The ProTruck Teams head to Lee New Hampshire as part of Oktoberfest honoring Russ Conway October 5th. Russ was the ultimate promoter, and certainly would have enjoyed the competitive atmosphere that comes with the challenge of making the Elite 8. Every team out there wants to be included in the playoffs. Three races remain to make the Chase.
Star Speedway’s Classic Weekend was the scene of the last battle. As the teams headed on to the speedway, safety officials spotted a trail of sparks under the front ot the #47 Silverado of points leader Todd Taylor. Taylor’s team was not able to get the 47 repaired during the pace laps. He would finish at the rear of the field after completing 20 laps. With Taylor out, the door was opened for teams to gain valuable points.
Former Champion Duane Noll started from the pole and fought off Randy Burr in his #32 in the early stages. Noll used lap traffic as a pic at times. Burr didn’t push the issue. He cruised for a bit and opted to take care of his truck and bide his time for a challenge later in the event.
Another former Champion, #90 Allen Coates and Ryan Kuhn put on side by side battle for 3rd and 4th in the early stages that had fans on their feet. At first it was Kuhn on the inside with Coates rolling the outside. Later on Coates nosed his Silverado under the 72. Coates used his inside position to clear the Orange Ford F-150. Kuhn immediately crossed back under on the backstretch and the two battled again side by side.
The first caution of the evening was on lap 35 when the 151 of Howard Payne spun. The #11 of Nikolas Frechette had slight contact and moved to the rear of the field.
The restart featured a front row of Noll and Burr. Kuhn lined up behind Noll with Coates to his outside. The 42 Silverado of Chris Palamar rounded out the top five. When the green waived, Noll established himself in the front of the field. Behind Noll the Orange Trucks fought for second. Coates was stalking to take on the loser of that battle. Chris Palamar lost traction exiting turn four and spun to the infield. The second and final caution of the field was put out by flagman Steve Gran.
Eight laps remained in the event as Noll brought around the field for the restart. This time it was the 72 of Kuhn to his outside. Burr and Coates made up row two. The 1 of Dennis Charette had fought his way back into the top five. “Mad Money” Sean Caron lined up outside of Charette.
Noll was able to hold off Kuhn who now was challenged by his teammate Randy Burr. The Orange trucks battled side by side for second. Burr lost a bit of traction exiting turn four. This was all Kuhn needed to take over second on his own.
With just two laps remaining, Kuhn caught and moved under the 2 Silverado on the back stretch. Noll blocked the low move. Unfortunately, the low positioning entering turn three combined with some minor contact caused Noll to slide up and leave the low groove open. Kuhn took advantage and powered by coming to the white flag. At the finish it was the two orange trucks in first and second. Noll would have to settle for third. Coates finished in the fourth spot. The 1 of Dennis Charette rounded out the top five.
Ryan Kuhn’s win was worth $2100 dollars as he headed to the payout window with the $1000 to win plus contingencies. Taylor Lawn Care and Karn’s automotive paid $600 dollars for the fast time in the event. He pocketed $400 from Evolve Mortgage. This was his first ProTruck touring win. He had the fast time in qualifying which earned another $100 from Wasco Welding and Machine Supply.
Sean Caron also benefitted from the contingency programs these teams race for weekly. Caron was able to pocket an extra $200 dollars at Star for improving the most positions. He was the NorthEast Truck & Off Road Hard Charger of the event.
The points battle heated up considerably. Randy Burr was able to close to within 6 points of Todd Taylor. Last years regular season points Champion Nikolas Frechette is still in the hunt to repeat in third. Rookie of the Year points leader Jason Paquette continues to build momentum with strong outings . He is in forth. Noll rounds out the top five. Chris Palamar is in a pretty secure spot in 6th. Dennis Charette used his strong run to finally get the 1ne team into the top eight.
Mercedes Caron had her Silverado catch fire during the event. Despite dropping out early at Star, she still holds down the final playoff berth. The battle for that final few playoff spots is a good one. Mercedes Caron in the 52, Chris Taylor in the 5 and Sean Caron in the 27 are all within 6 points. Howard Payne’s 151 team is also within striking distance.
The pressure to make the Chase is on. Catch all the action as at Lee USA Speedway Saturday October 5th as these teams fight for their share of the $10,000 ProTruck Challege.
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The ProTruck Teams are on August break. Most are preparing for a heated playoff run that gets underway September 13th at Star. The schedule visits Lee Speedway for Oktoberfest after Star. The final regular season race will be held at Thompson. The “Elite EIght” teams will be decided by points standings. Those eight will divide the $10,000 purse. The Chase Champion will take home $5000 for first. Which team should fans have their eyes on for this years $10,000 Chase. Lets look back at the season so far.
Through the first half of 2024 Todd Taylor and his 47 team have dominated the competition with back-to-back wins at Monadnock and a home track victory at the SpeedBowl’s Blast-Off season opening event. For Taylor last season was loaded with close finishes in points and races, but the top spot seemed to slip away by the slimmest of margins. Times have changed. What is it like to win three of the first four events.
“Still waiting to be pinched and wake up. Its like this is a dream” says Taylor. The effort is truly accomplished by family and friends. Certainly the team will cruise into the playoff for they have a comfortable lead in the points. The Championship is decided at Hudson Speedway on October 27th. Rumors are the team is using the break to find even more speed. Certainly the 47 team of Todd Taylor has to be considered as a favorite for the Championship.
Currently two drivers are tied for second in the standings. Veteran, #32 Randy Burr has the “Orange Truck” contending at every event. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Nikolas Frechette had his #11 Silverado flying. The Championship is decided in a Chase Race at Hudson. These two teams swapped positions with every restart in the spring event. They finished second and third respectively. Burr is the reigning Champion and has no intention of letting go of the title. Frechette is hungry for his first win. Both join Taylor on the favorites list.
Nine Rookie drivers have competed in this year’s ProTruck Challenge in 2024. Leading the field is the 94 of Jason Paquette. He has three top fives in the first 4 events. His veteran crew tweaks out a little more speed with each race. At the break he is forth in points and is projected to make the playoffs.
Former Champion, #2 Duane Noll looked unbeatable at the SpeedBowl’s opener until a late race tangle foiled what looked to be a sure win. Noll regrouped and won the Hudson event. A brush with the wall set the team back at Monadnock. Noll is fifth in points at the break. He should find his way into the playoffs. The team’s performance at Hudson’s spring event placed the 2 team as the team to beat for the Chase Championship.
Chris Palamar is another rookie driver turning heads. His #42 Silverado is as good looking as it is fast. He was able to finish on the podium in the opener, and is 6th in points at the break. Steady performances going forward are all that is needed to snag a playoff spot. Most have Palamar projected to make the playoffs.
Mercedes Caron may have been an underdog to make the playoffs pre season, but if the playoffs were starting today, the rookie driver of the #52 Silverado would be in. She is currently 7th in points. Can she stay there? Maybe. She has made very few errors and produced good finishes.
Holding on to the eight playoff spot is #5 Chris Taylor. His Silverado has not performed to his expectations. The team is using the break to sort out chassis issues.
There are four teams in striking distance of the playoffs. They are #1 Dennis Charette , #27 Sean Caron, #29 Josh Stringer and #151 Howard Payne. Each is capable of making up any points deficit they trail by at this point of the season.
One thing is for sure. These teams will do whatever it takes to make the Chase. The ProTruck Challenge gets back underway Friday the 13th at Star Speedway. Be there if you can!