Bobby Bailargeon could be the favorite to take this Sunday’s Hudson Hugger at Hudson International Speedway in NH. (Photo credit:maineracing.com )
By Lou Modestino
Bobby Baillargeon returned to form as he picked up a podium finish in his second race with the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) in 2014; a third place finish in the Star 100 at Star Speedway in Epping, NH. The Kingston, NH driver will try to stay hot as he is ready to defend his title at the Hudson Hugger this Sunday, August 24th, at Hudson International Speedway in Hudson, NH.
Baillargeon is a star at Hudson, with two wins and a third place finish in 4 starts at the track with the GSPSS. The runner-up to the 2012 champion, Baillargeon has won the first two Hudson Hugger events at the ¼ mile speed plant. “We are going to work hard to make it three in a row,” Baillargeon stated. “You have to set a pace that won’t kill your car and get it done. Just keep all the fenders on the car.” Baillargeon will be piloting the #82 MMS Northeast/Performance Unlimited Chevrolet at the Hudson Hugger.
Joining Baillargeon at Hudson International Speedway will be Larry Gelinas. Gelinas won the early summer event at Hudson this year, the Gate City Classic, by recovering from an early spin to put his Watt’s Race Cars Cadillac in victory lane. Gelinas started the season on a torrid pace, finishing better than fourth in the first five events, but he has not gotten the results in the last two events.
A broken rear-end yoke took the Buxton, ME driver out of contention of the JBH 100 at Monadnock Speedway, where he finished 15th. At Star Speedway Gelinas had a chance to pick up the victory as he dove underneath Wayne Helliwell, Jr. in the final turn. But he couldn’t complete the move and ended up in the infield with a 16th place finish. The last two races have moved the former Oxford 250 champion out of the point lead, which is now held by Matt Frahm.
Frahm has been the hot shoe as of late, finishing 4th, 3rd, and 2nd in his last three races. The Hampstead, NH driver ended up 7th at the Gate City Classic at Hudson earlier this season. But he owns two 3rd place finishes from the 2013 season. So the point leader is certainly a favorite to pick up the victory at the Hudson Hugger.
The second installment of the Granite State Pro Stock Series Tournament Challenge will begin at Hudson International Speedway. Dillon Moltz picked up the first ever Tournament Challenge by beating Larry Gelinas, along with 9 other drivers entered in the bracket at Monadnock Speedway. Moltz received $250 courtesy of Victory Lane Radio and the Granite State Pro Stock Series.
This Tournament Challenge has proven to be successful. the purse has grown to a total of $700 thanks to Victory Lane Radio, 360 Design Lab and participating drivers. For the first round, Brad Babb will take on Cory Robert, Dillon Moltz will face Matt Frahm, Derek Griffith will take on Barry Gray and Mike Parks is pitted against Larry Gelinas.
One car will advance from each battle being the driver who finishes ahead of his counterpart. The second round will take place at Star Speedway as part of the Star Classic on September 6th with the final round taking place at White Mountain Motorsports Park on September 20th. The winner will receive $500 and the second place driver will pick up $200.
The Hudson Hugger will take place this Sunday, August 24th at Hudson International Speedway. Post time for the event is 5:46 p.m. Pit gates opening at 2 p.m. with the grandstands opening and practice beginning at 4 p.m. The Granite State Pro Stocks will run 100 laps and will be joined by the Roadrunners, Thunder Lights, and a special “Mighty Mike Lewis” event for the Rookie Stocks.