Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERL, RI – Forty years ago in 1984, Dale Earnhardt won the Winston Cup event at Atlanta.
On November 9, Jack Arute stated that most of the Stafford “Officials Team” would be running the show at Waterford during the tenure of his lease. Arute also unveiled plans to move the pit “On Gate” to the turn four area.
Thirty years ago in 1994, Greg Sacks was the pole sitter at Atlanta but Mark Martin was the eventual winner in the season ending Winston Cup event. Dale Earnhardt won the series championship. Rusty Wallace lost second spot in points after he ran over debris from a fiery crash that involved Geoff Bodine. Hoosier Tire announced that they were dropping out of Winston Cup and Busch Grandnational racing and Martinsville Speedway announced that they were dropping the Busch Grandnational series from their schedule for 1995. On November 15, George Korteweg ended his tenure as track operator and promoter at the Waterford Speedbowl as he announced that he had sold his interest in the track to the Waterford Sports Center, owners of the property. Korteweg was responsible for the repaving of the track and new lighting.
Twenty five years ago in 1999, Ted Christopher was the New Smyrna track champion. Jerry Marquis quietly showed his skills as he won the SK Modified championship at Stafford as well as the Northeast Regional title of the Winston Racing Series. Ricky Miller won the last ever-modified championship at Riverside Park and Frank Vigliarolo won the title at Riverhead. Dennis Gada was the mod champ at Waterford. Jay Stuart was the late model king and Moose Douton was the Strictly Stock champ. Todd Ceravolo took the SK title at Thompson and at Seekonk it was Rick Martin. Tony Hirschman was the Featherlite Modified Tour champion after beginning the year with out a ride. Brad Leighton was the Busch North Series champ and in the Busch South division it was Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Jarrett was the Winston Cup champ and Tony Stewart was awarded Rookee of the Year.
Twenty years ago in 2004, Eric Beers was the Modified Champion at the World Series in New Smyrna. Ted Christopher was the SK Modified Champion at Stafford. Ryan Posocco was the Late Model Champ. At Thompson it was Todd Ceravolo taking the Sunoco SK type Modified Championship. Corey Hutchings was the Late Model Champ and David Berghman was the Pro Stock Champ. Hutchings was also the Late Model Champion at Waterford where Ed Reed Jr. dethroned Dennis Gada for the championship. Keith Rocco was the Sportsman Champion. Tony Hirschman was the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour Series champion and Andy Santerre was the Busch North Series Champion. Tom Rogers was the Modified Champion at Riverhead and ageless veteran Dave Lape was the Champion at the Fonda Speedway. Kurt Busch was the NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion and Martin Truex Jr. was the NASCAR Busch Series champion.
Fifteen years ago in 2009, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series was part of the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala in Concord, N.C. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at which Donny Lia and the rest of the touring series champions were honored. The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Gala featured the champions and top drivers from all of NASCAR’s North American regional touring series including invitees from the NASCAR Camping World Series East, the NASCAR Camping World Series West, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
NASCAR champions Jason Bowles (Camping World Series West), George Brunnhoelzl III (Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Donny Lia (Whelen Modified Tour, Philip Morris (Whelen All-American Series), Andrew Ranger (Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1) and Ryan Truex (Camping World Series East) were honored at the end of the week during awards ceremonies at the Concord Convention Center.
In a somewhat related matter, Keith Rocco was released as the driver for Eddie Partridge Racing.
NASCAR also announced that they were working on final details of televised coverage of a select number of Whelen Modified races with Versus and SPEED.
Now that the Waterford Speedbowl property owner Terry Eames (1080 Hartford Road LLC) was protected against foreclosure by a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition some interesting questions and facts had come to light. A New London Connecticut Attorney who represented a mortgage holder in another matter stated that at least three petitioners are required to force an entity into Chapter 11 rather than the sole petitioner, Rocco Arbitell, in this case. He also alluded to the fact that a petition for Chapter 11may be deemed frivolous if it is clear on the date of filing there was no reasonable likelihood that the debtor intended to reorganize and no reasonable probability that it would eventually emerge from bankruptcy proceedings. The lawyer also added that he felt the intent of the last minute filing was done to frustrate Arbitell’s efforts to exercise his rights and foreclose on the mortgage that he holds. Arbitell had another option. He could petition the court to dismiss the Chapter 11 petition and have it converted into a Chapter 7 bankruptcy which would call for the immediate liquidation of all assets that come under 1080 Hartford’s holdings.
