Ramstrom Survives For Easter Bunny 150 Triumph At Hickory

HICKORY, NC (April 20) – Massachusetts racer Derek Ramstromprevailed in a wild race toclaimthevictory in the 14^thAnnualMyComputerCareerEaster Bunny 150 Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway.  Ramstrom’s victorywas his second straight Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model win at Hickory after claiming the checkered flag there last November.

            “You know a lot of stuff happened in front of me with the leaders tonight, so things played out in my favor and we earned it,” said Ramstrom in victory lane.  “We’ve had a rough start to the season and we really needed this victory.  Everyone was racing really hard to halfway because we all thought the rain was coming. It was definitely a good time.”

            In qualifying, Peltier took his 23rd career quick qualifying time in PASS with a lap of 14.603seconds (89.488MPH).  After the top 10 qualifiers redraw, Peltier would move back to the sixthstarting position, while Tate Fogleman and Mike Hopkinswould move up to the front row. 

            With rain being a persistent threat throughout the day and into the evening, the competition was fierce as Fogleman jumped into the early lead.  Peltier and fellow Easter Bunny 150 winner, Stephen Nasee, moved to the outside groove early on and bypassed Fogleman for the lead on lap 15.  The first caution of the night would wave on lap 28 for a spin by Christian Rose on the backstretch.

            Following the restart, Peltier would slip in turn two allowing Mike Hopkins to move by on the outside and into the lead.  But, after a caution on lap 36 for a spin by Molly Helmuth and Ray Christian, III, Hopkins relinquished the lead, pitting to evaluate a vibration in his car.  This handed the lead back to Peltier, who would be dogged for the next 100 laps by Bubba Pollard.

            Defending PASS National Champion, Derek Griffth, was eliminated in a crash on the front stretch on lap 76, which also collected current National points leader, Jake Johnson.  Then, just five laps later, Jerrick Johnson spun in turn four, collecting Kyle Plott and Matt Craig among others.  

            Over the next 60 laps, Peltier and Pollard would compete in a heavyweight bout for the lead, trading the lead back and forth, as they also traded sheet metal on occasion.  It would come to a head with 16 laps to go as the two made contact down the backstretch and again in turn four, sending Pollard for a spin. Peltier would be placed at the rear of the field with Pollard for his involvement in the incident.

            This put Fogleman out front again, until lap 140 when he was bypassed on the outside for the lead by Hopkins.  The caution would wave just three laps later for wall contact by Craig in turn two.  On the restart, both Fogleman and Corey Heim were able to move around Hopkins and into the top two positions.  But, with four laps to go, Fogleman spun after contact from Heim to bring out the caution, resulting in both cars going to the rear.  

            On the final restart, Ramstrom was able to get by Hopkins for the lead and led the final four laps for his first ever triumph in the Easter Bunny 150.  Following them at the checkers were Brandon Setzer, Travis Stearns, and rookie Justin Crider.  Rounding out the top ten were Pollard, Gracie Trotter, Trey Jarrell, Nasse, and Nicholas Naugle. 

            The PASS NorthSuper Late Models will be in action next Sundayafternoon, April28 fortheHoney Badger Bar & Grill 150at Oxford PlainsSpeedway in Maine.  WhilethePASS National Championshipwill hit the track again on Sunday, June 23at New Hampshire MotorSpeedwayin Loudon, NHas part of the 3rd Annual New England Short Track Showdown.  Entry forms are currently availablefor Oxford Plainsat ProAllStarsSeries.com.  Be sure to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

PASS Super Late Model – 14^thAnnual Easter Bunny 150 – Unofficial Results

1. 35 – Derek Ramstrom 150                  17. 8f – Tate Fogleman 145
2. 15 – Mike Hopkins 150                        18. 54 – Matt Craig 141
3. 6 – Brandon Setzer 150                       19. 96 – Wyatt Alexander 133
4. 16me – Travis Stearns 150                 20. 7 – Travis Benjamin 132
5. 7c – Justin Crider 150                          21. 28 – Jared Irvan 128
6. 26p – Bubba Pollard 150                     22. 92 – Jason Stanley 119
7. 2 – Gracie Trotter 150                           23. 21x – Bronson Butcher 89
8. 21 – Trey Jarrell 150                             24. 45 – Kodie Conner 77
9. 51n – Stephen Nasse 150                   25. 50 – Jett Noland 77
10.  08 – Nicholas Naugle 150                  26. 4p – Kyle Plott 77
11.  33 – Preston Peltier 150                     27. 13 – Wes Burton 77
12. 76 – Jerrick Johnson 150                    28. 15ma – Jake Johnson 76
13. 78 – Corey Heim 150                           29. 12g – Derek Griffith 71
14. 21b – Trey Bayne 149                          30. 4n – Ben Rowe 60
15.  24j – JP Josiasse 148                         31. 93 – Ray Christian, III – 36
16.  16 – Molly Helmuth 147                      32. 43 – Devin O’Connell 36