Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Seventy five years ago this week in 1948, Robert “Red” Byron from Atlanta, Ga. was crowned the first NASCAR Modified champion.
Seventy years ago in 1953, Herb Thomas was declared the Winston Cup, then called Grandnational, champion. Lee Petty finished second. Joe Weatherly was the NASCAR Modified Champion.
Sixty five years ago in 1958, Lee Petty won his second Winston Cup championship. Buck Baker was second. Budd Olsen was the NASCAR Modified champion and Ned Jarrett won his second NASCAR Sportsman championship.
Wild Bill Slater closed out the season at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl with a 25 lap win. Joe McNulty was the non-Ford winner.
Sixty years ago in 1963, Joe Weatherly won his second Winston Cup championship. Rene Charland won his second of four NASCAR Sportsman championships and Eddie Crouse won the NASCAR Modified championship.
Sixty five years ago in 1968, Thompson Speedway ran their season ender. Bugsy Stevens took the win and was followed by Fred DeSarro, Eddie Flemke, Leo Cleary, Bob Santos and Don MacTavish. Stevens sewed up his second of three Nascar Modified championships.
Bob Potter was the Sunday afternoon Modified winner at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Bill Sweet was the Daredevil winner.
David Pearson sewed up his second of three Winston Cup championships as be beat out Bobby Issac and Richard Petty for the title. Pete Hamilton won Rookie of the Year honors in NASCAR’s elite division.
Fifty years ago in 1973, Jerry Cook won the season ending modified event at Martinsville. Maynard Troyer finished second and was followed by Ray Hendrick, Denis Giroux and Ronnie Bouchard. Richie Evans finished nineteenth and sewed up his first of many Nascar National Modified Championships. Benny Parsons won the Winston Cup championship and Lenny Pond was the Rookie of the Year. Jack Ingram was the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Champion.
Forty five years ago in 1978, The modifieds ran a special event at Kingsport, Tenn. Ronnie Bouchard, driving the Bobby Judkins No.2x took the win over Richie Evans, Jerry Cook and Harry Gant. Gant drove the famous William Mason No.45.The only action in New England was at Waterford where Bugsy Stevens in the Brady Bunch No.41 won a 100 lap open competition event which drew 60 modifieds. Dick Dunn in the Albert Gaudreau No.3 finished second and was followed by Eddie Flemke and Bruce”Gomer”Taylor.
Forty years ago in 1983, George Kent ran out of gas while leading the Martinsville 250 with only ten laps to go and handed the victory to Jamie Tomaino. Tony Hirshman finished second and was followed by Doug Hewitt, Richie Evans and Brett Bodine. Richie Evans, who won 31 of the 68 events he entered, was crowned the 1983 Nascar Modified champion. Rounding out the top five in points were Bob Park, Jim Spencer, Tom Baldwin and Dick Trayner. Trayners crew chief and chief mechanic was Steve Bird.
Thirty five years ago in 1988,Tom Baldwin won the 250 lapper at Martinsville. Jan Leaty finished second and was followed by Richie Gallup and Jerry Cranmer. Mike McLaughlin was declared the Nascar National Modified Champion.
Thirty ago in 1993, New Hampshire International was forced to cancel the season ending events for both the Modified Tour and the Busch Grand National North Series. Ricky Fuller was declared the Modified National Champion and Dick McCabe was declared the Busch North Series Champion. In Winston Cup action at Phoenix, Mark Martin took the win with Ernie Irvan, second.
Twenty five years ago, in 1998, Riverside Park closed out the season with a 100 lap modified event and a 75-lap SK event. Ricky Miller took the lead on lap 71 after Reggie Ruggerio lost a drive shaft. Miller went on to take the win and was followed by Chris Wenzel, Jamie Tomaino and David Berghman. Jim Williams won the SK event. Ted Christopher finished second after attempting to pass on the last lap. Carl Pasteryak won the Lee Octoberfest and in Winston Cup action at Rockingham, Jeff Gordon took the win and sewed up his third championship. On November 2,Joe Lewandowski, the promoter and General Manager of Riverside Park announced that he was leaving his position and was taking a position in the marketing department at Nascar headquarters in Daytona Beach.
