Limited Sportsman Results Thompson Motorsports Park 2nd Annual Military Night 6-01-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  & Photos by Wayne G. Barber

Connecticut National Guard

 2nd Annual Whelen Military Night was rewarded by outstanding spring weather and very good car counts on a Wednesday night in the Green Valley. #51 Josh Wood was a guest on our Race Chatter on May 22 and said who would race petal to the metal to try to win three in a row. In our interview Wood said that #75 Ryan Waterman would be real fast and would be at the front at the conclusion of the event. He was right on Waterman but everyone failed to let him know that #77 Phil Jacques who dominated his heat race was hungry for a first ever complete race in this competitive fan favorite division.

The Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman Series started off the night and saw a first time winner roll into victory lane as Phil Jacques led every lap on route to not only his first Thompson victory, but his first ever completed event on the track after several past attempts ended in less-than-stellar outings. Jacques faced a hard fought battle from Ryan Waterman on his way to the checkered flag, but said he had a great car and a lot of confidence in his team to help him get to the end in front. “I knew if I hit my marks (Waterman) wouldn’t get to me. I’ve got more motor than him. He handles a little better than me and he was getting into the corner better.” Jacques said in Victory Lane. “It’s the first time I’ve finished a race (at Thompson). I had a heck of a time. We’ve been battling one thing after another, broken parts, rookie mistakes on my part, but we finally got the monkey off our back.” Jacques was very humble in victory lane and in the press box and mentioned every one who helped in his learning curve from a raw rookie to a Thompson winner and seems to have his head on straight for a long successful career in the Limited Sportsman. Jacques revealed his exhaust fell apart during the heat and in the feature the alternater started to die with two laps to go and he heard more imaginary noises from every part of the race car which in racing is normal for a first time winner. Now Jacques and young 22 year old Wood and Waterman may just be the changing of the guard in this division and insure the track and the loyal fan base some outstanding racing for the next generation. This is a star studded field tonight which included #52 Al Stone who came over from New London Waterford Speed Bowl fame and Mr. Excitement # 38 Cory Hutchings who has won in every type of chariot but tonight had to retire early with mechanical problems out of his control.

#51 Joshua Wood solid 3rd place adds to his points lead after 3 races

#51 Josh Wood, who won the first two races of the season at Thompson, was unable to make it three in a row but did manage to work his way up to third before the end of the night after starting outside the top ten, continuing a strong start to his season. Starting at the rear on a short 20 lapper is quite a work out and had a race within a race with last years division champion #36 Scott Sundeen in a see saw battle for 3rd and 4th. #73 Larry Barnett always a pre-race favorite started at the rear and was boxed in and then it seemed his clutch started fading to take him out of contention.

XTRA MART LIMITED SPORTSMAN FINISH: 1. Phil Jacques (Dudley, MA); 2. Ryan Waterman (Danielson, CT); 3. Joshua Wood (Palmer, MA); 4. Scott Sundeen (Sutton, MA); 5.Tommy Shea (New London, CT); 6. Frank L’Etoile, Jr. (Wethersfield, CT); 7. Ed Puleo (Branford, CT); 8. Brent Gleason (Griswold, CT); 9. Al Stone (Durham, CT); 10. Larry Barnett (Moosup, CT); 11. Dennis Blais (Norwich, CT); 12. Troy Waterman (Killingly ,CT); 13. James Bendiak Hopkinton, MA); 14. Hank Stott (Medway, MA); 15. John Carpenter North Grosvenordale, CT); 16. Ed Correia, Jr. (Raynhyam, MA); 17. Dan Coutu (Canterbury, CT); 18. Corey Hutchings (Salem, CT)