Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The SMART Modified Tour traveled to the South Boston Speedway in Virginia last Saturday for the Boone Tractor 99. Twenty one cars were on hand.
Andy Jankowiak was the pole sitter with the fast time.
Jankowiak started fifth due to a re-draw and waited for a late race restart to take the lead from Carson Loftin.
Jankowiak took the win as Loftin hung on for second. Tom Buzze was third with Joey Colter and Burt Myers rounding out the top five.
The finish is currently unofficial as during post-race technical inspection, SMART Tour officials found items on Jankowiak’s #73 car that needed further inspection. Officials confiscated the parts and will have an official ruling on Tuesday.
The New London Waterford Speedbowl rained out on Saturday and now takes center stage this weekend. The Crowning of Champions featuring all 7 weekly divisions will be held on Friday October 20th.
This kicks off a huge weekend of racing at the shoreline oval that will conclude on Saturday October 21st with the Constantine Paving and Sealing Haunted Hundred for the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, the American-Canadian Tour, the Don Caddick Memorial SK Light 50, and an Open Street Stock race.
The Tri Track Modified event will be shown on FloRacing. Not sure about the rest. As of last weekend 36 Modifieds have entered the Tri Track event.
Matt Hirschman leads the point standings with a 10 point advantage over Woody Pitkat. Matt Swanson sits in third spot with Ronnie Williams and Richard Savory rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth include Chris Pasteryak, Bryan Narducci, Kyle Bonsignore, Jake Johnson and Les Hinckley. The Tri-Track winds up their season on Saturday, Oct 28 at the Stafford Motor Speedway.
Riverhead Raceway on Long Island fell victim to rain on Saturday. A slim crowd was on hand for the event that was run on Sunday. Timmy Solomito won Cecil Palm Tree 66. Kyle Elwood finished second with John Beatty Jr wrapping up the championship in third.
The fallout from the recent brawl in the infield at the Thompson Speedway at the World Series continues.
During the Outlaw Modified event Sam Rameau and George Bessette wrecked in the area of turn three. Rameau was leading at the time. Video showed Bessette attempting to pass Rameau for the lead. Rameau came down to block and contact was made with Rameau ended up wrecked in the wall.
Shortly there after Rameau and his crew attacked Bessette while he was sitting in his car. One individual actually hit Bessette with a helmet. As a result, the American-Canadian Tour and the Pro All-Stars Series announced in conjunction on Wednesday that Modified driver Sam Rameau, his father Randy Rameau and their race team have been banned from participating in any events sanctioned by ACT or PASS or at any tracks sanctioned by ACT or Pass, including Thompson Speedway.
The Tri-Track Series, the Race of Champions Series, Lee USA Speedway, Hudson Speedway and Claremont Speedway announced in conjunction that they have banned Sam Rameau, Randy Rameau and Rameau Family Motorsports indefinitely from competing at those facilities.
In addition, JDV Productions announced that Sam Rameau, Randy Rameau and Rameau Family Motorsports have been indefinitely suspended from all JDV Productions events and all events at Monadnock Speedway.
Flamingo Motorsports a sponsor of Rameau Racing issued the following statement on Thursday, October 12: “We were made aware of a situation involving the Rameau Family Racing at Thompson Speedway. The video we have seen is very concerning and there is NO PLACE for violence in racing and we do not support or condone this type of behavior in ANY WAY!! Effective Immediately Flamingo Motorsports will be terminating our Sponsorship with the Rameau Family Racing.”
NASCAR slammed the hammer down on Sam Rameau and his team on Friday.
In a press release from the Daytona based sanctioning body they stated::
Driver Sam Rameau of the No. 06 Rameau Family Motorsports team NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour entry is indefinitely suspended from NASCAR and any NASCAR-sanctioned events.The rule infraction is as follows:12-8 stipulates a. NASCAR membership is a privilege. With that privilege comes certain benefits, responsibilities and obligations. Correct and proper conduct, both on and off the race track, is part of a Member’s responsibilities. A Member’s actions can reflect upon the sport as a whole and on other NASCAR Members. Ideally, NASCAR Members are role models for the many fans who follow this sport, regardless of the type of license a Member may hold, or specific Series in which a Member may participate. Therefore, NASCAR views a Member’s conduct, both on and off the race track, which might constitute a behavioral Rules violation under the Rule Book with great importance.
12-8.1 Member Conduct Guidelines:C-2. Member-to-Member confrontation(s) with physical violence and other violent manifestations such as significant threat(s) and/or abuse and/or endangerment; E-1. Actions by a NASCAR Member that NASCAR finds to be detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR.
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).