Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Seventy five years ago in 1948 Stan Woods won the Midget feature at Seekonk.
Seventy years ago in 1953, Red Foote was the Wednesday night Modified winner at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Fred Luchesi was the Saturday night winner. Bud Matter and Johnny Savage were the non-Ford winners. Dave Humphrey was the stock car winner at Seekonk.
Sixty five years ago in 1958, Don Collins was the 25 lap Modified winner on Wednesday night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Charlie Webster was the non-Ford winner. Johnny Sandberg took the Modified win and Ted Stack, the non-Ford win, at the shoreline oval on Saturday night. Red Bolduc won a 100 lapper at Seekonk. Ed Sieglar was the winner at Old Bridge.
Sixty years ago in 1963, Ray Delisle won a 50 lapper for the Modifieds at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday night and Don Collins took a 25 lap Modified feature on Sunday. Walt Dombrowski and Jerry Dostie took Bomber events. George Janoski was the winner on the dirt at Stafford. The NASCAR Modifieds had a Championship event at the Southside Speedway in Richmond, VA. Ray Hendrick took the win over Red Foote, Mel Bradley, Eddie Crouse and Sonny Hutchins. The Eastern Bandits didn’t fare so well. Eddie Flemke started on the outside pole but crashed out of the event and finished 28th. Dennis Zimmerman started on the pole and ended up 17th and Rene Charland finished 11th. At Seekonk Marty Zengali was the Class A winner. Joe Kelly took no prisoners at Old Bridge.
Fifty five years ago in 1968, the weekend action started at Lee Raceway on Thursday night where Fred DeSarro took the win. It rained at Stafford on Friday night. Albany-Saratoga ran on Saturday night with Andy Romano taking the win over Maynard Forette, Lou Lazzaro, Rene Charland and Richie Evans. Bugsy Stevens ruled Norwood and at Islip, it was George Brunnhoelzl Sr. Dick Caso was the Modified winner at Waterford. Bill Sweet made it two in a row in Late Model Daredevil action. Bill Rafter won the 100 lap Langhorne qualifier at Lancaster. Gene Bergin, in the M-6 was the Sunday winner at Thompson. Joe Martin was the Class A winner at Seekonk.
Fifty years ago in 1973, Tioga ran on Saturday night. Geoff Bodine took the win over Richie Evans and Jerry Cook. Bugsy Stevens blew the engine in the Koszela No.15 and ended up driving Pete Fiandacca’s No.135 to an 11th place finish. Art Moran took the Modified feature at Waterford. Ron Cote was the Grand American winner. Bob Melnick took the Late Model honors at Seekonk. At Malta on Sunday, Richie Evans won a 150-lap contest. Bugsy Stevens, driving for Joe Brady, finished second. Leo Cleary finished third with Fred DeSarro, fourth.
Forty five years ago in 1978, Roland LaPierre jr. recorded a popular win at Waterford. Dickie Doo Ceravolo finished second with Dick Dunn, third and at Seekonk it was Ronnie Bouchard over Geoff Bodine. Islip ran a 300 lapper on Sunday. Richie Evans took the win over Wayne Anderson, Jerry Cook and Satch Worley. Geoff Bodine won at Thompson over Ray Miller and at Monadnock it was Red Kimball over Pete Fiandacca.
Forty years ago in 1983, Gomer Taylor was the winner at Waterford on Saturday. Eddie St Angelo won at Seekonk and Jim Spencer won at Tioga. Richie Evans won the annual Thompson 300.Corky Cookman finished a strong second with Kenny Bouchard, third. In Winston Cup action at Richmond, Bobby Allison took the win and Randy LaJoie won Rookie of the Year honors in the Grandnational division.
Thirty five years ago in 1988, Jerry Marquis put the Bob Judkins mount in victory lane at Riverside Park and Mike Stefanik won the Thompson 300 over Reggie Ruggerio, Doug Hevron and Mike McLaughlin.
Thirty years ago in 1993, Stafford ran on Friday night with Mike Christopher taking the win over Mike Paquet, Ted Christopher and Dennis Gada. At Waterford on Saturday night, Chris Jones took the win over Mark LaJunesse and Jerry Pearl. Eleven cars were taken out in an early race wreck. At Riverside Park it was Jerry Marquis over Ed Kennedy. Mike Ewanitsko, in the Art Barry No.21, won the annual Thompson 300 over Mike Stefanik and Charlie Pasteryak. Pasteryak led three times for over 100 laps and was headed for victory lane when his tires went away with 20 laps to go and was passed by Ewanitsko and Stefanik. Ted Christopher won the SK event, which was run in conjunction with the 300. Mark Martin was the Busch Grand National winner at Richmond and Rusty Wallace took the Winston Cup honors. In other news, it was announced that Geoff Bodine was released by Bud Moore and would be driving his own car the following week at Dover and Bentley Warren won his fifth Star Speedway Supermodified Classic.
