WALPOLE, N.H. – Bryan Kruczek passed the entire field – at least twice – en route to his first Granite State Pro Stock Series win at Star Speedway on Saturday.
Kruczek, who was fastest in time trials and won his heat race, started seventh – but had to go to the rear on at least two different occasions. The Bobby Webber Racing driver didn’t let that slow him down, as he took the Vynorius No. 19 into victory lane in the third GSPSS race of the season, the Hedges Excavating 100.
“I’m out of breath,” Kruczek said, climbing from the car. “I had to pass a lot of cars out there. I can’t thank all of my guys enough, my guys are second to none. Bobby Webber lets me come out here and tells me to hand him the steering wheel or the trophy. We have some awesome sponsors.”
Angelo Belsito and Joey Pole started on the front row – with Belisto taking the early advantage looking for his second straight win, and former series champion Devin O’Connell mounting an early charge to the lead with 33 laps complete.
Pole took the lead on a restart with 58 laps to go, but couldn’t hold back the charges of Kruczek in the late laps.
Kruczek’s day included contact and a spin by Jacob Dore, which sent both to the rear, and contact and a spin with Evan Beaulieu, which sent both to the rear. He pitted multiple times to the attention of his Bobby Webber Racing crew, but the car was right at the end.
He passed Pole for the top spot with 24 laps to go – however, a caution late gave Pole one last chance.
Pole edged out for the lead on the restart, crossing the line out front at lap 94 – but slight contact a few laps later sent him backwards, and eventually spinning down the frontstretch, ending his day early. Kruczek held off a final charge from Josh King over the final laps to seal the victory.
King was second, followed by Dore, Belsito and Derek Gluchacki. Tyler Tomassi was sixth, while Gabe Brown, Beaulieu, O’Connell and Kevin Casper closed the top 10.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series returns to the track on Sunday, May 30, as part of a Memorial Day weekend special at Claremont Motorsports Park.
The finish:
Bryan Kruczek, Josh King, Jacob Dore, Angelo Belsito, Derek Gluchacki, Tyler Tomassi, Gabe Brown, Evan Beaulieu, Devin O’Connell, Kevin Casper, Bobby Cabral, Bill Helliwell, Joey Pole, Bobby Pelland, TJ Bleau, Mike Mitchell, Luke Hinkley.