Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The SMART Modified Series made it’s 2024 debut at the 4/10 mile Florence Motor Speedway last Saturday.
Twenty four Modifieds were on hand for the Peanut Patch 99 lap event. After a somewhat damp start the skies cleared and the event was run late in the day. Matt Hirschman was the top qualifier as he toured the oval in 17.193 seconds. Ryan Newman was second fastest at 17,105 seconds.
The top four drew for starting positions. Hirschman started on the pole with Luke Baldwin, outside. Burt Myers drew third with Ryan Newman drawing fourth. Carson Loftin, a 15-year-old third-generation short tracker, started fifth.
Hirschman, who was somewhat of a pre-race favorite, led the early going before Loftin took the lead for the first time following a caution on lap 33 for Jonathan Cash who stopped on the track. Hirschman led the re-start and was out in front cruising until lap 79 when his car began to slow. The winning pass was made on lap 80. Hirschman then gave up another spot to Luke Baldwin and eventually spun from contact with Burt Myers, bringing out another caution.
The race resumed and Loftin drove away to his first victory in a Tour Type Modified. Burt Myers finished second with Ryan Newman, third. Joey Coulter and Luke Baldwin rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Jimmy Blewett, Danny Bohn, Will Lambros, Brandon Ward and Jason Myers. Rounding out the top 15 were Brian Loftin, Matt Hirschman, Anthony Bello, Tom Buzze and Blake Barney.
Next stop for the SMART Tour is at the Caraway Speedway in North Carolina on Sunday, March 10 for the Warrier 99. All 15-races for the SMART Modified Tour will be broadcast live on FloRacing.
Internet Racing News website RaceDayCt broke the news that NASCAR announced that Whelen Modified Tour driver and crew chief Stephen Kopcik has been suspended indefinitely. The suspension stems from Kopcik being arrested on Feb. 23 at a minor league hockey game in Danbury, Ct.
Kopcik was charged with two counts of assault in the third degree with physical injury and one count of breach of peace in the second degree. An attempt to reach Kopcik was unsuccessful.
The incident took place at a Danbury Hat Tricks game at Danbury Ice Arena. The Hat Tricks are part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Also arrested with Kopcik at the hockey game was reigning Stafford Speedway SK Light Modified champion George Bessette Jr.
NASCAR’s penalty announcement cited Kopcik’s failure to notify the sanctioning body of his arrest.
NASCAR’s release on the matter specifically cited the following rules:
12-11 Required Notice
Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony), shall notify NASCAR at reporting@nascar.com or visit http://reporting.nascar.com prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier.
12-8 1. 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 a 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 the 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 this Rule Book with great importance.
12-8.1 Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination.
3. Being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g. Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Assault), or having had determinations rendered by criminal or civil authorities that in NASCAR’s judgement necessitate action. NASCAR will not pre-judge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, or the guilt or innocence of a Member, but rather review each matter in its own context and circumstances and with regards to its potential effects upon the sport.
Danbury Police would not release any further details concerning the incident besides the simple incident report. The incident report lists two assault victims from the matter, with one of the assault victims listed being a Danbury police officer.
Multiple sources have indicated that the incident leading to the arrests began when someone accompanying Kopcik and Bessette at the game poured a beer on another fan. A video posted on social media from the game shows an individual – sources say is Kopcik – on the ground being forcefully subdued by multiple police officers and security personnel. Bessette can also be seen in the video sitting a few feet away from where Kopcik was being subdued. The 21-year old Bessette was charged with one count of breach of peace in the second degree.
Fresh off back-to-back 2-win seasons, Cory DiMatteo is looking forward to kicking off his third season together with the #11 Hummel Brothers Hot Dogs SK Modified® owned by John Hummel with Ed Flemke, Jr. serving as his crew chief. DiMatteo came up just short of winning the SK Modified® championship in 2023 and he will hope to once again be a championship contender. In addition to his SK Modified® duties, DiMatteo and the Hummel team will also partake in Stafford’s Open Modified races with the NAPA Spring Sizzler® and NAPA Fall Final with other starts possible as well as help crew chief his brother Dana’s #76 Open Modified.
On a sad note, NEAR Hall of Famer and former Speedbowl Champion Fred Luchesi passed away earlier this week. Fred was one of the heavy-hitters during the cut-down era when the cars were heavily modified and safety was primitive at best.
During the mid-1950’s, Fred was one of the best in southern New England. He won 5 track championships in a 3 season span: the Waterford Speedbowl in 1954, Westboro Speedway in 1955, then Seekonk Speedway, Lonsdale Speedway & Norwood Arena all in 1956. He raced into the 1960’s and was later inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in 2008.
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).