Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Now that Florida Speedweeks are in the rear view mirror its time to look ahead to the opening of the 2024 Southern Modified Auto Racing (SMART) season which gets the green flag this coming Saturday, March 2 at the Florence Speedway in South Carolina.
The SMART Series has enjoyed success in recent years and boasts 25 to 30 Modifieds at each event.
Four weeks after that will be round two of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series at the Richmond International Raceway on Friday, March 29.
In five short weeks auto racing in New England shifts into high gear with the annual running of the Ice Breaker at the Thompson Speedway on April 6 and 7 and three weeks after that is the annual Spring Sizzler at the Stafford Motor Speedway on April 27 and 28.
FloRacing will provide live streaming coverage of all SMART Tour events, All NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events and all racing events at Stafford plus all racing events at Riverhead Raceway and Bowman Gray Stadium.
Internet racing news site RaceDayCt announced that Eric Webster, a fixture as a crew member, racer and as part of management at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for decades, is retiring from the facility.
Webster, who has served as race director at the facility in recent years, confirmed to RaceDayCT Sunday morning that he is stepping away from all roles at the track effective immediately “This is it,” Webster told RaceDayCT Sunday. “The sad thing is right now it feels like I just lifted a big burden off my shoulders, but I know it’s not that. I have so many fond memories of the place.”
The Speedbowl has been part of the 61-year old Webster’s life since birth. His late father Charlie raced at the track from 1951 to 1970 and sits seventh on the track’s all-time win list with 77 career victories. Webster raced a Street Stock at Waterford from 1988 to 1996 before taking on an event management role at the track in 1997.
Jeremy Gerstner was severely injured at New Smyrna during the recent World Series after the throttle stuck wide open and his car crashed into a concrete retaining wall. His wife Dawn issued the following statement. “ It’s made for many long days since Jeremy’s accident at New Smyrna. I have remained pretty quiet this entire time in order to give 100% of my attention to Jeremy and my son JT. For those that do not know JT just had femur and tibia surgery in November and was still healing from that when all this took place. I am doing everything in my power to make sure JT stays on track as much as possible with his healing and to make sure Jeremy has the best outcome possible as well.”
“Jeremy has a right pelvis fracture and a left knee tibia fracture and meniscus tear. He also has some pain in his right shoulder, this is making it difficult for him to get around even with his wheelchair. I am looking for a wheelchair van to use for a few months so Jeremy can get out of the house to get to follow up appointments and so I can go to more of JTs appointments without having to leave Jeremy at home alone or choose between taking JT to therapy or staying home to make sure Jeremy is cared for. These are not choices I was prepared to have to make for sure.”
“I know as the days go by things will get easier and Jeremy will get stronger and we can get back to using a regular vehicle. For now this is my BIGGEST struggle, I don’t like having to choose between my son and husband. We have been blessed to have some great friends step forward to help with Jeremy’s lawns so he doesn’t loose his business.”
“I have, in the midst of all of this, been racking my brain and angry that I did not have answers why this happened since I went straight to the hospital with Jeremy after the accident. I did manage to dig a little deeper in the motor problem and have found that either a retainer or lifter failed and it dropped a valve with allowed piece to travel through the intake and back into the carb and held it open.”
“I am thankful I still have my husband and the kids have their father…and that the injuries he has he can make a full recovery. Things could always be worse, but there are always ways to improve and I just wanted to try to figure out what caused it to help anyone else from enduring this pain that we have.”
“It is also pretty amazing to see the people you hear from when something like this happens as well as the flip side and those you do not hear from. Thank you to those that have reached out to both of us to give us inspiration to get to the end goal! Those who know us, know this is temporary. It has indeed given us more time together as a family and to reflect on the things that need to happen in our lives.” ❤️
“Last but not least. Do not skimp on safety, make sure your fuel cell bolts are tight, your belts are up to date, your seat is mounted properly, your hans or neck restraint is good (if you do not use one please just don’t race) and you have the proper padding in place.” #JTStrong #55Strong
On a sad note, Donald Peter “Don” Dalena, 95 of New Britain, Ct. passed away on February 18 at home. Born on August 3, 1928 in the small town of Plainville, he was the son of the late Peter & Genevieve (Blinn) Dalena. Surviving is the love of his life, Carolyn (DiMaio) Dalena, his two sons, Peter D Dalena of Plainville, Daniel J Dalena & his wife Debora of Plainville, two grandsons, Brian D Dalena of Bristol & Brandon G Dalena of San Diego, CA., his brother Peter L Dalena of Kensington and many nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Dolores & his brother in law Ken Balkow, and his sister in law Maryalice Dalena.
Don “Red” Dalena graduated from Plainville HS in 1946 where he excelled in football & baseball. Six decades later, in 2007, he was inducted into the P.H.S Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to joining the military, Don was a draftsman @ the engineering department at Marlin Rockwell. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in England during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant. In 1953, his honorable discharge brought him back to the states, where he joined his father, brother & uncle Cozy (Cosam) to form Dalena Auto Parts ( celebrating 70 years in business this year) where he worked & always greeted customers with a welcoming smile & friendly conversation up until 3 weeks ago!
Hunting in Sharon, VT at Mickey Carrolls Camp with his “Plainville Gang” was a cherished yearly event. Trips to Bermuda & Naples Florida with Carolyn were his much loved R&R. During summer weekends, you could always find Don at Plainville Stadium racing with the legendary George Lombardo in the XD2. They enjoyed many years of great racing success!
Another member of the Plainville gang also passed away last week. The New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame announced that member Tony “Jap” Membrino, 90, passed away last Wednesday Feb 21. Membrino was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame as a veterans committee selection in 2022. Longtime southern New England short track racing journalist and track announcer Matt Buckler called Membrino: “As much an entertainer as he was a race car driver.”
Membrino’s racing career stretched from 1949 to 1978 and he was a dominator at the old Plainville Stadium. He won track championships at Plainville in 1964 and 1965 and then used a run of nine consecutive victories on the way to another title in 1969. His final victory at Plainville came in an Open competition event at the track in May 1977. He also recorded wins at the former Savin Rock Speedway in West Haven and the former Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, Mass.
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).
