Ramstrom Keeps Podium Streak Alive At Thompson

Derek Ramstrom of West Boylston, Mass., finished second in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model feature at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Conn., on Thursday night. The finish marked the fifth consecutive finish of third or better for Ramstrom, who has six wins on the season. Ramstrom started eighth, battled to crack the top-5 through the first half of the 30-lap event and eventually moved into second behind eventual winner Mike O’Sullivan. As he chases a second consecutive division championship, Ramstrom unofficially trails O’Sullivan by two points with three races remaining.

WHO: Derek Ramstrom, W. Boylston, Mass.
WHAT: No. 35 Charter Communications/Matthews Truck Service and Towing Chevrolet
WHERE: Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, Conn. (.625-mile oval)

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
WHAT: 30-lap Super Late Model Feature

STARTED: 8th
FINISHED: 2nd
STANDINGS: 2nd

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DEREK, TALK ABOUT YOUR RUN.

It was pretty interesting. I got stuck in the back for first 15 laps or so but was able to work up to sixth place (by halfway). After that, the slower cars started to fan out and I could start moving forward.

It was (Mike) O’Sullivan, Larry (Gelinas) and me. It took me a while to get past Larry. He was tight, and I was tight, too — and with that motor of his, it’s just really hard to get by him. It took me five or six laps to pass him, and then I just started following O’Sullivan until the race ended.

COULD YOU HAVE WON THE RACE IF YOU HAD MORE LAPS TO WORK WITH AT THE END?

Honestly, I was just too tight. There was no way I was going to pass (O’Sullivan). We were on old rubber from last week, and he was really rolling through the corners.

I kept getting tigher and tighter. I really had to work the car trying to get up through the pack early in the race. I really had to beat the crap out of the car trying to get up through there because I knew O’Sullivan was going to take off.

ALL IN ALL, THOUGH, IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD POINTS NIGHT.

It was. That’s what we’re trying to do, because it’s going to be right down to the wire. We’ve got to just stay right with or right ahead of O’Sullivan as much as we can. It’s just points
racing now coming down to the end with a few races to go. We really have to be in the top three every single race to have a shot.