The True Value Modified Racing Series concluded their 2009 season when they crowned Jon McKennedy the 2009 series champion. McKennedy scored four wins in 2009 (Twin State, Seekonk, Oxford Plains and Beech Ridge), paving the way to his first series title. McKennedy held off a late-season charge by veteran driver Rob Goodenough to capture the title by a 15-point margin.
In some sad news it was announced by Kevin Rice of the Area Auto Racing News that True Value Hardware had decided not to renew their sponsorship for 2010. Series founder Jack Bateman felt confidant that a new title sponsor for the series would be found. The True Value Series had become a legitimate alternative to “Tour Type Modified Racing” for both competitors and promoters. Plans for 2010 were already in motion with a maximum of 18 races to be run included a spring event on April 10 at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY.
Series officials deemed the 2009 season a big success. Seventh-three racers competed with the TVMRS in 2009. In 15 races, 12 different drivers were victorious.
Carl Edwards rolled to a dominating win at Phoenix International Speedway that temporarily staved off Kyle Busch’s bid to clinch the Nationwide Series title. Busch spun his Toyota eight laps into the race, suffered heavy damage when he hit the wall, and had to battle to a ninth-place finish.
In Sprint Cup action Jimmie Johnson cruised to a dominating victory Sunday that moved him to the edge of history, winning the fourth race of this Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in what his rivals considered a “statement” showing. His win at Phoenix – Johnson’s fourth in the last five races here, and seventh victory of the season, stretched his lead to 108 points over Martin heading into the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Ten years ago in 2014, Bruce Beamer, a petroleum company owner from Glastonbury, Ct was the high bidder in the foreclosure sale of the Waterford Speedbowl. The 60 year old gentleman bid $1.75 Million and once all the papers are signed will be the new owner of the property. Until then, the present ownership remains in place. Beamer told Area Auto Racing News that the sale still has to be approved by the court. He said, “before the court can consider the sale it must schedule a date on its docket. No date has been scheduled as yet”. He added as he spoke to AARN reporter Steve Barrick, the court come back and say the offer was not high enough or that other possible bidders were not included” He also told AARN that because of the uncertainty on many fronts he is making no commitments to potential hires.
If and when the deal is consummated Beamer feels that some safety issues need to be addressed. He also feels that some “fence mending” will be needed with aggrieved competitors and creditors.
Internet racing news site RaceDayCt broke the news that approval of the foreclosure sale of the Waterford Speedbowl to Glastonbury businessman Bruce Bemer was delayed on Monday, Nov 3 by New London Superior Court judge Emmet Cosgrove.
An objection to the sale was filed with the court by creditor Edward DeMuzzio and his company CCI Inc. De Muzzio sells computers and has a pizza parlor in New London. In the objection, DeMuzzio alleges that there was collusion between creditors Rocco Arbitell, Peter Borelli, Theodore Parker and Shawn Parker to keep the bidding price low for the auction. They also argued that the property should have been better marketed to attract a higher bid in favor of creditors to realize returns on their debts.
DeMuzzio’s attorney, Michael Bonnano argued Monday to Cosgrove that the property could have been advertised better and targeted more toward commercial developers and that the property’s value would be higher as an industrially developed parcel rather than as a racetrack.
