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By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
PHOTO: Rob Branning
WALPOLE, N.H. — With just three races left in the Granite State Pro Stock Series season, the series is heading for one of the most prestigious races of the year. This Friday, September 17, the Pro Stock division will headline the Friday night portion of the 56th annual Star Classic at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire.
Known as one of the most exciting short-track weekends in New England each year, the Star Classic will include 14 different divisions over three days, and the Granite State teams will have the honor of opening it all in style. Star will have multiple other divisions on hand for the Friday night showdown, including their local Late Models, who will crown their champion.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series championship battle rolls to Star Speedway with Gabe Brown looking to become champion for the first time. Brown has a comfortable lead in the standings, and with a few solid runs down the stretch, he will capture the crown. But he’s also looking for his first Star victory in the Vynorius Piledriving 100 on Friday. Brown won one of the most prestigious races of the season back in July, when the Dale Shaw Racing driver scored a $10,000 check in the Claremont Motorsports Park event. He is sure to be a favorite at the Star Classic.
Brown will be joined by the likes of Bryan Kruczek, former series champions Devin O’Connell and Joey Doiron, rising star Ryan Kuhn, and others. Kruczek won the Granite State stop at Star back on May 8, charging through the field in the late laps and taking the lead from Joey Pole late to score the win. O’Connell, who enters the race third in points, is looking for his first win of the year, while Seekonk Speedway standout Ryan Kuhn returns to competition looking to add a touring series win to his resume. Doiron returns to the series looking to gain back some momentum and hold the checkered flag.
Multiple-time series winner Angelo Belsito will return to action in his No. 8, while regulars Josh King and Casey Call are back. Last time at Star, Belsito was a contender early in the race, while King survived the late laps and finished second.
Additional invading stars for this event include the likes of former Seekonk winner Bobby Pelland, Joey Kendall, Mike Mitchell, Luke Hinkley, Evan Beaulieu, Jacob Dore, Bobby Cabral, Randy Cole, Rusty Poland and David Oliver. Most of the drivers have previous laps with the series, including Mitchell and Hinkley, who are former winners. David Oliver, a regular at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, won when the Granite State Pro Stock Series visited his home track earlier this year. Cole may have the most home-track advantage of anyone, as the driver of the No. 55 is a Late Model regular at the New Hampshire oval.
Granite State Pro Stock Series teams will hit the track for practice at 5 p.m., with time trials set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The green flag for the Vynorius 150 is scheduled for just after 8:30 p.m., live on Speed51.TV. The night will also include the Star Late Models, Slingshots and Pure Stocks.
For more information on Star Speedway and the Star Classic weekend, visit StarSpeedwayNH.com. For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, visit gspss.net and follow the series on social media for the latest updates.
ENTRY LIST: Granite State Pro Stock Series Vynorius Piledriving 100 at Star Speedway:
-Tyler Tomassi
-Angelo Belsito
-Casey Call
-Josh King
-Gabe Brown
-Bobby Pelland
-Ryan Kuhn
-Adam Gray
-Joey Kendall
-Mike Mitchell
-Luke Hinkley
-Evan Beaulieu
-Jacob Dore
-Bryan Kruczek
-Bobby Cabral
-Randy Cole
-Charlie Buxton
-Corey Bubar
-Bobby Baillargeon
-Devin O’Connell
-Ryan Green
-Joey Doiron
-Rusty Poland
-David Oliver
-Dave Helliwell
