Naples ME (July 27,2008) Johnny Clark took the high road around a fading Cassius Clark on lap 99 and led the final 31 laps to win the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Summerfest 150 at Groveton New Hampshire’s Riverside Speedway. The victory was the second of 2008 for the two time PASS North Super Late Model Champion. Travis Benjamin, Derek Ramstrom, Ben Rowe and Adam Bates completed the top five in the rain shortened event that took the checkers at lap 130.
Cassius Clark looked like he’d be tough to beat in the first two thirds of the race .Lining up third behind the front row of Derek Ramstrom and Alan Wilson, he raced under Ramstrom for the lead on lap five. The field stayed green for sixty one laps and Clark was clearly in control, his EJ Prescott Fusion hooked up on the bottom and pulling away from the field.
Meanwhile, the skies were darkening and the crossed flags that would signify a completed feature were approaching. At the seventy five lap mark it was Cassius Clark, Alan Wilson, Ramstrom and Kelly Moore first through fourth; Johnny Clark had raced his Clark’s Car Crushing Chevy up to fifth from his twelfth place spot on the starting grid. The pace picked up as the black clouds approached, and the front of the field shuffled on a lap 80 restart. Ramstrom got by Wilson to regain the second spot and Johnny Clark shot up to third with Wilson now fourth and Travis Benjamin fifth.
At lap 90 Cassius had pulled out to a ten car length lead but Johnny was charging, taking the outside line around Ramstrom for second. Suddenly the field was reeling Cassius in. Johnny drove around him unchallenged for the lead on lap 99; Cassius had lost a power steering belt, ending a strong run that looked like his best shot at a 2008 PASS North victory to date.
Travis Benjamin had the leader in his sights and went around Ramstrom for second on lap 106, but Clark maintained a solid lead to the checkers and Benjamin would be denied his first PASS victory once again. Alan Wilson’s great run came to an abrupt end on lap 128, the victim of a flat tire that sent him spinning off turn four. Ben Rowe nipped Adam Bates for fourth at the finish, a great come back after a heat race miscue forced him to start eighteenth.
Derek Ramstrom and Alan Wilson each won heat races. D.J. Shaw was the rookie of the race, finishing eleventh after starting nineteenth.
The PASS North Super Late Models return to All-Star Speedway in Epping New Hampshire Wednesday evening July 30th for the rain –postponed All-Star 200 feature and an under card that includes All-Stars’ own fast 4s, fast 8s and Classic Lites. Gates open at 5:00 PM, the racing goes green at 7:00 PM and the All-Star 200 will take to the track at approximately 8:00 PM for 200 green flag laps of Super Late Model thunder and lightning.
Visit the Pro All Stars Series on the web at www.racewithpass.com . All-Star Speedway is on line at www.all-starspeedway.com .
Unofficial order of finish – Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model Summerfest 150 – Riverside Speedway – Groveton New Hampshire – 8/26/2008
1) 54-Johnny Clark, Hallowell ME Clark’s Cars Crushing Chev
2) 17-Travis Benjamin, Morrill ME Irving/Blue Canoe Variety Ford
3) 35-Derek Ramstrom, W. Boylston MA W. Boylston Auto Parts Chev
4) 4-Ben Rowe, Turner ME Hancock Lumber Ford
5) 98-Adam Bates, Warner NH Weaver Bros Construction Chev
6) 33-Richie Dearborn, Hollis ME Chadwick BaRoss Chev
7) 14-Rick Martin,Taunton MA G.Lopes Construction Chev
8) 15 – Steve Berry, Gorham ME Gorham Sand and Gravel Chev
9) 7W-Donnie Whitten, Wells ME Monster Energy Chev
10) 47-Kelly Moore, Scarborough ME NAPA Auto Parts Chev
11) 60-DJ Shaw (R), Center Conway NH Precision JLM Ford
12) 14m-Matt Frahm, Salem NH WDW/Lambert Roofing Chev
13) 88-Bobby Tripp, Westport MA D&R Enterprises Chev
14) 53 – Alan Wilson, Hebron ME Wilson Logging Chev
15) 25J-Gunnar Josselyn, Farmington ME On The Edge Chipping Chev
16) 22-Harry Olson(R), Salisbury MA Olson Heating and Cooling Ford
17) 04-Jamie Swallow Jr,Stark NH IBEW Local 104 Dodge
18) 8 – Cassius Clark, Farmington ME E.J. Prescott Ford
19) 97H-Walt Hammond, Orange NH Enfield Plumbing and Heating Dodge