Beech Ridge Launches "Quad Challenge" for Nascar Busch North Drivers
27 August 1997
GARDINER, ME - The Primestar 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, set for Saturday, August 30, marks the beginning of an interesting "Quad Challenge" season wrap-up for the NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National Division. The NASCAR Busch North Series appears at a wide variety of venues - short tracks, intermediate tracks, superspeedways and road courses. The last four races of the 1997 schedule are set for Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Me.; Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway; New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H.; and Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn. - one of each type of track - creating a unique "Quad Challenge" for the drivers and teams. Beech Ridge Motor Speedway offers the classic short-track challenge - applying the 500-plus horsepower that the NASCAR Busch North Series cars develop to the race track while negotiating ever-present turning challenges. The close confines of the short track demand quick reflexes from drivers who are traveling mere inches from each other at high speeds. Rubbing and bumping are an accepted part of the equation, and some drivers thrive on the ever-present action. The Primestar 150 offers fans their final chance in 1997 to see the NASCAR Busch North Series perform in this venue before moving on to the unique challenges that Thompson's intermediate-sized track will offer. Andy Santerre, of Litchfield, Me., leads the contingent of Pine Tree State natives who would like to cap the short track portion of the season off with a win at Beech Ridge. Santerre is the defending champion of this race, and he is rumored to be heading on to the NASCAR Busch Series next year. A win before the hometown fans would certainly provide a lasting memory to take South. But, Santerre will have to deal with Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H., Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., and Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn., all of whom are battling among themselves along with Santerre for the top-four positions in the final points rundown. With such a "Quad Challenge" factoring into the final points standings, coupled with the close championship battle that has existed throughout the year, one thing is for certain...the 1997 NASCAR Busch North Series Champion will be one of the Northeast's most versatile drivers. By NASCAR PUBLIC RELATIONS
