Santerre kicks off title chase Cherryfield native proud to manage ?Grizco? racing team

Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre will seek his fourth consecutive Busch North series points championship beginning Sunday at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire.

But, for the first time, he also finds himself managing an imposing team that will include Mike Stefanik and Brad Leighton.

The three of them have combined for seven of the last eight Busch North points championships with Stefanik winning in 1997 and ’98 and Leighton collecting the ’99 and 2000 titles.

Stefanik, who hails from Coventry, R.I., will also run for the points title while Leighton will run a limited six-race schedule. Leighton is from Center Harbor, N.H.

All three will run on Sunday.

Santerre has been involved in every aspect of the Grizco team, including the building of the race cars.

“It will be interesting. It will be kind of neat. I take pride in building the cars and my hope is that all three cars will run well Sunday,” said the 36-year-old Santerre.

“It’s going to be different. There has been a lot more work because we have three teams and we had to build new cars. We tested down in Hickory (N.C.) and we all ran the same speed. Everyone was happy. The set-ups for all three cars will be exactly the same,” added Santerre.

“Andy has done an unbelievable job so far,” said Leighton. “I think he’s more concerned about our teams [doing well] than he is his own. He’s a talented driver but he also has a lot of talent off the track [building cars].”

“Andy has a wealth of knowledge we can tap in to,” said Stefanik.

Leighton observed that having three previous points champions on one multi-car team is unique in the Busch North series.

“It’s a crazy deal. I’m excited about it. You’ve got 30 people on the team. It has worked well in Busch and [Nextel] Cup if the teams communicate with each other,” said Leighton who doesn’t anticipate any communication problems on the Grizco team.

“I’m just hoping to run as well as they do,” said Stefanik. “I’m sure they’ll run well. I want to make sure I hold up my end of the bargain. Brad was wicked fast last year, so was Andy. I hope I am this year. I’m very excited about it.”

Santerre said winning the points titles this season will be “tougher than ever.

“I’ve given Brad and Mike the same equipment I’ve had the past three years. It’s not going to be easy [to defend] but it will be fun. I’m looking forward to it,” said Santerre.

He said in addition to Stefanik, 2001 points champion Mike Olsen, Matt Kobyluk and Scarborough’s Ryan Moore will be among his primary challengers.

Leighton said the three drivers have their own styles and motivations.

“My motivation is a fear of losing. Mike’s is his will to win and for Andy, this is what he does,” said Leighton whose car will be sponsored by Irving Mainway.

“Brad will be a little more aggressive because he isn’t running for points,” said Stefanik. “Andy and I will play it a little more safe.”

All three want to deliver wins and a points championship to popular owners Steve and Peggy Griswold.