Results of May 8

This would have been done sooner, but I was just swamped with other things. Sorry about that; onto the recap!

After rain cancelled Stafford's May 1 program, sunny skies prevailed for the very next week -- which was a good thing, considering that on the schedule was the 15th annual Late Model 100. The other four divisions were also on hand (somewhat, which will be described as we go further along in the review here), so let's get right down to it.

Limited Late Models: What a way to kick off the program. All that has to be said, really, is the stuff about the ending. It came down to a three car race for the win. Andrew Durand versus Shawn Thibeault versus Bill Davis. Just by the sounds of things, something was going to go down. And it did. On the final lap, Thibeault tried to get around leader Durand via the inside, but found a lapped car blocking his path. Durand would win, but it would be Davis in second, nearly picking up the win. Thibeault was third, and Dennis Botticello finished fourth.

SK Lights: This week, it was proven fact that third place can be the recipient of good fortune. A mid-race altercation between then race leaders Brit Andersen and Tommy Membrino, Jr, who ended up going through the infield grass, opened the door for Tony Santangelo, then in third place, to take the lead. Santangelo's fortunes would pay off as he'd claim his first feature win of the season. Jay Goff would finish second, followed by Heather Desrochers and Erica Santos.

SK Modifieds: Probably the biggest race of the night that wasn't the Late Model 100, for two reasons: 1) when the lead change for the win took place, and 2) what happened in between that point in the race and the end of the race. When Jeff Malave took the lead from Keith Rocco on lap-10, things started to get a little chippy behind him to the tune of six cautions and one red flag. Over the course of the late yellows, Malave managed to keep Ted Christopher and Woody Pitkat at bay as the two of them fought against each other for second, but Dave Salzarulo managed to get by the two of them for the spot. All three had no answer for Malave, who would win his first SK Modified feature since 2004. Salzarulo, Pitkat, and Christopher rounded out the board.

Late Models: Only two cautions in this one. Not surprised; it's happened before. And only three leaders. Again, I'm not surprised. In the later stages of the race, the three-car train of Jim Peterson, Ryan Posocco, and Dillon Moltz had just about separated themselves from the field. Around lap-76, they hit lapped traffic, in which Posocco and Moltz had trouble and got hung up. But the second caution on lap-85 bunched the field back up. This time, however, it would be Moltz with the momentum. He passed Posocco, and then on lap-88, managed to get around Peterson for the lead. It would the change for the win, as Moltz picked up his second win of the season and third extra distance win of his career at Stafford. Peterson and Posocco would finish second and third respectively, while Corey Hutchings finished fourth.

DARE Stocks: By the time they ended up starting their feature, the rain arrived and slowly started to drop from the skies. They got two laps in with the DARE Stocks before the showers became heavier, and it was in Stafford's best interest to postpone the feature until a later date. As of the time this was written, I don't know when that later date will be.

Friday night, weather permitting, is another five-division night at Stafford. If the events of May 8 were any indication, the next program will be just as exciting.