McClelland Miscellanea

October 17, 2016 · 9:17 pm

Girls Soccer: Newburyport and North Reading in scoreless tie

Action off a corner kick in front of the North Reading goal

Pressure on Newburyport goalie Jen Stuart

(Newburyport MA) Shutouts are not unusual for either team.

North Reading entered today’s game with nine shutouts while Newburyport hit the turf field with eleven.

Therefore, the 0-0 final score between two of the Cape Ann League’s best girls’ soccer teams was no real surprise on this warm Monday afternoon.

However, the outcome was important to both teams. Why? In North Reading’s last game (Thursday) they had lost 2-0 to Masconomet. That was the second loss to the Chieftains this season. There was a need to tighten up the defense which, led by Kirsten Bradley and Kat Hassapis, was accomplished versus Newburyport.

For Newburyport this game put to rest the memory of a disturbing 3-0 loss the Clippers suffered on September 13^th at North Reading. I did not see that game but over the twelve games since then Newburyport has only allowed one goal. That’s what you call tightening up your defense!

Newburyport (10-1-3) needed that solid defense today as North Reading (10-3-1) had the better of the scoring chances in my opinion.

NR’s Meredith Griffin came the closest to scoring as her shot at 14:50 of the first half caromed off the crossbar. Here is the sequence of that action involving Meredith (green), Cricket Good (4), Krysta Padellaro, and goalie Jen Stuart:

In the second half (15:10), Haley Nathan had Clippers GK Jen Stuart defending her on the left but Haley passed instead of shooting. Haley’s pass across the goal put Jen out of position and had “open net” written all over it. Fortunately, for Newburyport there were no Hornets breaking in from the right and the ball rolled harmlessly across the endline. This is what that sequence looked like. Haley Nathan is #11:

Kat Hassapis about to make a save

The Clippers held their own on the defensive end and in midfield. They frequently put two or three passes together. However, the Hornets did not allow open looks. Kirsten Bradley was especially good at getting the ball away from Newburyport attackers. On the rare occasions that the ball got closer, there was the 2015 Cape Ann League Player-of-the-Year (Kat Hassapis) in net for North Reading.

Impressed with the play of Newburyport’s Krysta Padellaro and Margaret Cote. Both of them displayed the fearlessness that had them winning more than a few 50-50 balls.

Newburyport goalie Jen Stuart is unscored on in nine straight games. Next game for the Clippers is hosting Triton Wednesday (6:30PM).

Kirsten Bradley (20) and Sami Kelleher (8)

Next for North Reading is hosting Pentucket on Wednesday at 4:30PM.

The weather was amazing. Temperatures in the 70’s this late in October?

The last time I saw North Reading girls’ soccer was last November at Fraser Field in Lynn when they defeated Bishop Fenwick 2-1 to take the D3 North. I got a pretty good shot of Haley Nathan driving home the game-winner.

Unusual call (to me) in this game was against North Reading for having too many players on the field. I also saw an NR player sent to the sidelines by a referee for unsportsmanlike conduct.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Rachel Hill (12) and Margaret Cote (11)

Olivia Sullivan (20) and Kaitlyn Shevlin (6)

Chasing the ball

Kirsten Bradley

Cricket Good (4) collides with Meredith Griffin

Ball in the middle

Action around Kat Hassapis (19)

Jess Muise (9)

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Filed under Newburyport, North Reading

Tagged as Haley Nathan, Jen Stuart, Kat Hassapis, Krysta Padellaro, Margaret Cote, Meredith Griffin

October 15, 2016 · 6:46 pm

Girls Soccer: Tewksbury and Newburyport settle for 0-0 tie

Cricket Good (4) moves toward the Tewksbury net with teammate Sami Kelleher (8)

Margaret Cote (11) and Jenny Lerman (14)

(Newburyport MA) Newburyport (10-1-2) has only allowed one goal since a 3-0 loss to North Reading in their second game of the season.

That lone goal is still the only goal after the Clippers settled for a 0-0 tie against non-league Tewksbury on Friday night under the lights at the Stehlin Stadium.

No question in my mind that Tewskbury (7-5-1) was happier with the tie than the Clippers were. Why? A point is a point and the Redmen haven’t qualified for the MIAA tournament yet. Also, they held down a strong team like Newburyport while being without key scoring weapon, Marissa Ladderbush. Marissa (sophomore) tallied twenty-five goals for the Tewksbury JV’s in 2015 and has scored goals at the varsity level in 2016.