Twenty five years ago in 1998, Tucker Reynolds was the Saturday night winner at Waterford as he beat out the high flying Dennis Gada. Jeff Pearl finished third. Mike Stefanik continued his dream season as he took the lead from Bryan Wall on lap 284 of the BGNN Thompson 300.Wall finished second with Jamie Aube, third. Bert Marvin won the companion SK-30 lapper. Ted Christopher finished second with Mike Christopher, third. In Winston Cup action at Richmond, Jeff Burton beat Jeff Gordon by inches. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Grand National preliminary.
Twenty years ago in 2003, Ted Christopher passed Lloyd Agor after a late race re-start and went on to record his 68th win at the Stafford Speedway. Agor finished second with Bo Gunning, third. Dennis Gada hustled his way to the front on Saturday night at Waterford as he recorded yet another victory, which brought him closer to his fifth track championship. Rob Janovic finished second with Jeff Karns, third.
Out on Long Island at the Riverhead Raceway Chuck Steuer took the win over Dan Jivenelli and Wayne Anderson and at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey Frank Polimedia was the victor.
The NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour Series was at the Thompson Speedway for the annual Thompson 300. Forty-one Modifieds were on hand for the series’ longest event that carried a purse of $114,475. Tony Hirschman was the Busch Pole sitter and the winner after taking the lead from Jerry Marquis on lap 273. Marquis was strong but was no match for the Pennsylvania driver and had to settle for the second spot. Jeff Fuller finished third with Ricky Fuller and Tom Bolles rounding out the top five. Former series champion Mike Stefanik was an early leader until getting a flat tire on lap 99. NASCAR punished Stefanik two laps for intentionally bringing out the caution. On learning the penalty, Car owner Art Barry made the call to park the car.
Twin Sunoco SK-type modified events were run with Todd Ceravolo and Chuck Docherty taking the wins. In Winston Cup action at Richmond, Mike Skinner, pinch-hitting for injured Jerry Nadeau took the Busch Pole but was forced to start last after he wrecked in Happy Hour final practice. Ryan Newman took the win as the action was heated behind him. Kevin Harvick was running second with nine laps to go when Ricky Rudd hit him and parked him in the wall. Harvick went after Rudd in the pit area following the event. For his post race actions Harvick was fined $35,000 and put on probation for the rest of the year. It was a rough weekend for Harvick as he was bumped out of the lead the night before on the last lap of the Busch Series event. Johnny Sauter, who did the bumping, won the event.
In other news of the week, Joe Lewandowski accepted a position as Director of Business Affairs at the Waterford Speedbowl, Kurt Bush dropped his assault complaint against Jimmy Spencer and long time fan and friend of Bugsy Stevens, Ed Kearney Jr. passed away after suffering a heart attack.
Fifteen years ago in 2008, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour had the Labor Day weekend off before moving on to Thompson International Speedway for the Sunoco Modified Mania 150 on Sunday, Sept 7. Ted Christopher led the point standings as he had a 60 point lead over Chuck Hossfeld. Matt Hirschman sat in third spot, 26 points behind. Mike Stefanik and Ronnie Silk rounded out the top five. Sixth through 10th were Todd Szegedy, Eric Beers, Jimmy Blewett, Ed Flemke Jr and Rowan Pennick.
Don Lia, who was the series champion in 2007 was released from his NASCAR Craftsman Truck ride. He had 12th at Bristol in his last outing in the #71 Chevy TRG Motorsports entry. Lia recorded a win in the truck series earlier in the year at Mansfield Ohio and had been a consistent top ten finisher. Word had it that Lia will be entered in the upcoming Whelen Modified Tour Series event at Loudon and will be driving new ’09 Troyer House car normally driven in the New York Race of Champions Series by Chuck Hossfeld.
It was literally “Showtime” at the Thompson Speedway on Thursday night as the Sunoco Modifieds (SK type) took center stage with a 50 lap event. Jimmy Blewett, driving the Eddie Partridge owned No. 12 started fifth on the grid and wasted little time in marching to the front. Kerry Malone was the initial leader but could not hold back the advances of Blewett who took the lead on lap four. After withstanding numerous restarts Blewett streaked under the checkers almost a half straightaway over Woody Pitkat and Malone. Todd Ceravolo who entered the event as the point leader increased his lead by two points over Danny Cates as he finished fourth. Cates, who has come into his own this year, has been persistent as he continues to keep Ceravolo in sight. Cates rounded out the top five. Keith Rocco, who had been fourth in track points plus is ranked high in NASCAR Whelen Weekly Racing Series points suffered a major setback when his engine expired shortly after the opening green.
In other Thursday Night Thunder action at Thompson George “MadDog” Bessette cleaned house in the Pro Stock division. Rick Gentes made it two in a row in the Late Models. Scott Sundeen MA, took top honors in the Limited Sportsman feature. Scott Michalski scored a victory in Mini Stocks while Leo Oliveira triumphed in the TIS Modifieds.