What actually happened was that Terry Eames failed to honor the bankruptcy agreement by not allowing an auditor or receiver handle funds and records for the trustee of the court. Not only that, But Eames didn’t pay the Attorney he hired for the bankruptcy, And the attorney promptly filed a lien against the speedbowl property. Eames bankruptcy was dismissed due to those issues. Its important to know the truth as most reading this assume Eames followed thru on the bankruptcy, When in fact he did not. If he had followed thru or at least attempted to do so, The sale would not have taken place as the creditors would all be getting steady payments from the courts trustee. Also Eames could have had the option of filing bankruptcy again to stave off a sale but was not allowed to do so as an option without a large cash bond, plus paying the committee of sale fees prior to the most recent auction. All these facts are on the Ct Judicial and Federal websites.
NASCAR has announced that Keith Rocco is officially the Connecticut state NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion. Rocco now has 10 career track championships between the three Connecticut ovals. Rocco’s seventh state title was earned with 16 wins, 35 top fives and an additional five top 10s in 46 starts between the Connecticut short-track triangle of Waterford Speedbowl, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and Stafford Motor Speedway.
En route to the latest Connecticut crown, Rocco also took home a fourth career track championship at the .375-mile oval in Waterford out of the SK Modified division. He went back-to-back there for the second time, having won his first two titles there in 2010-11.
Rocco registered 11 wins in 23 SK Modified starts at Waterford and breezed to the title by a whopping 250 points behind the wheel of his No. 88 Mr. Rooter/FMR/D&G Paving Chevrolet co-owned by Vin Beedle. He also earned Waterford’s Whelen All-American Series Division II late model division crown for the second year in a row with 11 victories in 21 races.
The accomplishments have accumulated enough that Rocco’s 65 career SK Modified wins are now a division record. He’s also on the verge of breaking the all-time feature wins record at Waterford, which has been in operation since 1951. Phil Rondeau holds the mark at 106 and Rocco will enter 2015 with 103.
Despite the fact that the 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season was over much is happening behind the scenes. Prior to the season ending Thompson Speedway World Series Ron Silk and car owner Eddie Partridge announced that they were parting ways. Ryan Preece, who replaced Mike Stefanik in the Flamingo Motorsports car, won the Fall Final at Stafford and the World Series at Thompson. Before the dust had settled at Thompson Preece announced that he was leaving the Flamingo car and was moving over to the Partridge car. Long Islander Timmy Solomito who had won Rookie of the Year in the Whelen Modifieds announced that he was leaving the Wayne Anderson entry and heading to the Flamingo car. Added to the mix was the announcement by Donny Lia that he was leaving the Bob Garbarino Mystic Missile to “Explore other Options”. It had been rumored but not confirmed that Garbarino is retiring from the sport that he has supported since the early 60’s.
While it was quiet in New England with the exception of the Flea Market at the Thompson Motorsports there was plenty of racing action in the south land at the North-South Shootout that was held at the Caraway Speedway in North Carolina. Originally there had been over 30 Modified entries but because a last minute change eliminated engines with steel cylinder heads the field consisted of 15 Modifieds.
Ryan Preece started off on the right foot with new car owner Eddie Partridge as he scored a second John Blewett III North-South Shootout Modified victory, Preece, who also won the 2012 edition of the North-South Shootout, made his debut in the No. 6 Modified that he will pilot in 2015 on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in strong fashion, pulling away from five-time Shootout winner Matt Hirschman for the 125-lap victory in Sophia, North Carolina.
Preece started on the outside pole, only being bested in Friday’s qualifying by Hirschman. Preece didn’t waste to much time as he took the lead on the fifth lap of the 125 lap event. Preece led until lap 65 when Andy Seuss got underneath him entering turn three. Seuss set up Preece off turn two and completed the pass by diving to the bottom of the Caraway banking in the following corner. Seuss remained in the lead until Hirschman got by on a restart on lap 83.
Preece took the lead back from Hirschman on a restart with 27 laps to go. He started to pull away from Hirschman, but with seven laps to go Hirschman started to close back in. Hirschman gave the bumper to Preece on a couple of occasions, but Preece was able to hold him off to score the win. Ron Silk finished third with Jason Myers and Derek Ramstrom rounding out the top five.
In NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, Jimmie Johnson was the last man standing after a chaotic AAA Texas 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway that left tempers flaring on pit road after the race. While Johnson was celebrating in victory lane, a fight broke out on pit road between Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski and their crews that left both drivers sporting bumps and bruises.
Johnson and Gordon spent most of the race fighting for the lead, with Johnson doing most of the leading. The intensity level got turned up during the final 35 laps when a number of caution flags continued to bunch the field up.
Gordon looked like he had the race won, but with four laps left the caution flag waved yet again after Clint Bowyer bounced his Toyota off the front stretch wall. That set up a green-white-checkered restart with Gordon leading Johnson, Keselowski and Harvick.
During the restart Keselowski got a big run as the field entered turn one and he tried to fill a hole between Gordon and Johnson. That move resulted in Keselowski making contact with Gordon, sending Gordon up the track and out of contention as Johnson and Keselowski fought for the lead.
Johnson and Keselowski stayed side-by-side in a fight for the lead, but behind them Gordon spun as a result of a cut tire from his contact with Keselowski. That brought out the caution flag again, setting up a second green-white-checkered restart.
The second green-white-checkered restart was much calmer as Johnson and Keselowski raced side-by-side for the lead. Coming out of turn four as they raced to the white flag Johnson was able to clear Keselowski, allowing him to pull away and pick up his fourth victory of the season.
Five years ago, in 2019, With the exception of the Big Automotive Flea Market Market at the Thompson Motorsports Speedway it was pretty much all quiet in New England. The management at the Stafford Motor Speedway was putting the final plans together for this weeks 50th annual Awards Banquet. In Jack Arute;s first full year as owner-promoter the awards banquet was held on the second floor of the clubhouse building. Ed Yerrington was the 1970 Modified champion. In later years Yerrington would become first, the NASCAR Chief Steward then the tracks General Manager and Promoter. With the advent of the Norwood Arena dropping the NASCAR Modifieds Arute applied for and was given a Saturday night sanction from NASCAR.
This years 50th Annual Stafford Speedway Champion’s Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday, November 15 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, Ct. Ron Williams became the 6th different driver to have won back to back championships in the SK Modified® division, joining Jerry Pearl (’84-’85), Mike Christopher (’89-’90), Bob Potter (’91-92, ’94-95), Ted Christopher (’00-01), and Rowan Pennink (’15-’16).
Tom Fearn has become synonymous with winning Late Model races and championships at Stafford Speedway. The East Longmeadow, MA native and driver of the #92 King Ward Coach Lines Chevrolet entered the 2019 season with 22 wins and 2 championships from 2016-2018 and added another 8 wins to those totals with a dominant 2019 season that saw him clinch a second consecutive championship and third Late Model championship in the last 4 years.
Teddy Hodgdon was crowned the 2019 SK Light track champion after winning 5 races and holding the point lead for the majority of the season. 5 wins and a championship trophy sounds like a dream ending for Hodgdon but his season was anything but perfect. Hodgdon and the #55 team opened the year with a second place finish and took the point lead for the first time following the May 31st feature event. Hodgdon led the standings for nearly 2 months, but a 20th place finish on July 26 left Hodgdon 4 points behind Steven Chapman. Hodgdon and Chapman would swap the point lead several times during August and at the end of the month, Hodgdon trailed Chapman by 4 points. Hodgdon would go on to win the final 2 races of the season to take the championship by an 18 point margin over Chapman.
Steven Chapman won R.A.D. Auto Machine SK Light Rookie of the Year award. Chapman ended coming up just short of winning the championship in his rookie season and also came up just short of taking down his first career SK Light feature win at Stafford. Chapman logged three second place finishes and one third place finish this season, but heads into the 2020 season still in search of that elusive first Stafford Speedway win.
Other Stafford track champions are Jeremy Lavoie in the Ltd Late Models and Zack Robinson in the Street Stocks. Tickets to the awards banquet are $50 and are on sale now. Tickets can be ordered by calling the track at 860-684-2783 or they can be ordered online at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Evergreen Speedway in Pennsylvania ran a season ending Modified event. Brian Defobo took the 100 lap win over Jerry Hildebrand and Blake Barney. Matt Hirschman was in the field and finished 19th, one lap down.