Twenty years ago in 2003, The NASCAR Modified Tour Series finally got to run their final event on Saturday at the Thompson Speedway. A beautiful fall day saw the 5/8-mile oval draw about a ¾ full house. Todd Szegedy survived a near devastating high speed trip through the infield grass, made a remarkable recovery and came back to finish eighth and wrap up the series title in his sophomore year on the Modified tour series. It was a tough day for Szegedy along with title contenders Chuck Hossfeld and John Blewett III. Hossfeld, who started fourth, ran in the top five most of the day, got caught up in a spin after Jimmy Kuhn wrecked. Hossfeld recovered to finish seventh. In the final standings Hossfeld ended up 32 points behind Szegedy. Tony Hirschman dominated the event to take the win over Ed Flemke Jr., Charlie Pasteryak, Ricky Fuller and Mike Stefanik. John Blewett III, who was also a title contender, was extremely upset with the winner after he moved up the racetrack on the back chute and planted him in the wall. Blewett led the event from laps 47-63 after taking it away from Hirschman who led the first 46. Blewett, who started third, ended up in 27th spot. Tire wear was a factor with the outcome. Hirschman must have had a good set as he went the entire distance on his original set. Just about every one else in the lead pack pitted at least once for tires. Jerry Marquis also led the event. Marquis, who ended up fifth in the final standings, led from lap 64 to 84 before suffering a right rear flat. Despite a 19th place finish Marquis ended his season fifth in the final standings. Ted Christopher finished fifth in the standings after recording a 15th in the event. Sixth through tenth in the World Series were Jamie Tomaino, Hossfeld, Szegedy, Carl Pasteryak and Eric Beers. It was good to see Ed Flemke Jr. and the Roger Hill owned North Carolina based team end the season on a high note. Flemke and the Hills suffered horrible luck most of the season with motor problems and confrontations with Ted Christopher. Coming on strong in the final laps, crew chief David Hill felt that if they had a few more laps they had something for Hirschman but it wasn’t meant to be as the second generation driver had to settle for second in the final run down.
NEAR Hall of Fame inductee Bob Polverari was forced to turn over his ride to Joe Czarnecki. Polverari, who was in a wheelchair, suffered a broken hip as a result of a go-kart accident. Czarnecki finished 22nd, one lap down. Reggie Ruggiero who was making his second start of the year clearly got the biggest applause during driver introductions. Ruggiero, who started 16th, suffered a motor problem and dropped out on lap 33, ending his day in 31st spot. Donny Lia, who had previously wrapped up Rookie of the Year honors, was also a victim of engine problems as he also dropped out on lap 33, ending his day in 32nd spot. Doug Coby, who finished 12th, was the highest finishing rookie. Prior to the start of the Featherlite Modified finale the championship contending teams of Don Barker, Curt Chase and Bob Garbarino all shook hands with one another plus the fact there was an awesome display of a low fly-over of three F-111’s.
Bo Gunning and car owner Eddie Partridge ended their season on a high note as Gunning won a hard-fought battle in the Sunoco-SK type Modified feature. Gunning ran wheel to wheel with Kerry Malone during the opening laps. With Gunning finally getting out in front Malone settled into second spot. Malone was hit by George Bessette on a lap ten re-start and retired shortly there after. Todd Ceravolo was making a run for a top spot when Ted Christopher caused him to brush the wall. Ceravolo showed his dis-satisfaction with the former National Champion as he gave him a love tap once he got back up to him. Christopher retaliated and slammed Ceravolo on the backstretch under caution and inflicted enough damage for Ceravolo to have to be towed off. On the final re-start Eric Berndt moved into contention but didn’t have quite enough to get by Gunning. Chuck Docherty, Doug Coby and Jim Civali rounded out the top five.