The Stafford Motor Speedway was the scene of another classic battle between Ted Christopher and Keith Rocco. Christopher, fresh off his recent NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series win in Mansfield, Ohio won out over his former crew chief as he scored his 102nd career win at the Arute Family oval. Christopher and Rocco are also locked into a torrid battle for the track’s SK Modified Championship. Christopher is the defending champion. With the Stafford season rapidly winding down there won’t be too many opportunities left for Rocco to overtake his mentor. There are only two more Friday night dates remaining before the season ending Fall Final on September 28.
In other Friday night action at the Nutmeg oval, Dillon Moltz won his second consecutive and fifth overall Late Model feature of the 2008 season. Matt Chiarizio took the 15-lap DARE Stock feature and there were two first-time winners as Raymond Grassetti took the 20-lap SK Light feature and Darrin Havenec won the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified feature event, Christopher outlasted Rocco to take home the victory. Corey Hutchings jumped out to the early lead from the outside pole, but gave way to Curt Brainard on lap-3. Rocco moved by Brainard one lap later to take the lead and had Zach Sylvester hot on his bumper. Sylvester moved by Rocco for the lead on lap-10, but Rocco took the lead back on a lap-11 restart. Rocco held the lead to the half-way point of the race, which is when Christopher moved to the front of the field for the first time. Rocco gave chase to Christopher the entire second half of the race, but was unable to get by as Christopher took down his fourth victory of the 2008 season. Rocco finished second, with Jeff Malave, Sylvester, and Richie Pallai, Jr. rounding out the top-5.
In the 30-lap Late Model feature event, it was Waterford High School student Dillon Moltz taking his second consecutive feature win. Scott Cook took the early lead and led the first two laps before spinning in turn 2, which handed the race lead over to Michael Bennett. Bennett held the lead until lap-6 when Moltz charged into the lead. Moltz held the lead until lap-14 when Bennett went back to the front, but Moltz went back by Bennett on the next lap to retake the race lead. The race went green to the checkered flag with Moltz pulling away from Bennett to take his second consecutive feature win and fifth overall win of the 2008 season. Bennett finished second, with Ryan Posocco, Woody Pitkat, and Mike Mordino rounding out the top-5.
At the Waterford Speedbowl, the action began with Wacky Wednesday where Ryan Morgan, 14, scored his third Legends Cars victory of the season. Morgan absolutely dominated 20-lap Legends feature action. The Ledyard High School student had the field fully-covered by the early laps, and went on to triumph over perennial front-runners Jason Palmer and Max Zachem by a wide-margin.
On Saturday, heavy fog rolled into the area before the Waterford Speedbowl’s Double Down Shootout presented by Mohegan Sun Casino could be completed. Only three of the scheduled eight main events were run before cancellation. Winning features in the abbreviated event were Bruce Thomas Jr., (Late Model), Walt Hovey Jr. (Sportsman), and Randy Churchill Jr. (Mini Stock). Both 25-lap SK Modified features were victims of the cancellation.
Phil Rondeau, who has over 100 career victories at the shoreline oval, returned to action in the Late Model ranks and recorded a ninth place finish.
The New London Day reported that Terry Eames, the principal owner of 1080 Hartford Road, LLC, which owns the Waterford Speedbowl, would be in court on Sept 2 after filing a suit against Jerry Robinson, the leaseholder and president of the New Waterford Speedbowl, LLC, which ran the day-to-day operations of the track.
The suit was filed Friday, Aug. 15 in New London Civil Court. Eames said that Robinson had failed to pay property taxes in the neighborhood of $45,000 and had also failed to meet a payment plan for rent money from 2007, when he began running the track, as well as this year, 2008. Eames admitted the property taxes are ultimately the responsibility of both he and Robinson, but said, “it’s fairly common for a tenant to lease things on what they call a triple-net lease.”
A triple-net lease is a lease agreement on a property where the tenant agrees to pay all real estate taxes, building insurance and maintenance on the property, in addition to any normal fees that are expected under the agreement, including rent. In such a lease, the tenant is responsible for all costs associated with repairs of the structural building elements of the property.
The True Value Modified Series suffered a rain-out at their scheduled holiday event at the Seekonk Speedway. With a steady rain through mid afternoon, a forecast that showed more of the same for the evening, and rain in surrounding areas, Seekonk management was forced to cancel the Del’s Lemonade 100 for the True Value Modified Racing Series.
Get well wishes went out to three time NASCAR National Modified Champion Carl Bugsy Stevens who was recovering from the effects of Lyme disease.
In some good news, the Wall Township Speedway, which had remained closed for the 2008 season will host the annual Turkey Derby on Thanksgiving weekend. Former Public Relations director Mike Clayton made the announcement. Turkey Derby XXXV was a go for November 28th and 29th, 2008. Practice the two weekends before. Jim Morton is renting the track to run this race. No track owners involved. More details will be available next weekend, September 7th.
Kyle Busch was dominant Saturday night on the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., leading 144 of the 150 laps to race off with his seventh Nationwide Series victory of the season. Busch held off Sprint Cup rival Carl Edwards on a pair of late-race restarts, piling up his record 18th NASCAR victory of the season, including eight in Cup, and three in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Edwards, the defending Nationwide champion who was locked in a three-way points battle with leader Clint Bowyer and Brad Keselowski, finished second, followed by Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano and Clint Bowyer. Jimmie Johnson overpowered the field Sunday night at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., for his third NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season. Runner-up Greg Biffle had the next best car throughout the race, but he couldn’t keep up with Johnson’s No.48 Chevrolet, finishing more than 2 seconds back.
The Charlotte NC Business Journal reported that Bruton Smith, the Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman and chief executive expects the $78 million acquisition of the Kentucky Speedway announced in May to be completed later in the month. Concord-based Speedway Motorsports (NYSE:TRK) had a 90-day option from the time the deal was announced to make the purchase. With that deadline arriving this month, Smith says an announcement on the completion of the deal could come within a few days.
Ten years ago in 2013, the engines were silent at the Thompson Speedway as construction continued at the northeastern Connecticut racing facility. Speedway management told Internet Site RaceDayCt that despite the fact that “No Camping” signs had been erected, camping will be allowed for the upcoming World Series.
The final point tally for the Sunoco (SK type) Modifieds showed Keith Rocco and Woody Pitkat tied for the point lead (450)when the regular season ended on August 29. NASCAR rules dictate the tie breaker would be the top feature winner which in this case was Rocco who won five of the 16 events run. Pitkat won twice. Kerry Malone, who won on one occasion, ended up third in points, four points behind the leaders. Although winless, Dennis Perry recorded two runner-up finishes and numerous top tens which placed him in fourth spot in the final rundown, Rounding out the top five was Ryan Preece with one victory. Matt Gallo, who finished eighth, also had one win. Others in the top ten were Todd Ceravolo (6), John Catania (7), Paul Newcomb (9) and Jason Sundeen (10).
At the Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday night Woody Pitkat made it two in a row in SK Modified competition. Cory Casagrande was a first time winner in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Payton Henry took down his first career victory in a photo finish in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Duane Provost took down his first win of the season in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and championship leader Dave Secore scored his second win of the season in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.
Keith Rocco was keeping Pitkat on the outside but Pitkat was able to get clear of Rocco as they took the white flag. Rocco made one last bid on the outside of Pitkat on the final lap but Pitkat held him off to pick up his second consecutive victory. Dan Avery finished third with Ted Christopher and Ryan Preece rounding out the top-5.
Action at the Waterford Speedbowl continued as the season was winding down. A fast paced night of motorsports was completed placing five winners into Victory Lane. Leading the way was Kyle James who won his third SK Modified® race of the year after a heated battle at the front of the pack. Keith Rocco took home top honors in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model division, Josh Galvin won his third Street Stock race of the season and Garrett Denton took his second Mini Stock victory in the past three events. Glenn Griswold rounded out the night’s winners, scoring his second consecutive SK Light Modified race win.
In the 35 lap SK Modified event pole sitter Nicole Mongillo led to almost half way before giving way to James. James pulled along side on lap 18. The pair ran wheel to wheel for a lap before he took the lead as they exited the fourth turn to complete lap 19. Ted Christopher jumped into the frey as he got by Todd Ceravolo and Morgillo on the outside to follow James on lap-20. The top two cars began to pull away as Morgillo held off Ceravolo and fifth place runner Craig Lutz. Lutz was able to get past Ceravolo to try his hand at unseating Morgillo from a podium finish.
Up front Christopher made a run at James. He was on James’ rear bumper on lap-22 applying pressure. James withstood the challenge and eventually pulled ahead by a car length. As the laps clicked off the scoreboard Christopher stuck with James, however was unable to mount a final rally. James raced to the checkered flag the rest of the way as Christopher finished just behind. Further back, a great battle that endured over the final 15 laps saw Morgillo hold back all challenges for third position to match her best finish of the year. Lutz finished in fourth and Ceravolo rounded out the top five. Rocco, the division point leader, battled back from his spin to finish in sixth.
Saturday night racing at the shoreline oval will continue for three more weeks to September 28th.
Down in the south land the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour was in action. Andy Seuss found his way back to Victory Lane at Caraway Speedway in North Carolina on Sunday night. Seuss picked up his sixth NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour win at the .455-mile oval, his first since 2011, in dominating fashion in the Caraway 150. Seuss led twice for a race-high 124 laps and out-distanced runner-up George Brunnhoelzl III by .833 seconds.
John Smith finished third, followed by Tim Brown and JR Bertuccio. Kyle Ebersole finished sixth, which allowed Brunnhoelzl to stretch his points lead to 20 points with three races remaining. Danny Bohn finished seventh, followed by Gary Putnam, Brandon Ward and Jason Myers.
There were 18 cars on hand.
