N. Woodstock, NH — Following heat race qualifying and the all-important Late Model Semi Feature, the Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank Strictly Stock Minis started off an early schedule Saturday at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Led to green by former first-time winner on the year, Connor Rueda paced the early circuits with Donnie Baumgardner keeping watch on the outside groove. The best on-track battle saw tied championship hopefuls Todd Derrington and Patrick Switser duke it out midpack for a top-five finish before last-lap fireworks up front.
Entering turn one on the final lap, Rueda found himself across the nose of Baumgardner and into the infield, prompting race control to dock the #18 to last on the lead lap finish and young McKenna Merchant found herself the winner in victory lane. Derrington and Switser joined Merchant on the podium to keep the championship battle at a continued close call leading into the final weeks of the season. (more…)