RPW Exclusive: Looking Back A Bit: Fourth Week Of October

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERL, RI – Fifty five years ago in 1969, Martinsville finally got to run the annual Cardinal 500.Ray Hendrick in the famous Tant/Mitchell No.11 picked up his 31st win of the season.

Bugsy Stevens finished second and put himself in the NASCAR record book as the first three time NASCAR National Modified Champion. Perk Brown finished third and was followed by Jerry Cook, Leo Cleary, Billy Hensley, Richie Evans, Bernie Miller, Don Diffendorf and Don Miller. The final Modified standings showed Stevens the champion. Rounding out the top ten were Cook, Bobby Santos, Jimmy Hensley, Fred DeSarro, Billy Hensley, Don Miller, Lou Lazzaro and Ray Hendrick. Red Barbeau closed out the season at Seekonk with a Class A division win. George Ponte was the Cadet winner.

Fifty years ago in 1974, the 1975 season began on Nov 10,1974. The Modifieds ran at the then paved Metrolina Fairgrounds Speedway in North Carolina. Harry Gant in the William Mason No.45 took the win over Jerry Cook, John Bryant and Bugsy Stevens. George Murray closed out the season at Seekonk with a win.

Forty five years ago in 1979, Shangri-La closed out their season with George Kent, driving the Cal Smalles No.41 taking the win. Richie Evans finished second and was followed by Jerry Cook and Doug Hewitt. Waterford closed out their season with a 100-lap open competition event, which saw John Rosati take the win after losing a lap in the early going because of a flat tire. Rosati made up his lap and passed Rick Donnelly for the lead and eventual win with ten laps to go. Donnelly finished second and was followed by Dick Dunn, Ronnie Rocco, Bob Potter and Dickie Doo Ceravolo.

Forty years ago in 1984, there was no racing but the Arute family had announced that they had entered into a lease with Harvey Tattersall for the Waterford Speedbowl for 1985. Racing at Waterford would be under the NASCAR banner.

Thirty five years ago in 1989, with a new grandstand in place, Thompson got to run the World Series. Doug Hevron won the 75 lap modified portion. Mike McLaughlin finished second and was followed by Rick Fuller, Mike Stefanik and Reggie Ruggiero. Bob Potter was the SK type winner.

Thirty years ago in 1994, Barefoot Bob McCready annexed his 46th win of the DIRT season as he won the Eastern States 200 at Middletown, N.Y.

Twenty five years ago, in 1999, Speedway Motorsports announced that third quarter earnings were $6million less than expected. The stock market had a negative impact as 3.2 million shares were traded in one day, which caused the stock to drop from 45-15/16 to 28-1/2.

Twenty years ago in 2004, a good number of the northeastern modified teams headed south to Concord, North Carolina for the 2nd Annual North vs. South Shootout. Forty-five modified teams were on hand. The top five in time trials were John Blewett III, Eric Beers, Nevin George, Fred Query and Ed Flemke Jr. Qualifying heat winners were Donnie Lia, Ron Silk and Jerry Marquis. Consolation winners were Reggie Ruggiero and Jim Willis. The northern modified contingent led by Donnie Lia took nine of the top ten finishing spots in the 100 lap Shoot-out. Eric Beers took the lead at the start. Southern competitor Jay Foley triggered a massive wreck on lap two that eliminated ten cars including Reggie Ruggiero and Jim Broderick. Caution laps didn’t count as Beers led the restart on lap three. John Blewett III powered by and led from lap 4 to 53. A caution for debris was thrown on lap 53 with just about all lead lap cars making a mandatory pit stop. Jerry Marquis elected to short pit while just about everyone else took on right side tires. Marquis led the pack out of the pit area and once the green dropped, Marquis kept the legendary Ole Blu in the lead. The lack of new tires bit him as Lia took the lead on lap 86 and led the final 14 laps to victory. With less than ten laps to go Marquis spun from his fourth position and ended up 11th. Eric Beers ended up finishing in second spot with Nevin George, third. Bob Santos III turned in another fine run as he finished fourth. Rounding out the top five was the 2003 winner John Blewett III. Eddie Flemke Jr. finished sixth with Doug Coby in the Mansfield CT based entry, seventh. Rounding out the top ten were Ron Silk, Freddie Query and Lisbon Connecticut paving contractor Charlie Pasteryak. Marquis slipped to 11th in the final rundown. Pre race favorite Ted Christopher had a top five car until sidelined with broken rear end gears on lap 82.

