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NOCELLA GRABS
FIRST SPEEDWAY 51 VICTORY
AND SECOND VMRS WIN |
 24-year-old
Anthony Nocella continued his winning ways Saturday
night, when he powered his Nocella Paving/Airgas
Chevrolet modified to victory in the Valenti
Modified Racing Series sanctioned 100-lap race at
Speedway 51, in Groveton, NH.
The victory was Nocella’s second of the 2017
campaign and his eighth career win moving him into a
tie with Tommy Barrett on the all-time series win
list.
Nocella took command on lap-75 with Mike Douglas Jr,
Jeffery Gallup, Mike Willis Jr, Rob Richardi Jr, and
Sammy Rameau, all chasing the leader. A late race
mishap on lap- 98 created a green-white-checker
finish with the Woburn, Massachusetts, racer
prevailing.
Nocella talked about his first time visit to the
northern New Hampshire track while # 92 went through
post race tech inspections.
“ It was a tough one our first time here. We were
pretty decent all day and didn’t know how much this
place would loosen up at night. It’s a tight little
place. pretty quick and decided to ride there at the
beginning, keep it straight and try to keep the
wheels on it,” said Nocella.
Nocella added, “ I was watching them up front racing
hard and knew they were burning their stuff up. The
last restart it got a little shaky but I pulled
through it and got the win.
Several drivers impressed in there first run at the
track often referred to as ‘Groveton.’ Feeding
Hills, MA, second-generation driver Jeff Gallup took
the top spot from early leader Richardi and opened
up almost a half-lap lead until a caution flag put
an end to that charge. Gallup nailed a second place
finish, his series best.
“ First time visit here. Kind of neat to take the
lead and pull away but I did use too much car at the
beginning. I faded back to sixth and got a few
restarts and was able to get back to second,” said a
grinning Gallup post race.
Sammy Rameau took the podium spot, the best series
finish for the Westminster, MA, driver who turned
age 15 on Thursday.
“The car was good all day really. I practiced the
car and then our crew chief Russ (Hersey) went out
and we made some adjustments and it made the car so
much better. It’s great for this team they work so
hard. All my guys and sponsors. If it were not for
them I wouldn’t be here right now,” said Rameau.
Early leader Richardi, of Taunton, MA, came back to
finish fourth with Mike Willis Jr, of Grantham, NH,
who ran strong all night, overcoming contact with
another car late in the race, rounding out the top
five.
Seven cars finished on the lead lap. Eight caution
laps slowed the race for minor crashes and spinouts.
The race was completed in 52 minutes
Heat winners were Richardi (1) and Gallup (2)
Next Event: New London-Waterford Speedbowl - June
24, 2017
Race Summary:
Speedway 51, Groveton NH.
Race # 3 - June 17, 2017
Entrants: 19
Distance: 100-laps
Lap Leaders: Richardi (1-22) Gallup (23-74)
Nocella (75-100)
Cautions: Laps - 1,1 39, 52, 69, 70, 98, 98
Unofficial Order Of Finish: (1) Nocella, (2)
Gallup (3) Rameau (4) Richardi (5) Willis (6)
Douglas (7) Fournier (8) Sherman
(9) Dixon (10) Smith (11) Meservey (12) Lashua (13)
Mead (14) Cantara (15) Robbie (16) Bolton (17) Rock
(18) Seidell
(DNS) MacMichael
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Source:
John Spence / Valenti Modified Racing Series
Posted:
June 18, 2017 |
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