Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Fifty five years ago in 1968, Ray Hendrick won the first ever 500-lap race for the modifieds at Martinsville. Thompson also ran with Fred DeSarro taking the win. Don Collins won the season ending 100 lapper at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. Rick Taylor was the Daredevil winner.
Forty five years ago in 1978, Geoff Bodine scored his 54th victory of the season in the Dick Armstrong No.1 as he won the season ender at Martinsville. George Summers finished second and was followed by Satch Worley, Bobby Santos, Charlie Jarzombek and Ronnie Bouchard. Richie Evans annexed his second driving title. It was also 45 years ago this week that Fred DeSarro passed away after lying in a coma for close to a month after an accident at Thompson. Cale Yarborough made it three in a row Winston Cup Championships. Bobby Allison was second with Darrell Waltrip, third. Ronnie Thomas was the Rookie of the Year and Butch Lindley was the Late Model Sportsman Champion.
Thirty five years ago in 1988, the only action was twin 100s at Waterford for modifieds and SK type modifieds. Mike McLaughlin won the modified portion and Ted Christopher was the SK mod winner. Following Christopher were Tom Jensen, John Anderson and Jim Broderick.
Thirty years ago in 1993, Steve Grissom sewed up the Busch Grand National title at Hickory, N,C. Hermie Sadler was named BGN Rookie of the Year.
Twenty five years ago, in 1998, Jeff Gordon won the Winston Cup event at Atlanta after waiting through a 6-1/2 hour rain delay. On a sad note, Dick Moroso passed away after a battle with cancer.
Twenty years ago in 2003, The Stafford Motor Speedway held its annual competitors meetings. The DARE Stocks met on Monday, the Late Models met on Wednesday, November 5 and the SK Modifieds met on Friday. New rules for 2004 were discussed. Conspicuous by his absence was long time employee Dan Pardi, who had been released from his position at Stafford. Pardi had been in the rules and competition end of things and had been a loyal employee for over 20 years. In Winston Cup action at Phoenix Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the win over Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. In Busch Series action at Phoenix Bobby Hamilton Jr. scored his fourth win of the season.
Fifteen years ago in 2008, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series closed out another successful season. Car counts were down a bit but overall the competition was great. When the final checker dropped at Thompson, Ted Christopher led the championship standings by 127 points over Matt Hirschman. Hirschman, who lost his ride in the Bennett mount, was one of the first to congratulate the new champion. Todd Szegedy finished the year in third spot with Chuck Hossfeld and Ronnie Silk rounding out the top five. Rounding out the top ten in the final standings are Eric Beers, Mike Stefanik, Rowan Pennick, Jimmy Blewett and Ryan Preece. Next on the agenda is the annual Banquet of Champions at the Mohegan Sun Casino in December.
At the Waterford Speedbowl competitors were still wondering if and or when they would be paid for the Fall Finale. Word had it that track operator Jerry Robinson would not renew his lease of the shoreline oval, which meant that the purse would never be paid. NASCAR, which competitors at Waterford were forced to join, needed to go after the non-paying promoter and take legal action if necessary in order to protect their paying members. In the end, NASCAR did nothing and the competitors got screwed!
In True Value Modified Series action at the Twin State Speedway Matt Hirschman, who had won 12 times in three of four Modified racing series won the Ricky Miller Memorial 100. Hirschman started 16th. Lisbon Connecticut’s Chris Pasteryak came from last starting spot to finish seventh and sewed up the series championship. In the 100 lapper, Dwight Jarvis finished second and was followed by Kirk Alexander, Jon McKennedy and Bob Goodenough.
In All Star Modified action at Epping, NH on Saturday night a paltry field of only 15 Modifieds were on hand. According to reports Ronnie Silk led about 2/3 of the 100 lapper before being passed by Mike Stefanik for the lead and eventual win. Silk hung on for second with Matt Hirschman, third. Kyle Ebersol and Rowan Pennick rounded out the top five. Among those who didn’t finish was Ted Christopher who ended up 11th.
In Nationwide Series action, Carl Edwards held off David Reutimann to win the Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 on Saturday at the Memphis Motorsports Park, keeping alive his hopes for a second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series title. Edwards, who missed qualifying because of practice for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Race in Atlanta, started 34th in his No. 60 Ford but made an early stop for fresh tires and gained ground quickly. He took the lead from Mike Bliss on lap 69, and never trailed after that. Reutimann kept his Toyota on Edwards’ rear bumper for the final two laps, but couldn’t overtake him for the lead.
