2014 Race 2 - Boston (Ford 200)

Tops: Casey Lester, Tommy Ritcher, Jack Walter
Flops: Ritcher's Engine, Crompton's Engine, Nick Dawson, Nate Pieper

Ritcher Frustrated; Happy For Teammate

Tommy Ritcher was the dominant car at Boston for the Ford 200, however, things weren't meant to be as the rookie lost the lead to fellow rookie and teammate Casey Lester with 44 to go. Shortly after, Ritcher's car blew up after working his way back up into the top 5.

"Seems like Boston is a bad place to dominate." he said, "Herb last year, us this year. Engines get pushed to the limit here and today it got us. I was concerned about the 87 but luckily for them it lasted. I'm really happy for Casey."

Ritcher led 131 laps and held the lead through two pit stops. His father Fred was spotting for him and shared the same disappointment.

"I feel so bad for him." the 9-time champion said, "The kid deserves it, he's been through a lot this past year in his personal life and people still aren't giving him the credit he deserved from Ottawa. Just hate it for him, this was his chance to silence the critics."

Tommy Ritcher finished 27th and sits 19th in the standings after 2 races.


Jates disappointed at what could have been

Fuel is what cost driver Alex Jates the points lead. After a 4th place Livonia finish, Alex Jates was looking to have the points lead from finishing 2nd at Boston. However, the 1 machine would be 1 of the 7 drivers who needed to stop late for gas. Jates lost that 2nd position with 3 to go and fell back to finish 19th.

"KGI is performing well right now and we dropped the ball at the end to keep it going. I don't know how the hell the 87 saved gas but I certainly was and I wasn't catching him so he's either amazing at conserving or there's something up in that shop but I'm pissed."

Jates sits now 4th in the standings and his teammate Kenny Gerrelds sits 7th. Shawn Glossum, the other KGI car, is in 48th after crashing in the Ford 200.

Richson wrecked, Bibson gets top 15

"Well...that sucked..." Richson leaves with saying nothing more.

"After getting wrecked by the prick of a winner last week, I get a top 15 after being absolutely f***ing nowhere all damn day, so yes, I'm happy with my upper midfield finish, just don't understand how that prick won." Bibson said.

Nate Pieper OK after hard hit on lap 103

After taking a hard hit on Caution 2, Lap 103, Nate Pieper was able to climb out of his car unhurt. After the wreck, Pieper said "Well, seeing how our day was going, this finish will pretty much sum it up. Lost the breaks trying to avoid the wreck and slammed into some car. Hope everyone is ok that was involved. Car wasn't that good all race but we will try again next week. I did a test at Delaware so I'm very excited to go there."

Miller crashes out, finishes 41st, concerns about the 87 car

Jason Miller finished 41st after crashing out on lap 99. "Our car wasn't handling the way we wanted to. and brakes somewhat weren't working right. I just sucks for stuff like that to happen."- Jason Miller, and many other SGR crewmen were concerned after race winner Casey Lester came out of nowhere to have one of the strongest cars in the garage. "Did the 87 ever go through inspection? or If it did, were the officials smoking something?" - Vincent Edwards, crewmen of Jason Miller. "They let Lester cheat so he can something to say about his reality drama, which a car that was running midfield comes out of nowhere and dominates the entire weekend. I do not know why, but the officials can let people cheat just like that, and they don't do anything to stop it." - Jason Miller

Lester Passes Through Post-Race Inspection

The 87 Ford Fusion passed through post-race inspection with ease.

"Nothing out of line to report," said head official Tracy Wyman, "We do an extensive search to each car finishing in the top 10 in not only the race but each session throughout the weekend and we can report that the 87 and any of the other Renesse Racing cars, were not cheating."

Concerns and conspiracy theories have popped up throughout the garage, but we're not sure if this is going to put an end to those or not.

