Column By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Seventy years ago in 1949 Henry Hager was the winner at the Buffalo Civic Center. Paul Carr was the winner at Seekonk.
Sixty five years ago at the New London Waterford Speedbowl it rained on Wednesday night but not on Saturday night as Moe Gherzi made it two in a row in Sportsman action at the shoreline oval. Tom Van Epps was the non-Ford winner. Freddy Luchesi and Ed Hoyle repeated at Seekonk.
Sixty years ago in 1959, rain washed out the Friday night racing on the dirt at the Stafford Springs Speedway. Russ Foote and Bill Slater were the Sportsman winners at the New London Waterford Speedbowl. Benny Desrosier and Rene Charland won non Ford features and Ben Hewitt and Dick Dunn were Bomber winners at the shoreline oval. Up in New York State at the Buffalo Civic Stadium Bill Rafter scored his fourth win of the season. Racing action at Lancaster saw Irish Jack Murphy in victory lane. Dick Brown won a Midget event at Seekonk.
Fifty five years ago in 1964, Dick Dixon, who was well known in New England racing circles ventured to the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, PA where he won a 100 lap Late Model event over Roy Hallquist and Bob Devine. Rain pretty much washed out most of the weekend’s racing. The Stafford Springs Speedway in Connecticut and the Fonda Speedway in upstate New York were the exception where Bill Wimble took the wins. Lou Lazzaro paid a surprise visit to Stafford where he finished second by a bumper over Irv Taylor. Elton Hilldreth won at Old Bridge and Don Stives won at Wall in New Jersey while Gene Gamache won at Islip on Long Island. The New London-Waterford Speedbowl was also in a weather window as Ted Stack took the Modified win and Bill Staubley, the Bomber win. Roland Oliver won a 50 lapper at Seekonk.
Fifty years ago in 1969, rain washed out racing at Malta, Norwood, Waterford, Stafford and Islip. Lou Lazzaro continued to be the top gun in New York State as he won at both Fonda and at Utica-Rome. Ed Hoyle won in the A division and Hank Goff won
Forty five years ago in 1974, Riverhead ran twin events on Tuesday with Charlie Jarzombek and Artie Tappen taking wins. On Saturday night, Freeport and Islip went head to head. Jarzombek won at Freeport over Fred Harbach and Tappen. Islip ran double points and Richie Evans invaded the Island with good results as he beat out Jim Hendrickson and George Wagner for the win. Jake Marosz, who is still racing, scored his lone career Modified victory at the Waterford Speedbowl. Bill Sweet Jr was the Grand American late model winner. At Stafford, Bugsy Stevens put the Koszela No.15 on top. Ron Bouchard had to settle for second with Ed Flemke, third. Evans who had also won at Utica-Rome on Friday night, made it three for three as he won at Fulton on Sunday. Fred DeSarro won a 100 lapper and George Summers a 30 lapper at Seekonk. Other weekend winners were Geoff Bodine at Shangri-La, Merv Treichler at Lancaster, Gene Bergin at Monadnock and Fred DeSarro at Thompson.
Forty years ago in 1979, Richie Evans was the Friday night winner at Stafford. Bugsy Stevens finished in the runner-up spot with Brian Ross coming in third with a flat tire. At Spencer, Jerry Cook came home for the win over George Kent, Geoff Bodine, Maynard Troyer and Doug Hewitt. Leo Cleary extended his point lead at Seekonk as he ruled over Stevens, Ross and George Savory. Twin events were run at Riverside. Eddie Flemke scored his first win in ten years. Reggie Ruggiero was the co-winner. At Islip it was Charlie Jarzombek over Bill Park. Other weekend winners were Kent at Shangri-la, Pete Fiandaca at Westboro, Rick Donnelly at Waterford; Punky Caron at Claremont and Tony Papale scored his first win ever, at Plainville.
Thirty five years ago in 1984, Charlie Jarzombek was not to be denied as he dusted the field at Stafford. Kenny Bouchard finished second. Bob Polverari won a 100 lapper at Riverside on Saturday and at Riverhead, Jim Spencer fought off Richie Evans and Bill Park to win a 75-lap national championship event. Jan Leaty won at Spencer and Randy LaJoie was the winner of a Busch North event at Thompson. In Winston Cup action at Nashville, Geoff Bodine took the win.
