Lee USA Speedway 6/14/19 Race Report
Lee, NH – Bobby Baillargeon of Kingston became the newest member of the 2019 winner’s club in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action at Lee USA Speedway Friday night, capturing his first win of the season in the Rodfather Late Model Sportsman feature event.
George Helliwell of Pelham broke out to the lead when flagman Steve Gran unfurled the green, setting the pace for the first 11 circuits in search of his second straight checkered flag, but Baillargeon would have none of that.
He quickly moved past to take over the point, and he led the rest of the way to roll the “Big Steve” Paquette-owned, Seacoast Truck and Auto-sponsored machine into victory lane. Kris Miller of Bedford scored his second consecutive runner-up finish, with Ricky Bly of Claremont surviving a late-race scare to round out the podium in third.
Bly’s right front went down as he was working turn four on the last lap, but he kept it off the wall and somehow managed to make it to the stripe without losing any spots. Two-time 2019 winner Bill Helliwell of Pelham and brother George finished up the top five.
Former champions Frankie Eldredge of Stratham and Jimmy Russell of Exeter were next across the stripe, with Pelham’s Paul Palen and Jesse Bousquest of Pittsfield following.
Another new face made it to victory lane in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Six Shooters, with Seabrook’s Adam Knowles holding off 2017 champion Christin DeStefano to score the victory. Shane Horvath of Northwood, a winner the previous week, claimed third place honors.
Fourth went to Paul Childs of Derry, followed by Pelham’s Jesse Tellier, opening night feature winner Brandon Mailhot of Epping, Zach Washburn of Rochester, Gary Grenier of Lebanon, ME, and Chris “Rooftop” Harding, also of Lebanon.
Double features were on tap for the MLM Diagnostic Services Pure Stocks, with Donnie McCaffrey getting the win in the first half of the twinbill, outfinishing Justin Faford of Westminster, MA, Syd Parker of Barrington, Shawn Lessard of Farmington, Jon Provost of Hudson, Skeeter Bearce of Miford, Jessica Michaud of Lebanon, ME, Tim French of Campton, Francis Boivon of Derry, and Tommy Kenny of Center Ossipee.
Lessard made it two wins on the year in the nightcap, with Faford going two-for-two for the night in the runner-up slot, followed by Provost, McCaffrey, Parker, Bearce, Michaud, French, Boivon, and Kenny.
The Granite State Mini Cups made a special appearance on Friday night, with Jason Paquet of Pepperell, MA taking down the win over Shelby Kirk, also from Pepperell. Eddie Gove rounded out the top three.
Sources: Rich Hayes/Star Speedway PR