Seekonk Speedway Race Magazine June 24-25 Weekend Recap | Page 20

Ryan Lineham had a night to remember as he catapulted off the outside pole, and for all intents and purposes was gone for the rest of the night. The remainder of the 17-car field was forced to debate the competition among themselves as the former Street Stock champ ran in the clear air all night.

Only two cautions marred the race, at lap seven and another at lap seventeen did not interrupt events for long, and the race was closed out almost as soon as it began. Ldick Houlihan, Tom Scully, Jr., Angelo Belsito and Fred Astle completed the top five on this evening. Kevin Folan, who shared the front row with Lineham, gave chase until the lap 17 caution, then Tom Scully picked up the torch in pursuit. Houlihan settled in from lap 27 on. And though Lineham settled the issue early, there was plenty of racing throughout the forty-lap feature.

Perhaps the biggest excitement of the evening came during warmups as Radical Rick Martin stayed true to his nickname as his rear end erupted in flames coming down the frontstretch. He slowed his speed and edged around to turn three at the pit entrance to meet the fire brigade emerging from the ramp to quell the blaze. After a quick solution to the conflagration, Martin drove to the pits under his own power – and then miraculously returned to make the start of the feature and register tenth on the race.

When the green flag at last flew, so did Ryan. After a brief wheel-to-wheel with Folan. Astle went from seventh to fifth over the first lap and Bobby Pelland III fell off the pace. Folan continued in second, ahead of Kevin Casper, Houlihan, Astle, Scully, Jr. and Bob Hussey. The field quickly strung out and by lap 6, Lineham was six cars ahead and folan was still contending with the antagonists behind him.

But lap seven saw Dave Darling’s back end come loose in battle with Jake Vanada, Kenny Spencer, Jr. and Darryl Stampfl. The restart saw Lineham erupt again, leaving Folan in second to lead the pack. Casper worked under Houlihan and then Astle looked under him, but the pack was moving rapidly and no change occurred. Scully was under Houlihan, now, and got into fifth place.

Folan continued in second on lap eleven while behind him Casper fended off Astle, who was himself holding off a charging Scully who had Houlihan on his bumper.

Mike Brightman and Spencer got into each other and the contact sent them caroming onto the infield grass; but they kept control and came back to the racing surface without bringing out the caution.

Lap fourteen saw Scully under Casper for fourth and moving through to take over the positon. Lineham was ten cars up on Folan, but now Astle was in third and looking to move up. Scully pursued Astle while Houlihan, Casper and his brother, Kyle stayed close. But lap eighteen saw Folan and Astle spin out of their duel, sending Folan into the pits.

Lineham and Scully lined up at the front, ahead of Houlihan and Kevin Casper. A brief struggle ensued between the frontrunners. Scully dropped under as they rocketed away from the field. Lineham spent little time fighting on the outside, instead dropping under as Scully had done, and the latter suddenly found Lineham pushing ahead underneath him. Lineham had the front once again coming out of turn four. Houlihan then came out to run alongside Scully and eventually push by carrying Kyle Casper on his bumper.

As Lineham cruised eight cars ahead, Houlihan now ran second with Scully, Kyle, Angelo Belsito and Vanada giving chase. Houlihan now put on some speed and closed down to five cars behind Lineham. Scully still pursued with Kyle and Belsito in the wings. Belsito got under Kyle and they ran side-by side before Belsito pulled ahead and set his sights on Scully. Kyle Casper and Vanada followed through lap 34.

Lineham continued to hold his six-car lead over Houlihan, Scully and Belsito, but Casper now had Astle coming back toward the front and trying to pass. By lap 31, Astle was past and the field narrowed down for a hard, single file run to the checkers. At the finish, Lineham led Houlihan, Scully, Belsito and Astle under the checkers.

Kyle Casper was sixth, followed by Jake Vanada, Kevin Caper, Dave Darling and Martin, back from his brush with fire, completed the top ten.  

PRO STOCKS

LINEHAM DOMINATES THRILLER