Amelia Droschwitz (5) open in the corner on the baseline.

It had to be a frustrating tie for Newburyport. Unbeaten in the previous ten games and playing at home seemed to the Clippers’ advantage but it only led to another terrific defensive effort. During the previous ten, Newburyport had registered twenty-four goals. Shutting them out in this game clearly spoke well of the Tewksbury defenders.

I thought that Newburyport carried the play in the first half. Putting passes together in the midfield happened. Putting passes together in the goal-scoring area, not so much. The shots were long and Redmen GK Leanne Durham had a good look at each of them.

Olivia Sullivan (20) settles the ball for Newburyport

Second half saw ten minutes where the visitors from the Merrimack Valley Conference nearly scored. Five minutes in a Tewksbury shot deflected off Newburyport GK Jen Stuart and off the crossbar. Five minutes later Jen came way out to play a ball in and didn’t get it. Fortunately, for Newburyport no one from Tewksbury could get a shot at the open net.

The rest of the way Newburyport had the chances: Colleen Byron with 15 minutes left and Sami Kelleher with seven minutes left. With five minutes to go, a Clippers shot went off the crossbar. But there were no goals scored.

Emily Chmela (19) and Amelia Kroschwitz (5) battle for the ball

A big game ahead for Newburyport on Monday afternoon. They will be rematching with North Reading at home. The Hornets did a number on the Clippers, 3-0, on September 13^th. Newburyport hasn’t lost since.

Impressed with NHS defenders Katie Hadden and Krysta Padellaro: physical presence and strong kicking.

One thing that didn’t go well for Newburyport was corner kicks. They had a number of them but instead of getting the ball into the front of the net they chose to tap it to a nearby teammate. With Tewksbury packed in the area no good shots came out of that strategy.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Newburyport GK Jen Stuart

Tewksbury GK Leanne Durham

Olivia Sullivan (20) and Jenny Lerman (14)

Amelia Kroschwitz (5) tries to get away from Haley Mignon (42)

Shot coming my way.

Colleen Byron (18) and Maddy Wescott (15)

Izzy Picher (12)

Haley Mignon (42) above the crowd looking to head in a corner kick.

Action in the Tewksbury end

Eyes on the ball

Newburyport shot coming in on Tewskbury GK Leanne Durham

Audra Greenblott (7) and Lizzy Picher (12)

Sara Catanzano

Krysta Padellaro

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Filed under Newburyport, Tewksbury

Tagged as Amelia Kroschwitz, Haley Mignon, Krysta Padellaro, Leanne Durham, Marissa Ladderbush, Sara Catanzano

October 9, 2016 · 7:25 pm

Thoughts before the 2nd Clinton/Trump debate

Can’t resist chiming in.

A hypocrite defends the behavior of Bill/Hillary Clinton and is offended by Donald Trump’s words.

A hypocrite is offended by the behavior of Bill/Hillary Clinton and defends the words of Donald Trump.

The godless, lacking the absolutes of right and wrong, have no reason to be offended by either the behavior of Bill/Hillary Clinton or the words of Donald Trump.

The Godly are those who are offended by both the behavior of Bill/Hillary Clinton and the words of Donald Trump.

(The Godly must not forget their call to hate the sin and love the sinner. They must also avoid sounding like the Pharisee in the Pharisee/tax collector parable of Luke 18:9-14: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men…..”)

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Filed under Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton

Tagged as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton

October 8, 2016 · 4:12 pm

Triton stays undefeated with 38-21 win over Newburyport

Bryan Hughes (21) tries to trap Clipper QB Rob Shay in the end zone

Triton QB Lewi L’Heureux turns defender after giving up an interception to Brian Toolan.

(Newburyport MA) I took in my first football game at Newburyport’s refurbished stadium on a pleasant Friday night of Cape Ann League action.

Wow! That place is terrific. Turf is wonderful.

Great crowd saw plenty of back-and-forth action.

In the second half, Triton (5-0) shifted into a level of offense that the Clippers (2-3) couldn’t cope with.

I found the lighting to be very good for action shots. Guessing where the action is going to happen is a significant part of shooting sports. Sometimes you get it right. Other times you don’t.

