5/19/2014
Ray Parent
Victory at Last
In 2012 Ray Parent roared to the ACT New Hampshire Innovational win on the American Canadian Tour's largest stage, when he bested a 43-car field at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
While the performance of the Amtrol Ford Fusion Team has been there week after week when championship points are are the line, bad luck has reared its ugly head more times than not.
While the Tiverton, RI driver has had multiple top-10 and top-5 finishes on the Vermont based tour the stat that leads them all is how many crazy freak things have happened to the 17RI machine while in contention for a win when the series points are on the line.
When Parent and the Amtrol Team headed to update New York this weekend, all the stars were aligned. It was May 17th for car number 17. It was that date some 10 years ago that Parent earned his first victory in a pro stock at the Seekonk Speedway. That bad luck, it was no where to be seen when the checkered flag waved Saturday evening.
Parent’s day started with a win in his respective heat race to earn him the pole position for the 250th American Canadian Tour event run in series history.
As action got under way in the 100-lap sprint event it was a back-and-fourth battle with Bobby Therrien that saw Parent take the lead back on lap-8 and drive away. The next 88-laps saw Parent open up a full straightaway advantage on the field. Until what seemed like the same ole bad luck once again rear its head; the caution waved on lap-94…
“I couldn’t believe it when the caution came out”, stated Parent. “I thought here we go again.”
With the advantage gone, the yellow brought Parent back to the field. From there it was a battle for the ages. The next 6-laps split between him and Serié Canadian competitor Jonathan Bouvrette. Side-by-side for the top spot; each leading their next respective lap.
At the finish it was Parent for his first American Canadian Tour victory in a points paying race; winning by a margin of .041, one of the closest finishes in series history.
“That’s some of the hardest racing i’ve every done”, stated Parent. “I just wasn’t willing to let him [Bouvrette] have it. We needed this, my mother has been in the hospital all week and be to able to bring this home for her is a huge deal. Everything just all fell into place. It’s one of those stars aligned things...”
Parent would finish the event leading a race high 89-laps and move himself into 3rd overall in the 2014 series championship.
“I’m proud of all these guys”, stated Parent. “They have hung in there and worked so hard. I’m glad we were able to finally close the deal. Then to have my family here with me means so much..."
Parent and the Amtrol Team will look to continue their winning ways when the series heads to the New Hampshire oval Riverside Speedway on Saturday June 7th for the 150-lap event and round #4.
Next Event
What: The ACT 150
Where: Riverside Speedway - Groveton, NH
When: Saturday June 7, 2014
Ray and the Amtrol Racing Team would like to thank their proud partners in 2014: Amtrol • Carlin Combustion Technology • HydroLevel • Distinctive Auto Body • Phoenix Builders • Bayside Auto Center • Bobs Sea and Ski • Dan Davies Sales • Dominator Diesel • Five Star Bodies • Longacre Racing Products • Hedman Hedders • Ford Racing • Welded Media
Eric LaFleche / Victory Lane Photo's
Article Credit: Jason Lubin / Welded Media
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
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