Thirty years ago in 1989, Mike Christopher was the Friday night SK Modified winner at Stafford. Tom Tagg finished second. Saturday night at Waterford saw Ricky Young take the top spot and at Riverhead, Wayne Anderson beat out Ed Brunnhoelzl. The Modified Tour Series traveled to Jennerstown and it was Tony Hirschman taking the win over Reggie Ruggiero and Jamie Tomaino.
Twenty five years ago in 1994, Thompson ran on Wednesday. Richie Gallup in the Ceravolo No.31 won the SK feature over Steve Lombardo. Ted Christopher was the Pro Stock winner and CJ Freye won in the Late Models. Stafford rained out on Friday and at Waterford on Saturday, Jerry Pearl beat out Larry Lanpher and David Gada. Bruce Dell won at Riverside. and at Riverhead it was Tim Contarino. The Modified Tour Series joined the Busch North Series and Winston Cup division at Loudon. Jeff Fuller won the Modified 40 lapper over Rick Fuller and Charlie Pasteryak. The BGNN event saw Martin Truex pick up his first win. In Winston Cup action, Ricky Rudd picked up his first win as a car owner. Rudd passed second place finisher Dale Earnhardt with eight laps to go.
Twenty years ago, in 1999, Mike Christopher took the Tuesday night win at Stafford with Jim Williams, second. Waterford ran on Friday but it was a point event. Dennis Gada won out over Jeff and Jerry Pearl. A packed front grandstand of 64,000 fans was on hand Saturday afternoon at Loudon for the Modified and Busch North events. Tony Hirshman took the lead from Jan Leaty on Lap 94 and went on to record a convincing win over Leaty, Rick Fuller and Ted Christopher. Andy Santarre and Ted Christopher finished one-two in the BGNN event. In Winston Cup action, Jeff Burton took the win at Loudon after Tony Stewart and John Andretti, who were running one-two with two laps to go, ran out of gas. Jeff Gordon rammed Dale Jarrett on the last lap and took over the second spot. Gordon and Jarrett had quite a discussion in the garage area later!
Fifteen years ago in 2004, it had been noted that in recent weeks there had been a rash of Road Rage and fighting among competitors at Thompson, Stafford and at Waterford. There had been a lot of equipment damaged but luckily no one had been seriously injured. Officials at all three tracks did take steps to curb these actions. Competitors were suspended, fined and put on probation and overall had gotten the message that these actions would not be tolerated. While things were relatively quiet in New England, the Road Rage and fighting moved south to the Wall Township Speedway in Belmar, New Jersey. Wall Township, part of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series and had Modifieds as their lead division. Wall’s Modifieds are similar to the New England SK Modified. On the Fourth of July weekend Wall Township ran their fifth annual Marian D. O’Rorke 76. John Blewett III, a regular on the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour Series, led from pole to pole to win the event. While Blewett was putting on a flawless performance all out war was being staged behind him. The event turned into one consisting of deliberate wrecks, fighting, verbal abuse and near riot conditions in the pit area. It all started before the green flag was waved. Local hot shots Jimmy Blewett and Harry Reed made contact while heating up their tires. Reed’s car sustained enough damage that he had to be towed from the scene, out for the night. Jimmy Blewett, who was the point leader at the time, rejoined the race after it was eleven laps old. His grandfather attempted to coach the young driver to keep his cool and to look at the overall picture. Evidently young Blewett didn’t listen as he ran his car deliberately into Reed’s son Steven’s car inflicting severe damage. Blewett was bounced for the night. Upon entering the pit area what seemed like hundreds converged on the Blewett car and a near riot ensued. Extra police were called in to subdue the mob. Once order was restored Blewett was taken to his home by police. Speedway officials later suspended Blewett for four weeks and Harry Reed for one week. As far as the 2004 Modified Track Championship at Wall Township goes, Blewett blew it! The Blewett family has a long history at Wall Township. John Blewett Jr. had a thing going with Jamie Tomaino years ago and even planted the former Modified champion in the wall at Martinsville on one occasion. He spent some of his racing career at Riverhead on Long Island after being tossed out of Wall. John Blewett III also had his moments but has mellowed, due to his Featherlite Modified car owner and sponsor. A few years ago, Blewett III felt that Carl Pasteryak had done him dirty at Stafford. During a caution period Blewett jumped on Pasteryak’s nerf bar and ripped out his ignition wires. Hopefully everyone had worked out all their frustrations and racing could return to normal, at least until the next full moon.