Disclaimer: All of the pictures in this entry are from the first half.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Clippers onto the field.

Jack McCarthy (58) has Newburyport QB Rob Shay by the ankle.

Ball in the air after one of several high snaps.

Tom Lapham (2) loose around the right end.

Myles Maloof (9) chases his own fumble.

Jack McCarthy (58) and John Falasca (75) sack Rob Shay.

Lewi L’Heureux surrounded by Clippers

Penalty flag (holding) flies during Lewi L’Heureux run

Rob Shay and Ronnie Mwai chase a high snap.

Brendan Powers (81)

Joel Skaff kicks an extra point after Newburyport’s first touchdown

Chris Goullaud (5) jars the ball loose from Gunnar Gustafson (13)

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Filed under Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Brendan Powers, Bryan Hughes, Jack McCarthy, Lewi L'Heureux, Rob Shay, Tom Lapham

October 6, 2016 · 10:48 pm

Emma Richardson 2nd half goal gives Amesbury 2-1 win over Triton

Alex Kennedy (14) kicks in traffic

(Byfield MA) Amesbury ended a two week, win drought with a 2-1 Cape Ann League victory against Triton on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

The Indians (4-2-4) used a second-half score (see above) by senior Emma Richardson to get the job done.

Triton (2-6-1) played well enough to win but, thanks to a solid Indians defense, were limited to long shots for most of the afternoon.

Junior Meredith Kennedy drilled home one of those long shots for the Vikings that led to a 1-1 halftime tie.

Chelsea Lynch set to score first AHS goal

Amesbury arrived late (to Triton) but started fast. Sophomore Chelsea Lynch broke in very early with pregame space and time to dribble closer, look up, fire, and score. At that point I suspected that Triton might be in for a long afternoon. But it wasn’t that way at all.

The Vikings defense tightened up considerably and Amesbury chances were few. On the other hand, Triton made runs down the sidelines on several occasions.

Junior Meredith Kennedy made one of those runs down the left sideline midway through the first half. Meredith’s left-footed shot sailed over Amesbury goalie Alli Napoli to tie things.

Second half? Amesbury had chances. Triton had chances.

The Indians got in real close a number of times but senior Triton GK Dayna Rybicki had answers.

Mikayla Porcaro

The Vikings had shots on net and several corner kicks but AHS senior defenders Julia LaMontagne and Mikayla Porcaro helped keep things long range.

Emma Richardson registered the game-winner midway through the second half. The senior took a feed from teammate Emma DiPietro and raced down the right sideline. As Emma cut toward the net she lifted a shot over Dayna Rybicki.

That goal held up.

Impressed with Meredith & Alex Kennedy. Both are returning CAL All-Stars. Defender Apphia Donoghue was very good handling AHS pressure.

Another returning CAL All-Star, Ashley Pettet, did a nice job passing and defending for Amesbury in the midfield area.

Senior Mikayla Porcaro was the ideal defender in front of AHS freshman goalie Alli Napoli. Tall and experienced (Bishop Fenwick), Mikayla cleared numerous Triton attempts before they reached the AHS net minder.

Dayna Rybicki saves for Triton

Next for Amesbury is a game tomorrow (Friday) at home against seriously depleted Pentucket.

Triton will be at Ipswich on the same afternoon.

AHS has now scored ten goals in ten games while giving up seven goals.

Triton has tallied seven goals in nine games while giving up twenty-eight goals. I have no doubt that the Vikings defense I saw this afternoon is a whole lot better than it was earlier in the season!

Instead of punting the ball out, Alli Napoli often passed the ball toward the sidelines. That strategy led to several quick Triton counter-attacks.

Sara Stackpole was on the sidelines for Triton.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Emma Richardson (25) and Madison McGrath (4) challenge Triton keeper Dayna Rybicki

Vikings celebrate Meredith Kennedy’s goal

Chelsea Lynch (12) and Apphia Donoghue (4)

Ashley Pettet (8) and Skyla Lewis (13)

Elizabeth Lindholm (24), Ashley Pettet (8), and Michaela Halloran (9)

Meredith Kennedy (14) and Michaela Halloran (9)

Alex Kennedy

Julia LaMontagne

Action in front of the Triton net

Josie Smith

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Filed under Amesbury, Triton

Tagged as Alex Kennedy, Alli Napoli, Apphia Donoghue, Ashley Pettet, Chelsea Lynch, Dayna Rybicki, Emma Richardson, Meredith Kennedy, Mikayla Porcaro

September 28, 2016 · 10:43 pm

Trio one-hits Central Maine in 5-3 Bridgton Academy baseball win

Connor Andrews (1) had two hits, scored two runs, and added an RBI for Bridgton Academy

BA starter and winner Patrick Webler

(North Bridgton, ME) A trio of Bridgton Academy pitchers limited Central Maine Community College to one hit in a 5-3 win on Wednesday afternoon on the BA campus.

