Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park ran a Wednesday night racing event last week on August 14, The program consisted of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Thompson 150!
The program was also headlined by the New England Supermodified Series (NESS), the Thompson Crate Sunoco Modifieds, a $1,000-to-win AZ Roofing SK Light Modified showdown, the Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks for a seven division Wednesday night showcase!
Twenty seven Whelen Modifieds were pre-entered. Twenty six took time as a near full house crowd looked on. Patrick Emerling was on his game as he set fast time, 18.867 which put him on the pole for the 150 lapper, Craig Lutz was second fastest with Justin Bonsignore third, Austin Beers fourth and Matt Swanson, fifth Emerling jumped out in front at the drop of the green and was never headed for 150 laps. After starting fourth Bonsignore advanced to the runner-up spot following a restart on lap 27 but despite his efforts his move foreward stopped as he had nothing for Emerling. Lutz ran a heads-up race to finish fourth with Jon Mckennedy rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Matt Swanson, Ron Silk, Austin Beers, Trevor Catalano and Eric Goodale.
The event was slowed by three cautions for 23 laps. The first caution flew on lap 19 for Dave Sapienza who suffered a flat right rear tire. The second caution came on lap 59 when Woody Pitkat spun with a flat and the third caution was for Jake Johnson who found himself in the wall between turns one and two after a confrontation with Tommy Catalano.
The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series Toyota Mod Classic 150 at New York’s Oswego Speedway. The green flag waves at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 31, with FloRacing providing coverage of all the on-track action.
The Crate Modifieds saw Jon Pulio the winner with Keith Rocco, second. The Street Stocks was won by Corey Fanning beating out Ryan Waterman.
The Late Models had Derek Gluchacki score the win and the Mini Stocks captured by Jared Roy. The Supermodifieds saw Danny Bowers take the win and last, but not least, the Nick Hovey was victorious in SK Lights.
The Stafford Motor Speedway hosted another round of Weekly Racing on Friday, Aug. 16th. Steven Chapman and Amanda West along with Woody Pitkat were the big winners of the night. Chapman scored his first career SK Modified® feature victory in the 40-lap feature event and West was a first time winner in the SK Light division while Pitkat made it three in a row winning the Lincoln Tech Open 80.. Darrell Keane was victorious for the second time this season in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Kevin Cormier notched his second win of the season in the Limited Late Model feature, and Tyler Trott was also a winner for the second time this season in the Street Stock feature.
It was a great night for racing. There were 21 Tour type Modifieds on hand for the Lincoln Open 80. Ron Williams led the charge to the green with Teddy Hodgdon, George Bessette and surprise entry Kyle Elwood from Long Island. Buried mid-way in the field was Jacob Perry. The first caution flew on lap five for debris on the track. Following the restart Bessette moved into the second spot with Woody Pitkat, third as Hodgdon slipped to fourth. Pitkat surged into the lead on lap 23. By lap 25 Perry made his presence known as he moved into the sixth spot. The second flew for JR Bertuccio who spun in turn two. Pitkat led the restart with Mike Christopher Jr in the second spot followed by Hogdon, Chris Pasteryak and Perry. By lap 41Perry was on the charge as he moved into the fourth spot. His charge continued as he moved into the third spot at lap 50. The caution flew again on lap 57 for Tyler Barry who spun in turn four. The top five pitted for tires.
Williams led the restart with Bessette, second. Coming out of turn two, Bessette tangled with Austin Beers and ended up with severe right front damage. The restart saw Williams continue to lead with Elwood, second. Elwood took the lead on lap58 but it was short lived as Williams took it back on lap 59. Elwood slipped to third as Pitkat moved into second. Pitkat wasn’t done as he retook the lead on lap 60. As the laps wound down Mike Christopher had made his way into the runner-up spot. Perry was also on the move as he moved into the seventh spot by lap 65. With the end in sight Perry made one last charge and placed himself in the fifth spot at lap 75. At the finish it was Pitkat making it three in a row in Lincoln Tech opens. Christopher finished second with Williams, Elwood and Perry rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Eric Goodale, Anthony Bello, Joey Cipriano, Les Hinckley and Teddy Hodgdon.
Anthony Flannery was the 35 lap SK Modified winner at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday night. Andrew Molleur finished second with Rob Janovic, third. Timmy Jordan and Troy Talman rounded out the top five. Other winners were Nick Hovey in the SK Lites, Norm Root in the Street Stocks andRandy Cabral in the NEMA Lights.
In Modified action at the Bowman Gray Stadium, it was Burt Myers scoring his 97th career Modified win at the North Carolina oval in the first of twin 25s that were run. Jason Myers finished second and Tim Brown, driving with a broken hand, finished third. Mike Speeny won the nitecap with Brandon Ward, second. Brown, Burt Myers and Jason Myers followed.
The Riverhead Raceway on Long Island. presented the Baldwin, Jarzombek Evans 77. Timmy Solomito. Highlight of the evening was the induction of Ray Bouchard, Bob O’Rourke and Bob Finan to the Cromarty Wall of Fame.
NASCAR announced on August 17 that The Clash will come to historic Bowman Gray Stadium for the first-time as the opening exhibition event for the 2025 season on Feb. 2. The announcement was made by Ben Kennedy as part of pre-race for Saturday night’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series event at the racetrack. This will mark the first NASCAR Cup Series event at the racetrack in 54 years. The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will be broadcast live on FOX.
“Bowman Gray Stadium has a storied history in motorsports, so we look forward to bringing the Cup Series back to this revered racetrack for the first time since 1971,” said Kennedy, Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, NASCAR. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, Bowman Gray Stadium holds a special place as the original home to grassroots racing. With a history of intense competition, we are proud to host The Clash at the ‘The Madhouse.’”
To commemorate the return to Bowman Gray, NASCAR Studios and FOX Sports Films are producing a one-hour documentary entitled The Madhouse: NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray Stadium that will premiere on FS1. The film will explore the rich and rollicking history of the Winston-Salem venue while weaving a narrative that focuses on preparations for The Clash in 2025. It’s a story that intersects two unique worlds: the biggest motorsports series in North America, and the grassroots charm of small-town America at Bowman Gray Stadium. More details on the documentary, including when fans will be able to watch on FS1, will be released at a later date.
Ric Mariscal sends word that it was 77 years ago last week that the Lonsdale Sports Arena opened 77 years ago. Lonsdale was a high banked 1/3 mile oval speedway. In the words of the late great Leo Cleary, you could run wide open all the way around. Among those who raced there were Wild Bill Slater and Roland Lapierre. Sid Dimaggio added it was 68 years ago last Week the the New London-Waterford Speedbowl opened.
On a sad note, Dirt track legend Scott Bloomquist was killed in a plane crash near his home in Mooresburg,Tennessee on Friday morning. The Rogersville Review reported the news shortly after 8:30 a.m., indicating that local authorities confirmed that Bloomquist was “involved in a small aircraft crash.” Bloomquist was 60 years old. Bloomquist, a Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer, will go down as one of the greatest Dirt Late Model drivers of all-time with a resume that is nearly unmatched.
A winner of over 600 races whose last start came on Aug. 3 in the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., Bloomquist is survived by his daughter, Ariel, his parents and a sister.
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).
