Doing favor for a friend cuts short savoring of win

WISCASSET – Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre didn’t spend much time enjoying a Busch Grand National North victory he called “the biggest win of my career” at the Burnham Boilers 150 at Watkins Glen, N.Y., Saturday.

On Sunday, the personable Santerre was back in his home state, doing a favor for a friend by hopping into the black No. 2 car for the MBNA 150, a North East Pro Stock Association feature at Wiscasset Raceway.

The friend, longtime stock car driver Stan Meserve of Unity, spent the day at Oxford Plains Speedway racing in the DuraLube 150. And despite a Saturday appointment in the Watkins Glen victory lane, Santerre was happy to come back to Maine.

“[Team owner Paul Watts] and Stan talked it over and they both decided that I could drive if I could get back here,” Santerre said.

During Sunday’s race, Santerre had to drop out at lap 67, due to engine problems. Meserve has two cars and Santerre was using the newer of the two at Wiscasset.

By competing in the race, Santerre was able to help the Meserve team, as NEPSA points are awarded to the car’s owner, not its driver.

“Paul is registered as the owner, so it doesn’t matter who is sitting in the seat,” Santerre said before the race, chuckling.

Santerre said the Watkins Glen victory was a milestone for him – coming on the heels of meetings with Winston Cup owners – and said that a Super Truck deal from one of those owners could be on the horizon for him.

“I think this was the biggest turning point of my career so far,” he said.

“My name got thrown around a lot this weekend, and then to run up front on national television with Buddy Baker commentating and all the Winston Cup people there and everybody watching, it was just a real good thing for me. I think before this year is over, I’m finally going to get the chance to debut a Super Truck.”

Santerre said his plans for the Burnham Boilers 150 and the MBNA 150 were similar. “Just run conservatively and avoid the wrecks,” he said.

“Everything went good for us down there. We practiced fast and knew we had a good car for the race. We just hoped we could stay out of trouble. It worked out for us,” he said.

In Saturday’s race at Watkins Glen International, Santerre collected his second consecutice NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National Division win and third of the season – and a $20,525 paycheck.

Santerre led early in the race, but so did several other drivers. He took his pit stop during a yellow flag on lap 25 of the 63-lap race and then stayed in the hunt by picking up position as others were forced to make pit stops later.

Santerre took the lead for good on a lap 33 restart, slipping past veteran road racer Rob Wilson of London, England. During the final two laps, Santerre was shadowed by runner-up Steve Park and the lead duo bumped their way to the finish line, bringing the sold-out crowd to its feet.

His No. 4 Chevrolet car averaged 74.138 mph during the race.