NASCAR Busch North New England Ford Dealers 125: Report

26 August 1997

NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National Division
New England Ford Dealers 125
Riverside Park Speedway
August 23, 1997


AGAWAM, MA - Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H. waited until the last 25 laps of 
the New England Ford Dealers 125 at Riverside Park Speedway to take the 
lead and the win of the NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National 
Division event Saturday night.

Past track champion Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. took the early 
lead, but was passed by las week's winner Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. 
on Lap 30.

Stefanik looked strong, and appeared to be headed toward his 
second-straight victory when Dion took to the upper lanes of the 
quarter-mile track to head towards the front.

Dion drove around Stefanik on Lap 105 of the 125-Lap race to take the 
lead. A late caution proved to be of little concern to Dion, and the 
restart with only two laps remaining still allowed Dion to build a one 
and one-half second lead at the checkered.

Stefanik followed in second, with Marquis third. Andy Santerre of 
Cherryfield, Me. and Jamie Aube of N. Ferrisburg, Vt. rounded out the 
top-five.

Dion's win was worth $11,825.

By NASCAR Public Relations