The
"Racing For Clean Air" Team Captain Andy Santerre
2nd
Place Finish in Race #2 - New Hampshire International Speedway
Louden, NH - May 11, 2002
 |
|
Loudon,
N.H. - Brad Leighton edged past Andy Santerre on a restart with
two laps remaining and held off Santerre by the width of a bumper
to win the Busch 125 at New Hampshire International Speedway Saturday
afternoon. It was Leighton's record sixth NHIS triumph and his 18th
career Busch North Series, NASCAR Touring victory, tying him for
second on the all-time list with Dale Shaw.
All-time win leader and new track record holder Kelly Moore closed
with a rush to finish third, while Shaw came from 33rd in the lineup
to take fourth. Matt Kobyluck completed the top five.
The winning margin of 0.021seconds was the closest in 36 Busch North
Series events at the track, which has hosted the series more often
than any other facility. Leighton averaged 80.511 miles per hour
as six caution flags slowed the pace for 52 laps. Five drivers traded
the lead eight times, coming down to a duel between Santerre, who
pitted early for track postion, Leighton, who took two tires at
mid-race, and Moore, who made an extra stop under caution to complete
a four-tire change.
|
Leighton
took the top spot on a lap 109 restart, but Santerre forced his
way back in front three laps later. Leighton received one more chance
when Tracy Gordon's first turn crash sent the race into overtime
to achieve the final two laps under racing conditions, as required
by Busch North Series rules. Leighton claimed the lead as the green
was shown with two laps to go, but Santerre battled back once again
and the pair drag raced to the checker with Leighton's nose a scant
foot in front at the line. Moore, needing more laps to take advantage
of his fresher rubber, was just a length behind.
Moore's
43rd career Bud Pole was achieved in 30.039 seconds at 126.799 miles
per hour, easily eclipsing the old mark. Santerre took the Gatorade
Front Runner Award for leading the most laps, and Shaw copped the
Flowmaster Star of he Race Award for a dvancing 29 positions. While
he finished 23rd overall, Robbie Harrison secured the Raybestos
Rookie-of-the-Race Award.
In addition to Gordon, Joey McCarthy and Martin Truex Jr. were involved
in significant accidents, but no driver injuries were reported.
Santerre, winner of the season opener, maintained the Busch North
Series point lead after two events with 350 points to 330 for Leighton
and 320 for Shaw.
The series continues next Saturday with the Burnham Boiler 100 at
Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth, Pa.
|
Santerre Leads Most Laps at NHIS; Takes 2nd By Inches - http://www.bgnn.com/press/santerre.html
Be sure to check out the following periodicals for articles
covering Andy Santerre:
To obtain a copy of an article from one of these sources, please
email
us.
Speedway Scene, May 17, 2002 Edition
Gater Racing Photo News, May 17, 2002 Edition
New Hampshire Sunday News, May 12, 2002 (Front page, Sports
Section)
Sunday Monitor, May 12, 2002 (Sports Section's front page)
|
NASCAR
Busch North Series 2002 Top 5 Point Standings:
After
Race #2, May 11, 2002
| 1. |
350 |
Andy Santerre |
| 2. |
330 |
Brad
Leighton |
| 3. |
320 |
Dale Shaw |
| 4. |
315 |
Mike Johnson |
| 5. |
310 |
Matt
Kobyluck |
©2006
by Castle Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
info@castlepackspower.com
webmaster@castlepackspower.com
|
