Polewarczyk earns third PASS North victory at Star

Former Oxford 250 winner and American-Canadian Tour champion Joey Polewarczyk Jr. earned his third Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model victory of the season Friday night, holding off a hard-charging Travis Benjamin to win the rain-postponed Make-A-Wish 150 at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire.

The race was originally set for Saturday, Oct. 1, yet rains showers forced officials to try it again the following day. With a steady drizzle persisting, the race was moved to Oct. 7.

Polewarczyk, of Hudson, New Hampshire, started the race in 13th and methodically worked his way through the field. He took the lead from Berwick veteran Joey Doiron at lap 100, and managed to keep Benjamin at bay in the final sprint.

“It was an awesome race for us,” Polewarczyk said. “We were able to get the lead from Joey on that late restart. Travis was right on our bumper, which made for an exciting final 50 laps.

“Winning at Star means a lot to me, because it’s my home track. It’s only 35 minutes from home. I watched both my father and my uncle race there quite a bit. I’m also happy for my hard-working race team that made it possible.”

A late-race restart erased a healthy lead held by Doiron before Polewarczyk took command. Travis Benjamin of Morrill made a late charge in the closing laps yet came up just short aboard the Petit Motorsports entry. Doiron crossed the line in third position.

Four-time PASS North Super Late Model champion Ben Rowe of Turner finished fourth after starting 14th on the 19-car grid. Tracy Gordon of Strong raced with the contenders throughout the 150-lap contest and crossed the stripe in fifth.

2014 PASS North Champion DJ Shaw, of Center Conway, New Hampshire, powered his way to a solid sixth-place finish, padding his lead in the point standings headed into the series finale at Oxford on Saturday, October 15.

Reigning series champion Mike Rowe of Turner brought the Richard Moody Racing No. 24 entry home in seventh, while fellow Turner resident Glen Luce finished eighth. Dave Farrington Jr. of Jay, and 2016 Beech Ridge NASCAR Pro Series champion Curtis Gerry of Waterboro rounded out the top ten.

Heat race victories were earned by Stone and Joe Squeglia Jr. of Derry, New Hampshire. Squeglia won the PASS 150 at Lee USA Speedway on June 24.

Polewarczyk’s victory was made possible by the twice-rescheduled, rare Friday night race date at Star. Due to a previous racing commitment, the Pole’s Automotive team was not present at the two earlier attempts to run the Make-A-Wish 150.

Farrington notches fourth win at Wiscasset

Jay native and 2014 Beech Ridge Motor Speedway NASCAR Pro Series champion Dave Farrington Jr. stormed to his fourth victory of 2016 on Saturday, holding off Wyatt Alexander to claim the Pro Stock feature in Wiscasset’s annual Fall Fury.

Farrington started third on the grid in his Kulwicki Driver Development Program No. 23 entry. Once he took command, it was smooth sailing to the checkered flag. Alexander, of Ellsworth, settled for second after winning at Wiscasset on June 4.

“We were lucky enough to draw the third starting position, got to the lead early, and never looked back,” Farrington said. “I knew Wyatt was holding steady about five or six car-lengths back, just running a smooth race without abusing his tires. That was another important win in the battle for the Kulwicki Cup, as we have less than a month to surpass the current point leader from Wisconsin.

“Every late-season victory helps, and our off-track activities will help make a difference, as well. I’m releasing a scholarship fund under Alan Kulwicki’s name for any high school senior from Spruce Mountain planning to pursue engineering, or who shows an interest in racing. It may eventually expand to a Scholarship for first- or second-year engineering students at the University of Maine, as well.”

Along with his four wins in 2016, Farrington has posted 17 top-five finishes. He’s now only one spot away from winning that Kulwicki Cup, which is worth more than $54,000.

Newly crowned Wiscasset Late Model champion Chris Thorne capped his impressive 2016 campaign with a win in the non-points, features-only program.

Mark Lucas claimed a pair of feature wins Saturday, doing double-duty in both the Modified and Super Street divisions. The veteran from Harpswell is highly skilled in both the open-wheel and full-fendered machines, on any size oval.

Veteran short track ace Kurt Hewins won the rain-delayed Top Gun Strictly Shootout, a 40-lap tilt added to the Fall Fury program after weather prevented its completion on Oct. 1. Hewins, of Leeds, won the Strictly Street title for 2016.

Other feature winners Saturday at Wiscasset include Shawn Kimball (Outlaw Minis); Michael Harrison (Thunder 4 Minis); Jamie Wright (N.E. 4-Cyl. Pro); Caleb Willette (Wicked Good Vintage Racers, Sportsman); and Arthur Hannaford (Wicked Good Vintage Racers, Outlaws).

pwhipple@sunjournal.com