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(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway returned to weekly racing action with the Late Model division taking center stage with their extra distance Paradiso Insurance Late Model 50 feature event on Friday night, September 6th. Alexandra Fearn was the big winner of the night by surviving several green white checkered attempts to finish the race and hold off Adam Gray and then Darrell Keane to score her first win of the 2024 season. Andrew Molleur was a first time 2024 winner in the SK Modified® feature, Tyler Chapman won for the seventh time this season in the SK Light feature, Devon Jencik won for the second time in the Limited Late Model feature, and Travis Downey recorded his third win in the Street Stock feature.
In the Paradiso Insurance 50-lap Late Model feature, Alexandra Fearn took the lead at the start with Chris Buffone right behind her in second and looking to take the lead. Tom Fearn was third in the early laps with Darrell Keane fourth and Wayne Coury, Jr. in fifth. With 10 laps complete, it was still Alexandra Fearn leading Buffone, Tom Fearn, Keane, and Kevin Gambacorta. Chris Meyer was sixth followed by Adam Gray, Josh Wood, Tom Butler, and Andrew Durand. The caution came out with 12 laps complete as Bobby Stirk, III’s car came to a stop on the track at the entrance to turn 3.
Alexandra Fearn took the lead on the restart with Buffone holding second. Tom Fearn was dueling door to door with Keane for third with Gray up to fifth. Tom Fearn cleared Keane for third and Keane slid back to sixth place as Gray took fourth and Butler took fifth while Alexandra Fearn continued to lead Buffone. Gray took third from Tom Fearn on lap-19 and he took second from Buffone on lap-27.
With 30 laps complete, it was still Alexandra Fearn in the lead with Gray, Buffone, Tom Fearn, Butler, Keane, Meyer, Cliff Saunders, and Paul Varricchio, Jr. making up the top-10. Gray was applying heavy pressure to Fearn for the lead, but Fearn was able to fend off his challenges. Tom Fearn spun on the backstretch as did several other cars, including Butler, Gambacorta, and Varricchio, to bring the caution flag out with 37 laps complete.
Gray took the lead on the restart with Alexandra Fearn slotting into second behind Gray. Keane was up to third with Buffone back to fourth and Meyer up to fifth. With 5 laps to go it was still Gray in command with Alexandra Fearn, Keane, Meyer, and Al and Cliff Saunders all giving chase. The caution came out with 49 laps complete for a spin in turn 2 by Varricchio that set up a green white checkered finish.
Gray and Alexandra Fearn went door to door for the lead with Fearn taking the lead by a nose as the cars took the white flag. Butler backed into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution flag back out to set up a second green white checkered finish.
Alexandra Fearn took the lead on the restart wit Keane taking second. Gray was third but he faded backwards on the last lap while Fearn held off Keane at the checkered flag to win the Paradiso Insurance Late Model 50. Meyer finished third with Cliff Saunders and Al Saunders rounding out the top-5.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tyler Hines took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Anthony Flannery in second. Michael Gervais, Jr. and Todd Owen were wheel to wheel for third with Marcello Rufrano in fifth. Owen quickly took third and then took second from Flannery on lap-3 before taking the lead on lap-4. Flannery was now second behind Owen with Gervais in third, Rufrano in fourth, and Andrew Molleur and Hines were side by side for fifth. Hines took fifth on lap-8 with Molleur right behind him in sixth as Owen continued to lead Flannery and Gervais.
Several cars spun in turn 3, including Jon Puleo, Steven Chapman, Austin Beers, Dylan Kopec, and Cory DiMatteo to bring the caution flag out with 12 laps complete.
Owen took the lead on the restart with Gervais, Flannery, Rufrano, Hines, and Molleur behind him. Gervais pulled alongside Owen for the lead on lap-14 but Owen was able to hold him off and he went back to the lead on lap-15 with Gervais falling in line behind him. Flannery and Rufrano were dueling wheel to wheel behind the lead duo for third with Molleur in fifth and Hines in sixth. Rufrano got the better of the fight with Flannery to move into third on lap-18 before Flannery took a hard hit into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution back out with 18 laps complete.
The field completed one lap before the caution came back out for Troy Talman, who went around in turn 3.
Molleur took the lead on the restart but Gervais came right back on his outside to challenge for the top spot. Molleur cleared Gervais on lap-22 with Owen now to the inside of Gervais looking to take second. David Arute was up to fourth with Michael Christopher, Jr. and Hines fighting wheel to wheel for fifth place with Keith Rocco right behind them in seventh place.
With 30 laps complete, the order was Molleur, Gervais, Owen, Christopher, Arute, Hines, DiMatteo, Rocco, Mikey Flynn, and Puleo. Wesley Prucker went around in turn 3 to bring the caution flag back out with 33 laps complete.
