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Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Stafford Speedway defied an impending forecast of rain as they returned to racing on Friday, July 5th with a Weekly Racing Series program.
David Arute ended a season long dry spell as he won his first SK Modified® feature victory of the 2024 season. Arute sits on both sides of the fence as he is a vital part of the management team, along with his brother Paul that operate and maintain the speedway.
Chris Meyer came up a winner in the Late Model feature for the second consecutive week. Tyler Chapman scored his fifth win of the season in the SK Light feature, Kevin Cormier became the 9th different Limited Late Model winner in as many races this season, and Travis Hydar notched his third consecutive win and his sixth win of the season in the Street Stock feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® event, RJ Marcotte took the lead at the drop of the green flag with David Arute and Steven Chapman wheel to wheel for second. Tyler Hines and Todd Owen were wheel to wheel behind Arute and Chapman with Cory DiMatteo working his way into fifth. Arute got clear into second place behind Marcotte with Chapman taking third ahead of Owen with DiMatteo in fifth place as the field clicked off lap-5. George Bessette, Jr. took a hard hit into the turn 1 wall to bring the caution flag out with 5 laps complete. Through no fault of his own, Bessette was the victim of numerous drivers checking up going into turn one. Arute powered into the lead on the restart with Marcotte slipping into second. By the half way mark Steven Chapman had moved into the second spot but his threat to Arute was cut short on lap 37 when Mike Christopher took over the runner-up spot.
At the finish it was Arute taking the win over Christopher and Chapman. Andrew Molleur finished fourth with Cory DiMatteo rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Marcello Rufrano, Mikey Flynn, Anthony Flannery, Michael Gervais and Keith Rocco.
Friday night racing continues this week, July 12 before the much-anticipated midweek racing is set to return to Stafford Speedway on Wednesday, July 17th with the GAF Roofing Modified Masters presented by Riverhead Building Supply. The new event will feature a 100-lap, $12,000 to win Open Modified feature and will be accompanied by a 40-lap SK Light Modified event dubbed the King of the Crate.
The qualifying format will feature a unique twist on setting the field. Open Modified teams will face off with the stop watch in time trials to set the heat race lineups. The top 6 in time trials will transfer directly to a pole dash which will set the lineup for the first 3 rows in the 100 lap feature. The remainder of the field will be lined up based on heat race results. Additionally, the starting lineup will be limited to 28 putting an even greater emphasis on qualifying. “This format has been used for years in dirt racing so we thought why not try it with the Modifieds,” explained Stafford CEO Mark Arute. “We’ve been looking to try out a midweek summer event for a few seasons now and think we’ve put together an interesting event lineup for the fans. The qualifying format for the Open Modifieds will be interesting to watch and we all know the SK Light Modifieds will put on a great show. Big thank you to GAF and Riverhead Building Supply for their support of this event.”
Prize money for the new mid-summer event will total an impressive $68,000 across the 28 starting positions including $12,000 to win and $1,600 to start and is expected to attract the top Modified drivers in the region. “Riverhead Building Supply and GAF are excited for this new GAF Modified Masters event,” explained Eric Goodale, Riverhead Building Supply Executive Vice President. “We believe this event will be one to build off for the future and become a marquee event on the Modified racing calendar. Looking forward to seeing all the race fans this July.”
Weekly racing at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Riverhead Raceway was cancelled due to rain.
The weather surrounding the Star Speedway stayed dry which allowed the “Racing Guys”, Dick Williams and his friends to stage and run the “Racers Honoring Racers 76”. Matt Hirschman put together a perfect run from start to finish to earn the $7,600 winner’s purse.
Saturday night’s show drew together the best of the best from the Northeast’s various Tour-type Modified programs, from the NASCAR Modified Tour and Tri-Track Series to the Modified Racing Series and weekly tracks across the region. Hirschman set fast time in qualifying and won his heat to set the tone for the evening. Anthony Nocella and Matt Swanson also scored heat wins in setting the lineup for the 24-car field.
Hirschman, the winner of the inaugural Racers Honoring Racers event at Claremont Motorsports Park in 2022, wasted no time in getting out front of the field for the 76-lap shootout. New Hampshire favorite Robie filed in behind Nocella for third. But as the pack behind them jockeyed for position, neither could chase down a determined Hirschman who set the pace. Hirschman drove to victory with Nocella just over a second behind. Brian Robie finished third, with Mike Collins fourth and Connecticut star Ronnie Williams rounding out the top five.
Sixth thru tenth included Joe Doucette, Dylan Izzo, Tyler Barry, Jesse Jakubajtys and Derek Robbie. Just missing the top ten was Jacob Perry who finished 11th.
Supporters who made this event possible were Ron Bouchard Auto Stores, Maurice Enterprises of Claremont, N.H., Hoosier Tire East, and George J. Summers Trucking.
The SMART Modified Tour visited the Carraway Speedway on Saturday night as Bowman Gray gave it’s competitors the night off. The SMART Modifieds went 99 laps. Bobby Labonte returned to SMART Modified Tour Victory Lane once again. In a marathon of a Revolutionary 99, Labonte made a three-wide move to get the lead in turn one with just two laps remaining and drove away on a final restart to score the race win driving the No. 18. Anyone watching could plainly see that it was a bonsai move which ultimately drove Jimmy Blewett into Ryan Newman. Danny Bohn, who was fourth at the time, was also on the receiving end of the Labonte bonsai, recovered and finished second. Brandon ward was third with Burt Myers, fourth.
Labonte’s victory was the second of the SMART Modified Tour season for Sadler-Stanley Racing. Chances are a pay back may be heading in Labonte’s direction as both Blewett and Newman felt the move was deliberate.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is off. Next event is at Monadnock Speedway on Saturday, July 20. Ron Silk with 265 points continues to lead the point standings after six events. Silk leads Justin Bonsignore by seven points. Third, with 236 points is Jake Johnson. Johnson is 29 points out of the lead. Austin Beers with 222 points and Patrick Emerling with 215 points round out the top five. Sixth thru tenth include Craig Lutz, Kyle Bonsignore, Trevor Catalano, Matt Hirschman, Tommy Catalano and Anthony Sesely.
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).