Lee, NH – Lee USA Speedway played host to the annual David’s Race Cars and Components Hobby Stock Shootout 50-lapper on Friday night, with Groton, MA racer Geoff Rollins outrunning the biggest field of the season to collect the win.
Division sponsors David and Annette Joyce of David’s Race Cars and Components were on hand in the VIP tower celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, and they headed trackside to present Rollins with the hardware in the post-race victory lane ceremony.
Polesitter Sammy Peabody was out front for the first 16 laps, but Rollins was on the move after starting eighth on the grid, and he headed to the lead on lap 17. The rest of the big guns were hot on Rollins’ heels, with former champ Brian Thompson, Mike Williams, Jim Piaseczny, and Peabody filing the
top five spots at the crossed flags.
Rollins was in control the rest of the way, holding off repeated challenges from Thompson to take the checkers. Thompson, Piaseczny, Williams, Sean Nordin, Mark Parenteau, Patrick Tanguay, Bill Helliwell, Chris Kingsley, and Steve Douphinette rounded out the top ten.
In the Benson Lumber and Hardware Small Block Supermodifieds, it was Bedford, NH driver Matt Riley leading flag to flag to post his first career feature win. Riley was out to the lead quickly after starting the event on the front row, and he stayed there until the checkers waved to score the victory.
Rookie competitor Leslie Keyser followed in Riley’s tire tracks all the way, collecting his best finish of the season in the runner-up slot. Super Dave Sanborn finished up the podium in third, with Sparky MacIver, defending champ Tommy Tombarello, Jr., Butch Valley, Jr., points leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Mike Netishen, and Tony Carroll closing out the top ten.
Bobby Melvin brought another winner’s trophy home to Groton, MA, picking up his third Prime Storage Late Model Sportsman feature of the season and extending his points lead over veteran Jimmy Renfrew with just a handful of races left in the 2011 season.
2010 Rookie of the Year Josh Ball broke out to the early lead in the feature, but he was no match for Melvin, who quickly worked his way up through the field from seventh on the grid to take over the lead.
Michele Fushpanski was next the break out of the pack and claim second, but Melvin had already built up a considerable lead, nearly a half-straightaway ahead. Fushpanski gained a little ground when Melvin got into traffic, but there was no stopping his drive to victory lane.
Melvin went on to easily score the win, with Fushpanski settling for second. Third spot went to former Hobby Stock champion Todd Bregy, with Renfrew, Ricky Porter, Ryan Green, Ball, Brian Grantz, Tony Kawejsza, and Mike Mitchell fourth through tenth.
Kyle Roy continued his domination of the RE/MAX Ironman division, running off to score his fifth straight win in the main event. Troy Washburn was the best of the rest for a second place finish, with Kale Billings, Jake Rheaume, and early leader Evan Horvath closing out the top five.
The Northeast Classic Lites made a special appearance on Friday, and it was once again George Helliwell showing them the fast way around. Helliwell always seems to step up his game when the Classic Lites come to Lee, and this race was no exception.
Helliwell made a slick, three-wide move to pass early-race leader Tom Harton a former Ironman champion at Lee, and from there it was all over. Helliwell went on to post the win, with Rob Bryant and Harton taking second and third place honors.
The Senior Tour Auto Racers also participated in Friday night’s program, with Gary Moore of Manchester, NH taking down he Sportsman win, and Charlie Grassie of Rehoboth, MA scoring the Modified victory.
Next up at Lee USA on Friday, August 12th will be the annual running of the Prime Warehouse & Storage Lance Davis Memorial for Late Model Sportsman, with a 50-lap main event on the program. The Small Block Supers, Hobby Stocks, and Classic Lites will also be in action. For information please contact the office at 978-462-4252 or go to our web site at www.leeusaspeedway.com.