NASCAR Busch North Series Notes: CMT 100
11 September 1997
NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National Division Country Music Television 100 Notes New Hampshire International Speedway September 13, 1997 LOUDON, NH - This is the last of four NASCAR Busch North Series, Grand National Division events scheduled at New Hampshire International Speedway in 1997. Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H. leads Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. in NASCAR Busch North Series Championship points 2744-2735. That nine-point lead represents the difference in three finishing positions in a race - or only two top-six finishes. Stefanik is attempting to become the first driver to win two concurrent NASCAR touring series titles. The unique New Hampshire International Speedway track championship for the NASCAR Busch North Series competitors will be decided this weekend. Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn. holds a slim five-point lead over Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H. in the track championship standings. More than 70 drivers have filed entries for the NASCAR Busch North Series portion of the Country Music Television Twin 100s. New Hampshire International Speedway represents the third different type of race track in three races for the NASCAR Busch North Series. The 1997 schedule has the final four events occurring on a short track (Beech Ridge - won by Dave Dion), an intermediate track (Thompson - won by Mike Stefanik) a superspeedway (NHIS), and a road course (Lime Rock Park). Entries have been received from four NASCAR Busch North Series alumni. Ricky Craven of Newburgh Me., Joe Bessey of Scarborough, Me., Dale Shaw of Center Conway, N.H. and Mike Laughlin, Jr. of Simpsonville, S.C. have all filed entries. Tracy Gordon of Strong, Me. has mathematically wrapped up the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title, but Dennis Demers of Shelburne, Vt., and Tom Carey continue to battle it out for the runner-up honors. Demers leads Carey 1105-1101 coming into this event. The Raybestos Rookie of the Year runner-up will receive a check for $1,000 at the end of the year. Mike Stefanik and Dave Dion are tied for the Busch Pole Award with four individual Busch Pole Awards each, while Dion leads Stefanik in the MCI Fast Pace Award count 4-3. Mike Stefanik's engine builder Ron Hutter leads Dave Dion's engine builder R&R Engines in the AE Clevite Engine Builder points and Mike Olsen leads Bryan Wall 2290 to 2035 in the Racing Capital Race To New Hampshire points. By NASCAR Public Relations