Other World Series winners were Chris Perley in the Supers, Randy Cabral in the NEMA Midgets and Charles Bailey III in the Late Models.
The Featherlite NASCAR Modified Tour Series had finally wrapped up another season. In addition to post-season point fund moneys from NASCAR point fund the top 20 shared in $158,000 in contingency awards including $100,000 from series sponsor Featherlite, $10,000 from Hoosier Tires, $8,000 from Edelbrock, $8,000 from JE Pistons, $8,000 from Moroso Products plus $8,000 each from Union 76, Ohlins and Stef’s products. The last three awards will be paid contingent upon decal verification and actual product usage. Series champion Todd Szegedy would walk away from the awards ceremony with upwards of $31,600 plus his point money.
In Winston Cup racing at Atlanta, rain put a damper on the racing after 19 laps causing the race to resume on Monday. Jeff Gordon used precision timing of pit stops to put him in a position for the win. Gordon took the lead on lap 289 of the 325-lap event and went on to out run Tony Stewart to the finish. Jimmie Johnson finished third. Greg Biffle won the Busch Series event.
Fifteen years ago in 2008, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series wound its way to the Thompson Speedway as the division finished out their 2008 season at the annul World Series. Forty-one Modifieds were on hand for time trials, which were held on Saturday. Taking the pole was Eric Beers who also broke the track record with a fast time of 18.429. Second fastest was young sensation Ryan Preece in the mighty No. 3 of the Boehler family. Third was championship contender Matt Hirschman with Jimmy Blewett and Chuck Hossfeld rounding out the top five. In the re-draw for the feature start Blewett drew the pole with Mike Stefanik drawing the outside pole. Preece drew third, Hossfeld, fourth and Ted Christopher, fifth. Beers drew sixth. Among those in the field was Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified Champion Keith Rocco who placed the Joe Brady No.00 solidly in the field in 14th spot. Among those who didn’t qualify were Reggie Ruggiero and Billy Pauch Jr. Among those who had problems and had to rely on provisional starting spots were Todd Szegedy, Ed Flemke Jr, Danny Sammonds and Jamie Tomaino.
Ted Christopher went into Sunday’s World Series with a different mindset than normal. Known as a hard charger, go for broke driver he was forced to take a conservative route. With Matt Hirschman breathing down his neck in the point standings the Plainville CT driver didn’t want a wreck ruining his chances. For the first half of the 150 lapper Hirschman and Christopher ran ninth and tenth. Both appeared to be waiting for the other to have problems. By the 100-lap mark the championship contenders were running fifth and sixth. On lap 120, while running third, Hirschman began to slow. Two laps later he was behind the pit wall with engine problems. Once Christopher got the word from Crew Chief Brad Lafountain Christopher put the hammer down and went after the victory. Christopher passed Ron Silk for the lead on lap 134 and was never headed after that. Chuck Hossfeld ended up in second spot and was followed by Silk, Doug Coby and Eric Rudolph. There were 11 cautions for 49 laps and six lead changes among 5 drivers. Hirschman, who re-entered the event 21 laps down on lap 143 ended up in 25th spot. In addition to Hirschman the other hard luck story belonged to Ryan Preece. Preece was running fourth on lap 80 when his right front tire went flat. Preece pitted under green and lost a lap. The determined youngster made a determined bid as he ended up 14th, on the lead lap.
Shortly after the checkered flag dropped Matt Hirschman congratulated the new champ. What he didn’t know was that one of his car owners, Ed Bennett, was waiting in the pits to tell him he was fired from his car. Hirschman had split his driving time between Bennett’s mount and that of Wayne Darling. Hirschman, who had won at Chemung and had finished second at Stafford in Bennett’s car, was driving Darling’s car at Thompson.
