Donny Lia, Bo Gunning, Jim Peterson, Chris Matthews, Michael Nadeau and Steve Berardi Take Down Feature Wins During the 17^th Annual Connecticut Classic 150

May 27--Westfield, MA--- For the second time this season, the Whelen Modified Tour took to the racing surface at Stafford Motor Speedway. Thirty-one cars took the initial green flag and were battling two by two. Managing to take the lead was the #28 of James Civali. But that didn’t mean that he was off and running. The #36 of 'TC' Ted Christopher was all over his rear bumper. This battle lasted for three laps with TC taking charge of the field. While that was taking place, the field was starting to settle down.

Even though the field was single file racing by lap six, that didn’t mean anything to #14 Reggie “The Reg” Ruggiero who was making his way to the front. As that was happening, the top three cars were pulling away from the pack. On lap twenty two the first yellow flag came out and tightened the field back up.

When the green flag came back out it was the top four that were single file with fifth back battling side by side. Ten laps later the second yellow came out and bunched the field back up. After the restart the field wasted no time spreading out. While all this is happening TC is was still holding down the lead. By lap sixty TC finally hit lapped traffic. That was not a good sign for TC because the #4 of Donny Lia was able to catch up to him. Lap eighty two brought the field to its third caution and a mad rush to the pits. TC was one of the many cars to go get fresh tires on his modified. That put the #12 of Jimmy Blewett in the lead. Blewett was able to hold down the lead for awhile. Challenging for the lead next was the #94 of Eric Beers, Beers was able to take the lead up until lap one hundred and three when Donny Lia took it. Once Lia took the lead he never looked back. 

When the SK Modified’s took to the track for their forty lap event it was Bo Gunning in his #84 machine taking the early lead. On lap three the caution flag flew and tested the strength of Gunning. When the green came back out, Gunning was able to remain in control of the field while the rest battled for position. One of the main battles was for second between the #96 of Curt Brainard and the #13 of Ted Christopher. Brainard was able to hold off Christopher for position. Brainard’s next battle was going after Gunning for the lead. Brainard was no competition for Gunning. Gunning ended up taking down his first win of the 2007 season. 

The Late Models saw trouble right from the drop of the green flag. Taking an early lead was the #38 of Mark Lewis. But from second back, there were many battles going on. After four laps the top nine started to fall into line. On lap seven the first challenge for the lead happened. Challenging for the lead was the #77 of Ed Ricard. By lap eight the yellow flag came out. On the restart, coming out of nowhere was the #17 of Jim Peterson. On lap twelve he was battling Lewis for the lead. Peterson was able to take the lead on lap fourteen. Once Peterson took the lead, he never looked back. As of Friday night Jim Peterson became the winningest driver in the Late Model class. 

In the SK Lights, they say the #28 of Rich Hammann get an early lead. The battle though was for second place between the #10 of Heather DesRochers and the #38 of George Nocere Jr.. Before they could settle that the caution flag flew on lap two. The second yellow came out in lap four. During this time Hammann was holding down the lead. Again there was a battle for the second position, this time it was between #90 Scott Nordman and the #29 of Chris Matthews. Winning that battled was Matthews. By lap seven, Matthews had his sight set on the lead. On lap 11 Matthews took the lead. When the checkers flew Matthews was the declared the winner. 

Michael Nadeau in his #01 Limited Late Model took down his first feature win of the season.