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04/04/2013 |
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BEECH RIDGE
VMRS CHECKERS
TO STEVE MASSE FOR SECOND WIN |
Steve
Masse, of Bellingham, Ma, started on the pole, led
the first 63 laps, took back the lead from Anthony
Nocella, of Woburn, MA., on lap 94 , and went on to
win the Valenti Modified Racing Series ‘Beech Ridge
100’ Saturday night, Aug 3, at Beech Ridge Motor
Speedway, Scarborough, ME.
Masse forfeited the lead when passed by David
Pinkham, of Buxton, ME.,
on a lap 64 restart. Pinkham fronted the field until
lap 72 when Nocella made a race-leading pass.
Nocella and Masse battled for the top spot until
Masse was able to work his way by to secure the
victory.
The win is Masse’s sixth career VMRS victory, his
second first place finish this season, and he
becomes the seventh different series driver to win
at the historic 1/3-mile oval.
A pack of 14 cars racing side by side for close to
40 laps at a conservative pace for tire maintenance
chased Masse with no one making a run to the front.
The leader himself soft-pedaled around the speedway
for many laps. “They were letting me know when the
traffic was coming and who was coming,” said Masse.“
I tried to pace the car and save the tires. It was a
little tight at the end but I think I did a good job
saving (tires).
Masse, who won at Waterford, CT., in April, has run
into bad luck since but the checkered flag put a
smile on the 23-year-old driver.” I pride myself in
putting good people around me to pick myself up. We
got the job done today.”
Nocella hung on to finish runner-up, another
impressive showing for the second year driver. Said
Nocella, “It was definitely our best run so far.
Thought we had something but got a little loose.
Definitely getting better and better. These guys
work hard and you can tell now.”
Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT., started off August
with a third place finish. With the emergence of
young drivers finding success this season, the
two-time champion now is a series veteran. “I am
starting to feel old said Pasteryak chuckling, I’m
only 32.”
“I had a good car. I got a little bit too far behind
and used everything I had at the end trying to catch
him (Masse). When I got there I had nothing for him.
Good run. Way better than I have ever run here at
Beech Ridge in the past.” said Pasteryak.
Richard Savary, of Canton, MA., and Rowan Pennink of
Huntingdon Valley, PA., rounded out the top five.
Sixth through tenth were, Tony Ricci, Louie
Mechalides, Tommy Barrett, Pinkham, and Jon
McKennedy.
The race was completed in 31 minutes with only one
minor caution flag thrown on lap 64.
28 race teams entered the event. Heat winners were
Masse, McKennedy, Nocella, and Dana Smith won the
consi.
Next Events –
Thompson Speedway August 8, 2013
Waterford Speedbowl August 10, 2013.
Race No. 8 of 17- Beech
Ridge Motor Speedway
Entrants: 28 (24 starters)
Distance: 100 laps
Time of Race: 31:31:675
Best Lap Time: 15:249 (Pennink)
Lead Changes: 3 (among 3 drivers)
Lap Leaders: Masse 1-64, Pinkham 65-70,
Nocella 71-93, Masse 94-100
Cautions: 1 caution, on lap- 64.
Unofficial Finish: Masse, Nocella, Pasteryak,
Savary, Pennink, Ricci, Mechalides, Barrett,
Pinkham, McKennedy, Wrenn, D. Jarvis, Kopec, Zachem,
Ianarelli, Owen, J. Jarvis, Patnode, Smith,
Doucette, Mead, Holdridge, Fredrickson, Goodenough.
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Source: John Spence / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted: August
4, 2013 |
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