the Swanzey bullring, it was Mike O’Sullivan in victory lane.
O’Sullivan started the day the best way possible, by eclipsing the track record by a full tenth of a second in the Crazy Horse Racing race for the pole. He was rewarded with a prize of $125.00 and the right to start on the pole for heat race #1.
The first of two heat races went to O’Sullivan who lead every lap while Joey Doiron was able to use his second starting position to win the second heat race.
The redraw put three-time winner Matt Frahm on the pole with Tommy Rosati to his outside for the start of the 100 lap main event. Frahm was able to take advantage and get to the lead on the initial start while Rosatti settled into the top five for the early part of the race.
In the early going it was DJ Shaw in his Gomarlo’s Supermarket entry who was on the move. Shaw started on the outside of row two, dropped a spot at the start, and then worked his way quickly to the lead.
Once Shaw took the lead it looked like it was going to be his race to win as he lead most of the first half of the race by as much as a full straightaway. Just past halfway Shaw suddenly lost pace and second place O’Sullivan was able to run him down from 15 car lengths back in just a handful of laps.
Off of turn two Shaw spun to the infield, the final result of a flat rear tire. On the ensuing restart, O’Sullivan was shown as the leader and was never really challenged for the remainder of the race.
Behind him, the racing for position was absolutely furious as positions two through seven where hotly contested and Shaw was charging back to the front wasting no time passing cars as quickly as he caught them.
In the end it was Mike O’Sullivan taking down the win and getting the accolades in victory lane. “Thanks to my Dad and this team we had a great car” said O’Sullivan in victory lane. “Jaimie Rouleau built us a new set of shocks for this race and they were awesome, and the whole team did a fantastic job preparing this car.”
Shaw got as far forward as second at the end and was understandably disappointed afterwards. “It’s deja vu all over again, Second to Mike O’Sullivan,” said a frustrated Shaw after the race. “We really wanted to come here and win this race and I think we had the fastest car”.
Joey Doiron Stayed out of trouble and ran a consistent race coming home in third. “We are still trying to figure the track out” stated Doiron. When it was pointed out that he would have 150 laps in August to figure it out Doiron responded with a wry grin and said: “I don’t know if that’s good or not but I’m sure we’ll have a good car.”
Jimmy Renfrew Jr who struggled at Monadnock one year ago had a great run passing the most cars and finishing fourth while the winner of Monadnocks lone 2018 event, Devin O’Connell, rounded out the top five.
Ray Christian III, Jake Matheson, Josh King, Dennis Spencer, and Tommy Rosati rounded out the top ten.
Up next for the GSPSS is a trip to Groveton NH’s Speedway 51 for a 100 lap event on Sat June 15. Jeremy Davis will be returning to the track where he nearly lapped the field in a dominant victory.
The series will also return to Monadnock for the JBH 150 where they honor one of the founders of the series, John “Boy” Hoyt. An increased purse, as well as an additional 50 laps, should make for a most exciting event.
Check out the series at www.gspss.nes or on Facebook, Twitter and now on Snapchat.
Granite State Pro Stock Series specialty awards:
ARB Hard Luck Award $100.00: 1x Todd Stone
O’Reilly Auto Parts last car on the lead lap $75.00: 29 Barry Gray
O’Reilly Auto Parts 7th place finisher $75.00: 52 Jake Matheson
American Racer N.E Hard Charger one free tire: 00 Jimmy Renfrew
Sunoco Heat Race Winners 5 Gallons Sunoco Fuel: #1 08 MikeO’Sullivan #2 Joey Doiron
VDL 5th Place $100.00: 43 Devin O’Connell
Crazy Horse Racing Fast Time Award
1st Mike O’Sullivan $125.00
2nd D.J. Shaw $75.00
3rd Ray Christian III $50.00
Official finishing order:
1 – 08 Mike O’Sullivan
2 – 60 DJ Shaw
3 – 73 Joey Doiron
4 – 00 Jimmy Renfrew Jr
5 – 43 Devin O’Connell
6 – 93ct Ray Christian III
7 – 52 Jake Matheson
8 – 21 Josh King
9 – 46 Dennis Spencer JR
10 – 16 Tommy Rosati
11 -14 Matt Frahm
12 – 12 Bobby Pelland
13 – 29 Barry Gray
14 – 17 Kevin Foland
15 – 31 Luke Hinkley
16 – 21ct Jacob Perry
17 – 90 Craig Weinstein
18 – 1x Todd Stone
DNS – 40 Mike mitchell
Sources: Mike Parks/Granite State Pro Stock Series PR