In other racing action, Tyler Barry son of Kenny Barry and Grandson of Art Barry wrapped up the 2019 INEX Young Lions Road Course Championship at the Atlanta Motorsports Park in Georgia.
According to a news release, “The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company announced the sale of the company and certain subsidiaries, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Productions (IMS Productions), to Penske Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of Penske Corporation.”
Tony George, Chairman of Hulman & Company, Mark Miles, President and CEO of Hulman & Company and Roger Penske, Chairman and Founder of Penske Corporation formally announced the sale at an 11 a.m. news conference on Monday, Nov. 4.
Kevin Harvick won the fall Cup race at Texas for the third year in a row Sunday, again taking one of the championship-contending spots for NASCAR’s season finale. Harvick won from the pole, leading 120 of 334 laps in the No. 4 Ford for Stewart Haas Racing. He took the lead for the seventh and final time on lap 255, and finished 11/2 seconds ahead of teammate Aric Almirola. Daniel Suarez, another Stewart Haas driver who is still unsigned for next season, finished third. Ryan Preece finished 23rd.
Last year, 2023, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series wound up their season at the Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. on Thursday night. The tires on Matt Hirschman’s car hadn’t even cooled off from his Tri-Track victory at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl as he was one of 39 entries on the trailer and heading south to wrap up the WMT season.
Thirty six of the 39 cars entered were on hand. The 3 cars that did not make it to Martinsville Speedway. The #2 of JR Bertuccio and #99 of Jamie Tomaino withdrew. the #26 of Gary McDonald broke an axel on the hauler and could not get it fixed. It was announced that all 36 cars would start the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200. In pre-race practice the top 11 were over 100mph. Patrick Emerling was the fastest at 100.82 mph. Austin Beers, Ryan Preece, Justin Bonsignore and Bryan Narducci rounded out the top five.
Despite the fact that there was a very lean crowd on hand it didn’t take away any of the excitement that was generated for the last round of the season which would determine the Whelen Modified Tour Series championship. Ron Silk and his team led by Phil Moran knew they had to finish ahead of Justin Bonsignore to seal the deal. In the end, Silk finished sixth and Bonsignore finished second, just nine points shy.
On a somewhat chilly night the 36 car field took the green. Tyler Rypkema led the charge into turn one. Before one could blink there was a four car tangle in turn one when Kyle Ebersol, Ken Heagy, Andy Jankowiak, John Shenette and Anthony Sesely spun. All were able to continue except Ebersol who called it a day. The green was displayed on lap 7. Ryan Preece passed Rypkema on the backstretch for the lead. Preece would lead until lap 55 when he pitted for fresh tires during a caution. The second caution actually flew on lap 52 when Dave Sapienza spun on the front stretch. With a quick pitstop Emerling got out on the track in the lead with Matt Hirschman, second. The third caution was displayed after Craig Lutz and Justin Bonsignore got together in turn 2 on lap 65. Among those collected were Sapienza, Austin Beers, Eric Berndt and Burt Myers. The field went green on lap 72 with Emerling still in control with Hirschman, second and Andy Seuss, third.
The fourth caution was triggered by Bryan Narducci who lost it coming off turn 2. Kyle Bonsignore went up and over him. Silk spun but never lost forward motion. Also collected was Eric Goodale and Andrew Krause. Kyle Bonsignore was the only casualty. Green flag racing resumed on lap 78. Emerling continued to lead. Preece was on the march, heading to the front. The fifth caution flew on lap 88 when Brandon Ward spun in turn four. Emerling and Hirschman pitted for tires on lap 89. Preece assumed the lead. Dave Sapienza brought out another caution on lap 112 when he hit the wall in turn two. One lap later Preece pitted for tires. Tommy Catalano assumed the lead as the field went back to green on lap 118. Bobby Labonte, Emerling and Hirschman followed. Caution 7 came on lap 119 when Sesley and Eddie McCarthy spun in turn 4. The green came out on lap 125 with Catalano still leading with Labonte and Hirschman still leading.