Jimmy Blewett didn’t waste any time as he towed up to the Chemung Speedrome in New York and won a 100-lap feature there on Friday night. Any penalties imposed by Wall Township or NASCAR did not apply as the New York speedway lost its NASCAR sanction as of July 7. Meanwhile at Wall Township, John Blewett III made it two in a row at the Jersey shore oval.
In Thursday night Thunder at the Thompson Speedway Todd Ceravolo had one of those rare nights that racers really enjoy doing what they do. During warm-ups his car was perfect and required no pre-race adjustments. In the 30 lap Sunoco Modified SK type feature his car performed flawlessly. Starting tenth, he was able to blow away the field to record his second win of the season. Ceravolo took the lead from Bo Gunning on lap 26 of the 30-lap feature. Gunning crossed the line in second spot but was disqualified when a post race inspection revealed that his intake manifold was not an approved part. Ted Christopher was elevated to the second spot with Bert Marvin, third. Kerry Malone and Jeff Malave rounded out the top five. Only 21 cars were on hand. Christopher continued to lead the point standings as he led Ceravolo by 14 points. Other Thursday night Thunder winners were GeGe Gravel in the Pro Stocks, Charles Bailey III in the Late Models, Andy Publicover in the Mini Stocks and in twin Limited Sportsman features victory lane was shared by Larry Barnett and Glenn Boss.
Ted Christopher made it two in a row in SK-Modified competition at Stafford on Friday night. Christopher took the lead in the 40-lap feature on lap 21 from Jeff Malave. Malave later faded as Eric Berndt took over the runner-up spot in the closing laps. Malave hung on for third with Willie Hardie and Kerry Malone rounding out the top five. Ryan Posocco recorded his third Late Model feature win of the season and Kevin Gambacorta was the 15-lap Dare Stock winner
Frank Mucciacciaro had been a modified competitor at the Waterford Speedbowl for 10 years and for the most part has been a back marker. He got his just due at the Connecticut shoreline oval on Saturday night as he went from a third place starting spot to win his first-ever feature. Tom Fox and Dennis Gada were preoccupied with their own battle, which ended up giving the leader and eventual winner a free pass. Fox ended up second with Gada, third. Ron Yuhas and Doug Coby rounded out the top five. Ernie Bertrand was the Late Model winner, Richard Brooks the Mini Stock winner and Richard Doughty was the Legends Car winner. Among the missing at Waterford was Ted Christopher who was in competition at a special Saturday night event at the Thompson Speedway. Christopher won the wreck strewn PASS 100 Pro Stock event and finished fourth in the New York based Race of Champions Modified Tour event. The Modified event was won by Long Islander Donnie Lia who used a bump and run tactic on Tony Ferrente with six laps to go to get the lead and eventual win. Ferrente finished second and was followed by Jim Storace, Christopher and veteran George Kent
The Nextel Cup and the Busch Racing Series divisions of NASCAR were at the Chicagoland Speedway. Second generation driver Justin Labonte took advantage of last lap leader Mike Wallace when he ran out of gas and recorded his first ever win in NASCAR’s Triple A series. Bad Boy Tony Stewart dominated the Nextel Cup event on Sunday Many Nextel Cup fans were happy to hear that NASCAR had listened and was in the process of eliminating finishes under caution. A new ruling could be in force by July 25 at Loudon.
Ten years ago in 2009, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour headed to the Spencer Speedway on past Saturday, July 11. Following constant rain throughout Saturday morning, NASCAR and Spencer Speedway officials postponed the Spencer Speedway 155 to Sunday.
Erick Rudolph’s first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win on Sunday in the Spencer Speedway 155 made him the youngest winner in tour history. At 17 years, 6 months, 3 days, the Ransomville, N.Y., driver eclipsed the mark set by Ryan Preece in 2008. Preece was 17 years, 10 months, 25 days when he won at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
After failing to finish each of the first four races of the season, Rudolph led the final 48 laps and withstood a furious charge from Todd Szegedy on the final lap to claim the victory. On the last lap, Szegedy got by Chuck Hossfeld for second and had the nose of his car nearly up to Rudolph’s front tire as they crossed the finish line. The scheduled 125-lap event was extended to 131 by a green-white-checkered finish. Hossfeld followed on Rudolph’s bumper for third. Rowan Pennink and Ryan Preece rounded out the top five. Donny Lia, who would have missed the event if it had not been rescheduled, Mike Stefanik, Eric Goodale, Ron Silk and points leader Ted Christopher completed the top 10. Lia attended the wedding of his sister on Saturday when the event was originally scheduled. Earlier in the day, Szegedy and Christopher won the two 15-lap heat races that set the feature lineup. Rudolph, who was fastest in practice, finished 12th out of 14 cars in his heat. Szegedy led a race-high 60 laps before being forced to pit for a flat tire on lap 80. He was able to cut Christopher’s point lead to 17. There were 26 Modifieds on hand. Caution Flags, the yellow was displayed on 12 occasions for 55 laps. And there were ten lead changes among four drivers.
