–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
WENTWORTH, N.H. – Chris Donnelly needed a win to ensure he had the best chance to win the Sprint Cars of New England Triple Crown on Friday night at Legion Speedway.
He did just that.
The Piermont, N.H. driver claimed the win in the 25-lap feature event and secured the overall win in the three-race Triple Crown Series.
“We had a great night,” Donnelly said in victory lane. “This is a different car and we fought it horribly at (Bear Ridge). We finally got it dialed in tonight.
“I’m pretty happy about it.”
Donnelly started in the 11th spot and had already maneuvered his way into the top five by lap ten. From there, Donnelly would move up into the third spot and then use two back-to-back restarts to take second and first.
Once out in front, Donnelly opened up his gap to the second spot and secured his fourth Sprint Cars of New England win of the season and his second at Legion.
Lacey Hanson of Orwell, Vt. finished second to the series point leader while Will Hull of Plainfield, Vt. chased Donnelly through the field – and was ahead of him one an early race restart – to finish third. Defending series champion Dan Douville of Bridgewater, N.H. finished fourth with Kevin Chaffee of Bradford, Vt. fifth.
Patrick Smith, Scott Holcomb, rookie Matt Hoyt, Jake Williams, and Luke Greenwood completed the top-ten finishers.
The win for Donnelly gave him the bonus-monies win in the Triple Crown Series that was originally scheduled to run during the Fourth of July weekend before rain postponed the Legion event.
Douville finished second in the Triple Crown with Williams third after he held the lead entering the final event. Hull and Chaffee completed the top-five overall finishers in the Triple Crown.
The Sprint Cars of New England continue their 2016 season on Sunday, August 14 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. They will return to Legion Speedway on Friday, September 9.
VMM will have more from Legion Speedway soon.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – O’Reilly Auto Parts Twilight Racing Challenge 25
Sprint Cars of New England
Legion Speedway, Wentworth, N.H.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# — denotes rookie)
1. (11) Chris Donnelly, Piermont, N.H.
2. (7) Lacey Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
3. (10) Will Hull, Plainfield, Vt.
4. (12) Dan Douville, Bridgewater, N.H.
5. (13) Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, Vt.
6. (2) Patrick Smith, East Andover, N.H.
7. (6) Scott Holcomb, East Granby, Conn.
8. (9) # Matt Hoyt, Campton, N.H.
9. (14) Jake Williams, Center Tuftonboro, N.H.
10. (16) Luke Greenwood, Hudson, N.H.
11. (4) # Chad Turck, Pittsfield, N.H.
12. (15) # Lauren Boisvert, Danbury, N.H.
13. (8) # Richie Simmons, Bradford, Vt.
14. (3) Dennis McLeod, Concord, N.H.
15. (5) # Mike Chaffee, Corinth, Vt.
16. (1) Christine Boesch, Concord, N.H.
Did Not Start: Tyler Austin, West Fairlee, Vt.; Chris Clark, Vershire, Vt.; Steve Hutchinson, Goffstown, N.H.
PHOTOS:
1 – Chris Donnelly (#17) passes Patrick Smith (#21) for the lead on Friday night at Legion Speedway. Donnelly would go on to win the 25-lap event and claim the overall win in the Sprint Cars of New England Triple Crown Series. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
2 – The Sprint Cars of New England Triple Crown top-5 (l-r), 5th place Kevin Chaffee, 4th place Will Hull, 3rd place Jake Williams, 2nd place Dan Douville, and 1st place Chris Donnelly. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
