PHOTO: Wayne Helliwell, Jr., celebrates his $5,000-to-win Subway Fresh Fit 150 win afte holding off the eight-time ACT champ Hoar over the final 63 laps and numerous restarts. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)

–by T.J. Ingerson

CANAAN, N.H. — All three American-Canadian Tour races this season has seen either Brian Hoar or Wayne Helliwell, Jr., in the winner’s circle. In two of those races, they battled until the final lap and saw Hoar come out on top.

But at Canaan Fair Speedway for the Subway Fresh Fit 150, the roles were reversed. It was Hoar chasing Helliwell, and Helliwell came out on top.

“The car was awesome; iIt was spot on tonight,” Helliwell, of Dover, N.H., said. “Even through practice, it was really, really good. I knew we picked the better of the two sets of tires for our second set. We timed them in practice and this set [on the car at the end] was the better set, and said we’ll leave them for the end. It paid off tonight.”

Helliwell and Hoar took advantage of a lap 81 caution flag to pit for new, right side tires, and both quickly worked from there. Hoar was able to grab the lead after a restart on lap 86 from then leader Dallas Trombley, only to lose it a lap later to the surging Helliwell.

Hoar was able to take advantage of a lap 109 restart and lead the two laps, but was never able to get clear of Helliwell, surrendering the lead once again on lap 112. Helliwell held on to the lead until a lap 121 caution period.

Hoar garnered a major advantage on the restart and led lap 122 and saw the caution flag fly. On the ensuing restart, Helliwell wasn’t going to be fooled again, and regained the lead for the final time.

“I was pretty disgusted at myself,” Helliwell said about losing the lead. “I knew I had to keep my composure and hit my marks on the next restart. I did that and it was a good even restart. I just sailed it off [into turn one] and it stuck. Got a good run out of turn two and from there it was clear sailing. That second set of tires was perfect.”

Hoar, of Williston, Vt., hung for second after a restart with five laps remaining, holding off a quick Chris Bergeron. Bergeron, of Claremont, N.H., appeared to have a race winning car early in the event before Helliwell pulled away. Early race leader Quinny Welch, of Lancaster, N.H., settled for fourth after pitting for tires out of the lead on lap 81. Scott MacMichael, of Newbury, N.H., scored an impressive fifth place finish.

Canadian Alex Labbe drove from the 22nd starting position to finish sixth. Labbe was running in the top five until being penalized for his involvement in a lap 120 caution flag. Luke Hinkley stayed on the lead lap after being part of a few caution flags and finished seventh. Todd Davis cut a tire late in the race, but quick work by his team helped him to an eighth place finish. Bobby Therrien scored a ninth place finish in his first career Late Model race, and polesitter Dallas Trombley finished tenth.

After a relatively clean first half of the race that featured only two caution flags, the second 75-laps saw 11 caution flags.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Subway Fresh Fit 150
Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, N.H.
Saturday, May 12, 2012

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

1. (12) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, N.H.
2. (10) Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.
3. (8) Chris Bergeron, Claremont, N.H.
4. (2) Quinny Welch, Lancaster, N.H.
5. (5) Scott MacMichael, Newbury, N.H.
6. (22) Alex Labbe, St. Albert, Que.
7. (14) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, N.H.
8. (3) Todd Davis, Claremont, N.H.
9. (13) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, Vt.
10. (1) Dallas Trombley, Rutland, Vt.
11. (16) Tyler Alati, Franklin, N.H.
12. (21) Hunter Bates, Pittsford, Vt.
13. (11) Jeremy Davis, Tamworth, N.H.
14. (25) Joe Tetreault, Enfield, N.H.
15. (19) Matt Anderson, Franklin, N.H.
16. (27) Tyler Fiscus, Strafford, N.H.
17. (20) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, Vt.
18. (15) Bruce Jaycox, Hartland, Vt.
19. (7) Bucky Demers, Cornish, N.H.
20. (6) Donnie Lashua, Canaan, N.H.
21. (24) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, Vt.
22. (23) Jessica Ovitt, Enfield, N.H.
23. (18) Larry Riendeau, Ascutney, Vt.
24. (26) Allen Fellows, Croydon, N.H.
25. (9) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, Vt.
26. (4) Corey Mason, Groveton, N.H.
27. (17) A.J. Panessiti, Center Barnstead, N.H.
Did Not Start: Josh Ball, Deerfield, N.H.