RPW Exclusive: Looking Back: Third Week Of February
Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Fifty five years ago in 1970, Pete Hamilton, driving a Petty Superbird, was an upset winner in the Daytona 500.The event was televised on closed circuit TV. Among the first to greet Hamilton in victory lane were Steady Eddie Flemke, Billy Harman and George Pendergast.
Fifty years ago in 1975 the NASCAR Modifieds were part of Daytona speedweeks as they ran a 200-mile event on the 4.1-mile infield road course. Merv Treichler took the win over Fred DeSarro, Jerry Cook, Billy Osmun, Don Flynn and Will Cagle. Bobby Allison and Dick Brooks were the 125-mile qualifying race winners and in the 500 Benny Parsons scored an upset victory after late event leader David Pearson spun out.
Forty five years ago in 1980, Richie Evans continued his win streak at New Smyrna as he won on Monday and Tuesday. After a rain out on Wednesday night, Geoff Bodine who had finished second to Evans the last two times out came back on Thursday night and went on to wrack up three in a row. The final night of competition saw Junior Handley take the series finale over George Kent and Evans. Richie Evans as the overall point leader and was crowned the series champion. Buddy Baker was the Daytona 500 winner and in the process set a record speed of 177.602mph.
Forty years ago in 1985, Reggie Ruggiero made it two in a row on Monday night at New Smyrna. Doug Hewitt finished second and was followed by Charlie Jarzombek, Richie Evans, Jamie Tomaino and Jim Spencer. Evans and Jim Spencer dominated the rest of the week. Evans won on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and just lost out on the series title, which was won by Spencer. At Daytona, Bill Elliot and Cale Yarborough won the 125’s.Geoff Bodine won the Busch Grandnational 300 and Elliot won the 500.
Thirty five years ago in 1990, Tiger Tom Baldwin made it two in a row at New Smyrna as he beat out Tony Jankowiac on Monday night. Jay Hedgecock finished third with Richard Savory, fourth. At Daytona, Darrell Waltrip took the pole for the NAPA 300 with Dale Earnhardt on the outside. At New Smyrna on Tues night, Reggie Ruggerio took the top spot with Jankowiac again second. Hedgecock abandoned New Smyrna and went to Volusia County where he took the top spot over Jim Winks and Tom Bolles. Baldwin also jumped ship but to no avail as he could do no better than ninth. Wednesday night at New Smyrna Reggie Ruggerio was not to be denied as he romped to victory over Jankowiac and Jeff Fuller. Meanwhile over at Volusia, Jim Winks, driving for Ted Marsh took the win over Jerry Cranmer. Jankowiac finally got it all together as he won at New Smyrna on Thursday night. Ruggerio finished a close second but couldn’t muster the little extra needed to take the win. Jeff Fuller won at Volusia over Cranmer and Winks. Ruggerio turned the tables on Friday night as he beat Jankowiac to the stripe for his fourth win of the series. Hedgecock won the series ending Richie Evans 100 on Saturday night. Jankowiac finished second and wrapped up the series title. Dale Earnhardt dominated the entire Daytona 500 on Sunday until it came to the final lap. Going into turn three, he had a tire go down and allowed Derike Cope to take home the win for Bob Witcomb.
Thirty years ago in 1995, It rained at New Smyrna on Monday night. At the Daytona Speedway, Michael Waltrip took the pole for the Goodys 300.Dale Jarrett took the outside pole. Tuesday night at New Smyrna saw a new name in victory lane as Tim Connelly took the win over Mike Ewanitsko and Tom Baldwin. Just to show he was no flash in the pan; Connelly came back and won the next three in a row on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Reggie Ruggerio finished second on Wednesday and was followed by Eric Beers and Ewanitsko. Steve Park finished second on Thursday followed by Ted Christopher and on Friday, Ruggerio was second with Jamie Tomaino, third. At Daytona on Thursday, Sterling Marlin and Dale Earnhardt won the 125’s.The Richie Evans 100 closed out the New Smyrna series on Saturday night. Steve Park took the win over Baldwin, Tom Cravenho and Beers. Connolly finished 14th and wrapped up the series championship. Connolly drove the Bob Fuller No.17. At Daytona, Chad Little came from a 42nd provisional spot to take the win. Steve Grissom, who was leading when Little went by, lifted, triggering a big wreck. Michael Waltrip finished second. Sterling Marlin beat out Dale Earnhardt to win the Daytona 500.