At the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island Timmy Solomito won Modified twin 30′s. Howie Brode clinched the 2013 NASCAR Modified championship.
Could it be that the “Fix” was in at Richmond in at the NASCAR Sprint Cup event. In the moments after Carl Edwards won the Federated Auto Parts 400, the scene along pit road at Richmond International Raceway was a study in contrasts. Over near the finish line, there was Carl Edwards, burning out and back flipping in exultation. Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano and Kurt Busch, three of the last members of the 2013 Chase, stood by their cars and welcomed well-wishers. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. talked quietly with team associates; Delana Harvick wore a long red dress that matched the color of her husband’s car.
With six laps remaining, Ryan Newman was leading. With a win, he would make the Chase, leaving Martin Truex Jr. on the outside looking in. (Joey Logano was also two points behind Jeff Gordon for the final guaranteed Chase spot.) Over the radio, Bowyer was told that Newman was leading the race and was asked how his arm was feeling. And then Bowyer spun, and all hell broke loose. During the caution, Newman lost four spots due to a poor pit stop. On the restart, Gordon found himself shuffled back several positions. And just like that, in the space of five minutes, Gordon and Newman were out of the Chase. Logano and Truex, who happens to be Bowyer’s teammate, were in.
Was it a conspiracy? Did Bowyer spin on purpose? Was “is your arm hurting?” the cue for him to take a dive? Did Bowyer at long last get his revenge on Gordon for their fight at Phoenix the previous year?
To hear Bowyer say it, there was nothing more to the spin than a car finally giving out. To hear everyone else, it was a premeditated and calculated dive that changed the entire complexion of the Chase and the finish.
NASCAR was reportedly reviewing evidence that Bowyer deliberately spun his No. 15 Toyota in order to help Truex make the Chase. Had it not been for the caution period and subsequent restart, it is likely that Ryan Newman would have won the race and made the Chase instead of Truex.
It was also believed that Truex’s fellow Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Brian Vickers purposely slowed during the final three laps to allow Joey Logano to pass him. That allowed Logano to remain in the top 10 in the standings so he didn’t have to use a Wild Card to get into the Chase, which also helped Truex.
Following an intensive investigation NASCAR issued the following statement: “Based upon our review of Saturday night’s race at Richmond, it was our determination that the MWR organization attempted to manipulate the outcome of the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “As the sport’s sanctioning body, it is our responsibility to ensure there is a fair and level playing field for all of our competitors and this action today reflects our commitment to that.”
As a result, MWR was found to have violated Section 12-4 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). As a result, MWR’s three teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (No. 15, 55, 56) have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and 50 championship owner points, respectively.
NASCAR also fined the MWR organization $300,000 and indefinitely suspended MWR Executive Vice President/General Manager Ty Norris, who was also the spotter for the No. 55 car, for violating Section 12-4. The three crew chiefs — Brian Pattie (No. 15), Scott Miller (No. 55) and Chad Johnston (No. 56) — were all placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.
Brad Keselowski passed Brian Scott on a restart with 11 laps to go Friday night and pulled away after another restart with six laps remaining to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond.
In an unrelated matter, officials from three different series confirmed that all the events that were scheduled for Nov. 2 at Rockingham Speedway have been cancelled. Everything started when NASCAR announced that the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event scheduled for Rockingham had been cancelled. “It is unfortunate any time a race must be cancelled,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring. “However, the race track failed to meet its obligations and we were forced to terminate the sanction agreement.”
Five years ago in 2018, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series traveled to the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island. After enduring adverse weather conditions for hours the competitors, raceway staff, NASCAR and many loyal fans hung in there. The event took the green flag at 9:41pm. Justin Bonsignore took the lead from Timmy Solomito on lap 133 and went on to score his sixth career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at his home track, sweeping the two races at the New York oval in 2018. The victory was the seventh in the first 13 races of the season and his 19th career in Whelen Modified Tour competition.
After qualifying was rained out, Bonsignore started from the outside pole position after the field was set by practice speeds. Bonsignore didn’t have the car to beat in the early laps as polesitter Doug Coby was at the point for the first 64 laps.
But, when Coby spun from the lead off turn two on lap 65, Bonsignore found himself in the middle of a battle with fellow hometown favorite Timmy Solomito for the win. After chasing the back bumper of Solomito’s No. 16 Starrett Tools Ford, Bonsignore made his move on lap 133 and was not going to be denied. A final caution flag on lap 152 gave Solomito one last chance, and he was able to lead the field across the line on lap 159. But, just one lap later, Solomito slid back and Bonsignore took control.
Chase Dowling, who is still looking for his first career Whelen Modified Tour win, scored his eighth podium finish in 54 career starts as he finished third. Coby, who spun from the lead early, rallied through the field and finished fourth. Dave Sapienza, who ran as high as third spot before a crash on a restart, came back to finish fifth. John Fortin was sixth, followed by John Beatty, Shawn Solomito, Chris Pasteryak and Rob Summers.
