PHOTO: Joey Doiron celebrates his first career Pro All Stars Series victory after dominating the SouthernMaineMotors.com 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)

–by T.J. Ingerson

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Everyone knew Joey Doiron could win a Pro All Stars Series North event. Even Joey himself knew it: he had won a 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Pro Series feature at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. It was just putting it all together, avoiding back luck, and making it happen.

During the Pro All Star Series North opening SouthernMaineMotors.com 150, it would have been easy to lose track Doiron; he was way out in front. He had won. He made it happen.

“It’s been coming for a long time. I never really thought it would happen,” Doiron said. “This was the best car I have ever had; never had a car that drove this good. I could go any place on the race track anytime I wanted at any pace I wanted. I don’t think anyone had anything for us. I think we were in a league of our own tonight. I don’t think anybody did it better than we were tonight.”

Doiron, of Berwick, Maine, started tenth in the 32-car field, and patiently worked his way to the front from there. Doiron had worked into the top five by lap 35, and then rode, showing a sign of maturity. A lap 70 restart had Doiron in fourth, and it was time to go. He moved up to third by lap 75, halfway,and then quickly worked by Lonnie Sommerville to move into second. A few laps later, he dove under then-leader D.J. Shaw to take the lead, only to surrender it a lap later.

Doiron didn’t get rattled, however. He started on the outside of Shaw on a lap 87 restart, and powered his way to the lead on the restart. From there, he was a distant memory to those chasing. And those chasing him, teams with full-time team members, were out run by the father-and-son operation.

“On the weekdays, it’s just me and my dad,” an emotional Doiron said. “It hasn’t always been good. We’ve gone to race tracks and we’ve really struggled and torn up some race cars. Through thick and thin, everyone that was here at the beginning is here now. To come [to Beech Ridge], and beat the guys with full-time help, it’s dedication. My dad has been behind me since day one, and he’s never given up on me.

Doiron, who’s only Super Late Model victory came at Beech Ridge, considers the track his home track. For him, winning there made it a bit better.

“It’s awesome [to win at Beech Ridge],” said Doiron. “Everyone says if you can win [at Beech Ridge] you can win anywhere. We’ll go next week [to Star Speedway] and hopefully make it two-for-two.”

Sommerville, of Saint Johns, New Brunswick, raced in the top five all race, leading some laps along the way, and finished a distant second. Thompson Int’l Speedway champion Derek Ramstrom, of Worcester, Mass., worked his way from his 17th starting position and finished third. Farmington, Maine’s Cassius Clark, another driver who started deep in the field, finished fourth after pitting for an adjustment. Shaw, of Center Conway, N.H., finished fifth.

Kyle DeSouza, who appeared to have claimed the final podium spot until the final few laps, finished sixth. David Oliver, Gary Smith, Dustin Hubbard, and Donnie Whitten completed the unofficial top ten.

Defending series champion Johnny Clark had an adventurous race. Clark started 19th and was unable to move up, pitting for an adjustment during a lap 70 caution. Clark was able to make steady progress through the field, working his way into the top five at one point, before losing the handling and fading to finish 16th.

The Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Models head to Star Speedway in Epping, N.H., for a 150-lap race next Saturday, May 12.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — SouthernMaineMotors.com 150
Pro All Stars Series North — Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, Maine
Saturday, May 5, 2012

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

1. (10) Joey Doiron, Berwick, Maine
2. (4) Lonnie Sommerville, Saint Johns, N.B.
3. (17) Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, Mass.
4. (22) Cassius Clark, Farmington, Maine
5. (3) D.J. Shaw, Center Conway, N.H.
6. (13) Kyle DeSouza, East Providence, R.I.
7. (9) David Oliver, Standish, Maine
8. (28) Gary Smith, Bangor, Maine
9. (2) Dustin Hubbard, Unity, Maine
10. (20) Donnie Whitten, Wells, Maine
11. (16) Brad Babb, Windham, Maine
12. (23) Scott Dragon, Milton, Vt.
13. (15) Alexandre Gingras, Quebec, Que.
14. (18) Dan McKeage, Gorham, Maine
15. (11) Kelly Moore, Scarborough, Maine
16. (19) Johnny Clark, Hallowell, Maine
17. (5) Travis Benjamin, Morrill, Maine
18. (27) Mike Rowe, Turner, Maine
19. (8) Richie Dearborn, Hollis, Maine
20. (25) Corey Williams, Huntersville, N.C.
21. (12) Andy Shaw, Center Conway, N.H.
22. (21) Ben Rowe, Turner, Maine
23. (32) Matt Harris, Fredericton Jct., N.B.
24. (1) Aaron Ricker, Tamworth, N.H.
25. (24) Scott Chubbuck, Dresden, Maine
26. (31) J.T. Thurlow, Windham, Maine
27. (29) Kevin Roberge, Levis, Que.
28. (6) Mike Landry, Oakland, Maine
29. (26) Bill Rodgers, Old Orchard Beach, Maine
30. (14) Scott Mulkern, Falmouth, Maine
31. (30) John Donahue, Graniteville, Vt.
32. (7) Bryan Kruczek, Newmarket, N.H.