PHOTO: Randy Howe (#82) races inside of Trevor Rocke (#63) en route to his opening night win at Canaan Dirt Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
CANAAN, N.H. — The best way to defend a championship in racing is to win. And defending Papa-Z’s Modified champion Randy Howe did just that at Canaan Dirt Speedway Friday night. Howe claimed victory in the two-segment feature with a total of 5 points on Subway of Hanover and West Lebanon night.
Howe, of Lebanon, N.H., started second in the first 20-lap feature and led the first lap before dropping the lead to polesitter Travis Shinn and third place starter Chris Chambers. Chambers, of Brookfield, Vt., claimed the lead on lap five and never relinquished it. Shinn settled for second and Howe third.
After an inversion to begin the second 20-lap feature, Howe would start from the 12th position. Howe made little progress over the first half of the race. But after a lap 9 restart, however, Howe quickly made his way through the field and finished third behind segment winner Jason Sanville and second place T.C. Forward.
Chambers’ used his segment one victory and an eighth place finish in segment two to take second place. Forward, of Lyme, N.H., combined his second place finish with an eighth place finish in segment one to finish second. Arnie Stygles, of Bradford, Vt., rode a fourth and seventh place finish to finish fourth overall. Sanville, of Grafton, N.H., combined his segment two win with a 11th place finish in segment one to finish fifth.
Tom Forward, Joey Scarborough, Trevor Rocke, Shinn, and Toby Stark completed the top ten.
Derek O’Hearn took his first step toward his first career Canaan Dirt championship with a win in the 20-lap Miller Auto Super Street feature. O’Hearn, of Campton, N.H., started second to former champion Jason Giguere, and took the lead on a lap 10 restart. Giguere, of Lebanon, N.H., held on for second while Mark Brown, of Rumney, N.H., was third. Doug McPhail and Dallas Hammond completed the top five.
Russell Christian, Jr., made it a family gathering in the 15-lap Mirror Lake Rod & Custom Late Model feature. Christian took the lead from Ryan Christian on lap 3 and held on to win. Ryan Christian finished second while Robbie Williams completed the top three.
Rich Crooker, of Nashua, N.H., won the 20-lap Northeast Mini Sprint feature. Scott Preston was second and Derek Eldridge was third.
The Sprint Cars of New England being their season next weekend on the Canaan Dirt. The Modifieds, Super Streets, and Bombers will also be on hand.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Subway of Hanover & West Lebanon Night
Canaan Dirt Speedway, Canaan, N.H.
Friday, May 12, 2012
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
Papa-Z’s Modifieds (2 x 20 laps)
1. Randy Howe, Lebanon, N.H.
2. Chris Chambers, Brookfield, Vt.
3. T.C. Forward, Lyme, N.H.
4. Arnie Stygles, Bradford, Vt.
5. Jason Sanville, Grafton, N.H.
6. Tom Forward, Lyme, N.H.
7. Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
8. Trevor Rocke, Canaan, N.H.
9. Travis Shinn, Rumney, N.H.
10. Toby Stark, Canaan, N.H.
Miller Auto Super Streets (20 laps)
1. Derek O’Hearn, Campton, N.H.
2. Jason Giguere, Lebanon, N.H.
3. Mark Brown, Rumney, N.H.
4. Doug McPhail, Tilton, N.H.
5. Dallas Hammond, Lebanon, N.H.
Mirror Lake Rod & Custom Late Models (15 laps)
1. Russell Christian, Jr., Canaan, N.H.
2. Ryan Christian, Canaan, N.H.
3. Robbie Williams, Plainfield, N.H.
Beard Sewer & Drain Northeast Mini Sprints (20 laps)
1. Rich Crooker, Nashua, N.H.
2. Scott Preston, Monkton, Vt.
3. Derek Eldridge, Tyngsboro, Mass.
