Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford,ME.
With the popular twin 50's on tap for the Valenti Modified Racing Series at the Oxford Plains Speedway Sat. 6/18, the strategy of holding back and saving equipment was thro
wn out the window, especially with a $500.00 bonus to win both features.
wn out the window, especially with a $500.00 bonus to win both features.
Anthony Nocella of Woburn, MA held nothing back and raced for the lead as soon as flagman Tim Bennett dropped the green on the first 50 lapper. Nocella, fresh off his victory two weeks ago at the Seekonk Speedway, worked the Nocella Paving #92 on the outside picking off his victims until he was trailing race leader David Schneider of Northport,NY and second place Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford,MA. Nocella then crossed over to the inside passing McKennedy and Schneider taking over the lead on lap 35 and holding off a stellar field to win his second MRS victory of the 2016 season.
In the second 50 Nocella thought he had a better mount but he became involved in a four car incident off turn two damaging his car relegating him to a 19th place finish.
"The car was decent all day, real good in the first 50. I just went my own pace and on the last restart I just gave it all I had and got the lead and we were good enough to hold them off. Coming up through the pack I could use the inside and outside". Nocella said. "For the second 50 I think the car was even better, but somebody came banging through and sent three or four of us spinning and I got damaged".
Past champion Jon McKennedy started his quest for victory from row three and by halfway found himself in the runner up position but did not have quite enough to pass the high flying Nocella. But in the second 50 it was a different story. Starting 16th the Exit Reality sponsored #29 only took 10 laps to put the hard charging field in his rear view mirror for his second victory with the MRS this year.
"First race the car was a little loose, but it was really good the second 50, it was an absolute rocket ship. Starting 16th and I had the lead within 10 laps, we worked hard with it today, all my guys did a really good job. We changed springs and sway bar because I wasn't happy with it and it keep getting better. It's been a great start to the season, we got five wins in seven races in different series. Hopefully the wave will keep going" McKennedy said.
About the twin 50s he said "Twin 50s is definitely the way to go at this track. You have to race hard for the first 50 then change the right rear tire and race hard for the second 50. I think the fans saw two exciting races tonight"
The feel good story of the night had to be 63 year old George Sherman of Framingham,MA. Sherman's second row starting position looked promising until he got run into and spun on lap 9, but starting from the rear Sherman's Station Road Auto Body #93 made a charge to the front picking off competitors until he found himself running second behind race leader McKennedy. Sherman closed the gap quickly on McKennedy but not quickly enough as the laps ran out. At the start/finish line officials, drivers, fans and his team swarmed the jubilant driver.
Sherman said "In the first 50 we were way too loose so we put a new right rear tire and tighten it up a bit and hoped for the best for the second 50. I started a little loose in the second 50 and it just keep getting better for me. I couldn't believe I was picking off cars lap after lap. At the beginning (lap 9) someone drove into the back of me trying to go three wide and spun me, so I had to come from the back. I put a little more rear brake into it and it made the nose work better. I was able to drive underneath them and drive by. And Harry (Kourafas) did a great job with the motor", he added.
Summary
Track-Oxford Plains Speedway
Heat Winners-15CT., Chris Pasteryak 92, Anthony Nocella
First 50
Time of Event-20:57.532
Cautions-(2)-lap 25,30
Fastest Time- 99-Richard Savary- 15.353
Order of Finish
1-92 Anthony Nocella
2-29 Jon McKennedy
3-19 Dave Schneider
4-99 Richard Savary
5-52 Woody Pitkat
6-45 Dan Meservey Jr.
7-33 Rob Richardi Jr.
8-88 Russ Hersey
9-24 Todd Patnode
10-77 Matt Mead
11-117 Donnie Lashua
12-15CT Chris Pasteryak
13-38 Mike Willis Jr.
14-93 George Sherman
15-04 Brandon Dion
16-27 Kevin Iannarelli
17-5 ,Carl Medieros Jr.
18-16 Colbey Fournier
19-15NH TJ Bleau
20-52ME Bruce Haley
2-93 George Sherman
Second 50
Time of Event-22:20.528
Cautions(3)-Laps,9,32,33
Margin of Victory-3.424
Fastest Time-29,Jon McKennedy-15.589
Order of Finish
1-29 Jon McKennedy
2-93 George Sherman
3-15CT Chris Pasteryak
4-88 Russ Hersey
5-16 Colbey Fournier
6-38 Mike Willis Jr.
7-52 Woody Pitkat
8-77 Matt Mead
9-04 Brandon Dion
10-19 Dave Schneider
11-33 Rob Richardi Jr,
12-99 Richard Savary
13-50 Carl Medieros Jr.
14-4 ,Dan Meservey Jr.
15-27 Kevin Iannarelli
16-15NH TJ Bleau
17-52ME Bruce Haley
18-24 Todd Patnode
19-92 Anthony Nocella
20-117 Donnie Lashua
Next Valenti Modified Racing Series Event--- Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford,CT. June 24th
Story by Jim Snape
photos by Simple the Best, Crystal Snape
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