There were four caution periods for 29 laps. Eighteen of the original 24 starters were running at the finish. There were only 24 cars on hand. Among those who failed to finish were Gary McDonald who dropped out on lap 160 when he crashed. Melissa Fifield quit after 25 laps, her excuse this week was ignition problems. Melissa has had numerous problems since she has followed the Modified tour, the biggest problem is the lack of downward travel in her right foot. Riverhead regular Ken Heagy had rear end problems while Tom Rogers Jr, Matt Swanson and Cory Osland crashed out of the event.
At the Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday night the Street Stock division took center stage with the extra distance R.A.D. Auto Machine Street Stock 30. George Bessette, Jr. took down the extra distance win while other feature winners on the night included Michael Christopher, Jr. winning his second race of the season in the SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn scored his 12th Late Model win of the year and in the process clinched the track championship, Bryan Narducci made a last lap pass on Marcello Rufrano for the second consecutive week to score his fifth win of the season, and Ryan Fearn won his fourth Limited Late Model feature of the season.
In the 40 lap SK Modified feature, Christopher, driving a car driven by his late uncle Ted, cruised to his second feature win of the 2018 season with Woody Pitkat coming home second. Chase Dowling edged out Glen Reen by inches at the line for third with Ron Williams rounding out the top-5. Keith Rocco saw his hopes for a repeat championship all but disappear when his car suffered a left front flat tire on lap 3. Because of the fact that he stopped on the track to bring out the caution he was given a one lap penalty for drawing an intentional yellow flag which placed him 15th at the finish.
In the SK Lite feature, Bryan Narducci made it two in a row and fifth overall for the season after an almost mirror image performance of the win he scored a week previous. Narducci use the high line in turns 1+2 on the final lap to get a good run going down the backstretch and going into turn 3 he pulled alongside Marcel Rufrano. The two cars drifted up the track in turn 4 with Narducci emerging with the race lead and the ultimate win. Andrew Molleur also got by Rufrano in the final corner to come home second with Rufrano, Mark Bakaj, and Ted Hodgdon rounding out the top-5.
According to Greg Narducci, Bryan’s uncle, With this win he locked up the NASCAR National point standings for Division lll and the NASCAR UNOH YOUTH Achievement Award! Stafford still has 2 races left for their Points, which he’s leading by 26 points.
On the Connecticut shoreline at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl they too had their problems with the weather as on and off showers slowed the progress of the racing program. Valient efforts by the track crew made it possible for the races to be run.
Andrew Molleur held off Keith Caruso and John O’Sullivan to claim a win in the Bubby Brouwer Memorial, worth more than $1,500. The race was sponsored by Race Choice. There were several other amazing accomplishments Saturday. Doug Curry whirled past Charles Canfield on the final lap to win the 25-lap Mini Stock feature. Jason Palmer thundered around Anthony Flannery on the last lap to capture the 30-lap Late Model race, Mike Blaskey and Peter Bennett continued their duel in the 25-lap Legends feature. Blaskey was able to take down the win by just 0.040 seconds and Kyle James started eighth, blistered through the field in just 23 laps to win the 40-lap SK Modified feature. Jason Chicolas opened up a big early lead and held off Al Stone down the stretch to collect his third Sportsman win of the season.
The spotlight, however, was on Molleur who was able to win the most lucrative SK Lite race in Speedbowl history. Paul French led the first seven laps and then Brett Gonyaw took over the lead, Molleur, however, was sifting his way through the field and moved into second by lap 20. After a caution came out midway through the race, Molleur was able to rocket past Gonyaw to take the lead with 22 laps to go.
James started eighth in the SK feature but he didn’t stay there for very long. It took him 23 laps to take the lead from Todd Owen en route to his seventh win of the season.
James did most of his passing on the outside as he sizzled his way into the lead. Owen was second and Molleur was third.
James was able to increase his point lead to 16 over Rob Janovic Jr.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series ran on Saturday night at the Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough, ME. That event ran head to head with an open competition event at the Claremont Speedway in Claremont, NH also on Saturday night. Due to the confliction both tracks suffered poor car counts. Beech Ridge had 18 cars while Claremont had 13.
At Beech Ridge, 16-year old Sammy Rameau, of Westminster, MA, started ninth is an 18-car field, passed race leader Andy Shaw, of Center Conway, NH, on lap-43, and went on to his second career win in Valenti Modified Racing Series action. Anthony Nocella, who started 13th, moved into second with 15-laps remaining but Rameau hung on to the top spot, to post the win. Richard Savary, who started 18th, finished third, followed Tony Ricci fourth, and Cameron Sontag.Rounding out the top ten were, Woody Pitkat, Andy Shaw, Jacob Perry, T.J. Bleau, and Mike Willis Jr.
