MATHESON HAMMERS THROUGH FOR LEGENDS WIN
Jake Matheson started eighth in Legends competition, but battled his way up through the field of bright lights to steal the win from Luke LeBrun who had led the race for the 21 laps since the outset. But with four circuits remaining, Matheson came off a lap eight restart low in row two, behind Luke and brother Eric LeBrun, running side-by-side at the front. Over the closing laps, he was abe to take the lead, then hold off a charging Brendan Hammann to the finish for his second win on the season, his first since opening night. Hammann collected second, followed by Eric, Luke and Josh Parsons to round out the top five.
Luke had the pole, inside Mason Tessier, while Mason Levesque and Hammann kicked off from the second row. It took to tries to get things going as Jacob Burns was around between turns one and two on the initial circuit. Attention was immediately on Burns, and many missed hotshoe Derek Gluchacki lose
a wheel and rear axle in turn four until the wheel/axle assembly bounced down the front stretch. Burns, Gluckacki and Joe DeRensis were all forced to retire before a single lap had been completed.
The field reset and this time, Luke was away from Mason Levesque, who found himself below Tessier, who took second. Hammann grabbed fourth and Eric held onto fifth.
A long run followed with Luke going to a five car lead as Eric got past Hamman, Levesque and then Tessier. Eric began paring down his brother’s lead. The field stretched out into a single file as Reagan Parent began working his way up from tenth. Lap eight saw him debating seventh place with Levesque. He was able to capture the position after six laps of hacksawing with Levesque, then settled in to puruse Josh Parsons.
With 14 laps remaining, Luke continued to lead Eric, then Hammann. Matheson was winding up behind Hammann, followed by Tessier, Parsons and Parent. They ran three laps in order, then Matheson began to nose under Hammann but had the door slammed on him.
With nine remaining, the top five were running nose-to-tail and into the following lap, until Tessier spun in turn three. The lap eight restart featured the LeBrun Brothers at the front, Matheson and Hammann behind them, and Parsons and Parent in row three.
Luke rocketed away and Matheson jumped in under Eric but Eric bore down and popped back into second. Matheson ducked under again and Parsons got under Hammann. Next time around, though, Hammannpowered back into fourth.
Five laps remained as Luke found himself being chased by Matheson; Eric had Hammann on his bumper and Parsons and Parent were arguing over fifth. Matheson was relentlessly harrassing Luke for the lead and in a sudden spurt he went underneath and past LeBrun. Hammann took the opportunity to follow through and seize second. Eric also came past into third, leaving Luke in fourth, ahead of Parsons Parent continued to chase Parsons.
The finishing order had been established with three laps remaining and aside from a wite flag challenge between the LeBruns, it was a parade to the finish.
Matheson was in the books for his second career win and second Seekonk win.
Sixth went to Parent, followed by Trenton Goodrow, Tessier, Levesque and Connor Holderbach.