Sad news came from Michael Boehler, President of Boehler Racing. Jimmy Fournier, Chief Mechanic and Tire Changer for Boehler Racing passed away on Monday, November 1. Jimmy was a trusted and loyal member of Boehler Racing since the early 1970’s. Lenny now has his main man with him!

Joyce and Dick Ceravolo of Groton, Ct, owners of the Team 31 SK Modified, hosted a victory party in recognition of their Sunoco Modified Track Championship at the Thompson Speedway in 2004. Guests of honor included driver Todd Ceravolo, crew chief Rick Ceravolo and their pit crew along with their wives and friends. Started by Dick Ceravolo in 1969, Team 31 had been responsible for six track championships, three at Waterford and three at Thompson.

The Nextel Cup and the Busch Racing Series divisions of NASCAR were in Phoenix, Arizona. Jamie McMurray was the Busch Series winner and Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulled out the win in the Nextel Cup

George Bush defeated John Kerry for the President of our country.

Fifteen years ago in 2009, many race teams from New York, New England and New Jersey traveled south to Concord, NC for the annual North-South Shootout. Car counts included 42 Tour type Modifieds and 23 SK type Modifieds. Practice and qualifying took place on Friday. Taking the pole position with the fastest time for the SK types was Ryan Preece. Matt Hirschman was second fastest. Rounding out the top five were Ron Silk, Eric Beers and Rowan Pennink. In the Tour type Modifieds Chuck Hossfeld took the top spot over Hirschman, Preece, Burt Myers and Josh Nichols. Among the casualties was Keith Rocco who had the misfortune of crashing quite hard in the dogleg area of the track. Rocco stated that a tire came off the rim, which caused him to lose control. Eddie Partridge and his crew rolled out a back-up Modified that Rocco qualified 26th fastest. Other notables who were in the field included Ted Christopher who qualified the Joe Brady No. 00 in 19th spot and George Kent who qualified 39th. The top five in both divisions were locked in with the remaining forced to run heats and consolations. SK type heat winners were Steven Reed and Ted Christopher. Among those who had problems was Woody Pitkat who hit a ton on the front chute during the second heat. Tour type heat winners were James Civali, Eric Beers and Les Hinkley.

The action was hot and heavy on Saturday with consi’s, non-qualifiers and main events. Two Tour type consis were run with the top two transferring to the feature. Earl Paules won the first one with Jamie Tomaino, second. Doug Coby won the second one with Keith Rocco, second. Danny Bohn was the tour type Modified non-qualifier winner.

Matt Hirschman won the 50 lap SK type Modified race over Doug Coby, Ted Christopher, Steven Reed and Ron Silk. Sixth through tenth were Rowan Pennink, Rick Kluth, Keith Rocco, Ron Yuhas, Jr and Shaun Carrig. Ryan Preece, who had led since a lap 34 restart, spun on lap 43 while fighting to hold off Hirschman. Preece ended up 13th at the finish.

Burt Myers won the 125 lap North-South Shootout which had to be classified as a wreck fest. Myers, who started fourth, took the lead after Matt Hirschman blew a tire while in the lead on lap 7. Hirschman’s blown tire was the apparent result of contact with Chuck Hossfeld. Hossfeld led the opening green and was moved up to the loose stuff by Hirschman. Hossfeldt suffered enough damage to put him out for the day. He was credited with the 30th finishing position. The race, which took close to 1-3/4 hours to run, was slowed by nine caution periods and two red flag periods. Rowan Pennink continued his string of fine performances as he finished second. Doug Coby spun on lap 70 and came back to finish third. Hirschman ended up fourth. Rounding out the top five with one of his best runs in quite a while was Jamie Tomaino. Sixth through tenth were George Brunnhoetzl, III, Eric Goodale, Jimmy Zacharias, Pete Brittain and Anthony Sesely. Among the non-finishers was Ted Christopher. Christopher finished 25th after a confrontation with JR Bertuccio. As the pair were facing nose-to-nose Bertuccio signaled the former National Champion with his middle finger. Christopher gave him a wave as he drove to the pits.

