By George Campbell
Wow, what a race.
Congrats to Eddie MacDonald & the Rollie Lachance led Grimm Racing Team. What a performance. They were dominant in the second half of the race, when they needed to be.
Eddie didn't use the cruise control to get this win either. He had steady pressure from many drivers through out the race. In the closing laps, Patrick Laperle chased Eddie down and ran door to door with him for a while. The two ran side by side, as the leaders did most of the race. Eddie was able to turn it up a notch and Laperle may have used up the tires catching him. Eddie won over $35,000.
There was three wide racing all night through out the entire field. There were three wide battles for the lead all night. Cars were racing successfully in all three grooves. Passing was going on for all positions in all areas of the track.
The racing in this year's TD Banknorth was some of the best I have seen in years, maybe ever. I don't recall that many cars racing three wide for that much of the race in previous races. The battles for the lead were amazing. Despite Eddie leading most of the closing laps, it appeared anyone of the top ten or twelve drivers had a legitimate shot through out the race.
Locals like Shawn Martin, Travis Adams and Travis Stearns were among the highly competitive young drivers that not only helped make this a tremendous race, they insured this event has a bright future. The same can be said of the many ACT racers, guys like Patrick Laperle, John Donahue, Chris Michaud and the Dragons. Some of the NASCAR veterans added name recognition and experience as they threatened to win, guys like Ben Rowe, Brad Leighton and Brian Hoar and of course the winner.
This race looked like a Talladega race at times, with groups of cars racing three wide, four deep at times. This was not a freight train race, with drivers settling in and running nose to bumper for endless laps. There were no sleeper laps in this one.
This was the sort of race that will make new fans and bring back fans that may have lost some interest. The late model teams put on a spectacular race and showcased their talents in front of one of the biggest crowds they will have in this part of the country. Any remaining doubts about the late models not being fun or interesting in this race were put to rest last night.
And the icing on the cake for MacDonald: He is now in the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is shaping up to be a great race.
Congrats to all the teams and the track for putting on a great race.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Some of the Biggest Names take on the Local Drivers in the TD Banknorth 250
The 36th annual running of the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway will be happening this Sunday.
This race is one of the most recognized short track events in the country. Over the years many of the sports biggest names have made the trek to Oxford Plains to win this prestigious event.
This race is not easy to win, in fact its not easy to qualify for. On any given year, there could be over 100 drivers attempt to qualify for the race. Most drivers will tell you the most important part of the day is the draw for starting positions in the heat races.
Some of the most recognizable names to have raced in this event include NASCAR Sprint Cup Champions Bobby Allison, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch. But a NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion has never won the race.
There have been other Cup stars that made the event interesting over the years, few more than Geoff Bodine did in the 1980's. Some others I have enjoyed competing with the locals include Morgan Shepherd, Ernie Irvan, Kenny Wallace, Harry Gant and Kyle Busch.
There has been a list of lesser known names that have taken the big trophy, names many race fans may not have even heard of before the 250. Names like Derek Lynch, Dave Whitlock and Larry Gelinas. Ricky Craven could fall into this category, he often credits his 250 win in 1991 as the race that launched his career.
I love the great mix of talent and drivers this race offers. The mix of big names versus virtually unknown drivers is fun to watch. To see the local guys and the racers that know this race is the biggest event they will ever compete in versus some of the best drivers in the country. This race can be a great equalizer.
New England's best have scored wins and put on exciting shows. Dave Dion quickly comes to mind for me as one of the New Englanders leading legendary status. Mike Rowe is right there with him. Mike's son Ben has carried on Mike's mantle as a perennial pre-race favorite.
Some of my favorite 'locals' to watch in the race over the years, other than those I already listed, include Joe Bessey, Tracy Gordon, Dale Shaw, Kelly Moore and Ralph Nason.
There have been other racers that have come from down south to put on great races as well, names like Tommy Houston, Tommy Ellis and Butch Lindley jump out at me.
When you mix all these great drivers in with other 'lesser' known drivers that have the talent to make the race, it almost always creates a terrific show. Often it makes people cheer for an underdog type driver that they barely know and usually creates a night of surprises.
Among the biggest names that are planning to enter the 250 this year are just two of those listed above: Ben Rowe & Kenny Wallace.
The next generation of local stars are emerging and will now carry on the great tradition of the TD Banknorth 250. Names like Travis Adams, Joey Pole, Scott Payea, Shawn Martin and Eddie MacDonald.