Lester wins at Boston, expresses displeasure with Miller's comments

Casey Lester, in only his 4th career AARO AMP Energy Racing Series start, saw himself out in the lead following a pass on his Renesse Racing teammate, Tommy Ritcher, on Lap 131. This would be the first and only lead change of the event as Ritcher was held up by Lester's predecessor, Mikael Carter, and dropped through the field, eventually retiring from an expired motor after rebounding later in the race. Lester held his breath in the final 10 laps as Alex Jates had to hit the pit lane with 3 laps remaining from 2nd, handing the position over to Nate Smith. Lester became extremely worried about his own fuel mileage, but with 2.18 miles remaining, he reassured himself that he would have enough to go the rest of the distance. He didn't seem to lose power for the final two laps. Fuel mileage: check. The 14 car appeared to be quick enough to not hold him up nearly enough for Smith to catch him. Gerrelds: check. Lester cruised away to victory in the Ford 200 at Boston, the first win for the #87 team since South Boston last season and the first win for Renesse Racing as a whole since Winnipeg.

Casey Lester: Man, I never would have guessed I'd be standing here so soon. [There are] Countless people I have to thank, uh, Dunkin' Donuts, 7-Eleven, Autozone, Aflac, Best Buy, Roger Renesse, of course, uh... my crew. Just... I can't name everybody who I need to thank for helping me here. Tyson Lautenschlager for sure. But back to the race, you have no clue how bad I feel for Tommy [Ritcher]. He had a really fast car from the start and he definitely could've gotten a Top 5 outta today, but the engine just didn't hold up for him. Gotta feel for the kid. This whole weekend was just paradise, though. Everything just seemed to click this weekend and I'm... I'm standing here, man. Unbelievable job by everybody on this 87 crew. Thank you guys so much. This means the world to me.

However, the drama surrounding Lester after Livonia would linger at Boston as Jason Miller's comments sparked some anger from the 26-year-old rookie from New York.

Casey Lester: Don't talk. You were an obstacle all race. 5 laps down isn't something to be proud of and you making assumptions that we cheated is making you look like a freaking idiot. The entire team had an awesome weekend while you didn't seem to be quite on the ball. You taking your issues out on us isn't making you look any f**king smarter.

Davis Very Happy with 4th Place Performance

Keith Davis is now a legitimate competitor in the AMP Energy Racing Series. Davis has always been known as a great driver without great equipment, and now, with elite equipment, Keith Davis is showing his elite driving abilities. Davis held a spot in the top-10 throughout all 175 laps of the Ford 200, and wound up finishing 4th after a couple cars came in late for fuel.

"I was hoping we'd make it on gas there," he said, "I can't conserve fuel for the life of me, and I was surprised we made it home. When the 82 ran out, I was sure we would too, but we made it and I'm so proud of this team."

Davis now sits 2nd in overall points standings as one of the two drivers with top-10's in both this race and the Livonia 250.

"I didn't think we'd be up here already. I don't know what my expectations were, but we are exceeding them so far."


Walter, Carter Altercation in Pits

Jack Walter apparently went over to the 39 stall after the conclusion of the Ford 200 which turned into a bit of a scrum. Walter had no intentions of fighting, and just wanted to let Carter know what he'd been doing all race.

"I just went over there to tell him he's making rookie mistakes out there, and he went off talking about how I'm drunk or something like that and hey, I'm not backing down from no fight, I'm a man," said Walter.

Carter finished 24th, 3 laps down and was none too pleased with Walter's confrontation.

"Don't f***ing talk to me about s*** like that after the performance we just had. I'm frustrated as it is and that just sent me over the line," explained Carter. "I don't want any rivalry between us, but seriously talk to me on Monday, not right after the damn race."

Walter finished 8th after running stellar in his return to the AERS. Walter's teammate Jimmy Cohon finished 12th after having a quiet performance and sits 3rd in championship standings. Walter, having raced just once this season, sits 33rd while Carter is 15th.