At Claremont, Ron Silk passed Russ Hersey on Lap 65 to win the Open Modified 75 event. Silk took home $3,000 for his efforts. Hersey finished second while 2017 track champion Dana Smith was third. Brian Robie and Brad Babb rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth were Andy Jankowiak, Dana DiMatteo, Jeff Gallup, Les Rose and Jeff Murray
The Thompson Motorsports Park Speedway returned to action on Sunday with a full program of racing on the 5/8 mile oval. The racing program included Sunoco (SK type) Modifieds (2-20 lap races, 1-10 lap sprint), Late Model (25laps), LTD Sportsman (20laps) and Mini Stock (15laps).
The first segment for the Sunoco Modifieds put drivers in an inverted order based on championship points with the lowest driver in points starting on the pole and the driver on top of the standings starting in last. Points leader Keith Rocco quickly moved his way into the top five in the opening laps of the first segment while Marcello Rufrano, Kyle James and Joey Gada held down the top three for the first half of the segment with Woody Pitkat and Rocco in tow. Pitkat would work his way up to second by lap 16 but couldn’t find enough to get past Marcello Rufrano who took the first segment easily. The win was Rufrano’s first career victory in the Sunoco Modified which had the young driver speechless in victory lane.
The second segment inverted the finishing order of lead lap cars from segment one and quickly saw one of the best in the business take the lead early as Todd Owen quickly worked his way to the front where he remained for the first half of the race with Kyle James on his tail in second and Keith Rocco settled in third. James closed Owen’s lead to around a car length with five laps. James made one final push in the final corner of the final lap using a lapped car as a pick but Owen managed to score the victory by a nose. After the two points paying races Keith Rocco takes a comfortable lead into the World Series weekend in October. The reigning champ is looking to win his third division title in a row.
When the accrued points for the 20/20 shootout were tallied the final 10-lap segment saw Kyle James as the man to beat for the overall crown with five points while Marcello Rufrano entered the final segment with seven points and Keith Rocco and Todd Owen had an accumulated eight points. The driver with the lowest points total accrued after the final segment was to be crowned the 20/20 Sprint champion. Todd Owens and Keith Rocco started the race up front based on their speeds from segment one while Kyle James settled in fourth for the opening laps. Those positions put Owen and James in a tie for least points accrued and they stayed that way through the final lap. Since the two drivers were tied at the end of the race Todd Owen was awarded the overall victory for the second year in a row for finishing higher that Kyle James in segment three.
In other action at Thompson, Shawn Monahan all but wrapped up his second consecutive championship in the division with his fourth win of the season, Tom Carey III won the Late Model event and. Wayne Burroughs scored his fourth victory in the Mini Stocks.
NASCAR’s Monster Cup and Xfinity divisions were at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where it rained all weekend forcing the races to be run on Monday with a sparse crowd looking on. One year after settling for second in a chaotic, crash-marred race last year, Keselowski redeemed himself by earning his second straight major win and finally giving team owner Roger Penske the elusive Brickyard win.
The 2010 Cup champion got past race leader Denny Hamlin on the second-to-last lap and beat Erik Jones to the finish line by 0.904 seconds. Hamlin finished third. He also won the Xfinity race. Ryan Preece, driving a Joe Gibbs entry, crashed out of the event.
Last year, 2022, Labor Day weekend signifies the three-quarter mark in the racing season. It appeared that the Monaco Tri-Track Modified Series had been the most successful in 2023. Average car count per event had been 31 cars with great crowd attendance for all events. The Stafford Open Series averaged 30.2 cars. Stafford also been blessed with great crowd attendance. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour averaged 25 cars per event. The WMT still had a great crowd appeal. The New York based Race of Champions series averages 23.2 cars per event and had a very loyal fan base. On the bottom end were the Thompson Opens and the Modified Racing Series. The Thompson Opens faired very poorly with an average of 20.5 cars per event no matter how much money was paid out. Thompson promoters did bring back the Whelen Modified Tour which did help them at the front gate. The Modified Racing Series, once very strong, averaged only 15.8 cars per event. Sad to say it appears that their days are numbered.
Stafford Speedway had picture perfect weather on Friday night. Temps were in the mid 60s and not a cloud in sight. It got a little chilly when the program ended at 11:30pm but the action was hot and heavy. Tom Fearn was the big winner of the night by winning the 50-lap Paradiso Insurance 50-lap race for his first career extra distance victory among his now 61 career Late Model feature wins at Stafford. Other feature winners on the night were Cory DiMatteo in the SK Modified® feature, Tyler Barry in the SK Light feature, Damian Palardy in the Limited Late Model feature, and Adrien Paradis, III in the Street Stock feature. There were two kids big wheel races and they were won by Joseph Davenport and Alexander Ayers.
In the headline Late Model 50 lapper, with 5 laps to go, Fearn and Adam Gray were starting to pull away from Kevin Gambacorta in third with Gray about a car length behind Fearn. Gray couldn’t get close enough to Fearn as Fearn took down his fourth win of the 2022 season and his first ever Late Model victory out of 61 career Stafford Late Model wins in an extra distance feature event. Gambacorta finished third with Andrew Molleur and Wayne Coury rounding out the top-5.
