N. WOODSTOCK, N.H. – The annual Father’s Day weekend special once again did not disappoint fans in the stands or those watching at home on the Northeast Short Track Network with five divisions of hardnosed racing that has made White Mountain Motorsports Park famous over the years.
It was time for the Strictly Stock Minis to have their day in the sun with 50 green flag laps on the docket as part of the annual Father’s Day weekend special.
Jason Goodbout, Jr. took off from the outside pole starting position while McKenna Merchant gave chase just inches off his rear bumper. Physical fights mid-pack brought out a couple mid-race yellows, but through it all the battle between young-guns Goodbout and Merchant wowed the crowd. Even while Goodbout began dirt-tracking his Cavalier sideways through lap traffic at the end, he held on to take the 50-lap Father’s Day special ahead of Merchant and Jacob Roy for the honors.
The Kids Division got the Saturday night feature action started with Bella Hamel on the point in their 15-lap main event. Hamel led the early goings, leaving Clayton Houghton, Cooper Benoit and Madison Potter to battle behind her while Lucas Sidney powered through the field. With a lap nine caution, Sidney pounced to pull off the hat trick and claim his third win of the year in youth competition with Gracen Gorham and Owen Dupuis following him to the podium.
Barre, Vt.’s Tyler Pepin showed the way from the drop of the green flag in Flying Tiger competition, leaving Shane Sicard and Kyle Willis to fight for second. Even through lap traffic, Pepin never wavered and took down his first career Flying Tiger win followed by Sicard and Matt Potter across the stripe.
After a rough start to their 50 lap Saturday night feature, Kyle Goodbout pulled away with the lead in the Late Models ahead of Richie Brown and Jaden Perry. Following Jordan Davis’ spin on lap 26, Tanner Woodard muscled his way into contention before pulling away behind Goodbout with Brown in tow. Sixth on back put on a clinic in the final 15 laps but it was Goodbout under the checkered flags. Unfortunately, post race technical inspection deemed Goodbout’s #17NH too wide giving Tanner Woodard the win followed by Brown in second and Mike Bailey in third.
Thunder in the Mountains returns to White Mountain Motorsports Park Saturday, June 21, with the second round in the Flying Tiger Triple Crown. The 75-lap extra distance showdown joins the Late Models, Strictly Minis, Division and the Mini Late Models with a 6 p.m. post time.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
(local competitors)
Late Models – 50 Laps
4. 92VT, Jaden Perry, Hardwick
Flying Tigers – 35 Laps
3. 23VT, Matt Potter, Marshfield
Kids Division – 15 Laps
8. 23, Madison Potter, Marshfield
