Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series wound up their season at the Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. on Thursday night.
The tires on Matt Hirschman’s car hadn’t even cooled off from his Tri-Track victory at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl as he was one of 39 entries on the trailer and heading south to wrap up the WMT season.
Thirty six of the 39 cars entered were on hand. The 3 cars that did not make it to Martinsville Speedway. The #2 of JR Bertuccio and #99 of Jamie Tomaino withdrew. the #26 of Gary McDonald broke an axel on the hauler and could not get it fixed. It was announced that all 36 cars would start the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200. In pre-race practice the top 11 were over 100mph. Patrick Emerling was the fastest at 100.82 mph. Austin Beers, Ryan Preece, Justin Bonsignore and Bryan Narducci rounded out the top five.
Despite the fact that there was a very lean crowd on hand it didn’t take away any of the excitement that was generated for the last round of the season which would determine the Whelen Modified Tour Series championship. Ron Silk and his team led by Phil Moran knew they had to finish ahead of Justin Bonsignore to seal the deal. In the end, Silk finished sixth and Bonsignore finished second, just nine points shy.
On a somewhat chilly night the 36 car field took the green. Tyler Rypkema led the charge into turn one. Before one could blink there was a four car tangle in turn one when Kyle Ebersol, Ken Heagy, Andy Jankowiak, John Shenette and Anthony Sesely spun. All were able to continue except Ebersol who called it a day. The green was displayed on lap 7. Ryan Preece passed Rypkema on the backstretch for the lead. Preece would lead until lap 55 when he pitted for fresh tires during a caution. The second caution actually flew on lap 52 when Dave Sapienza spun on the front stretch. With a quick pitstop Emerling got out on the track in the lead with Matt Hirschman, second. The third caution was displayed after Craig Lutz and Justin Bonsignore got together in turn 2 on lap 65. Among those collected were Sapienza, Austin Beers, Eric Berndt and Burt Myers. The field went green on lap 72 with Emerling still in control with Hirschman, second and Andy Seuss, third.
The fourth caution was triggered by Bryan Narducci who lost it coming off turn 2. Kyle Bonsignore went up and over him. Silk spun but never lost forward motion. Also collected was Eric Goodale and Andrew Krause. Kyle Bonsignore was the only casualty. Green flag racing resumed on lap 78. Emerling continued to lead. Preece was on the march, heading to the front. The fifth caution flew on lap 88 when Brandon Ward spun in turn four. Emerling and Hirschman pitted for tires on lap 89. Preece assumed the lead. Dave Sapienza brought out another caution on lap 112 when he hit the wall in turn two. One lap later Preece pitted for tires. Tommy Catalano assumed the lead as the field went back to green on lap 118. Bobby Labonte, Emerling and Hirschman followed. Caution 7 came on lap 119 when Sesley and Eddie McCarthy spun in turn 4. The green came out on lap 125 with Catalano still leading with Labonte and Hirschman still leading.
Emerling took the lead on lap 127 in turn three as Catalano’s tires gave out as he was fading fast. The 8th caution came on lap 133 when Brandon Ward and Burt Myers spun in turn four. The green flew on lap 137 with Emerling still leading with Preece closing fast. Preece took the lead for the final time on the front stretch on lap 140. The ninth caution came on lap 149 when Craig Lutz found himself in the wall. Racing resumed on lap 154 with Silk and Max Mclaughlin banging wheels. Looking at the big picture, Silk backed off. By lap 162 Preece had opened up a lead of three seconds over Bonsignore. The tenth and final caution came on lap 177 when Sapienza got into Goodale. Both dropped out.
The green was displayed for the final time on lap 182. Preece jumped out, opening up a good lead over Bonsignore. At the finish it was Preece over Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling, Matt Hirschman, Tyler Rypkema, Ron Silk, JB Fortin, Max Mclaughlin, Andrew Krause and Bobby Labonte. Silk was declared the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series Champion.
Once the cars and tools were loaded a caravan led by Matt Hirschman headed north for an overnight trip to Stafford Springs for the Fall Final. It brought back fond memories of years ago when competitors at Martinsville would leave after a Saturday afternoon race, go all night and make it to Stafford or Thompson the next day. Len Boehler had one of the fastest race car haulers at the time. It was a Chevrolet cab and chassis with a bored and stroked 454 engine that would run 115-120mph. There were others! Others doing the triple, Waterford, Martinsville and Stafford, were Bryan Narducci and Eric Berndt.
Fans and competitors were greeted with a sun-drenched day, almost 80deg at Stafford last Saturday for the Monaco Tri-track Fall Final. Thirty seven Modifieds and a near capacity crowd were on hand for the Monaco Tri-Track event. Four qualifying heats were run with Chris Pasteryak, Matt Galko, Matt Hirschman and Marcello Rufrano taking the wins. Two consolations were run for the Tri-Track Mods. Bryan Narducci in the Boehler Ole Blu No.3 took Consi #1 and Mike Christopher Jr in the Jimmy Page #00 took Consi #2.