Emerling took the lead on lap 127 in turn three as Catalano’s tires gave out as he was fading fast. The 8th caution came on lap 133 when Brandon Ward and Burt Myers spun in turn four. The green flew on lap 137 with Emerling still leading with Preece closing fast. Preece took the lead for the final time on the front stretch on lap 140. The ninth caution came on lap 149 when Craig Lutz found himself in the wall. Racing resumed on lap 154 with Silk and Max Mclaughlin banging wheels. Looking at the big picture, Silk backed off. By lap 162 Preece had opened up a lead of three seconds over Bonsignore. The tenth and final caution came on lap 177 when Sapienza got into Goodale. Both dropped out.
The green was displayed for the final time on lap 182. Preece jumped out, opening up a good lead over Bonsignore. At the finish it was Preece over Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling, Matt Hirschman, Tyler Rypkema, Ron Silk, JB Fortin, Max Mclaughlin, Andrew Krause and Bobby Labonte. Silk was declared the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series Champion.
Once the cars and tools were loaded a caravan led by Matt Hirschman headed north for an overnight trip to Stafford Springs for the Fall Final. It brought back fond memories of years ago when competitors at Martinsville would leave after a Saturday afternoon race, go all night and make it to Stafford or Thompson the next day. Len Boehler had one of the fastest race car haulers at the time. It was a Chevrolet cab and chassis with a bored and stroked 454 engine that would run 115-120mph. There were others! Others doing the triple, Waterford, Martinsville and Stafford, were Bryan Narducci and Eric Berndt.
Fans and competitors were greeted with a sun-drenched day, almost 80deg at Stafford last Saturday for the Monaco Tri-track Fall Final. Thirty seven Modifieds and a near capacity crowd were on hand for the Monaco Tri-Track event. Four qualifying heats were run with Chris Pasteryak, Matt Galko, Matt Hirschman and Marcello Rufrano taking the wins. Two consolations were run for the Tri-Track Mods. Bryan Narducci in the Boehler Ole Blu No.3 took Consi #1 and Mike Christopher Jr in the Jimmy Page #00 took Consi #2.
Todd Owen put a cap on his championship season as he won the 40 lap SK Modified event. Owen started 15th and by lap 14 was in the top five. He took the lead on a restart on lap 28 and never looked back as he went on to score the win. David Arute finished second with Mike Christopher Jr, third. Troy Talman and Anthony Flannery rounded out the top five. Of note is the fact that third generation driver Alexander Pearl made his debut in the SK Modifieds and came from a 29th starting position to finish 15th.
Nick Hovey went pole to pole to win the SK Light non-winners 20 lapper. Sammi Anderson finished second.
The Tri-Track 100 took the green at 5:13pm. Matt Hirschman, who has got to be one of the best long distance racers there is, took the lead in turn three of lap 44 and after that was basically out for a Sunday drive on Saturday afternoon. Hirschman pitted for fresh rubber and re-took the lead from Craig Lutz on lap 52 and was never pressured after that. Ron Silk, who also made the all-night ride from Martinsville, finished second but admitted that he had nothing for the high-flying Hirschman at the end. Matt Galko finished third with Craig Lutz and Woody Pitkat rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Marcello Rufano, Eric Goodale, Stephen Kopcik, Jake Johnson and Bryan Narducci.
Five cautions slowed the event that saw the checkered flag wave at 6:oopm. The first cauton waved on lap 13 when Anthony Bello and David Arute tangled in turn three. Arute restarted and Bello parked it. The second caution came on lap 27 when Arute spun in turn 2. He restarted. Matt Galko was the leader at the time. The third caution flew as the field was attempting to restart but Noah Korner spun in turn 2. The fourth caution was displayed after George Bessette came to a grinding halt on the front stretch wall. He showed his displeasure toward Glen Reen who he felt had driven him up. The fifth and final caution came on lap 47 when Reen spun on the front chute.
