NAPLES ME (9/16) The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North super late models wrap up their 2009 campaign at North Woodstock New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park this Friday evening, and there’s still point races to be settled throughout the field.
Johnny Clark looks like he has his fourth (and second consecutive) PASS North title well within his grasp. Clark holds a 33 point lead over Ben Rowe in the standings with 2,582 versus Rowe’s 2, 549. It’s a big margin for Rowe to overcome, but it’s far from impossible in a sport where luck plays such an important role in the outcome of many a race. White Mountain has been Rowe’s playground since the travelling pros made their first appearance at the immaculate Route 3 quarter mile in 2001. Rowe will go after maximum points Friday night; he knows there’s little else he can do but he’ll be battling for the title until the checkers fall.
Behind Clark and Rowe sits Kelly Moore with 2,489. While the Championship is out of reach for the veteran and his familiar NAPA Chevrolet, he will be looking to be rid of the goose egg in his win column for 2009 and keep his ride on four wheels after his spectacular exit from the speedway in the May race.
Adam Bates and Richie Dearborn are deadlocked at 2,470 points, 19 back from Moore. While Bates has a win under his belt this season, Dearborn hasn’t been to victory lane and he is well capable of taking the checker first at White Mountain. DJ Shaw and Travis Benjamin are 2008 race winners that are still winless in 2009 as the series heads for its final checkered flag of the season. Shaw is the defending winner of the fall White Mountain Race, where’s he has a track Late Model title under his belt.
Mike Rowe is coming off his 3rd PASS 300 win in his first PASS start of 2009, and he has stated that he’ll be back at White Mountain to try and go 2 for 2, this time in his familiar P.T. Watts ride. Top rookie Steve Legendre will be close to his St. Johnsbury Vermont home and he could be considered a dark horse for the Night of Champions 150.
White Mountain Motorsports Park has several championship battles to decide as well. Quinney Welch leads Stacey Cahoon in the Late Model standings by just six points, and their late model feature promises to be a barnburner. It’s the place to be as New Hampshire’s Fall speed weekend gets in high gear.
PASS Super Late Model Championship night at White Mountain goes green at 6:00 PM on Friday September 18th. For more information visit www.whitemtnmotorsports.com , www.racewithpass.com and www.proallstarsseries.com .