Patrick Webler started for the Wolverines (7-5) followed by Colby McMahon and closer Declan Donahue.

The Mustangs (4-4-1) lone hit was off a Trent Spaulding grounder in the sixth inning that BA pitcher Colby McMahon deflected and slowed down enough for Trent to reach first safely.

Joe Webber (2 hits/2 runs/1 rbi), Connor Andrews (2 hits/2 runs/1 rbi), and Joe Brady (1 hit/2 rbi) sparked Bridgton Academy to a 5-0 lead after four innings.

The Wolverines, however, came unglued in the field in the sixth inning and it cost them three runs. Any time you put together a hit batsman, a walk, a balk, and an outfield error in one inning you’re begging to be scored on.

Central Maine shortstop Kyle Moore tosses to 2B Trent Spaulding

But in this seven-inning game, CM had only three baserunners total in the other six innings thanks to some pretty good BA pitching.

This non-league game was a rematch of a 4-2 BA victory three weeks ago in Auburn.

Brandon Varney took the loss for CM. Alex Biron, Bryce Walker, and Matt Turner also pitched for the Mustangs.

In the first inning, DH Joe Webber doubled down the left-field line, stole third, and scored the first BA run on Joe Brady’s infield out.

In the second inning, Stefan Strachan singled, stole second, and reached third on a bad throw by catcher Matt Toth. Connor Andrews singled past third to score Stefan and later Joe Webber doubled to right bringing Connor across with the 3^rd BA run.

Joe Webber (3) had two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI

The Wolverines added two more runs in the fourth. Connor Andrews (single) and Joe Webber (walk) reached base and advanced on a passed ball. Sam Majewski drove in Connor with an infield out and Joe Brady’s infield single plated Joe Webber.

CM gathered all their runs in the sixth inning. They loaded the bases against Colby McMahon with a hit, a hit batsman, and a walk. Colby’s balk scored Trent and advanced the other runners (Kyle Moore and Jacob Albert) into scoring position. After a strikeout the inning looked over on a line drive to center but CF Stefan Strachan dropped the ball and both runners scored.

BA turned a 1-6-3 double play in the final inning.

The new turf field at Bridgton Academy is very nice. The sun was very tough on the right side of the field. CM first baseman Nick Bagley came to the dugout after one of the middle innings saying that he couldn’t see anything out there.

Stefan Strachan slides into second as Trent Spaulding leaps for the throw

In the first matchup between the teams, BA faced Evan Roberts who fanned seven of them.

In the fifth inning Stefan Strachan appeared to have stolen second but was tagged out by 2B Trent Spaulding when he got up from the slide.

Bridgton Academy box

Central Maine box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Central Maine starter Brandon Varney

3B Sam Majewski

2B Zach Silva

CM pitcher Alex Biron

Evan Roberts set to swing

Jacob Albert crosses home with the 3rd Mustangs run

Trouble in the outfield for CF Stefan Strachan

Sun trouble at first for Nick Bagley

Sidearming Colby McMahon

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Filed under Bridgton Academy, Central Maine Community College

Tagged as Connor Andrews, Joe Brady, Joe Webber, Patrick Webler, Trent Spaulding

September 20, 2016 · 10:43 pm

Greely wins in overtime at Lake Region 3-2 on Elizabeth Brown goal

Elizabeth Brown (2) scored the OT game-winner for Greely

Elizabeth Brown’s game-winning shot

(Naples ME) In case you missed the first meeting two weeks ago, the results the second time around were very similar.

The Greely Rangers (4-3) defeated winless Lake Region, 3-2, in overtime in Class B field hockey action at summer-like Naples on Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Elizabeth Brown scored the OT game-winner in the rematch at 3:41 assisted by first-meeting, game-winning scorer Maddy Perfetti.

