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| #33 Geoff Rollins Hot Rod |
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| Matt Morrill |
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| Patrick Tanguay |
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| Joe Arena |
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| Mike Palin |
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| Frank L"Etoile,Jr. |
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| Chris ( Moose) Douton |
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| Cory Hutchings |
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| Ryan Lineham |
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| Jim Boyle |
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| John Hanafin |
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| Steve Kenneway |
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| First Series Point Race Winner ! |
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| Win, Place, Show |
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| I sure could use some Water ! |
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| Chris (Moose) Douton photo Wayne G.Barber |
The brand new series star attraction 73 Larry Barnett could not make the show because of spotting duties with other teams on a previous commitment.
Corey Hutchings did and Douton led the field to green, with Hutchings leading the first lap, but was quickly overtaken by Douton. The Waterford, CT resident settled in to a rhythm, until Ryan Lineham suffered distributor troubles, stopping on the racetrack, bringing out the only caution of the race.
John Hanafin had advanced to the fifth spot for the restart, after starting 12th, on his own request before the race as a sort of handicapping. His experience on this track and knowing he had a rocketship did the right thing and began to cut through the top five, finding himself on Douton’s bumper. Hanafin used his experience at the track to his advantage, diving underneath Douton, and taking the lead on lap 18.
Game Over ??? I do not think so. I saw some smoke coming out on turn three and knew the race car would not finish this blistering pace.
The race appeared to be Hanafin’s to lose, until a power steering issue slowed the defending Seekonk Speedway Triple Crown champion, bringing his Al Clements-owned automobile back to the rest of the field. Hanafin tried to limp his way around the track for the final 10 laps, but the black flag was shown to the Quincy, MA driver, ending his chance at the $750 payday. Hanafin did earn the mid-point Dur-A-Flex $100.00 bonus. I interviewed our frequent guest on the Race Chatter Austin Blais on the track and I asked him about the surface. I thought as a civilian the track would have been fast with no rain in so long. Austin said no. The track needs some moisture for the racing grooves to develop and if two much rubber is down it can work the other way. I think this affected Cory Hutchings more than any other race car. This team runs up front on any track in New England that I have observed.
The show was not over, however. Douton reclaimed the lead after Hanafin’s misfortune, with Joe Arena on his back bumper. The two drivers put on a show in the closing laps, but Douton held on for the win.
“Being the only Ford out here, we are learning new things every week,” exclaimed Douton. “This puts us in a great position to start the year.”
Arena settled for the second position, on the 51st wedding anniversary of his parents, saying “I can’t thank my parents, and my wife, enough for supporting me. We had a fast car, and I think we could’ve taken the win from Moose (Douton), but this was a great run for us.”
Geoff Rollins ran strong all day, but fell just short of the victory, earning a third place finish. Rollins gained speed all day, commenting “I had never been here before. Once you know the track, you like it. It was a good time coming here.”
Arena settled for the second position, on the 51st wedding anniversary of his parents, saying “I can’t thank my parents, and my wife, enough for supporting me. We had a fast car, and I think we could’ve taken the win from Moose (Douton), but this was a great run for us.”
Geoff Rollins ran strong all day, but fell just short of the victory, earning a third place finish. Rollins gained speed all day, commenting “I had never been here before. Once you know the track, you like it. It was a good time coming here.”
Patrick Tanguay patiently maneuvered his way through traffic to take the fourth spot, with Frank L’Etoile, Jr. rounding out the top five. Corey Hutchings would claim the sixth position, Matt Morrill seventh, with Jim Boyle, Bryan Town, and Steve Kenneway completing the top ten. Hutchings and Lineham won their respective heat races.
I have seen Moose win at the Thompson Ice Breaker 2015, Lee NH non-points and now here
I have seen Moose win at the Thompson Ice Breaker 2015, Lee NH non-points and now here
The North East Street Stock Tour will travel to the newly revamped Speedway 51, in Groveton, NH, for the next event, June 13. For more information on the North East Street Stock Tour, visit www.nestreetstocktour.com, on Facebook (N.E. Street Stock Tour), Twitter @NEStreetStock, or on Instagram at NorthEastStreetStockTour.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Seekonk Speedway
5/30/15
Pos (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (2) Chris Douton ($750) Waterford, CT
2. (6) Joe Arena Bristol, CT
3. (3) Geoff Rollins Groton, MA
4. (11) Patrick Tanguay Lebanon, ME
5. (4) Frank L’Etoile, Jr. Weathersfield, CT
6. (1) Corey Hutchings Salem, CT
7. (7) Matt Morrill Moultonborough, NH
8. (9) Jim Boyle Waterford, CT
9. (8) Bryan Town Charlestown, NH
10. (13) Steve Kenneway Lowell, MA
11. (10) Mike Palin Dudley, MA
12. (12) John Hanafin ($100) Dur-A-Flex mid-way bonus Quincy, MA
13. (5) Ryan Lineham Coventry, RI
-----Source OTB Promotions Shawn Sicard
All photos the property of Wayne G. Barber credit the photographer and ask for commercial use.
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| My good friend Steve Kenneway Waves to the Crowd ! |
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| Introductions in a brand new series will last a lifetime ! |
