Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Northeast was hit with a viscous heat wave and high humidity along with violent thunderstorms.
Thompson got their Twisted Tea Open Tour Modified event in the record books along with Donleavy’s Modified Night at Stafford. The racers and fans endured and the events went off as planned.
Twenty one Modifieds were on hand and when all was said and done Ron Silk found himself stop the leaderboard. Silk took the lead from Anthony Bello on lap 26 and never looked back. Ronnie Williams finished out the night in third spot with George Bessette jr rounding out his night in fourth spot. Rounding out the top five was Chris Pasteryak.
Alexander Pearl had one of his best nights ever as he scored a double shot winning twin SK Lite events. His father Jeff and his grandfather Jerry have been his mentors and appears that they have done a good job in passing the torch. Following Pearl in the first SK Lite event were Isaiah Newcomb, John O’Sullivan, Todd Douillard and Meghan Fuller. In the second SK Lite event Tyler Chapman was the runner-up and was followed by Nickolas Hovey, Newcomb and O’Sullivan.
Other Wednesday night winners were Nick Johnson in the Late Models, Nick Johnson in the Limited Sportsman and Jarred Roy.
The Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park oval will be back in action on Wednesday, August 16th with the return of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour! The nationally-renowned NASCAR Modifieds bring the thunder back to the hills of Eastern Connecticut along with the SK Light Modifieds, ACT-type Late Models, Limited Sportsman, and Mini Stocks for the third Wednesday night showdown of the 2023 season!
Stafford Speedway returned to racing action on Friday, July 8 with the 6th Annual Dunleavy’s Modifiedz Night with the SK Lights taking center stage with a 40-lap extra distance event that paid a guaranteed $1,750 to win. The action was hot and heavy as was the weather as temps were in the upper 90’s as was the humidity. Brian Sullivan was the big winner of the night, taking his fourth win of the season in the extra distance, extra money Dunleavy’s Modifiedz Night feature event. Other feature winners were Marcello Rufrano taking win #2 of 2023 in the SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn made it back to back wins and 3 wins overall in the Late Model feature, Matt Clement took down his third win of the season in the Limited Late Model feature, and Travis Hydar scored his third win of the season in the Street Stock feature. As part of Kids Night, there were two Kids Big Wheel races that were won by Joseph Davenport and Charles Hamer..
In NASCAR Cup racing, a big shout out to Ryan Preece for his impressive fourth place finish at Richmond.
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).
