Stafford Speedway Hot Late/Model action on 5-13-22

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Looks like the most heated division in our local tracks will be the popular Late/Models.

In the 30-lap Late Model feature, Andrew Molleur took the lead at the green flag although Kevin Gambacorta was all over his back bumper and was looking to take the lead but Chris Meyer spun on the backstretch to bring the caution out with 1 lap complete.

Molleur again took the lead with Tom Fearn getting by Gambacorta to move into second.  Gambacorta was now third followed by Paul Varricchio, Jr. and Wayne Coury, Jr.  Gambacorta didn’t take long to get back to second as he made a move to the inside of Fearn on lap-4 and was able to reclaim the spot.  Adam Gray was on the charge in the early laps, moving into seventh place on lap-5 after starting in 15^th place.  Gambacorta continued his march to the front as he went to the inside of Molleur in turn 4 on lap-8 to move into the lead.  Fearn was still third with Varricchio and Michael Wray making up the top-5.

Michael Bennett made a move to get around Coury for sixth place on lap-14 with Gray right behind Coury in eighth place.  Wray took fourth from Varricchio on lap-18 and now Bennett was closing in on Varricchio in the fight for fifth.  Bennett made the move around Varrichio on lap-20 to move into fourth as Gambacorta was starting to slowly pull away from Molleur and Fearn at the front of the field.

With 5 laps to go, Gambacorta was comfortably leading  Molleur, Fearn, Wray, and Bennett.  Gambacorta cruised to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2022 season.  Molleur finished second with Fearn, Michael Wray, and Bennett rounding out the top-5.  Sourc: Scott Running Stafford Speedway press release and track photo credit. Tom Fearn is the track's late/model all/time winner and all time weekly points champion in his certain first round Hall of Fame career and struggled in 2021.

LATE MODEL (30)

1) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington

2) Andrew Molleur, Shelton

3) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, Ma

4) Michael Wray, Durham

5) Michael Bennett, Willington

6) Wayne Coury, Jr., Fairfield

7) Adam Gray, Granby, Ma

8) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin

9) Darrell Keane, Enfield

10) Paul Arute, Northbridge, Ma

11) John Blake, North Haven

12) Dave Wray, Durham

13) Chris Meyer, North Franklin

14) Duane Noll, Monroe

15) Marc Curtis, Brookfield, Ma