Thompson World Series feature activity kicked off on Saturday evening with eight (8) events. Corey Hutchings scored the victory in the Outlaw Late Models; Howard Payne came out of retirement to win in the All Star Race Trucks. Scott Michalski was up to his old tricks winning in the Mini Stocks. Scott Foster bested his brother to take top honors in the Outlaw Strictly Stock. Norm Wrenn, topped the Pro-Four Modifieds and Chris “Moose” Douton won in the Limited Sportsman division.
During pre-race activities on Sunday NASCAR continued their 60 years of racing recognition with 1955 Champion Bill Widenhouse from NC, 1970 Champion Fred DeSarro and 1967 thru 1969 Champion Carl ‘Bugsy’ Stevens honored.
Keith Rocco put a cap on what was considered a break-out season as he won the the NASCAR 30-lap Whelen All-American Series SK (SUNOCO) Modified feature. Rocco, a second generation racer, won the season ending SK Modified event at the Waterford Speedbowl and finished second in Stafford’s season ender to wrap up the SK Modified championship there. Rocco was the 2007 champion at Thompson. Bert Marvin served up a spirited battle to finish second. Josh Sylvester finished third with Eric Goodale and Brian McCarthy rounding out the top five. Kerry Malone, who had previously wrapped up the track title, finished 19th in the high attrition event.
In other World Series events run on Sunday Chris Perley continued to be the dominant force in the International Supermodified Association taking down a strong victory at the World Series. Randy Cabral worked his magic taking his third straight Northeastern Midget Association feature victory. Derek Ramstrom turned in a dominating performance in the Pro Stocks; and Rick Gentes was victorious in the Late Models to conclude the race season at Thompson.
Congratulations went out to two-time NASCAR Featherlite Modified champion car owner Art Barry of Preston who was part of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Class of 2009. Among his many accomplishments were back-to-back NASCAR Whelen National Modified championships (2001-02 with driver Mike Stefanik) top the resume of Barry, 73. In 56 years of competition, Barry, who started racing at the Waterford Speedbowl, has won on 26 tracks from Maine to the Carolinas. His major wins included two Thompson 300 wins, two Stafford Springs Motor Speedway Spring Sizzler wins, two wins at Martinsville, VA and two at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the National Open at Lancaster. Barry’s SPAFCO race chassis brand is one of the top of chassis in Modified racing. In addition to Stefanik his many drivers included Jerry Dostie, Bobby Santos, Leo Cleary, Bob Potter, Jeff Fuller plus his son, Kenny. In the beginning Barry was a typical back yard racer as he fabricated his own chassis and built his own motors. In 1970 Barry’s racing career and working career almost came to an end when he suffered two crushed legs while directing a backing fire truck at the Preston City Fire house. Sheer determination and a lot of help from his friends helped Barry resume a normal life and a return to racing.
Barry joined fellow Nutmegger John Fitch, a one-time International road racer and founder of Lime Rock Park. The list also included drivers Bobby Dragon and Paul Richardson, promoters Bob Bahre, Jim McConnell and Tom Curley and car owner/ builder Rollie Lindblad.
Jimmie Johnson led 339 laps as he dominated the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Martinsville Speedway, and the two-time defending Sprint Cup champion padded his lead in his bid for a record-tying third straight championship with four races remaining. Only Cale Yarborough, from 1976-78, had won three straight championships in stock car racing’s premier series, and Johnson is looking more and more as if he’ll be the second. Johnson’s sixth victory of the year extended his points lead from 69 to 149, and while his closest challengers vowed that the Chase race isn’t over, the plaudits keep coming, too. Dale Earnhardt Jr was second, followed by Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon, giving Hendrick three of the top four spots. Denny Hamlin was fifth and Casey Mears, the fourth Hendrick driver, was sixth.
