Andy Santerre at Holland Speedway's Victory Lane - June 29, 2002
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6/16/2003 9:04:03 AM
by: Rick Mooney
Holland, NY - When Andy Santerre pulls into the grounds of Holland International Speedway for the Sunoco/Burnham Boilers 150 on Saturday, June 28th, he will be looking to accomplish what only one other driver has done since the initial NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series made its first appearance at Holland in 1987: defend his race win.
In the 15 events Busch North Series events that have been run at Holland (the 1988 race was called off due to rain), 13 different drivers have visited victory lane at the Western New York oval. The one driver to make multiple visits was popular veteran Dave Dion, who who had an incredible run with three straight Holland victories from 1995 - 97.
The winners list includes some of the top drivers in the history of the Busch North Series, wheelmen such as Kelly Moore (1990), Dale Shaw (1987), Brad Leighton (2001), and Tracy Gordon (2000), and a couple of racers who were on their way to bigger and better things, Ricky Craven (1991) and Mike McLaughlin (1992). Interestingly enough, the Holland Busch North win list
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also includes some unexpected entries -- Vermont driver Larry Caron, whose 1989 win was one of only two Series victories in his career, and two drivers known more for their Modified exploits, Brian Ross (1993) and John Preston (1994) -- the wins for Ross and Preston were the only Busch North victories on their resumes.
In order to become just the second driver to not only defend his Holland race win, but merely earn a second Holland race win, Santerre will have to contend with the likes of two-time past champion Mike Stefanik, '02 points runner-up Matt Kobyluck, and Kelly Moore, as well as Kelly's son, rookie sensation Ryan Moore. Local flavor will be added to the event, as among the expected entries are three-time Holland NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Pro Stock champion Vern Bliss, and former top Holland Late Model Pro Stock and Pro Modified competitor Troy Williams.
A full program of Holland's five weekly divisions will also be on the slate on June 28th. Spectator gates will open at 2:30pm, with Busch North time trials getting underway at 4:00. A full program of qualifying heats and features for Holland's NASCAR five star show will follow, with the Busch North 150 getting the green flag at approximately 8:30.
For ticket information, contact the Speedway office during Monday - Friday business hours at (716)-537-2272.
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"Racing For Clean Air" Team Captain Andy Santerre