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NASCAR Busch North Series Primestar 150 Report

2 September 1997

SCARBOROUGH, ME - Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H. dominated the last short-track 
event on the 1997 NASCAR Busch North Series schedule as he led all 150 laps 
of the Primestar 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.    

In addition to leading the entire race, Dion was also the fastest in Busch 
Pole Award qualifying, and as luck would have it, he drew the pole starting 
position in the traditional post-qualifying re-draw, which saw six drivers 
re-draw for starting positions.     

For the second time in three races, Andy Santerre of Cherryfield, Me. 
suffered the misfortune of a right-front tire going down. Although he 
appeared strong at the outset, the softening tire eventually caused him to 
spin out on lap 23, bringing out the caution flag. It was too late for 
Santerre, however, as he went several laps down making repairs.         

Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. and Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. - the 
two drivers who are chasing Dion in the points battle - chased Dion for most 
of the race. As Dion would encounter lapped traffic, Stefanik and Marquis 
would close the gap, but as Dion broke free, he would leave the duo picking 
their own way through the lapped traffic.     

Kelly Moore of Scarborough, Me. ran fourth for most of the event, and 
finished in that slot, but only after fighting off a strong challenge from 
Jamie Aube of N. Ferrisburg, Vt. who had started the race in the 28th slot 
due to taking a provisional starting position. Aube garnered a fifth place 
finish for his efforts.     

Dion's winnings for the day totaled $13,175 which included his Busch Pole 
Award and the MCI Fast Pace Award money for being the fastest leader on Lap 
10. 

Tracy Gordon of Strong, Me. picked up his 13th Raybestos Rookie of the Race 
award by finishing eighth.

By NASCAR Public Relations