Todd Owen put a cap on his championship season as he won the 40 lap SK Modified event. Owen started 15th and by lap 14 was in the top five. He took the lead on a restart on lap 28 and never looked back as he went on to score the win. David Arute finished second with Mike Christopher Jr, third. Troy Talman and Anthony Flannery rounded out the top five. Of note is the fact that third generation driver Alexander Pearl made his debut in the SK Modifieds and came from a 29th starting position to finish 15th.
Nick Hovey went pole to pole to win the SK Light non-winners 20 lapper. Sammi Anderson finished second.
The Tri-Track 100 took the green at 5:13pm. Matt Hirschman, who has got to be one of the best long distance racers there is, took the lead in turn three of lap 44 and after that was basically out for a Sunday drive on Saturday afternoon. Hirschman pitted for fresh rubber and re-took the lead from Craig Lutz on lap 52 and was never pressured after that. Ron Silk, who also made the all-night ride from Martinsville, finished second but admitted that he had nothing for the high-flying Hirschman at the end. Matt Galko finished third with Craig Lutz and Woody Pitkat rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Marcello Rufano, Eric Goodale, Stephen Kopcik, Jake Johnson and Bryan Narducci.
Five cautions slowed the event that saw the checkered flag wave at 6:oopm. The first cauton waved on lap 13 when Anthony Bello and David Arute tangled in turn three. Arute restarted and Bello parked it. The second caution came on lap 27 when Arute spun in turn 2. He restarted. Matt Galko was the leader at the time. The third caution flew as the field was attempting to restart but Noah Korner spun in turn 2. The fourth caution was displayed after George Bessette came to a grinding halt on the front stretch wall. He showed his displeasure toward Glen Reen who he felt had driven him up. The fifth and final caution came on lap 47 when Reen spun on the front chute.
The event was the 50th running of the Fall Final. Matt Hirschman also had the distinction of winning the 50th Spring Sizzler. One of the Great Ones for sure, he ranks right up there with Richie Evans, Bugs Stevens, Geoff Bodine, Fred DeSarro, Maynard Troyer, Eddie Flemke, Tony Hirschman and a host of others who are considered to be Stafford’s 50 Greatest Drivers.
While at Martinsville last week, NASCAR celebrated the retirement of two legendary and amazing Whelen Modified Tour officials. Mary and Richard Brooks (Brooksie) have been a part of the tour since 1985. A special couple that will be missed at the track.
BERGGREN, SQUIER, JOY, ARUTE III TO BE HONORED AT ANNUAL LEGENDS DAY EVENT AT THE NEW ENGLAND RACING MUSEUM IN LOUDON, NH.
Legends Day, the museum’s most important annual event will take place on Sunday November 12th at the New England Racing Museum (922 Rt. 106, Loudon, NH). Headlining will be four national motor racing broadcasters with New England roots. The event will include an honoree panel discussion, permanent banner unveiling and a buffet lunch. New for this year will be a VIP ticket in which you can meet the honorees in a small group setting for a photo opportunity, join a private museum tour led by Dick Berggren and premier seating for the lunch and discussion. The event is supported by Fox Sports and is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum.
Dick Berggren was a fixture on NASCAR television broadcasts from 1981 to 2012 as a pit road reporter and color analyst. Beyond his broadcasting career he served as editor for Stock Car Racing magazine for 23 years. He founded and edited Open Wheel magazine, founded Speedway Illustrated magazine and the New England Racing Museum.
Jack Arute III or also known as “Jackie”, began his broadcasting career in 1972 with the Motor Racing Network. Arute worked as a pit reporter from 1984 to 2009 covering NASCAR and Indycar races. He also served as president of the family-owned and nationally known Stafford Motor Speedway in his home state of Connecticut.
Vermont native Ken Squier was one of NASCAR’s original television broadcasters starting in 1970. He called some of the most historic stock car races in history including the legendary 1979 Daytona 500, the first flag to flag coverage of the “Great American Race”, a moniker he coined. Squier was an on air talent for NASCAR broadcasts until 2000. Locally he is the founder of one of New England’s most successful short tracks, Thunder Road Speedbowl which opened in 1960. Dave Moody will sit in for Squier during the celebration.
Mike Joy began announcing auto races at Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA in 1970. His career as an announcer and broadcaster spans over 50 years. He spent fourteen years with the Motor Racing Network and anchored the first live NASCAR Cup Series telecast on ESPN in 1981 and continues to be lead broadcaster for Fox Sports NASCAR coverage. Joy is a broadcaster, promoter, business executive and sports car racer. Rhode Island native and sportscaster Allen Bestwick will serve as the event emcee.