Word came from Florida that the Daytona International Speedway and the New Smyrna Speedway will alter their schedules so as not to conflict with Super Bowl XLIV. The Daytona Int. Speedway announced that their annual Daytona 500 qualifying session, usually held the Sunday before the 500 will be moved up a day to Saturday, Feb 6. The Daytona 500 will be run on Sunday, Feb 14. The New Smyrna Speedway which will host the 44th annual World Series of Asphalt Racing from Feb 5 through Feb 13 will alter its starting time on Feb7 to 4:00pm and will host a giant Super Bowl Party for race fans and competitors later in the evening.

In New England on Friday, November 6 was the US Marshall’s Public Auction of seized race cars, parts, engines, trailers and tractors that were part of the Mystique Motorsports Race Team that was owned by Jim Gallante who was convicted of Federal charges. The cars were built by Barry Kuhnell and driven by Ted Christopher. According to Jerry Pearl the sale drew a goodly amount of interested buyers including Mike Christopher who was acting in behalf of his brother Ted who was at the North-South Shootout. Pearl stated that Christopher bought three SK Modified cars and a Mod Tour type chassis. He also stated that Mike Smeriglio and Sly Szaban each bought Tour type cars.

In NASCAR Sprint Cup action Kurt Busch won at the Texas Motor Speedway after he passed brother Kyle with 2 1/2 laps to go. The younger Busch’s quest to become the first driver to win all three of NASCAR’s national series on the same weekend ended when his No. 18 Toyota ran out of fuel. Kyle Busch, who had already won the Nationwide and Camping World Truck races at Texas, had led 232 laps Sunday until he suddenly slowed on the backstretch on lap 332 of 334. Kurt Busch’s 20th career victory came with an average speed of 147.137 mph and by a nearly 26-second margin over second-place Denny Hamlin. Matt Kenseth was third. Jimmie Johnson had hoped to clinch the series title but ended up in 38th spot. Coming out of Turn 2 on the third lap, Sam Hornish got loose after being tapped by David Reutimann. Hornish made contact with Johnson, who scraped the outside wall. It looked as if Johnson might save his car before he was hit again by Hornish, then slammed into the inside wall. Jeff Gordon, another Hendrick driver who is third in points, finished 13th after avoiding serious problems of his own. He cut his points deficit to Johnson from 192 to 112, though he lost ground on Mark Martin.

Based on scans from television cameras there were numerous empty seats at the Texas Speedway.

Ten years ago in 2014, NASCAR released the final point standings for the Whelen Modified Tour Series for the 2014 season. Thirteen events were run. Doug Coby with 511 points took the series championship over Ryan Preece by 22 points. Justin Bonsignore finished in third spot with 484 points, five points behind Preece. Ron Silk and Ted Christopher rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Bobby Santos, Eric Goodale, Timmy Solomito, Woody Pitkat and Patrick Emerling. Fifty one different drivers were in competition. Justin Bonsignore and Bobby Santos were the big winners with three victories each to their credit. Other winners were Preece and Pitkat, two each along with Coby, Goodale and Tommy Barrett who had one each.

Eleventh through 20th include Don Lia, Barrett, Matt Hirschman, Glen Reen, Jamie Tomaino, Rowan Pennink, Wade Cole, Gary McDonald, Ron Yuhas Jr and Dave Salzarulo. Fifteen of the top 20 competitors ran the entire series.

While the speedways in the north are quiet there was action south of the Mason-Dixon line where Burt Myers scored another win. After winning four of the final seven NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races of the 2014 season, Myers earned his second KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series feature win of the year Saturday night at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, North Carolina. The win gave Myers five wins in his last nine touring Modified series starts and cemented his place as the current top dog for Southern Modified racing.

Fifteen-year-old Modified rookie Spencer Davis, driving the Hillbilly 79, took the lead on lap four and led through the leaders’ pit stops at lap 66. Although Bobby Sheffield beat Davis off pit road, Davis led the restart lap and continued to show the way until a right-front tire went down on lap 88. Zach Brewer finished second with Jason Myers, third.