In Sprint Cup action at Atlanta Motor Speedway Carl Edwards passed Denny Hamlin on a late restart, then held on to win Sunday to keep his championship hopes alive. But his seventh win of the season barely dented Jimmie Johnson’s points lead. Johnson had a rough start to the race, earning a rare pit-road penalty that dropped him a lap off the pace, but stormed back to finish second with an impressive final sprint through the field.
Ten years ago in 2013, Friday, November 1 marked the 35th anniversary of the passing away of the great Fred DeSarro. Fred, a dedicated family man, an intense racer and a good friend to many was warming up at the Thompson Speedway three weeks previous when something went wrong as he was going down the backstretch and sailed over the third turn banking. Knocked unconscious from severe head injuries, the 1970 NASCAR National Modified Champion never woke up and died on November 1 at the Rhode Island Hospital. In addition to his family and close friends, those most affected by his passing were Carl Bugsy Stevens and Kenny Bouchard who were on the scene when the accident occurred. Fred is gone but he will live in our hearts forever!
Five years ago in 2018, Brandon Thompson, Managing Director of NASCAR Touring Series, confirmed to NASCAR.com that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to South Boston Speedway in Virginia on Saturday, March 30, 2019. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour competed at South Boston in 2001, a race won by Jerry Marquis. He defeated 33 other modified competitors, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Mike Stefanik and the late Ted Christopher, who finished second and third. Following Marquis’ victory. Car owner Mario Fiore announced that he was retiring from the sport. South Boston Speedway is located about 60 miles east of Martinsville in Virginia. In operation since 1957, Ray Hendrick is the all-time feature winner with 36 victories.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour director Jimmy Wilson told Area Auto Racing News that the schedule for 2019 is still under construction. He alluded to the fact that the schedule could grow from 16 to 18 events in 2019.
Chances are that the Thompson Speedway would re-up for their four tour events as would Stafford. Riverhead will also re-up for two evens as will the New Hampshire International Speedway. An early season event at Myrtle Beach is in doubt as is a return to the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
It appeared that Eddie Partridge would no longer field a car on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on a regular basis now that Ryan Preece had become a regular competitor in NASCAR’s cup series. He will keep one car for Preece whenever he is available. Preece had indicated that he would like to compete at New Smyrna before action for the cup cars begin at Daytona in February.
Partridge, who owns the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island says that because of numerous rain-outs in 2018, Rain-outs at Riverhead will have a Wednesday night rain date. Wednesday night rain dates were good crowd draws last year. Not to look too far ahead, Partridge is considering moving his regular race date from Saturday to either Wednesday or Thursday in 2020.
Bobby Santos traveled west to Irwindale, Ca where he won the 40-lap King of the Wing Sprint Car event. Santos has excelled in just about everything he has driven.
Speaking of traveling, Burt Myers was seen at the Gillette Stadium cheering on the New England Patriots on Sunday night. Myers, who is from Walnut Grove, North Carolina was even wearing a Patriots sweat shirt.
In NASCAR Monster Cup racing at the Texas Speedway Kevin Harvick rocketed past polesitter Ryan Blaney in overtime, after the third restart in the final 35 laps, to win the Texas fall race for the second year in a row and take one of the four championship-contending spots for the season finale in two weeks.
Cole Custer was the Xfinity Series winner. Ryan Preece got caught up in an accident and finished 31st.
Last year, 2022, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour headed to Martinsville, Va on Oct 27 for the 2022 season ending event. Four drivers were in contention for the series title, two from New England, Jon McKennedy and Ron Silk and two from Long Island, New York, Justin Bonsignore and Eric Goodale. McKennedy led Silk by six points. Bonsignore was 11 points behind the leader and Goodale was 17 points behind the leader. Rounding out the top five was Austin Beers. Although out of the championship hunt, 52 points back, Beers had sewed up the Rookie of the Year title.
Thirty six cars were pre-entered for the event, 35 took time. Matt Hirschman took the pole as he toured the half mile oval in 18.733 seconds. Jimmy Blewett took the outside pole with Ronnie Williams, third.
Jon McKennedy watched a season long effort almost go up in smoke as Corey LaJoie, who was so obsessed with winning a grandfather clock, drove like an animal and almost junked the title contender into the backstretch wall. McKennedy, who started ninth, took the lead following a restart from a caution on lap 133. McKennedy was running on rails with Blewett, Kyle Bonsignore and Lajoie in hot pursuit with the laps winding down. Ron Williams brought out the seventh caution when he hit the wall and while the field was under caution Max McLaughlin ran out of gas on lap 189. Following the drop of the green on lap 193 a big wreck ensued on the backstretch. Lajoie turned into McKennedy who then got run over by Kyle Bonsignore. One final restart was set with a green-white-checker situation. LaJoie was able to hold off Matt Hirschman for the win. Ryan Newman ended up third with Bobby Santos III and Anthony Noscella rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Andrew Krause, Eric Goodale, Austin Beers, Tommy Catalano and JB Fortin. McKennedy managed to restart and finished 12th.
A somewhat slim crowd witnessed the event. Title contenders Justin Bonsignore and Ron Silk has rough nights. Bonsignore appeared to break a panhard bar and silk had a mis-handling machine. Eric Goodale was put out of contention by another competitor on the final restart.
For six decades the Baldwin name has been synonymous with Modified racing starting from their Bellport, LI hometown. Tommy Baldwin Racing brought the years of hard work, blood, sweat and dedication full circle with the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Owners Championship.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour officials released a 19-race schedule for the 2023 season, the largest schedule for the tour since the 2004 season. The 19-race schedule, which is highlighted by the addition of North Wilkesboro Speedway, is the largest schedule for the Modified Tour since the 2004 season.
As announced the previous February following a successful inaugural event at New Smyrna Speedway, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season would once again begin in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Saturday, February 11. Likewise, the season will again conclude, and a champion will be crowned during NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Martinsville Speedway on October 26.
What happens between the season opener and the championship race is where things get interesting for NASCAR’s oldest touring division. The most intriguing addition to the schedule comes in the form of the revitalized North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, September 30. It is unclear at this time whether that date will be a stand alone event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour or a combination race with one of NASCAR’s national series. In addition to North Wilkesboro, a pair of tracks will return after not being on the schedule in 2022. On Saturday, June 10 the tour will return to “The Cement Palace” known as Seekonk Speedway for the first time since the 2019 season. After a year away, Lancaster Motorplex also returns to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule on Saturday, August 5.
The tour will once again share the spotlight with the NASCAR Cup Series on three different occasions in 2023. These occasions include a visit to Richmond Raceway on March 31, New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 15 and the season finale at Martinsville Speedway on October 26.
A handful of staple tracks on the tour will return with multiple dates during the 2023 season. Riverhead Raceway hosts three events on May 20, June 24 and September 16. Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park returns with a traditional Wednesday event on August 16 and for the Sunoco World Series on Sunday, October 8. After hosting just one race in 2022, Monadnock Speedway will double the fun in 2023 with events on May 6 and September 9. Other events on the schedule include a return to the Jersey Shore’s Wall Stadium on July 8, Virginia’s Langley Speedway on August 26, and Oswego Speedway on September 2 during Bud Classic Weekend.
The New England Antique Racers (NEAR) held their Hall of Fame inductions at the Westford, Ma. Regency Inn. The Class of 2022 was inducted. Those inducted were Race Announcer and writer Matt Buckler, Engine builder Nat Chiavettone, drivers Dick Houlihan, Phil Rondeau, Russ Stoehr, Ken Tremont Jr, Tony “Jap” Membrino and Charlie Webster.
In NASCAR Cup racing, Christopher Bell won his way into NASCAR’s championship race, while Ross Chastain used a move more suited for a video game to also advance in Sunday’s thrilling regular season finale at Martinsville Speedway. Bell had to win to advance to the final four next week at Phoenix Raceway and he pulled it off to give Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota one spot in the finale. In one of the most daring moves ever seen on a speedway, Chastain leaned his Chevrolet against the outside wall of the 0.526-mile speedway and was wide open on the outside, sailing at some 70 mph faster than the rest of the field as he went from 10th to fifth in a half lap to give Trackhouse Racing its first championship appearance. Bell passed Chase Briscoe, who also needed to win to advance to the championship, with five laps to go to earn the automatic berth into the championship race.
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).