Two-time ACT Champ Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Wins Bond Invitational

Sep 21, 2014 | American Canadian Tour, NE Racing News, NHMS, Touring Series News

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photo by RPM

Loudon, NH – Two-time American Canadian Tour Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. claimed the win in the 6th annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH on Saturday, September 20. The race was called complete on lap 44 due to darkness.

 

“Unbelievable!” said Helliwell in the post race press conference. “To be honest, I always have high hopes. We had a good car after practice. I’ve been under the weather the last couple weeks and it’s great to come back like this. Unbelievable!” he continued.

The 43 car field provided three and four wide action for the majority of the scheduled 50 lap event before being called on lap 44. Helliwell marched from his 16th starting position to take the lead on lap 16 from Turner, ME’s Glen Luce, who led the first 15 laps. Helliwell had to hold off Montreal, QC’s Patrick Laperle through the final four cautions of the event.

 

The race was called off due to darkness after the field took the green flag on the final restart on lap 44 and a multi-car accident occurred on the backstretch bringing out the red flag. Conditions became too dark, while clean-up was occurring and the decision was made to call the race with 44 laps complete.

Laperle came from the 25th starting position to take second for the second time in three years. Three-time Bond Invitational winner Eddie MacDonald or Rowley, MA completed the podium. 2010 Bond Invitational winner Joey Polewarcyzk, Jr. and Quebec’s Alex Labbe completed the top five. Jimmy Hebert, Glen Luce, Travis Stearns, Scott Dragon, and Tom Carey, Jr. rounded out the top ten.

The American Canadian Tour Late Models complete their 2014 point counting season next Saturday, September 27 with the Fall Foliage 200 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. The stars of ACT will then be back in action on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5 for the 52nd People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road in Barre, VT.

6th Annual Bond ACT Invitational Unofficial Results
American Canadian Tour
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed
1. (16) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 44 Laps

  1. (25) Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC, 44 Laps
  2. (17) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, 44 Laps
  3. (23) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 44 Laps
  4. (20) Alex Labbe, Quebec, QC, 44 Laps
  5. (19) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 44 Laps
  6. (3) Glen Luce, Turner, ME, 44 Laps
  7. (1) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 44 Laps
  8. (12) Scott Dragon, Colchester, VT, 44 Laps
  9. (33) Tom Carey, Jr., New Salem, MA, 44 Laps
  10. (5) Brandon Atkins, Au Sable Forks, NY, 44 Laps
  11. (21) Guy Caron, Lempster, NH, 44 Laps
  12. (7) Todd Davis, Claremont, NH, 44 Laps
  13. (29) Aaron Fellows, Croyden, NH, 44 Laps
  14. (18) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 44 Laps
  15. (6) Tyler Cahoon, St. Johnsbury, VT, 44 Laps
  16. (31) Jeff White, Winthrop, ME, 44 Laps
  17. (24) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 44 Laps
  18. (30) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 44 Laps
  19. (2) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT, 44 Laps
  20. (4) Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME, 44 Laps
  21. (28) Dany Trepanier, St-Edouard, QC, 44 Laps
  22. (13) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT, 44 Laps
  23. (32) Martin Latulippe, Vallee-Jonction, QC, 44 Laps
  24. (43) Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA, 44 Laps
  25. (15) Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME, 44 Laps
  26. (36) Taylor Martin, Windham, NH, 44 Laps
  27. (38) Stephane Descoste, Oka, QC, 44 Laps
  28. (14) Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben, ME, 44 Laps
  29. (9) Josh Masterson, Charlotte, VT, 44 Laps
  30. (41) Brett Gervais, Island Pond, VT, 44 Laps
  31. (10) Jason Corliss, Barre, VT, 44 Laps
  32. (35) Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, MA, 44 Laps
  33. (37) Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH, 44 Laps
  34. (42) Josh Demers, Middlesex, VT, 43 Laps
  35. (40) John Falconi, Oakham, MA, 41 Laps
  36. (11) Kyle Welch, Newport, NH, 37 Laps
  37. (22) Jamie Aube, N. Ferrisburg, VT, 37 Laps
  38. (39) Richard Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI, 25 Laps
  39. (34) Ricky Roberts, Washington, VT, 25 Laps
  40. (8) Cody Blake, Barre, VT, 17 Laps
  41. (26) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 1 Laps
  42. (27) Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC, 1 Laps

Lap Leaders: Glen Luce, 1-15; Wayne Helliwell, Jr., 16-44.

Cautions: 6 (Laps 1, 13, 25, 25, 44, 44(red) Race Over for Darkness)

Time of Race:  1 hour, 8 minutes, 28 seconds

Margin of Victory: N/A