RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: NASCAR Hall, New Smyrna Kicks Off ’25 & Much More…
Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The season opening NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series event took place at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida this past Saturday night, Feb8.
Starting off the weekend were the NASCAR Hall of Fame inductions in Charlotte, NC where Massachusetts native Ralph Moody was inducted. Moody, a World War II veteran who drove tanks under General George Patton’s command, returned from service to win five NASCAR Cup Series races in 1956-57, it was the late Massachusetts-native’s talent working on cars that established him as one of the sport’s greats.
His mechanical ability combined with John Holman’s business-sense led to one of the most celebrated partnerships in racing history, Holman-Moody Racing.
The Holman-Moody team won back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series championships fielding cars for NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson in 1968-69 and famously won the 1967 Daytona 500 with the legendary driver Mario Andretti.
In all the Holman-Moody team won 96 races and 82 pole positions from 1957-73 with a wide assortment of Hall of Fame drivers from Pearson to Fred Lorenzen, Fireball Roberts and Bobby Allison. Also inducted was AP Sportswriter Mike Harris and Dr. Dean Sicking, the inventor of the Safer Barrier.
The World Series at New Smyrna actually began on Friday with Super Late Models, Sportsman, Pro Late Models and Florida Mods in competition. Waterford Speedbowl competitor Brody Monahan was the top qualifier in the Pro Later Model division. The win went to Hunter Wright after Connor Jones was disqualified for having an illegal carburetor. Monahan finished sixth. Carson Brown was the Super Late Model winner and Brad Bowman was the Florida Modified winner.
The NASCAR Modifieds, 31 strong, took center stage on Saturday night for the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200, with Patrick Emerling scoring the season-opening victory in front of a full house crowd. The win for Emerling is his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at New Smyrna Speedway and his eighth overall. Craig Lutz turned in a strong season-opening run to finish second, while defending NWMT champion Justin Bonsignore bounced back from being a lap down to finish third. Polesitter Luke Baldwin finished fourth and Austin Beers completed the top five. Stephen Kopcik finished sixth and was followed by Eric Goodale, Ryan Newman, Ron Silk and Andrew Krause.
For Emerling it was far from a cake walk. After qualifying 10th he was forced to start last in the 31-car field due to a motor issue before the feature. Pre-race favorite Matt Hirschman started sixth but it just wasn’t his night. Hirschman took the lead at one point but developed an oil leak which basically took him out of contention. Hirschman was credited with a 15th place finish.
Pro Late Models followed the Mods. Spencer Davis took the win. Brody Monahan finished sixth and Anthony Bello finished eighth.
Sunday night at New Smyrna saw the 602 Modifieds in competition with Nick Hovey taking the win. The Pro Late Models saw Hunter Wright take the win. Brody Monahan finished sixth and Anthony Bello finished 16. Cody Strickler was the Florida Modified winner and Cory Hall was the Super Late Model winner.
Coastal 181, Reading For Racers has released their 2024-2025 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).
