Odds-on Winner: Narbonne Wins 4th Loudon Classic
Native of Tyngsboro, Mass., that won in 2009, ’11 and ’13 takes the 2015 Middleweight Grand Prix title at 92nd annual Loudon Classic
Shane Narbonne picked up his fourth Loudon Classic title since 2009 with his win on Saturday in the 92nd running of the annual Middleweight Grand Prix.
LOUDON, N.H. – After three laps of Saturday’s 92nd annual Loudon Classic Middleweight Grand Prix, it was clearly a contest between three past winners: Shane Narbonne, Scott Greenwood and Eric Wood. By the midway point of the 20-lap feature event, Narbonne pulled away and the gap between Greenwood and Wood expanded, as the native of Tyngsboro, Mass., eventually found himself in Sunoco Victory Lane, celebrating his fourth Loudon Classic title since 2009.
“Today’s just been an all-around good day. We got a decent start and I just kind of played it out a little bit to see what they had and where (Greenwood and Wood) were stronger and I was weaker,” Narbonne said of his challengers. “I just got them out of the bowl and just put my head down and set sail from there.
“This is the oldest motorcycle race in America and to come and win it – especially four times – is pretty big. It just feels good to be in the history books,” Narbonne added.
Last year’s champion and three-time Loudon Classic winner Scott Greenwood took second place after a strong fight with Narbonne ahead of the pack.
“I ran consistent laps the whole race as the grip levels deteriorated over the long race. I was able to hang in there and keep inching away from third place which is important,” said Greenwood, who also won the Classic in 2003 and 2010. “I’d have loved to have been a little closer to Shane, put the pressure on and make the race a bit, but he did a great job and overall I can’t be disappointed with the finish.”
After the gap widened between second and third place, 2012 winner Eric Wood settled for third for the second consecutive year.
“There’s no home-court advantage, it’s just who can lay it down on that day,” Wood said. “This is the highlight of our year. There’s a long list of really well-known winners in this race and it’s fun to be part of that.”
Cole Hall won the Amateur Loudon Classic Middleweight Grand Prix, while Brian Campbell and Christopher Fifield finished second and third, respectively.
92nd Loudon Classic results
1. Shane Narbonne, Tyngsboro, Mass.
2. Scott Greenwood, Dunbarton, N.H.
3. Eric Wood, Ashburnham, Mass.
4. Christian Cronin, Loudon, N.H.
5. Kristofer Knopf, Boston, Mass.
6. Cory Hildebrand, Milford, N.H.
7. Timothy Barber, Dartmouth, Mass.
8. Kip Peterson, Attleboro, Mass.
9. Anthony Kosinski, Philadelphia, Pa.
10. Michael Weyant, Rocky Hill, Conn.
Shawn Buffington took the win in the Moat Mountain Road Course Series Legends race. Buffington edged Taylor Martin and Jordan O’Brien.
Day 3 of racing begins on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with the Legends Cars Moat Mountain Road Course Series. The first motorcycle race is at 11:50 a.m.
The 92nd annual Loudon Classic motorcycle weekend concludes Sunday. Tickets are available at the main gate. For more information on this or any of the other major events at the Magic Mile call (603) 783-4931 or visit www.nhms.com.
Great seats are still available for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 301 on Sunday, July 19. To purchase tickets please call the NHMS ticket hotline at (603)783-4931 or visit www.nhms.com.