RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail; Stafford’s Champions Rewarded, Merry Christmas & More…
Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Leaf Racewear and Bell Helmets have partnered with Stafford Speedway to honor the 2024 track champions.
All 5 of the weekly track champions will receive a custom firesuit from Leaf Racewear and a new helmet from Bell Helmets.
“We started this program with Bell Helmets a few years back and have been able to provide our champions with some of the most advanced helmets on the market,” explained Stafford Speedway General Manager David Arute. “We’re very excited to add Leaf Racewear to our champions program and be able to provide a custom champions firesuit for each of our track champions.”
Champions Andrew Molleur, SK Modified, Kevin Gambacorta, Late Model Champion, Tyler Chapman, SK Light Modified Champion, Matt Clement, Limited Late Model Champion and Travis Downey, Street Stock Champion will each get to select their helmet type from Bell Helmets. Each Leaf Racewear firesuit will be similar in appearance with track champion and Stafford Speedway along the legs.
With 2024 coming to a close its time to reflect back on some of the good and some of the bad. The good without a doubt is the overall performance of Matt Hirschman. On a regular weekly performance cycle Hirschman was always prepared when his car hit the track. More often than not Hirschman was near or at the front just about every week. Competition came and went but in the end Hirschman came out on top. Like Eddie Flemke did years ago Hirschman studied his competition and it paid off. .In comparison Justin Bonsignore ran a limited schedule but he did it well as he garnered the Whelen Modified Tour Series championship. Ron Silk gave him a run for his money but it wasn’t in the cards. Patrick Emerling came on strong late in the year but it was too little, too late.
On a local, weekly level, Troy Talman had a break out year at both Stafford and at the Thompson speedways with good runs at both speedways. Ditto for Meghan Fuller and Alexandra Fearn. As far as tracks go Stafford and Seekonk lead the way in both condition and operation. Waterford has come a long was but still has a way to go. Thompson has slipped as the facility needs some cosmetic attention.
Coastal 181, Reading For Racers has released their 2024-2025 Holiday Catalog of great books. Among the newer titles is “Lazzaro, the man and his machine”. Lou Lazzaro became one of the Northeast’ most revered drivers of all time. He was equally as good on dirt as he was on asphalt. For many years he raced and won, sometimes three to five times a week at his home tracks, the Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, Fonda Speedway in Fonda, NY and at the Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, New York. Lazzaro was a regular track representative for the All Star League that raced on dirt and asphalt tracks during the late 60’s. The most remarkable thing was that he did it all with the same car. One of his biggest fans believe it or not was Richie Evans. Other great reading in the Coastal 181 catalog include “Ray Everham-Trophies and Scars”, “Bugsy”, “Richie”, “Eddie Flemke” and “The Soul of a Modified” Lenny Boehlers Ole Blue. Call Coastal181 at 877-907-8181.
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).
Champ Trail will take a short break. Will return on January 10th. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
