Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The NASCAR Whelen Modified tour series traveled to the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island.
Three days prior to the event, track publicist Bob Finan advised that veteran WMT owner Danny Watts announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2023 WMT season. The current driver Craig Lutz would move to the Goodale 46.
Twenty entries were received. Only 18 took time. Justin Bonsignore was the pole sitter with Ron Silk following. By the time feature time rolled around all eyes were on the pair as they laid down countless laps in tandem.
The first caution waved on lap 83 when Ken Heagy spun. On the restart the caution waved again, this time for a crash involving Craig Lutz, JD Fortin and Mathew Brode. Fortin had just been re-instated by NASCAR for his actions at Wall Stadium.
The field went back to green on lap 103 with Silk taking the lead. The third caution flew on lap 185 when Eric Goodale spun. Many of the leaders pitted for tires. Silk and Justin Bonsignore changed rear tires.
Bonsignore re-took the lead on the restart with Silk following. The fourth caution flew on lap 198 when Austin Beers ran Jake Johnson up into the wall and collected Kyle Bonsignore who bounced off the wreck and shot into the inside wall at high speed. The restart came on lap 206 and the stage was set for some race ending fireworks.
On lap 211 Silk dive bombed into turn one and with a slide by move, took over the lead. Silk then led until lap 254 when Bonsignore took it back with a bump and run, Bowman-Gray style. Bonsignore went on to record the win while Silk bobbled on the last lap and lost second spot to local runner Mark Stuart.
While Bonsignore and Stuart drove to victory lane a livid Silk was all but spitting nails and waved off the race ending interview and retired to the pit area.
It was the sixth anniversary of Ted Christopher’s passing. Christopher died after being in a plane crash while on his way to compete at Riverhead.. Bonsignore’s victory was his 40th.
Not only did Bonsignore become the fourth driver to reach 40 wins in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour alongside Mike Stefanik, Reggie Ruggiero and Ted Christopher, he also tied Mike Ewanitsko for the all-time Whelen Modified Tour win record at Riverhead.
Rounding out the top five were Austin Beers and JR Bertuccio. Sixth thru tenth included Timmy Solomito, Roger Turbush, Craig Lutz, Tyler Rypkema and Ken Heagy.
The rough and tumble style of Modified racing at Riverhead is far from being bland. Its what puts fans in the seats. Why does one think that this is the reason that brings the big crowds to Bowman Gray? It is!
CNBC will broadcast a replay of the Eddie Partridge 256 at Riverhead Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Up next for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is the series’ inaugural visit to one of the Southeast’s most cherished facilities, North Wilkesboro Speedway. The Brushy Mountain Powersports 150 at North Wilkesboro is set to take place on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with FloRacing providing live coverage.
Due to the inclement weather forecast for Wednesday, September 13, the Thompson oval track event was cancelled. The oval track will return for the annual running of the Sunoco World Series from October 6-8.
Last Friday night at Stafford all was quiet as the track prepares for the upcoming Fall Final Weekend and the Monoco Tri Track Series. Weekend action begins on Friday night with MAYBURY KIDS NIGHT which consists of SK Modifieds, 40 laps, Late Models, 30 laps, SK Light Modifieds, 20 laps, Limited Late Model, 20 laps, Street Stocks, 20 laps and a Kids Big Wheel Race.
Saturday will be extremely busy. Events include the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, 80 laps, SK Modifieds, 40 laps, SK Light Modified Invitational, 20 laps and Vintage All-Stars, 15 laps..
Among those expected for the Monaco Modified event is Matt Hirschman who is returning to racing after suffering a broken arm in August at Thompson and defending race winner Ron Silk..
The Stafford Motor Speedway and the Monaco Tri-Track Series have jointly announced that Saturday’s 80 lap Fall Final will carry a total purse of over $60,000. The winner will receive $15,000 with second paying $4,000. With over 30 cars entered, those who fail to make the final cut will receive $300. The Tri-Track Series is slowly but surely becoming the premier modified racing series in the northeast.
Down in the southland, due to a considerable amount of rain in the forecast for both Saturday and Sunday in the Coeburn, VA region, the Mod Squad Nationals (scheduled for Sunday, September 17) for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic at Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park was been canceled. The series and facility are working together to schedule a race at the picturesque track again in 2024.
Teams for the SMART Modifieds are now preparing for the stretch run of the season, which includes the final four races in a five-week span which kicks off with The Radford Race on Sunday, October 1, at Pulaski County Motorsports Park, which is better known as Motor Mile Speedway, in Fairlawn, VA. The track is adjacent to Radford, VA, but the race is named after one of the most prolific southern modified racers of all time, Paul Radford. Series top point man Burt Myers, from Walnut Cove, NC, leads the standings by 37 markers over Winston-Salem, NC driver Brandon Ward. That pair is also the only combination with multiple wins in 2023.
In action at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl Anthony Flannery took his fourth victory of the season in the 35-lap SK Modified feature Saturday night at the Connecticut shoreline oval. Eric Berndt was second and Todd Owen was third. Rounding out the top five in the SK Modifieds were Kyle James and Stephen Kopcik. Other winners included Aaron Plemons who was victorious in the 25-lap Street Stock feature, Christopher Garside won the 25-lap Mini Stock feature and Tyler Chapman won the 25-lap Truck feature.
It was nostalgia night at the bowl with the NEAR organization on hand with some of thir cars from years gone by. Among those cars on hand was the Don Rounds #101, the Roger Bonville #110 that one many races there at the hands of Bob Potter, the Bobby Turner #85 driven and owned by Scott Poirier, the Buzzy Bevanson #64, the Gomer Taylor #03 and the Fred Beaber #716.
This past Sunday at Star Speedway the stars or the MiltonCat Modified Racing Series competed in the SBM100 for a $25 k purse with an additional $11013 k in bonus monies making it the highest payout in the 2023 season for the series! Woody Pitkat took the win over Kirk Alexander, Anthony Noscella, Matt Kimble and Brian Robie.
Congratulations to Patrick Emerling won the 73rd Race of Champions 250 Sunday at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pa. It was the first Race of Champions 250 victory for the Orchard Park, N.Y. driver. Eight time Race of Champions winner Matt Hirschman finished second. Hirschman was making his first start since breaking his left arm during a race at Thompson Speedway on Aug. 16. Mike Leaty finished third with Andy Jankowiac, fourth.
Last Sunday afternoon a huge crowd was at the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, NH to honor Bentley Warren. The Purdy Deuce in which he won the 1969 Oswego Classic was joined by three other cars Bentley raced. A strong line-up of speakers will share their experiences with Bentley and includes Chris Perley, Bones Bourcier, his daughter Lisa Warren, Bobby Seymour along with Dick Berggren.
Dirt tracker Stewart Friesen broke the bank after winning the Short Track Super Series Modified event at the Fonda Speedway in upstate New York. Friesen pocketed a cool $53,000 for his efforts.
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.
