Gate City Classic an Important Piece to the Championship Puzzle
HUDSON, NH – With the point battle beginning to take shape early, the Granite State Pro Stock Series will travel to one of the most unique tracks on the circuit, Hudson International Speedway, for the Gate City Classic, June 14.
Young Gun Derek Griffith leads the standings entering the fourth of twelve events on the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) schedule. Finishing in the top four in each race to begin the season, Griffith holds a slim two-point advantage over Barry Gray, and just eight points back to Larry Gelinas in third, entering the event. Hudson International Speedway is Derek Griffith’s home-track, but has yet to pick up a victory at the ¼ mile facility with the series, whereas Gelinas visited Victory Lane in 2014.
The driver sitting in fourth place in the championship standings, Josh King, is enjoying the best start to his GSPSS career. With three consecutive top 10 finishes, including two seventh-place finishes at Claremont Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, the Vernon, VT driver has set himself up for a successful season.
Hudson International Speedway will be a test for King, as luck has not been on his side. Mechanical issues have burdened his race team at the track, saying “It's a tricky place to find grip for us. We have never got out of Hudson without breaking something. I've lost a motor there, a transmission, broken suspension, you name it, it’s happened to me. I'm cautiously optimistic.”
Another racer looking for the other side of the mountain is Tommy O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan has been battling chassis issues in 2015, and is throwing the kitchen sink at his car for the Gate City Classic. Knowing this track is key to every driver’s 2015 campaign, O’Sullivan continues “Being there at the end to make a run for the win is key. The track races well, and it shows, as some of our best GSPSS races run to date have taken place at that track.”
Inaugural Gate City Classic winner and 2012 series champion Bobby Cabral is scheduled to make his season debut at Hudson International Speedway, along with all-time series wins leader Matt Frahm, as well as 2013 race winner and series champion Mike O’Sullivan.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series will make the stop at Hudson International Speedway, June 14, for the fourth running of the Gate City Classic. For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, visit www.gspss.net.
Photo 2014 Gate City Classic winner Larry Gelinas