Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Stafford Motor Speedway closed out their racing season on Friday night.
Feature wins were notched by Michael Christopher, Jr. in the SK Modified® feature, Adam Gray in the Late Model feature, Josh Morrison in the SK Light feature, Matt Clement in the Limited Late Model feature, and Travis Hydar in the Street Stock feature.
Tyler Chapman had already secured the SK Light track championship last week and the other 2024 track champions are Andrew Molleur in the SK Modified® division, Kevin Gambacorta for the second consecutive season in the Late Model division, Matt Clement in the Limited Late Model division, and Travis Downey in the Street Stock feature.
Christopher led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his fourth win of the 2024 season. Steven Chapman finished second with Mikey Flynn, Kieth Rocco, and Troy Talman rounding out the top-5. Christopher’s win wasn’t quite enough in the race for the 2024 SK Modified® championship as Andrew Molleur’s 13th place finish made him the 2024 SK Modified® champion.
The drama continued following the Fall Final at Stafford. SK Modified division driver George Bessette has been indefinitely suspended by Stafford Speedway for his actions following the SK Modified feature Friday at the facility. Bessette’s suspension is the harshest of four suspensions that were announced on Tuesday stemming from actions following the SK Modified feature at the track on Friday Sept. 27.
A speedway spokesperson stated that Bessette, the 2023 SK Light Modified champion at Stafford, was suspended for: Actions detrimental to auto racing, unsportsmanlike conduct and post-race contact with the car driven by Marcello Rufrano. He was also disqualified from Friday’s feature SK Modified feature.
Stafford also announced Tuesday that Rufrano has been suspended for one event with the infraction list as “Driver is responsible for crew member actions.” Joe Rufrano and James Reagan, crew members for Rufrano’s team, were each suspended for six events: The cited infractions for the crew members were: “Actions detrimental to auto racing, unsportsmanlike conduct.” The suspensions for Joe Rufrano and Reagan carry over to the 2025 season at Stafford. Should Stafford not get its final event of 2024 in, Marcello Rufrano’s suspension would carry over to the first event of the 2025 season.
At the New London-Waterford Speedbowl Andrew Molleur capped off a career weekend with a victory in the SK Modified feature Saturday. Molleur followed his track championship at Stafford by winning the 35-lap SK Modified feature at the Connecticut shoreline oval. Eric Berndt finished second with Todd Owen, third. Adam Gada and Anthony Flannery rounded out the top five. Jason Palmer, won the 30-lap Late Model feature. It was the 107th career victory at the Speedbowl for Palmer, tying him with Phil Rondeau for second place on the track’s all-time win list. Keith Rocco leads the track’s all-time win list with 154 victories.
Interest continues to build for the up-coming World Series at the Thompson Speedway. The World Series consists of just about every division of racing in the northeast. It’s kind of like the town dump of auto racing. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series takes center stage on Sunday, October 13. The Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series headlines Saturday action. King of the Thompson Outlaw Open Modifieds Ronnie Williams is the 1st to Sign Up for the Return of the $5,000-to-Win Dash for Cash on Friday, October 11th during the 62nd Sunoco World Series! Other early entries include Chris Pasteryak, Tyler Berry and Woody Pitkat are also among the Early Entries to Friday’s Headliner!
The NASCAR Whalen Modified Tour series was scheduled for the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina this past Saturday but Hurricane Helene has other ideas. NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports postponed the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The decision was made in cooperation with local authorities to ensure all local emergency resources remain dedicated to clean-up and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the area. North Wilkesboro Speedway has become a designated collection site for hurricane relief donations.
Late last week, NASCAR announced that the Brushy Mountain Powersports 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at North Wilkesboro Speedway has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. ET.
Ron Silk continues to lead the point standings as he holds an 11 point edge over Justin Bonsignore. Patrick Emerling sits in third spot. Rounding out the top five is Austin Beers and Craig Lutz.
The SMART Modified Series winds up their season at North Wilkesboro on October 19 which will make for a busy weekend at the North Carolina speedway.
Both events at North Wilkesboro will be shown live by FloRacing.
In NASCAR Cup Series racing, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. held off the field in overtime to claim the victory in a dramatic NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway edging Brad Keselowski and William Byron by a mere 0.006-second in a thrilling three-wide finish.
That heart-stopping finish was indicative of the afternoon of competition at the 2.66-mile behemoth which once again lived up to its reputation and provided a thrilling playoff race with significant implications for the 12 championship contenders. A massive 23-car accident with five laps remaining brought out a red flag and stopped the race for nearly 10 minutes. The incident affected eight of the 12 playoff cars in varying degrees. There is only one more race remaining in this round to settle which eight drivers advance to the next round of championship competition. Ryan Preece ran in the top group early on but in the end got collected in a massive wreck and ended up finishing 35th.
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.