Ten years ago in 2013 NASCAR has released the final point standings in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. Lee Pulliam who races in the Late Model division at the South Boston Speedway in Virginia is the racing series National Champion. Keith Rocco, who races at Thompson, Stafford and at Waterford finished third. It was the fifth consecutive year that the 28 year old engine builder finished in the top three. In fact he has finished no worse than fourth in the last seven years. Overall, Rocco won 30 feature events in 2013 including 16 in the SK Modifieds, two in the Valenti Modified Series and 12 in the Late Model division at Waterford. Coming with those victories were the Connecticut State Championship, SK Modified Championships at Waterford and at Thompson plus the Late Model Championship at Waterford. Following Rocco in the Connecticut State Championship was Ryan Preece, Woody Pitkat, Ted Christopher and Todd Ceravolo. Preece also finished fifth in New York State standings.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series closed out the 2013 season at the Thompson Speedway. Overall racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was second to none. There were a total of 50 different drivers in competition. NASCAR released the final point standings for 2013.
Points Races Wins T/5 T/10
1 Ryan Preece 549 14 4 10 10
2 Doug Coby 517 14 2 6 10
3 Donny Lia 496 14 1 7 8
4 Rowan Pennink 487 14 1 6 8
5 Mike Stefanik 480 14 2 3 8
6 Todd Szegedy 477 14 1 3 7
7 Ron Silk 466 14 0 4 10
8 Justin Bonsignore 464 14 1 5 9
9 Woody Pitkat 457 14 0 2 9
10 Ted Christopher 445 14 0 4 6
11 Eric Goodale 435 14 0 2 7
12 Ron Yuhas, Jr. 424 14 0 1 4
13 Bobby Santos 421 12 2 7 8
14 Jamie Tomaino 397 14 0 0 2
15 Ken Heagy 368 14 0 0 1
16 Cole Powell * 368 14 0 0 1
17 Bryon Chew 367 14 0 1 3
18 Ed Flemke, Jr. 365 14 0 0 2
19 Eric Berndt 345 13 0 0 2
20 Wade Cole 338 14 0 0 0
In NASCAR Sprint Cup action at the Martinsville Speedway, Jeff Gordon took the lead from Matt Kenseth, who led the most laps in the Goody’s Headache Powder Relief 500, with 21 laps remaining and drove away to a .596-second victory for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory of the season. It was Gordon’s first victory of the season and the 88th of his career. Gordon’s eighth victory was at Martinsville was the 21st for Hendrick Motorsports at the .526-mile oval.
Five years ago in 2018, The Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOM) was originally scheduled to be run on Saturday at the Seekonk Speedway but because of adverse weather conditions was pushed back to Sunday. It was well worth the wait as the Venditti family and the Tri-Track crew had a beautiful fall day in which to race and close out the 2018 season with 43 tour type Modifieds.
Fresh off his recent Race of Champions victory at the Lake Erie Speedway in Northeast, Penn and his victory in the Octoberfast 150 at the Mahoning Speedway in Leighton, Penn, Matt Hirschman came to the Seekonk Speedway with victory on his mind last Sunday. Hirschman used an unorthodox plan to get in the event and it worked! His plan was to not qualify and get in the event with a provisional. Prior to qualifying Hirschman learned that he was one of three drivers eligible for a Provisional. His main objective was to not wear out his tires and go non-stop in the main event while most of his competition would have to pit for fresh rubber.
Starting scratch in the 27 car field, Hirschman methodically worked his way through the field to the front. Hirschman used a lap 61 restart to get by Chase Dowling for the lead. Ron Silk moved to second past Matt Swanson on a lap 84 restart. A lap 98 caution set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Hirschman was able to hold off the charges of Silk. Chris Pasteryak did an outstanding job as he finished third. Dowling and Anthony Sesley rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth included Les Hinkley, Brian Robe, Anthony Nocella, Todd Patnoad and Keith Rocco.
