STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONN. – Sean Caisse won his second straight NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series race to start the 2006 season Friday night, coming out on top of a fierce duel with front row mate Matt Kobyluck in the TSI Harley-Davidson 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway. The pair were the only race leaders, swapping the lead among themselves eight times.

Caisse took the lead for the final time by finding forward bite on a restart with 12 laps to go, then denying Kobyluck’s attempt to use Stafford’s famous “bottom shot” pass in turn one. It was the same move Kobyluck had used earlier on lap 53 to gain dominance of the event’s middle stages.

Mike Olsen, who shadowed the leaders for much of the race, was third for the second week in a row. Dave Dion, making his 2006 debut, charged into contention in the closing laps to grab fourth, while southern visitor Jody Lavender made up for a late-race disappointment on home turf in South Carolina last week by completing the top five. Charles Lewandoski, Ryan Seaman, Joey McCarthy, Jeff Anton, and Bryon Chew were sixth through tenth. It represented a best career finish for both Lavender and Lewandoski.

Stafford favorite Ted Christopher was a prime contender until an accident which also involved John Salemi sent him to the pits after 122 laps. A few laps later, a strong run by Mike Johnson ended in a turn one accident. Brian Hoar, runner-up in the season opener, never took the green flag due to last-minute engine trouble. Ten cautions periods resulted in 63 laps being run under the yellow flag. Attrition was high, with only 18 cars running at the finish, of whom a dozen were on the lead lap.

Caisse won the Busch Pole award, while Seaman’s drive through the field from 22nd to seventh netted him the POWERade Power Move of the Race. McCarthy was the Featherlite Most Improved Driver, climbing 17 places from last week. For the second straight race, Dion Ciccarelli led the Sunoco Rookies.

Sophomore sensation Caisse, driving for four-time champion Andy Santerre, finds only the most-laps led bonus earned by Kobyluck at Stafford keeping him from a perfect score after two races. He now leads the series by 30 points over Kobyluck and 40 over Olsen heading to next Saturday’s Fucillo Auto Park HUGE 150 at Holland (N.Y.) International Speedway.

NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION, BUSCH EAST SERIES
TSI Harley-Davidson 150
Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford springs, Conn., Friday, June 16, 2006

Time of Race:1 hrs., 37 mins, 35 secs
Average Speed: 46.114 mph
Margin of Victory:.608 seconds

Caution Flags: Laps 1-4 (car 30 spun turn 4); 21-26 (cars 34, 5, 67 spun turn 1); 40-45 (cars 06, 41 spun turn 4); 48-53 (debris turn 3); 57-62 (car 24 spun turn 4); 93-102 (cars 14, 06 spun front straight); 107-113 (car 8 spun turn 2); 118-121 (cars 25 spun turn 2); 123-131 (cars 35, 15 accident turn 2, on restart cars 96, 8 accident turn 1; red flag for cleanup); 134-138 (realignment after red flag). 10 for 63 laps.

Lap Leaders: Sean Caisse * 1-44, Matt Kobyluck 45, Sean Caisse * 46-52, Matt Kobyluck 53-112, Sean Caisse * 113, Matt Kobyluck 114-121, Sean Caisse * 122, Matt Kobyluck 123-138, Sean Caisse * 139-150.

Total Laps Led: Matt Kobyluck 85, Sean Caisse * 65. 8 changes involving 2 drivers

Busch Pole Award: Sean Caisse, Casella Waste Services Chevrolet (19.796 seconds @ 90.927 mph)

POWERade Power Move of the Race Award: Ryan Seaman, Erbe Carting Chevrolet

Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award: Joey McCarthy, STI Motorsports Chevrolet

Top 10 Driver Points: Sean Caisse 375, Matt Kobyluck 345, Mike Olsen 335, Bryon Chew 289, Charles Lewandoski 288, Jody Lavender 285, Jeff Anton 284, Kip Stockwell 264, Mike Johnson 253, Dion Ciccarelli 251

Next Race: Holland, N.Y, Sat., June 24, 2006