The event was the 50th running of the Fall Final. Matt Hirschman also had the distinction of winning the 50th Spring Sizzler. One of the Great Ones for sure, he ranks right up there with Richie Evans, Bugs Stevens, Geoff Bodine, Fred DeSarro, Maynard Troyer, Eddie Flemke, Tony Hirschman and a host of others who are considered to be Stafford’s 50 Greatest Drivers.
While at Martinsville last week, NASCAR celebrated the retirement of two legendary and amazing Whelen Modified Tour officials. Mary and Richard Brooks (Brooksie) have been a part of the tour since 1985. A special couple that will be missed at the track.
In NASCAR Cup racing, during a 168-lap green-flag run to the finish at Martinsville, Ryan Blaney tracked down Aric Almirola and passed him for the lead on Lap 478 of 500. Twenty-two laps later, Blaney took the checkered flag 0.899 seconds ahead of Almirola to earn advancement to the Championship 4 race. Ryan Preece finished 20th, one lap down.
BERGGREN, SQUIER, JOY, ARUTE III TO BE HONORED AT ANNUAL LEGENDS DAY EVENT AT THE NEW ENGLAND RACING MUSEUM IN LOUDON, NH.
Legends Day, the museum’s most important annual event will take place on Sunday November 12th at the New England Racing Museum (922 Rt. 106, Loudon, NH). Headlining will be four national motor racing broadcasters with New England roots. The event will include an honoree panel discussion, permanent banner unveiling and a buffet lunch. New for this year will be a VIP ticket in which you can meet the honorees in a small group setting for a photo opportunity, join a private museum tour led by Dick Berggren and premier seating for the lunch and discussion. The event is supported by Fox Sports and is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum.
Dick Berggren was a fixture on NASCAR television broadcasts from 1981 to 2012 as a pit road reporter and color analyst. Beyond his broadcasting career he served as editor for Stock Car Racing magazine for 23 years. He founded and edited Open Wheel magazine, founded Speedway Illustrated magazine and the New England Racing Museum.
Jack Arute III or also known as “Jackie”, began his broadcasting career in 1972 with the Motor Racing Network. Arute worked as a pit reporter from 1984 to 2009 covering NASCAR and Indycar races. He also served as president of the family-owned and nationally known Stafford Motor Speedway in his home state of Connecticut.
Vermont native Ken Squier was one of NASCAR’s original television broadcasters starting in 1970. He called some of the most historic stock car races in history including the legendary 1979 Daytona 500, the first flag to flag coverage of the “Great American Race”, a moniker he coined. Squier was an on air talent for NASCAR broadcasts until 2000. Locally he is the founder of one of New England’s most successful short tracks, Thunder Road Speedbowl which opened in 1960. Dave Moody will sit in for Squier during the celebration.
Mike Joy began announcing auto races at Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA in 1970. His career as an announcer and broadcaster spans over 50 years. He spent fourteen years with the Motor Racing Network and anchored the first live NASCAR Cup Series telecast on ESPN in 1981 and continues to be lead broadcaster for Fox Sports NASCAR coverage. Joy is a broadcaster, promoter, business executive and sports car racer. Rhode Island native and sportscaster Allen Bestwick will serve as the event emcee.
VIP ticket holders will have early private access to the museum starting at 10am with a private tour starting at 10:30am. They will also have a chance to meet the honorees and emcee Allen Bestwick in a small group setting with photo opportunity. VIP ticket holders will have tabled seating in the front row and sit with the honorees during lunch. All other ticket holders may enter at 11am to view the museums 30+ race cars, motorcycles and artifacts. Buffett lunch and social hour is scheduled for 12:00pm until 1:00pm. Honoree discussion to start at 1:00pm and the event will conclude with a dramatic banner unveiling ceremony.
Only 150 tickets available! The event is likely to sell out so order soon. Price per ticket is $65 for museum members and $80 for non-members. VIP tickets are SOLD OUT. You may purchase your tickets by calling 603-783-0183.
