By Gary Dutton
Correspondent
CLAREMONT — Andrew Martell would not have been heavily favored to dominate in two Modified features Friday at Claremont Motorsports Park. He had never earned a Modified victory lap. In fact, he had not won anything in more than seven years. Friday, though, except for one big move from veteran wheelsman Todd Patnode, Martell would have swept the 35-lap twinbill. After dominating the opening feature to end his long victory drought, Martell finished in Patnode’s shadow in the nightcap, adding that runner-up showing to his earlier romp.
Martell led all the way in the first go-round, took the lead from Brad Zahensky in the nightcap, and then followed Patnode into victory lane. Geoff Rollins had a strong night of his own, finishing second and third, while Brian Robie was third in the opener. With Matt Kimball, coming home fourth twice on Friday, having scored the opening night win back on April 25, there have now been three different winners in three New Hampshire Short Track Racing Association (NHSTRA) Modified feature events this season at the Thrasher Road speedplant.
Trevor Rocke set the early pace in the Street Stock main, giving way to storming Robert Hagar on lap five. Defending track king Dave Greenslit fired into the lead four laps later and, with two-for-two Jimmy Renfrew Jr. not in the house Friday, stormed to his first win of the summer. Hagar held strong to finish at Greenslit’s bumper, with strong and steady Chris Riendeau coming home third. Hagar and Riendeau won the night’s qualifying races.
With 34 Pure Stocks in the house, a full field took the green in the night’s A main. Joey Jarvis took the lead after two late-race restarts, powering to his second win of the young season, just ahead of rising star Dylan Zullo, who posted his third strong runner-up finish in a row. Carlos Grenier was solid in third.
With so many Pures on hand, speedway promoter Mike Parks gave everyone a chance to race, calling for a nightcap B feature. Andrea St. Amour was victorious in that one, leading Nick Little and Lenny Sheppard under the checkers.
Teen hot shoe Haydon Grenier fired low through turn three of the Mini Stock feature, taking the lap 19 lead from Kodi Sabins and then rocketed off to his second win of the summer. Sabins, potent all race, came home second, with 2020 track champ Desmond Skillings picking up the bronze.
Dustin Thibodeau continued his complete dominance of the Six Shooters on Friday. The reigning track champion took the lead from Robert Shaw on lap six of the novice feature and simply drove away.
It was Thibodeau’s third win of the season at CMP and his fourth overall this season, keeping him undefeated as he defends his 2020 crown. Shaw was, again, second on the night, with Bucky Thibodeau coming home third.
Ben Poland raced to victory over a small field of Late Model Sportsmen, becoming the division’s third different winner this season. Week two winner Ricky Bly was second on the night, with Ryan Bell third.
On Friday, Claremont Motorsports Park will welcome the 602 Dirt Modifieds in for their first visit of the season. The weekly racing series Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Six Shooters will all be in action too.
TOP 10s
First Modified 35-lap: Andrew Martell, Geoff Rollins, Brian Robie, Matt Kimball, Todd Patnode, George Helliwell, Cole Littlewood, John Studley, Craig Smith, Brad Zahensky.
Second Modified 35-lap: Todd Patnode, Andrew Martell, Geoff Rollins, Matt Kimball, Brian Robie, Walt Hammond, Cole Littlewood, Brad Zahensky, Craig Smith, Zach Leone.
Street Stock: Dave Greenslit, Robert Hagar, Chris Riendeau, Joe Tetreault, Jack McClay, Briana Akusis, Jason Kozacka, Jeremy Zullo, Trevor Rocke, Scott Wade.
Mini Stock: Haydon Grenier, Kodi Sabins, Desmond Skillings, Cale Skillings, Joe Olmstead, Ray King, Ryan Carman, Dave Thibodeau, Mason Prouty, David Pratt.
Pure Stock “A” Feature: Joey Jarvis, Dylan Zullo, Carlos Grenier, Bruce Jaycox, Zach Richardson, Nick Houle, Nolan McClay, Travis Sykes, JD Stockwell, Nick Shepard.
Six Shooter: Dustin Thibodeau, Robert Shaw, Bucky Thibodeau, Chooch Snide, Xander Stillwell, Lucas Bernatchy.
Pure Stock “B” Feature: Andrea St. Amour, Nick Little, Lenny Sheppard, Richard Streeter, Bryanna Cook, Spencer Willette, Hailey LcClair.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.