As we get closer to this years 250, I can't help but look back at some of my favorites and wish they were entering this years race. The two drivers I would most like to see in the race again are Mike Rowe and Dave Dion.
Other fans will come for the big names, but for me its the regional stars I like to watch most, mixing it up with the local Maine drivers that are racing in the biggest race of their careers.
I am curious who some of the readers here would most like to see in the TD Banknorth 250?
I posted a poll at the top right side of this page for you to share your choice. If the driver you most want to see is not listed, check other and click on 'comments' below and ad their name.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'll see you at the 250!
This race is one of the most recognized short track events in the country. Over the years many of the sports biggest names have made the trek to Oxford Plains to win this prestigious event.
This race is not easy to win, in fact its not easy to qualify for. On any given year, there could be over 100 drivers attempt to qualify for the race. Most drivers will tell you the most important part of the day is the draw for starting positions in the heat races.
Some of the most recognizable names to have raced in this event include NASCAR Sprint Cup Champions Bobby Allison, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch. But a NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion has never won the race.
There have been other Cup stars that made the event interesting over the years, few more than Geoff Bodine did in the 1980's. Some others I have enjoyed competing with the locals include Morgan Shepherd, Ernie Irvan, Kenny Wallace, Harry Gant and Kyle Busch.
There has been a list of lesser known names that have taken the big trophy, names many race fans may not have even heard of before the 250. Names like Derek Lynch, Dave Whitlock and Larry Gelinas. Ricky Craven could fall into this category, he often credits his 250 win in 1991 as the race that launched his career.
I love the great mix of talent and drivers this race offers. The mix of big names versus virtually unknown drivers is fun to watch. To see the local guys and the racers that know this race is the biggest event they will ever compete in versus some of the best drivers in the country. This race can be a great equalizer.
New England's best have scored wins and put on exciting shows. Dave Dion quickly comes to mind for me as one of the New Englanders leading legendary status. Mike Rowe is right there with him. Mike's son Ben has carried on Mike's mantle as a perennial pre-race favorite.
Some of my favorite 'locals' to watch in the race over the years, other than those I already listed, include Joe Bessey, Tracy Gordon, Dale Shaw, Kelly Moore and Ralph Nason.
There have been other racers that have come from down south to put on great races as well, names like Tommy Houston, Tommy Ellis and Butch Lindley jump out at me.
When you mix all these great drivers in with other 'lesser' known drivers that have the talent to make the race, it almost always creates a terrific show. Often it makes people cheer for an underdog type driver that they barely know and usually creates a night of surprises.
Among the biggest names that are planning to enter the 250 this year are just two of those listed above: Ben Rowe & Kenny Wallace.
The next generation of local stars are emerging and will now carry on the great tradition of the TD Banknorth 250. Names like Travis Adams, Joey Pole, Scott Payea, Shawn Martin and Eddie MacDonald.
As we get closer to this years 250, I can't help but look back at some of my favorites and wish they were entering this years race. The two drivers I would most like to see in the race again are Mike Rowe and Dave Dion.
Other fans will come for the big names, but for me its the regional stars I like to watch most, mixing it up with the local Maine drivers that are racing in the biggest race of their careers.
I am curious who some of the readers here would most like to see in the TD Banknorth 250?
I posted a poll at the top right side of this page for you to share your choice. If the driver you most want to see is not listed, check other and click on 'comments' below and ad their name.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'll see you at the 250!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Great racing at NHMS last weekend?
by George 'Soup' Campbell
New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been accused of boring racing over the years. What NASCAR track doesn't produce boring racing at times? I will counter the boring racing accusations with the history of fantastic finishes this track has produced. Say what you want about the racing at NHMS, but there’s no denying there have been some fantastic finishes there over the years. Yes there were some boring moments during some stretches last weekend, but the Lenox 301 weekend produced a few exciting moments and memorable finishes as well.
I saw the first three races there live, and watched much of the Cup race live on TV. So which race did I like the most?
1. The Whelen Modified race. The 100 lap race had such a great finish, it has to be my nod for race of the weekend. To add some interest to the race, Cup stars Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne were in the field and made for some added interest, if not just for the curiosity factor. But as usual, Ted Christopher seemed to steal the show. After early race problems appeared to take him out of the mix, he made his way back into contention and made amazing moves in the closing laps as the lead changed several times each lap, between several drivers. Ultimately there was a wreck - involving TC - as they raced out of turn four to the checkers, giving Donny Lia the win. It was an amazing race for the fans, and one that had everyone on their feet - even in the press box. Despite some sleepy laps in the middle, this was hands down, my pick for the race of the weekend.