Twenty five years ago in 2000, rain washed out the action at New Smyrna on Monday night. On Tuesday, Ted Christopher picked up where he left off as he recorded his third win of the series. Charlie Pasteryak finished second with Jamie Tomaino and Mike Ewanitsko following. On Wednesday night, Christopher and Mike Ewanitsko in Joe Brady team cars finished one-two. Eric Beers, Jamie Tomaino and Doug French rounded out the top five. Usually the 125-mile Daytona 500-mile qualifiers are the best events of the week at Daytona but in 2000 they produced little competition and no passing, turning the events into a bore. Thursday night at New Smyrna saw Christopher continue his win streak in spite of constant pressure from Jamie Tomaino and Junior Handley. Friday at Daytona saw one of the most violent wrecks ever seen at the 2-1/2 mile oval when Geoff Bodine all but destroyed his truck in a bone jarring wreck that had everyone holding their breath. Bodine suffered a broken wrist and a broken toe plus numerous scrapes. Junior Handley ended Christopher’s win streak on Friday night as he went pole to pole to take the win at New Smyrna over Tomaino, David Berghman, Doug French and Christopher. At Daytona on Saturday, Matt Kenneth won the Busch Grandnational Goodys 300.Christopher and Ewanitsko ran one-two in the Richie Evans Memorial 100.Handley finished third and was followed by Jim Willis, Berghman, George Bock, Eric Beers and Bobby Santos III. Christopher was awarded the series championship. At the Daytona 500, Dale Jarrett passed Johnny Benson with two laps to go to win his third Daytona 500 Jeff Burton finished second with Bill Elliott, third.
Twenty years ago in 2005, after having Sunday night off the Modifieds and SK Modifieds returned to the high banks at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida on Monday night. Ted Christopher led the 22 car starting field to the green in the 25 lap Modified feature. Christopher led the entire distance to record his second win. Don Lia, who had been having handling problems, got it all together and spent the closing moments of the race beating on Christopher’s rear bumper. Christopher sealed his fate when he caught Lia sleeping on a restart with two laps to go. Chuck Hossfeld finished third with Zach Sylvester and Eric Beers rounding out the top five. Among the night’s casualties was Jonothan McKennedy who took a hard shot into the wall just after he finished seventh. His Michael Boehler owned No. 34 sustained considerable damage from the impact and had to be towed from the scene. Tim Arre, driving the Connecticut based Bear Motorsports No.14 continued to have bad luck as he was forced to retire early in the event and ended up in 20th spot. In the SK Modified feature Mike Holdredge was headed for victory until Chris Jones rode him up and out of the racing groove in the closing moments. This incident opened the door to Tim Arre who went on to take the win. The Super Late Models enjoyed a night off.
Ted Christopher scored a one-two punch in World Series action at New Smyrna on Tuesday night as he won not only the Modified feature but the Super Late Model feature as well.. Thirty seven Modifieds including 15 SKs were on hand. It looked like Don Lia had finally shaken off the bad luck that has plagued him in Florida as he took the lead in the Modified 25 lap feature on the first lap from Charlie Pasteryak. His bubble burst on lap 10 when a transmission malfunction forced him out of the event, handing the lead to Christopher. Kevin Goodale had his best run to date in the series as he finished second. Zach Sylvester finished a solid third with Eric Beers, fourth. Riverhead Raceway hot shoe JR Bertuccio replaced Tim Arre in the Bear Motorsports No. 14 and recorded a fifth in his first outing. Chuck Hossfeld finished sixth with Charlie Pasteryak, seventh. Christopher, who is on the cover of the latest issue of Speedway Illustrated, started on the pole and led every lap of the Super Late Model feature. One of the biggest wrecks in the history of the speedway occurred during the event when Ryan Mathews got launched into the catch fence on the front chute when he rode over second place runner David Rogers. After tearing up the catch fence Mathews flipped high in the air and went end over end past the starters stand and landed almost to the entrance of turn one. Mathews escaped with minor bumps and bruises but the event was red-flagged for an extended period while the fence was repaired.