In Thursday Night Thunder action at the Thompson Speedway on a night when the Speedway was to have been silent, there was plenty of activity on the 5/8th mile oval. Keith Rocco and Les Rose were among those taking down victories. After experiencing three rainouts thus far this season, Thompson Speedway management added a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition that included a 50 lapper for the Sunoco Modifieds. Keith Rocco came home the victor in the 50-lapper for the Sunoco Modifieds. Les Rose took home the Super Late Model victory. Tommy O’Sullivan broke into victory lane with his first feature win of the 2009 season in the Late Models. Hometown racer Paul Coutu, Jr. scored an exciting win in the Limited Sportsman division while Glenn Boss turned his luck around with a victory in the TIS Modifieds. Brad Caddick was declared the winner of the Mini Stock main event after post race technical inspection. Tim Taylor took the Mini Stock checker but was found to be under weight at a post race tech session. In victory lane Taylor voiced his displeasure with the way the Thompson officials had alledgedy treated him and was quite vocal over the fact that he was moving his racing efforts to the Waterford Speedbowl.
Ryan Truex of Mayetta, NJ, used tire conservation to win the annual visit of the Camping World East Series event on Saturday night at the Thompson International Speedway. Thompson regular Derek Ramstrom of W. Boylston, MA, led wire-to-wire to score a popular victory in the Pro All-Star Series (PASS) feature event. Jeff Zuidema was back in top form in the Late Models as part of the Pepsi Full-Fendered Frenzy. “Leadfoot” Larry Barnett extended his point lead in the Limited Sportsman division. Second-generation driver Brian Tagg scored his first career win in the TIS Modifieds. Tim Taylor scored his fourth Mini Stock win of the season.
The Stafford Motor Speedway came alive on Tuesday night, July 7th, with the 6th annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday program. Chris Perley won the 50-lap ISMA Supermodified feature for the second consecutive year, Nokie Fornoro won the 30-lap NEMA Midget feature event, and Norm Wrenn made it two in a row at Stafford by taking the 25-lap Pro-4 Modified feature event.
The Stafford Speedway returned to action on Friday night with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program of five divisions. Ted Christopher took down his second consecutive victory in the 40-lap SK Modified feature, Ryan Posocco took his third feature victory of the 2009 season in the 30-lap Late Model feature, John Montesanto came out the big winner in a thrilling duel with Jay Goff to score his first career victory in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Carla Botticello outdueled her father to take her first win of 2009 in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and Barry Fluckiger took down his first feature victory of the 2009 season in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.
The racing action at Waterford Speedbowl was fast and furious for July 11’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing event. Keith Rocco and Danny Field picked up their fourth wins of the season, extending their points lead in the SK Modifieds and Norwich Bulletin Mini Stock divisions respectively. Bruce Thomas Jr. and Tim Jordan put on a classic duel in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature with Thomas prevailing at the last moment. Brandon Plemons picked up his first Street Stock win of the year and Jason Palmer returned to Legends Car victory lane.
The True Value Modified Racing Series headed to Lee USA Speedway on Friday, July 11th for The Laticrete 100. Jimmy Kuhn, Jr. won his first ever TVMRS race. Kuhn was the sixth winner this year in the series showing that the competition has been tough and the race for the win tight. In the past Kuhn himself has come close to winning a race but in the end lady luck jumped in and robbed him of a victory. As usual the #72 team showed up at the track with their car pristinely prepared and ready to race. And yes, race they did as they won the first heat race and started the series race on the pole This has only been the second series race for the Kuhn team, but both races have found the team with the right combination for their pursuit of a win. Rob Goodenough settled for a second place finish after a late race pass. On lap 97, Goodenough lost his hopes for the win as Kuhn made his pass for the lead. Goodenough had inherited the lead on lap 63 after a race incident took out the race leaders. Goodenough held off several challenges for the number one spot during the race but in the end his efforts were not enough.
