BARRE, Vermont — D.J. Shaw of Center Conway, New Hampshire, nailed down his first Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model victory of the season down in dominant fashion, leading all but two laps in Sunday’s Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road International Speedbowl.
Shaw, the defending PASS North Super Late Model champion, won his heat race while turning in a lap of 11.571-seconds, unofficially the fastest lap recorded in competition at the newly-paved, 57-year-old, quarter-mile oval. Shaw’s Precision JLM 60 was also quickest in the main event, a couple of tenths off his heat race at the track temperatures rose.
Barre’s own Nick Sweet provided Shaw’s best challenge, even leading a couple of laps racing side by side with Shaw from the outside groove. Sweet’s race ended early with a trip into the Styrofoam-protected barrier off turns three and four.
Tracy Gordon of Strong, who raced for several seasons on the former ACT Pro Stock touring series over 20 years ago, returned to one of his favorite tracks in impressive fashion, earning runner-up honors.
Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, Quebec, charged back from an early spin to claim a third-place finish. Travis Benjamin of Morrill battled eventual winner Shaw for the lead in the early laps and crossed the finish line in fourth position.
Reigning PASS Super Late Model National Champion Ben Rowe of Turner rebounded from a seeming plethora of pit stops to earn a fifth-place finish. Sixth-place finisher Todd Stone of Middlebury, Vermont, also spent a lot of time on pit road.
Devin O’Connell of Madison, Connecticut, finished seventh followed by six-time PASS North SLM Champ Johnny Clark of Farmingdale, Angelo Belsito of Auburn, Massachusetts, and Turner’s Glen Luce rounded out the top 10.
The next Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model event is set for Saturday, June 3 at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick.
Wiscasset Speedway
At Wiscasset on Sunday, Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington led 181 of 200 laps to claim the checkered flag in the Coastal 200 presented by Jordan Lumber and Jordan Excavation.
McLaughlin dominated the field of 26 cars that started the race and pocketed $5,100 in purse a lap money for his efforts.
Ben Ashline of Fairfield finished second in the race, followed by Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset, Joey Doyon of Winterport and Hermon’s Mike Hopkins.
Other Wiscasset Results
Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets (25 Laps): 1. No. 24 Jonathon Emerson, Sabattus (First Career Win); 2. No. 55h Kurt Hewins, Leeds; 3. No. 51 Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 4. No. 23 Zach Emerson, Sabattus; 5. No. 25 Brad Bellows, China; Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds (30 Laps): 1. No. 5 Mark Lucas, Harpswell (Defending Champ, First Win of 2017); 2. No. 1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich; 3. No. 04 Allen Moeller, Dresden; 4. No. 15 Joe Williams, Woolwich; 5. No. 21 Tom Young, Freeport; Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis (25 Laps): 1. No. 19me Zach Audet, Oakland (Defending Champ, 2nd Win of 2017); 2. No. 18 Time Collins, Farmingdale; 3. No. 26 Brent Roy, Vassalboro; 4. No. 41 Shane Smith, Augusta; 5. No. 2x Rob Greenleaf, West Bath