RUSS WOOD PICKS UP SIXTH STAR CLASSIC WIN LEADING ALL THE WAY TYING BENTLEY WARREN’S RECORD

By - Carol D Haynes, ISMA PR
Photos – Jim Feeney

Epping, NH – A huge throng of fans turned out to watch the rebirth of the traditional Star Classic and they weren’t disappointed. It was a classic race!  And, it was a perfect day for Russ Wood at Star Speedway Saturday. He led all 150 green flag laps, collecting the lion’s share of the over $10,000 in lap money and bonuses, plus the $5,000 winner’s share of the purse.

It had not been a great year for the Holbrook-Wood team until then, with a blown motor almost keeping Wood out of a race he’d won five times over the years. Then a borrowed motor from fellow competitor Howie Lane, made it all happen. Wood, by virtue of time trials and handicapping, sat on the pole and he took full advantage of the position. Taking off with first his teammate Rob Summers, then five-time Classic winner Chris Perley challenging the entire distance, Wood was able to stay out front through traffic and cautions. It was a very big boost to what has been a declining season of late.

Russ, amidst a huge throng of well-wishers, said in victory lane. “I want to thank Howie Lane for our borrowed motor. Without that we wouldn’t be here. Thanks to Jeff Holbrook and the entire crew for working so hard, my parents and wife and kids  – everyone whose supported us this year. We’ve had an up and down year. This makes it all worthwhile.”

With a lot of lap money and a halfway bonus of $1,000 to give incentive, Russ mapped out his strategy. “I was kind of thinking lap money at the beginning. I knew Chris would be coming. I figured he’d blow right by me. But, my car was really not bad. We borrowed a motor from Howie and it was good on power. I can’t believe that we held off Chris. I knew when he … cont.

Leaty & Catalano Win Season Finales, Timmerman Defends Sportsman Title at Spencer

By – Chris Porter
Photos – Bev&Ken Dippel Photos

Kevin Timmerman entered Friday evening with a slim lead over Mike Leaty in Spencer Speedway’s NASCAR Sportsman Modified points chase. However, two runner-up finishes in his orange and white No. 17 secured his position atop the standings, ending the night (and season) a mere 12 points ahead of Leaty in the final totals, successfully defending his track title.

Sportsman modified drivers kicked off the final Friday night of racing at Spencer Speedway for 2011 with a make-up race from the previous week which had been rained out. Dave Catalano would pocket his first win in many years in the 35-lapper – a race that also saw Timmerman finish ahead of Leaty, padding his points lead heading into the 100-lap nightcap.

The duo would start side-by-side in row No. 2, with Leaty taking the lead away from Daryl Lewis, Jr. on lap No. 3. Doing all he could do to help his own cause, Leaty would lead the next 96 laps en route to the win. However, running second, Timmerman would keep Leaty’s No. 1 in sight the whole night. Eddie Hawkins bumped him back to third in the closing … cont.