Rocco started on the pole and led the first 37 laps before giving way to Dowling. Dowling led until lap 60. From there on it was Hirschman all the way for the win and series championship.
Ryan Morgan ended his season on a high note as he survived some rough stuff in his pursuit of the victory in the 50-lapper for the Late Models as part of the Haunted Happening. Seekonk Speedway regular and 2018 Late Model champion Ryan Kuhn took the early lead from pole sitter Mark Hudson while Morgan and Vinny Arrenegado, Jr. battled for third. On lap 44, Morgan dove low on Kuhn in a bid for the lead. The two make slight contact. Morgan got the edge and the lead. Kuhn tried the crossover move; to no avail. Kuhn stayed glued to the bumper of Morgan in the closing laps. On lap 49, Kuhn, in a last-ditch effort, dove to the bottom of Morgan coming out of two, tried the outside groove out of turn four; again, to no avail. Morgan was able to hold on for the victory over Kuhn.
The Pro All Star Series Super Late Models made their inaugural appearance in the Haunted Happenings at Seekonk Speedway. Like their counterpart Modifieds, a series championship was on the line. At the end of the 150-lap event, Travis Benjamin of Belfast, ME, was holding the checkered flag and DJ Shaw of Center Conway, NH had secured the championship. Reid Lanpher of Manchester, NH, Nick Sweet of Barret, VT, Curtis Geery of Waterboro, ME, and Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH, completed the top-five in the event.
With a guaranteed spot in the Championship 4 Round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at stake, Logano moved the Toyota of Martin Truex Jr. out of the way in Turns 3 and 4 of the final lap to win for the first time at the Martinsville Speedway .526-mile short track and claim his berth in the title race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Congratulations to Megan Fuller on her Rookie of the Year honors at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Being a rookie driver in any division can be a daunting task but for Meghan Fuller, the 2018 Street Stock season at Stafford Speedway proved just the opposite. The Auburn, MA native began her rookie campaign at Stafford with only 3 previous Street Stock starts under her belt but that didn’t slow her down. Fuller scored her first career Stafford win in the second race of the season and she was a championship contender for the entire season before finishing second in the final Street Stock standings and taking home the R.A.D. Auto Machine Rookie of the Year honors in her #2 Propane Plus Chevrolet.
In addition, Congratulations to Bryan Narducci on his winning Rookie of the Year honors in the SK Lites. The 2018 season at Stafford Speedway saw Bryan Narducci come very close to a fairytale ending to his rookie season in the SK Light division. A graduate of the Wild Thing Karts, Narducci moved up to the SK Light division after 2 seasons and 6 wins in Stafford’s Limited Late Model division. Narducci was bidding to become the fifth driver in Stafford’s SK Light history to win both the championship and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season but he ended 2 points short of winning the championship. Narducci will take home the R.A.D. Auto Machine Rookie of the Year honors and the $500 bonus that goes along with the award.
On a sad note, a New England legendary Modified car owner and builder, Bobby Judkins, passed away after a battle with Parkinsons Disease. Judkins built the famous 2x Modifieds that carried Billy Harman, Eddie Flemke, Gene Bergin, Ronnie Bouchard and Jerry Marquis to hundreds of wins. Judkins was a master of setting up fuel injection on Chevrolet engines but was best known for bring the Ford Pinto to NASCAR Modified racing. With the help of Jack Arute, NASCAR made the body legal for competition. Judkins was most proud of his grandson, Ryan Preece, who recently secured a ride in NASCAR’s top division, Monster Cup, on the Joe Gibbs race team.
It was also sad to hear that Québec Modified competitor and gentleman Denis Giroux had passed away. He had a brilliant career collecting wins across the northeast and was probably on his way to NASCAR stardom when a violent crash ended his career in 1974 at the Stafford Motor Speedway Spring Sizzler. Denis spent the last few years in a Quebec nursing home after battling the somber side effects of that 1974 crash when he hit the first turn wall.
