reprinted from nelcar.net
photo by Nichole, Hooligan Motorsports
Bringing The Thunder, Buxton Wins at Beech Ridge!
While storms threatened much of the Maine region on Thursday night, that would not stop the show at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. After a few light showers during the day, the skies cleared just enough to get some racing in at round seven of VIP Thursday Thunder. The Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour has seen a lot of new faces in victory lane and with familiar faces at the front. The 17 car Legends field took to the track, and a longtime Legends competitor was gearing up for his first trip to Beech Ridge victory lane.
Through the luck of the pill draw, point’s leader Evan Beaulieu in the familiar black 56 was on the pole, with his teammate Charlie Buxton in the 12 car to his outside. On the start, Beaulieu got out to the early race lead, as Buxton blended into second spot. The two would lead the 84 of Matt Grant and the 8 of Matt Chagnot through the first few laps. The field begun to string out quite a bit and the two teammates had opened up a straightaway lead on the field. At the race’s half way point, Buxton made his move off of turn four, and took the lead from Beaulieu. Beaulieu wasn’t going to go down without a fight however, as he would draw back to the outside of Buxton for the lead. Coming from the rear of the field though was the 38 of Matt Bourgoine, as he moved into third with a few laps remaining, and was able to drive to the leaders racing for the win. Both Beaulieu and Bourgoine made a few moves for the win, but Buxton would not be denied, as he took his first win at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway! Beaulieu would finish in second, as Bourgoine was third. Grant would complete his best career in his impressive rookie season in the fourth spot, with Matt Chagnot having his best career run as well in sixth in just his second season of Legends competition.
With the win, Buxton vaulted himself back into second place in the VIP Thursday Thunder points standings. Beaulieu still leads by 23 markers. The Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour will be back in action at Star Speedway this Saturday, July 28th for race 21 of the season. Racing starts at 6PM. The VIP Thursday Thunder Series will continue next week, with just three weeks remaining, the championship battle is still wide open, as Beaulieu, Buxton and Bourgoine are all separated by just 28 points. Racing kicks off at 7PM at Beech Ridge. For more news, info and how you can get into a Legends Car, visit Nelcar.net.