The temperatures and competition heated up last Wednesday night as the Modifieds at New Smyrna went 50 laps. The heat was on as temps hit the low 80’s during the day and Ted Christopher remained hot at night as he made it four out of five in World Series competition. Eddie Flemke and the Hill’s Enterprises team joined the mix as a full field of 24 Modifieds went to post for their first extra distance event. Kevin Goodale, who qualified seventh, drew the pole and led the charge to the green flag. The first caution period of the night came on lap 2 when JR Bertuccio had the misfortune of having his Bear Motorsports No.14 catch fire as he came to a halt on the backstretch. The field no sooner took the green flag when Eddie Flemke came to a grinding halt in turn three. It appeared that Flemke had a right rear tire blow out which turned him into the unforgiving concrete wall. Flemke’s car sustained heavy damage including having the right front suspension torn off. Caution no.3 came on lap five when Goodale got a little over excited while leading the restart and spun. Also collected were Jeff Malave, Andy Seuss and Jonathan McKennedy. Christopher inherited the lead and was untouchable for the rest of the distance as he captured his fourth win of the series. Chuck Hossfeld finished second with Eric Beers, third. Rounding out the top five were Charlie Pasteryak and Curtis Truex JR. Don Lia continued to have problems as his car came to a halt in a cloud of smoke on the 17th lap. Eric Beers was the SK Modified winner with Chris Jones, second.
A new winner emerged in Modified competition on Thursday night as Riverhead, Long Islands’ Kevin Goodale won his first ever Modified feature. Goodale started on the outside of pole sitter Zach Sylvester. Shortly after Sylvester led the charge to the green in the 25 lap feature he spun between turns one and two. Goodale assumed the lead and never looked back as he sprinted to victory ahead of Ted Christopher and Eric Beers. Sylvester restarted in the rear but was never a factor as he finished 12th in the final rundown. Don Lia and Andy Seuss rounded out the top five. Ed Flemke made it back as he finished behind sixth and seventh place finishers Chuck Hossfeld and Charlie Pasteryak. With the exception of a delay caused when a Sportsman car took out 100 feet of fence on the backstretch it was a relatively quiet night. Among the missing were JR Bertuccio and the Bear Motorsports No.14 who called it a week as they were out of motors. Steve Reed was the SK Modified winner over Eric Beers and Dave Michael.
Don Lia, who had less than a satisfying week at New Smyrna, more than made up for it as he won the Friday night Richie Evans Memorial 100. Lia was the top qualifier and started on the pole. Lia was the class of the field until pitting under caution at the half way mark for fresh tires. Chuck Hossfeld, who started second, elected to stay out and assumed the lead with Kevin Goodale in tow. Hossfeld was planning on going non-stop until his tires started giving out shortly after the 75 lap mark. Hossfeld was hoping to hang on but to no avail as he was forced to pit with victory in sight with ten laps to go. Lia had sliced his way to the front and took over the top spot on lap 91 and went on to take the victory. Goodale finished second. Hossfeld made a determined charge after restarting in the rear of the field and managed to salvage a third place finish at the end. Charlie Pasteryak and Curtis Truex Jr. rounded out the top five. Ted Christopher had one problem after another. After starting sixth, Christopher worked his way up to the runner-up spot before he pitted with the leaders at the half way mark. After numerous pit stops the defending Stafford Speedway champ worked his way back to fourth spot only to spin out of contention on lap 97. He ended up 8th in the final rundown. Despite a hard wreck in practice Eddie Flemke had one of the fastest cars in the field. After starting 11th Flemke worked his way into the top five by lap 24 only to tangle with Goodale and spin. After pitting at half way Flemke came back to close in on Jeff Malave who was running fourth at the time and was able to make the pass. Flemke and Lia battled for position. On lap 68 contact was made and Flemke spun to the infield and was hit by Jonathan McKennedy who also hit Zach Sylvester. All three were done for the night. Chris Jones was the SK Modified winner over Steve Reed and Dave Michael.