In NASCAR Sprint Cup action, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his fourth race of the season on Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway in an emotional victory a week after he was eliminated from the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Jeff Gordon finished second, giving Hendrick Motorsports a 1-2 finish on the 10-year anniversary weekend of the fatal plane crash that killed 10 people on their way to the speedway.

Dirt tracker Brett Hearne picked up his 11th career Eastern States 200 big-block modified victory at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY, his third in a row. Hearn made a clean sweep during Eastern States Weekend, fast timing Friday with a lap time of 20.763 and winning Saturday’s 358-Modified feature race. He started Sunday’s Super DIRTcar Series event on the pole, with Tim Hindley on the outside pole. At the green flag, Hearn took the lead, but it was Stewart Friesen who cruised to second over Hindley.

Five years ago, in 2019, The Tri-Track Modified Series was the headline event in New England Named the Haunted Hundred at the Seekonk Speedway the event drew 38 cars which were in competition for 26 starting spots. Heat winners were Derek Robie over Kirk Alexander in the first qualifier, Ron Williams over Keith Rocco and Matt Hirschman in the second heat, Matt Galko over Les Hinkley in the third heat and Chase Dowling over Woody Pitkat in the fourth heat. During the running of the heat Races there was accidents that took some of the mods out of action. The most severe was Mike Holdridge whose modified had its roof cut off in order to safely extract him from the car. Coming out of turn four his car went over the tires of another mod and he was propelled in the air into the turn four wall. Holdridge was conscience after the incident, but as a precaution track crew selected to take him out of the car gingerly and get him to the ambulance to be evaluated. Holdridge did complain about his back being sore. Holdredge was transported to the Rhode Island Hospital in near-by Providence where it was determined that his sternum was fractured and doctors were trying to find out the severity of his back fracture. He was put in a back brace..Brian Robie and Richard Savory finished one-two in the consi.

A re-draw of the qualified cars saw Woody Pitkat picking the pole with Matt Galko picking the outside spot. Picking third was Les Hinkley with Chris Pasteryak and Matt Hirschman rounding out the top five.

The Haunted Hundred was Matt Hirschman’s race to win or lose. After a spirited battle with Ron Silk Hirschman crossed the finish line first while Silk was sitting stalled after being bonsaied by Hirschman. Race officials made the decision that Hirschman had deliberately caused Silk to spin out and stripped him of the win, placing him last on the lead lap. Chase Dowling, who was running fourth behind the two leaders was awarded the win. Collateral damage included third place Matt Swanson and fifth place running Ronnie Williams.

The Haunted Hundred Tri-Track finale got the green as the sun was setting at 5:15pm. Pitkat jumped out in the lead and was followed by Pasteryak and Galko. The first caution flew on lap 1 when Andy Jankowiak and Kirk Alexander spun in turn one. Pasteryak inherited the lead when Pitkat’s car stalled and he was towed to the pit. The second caution flew on lap 44 when Joey Muccicarro stopped on the track. Pasteryak pitted and Hirschman inherited the lead. The third caution was displayed on lap 45 when Derek Robbie suffered a broken steering box. At the half way mark Hirschman had the lead and was followed by Ronnie Williams and Matt Swanson.

The fourth caution flew on lap 53 when Joey Cipriano stopped on the track near the pit entrance. The fifth caution came onlap 67 for Calvin Carroll who spun on the front chute. When the field went back to green Matt Swanson moved into the second spot. By lap 75 Silk was on the move as be broke into the top five. The sixth caution was for Pasteryak who spun on the back chute. Derek Robbie spun near the pit entrance on lap 85 bringing out the seventh caution. When the field went bac to green Hirschman was in the lead and was followed by Swanson and Silk. Russ Hersey brought out caution no. 8 when he spun on the front chute. On the restart, Silk moved by Swanson and took over the second spot. The ninth and final caution flew on lap 90 when Les Hinkley hit the wall in turn one.

