The
"Racing For Clean Air" Team Captain Andy Santerre
Comes
Back From The Wall For A Top 10 Finish At Thompson - May 22, 2004
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THOMPSON,
Conn. – Brad Leighton went the distance without a pit stop
to capture Saturday night’s Pepsi Racing 150 at Thompson
International Speedway, taking the NASCAR Grand National Division,
Busch North Series point lead in the process. The 1999 and 2000
champion leads a group of five drivers separated by just eight points.
Leighton started fourth, took the lead when Brian Hoar crashed on
lap 20, and held off a late challenge from defending champion Andy
Santerre which ended with five laps to go when Santerre spun in
turn three while challenging for the lead. He recovered to finish
ninth. Mike Stefanik took second followed by Dave Dion, Dale Quarterley,
and Ryan Moore. Completing the top ten were Joey McCarthy, Eddie
MacDonald, Mike Olsen, Santerre, and Matt Kobyluck. Leighton averaged
74.795 miles per hour, taking the checkered flag just over half
a second ahead of Stefanik after a pair of late cautions extended
the race to 156 laps to assure a green flag finish.
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The
victory was the 22nd of Leighton’s career, just three short
of Kelly Moore’s career record, and extended his streak of
winning seasons to nine. His Irving/Mainway Chevrolet carried Eagle
Leasing sponsorship as well for the Thompson event. Unofficially,
Leighton emerged from the second of the season’s 15 races
with a three-point lead over Stefanik and Ryan Moore, with Santerre
five points out of the lead and McCarthy eight points back.
On
the damp and chilly night, Ryan Moore led the first nine laps from
the pole before surrendering the top spot to Brian Hoar. Just ten
laps later lapped traffic forced Hoar high in turn three and he
slapped the wall hard enough to end his evening and leave him 27th
in the final rundown. Leighton took the point and was never headed.
The
moment of decision came on lap 87 when Barney McRae stopped in turn
four with a cut tire. All the lead lap cars pitted except Leighton
and McCarthy, who had visited pit road earlier. Santerre’s
crew moved him from seventh to third on the stop and although he
briefly slid back to fifth he quickly regained momentum and passed
McCarthy for second on lap 108. A string of caution periods helped
Leighton stay in front, but Santerre seemed ready to take the lead
until he tried to dive under the leader in turn three and ran out
of room, touched the infield, and shot up toward the wall. Remarkably,
Santerre was able to keep the wall contact light enough to continue
on the lead lap with only sheet metal damage.
Ryan
Moore won his first career pole at 108.255 miles per hour. Dale
Quarterley swept the PowerAde Power Move of the Race Award and Featherlite
Most Improved Driver Award. The PowerAde honor came from advancing
13 places from start to finish, while the Featherlite recognition
was earned by improving the same 13 places from the preceding race.
The
Busch North Series sees action next on Saturday, May 29, at the
Lime Rock Park road course in Lakeville, Conn.
Click HERE for the Joe Bessey
Motorsports press release.
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NASCAR
Busch North Series 2004 Top 5 Point Standings:
After
Race #2 at Thompson International Speedway, May 22, 2004.
| 1. |
328 |
Brad
Leighton |
| 2. |
325 |
Mike
Stefanik |
| 3. |
325 |
Ryan
Moore |
| 4. |
323 |
Andy
Santerre |
| 5. |
320 |
Joey
McCarthy |
More
Information at Nascar.com - >>
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