Story by Matt Grant

August 9, 2014

Epping, NH - The Amsoil NELCAR Legends Tour made their second and final visit to the the tight quarter mile of Star Speedway on Saturday night, marking the 16th event on the schedule. Unlike many NELCAR races at Star in the past, some clear weather graced the New Hampshire sky, and 15 teams began preparation for some racing under the lights.

Veteran drivers Matt Chagnot in the 8 and Alan Smith in the 33 paced the field of cars in the first heat race. Smith drove to the lead on the outside and distanced himself from the pack, until a late caution washed his lead away. The 70 of Tylar Braunschweig swapped the lead with Smith for the remaining three laps, with the 33 taking the checkers in an exciting finish. Braunschweig and the 78 of Ivan Kaffel rounded out the top three.

The 399 of Bob Weymouth and the 84 of Matt Grant led the second heat to the green, with Weymouth getting the good jump on the start. The four time tour champion was passed a couple laps later by the 96 of Wyatt Alexander, who stretched out a big lead over the rest of the pack. Alexander cruised to another heat race win, something he's been very familiar with in 2014, over Mathew Bourgoine in the 38 and Kevin Girard Jr. in the 19.

Alan Smith and Tylar Braunschweig started on the front row for the 25 lap feature. The two picked up where they left off in the heat race, and battled hard for the lead in the early laps. Wyatt Alexander quickly made his way to the front of the pack after starting 6th, and picked up where HE left off in his heat, by pulling out to a big lead. Alexander dominated the race until lap 18, when the first caution came out for a spin by Braunschweig, who was running 5th at the time. On the restart, Alexander was hotly contested by Mathew Bourgoine, and the two raced side by side for several laps, and swapped the lead multiple times. With a few laps to go, Bourgoine tried to get under the 96 for the top spot, but the two made contact, resulting in a spin by Bourgoine. Alexander and Smith lined up on the front row for the green-white-checkered restart, and like he'd done all race, the young driver from Ellsworth pulled away with the lead. Bob Weymouth, who quietly rode outside the top 5 for most of the race, made his way by Smith for second. Matt Grant attempted to follow him, but contact ensued on the last lap between the 33 and 84, turning both cars around.

At the checkers Wyatt Alexander broke through for his first career legends win, after coming so close numerous times in 2014! Bob Weymouth brought his 399 machine home in 2nd, 12 year old rookie Ivan Kaffel in the 78 scored his first career podium finish in a legends car, the 8 of Matt Chagnot matched his career best finish with a 4th place run, and Tylar Braunschweig rebounded from his late spin to post his third straight 5th place finish on the tour.

Next up for the Tour is the final night of Thursday Thunder! Mathew Bourgoine looks to wrap up his third straight championship, as he has an 18 point advantage over the winner of the last two events, Reid Lanpher, and a 26 point gap over consistent front runner Kevin Girard Jr. After all the events, the drivers will participate in the Autograph Hour, which will be followed by the presentation of the top 5 trophies. You won't want to miss out on this race!

If YOU want to Be a Legend, check out www.NELCAR.net, Like NELCAR on Facebook, and get live updates during every race by following @NelcarLegends on Twitter.

 

Feature Finish

1-96 Wyatt Alexander - Ellsworth - Y

2-399 Bob Weymouth - Topsham - M

3-78 Ivan Kaffel* - Raymond - Y

4-8 Matt Chagnot - Derry, NH - M

5-70 Tylar Braunschweig - W. Newfield - P

6-2 Darren Johnson* - Pembroke, NH - M

7-38 Mathew Bourgoine - Newport - P

8-84 Matt Grant - Windham - P

9-33 Alan Smith - Lincoln - M

10-27 Richard Humphrey* - Parsonsfield - M

11-72 Mike Humphrey* - Cornish - M

12-80 Dylan Varney* - Windham - Y

13-95 Jack Walker* - Bow, NH - Y

14-19 Kevin Girard Jr. - Old Orchard Beach - S

15-16 Eric Williams - Hudson, MA - S

 

Heat Finish

Heat 1

1-33 Smith

2-70 Braunschweig

3-78 Kaffel

4-8 Chagnot

5-72 M. Humphrey*

6-16 Williams

7-2 Johnson*

8-95 Walker*

 

Heat 2

1-96 Alexander

2-38 Bourgoine

3-19 Girard Jr.

4-399 Weymouth

5-84 Grant

6-27 R. Humphrey*

7-80 Varney*

 

* denotes rookie