IPSC: Wookstock race report

(NORTH WOODSTOCK, New Hampshire - Sept. 3) Ben Rowe picked up his second win in as many starts on the International Pro Stock Challenge (IPSC) when he led the pack to the checkers in the WSCY 150 at White Mountain Motorsports Park on Sunday afternoon. More than 2,000 fans watched as Rowe earned $5,750, picking up the Snap-on Tools Time Trials ($300), the Motor Mart Dash For Cash ($300), the Linco Fisheries Halfway Award ($150) and the $5,000 check for first place.

"This feels so good," said Rowe, who hails from Turner, Maine. "The car was a bullet all day long."

Rowe started his No. 00 Hi Tech Insulations Chevrolet from the pole in the the 150-lap feature, only relinquishing the point for a brief three circuits to Phil Baril.

"Another car got under us and we got a little sideways," said Rowe of the Baril pass. "We had to back off, get it corrected, then went back to the front."

As was his IPSC win one week prior in an event in New Brunswick, Canada, Rowe's domineering style made it appear his car was on rails as it circled the fast 1/4-mile oval.

Rowe's consistent finishes in the last half of the season have moved him into the points lead for the first time this season, moving from third to first after the White Mountain win. Rowe now leads Andy Shaw, Conway, New Hampshire by 20 markers. Halifax, Nova Scotia's John Flemming sits third just 14 points behind Shaw. The title will be decided next weekend on September 9th at Scotia Speedworld in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Runner-up Sam Sessions, South Paris, Maine, started second before getting shuffled back as far as eighth, but worked the traffic of the 26-car field to his advantage in the late stages. Adam Friend finished third with the same strategy as Sessions.

"We just had to take our time with so many cars on this little bull-ring," said Friend, Detroit, Maine. "It's so fast if you get your nose somewhere it won't fit, you're in trouble."

Friend picked up the Snap-on Tools Teamwork Award for his finish, advancing eight spots on the field from his starting spot of 11th.

Rounding out the top five were Baril, Haverhill, Mass. and Ralph Nason, Unity, Maine.

Motor Mart Heat Race winners were Friend, Shaw, GeGe Gravel and Leo Cochrane. <pre> OFFICIAL RESULTS: Finish/Start/Name/Hometown 1. (1) Ben Rowe, Turner, Maine 2. (2) Sam Sessions, South Paris, Maine 3. (11) Adam Friend, Detroit, Maine 4. (3) Phil Baril, Jr., Haverhill, Mass. 5. (7) Ralph Nason, Unity, Maine 6. (12) Andy Shaw, Conway, New Hampshire 7. (6) Kirk Thibeau, Fort Fairfield, Maine 8. (10) Bill Rodgers, Saco, Maine 9. (15) Larry Gelinas, Scarborough, Maine 10. (16) Rick Martin, Westpoint, Mass. 11. (17) Kenny Wright, Woolwich, Maine 12. (4) John Flemming, Halifax, Nova Scotia 13. (8) Mike MacKenzie, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia 14. (18) Donnie Whitten, Wells, Maine 15. (19) Chuck Lachance, Cushing, Maine 16. (25) Travis Benjamin, Morril, Maine 17. (26) Scott Watts, Seabrook, New Hampshire 18. (24) Tom Mayberry, Naples, Maine 19. (23) Mike Riley, Halifax, Nova Scotia 20. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass. 21. (20) Leo Cochrane, Halifax, Nova Scotia 22. (9) Richie Dearborn, Hollis, Maine 23. (21) Wayne Helliwell, Pelham, New Hampshire 24. (14) Jerry Babb, Windham, Maine 25. (5) Gary Smith, Bangor, Maine 26. (13) Gerry (GeGe) Gravel, Groteau, Mass. TIME OF RACE: One hour, two minutes ENTRIES: 34 SNAP-ON TOOLS TIME TRIAL AWARD: Ben Rowe, 12.335-seconds SNAP-ON TOOLS TEAMWORK AWARD: Adam Friend MOTOR MART DASH FOR CASH: Ben Rowe MOTOR MART HEAT RACE WINNERS: Adam Friend, Andy Shaw, GeGe Gravel, Leo Cochrane LINCO FISHERIES HALFWAY AWARD: Ben Rowe BASSETT RACING HARD LUCK AWARD: Gary Smith LAP LEADERS: Ben Rowe (grid-10); Phil Baril (11-13); Rowe (14-150) CAUTIONS: 6 OFFICIAL DRIVER POINT STANDINGS - TOP 10 (after September 3rd): 1. Ben Rowe 1867; 2. Andy Shaw 1847; 3. John Flemming 1833; 4. Kirk Thibeau 1803; 5. Kenny Wright 1795; 6. Sam Sessions 1787; 7. Mike MacKenzie 1751; 8. Gary Smith 1726; 9. Mike Riley 1718; 10. Tom Mayberry 1698