VIP ticket holders will have early private access to the museum starting at 10am with a private tour starting at 10:30am. They will also have a chance to meet the honorees and emcee Allen Bestwick in a small group setting with photo opportunity. VIP ticket holders will have tabled seating in the front row and sit with the honorees during lunch. All other ticket holders may enter at 11am to view the museums 30+ race cars, motorcycles and artifacts. Buffett lunch and social hour is scheduled for 12:00pm until 1:00pm. Honoree discussion to start at 1:00pm and the event will conclude with a dramatic banner unveiling ceremony.
Only 150 tickets available! The event is likely to sell out so order soon. Price per ticket is $65 for museum members and $80 for non-members. VIP tickets are SOLD OUT. You may purchase your tickets by calling 603-783-0183.
It appears that the Sunoco (SK type) modifieds will not be a part of any racing program at the Thompson Speedway in 2024. Poor car counts was the reason. A competitors meeting will be held in the pit ara classroom on Nov 1 to “Gauge Interest”, discuss divisions and scheduling for 2024. Invited to attend are Mini-Stock competitors/ Limited Sportsman/Street Stocks, Late Models, Pro Stocks/Super Lates, SK Lights and Thompson “Bottle Cap Modifieds”, whatever they are, have been invited. The SK Modified competitors get what the cow left behind after she jumped the fence.
Sorry to hear that Sean Foster is no longer associated with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. The Speedbowl has become a great racing facility, but the owner needs to hire a good PR person who can advertise and get the word out. Until that happens the shoreline oval will never gain the prominence it once had.
The long awaited re-paving of the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina began on Thursday, Oct 26.
Stafford Speedway officials have put the finishing touches on their 2024 racing schedule. 24 events make up the calendar from late April to late September, kicking off with the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler April 27th & 28th and wrapping up at the NAPA Auto Parts Fall September 28th. “We are excited about how the 2024 schedule came together, with a great balance of special events and weekly racing,” explained Stafford CEO Mark Arute. “Our focus continues to be on showcasing our weekly race teams and ensuring our local competitors feel at home every race night.”
NAPA Spring Sizzler® Weekend April 27th & 28th : The 2024 NAPA Spring Sizzler® Weekend will once again be one of the biggest short track events of the year and will feature two separate days of racing. The NAPA Auto Parts Duel, two 40-lap qualifying races, will be held Saturday, April 27th and will set the field for Sunday’s 52nd Spring Sizzler®. Also on the card for Saturday will be the Street Stocks, Limited Late Model, and Late Model divisions. Sunday, April 28th will play host to the highest paying Modified race in the country, the $20,000 to win 52nd running of the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®. The SK Modified®, and SK Light Modified divisions will accompany the Modifieds for a packed afternoon of racing. Race fans will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers at the NAPA Pit Party.
GAF Roofing Modified Masters: New for 2024, the GAF Roofing Modified Masters will be held Wednesday, July 17th. Big prize money will be on the line with Open Modified teams set to battle for a $12,000 to win prize in the 100 lap event. Also on the card that night will be the biggest SK Light Modified race of the year. Dubbed the King of the Crate, SK Light Modified teams will compete in a 40-lap, $2,000 to win event.
Weekly Friday Night Racing: Stafford’s 5 weekly divisions, including SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and Street Stocks, are scheduled to compete Friday nights starting May 10th and running throughout 2024 culminating with the NAPA Auto Parts Champions Night on Friday, September 27th where the season champions will be crowned.
Special Events: Each of Stafford’s 5 weekly divisions will have at least one special event night beginning with the first of two 40-lap SK Light races on Friday, May 24th, presented by Monaco Ford. The second SK Light double down race will be held July 17th with the GAF Modified Masters. Bonuses for the highest average finishes across both 40-lap events will be awarded. Limited Late Models will go an extra 10 laps on June 14th presented by Riley Generators, Street Stocks will run an extra 10 laps on June 28th for the annual Midstate Site Development Firecracker 30, and Paradiso Insurance returns as the presenting sponsor for the Late Model 50 on September 6th.
Stafford’s top weekly division, the SK Modifieds®, will have 3 special events in 2024 including: Senators Cup (50 laps) – June 21st, 11th Annual NAPA SK 5K (111 laps) – August 2nd and the TC 13 SK Modified® Shootout (13 laps) – September 13th.
Open Modified Events: Open Modified racing will continue to be a staple on the Stafford Speedway calendar, with 5 events including one event with the Monaco Modified Series: April 27th & 28th – NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler & Duel, June 7th – Casella Waste Systems Open Modified 80, July 17th – GAF Roofing Modified Masters, August 16th – Lincoln Tech Open Modified 80 and September 28th – NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final (Monaco Modifieds).
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).