GSPSS Heads to Claremont for Final Tune Up Before Granite State Nationals
The Granite State Pro Stock Series will offer competitors one more opportunity to dial in the perfect set up for the big $10,000 to win Granite State Nationals. Friday, July 24th the series returns to Claremont Motorsports Park for a final tune-up before the biggest event in series history.
“When the Beech Ridge race was postponed into August we felt like this would be a good opportunity to give teams a chance to prepare for the $10,000 to win Labor Day race,” said series promoter Mike Parks. “Claremont is a unique race track and this will give teams an extra opportunity to dial in their cars before the big weekend”.
Ray Christian III returns to the track where he has won the last three events, looking to extend his series point lead. Going back to the fall of 2019 Christain III has had Claremont Motorsports Park’s number. “Every time we go to Claremont the guys give me a really good race car,” said Christian III “We are just on a role there and hope it doesn’t end any time soon”.
Luke Hinkley has also been very good at the Thrasher Rd. Oval, leading laps and fighting for wins every time the series competes there. Hinkley has had two very disappointing finishes the last two races and looks to finally crack GSPSS victory lane at his home race track.
Defending series champion Joey Doiron has filed an entry for this race but will not compete in his own car. Veteran car owner Wright Pearson has tabbed Doiron to pilot his entry on the 24th. “We have really struggled to find help this year,” said the champ during a break in the action at Hudson. “The Friday races are tough too. With work and the baby it’s just tough to make it all work.” Driving the Pearson owned car should reduce the stress level for Doiron, allowing him to possibly get back in championship form.
After failing to seal the deal at the two Claremont races already run in 2020, Angelo Belsito will look to get the monkey off of his back Friday night. The Auburn MA driver picked up a convincing win at Hudson and looks to go two in a row.
Rookie of the year candidate Ryan Lineham has entered in his own car. Lineham is stepping away from the Rollie Lindblad owned 48 and fielding a car out of his own shop. Lindblad has tabbed Fred Astle to take over the driving duties of the 48 and the duo has entered the Claremont race.
The other two rookie of the year competitors have filed entries and both look to get back on track after disappointing finishes at Hudson Speedway. Casey call finished seventeenth after struggling with the tight Hudson track but was able to keep his car in one piece. Cody LeBlanc, however, had a long two weeks of preparation after hard contact with the turn three wall. Both return to Claremont with high hopes.
Joey Polewarczyk has yet to finish outside of the top five in GSPSS competition this season and looks to keep that streak alive. The Hudson NH driver came into the season undefeated with the series but has yet to visit victory lane in 2020. Joey “Pole” comes into Claremont looking to tame the tricky third-mile oval.
Jake Matheson, Jon Lowinski Loh, and Barry Gray have also entered and look to dial in their machines as all are expected to compete for the $10,000 winners purse on Labor Day weekend. All three have not had the season they had hoped for with Gray even turning the controls over to son Adam at Hudson.
Post time for the event Friday, July 24th will be 7:30 with The Crazy Horse Fast Time Challenge taking place at 7:20. Also on the card will be a full dose of Claremont’s regular divisions as well as the pro four modifieds.
For more information go to www.gspss.net or check the series out at all of its social media outlets. You can also check out the track on social media.
Sources: Mike Parks/GSPSS PR