Chuck Hossfeld won the final battle of the 2005 World Series of Asphalt Modified racing at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida but it was Ted Christopher who won the war as he wrapped up the Modified series championship for himself and car owner Joe Brady. In the night’s 25 lap feature Charlie Pasteryak led the pack to the starting green with Chuck Hossfeld in hot pursuit. Andy Seuss spun on the front chute. Before the caution came out Hossfeld had taken the lead from Pasteryak. Pasteryak got hung out to dry after a gentle nudge by Christopher. By the half way mark Hossfeld continued to lead with Don Lia moving into the runner-up spot. Curtis Truex had been running in second spot but he had gotten shuffled back to fifth spot. Truex’s night came to an end on lap 14 when he hit the turn 2 wall after an encounter with Christopher. Following Hossfeld at the finish were Lia, Eric Beers, Zach Sylvester, Christopher, Kevin Goodale and Pasteryak. Steve Reed was the SK Modified winner. In addition to winning the Modified title Christopher finished fourth in the Super Late Model standings. Louis Mechalides took the Super Late Model title.
Long Island modified driver Kevin Goodale came away from New Smyrna with one of the greatest gifts a driver could ever get, confidence! Prior to the World Series Goodale was just another obscure middle of the pack runner. With a win plus a runner-up finish and a fourth in points Goodale has emerged as a possible top runner once the Whelen Modified Tour begins. Despite winning the Modified championship, his seventh, Ted Christopher went away a little disappointed. In addition to winning four Modified races Christopher won one of the Super Late Model races and was leading the point standings in that division until he was forced to miss the last two events because his team was out of engines. Zach Sylvester went to Florida with a new paint scheme and a somewhat new crew, hoping to get a leg up on the 2005 Whelen Modified Tour season. Sylvester’s best finishes were a third and a couple of fourths. Car owner Tom Sylvester felt confident and believed the week was a learning experience which would give them an advantage once the regular season began. Milford Connecticut’s Chris Jones left New Smyrna with a bloody nose and has vowed never to return. Jones, who was thrown out of Stafford in 2004 because of his antics and over aggression, ran in the SK Modified division at New Smyrna. Jones was leading the point standings and the feature until the final lap on the final night when an explosive situation developed. Jones was obviously blocking second place runner Steve Reed. As they exited turn two Reed made a move under Jones. The pair touched and Jones spun out of the lead. As Reed was slowing down to stop in victory lane Jones walled him in retaliation. It didn’t end there as Jones stormed into the middle of the victory celebration and ended up in a wrestling match with a track official.
While the New England region was getting pounded by yet another snow storm Developer Gene Arganese’s proposal for a zone change to bring a racetrack to Plainfield, CT. was in process. The meeting kept the Planning and Zoning Commission, along with close to 600 residents, at the high school longer than most would have liked. The five-hour hearing ended after midnight when the commission voted to close the public hearing on the proposal. It will discuss the issue March 3. With the public hearing closed, the commission has 65 days to render a decision on Arganese’s second attempt at changing zoning regulations to allow a resort/recreational development (C-5) zone which is needed to construct his proposed enclosed racetrack.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) settled their case against the Daytona International Speedway involving the death of track worker Roy Weaver during the 2004 Dash race. He was on the racetrack surface during a caution period to retrieve debris in Turn 2 of the Speedway. In the future track workers would have written guidelines, hands-on training and a definitive chain of command during racing events as part of a settlement agreement which was arrived at. OSHA withdrew its most serious citation against the track, its failure to have a written protocol for workers stepping onto the track. The track will also train its safety teams at least once a year and strengthen radio communication between the control tower and those on the ground tending to accident situations. A speedway spokesman stated that the track has been training its safety crews but does not have written documents on the subject. It was the first track worker death at the speedway since it opened in 1959. There were 12 additional violations and fines the Speedway did not contest. The Speedway would pay fines which total $4,875 for other minor citations dealt with issues including a security employee without hearing protection and a track worker without a helmet.
