November 22, 2024
AUTO RACING

Hopkins records ninth victory at Speedway 95 Green wraps up series championship in Sport 4

HERMON – Another week, another win for Hermon’s Mike Hopkins at Speedway 95.

Hopkins led 33 of 35 laps in the Sport Four feature on Saturday night. It was the final race of a three-race series for the division.

“I’ve been working for three years trying to get this place figured out,” said Hopkins.

It was his ninth win in 11 tries at the track.

“I don’t think I’m better than everyone else, I just think that I figured the track out, but [the other drivers] are getting there,” he added.

The race was slowed by three caution flags, the final yellow flag flying for Melanie Judkins of Orrington, whose car caught on fire with three laps to go.

Hopkins, 22, held off Brownville’s Steve Heath for the victory.

“It’s always fun chasing Mike around,” said Heath. “I think it’s the third week in a row that I’ve finished second behind him.”

Rick Grant of Legrange finished third, but said he had little for the front two.

“I didn’t have anything for him,” admitted Grant. “My tires were worn out and I couldn’t go on the bottom anymore.”

Hampden’s David Green finished fourth, but wrapped up the series championship.

Old Town’s David Shorey was fifth.

Nick Jenkins of Milo and Brenton Parritt of Steuben battled for the lead in the Limited Sportsman 25-lap feature before a tap from Parritt sent the top three cars spinning.

“He decided he was going to move me, I guess,” said Jenkins, who led the first 15 laps. “He was overdriving the car.”

The front three, including Unity’s Frank Moulton, all spun off the fourth turn coming to the flagstand.

The front end of Parritt’s car was sheered off as was Jenkins’. Moulton and Jenkins were towed away. Parritt went on to finish the race.

“I was on a run and he loosened up and slowed in front of me,” said Parritt. “I got into the back end of him.

“Maybe I should’ve waited and made the pass until the last five laps or so, but it didn’t happen that way,” added Parritt. “I was there [when he got loose] and didn’t have time to back out of it.”

“I never felt the car wiggle,” said Jenkins. “Everyone who watched the race in the grandstand knows what happened.”

Meanwhile, Jenkins’ season might be over.

“My car’s totaled,” Jenkins said. “Unless I come across another sponsor, we’re probably done for a while.”

Jenkins said he’ll have to replace the front clip on his car as well as the motor, but doesn’t have the money to replace it before next week’s double-header.

Bradley’s Deane Smart went on to win his second race in a row.

“The guys up front were going at it pretty hard and the next thing you know, we were on the inside pole and going for the win,” said Smart, who was running fifth when the crash happened.

“We were really happy to get the win,” Smart added. “With the class we have, there’s five or six guys that can win every week.”

Glenn Curtis Sr. of Hudson followed Smart to the checkers. Rowland Robinson Sr. of Steuben finished third, Ricky Morse of St. Albans was fourth and Parritt finished fifth.

Stockton Springs’ Duane Seekins led all 35 laps en route to victory in the Sportsman feature. Ryan Deane of Winterport finished second, Hermon’s Dale Swoboda was third, John Phippen Jr. of Town Hill was fourth and Greg Morse of St. Albans was fifth.

Steuben’s Rowland Robinson Jr. took the lead on the second lap and never looked back as he rolled to victory in the 25-lap Strictly Street feature.

Ellsworth’s Brad Norris finished second, Tim Daggett of Alton was third, Jim Carr Jr. of Clifton finished fourth and Bangor’s Shawn Hamel was fifth, one lap down.

Milford’s Joe Legere avoided trouble on lap 18 and cruised to the winner’s circle in the Super Street feature.

Kevin Colson of Frankfort spun on the backstretch and Legere barely cleared him.

“Luckily he pulled out of the way just in time,” said Legere. “I almost broadsided him.”

Legere led every lap of the 25-circuit race. Only five of the 11 starters finished the race.

Holden’s Steve Moulton finished second ahead of John Kalel II of Orrington, Michael Overlock of Franklin and Franklin’s Greg Pung.

After the race, Legere did burnouts on the front stretch.

“They don’t call me smokin’ Joe for nothing,” he said.


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