Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The long awaited 2023 SRX Series season opened on Thursday, July 13 at the Stafford Speedway. It marked the third consecutive year the series ran at Stafford and had sold out.
The division was supposed to make its first appearance at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT but had to be scrubbed as the state of Vermont had severe water damage from floods. The Stafford management stepped up to the plate and welcomed the series back for another Thursday Night Thunder program.
Because of short notice it wasn’t a complete sell-out but the crowd of race fans was pretty decent all things considered.
Ryan Newman took advantage of race leaders Ryan Preece and then Tony Kanaan having failing brakes inside of the final 10 laps of the race to surge into the lead and win an SRX feature event at Stafford for the second consecutive season. Daniel Suarez finished second and was followed by Marco Andretti, Ken Schrader and Greg Biffle. Following a lap-56 restart with Suarez taking second from Preece one lap later, Preece fell back to fourth as Newman took third place from him on lap-60. Newman continued his charge towards the front as he took second from Suarez on lap-63. Preece continued to slide backwards until he was the last car running on the track on lap-67 at which point he brought his car to pit road and parked it.
Upcoming venues for the SRX include Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Va (July 27), Berlin Raceway in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Aug. 3), Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Oh. (Aug. 10) and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. (Aug. 17).
The SK Lights, Stafford’s strongest division, ran a 30-lap non-points event sponsored by Monaco Ford as part of the Superstar Racing Experience event. Tyler Chapman scored his third win of the 2023 after holding off numerous challenges from Alexander Pearl over the final 7 laps of the race. George Bessette finished third with Nick Anglace and William Lambros rounding out the top-5.
Rain ruled the roost at Stafford on Friday.
The Tri-Track Modified Series visited the Star Speedway in Epping New Hampshire on Saturday night. Twenty five cars went to post for the 100 lap grind. Jake Johnson started 12th and was one of the few who went non-stop without pitting for tires or adjustments and it payed off with his second win in a row inTri Track action at Star. Woody Pitkat came from 14th to finish second with Todd Patnode, third. Rounding out the top five were Stephen Kopcik and Brian Robbie. Sixth thru tenth included Richard Savory, Ronnie Williams, Les Hinkley, Joey Jarvis and Austin Beers. Pre race favorite Matt Hirschman finished 11th after being put to the rear for over aggressive driving which resulted in a spin by Matt Swanson while he and Hirschman were battling for the lead. Internet racing news site RaceDayCt made the following observation: “The caution flew on lap 74 for Kyle Bonsignore who spun on the front chute. On the restart Swanson stayed to the outside of Johnson and the pair battled side-by-side for two laps with Swanson edging Johnson for the lead at the line to complete lap 75. Caution flew for a Chris Pasteryak spin in turn four on lap 76. Putting Swanson out front for the ensuing restart. With the choose cone, Johnson chose the inside lane, putting Hirschman to the outside of Swanson for the lap 76 restart. At the green Hirschman edged Swanson into turn one, but Swanson battled back to regain the lead down the backstretch. On lap 78 Hirschman tried to get under Swanson off turn four but couldn’t make the challenge work. Hirschman continued stalking Swanson for the next three laps laps. On lap 81 Hirschman got under Swanson through turns three and four. Contact between the two coming off of turn four sent Swanson spinning.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to action Saturday, July 29 for the Clash at Claremont 150 at New Hampshire’s Claremont Motorsports Park. The race will start at 8:30 p.m. ET with live coverage on FloRacing.
After nine races, Ron Silk continues to lead the point standings as he holds an 8 point lead over Justin Bonsignore. Thirty eight points back is Doug Coby. Austin Beers sits fourth, 46 points back. Rounding out the top five is Kyle Bonsignore, 298 points back. Sixth thru tenth incluge Tyler Rypkema, Matt Hirschman, JB Fortin, Craig Lutz and Jake Johnson
Down on the Connecticut shoreline at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl Troy Talman went pole to pole to win the SK Modified main event. Todd Owen finished second with Rob Janovic, third. Eric Berndt and Kyle James rounded out the top five.
The Modifieds had the week off at Riverhead
In Modified action at the Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina Jason Myers started second and and went on to his 40th career win at the historic oval. Danny Bohn finished second in the 100 lapper and was followed by John Holleman IV, Brandon Ward and Chris Fleming. Pre race favorites Tim Brown and Burt Myers finished10th and 11th..
The all new book, The Modified Years At Stafford, by the Grace of God and 600 hp, is gaining interest and has become a must have in race fans and competitors library. Race by Race, Year by Year, it’s all there. Read all about it! Books are now available on Amazon.com and Coastal 181 (877-907-8181 toll free) and are available thru Stafford’s web site in their store. Order yours now. Makes a great gift!
With the cooperation of the Arute family another 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).