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By Jeff Brown, for Granite State Pro Stock Series
WALPOLE, N.H. – Racing fans in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley region have plenty of fireworks to look forward to on Friday night.
And while a pyrotechnic display will light up the skies above Claremont Motorsports Park in the more traditional sense, the fireworks on the third-mile track are sure to be worth the price of admission.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series returns to Claremont for the third event of the 2024 season, its second date this year at the series’ home base. Friday’s Fisher/Federated Auto Parts 125 highlights a busy night of weekly racing for the track on the celebratory weekend of Independence Day.
May’s Key Auto Group 125 marked GSPSS’ return to Claremont after a year away, with Joey Doiron putting on a show en route to the winner’s circle. The two-time GSPSS champ is not among the early entries this weekend, though, opening the door for a potential first-time winner at the venerable oval.
Few would like to celebrate that first win more than Cory Casagrande, who came up just short of the honors in May. Casagrande will have to do so in a different car after a grinding crash two weeks ago, but the confidence earned from his last visit to Claremont may make the Stafford Springs, Conn., veteran an early favorite for the upset.
After all, to become a first-time winner, Casagrande will have to get past two former series winners, Casey Call and Joey Polewarczyk. Call has two wins in GSPSS competition and leads the points standings after two events, while “Joey Pole” is a seven-time feature winner with a 2020 championship crown to his credit. If Casagrande has the momentum, Call and Polewarczyk have history on their side.
Evan Beaulieu’s first GSPSS title chase got off to a slow start at Star Speedway, but the Durham, Maine, racer is hoping to find momentum in his return to Claremont. Veterans Gary Smith and Andy Shaw will be bringing years of experience to the table, all in search of a first series win.
This year’s Maine rookie class will be back in force as well, with Miller Buzzell leading the charge over Morgan Call and Jamie Wright. And from western Massachusetts, the two-car effort of Jeremy Sorel and Alex Quarterley will be back in action after strong performances back in May.
With entries still filtering in for Friday’s big feature, and another $5,000 payday on the line for the first to the checkered flag, there is no better place than the grandstands to take in the show.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series’ Fisher/Federated Auto Parts 125 anchors Claremont Motorsports Park’s Independence Day Classic this Friday, July 5. Joining the GSPSS teams on the day’s itinerary are Claremont’s Outlaw Late Models, R.E. Hinkley Street Stocks, Ridge Runners, Mini Stocks, Avery Insurance Six Shooters and LaValley Building Supply Pure Stocks. Post time is 7:00pm, with a fireworks display to follow after feature racing is complete. Adult admission is $20.00; Senior/Military tickets are just $15.00, and kids from 6 to 12 are only $5.00. Fans unable to attend can also enjoy streaming coverage of the evening’s races at RaceDayTV.com.
For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, visit www.gspss.net or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