Motorsports publisher Coastal 181 announced the upcoming release of I’LL NEVER BE LAST AGAIN, the autobiography of Bill Wimble. The long-awaited memoir of the legendary racer from Lisbon, New York, was written in concert with award-winning journalist, Lew Boyd.
Joey Logano won the Nationwide race at Chicagoland Speedway for his third win of the season. Logano passed Kyle Busch with 25 laps left then held him off on old tires over the final 10 laps. The 19-year-old Logano, the youngest winner in Sprint Cup history, did not make a late pit stop to get fresh tires. The gamble paid off for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. There were only two cautions for 11 laps over the entire 300-mile race, including one with 14 laps remaining that sent Busch and most of the rest of the field into the pits. Busch took two tires.
Mark Martin was still nifty at 50 and had made Cup racing his personal senior circuit. He won at Chicagoland Speedway, getting the strong jump off the double-file restart with two laps left to win his series-high fourth race of the season. Martin dominated the race early and led 195 laps, easily the most of the 400-mile race,
Five years ago in 2014, Stafford Speedway played host to two of its own last Friday night as Jackie Arute and Mike Joy co announced the racing program at the Arute family owned track. Taking down feature wins on the night were Ted Christopher in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, J.J. Hill in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Jeremy Sorel was a first time career winner in the 25-lap Xtra Mart Xtra D SK Light feature, Duane Provost won for the second time this season in the 25-lap Xtra Mart Xtra D Limited Late Model feature, Bill McNeil was a first time career winner in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature, and Ron Midford, Jr. became a two-time winner of the Champions For Charities Wild Thing Kart feature event. The SK Lights and Ltd. Late Models each split a $500 bonus from Xtra Mart Convenience Stores among the top-5 finishers.
In the SK Modified feature Christopher slugged it out with Ryan Preece to score his 101st SK Modified win and his 122nd overall at the track he calls home. Michael Gervais finished third, with Eric Berndt and Matt Dowling rounding out the top-5.
Stafford Motor Speedway officials have announced that the purse for their inaugural NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K event on July 4 is growing. The feature event will have a purse of over $27,000, with a winner’s share of $5,000. The Stafford management announced it will also pay out up to $2,000 in purse money for qualifying heat events that will set the field for the SK Modified feature that evening.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series was at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Friday night. A somewhat light field of 18 cars were on hand for the event.
The funeral for VMRS competitor Jim Boniface was held earlier in the day. Boniface lost a battle with cancer. As a tribute on his last ride the hearse that carried him and the car that he drove made a last lap tour of the Monadnock Speedway.
Back at Lee, Richard Savory scored a hard fought win over Justin Bonsignore and Steve Masse. Dwight Jarvis, Rowan Pennink and Chris Pasteryak rounded out the top six. Savory started 11th and had the lead by lap 72.
The final event of the three race Tri-Track series will be a 100 lapper at Seekonk on Wednesday, July 23. This race will pay $10,000 to win and will be supplemented by a $10,000 point fund. Jon McKennedy currently leads the point standings in the three race seriedRowan Pennink, Richard Savory, Max Zachem and Matt Hirschman are within seven points of McKennedy.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series visited the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island drawing 30 cars. Local favorite Eric Goodale edged his way past Ted Christopher shortly after a Lap 170 restart and led the final 25 laps en route to the victory in the slam-bang event that produced 11 caution periods for a total of 90 laps. Goodale’s average speed for 200 laps was 39.938 mph. Matt Hirschman, Ryan Preece and Timmy Solomito rounded out the top five. Thirteen of the original 30 starters finished on the lead lap. Among the casualties was Justin Bonsginore who lost the points lead after he was collected in a Lap 102 spin by Glen Reen and suffered right front suspension damage. Bonsignore finished 16th. Doug Coby who survived the carnage and finished sixth took the points lead by seven over Bobby Santos who finished 10th after starting 23rd. Bonsignore slipped to third place in the point standings.
