Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Beech Ridge ~ 6/16/11

reprinted from http://www.nelcar.net/

Weymouth Takes Second Straight Thursday Opener


The Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour was back at one of the best race tracks in America on Thursday night, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway for round one of Thursday Thunder! It was the start of the 15th year of Thursday Thunder, and the Legend Cars have been a part of the popular midweek event since the very beginning. 21 of the best drivers in New England were ready to race on the 3/8th mile oval, and as always, their show didn’t disappoint.


For the feature event, it was the 1 of Aaron Lewis and the 81 of Dan Winter on the front row. Lewis was able to grab the early race lead and pull away a bit before the 399 of defending champion of Bob Weymouth was able to grab the race lead. On lap three, the 56 of Evan Beaulieu and the 70 of Tylar Braunschweig made slight contact running side by side for position off turn two, resulting in Braunschweig spinning, collecting the 2 of Ryan Hammar, the 17 of Terry Kirk and the 49 of Pete Cannel, ending Cannel’s evening.


For the next restart, it was Weymouth being able to get out to the race lead early and pulling away. The 10 of Ed Getty was in second place, right on the back bumper of Weymouth. Those two were able to pull away before the second caution of the evening came out on lap 13 for the 25 of Larry Poirer going for a spin in turn three.


It was Weymouth and Getty again on the restart, and once again those two were able to break away from the pack while the two veterans ran each other really hard for the lead. Behind them though, there way hard racing as the 14 of Beech Ridge Pro Series regular Trevor Sanborn, the 56 of Evan Beaulieu and the 27 of the most recent Beech Ridge Legends winner, Kevin Hutchens were on their way to the front of the field. As they cracked into the top five, the final yellow came out for the 5 of Gary Modugno blowing a motor.


The final restart of the evening was set with just five laps to go. Weymouth was able to jump out to the lead while Sanborn and Getty made slight contact for second, with Sanborn getting the position. Sanborn gave it all he had on the outside of Weymouth while Getty was able to sneak by and take second back. At the finish of the wild finish, Weymouth was able to take the victory with Getty finishing second and Sanborn third. Hutchens and Beaulieu rounded out the top five.


After an issue in tech, Sanborn was disqualified from the event, moving everyone behind him up one spot. This means that Weymouth, Getty and Hutchens will be coming from the rear next week for round two of Thursday Thunder. The next Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour race is this Sunday, June 19th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, on the road course once again. Not only is the race a National Qualifier for the Legends Road Course Nationals, but it also a part of the very popular Loudon Classic Bike Week. For more information, news and how you can get into a Legends Car, visit Nelcar.net.