In the 40 lap SK Modified event, Noah Korner couldn’t get close enough to DiMatteo over the final 10 laps as DiMatteo took down his second win of the 2022 season. Todd Owen finished third with Keith Rocco and Anthony Bello rounding out the top-5. Numerous cautions slowed the event.
Tyler Barry recorded a hard fought win in the SK Light 20 lapper that saw 35 cars going to post. Chris Matthews couldn’t get close enough to Barry to make a bid for the lead as Barry scored his second win of the 2022 season. Alexander Pearl finished third behind Barry and Matthews with Tyler Chapman and Tyler Alkas rounding out the top-5. In victory lane Barry dedicated his win to his grandfather Art Barry who had recently passed away.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series traveled to Oswego New York on Saturday. Twenty five Modifieds were pre-entered. To no ones surprise, Matt Hirschman who was fresh off a win in a Race of Champions event at the Spencer Speedway on Friday night turned in the fastest speeds in afternoon and also set fast time for the Meyhew Pole. Second fastest was Doug Coby in the Tommy Baldwin 7ny. Evidently Coby and Jimmy Blewett kissed and made up as Blewett crew chiefed the car while Baldwin was in North Carolina for a SMART event.
The Long Island Gang prevailed in the end as Justin Bonsignore inherited the lead after a late race pit stop by Coby and Hirschman. The front runners pitted for tires with 28 laps to go. Bonsignore stayed out and ended up holding off Chuck Hossfeldt for the win. Craig Lutz finished third. Kyle Bonsignore finished fourth with Hirschman rounding out the top five.
At the drop of the green Hirschman jumped out into the lead with Coby following. Both set a fast pace when the first caution flew for liquid dropped on the track when Tyler Rypkema lost his engine. Once the mess was cleaned up the field went back to green but it didn’t last as the caution was again displayed when JB Fortin got turned on the front stretch and in the process collected Bobby Santos and Ken Heagy. On the lap 42 restart Hirschman continued at the point with Coby breathing down his neck. With the leaders on cruise control the laps ticked off until the caution flew on lap 70 when Gary McDonald spun triggering a mass exodus to the pit area by the entire field. The Baldwin crew led by Jimmy Blewett changed both rear tires and the right front. For Coby. Hirschman’s crew did the same but was blocked on pit lane which slowed his re-entry to the track.
The green was displayed on lap 76 with Coby in the lead with Justin Bonsignore in hot pursuit. Hirschman was buried in ninth spot. At the 100 lap mark Coby continued to lead the pack. Bonsignore was running second with Ron Silk, third and Jon McKennedy, fourth. Hirschman continued to be mired in traffic.
As the laps wound down and Coby could almost see victory the caution flew with 29 laps to go when Andrew Krause was turned by Kyle Bonsignore on the front stretch. For some strange reason Jimmy Blewett made the decision to bring Coby in for fresh tires and in doing so, handed the victory to Justin Bonsignore on a silver platter. Blewett blew it on that decision which changed the entire complexion of the race..
The green was displayed on lap 125 with Justin Bonsignore out in front with Craig Lutz in second followed by Kyle Bonsignore, Chuck Hossfeldt and Kyle Ebersol. The final caution came on lap 134 when Ebersol and Anthony Sesley crashed in turn one.
With 11 laps left the field went back to green. With four laps left Hossfeldt made a move on Lutz for second spot. At the finish it was Justin Bonsignore in the top spot with Lutz, Kyle Bonsignore. and Hirschman making up the top five. Sixth thru tenth included McKennedy, Coby, Santos, Eric Goodale and Krause.
Down on the Connecticut shoreline at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Anthony Flannery took down his first career SK Modified victory in the 35-lap feature. Todd Owen finished second and Eric Berndt was third. In the 30-lap Late Model feature it was Ray Christian III in victory lane . Evan Bourgeois took the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature with Brian Norman taking the 25-lap Street Stock feature.
Across the big pond at the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island, Dylan Slepian brought the Eastport Feeds Chevy home for the win. The win is the 7th of Slepian’s career. Jack Handley Jr. was the runner-up in the Hydro Action Chevy, while an impressive run was turned in by Jeffrey Goodale with a third place finish in the Riverhead Building Supply entry. Matt Brode came all the way from fifteenth to finish fourth withe Kyle Soper, fifth.
Down in the southland the SMART season resumed on Sept 3 with RACE #7 at the CARTERET COUNTY SPEEDWAY (NC). Brian Loftin took the win over Burt Myers, Gary Putnam, Caleb Heady and Jonathan Brown.
In Nascar Cup racing, it was 55 years to the day that Richard Petty wheeled the #43 into victory lane at Darlington for his first and only Southern 500 win. A lot has changed but one thing remained the same, the #43 was in victory lane at Darlington. Thanks to a late blown engine from leader Kyle Busch, Erik Jones wheeled the Petty GMS Motorsports Chevy for the last 24 laps to earn his first victory with the team.
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).