GSPSS Returns to Speedway 51 for the J.P Sicard 100
Stop number four for the Granite State Pro Stock Series will see a return to Speedway 51 in Groveton NH and the running of the J.P. Sicard 100. The Laquare family owned third-mile oval did not host the series in 2018 but has in the past and it has always provided great racing.
The series is coming off a two-week break and while some drivers have spent their time off away from the track, others just couldn’t stay away. Ray Christian III ran three races at Oxford Plains Speedway scoring a win and three top-three finishes but looks forward to getting to Groveton and continuing to chase the GSPSS championship.
Jimmy Renfrew Jr also stayed busy, racing his street stock numerous times with several top-three finishes to show for it. Joey Doiron may not have been driving but spent his off weekends at Oxford helping his Dale Shaw race cars teammates, serving as crew member and spotter.
Doiron heads to Groveton fresh off a third-place finish at Monadnock Speedway, another worn out racing surface which should bode well for the Berwick Maine racer. Doiron has only raced at the speedway once before in an ACT car and looks forward to the challenge of getting around it in a pro stock.
The most recent winner at the northern NH speed plant was Jeremy Davis who dominated the event, lapping all but the top three in a largely caution free event. Davis will return to try to defend his crown but not with the same car. “The car we won with is sitting in the yard bent,” said Davis during a break in the action at a race in Maine. “We will have a newer car this time around which should be even better”.
Mike O’Sullivan is the most recent GSPSS winner and has had previous success at Speedway 51 scoring fifth and fourth place finishes. “The first time we raced there we struggled and I didn’t really like it” said O’Sullivan. The second time we were much better and I took a liking to it. I just hope we can improve on our finishes”.
A newcomer to the series, Travis Stearns, has filed his entry for the J.P. Sicard 100. Stearns hasn’t raced at Speedway 51 since 2014 but with time to race scarce, he decided to take advantage of a little free time. “This race kind of fell into a time frame where we could squeeze it in” said Stearns. “I’ve been wanting to try a race with the series and this weekend worked out.”
Other drivers entered for this event include former series champion Barry Gray and defending champ Devin O, Connell. Also entered are former series winners Matt Frahm, Todd Stone, and Josh King.
This event will start with The Crazy Horse Racing race for the pole as the field time trials for heat race starting positions. Following heat races will be the running of the J.P. Sicard 100 lap main event.
Saturday afternoon pit gates will swing open at 1:00 and racing will kick off at 6:00. Speedway 51 can be found at www.speedway51int.com as well as on various social media platforms.
Pre Entry List (As of 6/10/2019)
· 93 Ray Christian III
· 29 Barry Gray
· 1x Todd Stone
· 08 Mike O’Sullivan
· 73 Joey Doiron
· 21 Jacob Perry
· 52 Jake Matheson
· 21 Josh King
· 14 Matt Frahm
· 16 Tommy Rosati
· 43 Devin O’Connell
· 00 Jimmy Renfrew Jr.
· 46 Dennis Spencer Jr.
· 8 Angelo Belsito
· 09 Jeremy Davis
· 17 Kevin Folan
· 31 Luke Hinkley
· 16 Travis Stearns
Follow the Granite State Pro Stock Series at www.gspss.net as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2016 Speedway 51 winner Jeremy Davis (File Photo)
Sources: Mike Parks/Granite State Pro Stock Series PR