It appears that the Sunoco (SK type) modifieds will not be a part of any racing program at the Thompson Speedway in 2024. Poor car counts was the reason. A competitors meeting will be held in the pit ara classroom on Nov 1 to “Gauge Interest”, discuss divisions and scheduling for 2024. Invited to attend are Mini-Stock competitors/ Limited Sportsman/Street Stocks, Late Models, Pro Stocks/Super Lates, SK Lights and Thompson “Bottle Cap Modifieds”, whatever they are, have been invited. The SK Modified competitors get what the cow left behind after she jumped the fence.
Sorry to hear that Sean Foster is no longer associated with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. The Speedbowl has become a great racing facility, but the owner needs to hire a good PR person who can advertise and get the word out. Until that happens the shoreline oval will never gain the prominence it once had.
The long awaited re-paving of the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina began on Thursday, Oct 26.
Stafford Speedway officials have put the finishing touches on their 2024 racing schedule. 24 events make up the calendar from late April to late September, kicking off with the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler April 27th & 28th and wrapping up at the NAPA Auto Parts Fall September 28th. “We are excited about how the 2024 schedule came together, with a great balance of special events and weekly racing,” explained Stafford CEO Mark Arute. “Our focus continues to be on showcasing our weekly race teams and ensuring our local competitors feel at home every race night.”
NAPA Spring Sizzler® Weekend April 27th & 28th : The 2024 NAPA Spring Sizzler® Weekend will once again be one of the biggest short track events of the year and will feature two separate days of racing. The NAPA Auto Parts Duel, two 40-lap qualifying races, will be held Saturday, April 27th and will set the field for Sunday’s 52nd Spring Sizzler®. Also on the card for Saturday will be the Street Stocks, Limited Late Model, and Late Model divisions. Sunday, April 28th will play host to the highest paying Modified race in the country, the $20,000 to win 52nd running of the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®. The SK Modified®, and SK Light Modified divisions will accompany the Modifieds for a packed afternoon of racing. Race fans will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite drivers at the NAPA Pit Party.
GAF Roofing Modified Masters: New for 2024, the GAF Roofing Modified Masters will be held Wednesday, July 17th. Big prize money will be on the line with Open Modified teams set to battle for a $12,000 to win prize in the 100 lap event. Also on the card that night will be the biggest SK Light Modified race of the year. Dubbed the King of the Crate, SK Light Modified teams will compete in a 40-lap, $2,000 to win event.
Weekly Friday Night Racing: Stafford’s 5 weekly divisions, including SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and Street Stocks, are scheduled to compete Friday nights starting May 10th and running throughout 2024 culminating with the NAPA Auto Parts Champions Night on Friday, September 27th where the season champions will be crowned.
Special Events: Each of Stafford’s 5 weekly divisions will have at least one special event night beginning with the first of two 40-lap SK Light races on Friday, May 24th, presented by Monaco Ford. The second SK Light double down race will be held July 17th with the GAF Modified Masters. Bonuses for the highest average finishes across both 40-lap events will be awarded. Limited Late Models will go an extra 10 laps on June 14th presented by Riley Generators, Street Stocks will run an extra 10 laps on June 28th for the annual Midstate Site Development Firecracker 30, and Paradiso Insurance returns as the presenting sponsor for the Late Model 50 on September 6th.
Stafford’s top weekly division, the SK Modifieds®, will have 3 special events in 2024 including: Senators Cup (50 laps) – June 21st, 11th Annual NAPA SK 5K (111 laps) – August 2nd and the TC 13 SK Modified® Shootout (13 laps) – September 13th.
Open Modified Events: Open Modified racing will continue to be a staple on the Stafford Speedway calendar, with 5 events including one event with the Monaco Modified Series: April 27th & 28th – NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler & Duel, June 7th – Casella Waste Systems Open Modified 80, July 17th – GAF Roofing Modified Masters, August 16th – Lincoln Tech Open Modified 80 and September 28th – NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final (Monaco Modifieds).
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).
