American-Canadian Tour – Speedway 51 (NH) – 6/2/18

Last updated: June 3, 2018 at 9:04 am
(Updated throughout the day – Be sure to refresh this page frequently)

The podium of Laperle, Payea, and Dubeau. (Speed51.com photo)

What Won the Race: After making an aggressive pass on Rich Dubeau on Lap 94, Patrick Laperle survived lap traffic, a late restart, and a hard charging Scott Payea to win at Speedway 51.

The Finish: 

The Skinny: Brandon Atkins took the lead early from polesitter Miles Chipman. A Lap 49 yellow put Jimmy Hebert right on Atkins tail. When the two got side by side on Lap 62, Atkins and Hebert got into each other, lost control and both slammed the outside wall head on, ending their night, and collecting Eddie MacDonald and Shawn Swallow.

Their misfortune handed the lead to Rich Dubeau who soon had to deal with Patrick Laperle who avoided the carnage after moving up from the 11th starting spot. Laperle pursued Dubeau for 30 laps, before making an aggressive move to the inside for the lead in turns three and four on Lap 93.

Laperle held a large lead as Scott Payea moved past Dubeau for second. In the late laps, lapped cars erased Laperle’s lead and a yellow with four laps to go made things even tougher for the former ACT champion. After an aborted restart for a Shawn Swallow spin, the final restart had Payea hanging on Laperle’s outside for more than two laps, before Laperle finally got clear and opened up a car length for the win.

It is Laperle’s first win in the U.S. since winning the non-points International 500 at Airborne Park Speedway in 2014, it’s also his first ACT U.S. points win since 2010, and the first ACT win for Laperle at Speedway 51.

On the Move: Laperle was the night’s biggest mover, gaining 10 spots after starting 11th to the win.

Biggest Loser: Brandon Atkins started second and Jimmy Hebert started fourth, after battling for the lead, both ended the night on the wrecker.

Feature Notebook:

-Race distance 151 laps

Pre-Feature Notebook: 

-Eddie MacDonald, Corey Mason, and Scott Payea each led three of the ACT practice sessions.

-Corey Mason used a bit of a pinch move from the outside line on Eddie MacDonald to his inside on a restart to win Heat Two.

Starting Lineup:

Heat Race Results:

Heat One

Heat Three

Heat Race Lineups:

Heat One

Heat Two

Heat Three

Consolation Race Results:

Consolation Race Lineup:

Car Count: 23 ACT Late Models

Entry List: 

Qualifying Format: Three 12-lap heats, top four transfer with plus/minus points. One 12-lap consi, top four transfer with plus/minus points. Remaining cars will set the lineup. Previous 2018 race winners cannot start higher than 10th position.

Event Schedule: 

6pm – Heats

9pm – Feature

Who to Watch For: Eddie MacDonald, Scott Payea, Jimmy Hebert are the top three in points and have been the guys to watch so far. Patrick Laperle leads the Quebec contingent.

The Track: Speedway 51 (3/8 mile high-bank oval), Groveton, NH

Weather: Sunny to start in the low 70’s. Temperatures falling into the 50’s and 60’s.

Next Series Race: Saturday, June 16 at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl (CT)