24-Year-Old Tests Mod at Monadnock, Runs Into Bad Luck Times Two at Thompson
Bobby Grigas, III and his Triple G Scaffolding race team had a plan when it came to logistics this past weekend. If everything lined up right, they would be able to test their True Value Modified Series entry at Monadnock Speedway (NH) and still get two races in with their Late Model at Thompson International Speedway (CT).
Fortunately, all of the stars aligned just right and thanks to a weather delay on Saturday at Thompson, they got their wish. Grigas successfully tested at Monadnock and then loaded up to make it to Thompson just after dinnertime, and before the races began for the evening.
“Monadnock went halfway decent,” said Grigas. “We ran well and we learned a few things. We’ll tinker with the car a little bit this week before going back to race. We lucked out with the weather and made it to Thompson in time for the heat race and the feature.”
Unfortunately, not everything lined up on the racetrack. Grigas started 16th and made in into the top 10 before getting caught in a wreck not of his own doing.
“We had an awesome car,” said Grigas. “Without a doubt, we would have had a top five finish. The car was a rocket. But we got hit in the right front and that put us out.”
The team repaired their car for a second Late Model feature on Sunday, but it wasn’t as quick as the night before. However, Grigas’ luck was exactly the same as he got caught in another wreck that also wasn’t his fault.
While most of the Late Model pit area was busy on Saturday, Bobby's #99 was covered up. The young driver and his team were two states away testing their Modified at the time, but came back to run strong at Thompson that night. (51 Photos)
“The car was a little off,” said Grigas. “I knew that it wasn’t as good as on Saturday night, so I planned to ride around and stay out of the wrecks. But, we got caught in a wreck anyway. A car cut down on me and I backed off to let him straightened out. He kept going, but I got run over from the back and wrecked.”
This year’s two features continues a string of bad luck for Grigas during the annual Icebreaker event. He’ll put that behind him this week though as he prepares for the True Value Modified Racing Series opener on Saturday, April 15th at Monadnock.
“The Icebreaker has always been a cursed race for me,” said Grigas. “Last year, we wrecked and overheated in the two races. We needed a new front snout after last year and need another new one after this year. But that’s racing. We’ll go on to Monadnock and see what we can do on Saturday with the Modified.”
