Oxford, Maine. – Two-time Valenti Modified Racing Series champion Chris Pasteryak of Jewett City, CT, dominated Saturday’s running of the ‘Oxford 100’ to become the seventh different winner in seven races at Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine. The race was the headline event on the eve of the 42nd running of the famed ‘Oxford 250.’Pasteryak from his pole starting position led all but 20-laps enroute to his fourth VMRS win this season and his 10th career victory. He is now tied for fourth with Rowan Pennink, each with 10 wins, on the series all-time win list.
“Sorry I stunk up the show,” Pasteryak kidded in victory lane referring to his dominating performance. “ On 250 weekend I think it might have been 1999 or 2001 Cassius Clark beat me on a restart with three to go in a legends car, we came here (2011) and Joe Doucette beat me with three laps to go, I didn’t want to let anyone get close enough tonight to beat me,”
said a smiling Pasteryak.
Pasteryak led the first seven laps of the 100-lap race when Nashua, NH, veteran Norman Wrenn slipped by and held the lead until lap 27 when Pasteryak regained the top
position and never looked back.
“I figured if Norman wanted to go burn it up I’d let him. I knew we were pretty good taking it easy behind him. This Troyer car and Hutter motor really made me look good. It was a good night to have a good night.” Pasteryak said. Kevin Ianarelli, of Groton, MA, had a career best finish nailing down second after being pursued heavily by Les Hinckley
in the late stages of the race.
“It was pretty hooked up for a change. Every time we got to Chris he had a little more in the bank,” Ianarelli said in post race interviews. “We were not going to touch him.”
Ianarelli also knew Hinckley was on the prowl. “They told me he was about five lengths back. Another 10-laps he probably would have got me we were starting to back it into the corners. This Troyer car and Billy The Kid motor really got it done for me.”
Hinckley, the Windsor Locks, CT, driver who returned to competition with a victory at Monadnock Speedway last week was not going to Oxford until the cell phone rang this week. On the other end was Gary Casella, owner of the #25 modified driven by Rowan Pennink when he is not committed elsewhere.
More often this season than in the past, Pennink has had conflicting dates leaving the seat open in Casella’s car forcing the veteran car owner to shop around for a driver for his racer. Hinckley welcomed the opportunity and drove
to a solid third place finish.
Hinckley was complimentary in victory lane. “Gary and I got together for a one race deal to have some fun. Gary has great equipment and I can’t thank him and Kim (Casella) enough for giving me the opportunity. Would have liked to see a caution there at the end and see if we could have mixed it up a little bit but we had plenty of laps to get there. Good run - good piece – last minute deal and it was a lot of fun.”
Russ Hersey, of Swanzey, NH, made a late race charge to finish fourth with veteran Donnie Lashua, of Canaan, NH,
rounding out the top five.
Sixth through tenth were series newcomer Matt Swanson, Jon McKennedy, Dennis Perry, Wrenn, and Todd Patnode.Race Notes:
24 cars entered the Oxford event.
15-year-old Matt Swanson enjoyed a successful debut.
Timed very well in practice sessions, ran in the top five
in the feature, raced side by side with
Jon McKennedy for many laps.
David Schneider and crew flew in for the race from Long Island
and were picked up and flown back at the conclusion of
the race. An airport is adjacent to the speedway property.
Heat winners: Doucette, Perry, Medeiros
Race Summary:
Oxford Plains Speedway
Oxford, ME
August 29, 2015
Race # 12
Entrants (24)
Distance: 100-laps
Time: 35:49:343
Margin of Victory: 1.304
Best Speed: 86.064 (Wrenn)
Average Speed: 63.291
Best Lap Time: 15.686 (Wrenn)
Lead Changes: 2
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| Photo by O'Grodnick |
Unofficial Order Of Finish: - (1) Pasteryak (2) Ianarelli (3) Hinckley (4) Hersey (5) Lashua (6) Swanson (7) McKennedy (8) Perry (9) Wrenn (10) Patnode (11) Nocella (12) Schneider (13) Alexander (14) Medeiros (15) Ricci (16) Meservey Jr (17) Dixon (18) Sherman (19) Willis Jr (20) Cantara (21) Annarummo (22) Doucette (23) Haley (24) Mead Source; media press release
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