5/6/2013
Wayne Helliwell Jr
By A Nose...
Wayne Helliwell Jr. and the Bernhardt Motorsports Team continued their rebound from a bad opening day to claimed one the closest victories in American Canadian Tour history. Helliwell picked up his second consecutive Spring Green 113 at Devils Bowl Speedway by a margin of less than two-feet.
The photo finish between 8-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar and the Dover, NH pilot was one for the ages. As the last 5 laps were run door to door in some cases leaning on each other all the way down the backstretch. The two champions brought the West Haven, VT crowd to their feet for the final few laps. “You know you’re racing close together when the stickers, paint and fiberglass are melted on the door from the other guys exhaust, Helliwell said.”
School was in session so to speak, as the two champions put a clinic on how to race with respect while running flat out. Showing what hard racing is all about. Helliwell would lead lap 109, Hoar would take it back on 110, and Helliwell would lead the final three circuits by less than a nose combined.
The day started out strong for the bright orange EKeys-4-Cars, Unique Ford Fusion Team. Helliwell put the 27NH on the outside front row for the A-main after some bold three-wide moves to take a +5 in passing points from his heat race. A front row shared by fellow Welded Media driver Ray Parent.
Helliwell would get the initial jump at the start of the 113 lap event. A lead he would keep for the next 92 laps. Hoar would grab the top spot after a brief battle on the ensuing restart and lead the next 15 circuits. “I thought it was over when Brian got the jump. I thought I had used what I had up… We had that caution and got a chance to fight for it, Helliwell said.”
A yellow on lap 108 would re-bunch the field and setup the dog fight in what Helliwell called some the hardest racing he has ever done in his career. “That was good old fashion hard-nosed racing right there… We were both up on the wheel. That kind of racing is nothing but the respect we have for each other. The intensity level seems to ramp up some when the two of us get in those situations. I can think back to Airborne and Canaan last year. Just going after it, not wrecking each other. Just run as hard as you can flat out and whoever gets, gets it… That’s what racing is all about.”
That five lap all-out battle ended in Helliwell’s favor as he crossed the finish line to an official .027 margin of victory. “I have nothing but respect for Brian [Hoar] and that Team [RPM Motorsports]. We have always raced each other respectful. I race people how I want to be raced; so does he. I’m pretty sure we could run all 113 laps like that and not have an issue. That’s all you can ask for.”
Helliwell has continued his resurgences up the points ladder and drawn to within 18 markers of the lead heading into the round #4. The series takes a week off before heading back to the scene where he and the Bernhardt Motorsports Team claimed their 2012 ACT Championship and the Fall Foliage 200 victory, Airborne Speedway. “I like Airborne, it’s a good track for us. These big flat tracks suit my driving style. Never thought I would say that, but I enjoy them.”
Helliwell and company will not take the week off however. They will look to defend their SUBWAY Fresh-Fit 150 victory at Canaan Fair Speedway this coming Saturday night. A track in which Helliwell scored 14 wins and the track championship at in 2012. “I love that place… we are excited to carry this momentum to a track we had a lot of success at last year.”
More information about the SUBWAY Fresh-Fit 150 can be found at http://www.canaanspeedways.com/home.html.
What: The $5000 to win SUBWAY Fresh-Fit 150
Where: Canaan Fair Speedway – Canaan, NH
When: Saturday May, 11th
Post Time: 5:00pm
Special thanks to our proud partners.: EKeys-4-Cars / Unique Ford / Bernhardt Automotive / Pro-Turf Landscaping / DTB Tax / C&M Distributing / Carbonneau Insulation Co / IICCEEE / Ford Racing / Schoenfeld Headers / Sunoco Race Fuels / Bassett Wheels / Joes Racing Products / Quarter Master / ARP Bodies
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Eric LaFleche / VLF photo
Article Credit: Jason Lubin / Welded Media
Submitted By: Jason Lubin