Audet Captures 2nd Career NEMST Victory
Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour competitors braved the cold, the wind, and a muddy pit area to open the 2013 NEMST season at Lee USA Speedway for the famed Governors Cup Weekend. 24 cars entered the race creating 3 heat races and all cars being able to start the feature event. Through Saturday and Sunday practice many cars entered the low 17 second lap range creating the setup for a great race.
Mike Mason laid down the fast time of the weekend by turning a 16.89 on his way to a heat race win. Toby Wells was very close in his 2nd NEMST start by turning a 16.96 with his wild looking Volkswagen. Cris King also won his heat race along with Wells, and Mason. Both cars experienced difficulties in the feature resulting in a DNF, Mason had mechanical issues early in the race and Wells was caught up in a rough turn 3 accident collecting 4 cars on lap 26.
The Feature Event was riddled with minor cautions halting the momentum 6 times. Zach Audet from Skowhegan, ME took over the lead from Matt Sonnhalter on lap 6 and never looked back. Sonnhalter stayed close behind him as they encountered lapped traffic and cruised through the field. Lots of action continued through the field with cars shuffling positions and moving throughout the field for the entire event.
With 10 laps to go Sonnhalter poised a challenge for Audet one final time but lost his run while encountering more lapped traffic. Sonnhalter settled for 2nd place, his best NEMST career finish. Former Lee USA competitor Cris King continued his hot streak from last year picking up another NEMST podium. Two former champons rounded out the top 5 with Danny Field and Emerson Cayer starting off the season well.
The NEMST rolls into Stafford Motor Speedway next for their debut at the ½ mile facility for the Spring Sizzler weekend on April 27. For more NEMST information check out www.northeastministocktour.com or Like Us on Facebook! See you there!
NEMST Bonus Awards
Sunoco Race Fuels Winners Challenge: Zach Audet
Sunoco Race Fuels Hard Charger: Ricky Labrecque
Texas Roadhouse $40 Gift Card: Shawn Swallow
RH2 Communicator of the Race: Glen Thomas
Feature Results
1. 19 Zach Audet
2. 33 Matt Sonnhalter
3. 38 Cris King
4. 18 Danny Field
5. 88 Emerson Cayer
6. 52 Ricky Labrecque
7. 53 Glen Thomas
8. 10 Mitch Bombard
9. 28 Mike Parker
10. 9 George Fortin
11. 69 Louis Maher
12. 4 Nik Coates
13. 79 Josh Dunn
14. 47 Jef James
15. 04 Shawn Swallow
16. 55 Billy Osborne
17. 2 Toby Wells
18. 61 Chris Morris
19. 25 Nic Skillings
20. 90 Desmond Skillings
21. 51 Mike Mason
22. 63 Nick Maniatis
23. 48 Justin King
24. 02 Geoff Rollins
Sources: Bob Guptill/NEMST PR