Story By: MIKE PARKS / GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES – EPPING, NH – The Nocella Paving 100 at the 53rd annual Star Classic at Star Speedway in Epping, NH was an event that will be remembered for quite some time. 15 years young from Candia, NH local favorite Jimmy Renfrew Jr won his first pro stock race at his beloved home track.
The ride into victory lane wasn’t without peril though, as on lap 30, Renfrew took a ride deep into the turn two woods and had to be assisted back to the racing surface by speedway services. “I thought it was over from there” Renfrew said. “I worked my way back up into the top five and under caution with 20 to go, I believed we might have a shot.” Soon after taking the checkered flag, Renfrew drove into victory lane and was swamped immediately by family, friends, and loyal fans.
Second for the second year in a row, John Peters of Westbrook, ME said “It’s bittersweet”. Quickest in time trials earlier in the day and starting third Peters was set for a comeback after heartbreak a few weeks ago at the Oxford 250. “I was in a great position with 35 to go but, the car was super tight on the bottom and I feel if I just had one good corner I could have set sail.”
Two third place finishes in a row may not be the ultimate result Luke Hinkley of Claremont, NH desired but with a new car this year Hinkley can hold his head high. “We just finished it last week before Claremont, we do everything ourselves and we are happy with it.” Hinkley said. “It’s me and a bunch of my best buddies going back 10 years to my super street days and I do it all for them.
Current points leader Cory Casagrande of Stafford Springs, CT finished fourth. Casagrande has an average finishing position this season of fifth place, an impressive feat never finishing worse then 8th after 8 events. Grinding out a top five finish Ray Christian III of Groton, CT had a night that went round and round. Leading laps, battling in the top five, the #93ct got caught up in an altercation which put Christian further back in the field pushing back the teams hopes of their first pro stock victory to yet another day. Christian will have that opportunity at the next race this coming Saturday, September 15th at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester NH.
Official Nocella Paving 100 results:
#00 Jimmy Renfrew Jr
#51p John Peters
#31nh Luke Hinkley
#7 Cory Casagrande
#93ct Ray Christian III
#05 Jacob Dore
#03 Joe Squeglia
#09 Jeremy Davis
#43 Devin O’Connell
#21 Josh King
#12 Bobby Pelland
#70 Bobby Cabral
#18 Mike Scorzelli
#73 Joey Doiron
#51nh Jeremy Harclerode
#16 Barry Gray
#72c Guy Caron