With ten to go the stage was set for an epic battle between Hirschman and Silk. Silk went under Hirschman between turns one and two to take the lead. As theywent between turns three and four Hirschman was in the grass, came up and took Silk out. Chase Dowling was awarded the win after Hirschman was disqualified. Keith Rocco ended up second with Jankowiak, third. Tommy Barrett and Matt Galko rounded out the top five. Richard Savory, Chris Pasteryak, Dylan Izzo, Mike Gervais and Jon Kievman rounded out the top ten. Swanson ended up 19th and Williams, 20th. Williams was awarded the 2019 series championship.

Matt Hirschman made the following statement on Sunday morning. “After watching the video I would like to release a statement in regards to the finish of yesterday’s Tri-Track event at Seekonk Speedway. Upon taking the white flag when I rolled out of the throttle entering turn 1. The 50 of Ron Silk came to my inside and we made side to side contact. With less than a lap to go in the heat of the moment I drove into turn 3 across the curb, left sides through the grass and into the side of the 50. Unfortunately, he spun and others received damage in the process. For this I apologize to all involved. As a result, I was disqualified, and this reflects poorly on myself and our team. In my racing career I have been on both ends of situations like this and all I can say is I hate being on this end even more than the other. I will learn from this and try to do better next time.”

In companion races Derek Gluchacki of N. Dartmouth, MA, took down his first career late Model win at Seekonk Speedway in spectacular fashion. Mike Hopkins, of Herman, ME, was victorious in Pro All Star Series (PASS) North competition with DJ Shaw of Center Conway, NH, winning his second straight Series championship.

In some promising news, Steve Barrick of Area Auto Racing News, America’s No, 1 Racing Newspaper, says that Bruce Bemer, owner of the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, has put a halt on construction at the Connecticut shoreline oval for now but intends to resume work next year. According to a source, all necessary permits have been approved by the town of Waterford with the hope that racing will resume in 2020.

In a non related manner, Barrick also stated that Race of Championship drivers Tyler Rypkema and Andy Jankowiak have indicated a preference for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series in 2020 over the New York state based Race of Champions Series.

The Riverhead Raceway on Long Island is getting a leg up on the 2020 season as they are doing numerous upgrades on the Eastern Long Island speedway. After repaving turns three and four last year the management is finishing paving turns one and two. It is expected that Riverhead will again host two Whelen Modified Tour series events in 2020.

Brad Lafontaine’s business, Northeast Race Cars & Parts, had become an institution of the Northeast short track racing scene. At the Seekonk Speedway Lafontaine worked his final race as the owner of Northeast Race Cars & Parts at Saturday’s Haunted Hundred at Seekonk Speedway.

Lafontaine told RaceDayCT that he was selling the business he began in 1992 to longtime local racing crew member Shane Hopkins. Lafontaine, who has kept the transaction mostly under wraps, said the sale is expected to be finalized by Nov. 1.

“It’s kind of fitting I guess,” Lafontaine said of working his last race as the owner of the business at Seekonk. “I started here and I’m ending here. I’ve got mixed feelings about getting out of the business and all that, but the time comes and you have to make a decision. I’ve got other things going on. I’ve got an auto recycling yard, I’ve got a big snow plowing business, I’ve got apartment houses. I’ve got a lot of stuff going on all the time, so it makes it tough. The stuff here, you’ve got to watch it, you’ve got to be around.”

Lafontaine, who is renowned locally as a car builder and former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour crew chief, will be inducted into the NEAR New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Nov. 10.

Martin Truex earned a spot in NASCAR’s championship race for the third consecutive year with a dominating Sunday victory at Martinsville Speedway. Truex led 464 of the 500 laps in becoming the first driver to claim a spot in the Nov. 17 title-race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It marked the most laps led by a winner since Kyle Petty led 484 laps in 1992 at Rockingham.

There were just three lead changes, and Truex controlled the event from the first round of pit stops, when he beat Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin back onto the track for the lead. He was hardly challenged at all and his Toyota coasted to his first career victory at NASCAR’s shortest track.

Brian France is now far removed from management end of NASCAR and the sport itself, his departure from the family business becoming officially on Friday, Oct 18 when NASCAR and sister company International Speedway Corp. merged into one organization with NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France continuing in the same role.

ISC chief executive Lesa France Kennedy was named executive chair and NASCAR president Steve Phelps tabbed president in charge of overseeing day-to- day operations of the merged companies.

Brian France, who stepped away as CEO of NASCAR following his August 2018 drunken-driving arrest, is not named in the new leadership structure.

Jim France has said very little publicly since replacing his nephew nearly 15 months ago and he leaves it to Phelps to talk about the future of NASCAR. But it is no coincidence that business has been rolling since Brian France stepped down and his uncle steadied a seemingly sinking ship. Booming might be a stretch, but things are happening behind the scenes at a markedly improved pace that has benefited the product.

A new rules package was rolled out this year designed to make the racing better, and although it has received mixed reviews, the on-track action is better than it has been the past several seasons.

Work continues to be done on the “Next Gen” car scheduled to be introduced in 2021; the car is intended to reduce costs, in large part via common parts from approved vendors, which will shrink the required workforce and tighten many loopholes for creativity and innovation.

The hard work is in keeping older fans, attracting new ones and marketing NASCAR, particularly its playoffs, as can’t-miss-viewing. Those who have watched through the first two rounds have seen an intense and sometimes heated scramble for points and positions as no driver has emerged as the clear favorite.

Last year, 2023, The New London Waterford Speedbowl was the scene of the Tri-Track Modified Series and the American Canadian Tour last weekend. Originally scheduled for Saturday the event was postponed until Sunday because of a bad forecast. The Haunted Hundred card included the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Constantine Paving & Sealing 100, a 100-lap American Canadian Tour feature, a 50-lap SK Light Modified feature and a 50-lap Open Street Stock event.

Matt Hirschman went into the Tri-Track event leading the point standings with a 10 point advantage over Woody Pitkat. Matt Swanson sits in third spot with Ronnie Williams and Richard Savory rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Chris Pasteryak, Bryan Narducci, Kyle Bonsignore, Jake Johnson and Les Hinckley. The Tri-Track winds up their season on Saturday, Oct 28 at the Stafford Motor Speedway.

The Speedbowl pit area was jammed 129 cars including 49 ACT Late Models, 41 Monaco Modifieds, 21 SK Lights and 18 Street Stocks. A somewhat light grandstand and a very healthy back gate witnessed the event. The first of the main events took the green as the sun was going down at 5:55pm. The temp was 58 degrees.

It took a little over one hour to run the 100 lap ACT feature. DJ Shaw took the win and the championship. Alexandre Tardif and Nick Cusack rounded out the top three.

Next up was the SK Light 50 Evan Bourgeois staged a spirited battle with Meghen Fuller for top honors. John O’Sullivan finished third.

With the precision of a surgeon’s hands Matt Hirschman shot by Jake Johnson in turn 2 following a restart on lap 32. Never looking back, Hirschman fought off the charges of Stephen Kopcik as he scored a convincing win in what was the beginning of a busy week for the Pennsylvania driver. In victory lane he stated that he and his team would be heading to Martinsville Va for the season ending Whelen Modified Tour Series event on Thursday night then back to Connecticut for the Stafford Motor Speedway Fall Final season ending Tri-Track Modified Series event on Saturday.

Hirschman started sixth. As a man with a mission, he slipped into fourth spot by lap 3. By lap 25 he was third as Jake Johnson had taken over the lead. Following a restart on lap 26 Hirschman shot by Cory DiMatteo for the second spot. Stephen Kopcik finished second with Ron Williams, third. Williams started 12th. Johnson finished fourth with Anthony Noscella, fifth. Sixth thru tenth included Matt Swanson, Keith Rocco, Max Zachem, George Bessette Jr and Chris Pasteryak.

The 100 lapper started at 8:09pm and ended at 9:36. Numerous cautions slowed the event. The first caution came on lap 26 when Les Hinkley stopped in turn four. The second caution flew on lap32 when Bryan Narducci got tagged by Eric Berndt on the front chute. Narducci ended up in a cippy hole in the turn one area, hopelessly stuck in the mud, needing a tow. The next caution came on lap 34 when DiMatteo stopped in turn four. Narducci brought out another yellow when he spun in turn two on lap 55. A big wreck on lap 56 with seven cars brought out the red. Among those collected were David Arute, Tommy Barrett, Eric Berndt and Matt Swanson. Narducci was involved in another crash on lap 60. After spinning on the backstretch Narducci sat stalled as Matt Kimball flew over and ended up on the fence. The final yellow came on lap 84 for a tangle between DiMatteo and Robie in turn four.

By the time victory lane ceremonies were done the grandstands had emptied and less than fifty fans remained to watch the street stocks. Ryan Lineham won the 50-lap Street Stock Open feature. Corey Fanning finished second.

In NASCAR Cup racing, Christopher Bell rallied from a frustrating race start to lead the final 16 laps of Sunday‘s 4EVER 400 presented by Mobil 1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to earn a second straight appearance in the Championship 4. Ryan Preece finished 13th on the lead lap.

According to a news release from NASCAR, the Whelen Modified Tour plans to carry on a new schedule tradition by opening mere miles from the birthplace of NASCAR and finishing at one of its most historic tracks as the 16 race dates on the 2024 schedule was announced on Friday, October 20, 2023. For the third consecutive year, the Tour will open at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida as part of the track’s “World Series of Asphalt Stock Cars Racing” during NASCAR’s Speedweeks, racing under the lights on Saturday, February 10. The 66th running of the DAYTONA 500 at nearby Daytona International Speedway then takes place a week later to conclude the opening week of NASCAR action.

Martinsville Speedway will again host the season finale in 2024. The race on the Virginia short track moves to a weekend date on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Richmond Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway return to the schedule as companion events alongside NASCAR national series race weekend. Richmond will remain the second race of the season on Friday, March 29, while New Hampshire holds a mid-summer Saturday, June 22, date.

North Wilkesboro Speedway joined the Tour’s schedule for the 2023 season and returns for the second straight year in 2024 on Saturday, Oct. 5. Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (Connecticut) will host a trio of marquee events during the 2024 season, starting off with a Sunday, April 7, event during the 50th Icebreaker Weekend. The Tour will return for a Wednesday night mid-summer classic on Aug. 14, before a third and final visit on Sunday, Oct. 13, during the World Series of Speedway Racing.

Another stalwart on the schedule, Riverhead Raceway, will host a pair of key races for the Whelen Modified Tour, starting with a Saturday, May 18, race in the spring. They will then host a Saturday, September 14, even that will continue to pay tribute to late track owner and team owner Eddie Partridge. Riverhead stands as track that has been the longest continuous host of the Whelen Modified Tour since coming on board in 1985. Although scheduled to hold a race in 2020, the pandemic prevented the race from taking place.

Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire, will continue to build upon their schedule of races under JDV Productions, as they are slated for three dates in 2024 – Saturday, May 4; Saturday, July 20; and Saturday, Sept. 21. Also included is the Lancaster Motorplex (New York) – formerly known as New York International Raceway Park – that returns to the schedule for the third time, and second straight, with a Saturday, August 3, race, Seekonk Speedway (Massachusetts) returns to the 2024 schedule with a Saturday, June 1, event and Oswego Speedway (New York) rounds out the schedule with a Saturday, Aug. 31, race.

“We have seen over the past two seasons how exciting it has been for our fans and competitors to open at New Smyrna and finish at Martinsville,” said Jimmy Wilson, Senior Director, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. “The mix of tracks on the schedule pays tribute to the Tour’s roots and sets up a competitive season from start to finish, demonstrated by how once again this year our fans are going to see the Whelen Modified Tour title decided at the finale.” “There are so many great tracks in the Northeast that provide exceptional racing and close proximity to home for our teams,” added Wilson. “These tracks, and their fans, are truly at the heart of what is great about Modified racing in the Northeast.”

On a sad note engine builder Ron Hutter has passed away. Hutter built some of the most potent engines ever seen in the Whelen Modified Tour Series. Among his many customers was Richie Evans who used Hutter built engines extensively. Ron Hutter was a well-known name in the racing industry. He had been associated with the industry for over 30 years and had won 10 national championships 1. Ron Hutter was born in Chardon, Ohio, and his sons, Matt and Trevor, later founded Hutter Performance in Chardon, Ohio, in 2003. Hutter Performance is a performance shop that specializes in Chevrolet, Corvette, Camaro/Firebird, GTO, GM Trucks/SUV, Mustang, Pontiac G8 & Trailblazer SS engines.

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).