Last year, 2022, The Haunted Hundred at Seekonk Speedway closed out the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series championship for 2022. Also on tap was the American-Canadian Tour for 100 laps & a special 30-lap INEX Legends Cars feature. Pre-entries for the Tri-Track event totaled 43 Modifieds. Modified heat winners were Matt Galko, Woody Pitkat (Jacob Perry finished fifth), Sam Rameau and Matt Hirschman. Anthony Bello and Rob Murphy were the consi winners.
It was Anthony Nocella’s day to shine as he bested 27 starters to take the win in the Haunted 100 Tri-Track event. Starting 16th, Nocella, who started in second spot, passed early leader and pole sitter Chuck Hossfeld on lap 69 and went on to take the win over Hossfeld and Matt Hirschman. Hirschman started ninth and admitted that his car was a little off. He did, however, secure the series championship, his seventh. Kyle Bonsignore and Woody Pitkat rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Austin Beers, Jacob Perry, Derek Gluchacki, Ron Williams and Jake Johnson. A big shout-out to Jacob Perry who started 18th and who was racing in memory of his great uncle Russell “Butch” Perry.
Nine cautions slowed the event. The first caution came on lap 15 when Max Zachem stopped on the track after getting black-flagged for dropping fluid. Zachem pitted and it was discovered he had no gas cap. He re-entered the track only to park it after finding out that he was not eligible to receive a “Lucky Dog”. The second caution was for a spin on the back chute by Matt Galko on lap 22. The third caution was for a spin on lap 42 by Kyle Bonsignore. Carl Mederios spun on the front chute to bring out a caution on lap 48. On the restart Chris Pasteryak ended up riding the top of the wall between turns one and two, bringing out yellow no. 5. Caution 6 was for Matt Galko who spun again, this time on lap 56. The seventh caution was for Derek Robbie. Galko spun again on lap 81 and Robbie spun again on lap 85.
The young teenager, Jacob “Rowdy” Burns not only won one of the biggest INEX Legend races of the season, but just minutes later he hopped into his No. 30 American-Canadian Tour machine and dueled with one of the greatest New England short track drivers, DJ Shaw, of this era for an impressive 2nd place finish in the American-Canadian Tour Haunted Hundred.
The SMART Modifieds were at the Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia and raced in front of an almost empty grandstand. Brandon Ward took the win over Jonathan Brown. Caleb Heady was able to secure the championship which gave Tommy Baldwin Racing championship car owner honors in both the SMART Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series.
In NASCAR Cup series racing at Homestead Fla, Kyle Larson won the Dixie Vodka 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race in dominant form. Larson swept both stage wins and led 199 of the race’s 267 laps in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to pull away to a 1.261-second victory over Florida native Ross Chastain in the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevy.
Car owner Rob Pelis and sponsor Eastport Feeds have announced that Mike Chrsitopher Jr. will enter the Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway Saturday November 12th. Mike will run as a teammate to Dylan Slepian under the Eastport Feeds banner with both drivers a threat to win the $7,000 winners share of the $32,650 purse.
On a sad note, Russell “Butch” Perry of Ashaway, RI passed away on Thursday, Oct 21. For many years he along with his family operated Perry Motors, a well known salvage yard in Ashaway. He leaves his wife Sue, sons Russell, Norman and daughter Shelly. He was active in asphalt modified racing and raced at New London- Waterford Speed bowl, Stafford Springs MotorSpeedway and the Thompson Speedway. He was a member of the Racing Guys.
Besides his loving and devoted wife of 53 years he will be sadly missed by his children, Russell L. Perry Jr. of North Stonington, CT, Norman L. Perry of Ashaway and Shelly Sue Perry of Ashaway. He was the caring grandfather of Spencer Perry. He also leaves his brother. Roger Perry (Wendy) of Ashaway, RI and his sister, Shirell Perry (James) of Ashaway and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Perry.
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).