Anthony Nocella Wins 75-Lap Modified Feature At Beech Ridge

Column By: AMY HARROP / RPW – SCARBOROUGH, ME – The Valenti Modified Racing Series made its return to Beech Ridge on Saturday Night with a 75-lap main event. It was the series ninth race of the year, and an exciting event for Beech Ridge spectators that only get to see modified racing at the track a few times a year.

Colbey Fournier and Tony Ricci started on the front row for the first 12-lap qualifying heat, followed by Josh Cantara, Troy Talman and Anthony Nocella. The #16 of Fournier pulled ahead of Tony Ricci, capturing the early lead. Tony Ricci wasn’t giving up the spot easy, finding his way to Fournier’s outside once again on lap 2. He cleared him for the lead in turn 4, with a wide-open track in front of him. The #81 of Josh Cantara was also on the move, breaking into the top 2 on lap 3 in turn 3. The #83 of Mike Willis broke the top 5 on lap 6 after starting the heat race from the rear, then made his way up to P4 on lap 7. Tony Ricci took home the heat victory, followed by Josh Cantara, Anthony Nocella, Mike Willis and Troy Talman.

Randal Wimert and Donnie Lashua led the field to green in the second qualifying heat, followed by Donnie Lashua, Sam Rameau, George Sherman and Matthew Mead. Wimert and Donnie Lashua were door-to-door through lap 1, with Lashua eventually getting a jump on the #66 on lap 2 in turn 1. Sam Rameau cleared the #66 of Wimert for the runner-up spot on lap 5 in turn 3, setting his sights on Donnie Lashua. The #77 of Matthew Mead was on the move, making his way into the top 3 by lap 8. The #6 of Sam Rameau was all over Donnie Lashua’s back bumper on lap 10, but Lashua was able to edge him out for the heat victory. Matthew Mead, Jeff Gallup and Bill Dixon followed, rounding out the top five.

With fog rolling into the Scarborough area, the 75-lap feature event was moved up in the schedule, right after the first NASCAR Nite feature of the night. Tony Ricci and Donnie Lashua led the field to green, followed by Josh Cantara, Sam Rameau and Anthony Nocella. The #20 of Tony Ricci pulled away with the early lead, but the #81 of Josh Cantara was all over his back bumper by lap 3. Cantara made his way to Ricci’s inside on lap 4, clearing him for the top spot in turn 3. The #63 of Chris Bolton spun around on lap 5 in turn 1, leading to the first caution of the feature. The #81 of Cantara pulled back into the lead on the restart, but Ricci was right there. Ricci cleared Cantara for the lead on lap 5 in turn 4, but Cantara wasn’t giving the spot up easily, finding his way back to Ricci’s inside on lap 7. He eventually cleared him in turn 4, pulling away from the pack. Meanwhile, the #83 of Mike Willis was on the move, breaking into the top five on lap 9. The #27 of Derek Robbie went around on lap 15 in turn 4, bringing out the second caution of the feature. The #81 of Cantara got a good jump on the restart, pulling away from the field once again. Derek Robbie took yet another spin on lap 23 in turn 2, leading to another quick caution. The #20 of Tony Ricci got a great jump on the restart, pulling away from the field. The #66 of Andy Shaw was on the move, clearing the #83 of Mike Willis for P4 on lap 31 in turn 4. By lap 36, the leaders had caught up to the rear of the pack and began lapping slower cars.

The #83 of Mike Willis got into the slower #66 car of Randal Wimert on lap 38 in turn 3, bringing out another caution. Tony Ricci proved strong on the restart, pulling away from the #81 of Cantara once again. Andy Shaw continued his fight toward the front, clearing Mike Willis for the third spot on lap 47 in turn 1. Jeff Gallup, Colbey Fournier, Ryan Doucette and Josh Cantara were among those caught in a pile-up in turn 4 on lap 47, leading to an extended caution. The #92 of Anthony Nocella got a good jump over Ricci on the restart, powering into the lead on lap 47 in turn 4. The #3 of Troy Talman was also powering through the field, making his way to the inside of Mike Willis on lap 57. He eventually cleared Willis for the spot in turn 3 on lap 58, setting his sights on the #20 of Ricci. By lap 62, the leaders were approaching the tail of the field once again, making their way around the slower cars as the laps counted down. By lap 65, Nocella had a ½ straightaway lead, displaying dominance over the rest of the field. The #93 of George Sherman went around on lap 69 in turn 1 after making contact with the #4 of Jeff Gallup, leading to a late-race caution. Anthony Nocella maintained his lead through the restart as the #3 of Troy Talman pulled into the runner-up position. Nocella drove away with the victory, followed by Troy Talman, Tony Ricci, Andy Shaw and Mike Willis.

Unofficial Results:
1. Anthony Nocella
2. Troy Talman
3. Tony Ricci
4. Andrew Shaw
5. Mike Willis
6. Donnie Lashua
7. Sam Rameau
8. Derek Robbie
9. Matthew Mead
10. Dylan Rock
11. Chris Bolton
12. George Sherman
13. Jeff Gallup
14. Colbey Fournier
15. Bill Dixon
16. Josh Cantara
17. Ryan Doucette
18. Randal Wimert

This was Nocella’s fourth win in 9 races. He celebrated with his team in victory lane, saying, “I took a liking to the track…the car was good all day.”

Catch the next VMRS event on September 1st at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut!