Monday, September 12, 2016

Squeglia Survives Star Classic

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
Photo by Troy Bregy

The Star Classic started in Epping amid a couple afternoon showers during practice.  Eventually Mother Nature cooperated and opened up blue skies and sun. Race winner Joe Squeglia of Derry, NH set the pace early on earning the fastest time in the first practice. Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH set the pace in second practice with Squeglia close behind.
The only hiccup in the heats came in the third heat when Steve Murphy of Tewksbury, MA and George Bassette made contact in turn four. Bassette cut a tire and Murphy made contact with the wall, starting a long night for his crew.
In the feature Bobby Cabral of Kingston, NH started on the pole with Squeglia on the outside.  Points leader Barry Gray started 16th, and DJ Shaw who came into the race only four points behind started ninth. Squeglia started the race taking an early lead and holding it for the first ten laps until Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH was able to pass him.
A caution on lap 17 Cory Casagrande of Stafford Springs, CT spun on the front stretch. This gave Squeglia a chance to take the lead again and hold it until lap 72. On lap 24 the yellow flew when Brad Babb of Windham, ME and Cabral made contact in turn four collecting part of the field. Jacob Dore of Sanford, ME and Bassette later made contact in turn two bringing out the yellow again.
The field saw some good racing between laps 43 and 82, allowing Shaw to capture the lead for ten laps until the caution flew on lap 82.  Squeglia took his chance and captured the lead again on lap 83 and held it until lap 96 when the yellow checker flew as Gray Spun coming out of turn four. Shaw took second place giving him a 20 point lead ahead of Barry Gray.  Tracy Gordon of Strong, ME rounded out the top three.

Unofficial Finish
1          03        Joe Squelia              
2          60        DJ Shaw
3          41        Tracy Gordon          
4          09        Jeremy Davis
5          51        John Peters              
6          51 NH  Jeremy Harclerode
7          12        Derek Griffith           
8          05        Jacob Dore
9          1          Cory Casagrande              
10        32        Steve Murphy
11        01H      Bill Helliwell   
12        21        Josh King
13        40        Mike Mitchell
14        29        Barry Gray
15        23        Glenn Martel
16        15        George Bassette
17        14        Bobby Cabral
18        63        John Salemi
19        82        Bobby Baillargeon
20        98        Walt Hammond
21        57z       Zig Geno
22        4          Brad Babb
23        66        Mike Parks
Saturday, September 17th the Granite State Pro Stock Series will be at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH to make up the JBH 100. For more information follow the Granite State Pro Stock Series on Facebook or at http://www.gspss.net/

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