Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Last Friday night at Stafford it was a perfect hot summer’s night for auto racing.
David Arute scored his first win of the 2023 season with a dominating drive in the SK Modified® feature, Kevin Gambacorta took his fourth win of the season in the Late Model feature, Meghan Fuller was a career first-time winner in the SK Light feature, Rich Hammann used a last lap pass to pick up his first win of the season in the Limited Late Model feature, and Travis Hydar scored his fourth win of the season in the Street Stock feature.
Starting on the outside pole, Arute jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Dylan Kopec who started 10th and by lap 13 had moved into the runner-up spot. Jimmy Blewett who started eighth was also on the move as he charged into the fourth spot. The first and only caution flew on lap 14 when Wesley Prucker came to a stop in turn 2. Kopec took the lead on the restart but it was Arute back in control by lap17.
For the last half of the race Arute set a torrid pace as he led the field to the checkered flag. Kopec finished second with Anthony Flannery, Todd Owen, and Jon Puleo rounding out the top-5. Jimmy Blewett finished sixth with Michael Gervais, Jr., seventh. Keith Rocco, Troy Talman and Teddy Hodgdon rounded out the top ten.
Megan Fuller romped to her first ever SK Light Modified win. Starting fourth, the second generation driver skillfully worked her way to the front and took the lead from Tyler Alkas on lap 17 of the 20 lap event. With her foot to the floor, Fuller took the checker with Alexander Pearl and George Bessette closing fast. In victory lane she gave thanks to her dad, Rick Fuller and to Kieth Rocco Racing.
The Tri-Track Racing Series headed to the New London Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday night, Aug 12. The Connecticut shoreline oval pit area was bursting at the seams as 33 Modifieds checked in to compete. A late afternoon rain storm put a damper on the program. Group qualifying was used, then a draw for starting spots.
After an almost three hour delay the Tri Track event took the green. Joey Cipriano jumped out to an early lead with Kyle Bonsignore second. Matt Hirschman was running in the sixth spot. Bonsignore took the lead on lap 7. The first caution flew on lap 29 when Anthony Bello spun. Bonsignore was leading with Cory Dimatteo second and Hirschman, third. On the restart Hirschman shot into the lead, a spot he would hold to the end. Bryan Narducci worked his way into second spot by lap 63 but had nothing for Hirschman. As the laps wore on Mike Christopher Jr moved into the third spot while Kyle Bonsignore faded to fourth with Richard Savory rounding out the top five.
The event came to a premature end on lap 82 as rain moved back into the area. The official finish showed Matt Hirschman the winner with Bryan Narducci, second with Mike Christopher Jr third. Rounding out the top five was Kyle Bonsignore and Cory DiMatteo. Sixth thru tenth were Woody Pitkat, Joey Cipriano, Ronnie Williams and Ron Silk.
Hirschman now also has taken over the points lead by 10 points over Woody Pitkat. Two races remain in the 2023 season. The series travels to Stafford Speedway on September 23rd and back at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl October 23rd to determine this years champion.
In other Speedbowl action, Late Models went 30 Laps) with Jason Palmer taking the win, the Street Stocks went 25 Laps with Aaron Plemons taking the win, the SK Lights went 25 Laps with John O’Sullivan III the winner and the Mini Stocks went 25 Laps with John Bavolacco, the winner.
At the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island Timmy Solomito and his family were planning on competing in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series event in Connecticut, however circumstances beyond Timmy’s control prevented that road trip. With a car ready to race at the Solomito family shop, they instead made the short jaunt to Riverhead Raceway, a decision that paid dividends when Timmy won the 50-lap NASCAR Modified feature at his home track. Michael Rutkoski for the second week in a row would settle for second in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet-Cadillac Camaro, while Jack Handley Jr. completed the podium in the Suffolk Precast Chevy. Tom Rogers Jr., who started scratch on the field was fourth with JR Bertuccio, fifth.
On a sad note, Jim Cromarty passed away at the age of 91. Along with his wife Barbara, they were promotors and successful business owners long before they ran Islip Speedway. They promoted the Suffolk County Fair for years and even brought it to the Islip and Riverhead combining it with racing. Jim and Barbara were involved with the original Long Island Ducks at the old Commack Arena. They owned a Roller ‘and ‘N Ice, a combined two story skating facility in Copiague on Sunrise highway. In 1984 when Isip Speedways days were numbered they bought Riverhead Raceway and moved the NASCAR short program to Long Islands last remaining facility. Towards the end of their time owning of owning Riverhead Raceway Jim and Barbara became snow birds. They wintered in the Miami area and came north for the race season.
While they had many opportunities to sell Riverhead Raceway and retire they passed on several offers. Those offers to sell the track would have closed the it and ended racing on Long Island. It wasn’t until they had an offer from the late Eddie Partridge, Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz to purchase the track did they agree to sell and continue a 60 year tradition of racing at the track, For that all Long Island race teams and fans thank you.
Down in the southland at the Bowman Gray Stadium twin 25’s were on the venue for the Modifieds. Sason and Burt Myers finished one-two in the opener as point leader Frank Fleming found himself in the wall. The second 25 saw Randy Butner take the win over Burt Myers.
In NASCAR Cup action, Michael McDowell inherited the lead on Lap 53 and never trailed again as he drove the most dominant race of his career, beating Chase Elliott to the yard of bricks by 0.937 seconds for his second NASCAR crown jewel victory while securing a playoff spot. Pole-winner Daniel Suarez was third. McDowell’s only other win was the 2021 Daytona 500. Ryan Preece finished 31st.
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).