Following Coby at the finish was Ron Silk, Tom Rogers and Shawn Solomito. Others were not as fortunate. Jim Zacharias wrecked out of the event and Wade Cole was way off as he finished 46 laps in arrears. Dave Brigati had electrical problems, finishing 19th and Woody Pitkat licked his wounds after finishing 20th. Don Lia parked the Mystic Missile after 143 laps due to a wreck. Rowan Pennink retired after numerous scrapes. He completed 130 laps. Ron Yuhas jr dropped out after an accident on lap 127. Also out via the accident route was Tommy Barrett Jr and Todd Szegedy.
In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action at the Waterford Speedbowl Seven racing events were run on Saturday night. Picking up NASCAR Whelen All-American Series wins included Keith Rocco in the SK Modifieds®, Vin Esposito in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models and Corey Barry in the SK Light Modifieds. Ryan Waterman scored an exciting victory in the Street Stock race and Garrett Denton checkered the Mini Stocks. Mike Christopher Jr. won another INEX Legend Cars feature and Corey Coates won the visiting New England Truck Series race.
Rocco checkered his sixth SK Modified® race of the year in 12 events for the division after an impressive crossover move landed him the lead in the second half of the race. The 35-lap SK Modified feature was led to the green flag by first year competitor Paul Kusheba. Rob Janovic Jr. got the jump on the opening circuit over Kusheba, leading until the first caution flag of the race on lap-4. Kyle James was contending for a spot among the top three when he spun in turn four racing underneath Tim Jordan.
Janovic got a good restart over Kusheba when racing resumed. Jordan followed into second position but the big mover was Rocco. He used a three wide move to take fourth position in turns three and four on lap-7 just ahead of a big incident between turns one and two behind him. Several cars came together in a wreck, which turned out to be scary for Shawn Monahan. After contact with Brent Sweet, his car erupted in flames in turn two, staying engulfed until he was able to stop the car in turn three, drawing the red flag. The safety crew extinguished the fire and Monahan fortunately escaped the incident unscathed. Jordan got the best of Janovic on the ensuing restart, riding the outside lane into the lead on lap-8. Rocco got past Kusheba into third and stayed on the attack, going around Janovic’s outside into second on lap-10. Jordan and Rocco pulled ahead to a big lead as Janovic, Tyler Chadwick and Kusheba raced in a pack jockeying for third position. Chadwick was able to work over Janovic and move to third, just ahead of a spin by Zach Aszklar out of turn two to draw a caution flag on lap-22.
Jordan got a great restart but Rocco sailed in to his outside in turn one to make a run. Jordan was up to the task, holding back the charge through turn three but Rocco’s crossover move changed the game. He went from the high to low lane in turn four to get a run on Jordan down the front chute to turn one. He completed the move out of turn two and was scored as the new leader on lap-24. Rocco had to beat Jordan on three remaining restarts, including some determined efforts by Jordan to try and recapture the top spot. Rocco got away each time to nail down the victory. Jordan took home a fine second place effort and Chadwick was back on the podium, finishing third. Janovic was fourth and Joe Gada finished fifth.
In Modified racing in the Southland, Tim Brown and Mike Bohn shared twin 25 lap victories at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. In the first 25 lapper, Jason Myers, who registered a career-best four wins in a season last year, was going for four wins in a month Saturday night before things ran amuck. Brown got a jump at the start and slipped past Myers into the lead. Myers gave Brown a shot from behind, sending Brown sideways. Brown recovered, clipped Myers and regained the lead from Myers who hit the wall. Bohn joined younger brother Danny Bohn as a Modified winner at Bowman Gray and, as did his brother, won in his rookie year. Bohn is a native of New Jersey.
Kevin Harvick collected the win in Friday night’s Hero Campaign 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway.
Brad Keselowski won’t soon forget an eventful Saturday night in which the same right hand that held the winner’s trophy was soon bloodied and bandaged after he broke a champagne bottle celebrating. Keselowski showed early and often that his No. 2 Ford was the best car at Kentucky Speedway, dominating the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to become the track’s first repeat winner.
Last year, 2018 The Tri-Track Modified Series in conjunction with Open Wheel Wednesday was on tap at the Seekonk Speedway last week. Advertised as paying $10,000 to win, the event drew a whopping 39 cars and a packed house of fans at the track that D.Anthony Venditti built with his bare hands in 1946.
Unfortunately, rain intervened on lap 22 of the event. The 100 lapper will be continued this Tuesday night, July 3. Richard Savory will lead the restart with Matt Hirschman in the runner-up spot. Rounding out the top five will be Keith Rocco, Rowan Pennink and Ron Silk. Four qualifying heats were run with Rocco, Mike Willis, Hirschman and Pennink taking the wins. Two consolations were needed to fill out the field with Ryan Preece and Carl Mederios Jr taking the wins.
