Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series Toyota Mod Classic 150 at New York’s Oswego Speedway was on tap last Saturday night.
The starting lineup has been reduced from 28 to 24 and the racing purse has been increased $4,000 because of this with money added to the lower half of the field.
In addition, $14,000 has been added for positions 3 thru 24. A new tire rule has been put in place that will allow teams to use their allotted 11 tires any way they want. Twenty cars were pre-entered including the Boehler #3 with Bobby Santos III replacing Jake Johnson
Patrick Emerling left little doubt that he is a championship contender after his resounding performance at Oswego on Saturday night. Emerling took the lead on lap 70 and had just enough in his car to hold off Matt Hirschman the last half of the race. Hirschman had led from the start and had the situation well in hand until pitting for tires on lap 64. Justin Bonsignore was first out followed by Emerling, Ron Silk and Hirschman. When the green dropped on lap 70 Emerling shot into the lead. Hirschman had worked his way to the runner-up spot by lap 90 but could go no further and ran the remaining 60 laps on Emerling’s bumper. Justin Bonsignore finished third and was followed by Ron Silk and Austin Beers. Sixth thru tenth were Jacob Lutz, Tommy Catalano, Kyle Bonsignore, Craig Lutz and Tyler Rypkema.
In addition to Emerling other lap leaders included Matt Hirschman who led laps 1-65 and Tim Connolly who led laps 66-69. There were five caution periods for 27 laps. The first caution flew on lap 26 when Tommy Catalano spun and hit the steel wall after losing an engine that dumped oil on the track. The walls at Oswego have Styrofoam blocks preventing drivers from getting hurt from crashing. Catalano walked away from the wreck. The second caution was displayed on lap 35 when Ken Heagy spun in turn one. The track crew had done a lousy job of cleaning up the oil left from the Catalano wreck. The third caution was displayed on lap 63 for Trevor Catalano who spun in turn four. The fourth caution came on lap 75 when Andy Jankowiac and Tyler Rypkema spun together between turns three and four. The fifth and final caution came on lap 87 when Bobby Santos spun and hit the wall between turn one and two. Ole Blu suffered minor damage and Santos was able to drive away.
The Tour takes a week off before heading to Riverhead Raceway on the east end of Long Island on Saturday, Sept 14. Justin Bonsignore with 460 points holds a five point edge over Ron Silk who has 455 points. Patrick Emerling sits in third with 436 points.
Some things never change! Twenty years ago in 2002, The Friday night NASCAR Dodge Racing Series at Stafford ran its last weekly event of 2004. It was more like “Friday Night at the Fights” as hand to hand combat highlighted the SK Modified feature. Jeff Baral held off Frank Ruocco and Ted Christopher for the win but the real story was the on track antics of Chris Jones. Prior to the running of the SK Modified feature Jones bragged that Ted Christopher was not going to finish the feature. Christopher, who had already sewed up the 2004 SK Modified track championship at the half-mile oval, was hoping to pad his NASCAR Regional lead. Not one to just get out there and ride, Christopher made his charge to the front. Just before the half way mark Christopher made a clean outside pass by Jones. One lap later Jones dove inside Christopher and spun him out. Jones was subsequently black flagged for his actions. Jones was asked to remove himself from the racing surface but refused. Instead he drove up to Christopher’s car, got out and commenced throwing punches at Christopher. Jones was eventually subdued by police and was escorted out of the track. As he was being led away he continually made obscene gestures to the crowd and officials.
In Friday night action on Aug 23 at the Stafford Motor Speedway the post full moon syndrome was definitely in effect for some competitors. Most seemed to handle the pressure well with the exception of SK Modified drivers Chris Jones and RJ Marcott. In the main event, Jones had a problem with Wesley Prucker as he spun him out twice. Race director Tom Fox made the wise choice to park Jones for the night. Jones failed to comply as he drove around the track before stopping at the start-finish line to make a little smoke.
On Monday, Aug 26 the following penalties were issued. #5 SK Modified®, driver RJ Marcotte Infraction- On track contact. Penalties-– Disqualified from 8/23/24 SK Modified® feature finish. – Suspended for the remainder of 2024 racing season at Stafford Speedway for on track contact. $250 fine payable via check to Catherine V. Hubbard Animal Sanctuary for actions detrimental to racing.
#36 SK Modified®, driver Chris Jones. Infractions- Not obeying race control; not obeying black flag; on track contact, leaving tires in pit stall. Penalties- Suspended from competition at Stafford Speedway. Disqualified from 8/23/24 SK Modified® feature finish. $5,900 fine payable via check to Catherine V. Hubbard Animal Sanctuary for not obeying black flag (8 laps-$400); Delay of race, not obeying race control ($2,500); Leaving race tires in pit stall (25 tires-$2,500); Unsportsmanlike conduct ($500).
