Parent wins shootout for Late Model crown to kick of World Series weekend at Thompson!
World Series of Speedway Racing. With 18 divisions and numerous champions set to be crowned over the weekend, the action began on Friday, October 13 with five feature events and the crowning of the first champion of the weekend named in Thompson’s late model division.
Coming into the event the late models featured a two-man battle as reigning track champion William Wall sought to dethrone the surprise success story of 2017, Ray Parent, from the top spot on the final day of the season. The two drivers brought different strategies to the table as their close points battled heated up. Parent, who only needed to finish twelfth to clinch the title, embraced a more conservative approach while Wall was more aggressive, virtually needing to win and get help from others in the field to finish the season on top.
The evening started off strong for Wall who won his heat and gained four points on Parent in the process. Wall continued his aggressive approach in the main event to come home third, but Ray Parent’s conservative strategy prevailed as he secured a ninth place finish and completed a Cinderella story season that he thought would never come.
“This is my first championship (of any kind) since 1996,” Parent said after the race. “It’s awesome. I’m happy for my guys – To say you’re a NASCAR champion is something you dream of when you’re a kid. I know it’s late models at Thompson, but it’s exciting and what a good group of late model drivers Thompson had this year.” Parent’s season included two victories, starting with a season-opening victory on Ice Breaker weekend, and four additional top ten finishes on route to his first late model title at Thompson. Wall’s finish was good enough to guarantee him the runner-up spot in the final points standing.
Meanwhile division regular Matt Lowinski-Loh capped off his season with a statement win in the 25-lap late model feature. It was Lowinski-Loh’s second victory of the season and one he was proud to cross off his bucket list. “It’s World Series Weekend. It’s the biggest race around hear,” Lowinski-Loh said. “I can’t thank my team enough and all the sponsors – It’s a dream come true. I always wanted to win this race. We’re going to go through the car and replace all the worn parts and hopefully come out even stronger next year and go for a championship.”Source: Jason Bleau
LATE MODEL FEATURE FINISH TOP-10: 1. Matt Lowinski-Loh (Milford, MA); 2. Walt Sutcliffe (East Haven, CT); 3. William Wall (Shrewsbury, MA); 4. Glenn Boss (Danielson, CT); 5. Ernie LaRose (Moosup, CT); 6. Tom Carey, III (Orange, MA); 7. Woody Pitkat (Sturbridge, MA); 8. Buddy Charette (Woodstock, CT); 9. Ray Parent (Tiverton, RI); 10. Mark Jenison (Warwick, RI)
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