The New London-Waterford Speedbowl beat the rain as they got their Wacky Wednesday program in ahead of the rain. Marc Shafer was the 25-lap Super-X winner, Steven Olsen was the winner of the 25-lap X-Car event, John O’Sullivan was the Legends winner and Maddie Harkin was the 20-lap Bandolero winner.
The Stafford Motor Speedway presented the 3rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k, which paid the winner $5,000 out of a purse of over $27,000. With the Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Sales Gambler’s Challenge bonus of $5,000 and a total heat race bonus of $2,000 from Wheelers Auto of Hamden, the total posted awards were over $34,000. Ronnie Williams won the NAPA SK 5K and in victory lane he pulled the winner take all chip for the Dunleavy’s Gambler’s Challenge to give himself a pay day of $10,675 with purse and contingencies added together. Other feature winners on the night were Al Saunders taking down his first career Late Model win and earning himself a $500 bounty from Stafford Speedway for ending Tom Fearn’s 6-race winning streak, Marcello Rufrano was a back to back winner in the SK Light feature, Jeremy Lavoie scored his fifth win of 2018 in the Limited Late Model feature, and Nicole Chambrello won the Street Stock feature one week after barrel rolling her car.
After swapping the lead numerous times, Williams took the lead following a caution on lap 73 with Keith Rocco in second. Eric Berndt was side by side with Chase Dowling for third with Mike Christopher Jr in fifth. Rocco was applying heavy pressure to Williams while Berndt was able to finally get clear into third on lap-77. Rocco got to the inside of Williams and he had the lead by a nose at the line on lap-78. Rocco got clear into the lead on lap-79 but Williams came right back on lap-80 and he took the lead with a pass in turn 3. Dowling was now third behind Williams and Rocco with Berndt and Christopher making up the top-5 with 20 laps to go.
With 10 laps to go, it was still Williams followed by Rocco and Dowling. Berndt was fourth with Christopher still fifth. Williams led Rocco to the checkered flag to pick up his second win of the 2018 season. Dowling finished third with Berndt and Christopher rounding out the top-5.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the track at Riverhead Raceway on Saturday, July 7.
Down on the Connecticut shoreline at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, Kyle James continued his domination of the SK Modifieds as he won the delayed 80 lap season opening Blast Off. James has now one three out of four SK Modified events run at the Speedbowl so far in 2018. Keith Rocco, the tracks all time winner, made his first appearance of the year at the track but could do no better than third. Also on hand was Matt Hirschman who could do no better than eighth. Dylan Izzo finished second and was followed by Todd Owen, Tim Jordan and Rocco. Izzo was later disqualified, along with Tim Jordan, who finished fourth. That moved Todd Owen to second and Keith Rocco, who started 10th and never seriously challenged for a podium spot, in third. Rocco, who spun out on lap 66, was presented with the Hard Charger Award, given in memory of the late John Anderson.
James took home $5318.00 in total prize money! ($2600 in base payout from the Speedbowl: $1550 in winner’s contingency: $1168 in lap contingency)
Other Saturday night winners at the Speedbowl was Steven Chapman picking up his first career victory in the SK Lites, Shawn Gaedeke got his second win of the season in the 30-lap Sportsman feature and Charles Canfield got his second consecutive victory in the 25-lap Mini Stock feature.
Across the big pond on Long Island, the Riverhead Raceway held their 68th Year celebration. Kyle Soper, driving the Wayne Anderson entry, took the win over Tim Rogers Jr and Dave Brigetti.
Down in the southland at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, In the first 25-lap Modified race, Bobby Measmer Jr. won after pole-winner Lee Jeffreys exited. Measmer collected his second win of the season, holding off the rest of the field for the last 12 laps. In the second 25-lap Modified race, Burt Myers won for his 78th career win at Bowman Gray.
In NASCAR Monster Cup racing, Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson bashed and banged all over the track during an electric final lap. As Busch began to celebrate his dramatic victory, Larson gave him a thumb’s up.Busch outdueled Larson down the stretch Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway, earning his fifth victory of the season. Kyle Larson used the high line at Chicagoland Speedway to pass Kevin Harvick and drive away to a dominant victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday.
