Santerre starts off well on NASCAR Grand National North circuit

Andy Santerre, one of the top “younger generation” stock car drivers in the state, has been given an opportunity that could springboard his career to greater heights.

All the Cherryfield native has to do is take advantage of a big break, something that is awfully tough to do in the ranks of auto racing, where the unknown awaits with each different lap.

Late last season, Santerre was named to replace Maine racing legend Mike Rowe as the driver of the O’Connor GMC-sponsored Buick that races on the NASCAR Grand National North tour.

After proving himself worthy of the ride at the end of last season, Santerre has started the 1993 campaign proving he belongs.

At Lee/USA in Lee, N.H., Santerre got his season off to a good start by finishing ninth. A few weeks later at New Hampshire International Speedway, Santerre was chasing leader Jamie Aube of North Ferrisburg, Vt., when he cut a tire and was forced to pit under green. He lost two laps and finished 23rd.

Through the first two races, Santerre was leading the Penrose Rookie of the Year points race while sitting solidly in 12th place overall.

“I guess the biggest thing is that we want to run consistently and try to run up front as much as we can,” Santerre said. “We’ll just try to stay out of trouble and get the points. But, to be consistent, that’s our main goal.”

Another goal for Santerre and Co. is to take home Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the season.

“We’re a little bit of an underdog, but we’ve turned some heads,” Santerre said.

Ironically, it was a lucky break that led to Santerre getting the O’Connor GMC ride.

When the decision was made that Rowe and O’Connor were splitting company, Dave McMaster and Stan Meserve, both highly respected when it comes to stock car racing, mentioned Santerre to Mike O’Connor.

“Dave recommended him, and Stan was real high on him. That’s how we got together,” O’Connor said. “We raced a couple of races at the end of last season, and he seemed to fit the bill. We wanted the best person available to drive the car. I was amazed. He certainly has the ability.”

Santerre is not feeling any pressure having taken the place of Rowe, one of Maine’s greatest short track racers.

“They told me not to be pressured at all, but to do the best I can,” said Santerre.

O’Connor also knows that getting driver and crew to work as one might take some time. “It’s tough,” he said. “The experience factor is something you don’t get overnight. There’s a lot of racing competition in Grand National North racing. Andy’s doing a heckuva job.”

And, with a few more lucky breaks, Andy Santerre could springboard his career up to the next level.