Molleur was once again the leader back under green with Gervais and Owen again going wheel to wheel for second. Gervais took second on lap-35 while Christopher, Owen, and Hines briefly went 3-wide behind Gervais for third with Christopher emerging in third, Owen fourth, and Hines fifth. Molleur led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2024 season. Christopher made a last lap pass in turns 3+4 to snatch second from Gervais at the line with Owen fourth and Hines rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap SK Light feature, Paul Arute took the early lead at the start with Bob Charland and Frank L’Etoile, Jr. going wheel to wheel for second. Charland took second on lap-3 with Josh Morrison moving to the outside of L’EToile for third but the caution came out for a spin on the backstretch by Ron Midford, Jr.
The restart saw a pileup of cars in turn 1 involving Stephen Kalogiannis, Paul Arcari, Sami Anderson, Carsten Cole, Meghan Fuller, Matt Vassar, Austin Goff, and Ron Midford, Jr. to bring the caution flag right back out.
Arute took the lead back under green with Morrison moving into second. Amanda West got loose in turn 1 on lap-4, which stacked up the field behind her and collected the cars of Arcari, Anthony Forino, Carsten Cole, Cassandra Cole, Wade Gagner, Casey Vogt, and Joey Ferrigno to bring the caution flag back out with 4 laps complete.
Morrison took the lead from Arute on the restart with Charland and West fighting wheel to hweel fro third. West took third on lap-6 but Chris Matthews took third from West on lap-7. Nickolas Hovey moved into fifth before the caution came back out with 7 laps complete for Aiden D’Agata, who got into the wall and was slowly circulating around the track.
Morrison took the lead with Matthews right on his back bumper in second. Hovey moved up to third with Tyler Chapman taking fourth. Arute and West were fighting wheel to wheel for fifth with West taking the spot on lap-11. Chapman took third from Hovey on lap-11. Chapman pulled alongside Matthews for second on lap-13 and he took second on lap-14 and pulled alongside Morrison for the lead on lap-15. The duo of Chapman and Morrison were still wheel to wheel on lap-17 before Chapman got clear into the lead on lap-18. Chapman led Morrison to the checkered flag to pick up his seventh win of the 2024 season. Matthews finished third with Hovey and Pearl rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, Connor Jencik took the early lead with Devon Jencik diving to the inside of Gary Patnode to take second. Patnode was third in line with RJ Surdell in fourth and Kyle Theriault fifth. With 5 laps complete, it was still Connor Jencik leading Devon Jencik, Patnode, Surdell, and Matt Clement. Matthew Winter, II was up to sixth with Theriault sliding back to seventh place.
Surdell made a move to the inside of Patnode on lap-10 to move into third. Surdell’s move opened the door for Winter to take fourth and Matt Clement fifth. Patnode slid all the way back to tenth place as Theriault was now sixth, Jeremy Lavoie seventh, Kevin Cormier eighth, and Rich Hammann ninth.
Devon Jencik went by Connor Jencik on lap-16 to take over the race lead. Surdell was still running in third place with Matt Clement fourth and Theriault fifth. Devon Jencik led his younger brother Connor to the checkered flag to pick up his second win of the 2024 season. Surdell finished third with Matt Clement and Theriault rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap Street Stock feature, Marvin Minkler took the early lead at the start of the race with Sean Petlock right on his back bumper. The caution came out with 1 laps complete for a spin in turn 4 by Garrett Pease.
Jason Raymond took the lead on the restart with Petlock holding on to second. Travis Downey moved into third with Bert Ouellette taking fourth and Brandon Warren fifth as Minkler slid back to sixth. The caution came back out with 3 laps complete as Warren spun in turn 2 and collected the cars of Travis Hydar, Isabella Minchella, and Chris Danielczuk.
Raymond again took the lead on the restart with Downey moving into second. Lafayette moved into third with Petlock fourth and Tyler Trott fifth. Ashton Young spun coming out of turn 2 to bring the caution flag back out with 9 laps complete.
Bert Ouellette spun in turn 3 on the restart but the field was able to complete lap 10 before the caution flew with Raymond leading Downey, Lafayette, Trott, and Petlock.
Raymond and Downey went door to door on the restart fighting for the lead with Lafayette third, Petlock fourth, and another door to door duel between Trott and Jeff Asselin for fifth. Asselin took fifth on lap-13 while Raymond cleared Downey for the lead on the same lap. With 5 laps to go it was Raymond leading Downey, Lafayette, Petlock, and Asselin.
Downey made a move to the inside of Raymond on lap-17 to take over the race lead. Downey’s move brough Lafayette into second and Petlock to third as Raymond slid back to fourth, just in front of Asselin. The caution came back out with 17 laps complete for a spin in turn 4 by Bill Cote.
Downey took the lead on the restart with Lafayette fighting off Raymond to maintain second. Trott spun in turn 1 to bring the caution flag out with 18 laps complete.
