Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Thompson Speedway ran their postponed IceBreaker weekend last Friday and Saturday.
The Open Modified event, a 125 lapper that paid $10,000 to win drew only 22 cars. Ron Williams took the win over Jon Mckennedy, Anthony Noscella, Mike Christopher, Todd Owen and Chris Pasteryak. The Sunoco SKtype Modifieds ran features on Friday night and Saturday.
Despite the double show there were only 12 cars on hand. Keith Rocco was the Friday night winner breaking a year- long winless slump at the track. The win gave Rocco a career overall total of 303 wins which include 154 victories at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, 71 at Thompson and 78 at the Stafford Speedway. Troy Talman was the Saturday Sunoco Mod winner. Rocco finished second.
There were 17 Late Models, Derek Gluchaki was the winner, 17 Limited Sportsman with Corey Fanning the winner, 12 Mini Stocks with Tommy Silvia the winner, 22 PASS Late Models with Trevor Sanborn the winner, 21 SK Lights with John O’Sullivan the winner, 19 Street Stocks with Kris Watson the winner and 19 Open Street Stocks with Kris Watson again the winner.
In retrospect, the Race of Champions Series which is based in New York state ran their Spring Meltdown 75 at the Mahoming Valley Speedway with a full field of modifieds, 26. Jack Ely took the win which paid $4,000. Zane Zeiner was second and collected $1,750. Matt Hirschman finished eighth. A good crowd was on hand.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is now off for a month. The next race will be Duel at the Dog 200 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH on Saturday May 6th.
The SMART Modified Tour had a well deserved week off to observe Easter. This week they are off to the Hickory Speedway in North Carolina.
Don’t Miss the Biggest Modified Race of the Year, NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler 100 laps, $20,000 to Win, Over 40 Modified Teams. The Sizzler competes with no other event as it is in a class by itself! In some good news it was learned that Ben Dodge is on the heal and will return to the announcer’s tower to call the Sizzler. Hopefully Matt Buckler and his great wit will be there to join him.
Some earth shaking news came out of the Boston area last weekend. A trusted and reliable source stated that the New Hampshire International Speedway is for sale and a company named Boston Sand and Gravel is interested. Time will tell on this one!
An other interesting tidbit is the word that this year’s lease of the Thompson Speedway by ACT and PASS will be the last one based on poor car counts and less than anticipated head counts at the gates. If this comes to be, the Hoenig family will go back to promoting the oval for just two events, the IceBreaker in the Spring and the World Series in the Fall.
The only way they will make a go of it is to secure a NASCAR sanction for both events. Since becoming a primarily sports car venue for the wealthy to play with their toys the latest generation of Hoenigs have litterly alienated the New England racing competitors and fans to the point where they won’t support the track no matter who promotes it or how much they post in purses.
It’s too bad because the track was one of the best in New England when Don Hoenig ran it and now the oval part has become shabby and run-down.
Word comes from Bob Finan who spoke with Wayne Anderson after reading his Facebook post that read, “Plenty of race car equipment for sale, also tools, air & electric” call 631-300-5784. Finan stated, ”He confirmed with me that after 57 years in racing that began with winning the 1965 Modified Rookie of the Year, he’s riding off into the sunset.
One car is sold as are the truck & trailer but one car remains available, along with the above mentioned” He added “What a ride Wayne enjoyed at Riverhead! 5 driving championships and 5 NASCAR Modified titles as an owner and of course the 1994 WMT championship with the Boehler family. 32 Riverhead wins as a driver ranking him 6th on the all-time win list tied with Bill Park. Iconic, no question.
After speaking on the phone with Wayne, I reached out to Kyle Soper, the driver who over the past five years won four championships with Wayne. Soper simply wrote back to me”. “I don’t have anything lined up yet”. With this breaking development it appears the 2023 NASCAR Modified championship is up for grabs starting May 6th at Riverhead Raceway.
With the recent disclosure of Wayne Anderson retiring, Riverhead Raceway would like to let all know they plan on honoring Wayne. GM John Ellwood and staff are in the planning stages on honoring #15 and those plans will be announced when ready.
With the cooperation of the Arute family a book has been published with pictures and biographies of the 50 Greatest Drivers at Stafford.
The Stafford Motor Speedway had become the epicenter of NASCAR Modified racing in the northeast by the late 1980’s. From its dirt beginnings to its lightning-fast asphalt, Stafford had become the toughest and most gratifying track to score a victory. The Arute family which has owned and guided the destiny of the facility commissioned their thousands of loyal fans to name their favorite drivers. In alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone:
Tom Baldwin, Gene Bergin, Brett Bodine, Geoff Bodine, Ken Bouchard, Ron Bouchard, Mario “Fats” Caruso, Rene Charland, Ted Christopher, Leo Cleary, Tim Connolly, Jerry Cook, Corky Cookman, Pete Corey, Fred DeSarro, Richie Evans, Mike Ewanitsko, Ed Flemke, Sr., Jeff Fuller, Rick Fuller, Ernie Gahan, Bill Greco, Bo Gunning, Ray Hendrick, George “Moose” Hewitt, Tony Hirschman, George Janoski, Charlie Jarzombek, George Kent, Buddy Krebs, Randy LaJoie, Jan Leaty, Jerry Marquis, Mike McLaughlin, Ray Miller, Steve Park, Bob Polverari, Bob Potter, Brian Ross, John “Reggie” Ruggiero, Greg Sacks, Ollie Silva, “Wild” Bill Slater, Jimmy Spencer, Mike Stefanik, Carl “Bugsy” Stevens, George Summers, Jamie “The Jet” Tomaino, Maynard Troyer and Satch Worley.
Books are priced at $17.95 each and be purchased at the track at the Novelty Booth or at the Stafford Motor Speedway on line store. Books are also available at Amazon.com and at Coastal181 (877-907-8181.