Ben Rowe, Dennis Spencer Share Top Honors
at Beech Ridge on PASS 400 Weekend

"What a fantastic car we had here today," said Rowe. "We've been running well all season, but things just haven't gone our way. This Richard Moody team has been putting great cars under me every week, we just couldn't get any luck. Tonight, everything worked out for us and I couldn't be happier for Rick (car owner Moody) and the whole team. I knew Trevor was coming on fast there at the end, for this team to finish one-two shows what Moody Racing is capable of doing. I'm thrilled to have finally earned a win for these guys."

Rowe took the lead from Jeff Taylor on lap 63 and never looked back. Finishing sixth through 10th (unofficial) in the 300 were Chris Kennison, Johnny Clark, Joey Porciello, Dave Dion, and Richie Dearborn. Eight cautions slowed the proceedings, none for serious incidents.

"This is unbelievable," said Sanborn in Victory Lane. "I have to thank Rick Moody for giving me a chance to drive for a team like this. This car was hooked up, I could put it just about anywhere. The car was awesome on long runs, and this race stayed green for a long time. Maybe if we had a few more laps, we could've had something for Ben. To finish second to him in a race this big is just great, I'm proud of this team and the way I performed."

Mulkern started in the 32nd position, drove his heart out all afternoon and ran with the big guns the entire distance. "I feel very fortunate to be standing here right now," he explained. "We tried a different setup here last week, and I wasn't really happy with it. So we made some changes here today, and got it to where it would handle well. We're learning about the soft springs they use in these cars today, and it's nice to have it all come together on such a big day."

In the Outlaw Late Model race, Spencer took the lead from Corey Williams for the final time on lap 44 and survived three restarts to take top honors. Young Derek Ramstrom of West Boylston, MA was easily the hottest driver in the field, coming all the way from 21st on the grid to claim second at the finish. Early leader Charlie Colby ran among the leaders all afternoon and finished third, while his son Chuck and Joe Decker rounded out the top five. Spencer, a regular in the Late Model division at Oxford Plains Speedway, was elated following one of his best performances of 2006.

"This thing was just perfect the whole distance," said Spencer. "This is a new car, and we've been struggling a little this season getting it dialed in. It was hooked up great today though, and I'm thrilled to be standing here. That was a terrific race for us."

Finishing sixth through 10th in the Outlaw Late Model 100 were Jay Sands, Walt Hammond, Corey Williams, Jimmy Rosenfield, and Tim Turner. Six cautions slowed the proceedings, and 11 cars finished on the lead lap.

Cole Watson, Chris Staples, Richie Morse and Dan McKeage were also feature winners on an absolutely perfect day for racing at the famed 1/3-mile speedplant.

In earlier action, Watson dominated the 75-lap Wildcat division feature. The Naples, ME driver took the point early and never looked back. B. J. Chapman of Bridgton, ME came all the way from 13th on the grid to claim second, while Ben Tinker, the 2006 Strictly Stock champion at Oxford, was third. Only two cautions slowed the pace, the first for a multi-car melee in Turn 3. After a brief delay for cleanup, action resumed and a long, green-flag run ensued. Watson, one of the top weekly racers at Beech Ridge, was the class of the field despite a healthy mix of drivers from other tracks.

Staples made a late-race charge up the outside groove to capture the first of two PASS Modified features of the day. The Brunswick, ME driver ran third behind leaders Richie and Troy Morse for much of the event, and then made his bid for the point. Richie claimed second at the stripe ahead of Troy, while Greg Ellis and Chad Dow completed the top five.

Morse found revenge from his earlier disappointment by winning the second PASS Modified feature. The Brunswick driver held off a hard-charging Rob Herrick of Old Orchard beach, ME to take the win, while Troy Morse finished a solid third.

McKeage closed out a terrific day of short track racing with a victory in the 100-lap Sport Series/Limited feature. Don Colpritt Jr. kept his nose clean all night and finished second, while Chris Smith was third. McKeage, a regular here at Beech Ridge, was thrilled to complete his season in such fine fashion. All in all it was a fitting end to a full day of racing at one of Maine's most historic race tracks.

          
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