Downey and Lafayette were door to door for the lead on the restart with Raymond, Asselin, and Ouellette behind them. Downey cleared Lafayette for the lead on the final lap of the race and he led Lafayette to the checkered flag to pick up his third win of the 2024 season. Raymond finished third with Asselin and Ouellette rounding out the top-5.
For more information, visit www.staffordspeedway.com, checkout Stafford Speedway on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.
PARADISO INSURANCE LATE MODEL 50 (50)
1) Alexandra Fearn, Hampden, MA
2) Darrell Keane, Enfield
3) Chris Meyer, Franklin
4) Cliff Saunders, Stafford Springs
5) Al Saunders, Stafford Springs
6) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington
7) Ryan Fearn, Hampden, MA
8) Josh Wood, Palmer, MA
9) Adam Gray, Granby, MA
10) Chris Buffone, Belchertown, MA
11) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, MA
12) Duane Noll, Monroe
13) P.J. Zarrella, Morris
14) Wayne Coury, Jr., Fairfield
15) Adon Burrell, Barkhamsted
16) Andrew Durand, Chicopee, MA
17) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin
18) Tom Butler, Stafford Springs
19) Bobby Stirk, III, Naugatuck
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Andrew Molleur, Shelton
2) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
3) Michael Gervais, Jr., Wolcott
4) Todd Owen, Somers
5) Tyler Hines, North Haven
6) David Arute, Tolland
7) Cory DiMatteo, Farmington
8) Mikey Flynn, Hampden, MA
9) Troy Talman, Oxford, MA
10) Keith Rocco, Berlin
11) Jon Puleo, Branford
12) Teddy Hodgdon, Danbury
13) Paul Kusheba, IV, Monroe
14) Austin Beers, Northampton, PA
15) Noah Korner, Canton
16) Steven Chapman, Ellington
17) David Flammia, Jr., Waterbury
18) Wesley Prucker, Stafford Springs
19) Art Caruso, Windsor
20) Dylan Kopec, Meriden
21) Marcello Rufrano, North Haven
22) Anthony Flannery, East Hampton
SK LIGHT MODIFIED (20)
1) Tyler Chapman, Ellington
2) Josh Morrison, Ashford
3) Chris Matthews, Stafford
4) Nickolas Hovey, Chaplin
5) Alexander Pearl, Salem
6) Amanda West, Colchester
7) Chris Viens, Putnam
8) Paul Arute, Tolland
9) Bob Charland, Stafford Springs
10) Nick Anglace, Seymour
11) Ron Midford, Jr., Ellington
12) Matt Vassar, Berlin
13) Sami Anderson, Wolcott
14) Frank L’Etoile, Jr., Wethersfield
15) Carsten Cole, Westbrook
16) Robert Bloxsom, III, Milford
17) Chris Bagnall, Winsted
18) Mike Parolo, West Springfield
19) Aiden D’Agata, Willington
20) Joey Ferrigno, East Hartford
21) Cassandra Cole, Westbrook
22) Casey Vogt, Windsor Locks
23) Wade Gagner, East Longmeadow, MA
24) Anthony Forino, Waterbury
25) Paul Arcari, Somers
26) Meghan Fuller, Auburn, MA
27) Stephen Kalogiannis, New Hartford
28) Matt Brewer, Norwich
29) Austin Goff, Stafford Springs
LIMITED LATE MODEL (20)
1) Devon Jencik, Canton
2) Connor Jencik, Canton
3) RJ Surdell, Willington
4) Matt Clement, Wethersfield
5) Kyle Theriault, Three Rivers, MA
6) Jeremy Lavoie, Windsor Locks
7) Kevin Cormier, Agawam, MA
8) Rich Hammann, Tolland
9) Gary Patnode, Barkhamsted
10) Darryl Vertefeuille, Willington
11) Kevin Crosby, Coventry
12) Samantha Dell, Pascoag, RI
13) Scott Clement, Wethersfield
14) Trinity Provost, Holland, MA
15) Matthew Winter, II, Springfield, VT
STREET STOCK (20)
1) Travis Downey, Barkhamsted
2) Jason Lafayette, Somers
3) Jason Raymond, Somers
4) Jeff Asselin, Granby, MA
5) Bert Ouellette, Ellington
6) Sean Petlock, Ware, MA
7) Tyler Trott, East Hartford
8) Bill Cote, Belchertown, MA
9) Marvin Minkler, Stamford
10) Alex Spinnato, Wallingford
11) Garrett Pease, Enfield
12) Brent Arcari, Somers
13) Chase Arcari, Somers
14) Chris Danielczuk, Goshen
15) Roger Mahieu, Goshen
16) Brandon Warren, Chicopee, MA
17) Ashton Young, Griswold
18) Travis Hydar, Woodbury
19) Isabella Minchella, Somers
20) Matt Martel, Stafford Springs
