Closing The Points Gap, Beaulieu Wins At Unity

Story by Evan Beaulieu

After 16 races in the Amsoil Nelcar Legends Tour season, the tour was back at Maine’s toughest track, Unity Raceway. With just three point’s races remaining going into the race, Bob Weymouth held a slim 30 point lead over second place Evan Beaulieu for the championship, which is just 20 points after the throwaway. Both drivers had good runs at Unity, with Weymouth scoring a win earlier in the year, and with the championship so close, every position would be more crucial than usual. The fans packed into the stands, and were treated to a great night of racing by some of the best Legends Cars drivers in New England.

For the first heat race, it was the 29 of Tyler Jordan on the pole with the 10 of Ed Getty on the outside. When the green flag flew, the two drove side by side for a few laps before Getty was able to vault ahead using the preferred outside groove. With the rookie, Mathew Bourgoine in the 38 breathing down his neck and three wide racing for third behind them, Getty was able to hold on and score the heat win. Bourgoine fought hard but finished second, while Terry Kirk in the 17 got third in the three wide battle.

For heat number two, Bobby Timmons in his return back to Legends racing after his hard wreck last month at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway that left him in the hospital and a severe concussion was on the pole position with the 48 of Kendall Curit on his outside. When the green flag came out the two drove each other hard but clean, as they ran door to door throughout the heat race. With two laps to go, Timmons got clear of Curit and was able to take the heat win in his first race back. Kevin Hutchens, fresh off his win in the last Tour race at Wiscasset, finished second while Curit rounded out the top three.

As the field lined up on the frontstretch for the 25 lap feature race, Timmons was on the pole with Curit on his outside once again. This time, Timmons wasted no time and got the lead early, while Beaulieu and Weymouth moved into the top three early as well. Beaulieu made a few looks under Timmons, as the two drove hard for the race lead early. The caution flag flew on lap 12, as Kevin Hutchens went for a spin in turn two, setting Timmons back on the inside and Beaulieu on the outside for the restart. Timmons got the jump on the restart, but Beaulieu fought back in turn one on the outside. Going into turn three, Beaulieu was able to clear Timmons and take the lead. Timmons’ made a few more looks for the lead, but it wasn’t enough as Beaulieu pulled away at the end and took his first win at Unity and third of the season. Timmons had a great comeback night and finished second, while Weymouth was third. Bourgoine finished fourth to grab his best finish of the season and the president of the Tour, Terry Kirk rounded out the top five.

With just two races remaining and with the throwaway counting, Weymouth holds a 15 point cushion over Beaulieu. Next week is the Tour’s biggest show at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 11^th. The race is a National Qualifier for the Legends Nationals at Langley Speedway in Virginia, and is alongside the Pro All Stars Series, and pays $400 to win as well. The racing will be sure to be great, with a stacked field of Legends drivers from all over New England and Canada expected. Racing will start at noon and tickets are just $15. For more info, news and how you could in a Legends car, visit Nelcar.net.