2. My runner up pick was tougher. In full disclosure, I will admit to not watching this one in person. But the outcome was one that made me happy as one of ‘our own’ became a first time winner. There were some exciting moments in the Lenox 301 Sprint Cup race, and a surprise winner. Former Camping World East racer and Connecticut native Joey Logano won his first Cup race. Sure, it wasn’t a door to door thriller to the checkers, but as Jeff Gordon said after the race, a win is a win. Sometimes it’s just as interesting to see who can beat the gas mileage or rain. Sometimes, that’s what it takes to see a first time winner, or an old veteran sneak his way into victory lane, it can be a great equalizer. A win is a win. I was happy for Joey. Happy enough to name this race the second best of the weekend.
3. My third choice was still a good race. It had lead changes and a great finish - if not a controversial finish. The Camping World Series race was a sleeper for much of the first 100 laps. Within 10 laps there were just 27 cars on the one mile oval, and by lap 20 they were spread out over the entire track, which is how they spent most of the race. But some late cautions bunched them up and created some great battling for the lead. As the two leaders beat on each other in the final lap, the third place driver suddenly had a chance.
4. The last race on my list is the Nationwide race. It wasn’t a bad race, but it just wasn’t better than the other three. It was a typical Nationwide race, but one remarkable thing I will point out, with Kyle Busch’s win, there has yet to be a repeat winner in this series at NHMS.
I am curious to hear what some others that saw more than one race at NHMS think, what was your favorite race?
New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been accused of boring racing over the years. What NASCAR track doesn't produce boring racing at times? I will counter the boring racing accusations with the history of fantastic finishes this track has produced. Say what you want about the racing at NHMS, but there’s no denying there have been some fantastic finishes there over the years. Yes there were some boring moments during some stretches last weekend, but the Lenox 301 weekend produced a few exciting moments and memorable finishes as well.
I saw the first three races there live, and watched much of the Cup race live on TV. So which race did I like the most?
1. The Whelen Modified race. The 100 lap race had such a great finish, it has to be my nod for race of the weekend. To add some interest to the race, Cup stars Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne were in the field and made for some added interest, if not just for the curiosity factor. But as usual, Ted Christopher seemed to steal the show. After early race problems appeared to take him out of the mix, he made his way back into contention and made amazing moves in the closing laps as the lead changed several times each lap, between several drivers. Ultimately there was a wreck - involving TC - as they raced out of turn four to the checkers, giving Donny Lia the win. It was an amazing race for the fans, and one that had everyone on their feet - even in the press box. Despite some sleepy laps in the middle, this was hands down, my pick for the race of the weekend.
2. My runner up pick was tougher. In full disclosure, I will admit to not watching this one in person. But the outcome was one that made me happy as one of ‘our own’ became a first time winner. There were some exciting moments in the Lenox 301 Sprint Cup race, and a surprise winner. Former Camping World East racer and Connecticut native Joey Logano won his first Cup race. Sure, it wasn’t a door to door thriller to the checkers, but as Jeff Gordon said after the race, a win is a win. Sometimes it’s just as interesting to see who can beat the gas mileage or rain. Sometimes, that’s what it takes to see a first time winner, or an old veteran sneak his way into victory lane, it can be a great equalizer. A win is a win. I was happy for Joey. Happy enough to name this race the second best of the weekend.
3. My third choice was still a good race. It had lead changes and a great finish - if not a controversial finish. The Camping World Series race was a sleeper for much of the first 100 laps. Within 10 laps there were just 27 cars on the one mile oval, and by lap 20 they were spread out over the entire track, which is how they spent most of the race. But some late cautions bunched them up and created some great battling for the lead. As the two leaders beat on each other in the final lap, the third place driver suddenly had a chance.
4. The last race on my list is the Nationwide race. It wasn’t a bad race, but it just wasn’t better than the other three. It was a typical Nationwide race, but one remarkable thing I will point out, with Kyle Busch’s win, there has yet to be a repeat winner in this series at NHMS.
I am curious to hear what some others that saw more than one race at NHMS think, what was your favorite race?
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