Paul Lallier utilized a starting spot on the outside of the second row to springboard into a lead on the sixth lap of the 30-lap Sportsman feature for his first seasonal win. (The two-time division champ had scored a win opening day but saw it erased by a post-race ride-height infraction.) He was chased across the line by Scott Serydynski. Last week’s winner, Chad Baxter, nabbed third, while Kid Chaos Corey Fanning and points leader Scott Bruneau completed the top five.
Gill Bradstreet came off the pole to run side-by-side with Jesse Melberg while Ryan Souliere looked underneath for a three-wide but backed out. Lallier got by him into third as Melberg went very wide through turn two to grab the lead from Bradstreet. Lallier then edged the latter out of second and Fanning dodged into third.
Lallier got underneath Melberg on lap five for some wheel-to-wheel, which he concluded by taking the lead down the back stretch. Melberg fended off Fanning, who was pursued by Serydynski, Souliere and Craig Pianka. Dick Benoit came up to Pianka’s rear with Baxter behind and looking for a way past.
Ryan Flood was working beneath Sparky Arsenault over ninth and took the position while Bruneau battled past Sparky into tenth and onto Flood’s bumper.
By lap 10, Lallier had a five-car lead over Melberg, who was still being harassed by Serydynski. Fanning, Pianka, Benoit and Baxter followed. Baxter worked his way under Benoit to chase Pianka.
Serydynski got under Melberg into second on lap 15 as Lallier kept his five-car lead. Fanning then got underneath to duel Melberg. Serydynski was closing on Lallier, cutting the lead to two lengths by lap 20. Kid Chaos was now third, followed by Melberg, Baxter and Pianka.
Lallier approached lapped traffic but before he could overtake, Melberg ground to a halt high in turn two to end his evening. It was the only caution on the event, spoiling a shot at another green-to-checker race. This set Serydynski outside Lallier for the restart with Fanning and Baxter behind them. Pianka and Bruneau threatened from row three.
Lallier nosed out on Serydynski as Fanning ran in under Serydynski. Baxter waited as Bruneau came around Sparky for fifth. The field quickly strung out with Serydynski on Lallier’s bumper. He was loose crossing the stripe into lap 27, but Serydynski could not take advantage. But Baxter was able to shoot under Fanning into third with three laps remaining. The leaders ran nose-to-tail but none were able to mount a passing move.
Lallier shot under the checkers with Serydynski on his bumper, still looking to get under. Baxter’s pass into third came to late for him to summon a shot at the two leaders and he finished third, ahead of Fanning, who had Bruneau looking for any sort of opportunity on his tail.
Sixth went to Arsenault, followed by Flood, Rob Murphy, Vinny Pangelinan and Ed Flanagan, Jr. Souliere, Pianka and Benoit ended in that order just off the top ten.