In Friday night action, Stafford Speedway hosted Maybury Back to SKool Kids night with twin SK Light feature events. The big winners of the night were Nickolas Hovey and Chris Matthews, who split the SK Light features between themselves with Hovey notching his third win of the season and Matthews his second. Other feature winners were Michael Christopher, Jr. in the SK Modified® feature, Adam Gray in the Late Model feature, Matt Winter, II, and Travis Hydar. As part of Maybury Kids Night, there were two kids big wheel races and they were won by 6 year old Bentley Walmsley of Franklin and 5 year old Cole Frazier of Agawam, MA.
In the 40 lap SK Modified feature Mike Christopher Jr started sixth and took the lead on a lap 10 restart. It must be noted that many SK Modified competitors use professionally built engines. The engines in the Christopher entry are built by the hands of Mike Christopher Sr. Keith Rocco finished second after coming from an 11th starting spot. Rocco avoided numerous wrecks along the way before moving into second on lap 21. Andrew Molleur started third and finished third. Jon Puleo has seen his performance take an upward swing since moving into a Kieth Rocco owned and maintained mount. Puleo started seventh and finished fourth. Rounding out the top five was Troy Talman. Talman, who is having a break-out year continues with solid runs as he came from a 13th starting spot to finish fifth. Sixth thru tenth included Cory DiMatteo, Todd Owen, Dylan Kopec, Mikey Flynn and Marcello Rufrano, Rufrano had a tough night. After starting fifth, he was black flagged for not maintaining his line and causing another competitor to wreck. After restarting in the rear he fought his way back to finish 10th.
The Spencer Speedway, which is located near Rochester, NY, hosted the Maynard Troyer Memorial 60 lapper. The event that honored the former driver and car designer and builder drew 28 cars. Ron Silk took the win over Jake Lutz, Zane Zeiner, Paulie Hartwig III and Jack Ely. Pre race favorite Matt Hirschman finished 21st after losing an engine on lap 37.
Now that the 2024 season at Bowman Gray has ended the SMART series resumed. The SMART season was scheduled to resume on Friday night at the New River Speedway in Virginia.but was rained out and rescheduled to Saturday morning at 9:00am. Ryan Newman scored victory in the SMART Modified Tour’s 99-lap race on Saturday morning at New River All American Speedway.
Ryan Newman took the lead from Danny Bohn in the closing laps of the race, which was pushed to Saturday morning after lightning and rain prompted a postponement on Friday night. After passing Bohn, Newman drove away from the field to score his second SMART Modified Tour victory. As lightning holds followed by heavy rain forced New River All American Speedway and officials from the SMART Modified Tour to pull the plug, the series made the decision to postpone the race to Saturday morning with a 9:00am green flag before heading to Carteret County Speedway on Saturday night. The decision led to a historic first in pavement racing, the first time a touring series has run two races at two different tracks on the same day. Danny Bohn finished in the second position while Luke Baldwin, Carson Loftin and Jack Baldwin rounded out the top-five.
Danny Bohn was a surprise winner at Cataret. Luke Baldwin had victory in sight until the closing moments when the entire complection of the race changed with eight to go. Bob Labonte was running second when he was dumped in turn two by Jonathan Cash. All the front runners pitted for a tire except Danny Bohn and Blake Barney. On the restart, Burt Myers was dumped as was Blake Barney. Barney stated that he wasn’t dumped until after the yellow was out and should get his spot back. Officials saw different and placed him to the rear on the restart. Myers and his brother Jason were towed off the track. With eight laps to go Bohn led the restart. Luke Baldwin, in team cars staged a spirited battle for second but in the end Cash prevailed. Ryan Newman slipped into third as Baldwin slipped to fourth. Carson Loftin rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Johnny Kay, Tom Buzze, Jack Baldwin, Bobby Labonte and Joey Colter. Blake Barney elected to park it after he was spun out of the lead and was placed 20th.
The New London-Waterford Speedbowl gave the SK Modifieds the night off as they ran a special event for their Late Models. Derek Gluchacki of North Dartmouth, Mass. scored victory in the 100-lap Late Model feature at the Full Fendered Throwdown. Jason Palmer finished second and Cory DiMatteo, third. Aaron Plemons won the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Ed Gertsch Jr. finished second and Norm Root III was third. Other winners were Aaron Plemons won the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Ryan Lineham won the 25-lap Open Street Stock feature. Charles Canfield, the 25-lap Mini Stock feature and Tyler Chapman won the 25-lap Truck feature.
Out on Long Island at the Riverhead Raceway for the second consecutive season, the Cecil Palm Tree 160 was adversely affected by weather the original date forcing Riverhead Raceway management to reschedule the race run in honor of Eddie Partridge. The race was shifted to Wednesday night, the distance again modified to 66 laps, which was just fine with defending race winner Timmy Solomito of Islip who led all the way scoring his third win of 2024. Craig Lutz finished second with John Beatty Jr, third. Dylan Slepian and Chris Rogers rounded out the top five.
On a sad note it was learned that former southern Modified racer Max Berrier had passed away. Back in the 60’s Berrier was a regular front runner at Martinsville, Franklin County and Bowman Gray. He is also a former winner at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway where he won the Malta 250 that was held on the asphalt on Labor Day weekend in 1971 or 72.
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).