What scares me about field hockey

I want to put my cards on the table right near the start: I have never covered a field hockey game before! I will also admit that I had no idea what all the whistles were about.

That being said, this was a game that either team could have won. The Lakers (0-6) twice had the lead in the second half and threatened early in overtime.

I thought that the Lakers ran out of energy in overtime after they pressured early in OT. Why do I say that? Elizabeth Brown got the ball in the Lakers’ end in the middle from Maddy Perfetti and moved in unchallenged for a close, open shot. No defenders in sight for LR goalie Maddie Nelson to help her prevent the game winner.

Kaitlyn Plummer had both of the Lakers’ regulation goals. She was assisted by Paige Davis and Liz Cole.

Sophomore Maddy Perfetti had both regulation goals for the Rangers. She was assisted by Sydney Meredith-Pickett and Wren Payne.

Kylie Rogers gets the blocker on a LR shot

Key to the win for the team from Cumberland was the goal-tending of Kylie Rogers. One time she used her blocker to get a high shot while later made a terrific kick save of a shot heading for the cage.

Impressed by the territory covered by Maddy Perfetti, Paige Davis, and Dessi Berry.

Lake Region won state titles in 1977, 1980, and 1988. Greely notched their lone title in 2003.

Greely was 5-10 last season and already have four wins this season with a lot of schedule left. The team has no seniors.

Sydney Meredith-Pickett (7) set to block an LR rusher

Sydney Meredith-Pickett was listed this season by the Portland Press Herald as one of their “Players to Watch.”

Lake Region did not play like a winless team. Should be some “W’s” ahead for them.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Isabelle Bachelder, Maddy Perfetti, Elizabeth Brown

Kelsey Apovian

Kaitlyn Plummer

Maddie Nelson and Dessi Berry

Crowd gathers close to LR goal

Ella Novick (18) fires from close in at LR goalie Maddie Nelson

Hailey Parsons and Elizabeth Brown

Greely goalie Kylie Rogers blocks a shot

Isabelle Bachelder (5) prevents a LR goal in the first half

Kaitlyn Plummer (5) sends a shot past the Rangers defense

Maddy Perfetti and Hailey Parsons (10)

Maddy Perfetti (2 goals) on the move

Air ball near the Greely goal

Kaitlyn Plummer congratulated by Julia Murch after 2nd goal

Kaitlyn Plummer’s shot goes past Greely goalie Kylie Rogers for second goal

Kendyl Ridlon (left) covers Ella Novick (18)

Maddy Perfetti (3) watches as her shot eludes the LR defense for the tying goal

Action in front of the Greely cage

Kylie Rogers (00) kicks away a rebound from Paige Davis (white 13)

Delaney Meserve (1) Kaitlyn Plummer (5), Courtney Rog (8)

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Filed under Greely, Lake Region

Tagged as Dessi Berry, Elizabeth Brown, Kaitlyn Plummer, Kylie Rogers, Maddy Perfetti, Sydney Meredith-Pickett

September 14, 2016 · 11:01 am

Marcus Smart for Nerlens Noel?

This deal is being proposed by CBS Sports. I’ve seen worse!

Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart for Nerlens Noel

Some people are very high on Smart’s potential. In many ways, he’s a lot like Noel — a lights-out defender with elite potential on that end, but a serious project on the offensive end. Smart, in fact, had the worst two-year shooting start to a career in NBA history, but he’s a better offensive weapon than you’d assume and did show flashes of a work-in-progress jumper in the playoffs.

From the Sixers’ perspective, this addresses their perimeter issues, and while you could argue you’re selling low on Noel here, you could also argue you’d be buying low on Smart. For Boston, it would be all about roster flexibility.

The Celtics are guard-heavy at the moment, and adding Noel would give them one of the best defensive frontcourts in basketball (if not the best) with Jae Crowder, Noel and Horford. Also, he’d be a great lob partner for guys like Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley to use in the pick-and-roll. You can play Noel with Kelly Olynyk, as well, to cover up Olynyk’s defensive issues.

Look, it’s not a perfect deal for either side, but it’s not bad at all. It’s something both sides should be thinking about right now. It could end up yielding great value both ways in a win-win down the road.

