Derek Ramstrom came into Seekonk Speedway for last weekend’s DAV Memorial and went home to W. Boylston with another $big check (Credit:YankeeRacing.com photo)
By Lou Modestino
At the Seekonk Speedway’s DAV Memorial race, in the $5,000 to win 100 lapper Derek Ramstrom of W. Boylston moved past Dave Darling with only 4 laps remaining, and the pair raced side-by-side for the lead before the Ramstrom Service Center machine closed the door for his second career Venditti Fall Classic Championship. Darling had to settle for second, while points Champion Ken Spencer of Taunton rallied for third. Dick Houlihan of Bridgewater finished fourth with Dean Petty fifth. Ramstrom said, “This place is extremely tough to drive.If you can race here. If you can drive this track you can race anywhere. This was a long hard battle.”
In the Late Models Ray Parent worked by Jeramee Lillie on the 20th circuit and took over the lead in the 50 lap Late Model portion of the Fall Classic. Lillie, who led the first 20 laps under some hot pressure finished second, with Ryan Vanasse, Nick Lascoula of Abington and Larry Gelinas rounded out the top five. Parent was driving His ACT Tour car. ” The Tiverton,RI driver also revealed that “I’m planning to race Pro Stock next year.”
In the Street Stocks Andrew Kun followed up his first rookie win near season’s end with the ultimate victory in the season-ending DAV Memorial. As before, Kun started on the front row, holding pole position under Randy Moretti. They came out of the box dead even. They went wheel-to-wheel down the back, while in mid-pack Keri-Lyn Manfredo got together between turns one and two. Cars scattered and there was smoke everywhere, but the entire field managed to keep moving. On the second circuit, however, Jeremy Lambert’s motor went silent in turn three. In victory lane Kun said,”This was the best race I’ve ever run. I also had some problems with my car’s suspension at the end.”
Kun and Moretti lined up again and again they were door-to-door across the stripe, hacksawing the lead. But Kun began to edge ahead and second time around, he was 90 percent past. On the next lap, Moretti attempted to drop in, but Daniel Massa was holding the low groove and Moretti’s rear quarter caught his nose, loosening Moretti up. Slowed and on the outside, he faded back. Masse settled in to chase the leader with John Robidoux, Jay Heroux and Moretti giving chase. In the back, 2014 champ, Mark Murphy was struggling with Ed Gould all over his bumper. By lap five, Kun was five cars up on Massa. Robidoux was another 2 back with Heroux on his bumper. Nick Johnson was fifth, leading Moretti and Scott Cestodio.
By lap 10 the three leaders were nose-to-tail, followed by Heroux and Johnson. They remained locked together through the next four laps, waiting for any opportunity that might come. On lap fifteen, the began to encounter lapped traffic.
Cestodio was running seventh, behind Moretti, but was beginning to experience mechanical difficulties. He dropped to ninth on lap fourteen, but held on. Four laps later, he dropped to thirteenth and shortly retired.
Massa was all over Kun’s bumper, trying to create an opportunity, but the opportunity went to Robidoux, who bided his time, then leapt in under Massa as he moved away from the edge of the track. By lap 20, he had taken the position from Massa. The battle for second had allowed Kun to escape and he had a six-car lead on lap 22. Behind him, Massa was glued to Robidoux’ bumper. Heroux and Johnson battled for position behind them. One lap later, Massa was now all over Robidox’ bumper when Moretti spun between laps one and two, setting up for a three–lap shootout.
Kun and Robidoux lined up with Massa and Heroux on their tails, while Johnson and Amy Arsenault made up the third row. Kun nosed ahead out of the box and Robidoux dropped in and tried a crossover, but Kun was able to stay low and block the maneuver. Massa was now all over Robidoux’ bumper, getting him loose out of turn four, giving Kun time to forge a two-car margin, which he carried to the checkers.
Second went to Robidoux, followed by Massa and Nick Johnson. Fifth went to brother Dan Johnson, followed by Carlos Silva in sixth. Jay Heroux was seventh followed by Murphy, Arsenault, Manfredo, Moretti and Mike Henriques.
Rob Murphy of Rochester closed out his 2014 championship season by dominating the Venditti Family Fall Classic Sport Truck 30 lap main event. Rob made a three wide move around early race leader Bob Rainville for the lead on the third circuit, and never looked back. Chase Belcher finished second, with Darryl Church of Brockton third Nick Uhrig fourth and John Paiva fifth.