reprinted from nelcar.net
photo by Nichole, Hooligan Motorsports
photo by Nichole, Hooligan Motorsports
Buxton Closes Thursday Thunder With Win, Bourgoine Crowned Champion
After nine races, the VIP Thursday Thunder Series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway was coming to a close. The Thursday Thunder campaign has been at it’s best this season, as in the first nine races, there had been seven different winners. By far one of the most competitive seasons to date was coming to a close under the lights atMaine’s most popular short track on Mainely Motorsports’ night.
On the pole was the third place point’s driver Charlie Buxton in the 12 car, with the 2 of Ryan Hammar on his outside. On the start, Buxton was able to get out to the lead, but it didn’t take long for the first incident to occur. On lap two, the 10 of Ed Getty and the 84 of Matt Grant got together in the middle of the pack and the field stacked up behind them. After the smoke cleared, the 33 of Alan Smith, the 98 of Dean Dezak, the 88 of Steve Fox and the points leader Evan Beaulieu in the 56 were all wrecked on the backstretch. After a long hard season, Beaulieu saw his chances to win his second straight VIP Thursday Thunder title took a hit.
As the race went back green, Buxton took off with the lead again while the runner up in point’s going into the night Matt Bourgoine saw the door to take the championship open, and began to make his run to the front from the rear of the field. As Buxton lead the field, Bourgoine worked his way through the traffic on his way to a championship. Buxton would lead the field flag to flag, and in convincing style ended the VIP Thursday Thunder Series with his second win of the season! Hammar finished second and Bourgoine drove his way to third to claim the VIP Thursday Thunder championship! Bob Weymouth and Terry Kirk rounded out the top five.
After a long ten week stretch, VIP Thursday Thunder at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway had concluded after the race, proudly sponsored by Mainely Motorsports. With an autograph session after the race, the fans were able to meet and socialize with all their favorite drivers. The fans are what makes short track racing what it is and they were treated to ten great races. Congratulations to Matt Bourgoine, the 2012 VIP Thursday Thunder Champion and all the competitors on another great season at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. While the Thursday Thunder campaign is over, the Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour continues on with races just about every weekend into October. The schedule, along with news and how you can get into a Legends Car, is available on Nelcar.net!