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Filed under Boston Celtics

Tagged as Marcus Smart, Nerlens Noel

August 30, 2016 · 8:19 pm

Franklin Graham brings Decision America tour to Boston

Reception at the Omni Parker House in Boston

Franklin Graham spoke at the reception and on the Boston Common later

(Boston MA) I took the train into Boston for a second look at Franklin Graham’s Decision America tour on Tuesday. This was the 39^th stop on the 50-state tour.

It was a lovely day to be in the middle of Boston.

The reception was at the Omni Parker House on School Street and the gathering was on the nearby Boston Common at noon.

A week ago I arrived early in Augusta (Maine) for the same event there. My 9AM arrival in Boston gave me first access to the breakfast buffet. Didn’t know about it in Augusta but was well aware of it in Boston.

I was early enough in Boston so that I was invited to the staff’s prayer gathering on the 14^th floor Alcott Room.

I could not resist taking several skyline shots from the 14^th floor location.

After the buffet I had plenty of time to walk down to the Common. On the way I got into the cemetery (next to Park Street Church) to check out the tombstones of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. I also caught a couple of tour guides in costume.

Boston Common before the rally.

Boston Common during the rally

The platform was set up on the Boston Common so that the State Capitol building was in the background.

I returned to the elegant Omni Parker House and took the elevator to the 14^th floor to return to the Alcott Ballroom. By now plenty of folks had gathered including some from Hope Community Church (Newburyport) where my wife and I attend.

I learned fast that Franklin was using the same material at both the reception and at the rally. It was good stuff and well received at both places.

Nice to see such a large, enthusiastic gathering concerned for the spiritual condition of America.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Franklin heads for the platform on the Boston Common

Reception attendee

Boston Common rally

Skyline from the Alcott Room

The elegant Omni Parker House lobby

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Filed under Boston, Decision America Tour 2016

Tagged as Alcott Room, Boston, Franklin Graham, Omni Parker House

August 28, 2016 · 8:01 pm

All is well for Wayne Helliwell as he wins the 43rd Oxford 250

Wayne Helliwell got the checkered flag after winning the 43rd OPS 250

The trophy, the car, and an excited crew.

(Oxford ME) Travis Benjamin led the 43rd annual Oxford 250 for 159 laps but it wasn’t enough as Wayne Helliwell led the final five laps to earn the checkered flag on Sunday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

After the last of the cautions (12) on lap 227 an entertaining battle unfolded between 2-time champ Travis Benjamin and Wayne Helliwell of Dover (NH).

By then most of the non-contenders were off the track and there was plenty of open territory ahead for the two leaders after the restart. But at the speed the two front-runner were going you knew that the race would eventually be won in the traffic ahead.

Travis on the high side and Wayne on the inside early in the race

Wayne was on the inside and Travis was on the next line up. Travis had used that line to get by many cars during the race.

In lap 244 the two leaders approached field-trailer Garrett Evans (#64). Garrett was on Travis’ lane and Wayne was on the inside lane beside Travis. Travis said afterwards that he hesitated when he approached the 64 because didn’t know what the 64 was going to do. That “hesitation” allowed Wayne to fly by on 64’s inside and forced Travis to drop down in back of him. Travis would never recover from what happened with the 64 and had to settle five laps later for, what had to be, a disappointing second place.

Travis said afterwards that he thought the difference was that Wayne had pitted for tires fifty laps after he did. Those fresher tires allowed Wayne to keep up with Travis and to eventually get to the front. I’ll still go with what happened dealing with the 64 as the actual difference maker.

Wayne Helliwell pits for tires

Exciting race to say the least.

Wayne finished seventh in the OPS 250 last year. This time he won the race and received a check for $29,500.

DJ Shaw came in third.

Last year’s winner Glen Luce was strong in the early going.

TJ Brackett came out of the very first caution unable to get his car to start and was quickly done for the night.

Travis Benjamin stays high and will get past Mike and Ben Rowe

Ben Rowe finished 4^th while his dad Mike ended up 24^th.

A couple of the young favorites (Reid Lanpher and Derek Griffith) got into benders early and never could challenge the leaders. Reid was 2^nd last year.

I saw the race from above the sky boxes on the roof. Nice and breezy up there on a hot afternoon/evening with an extraordinary view.

Only problem with that lofty perch was that it was impossible to get down from there to the track in time to get pictures of the early post-race celebrating. But you can’t have everything!

Thanks to Tom/Mary Mayberry for arranging the media credentials.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)