Tony Stewart won the Hershey’s Take 5 300 Busch Series race in spectacular fashion. Not only did he avoid trouble on lap 95 when he drove through the grass in Turn 1 and then simply drove right back onto the banking into traffic, but he also came from 17th place in the closing laps for the win on Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway. Kevin Harvick finished second, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., defending series champion Martin Truex Jr. and Kasey Kahne rounding out the top five. Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Reed Sorenson ran with the leaders most of the day and finished ninth. Fellow rookie Carl Edwards (10th place) was the only other NASCAR Busch Series regular to finish in the top 10. Jeff Gordon came out on top to win his third Daytona 500. The four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion grabbed the lead from Dale Earnhardt Jr. with three laps to go, then held off the defending race winner during the final three-lap dash to the finish. For the second year in a row, Tony Stewart led the most laps and was in position to take his first win in the “Great American Race,” but was shuffled back through the pack when Earnhardt passed him with five laps to go, eventually winding up seventh at the finish line. Kurt Busch pressured Gordon as the finish but had to settle for second, while Earnhardt took third. Scott Riggs garnered an impressive fourth-place finish while Gordon’s teammate, Jimmie Johnson, finished fifth.
Fifteen years ago in 2010, Tour type Modified and SK type Modified racing at the New Smyrna World Series continued on Monday night. In Tour type competition Ronnie Silk got the best of Ted Christopher on lap 14 and went on to take the 25 lap win. Christopher finished second and was followed by John Jensen, Kevin Goodale and Rob Fuller. Keith Rocco was the 20 lap SK type feature winner.
The second rain out of the series occurred on Tuesday night. It was announced that Don Lia informed Bob Garbarino that he would not defend his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series title as he had secured a ride in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
On Wednesday night at New Smyrna temperatures were in the low 30’s but emotions and tempers were high. Ted Christopher won the tour type John Blewett III Memorial 50 lapper. Christopher took the lead from Chuck Hossfeld on lap 8 and in the end, held off Ron Silk for the win. Silk was later disqualified in a post race inspection when officials discovered an illegal cam shaft in his “Spec Engine”. Chuck Hossfeld was moved up into second spot. Silks night had only begun as the SK type event would turn ugly. He ended up with the win but it wasn’t pretty as he and Keith Rocco had a race-long conflict that ended with physical violence between two teams. Rocco and Silk tangled in the late stages of the event with Rocco incurring getting the most damage. As tow trucks hooked up the Rocco car he picked up a 2×4 and threw it at Silk, hitting his car just above the window. Rocco’s crew made repairs in time for the restart. Rocco restarted in fourth spot after being waved by cars that were in the rear. On the restart Silk’s engine blubbered as Rocco shot into the lead. The action reached a fever pitch on the white flag lap. With Silk and Rocco on the backstretch, Silk rode him up to the point where he hit the wall. Silk took the checker and pitted after a cool-down lap. Rocco followed him to victory lane where the name-calling turned into a physical confrontation. Track security was forced to Mace some of those including Rocco in order to bring the crowd under control. The end result was that Rocco was escorted off the track and was told that he was done for the week.
Silk returned on Thursday night and came away a double winner as he won both SK type and Mod Tour type events. Silk was unable to get a replacement engine or camshaft. Instead, his crew added 100# to the cars weight. In the tour type feature Silk passed Chuck Hossfeld on lap 9 and ran pretty much uncontested the rest of the 25 lap distance. Hossfeld finished second followed by James Civale and Eric Goodale. Ted Christopher finished 14th after wrecking. Silk went pole to pole in the SK type event.
Friday night’s Richie Evans Memorial 100 was rained out and rescheduled to Saturday night.
The skies were clear and the weather was cold for the Richie Evans Memorial on Saturday night. Matt Hirschman took the lead from James Civali on lap 89 to win the 100 lap contest. Ron Silk, who had been running one of the new spec engines had his crew do an engine change and finished third. Rowan Pennick and Kyle Ebersol rounded out the top five. Ted Christopher finished 14th and wrapped up the series championship by10 points over John Jensen. The SK types did not run. Ron Silk was declared the series champion.
At the Daytona Int. Speedway, Jimmie Johnson won the 1st Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, beating Kevin Harvick by about an inch. Kasey Kahne won the 2nd Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway, beating Tony Stewart by a couple of inches.
Jamie McMurray held off a hard charging Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the last lap of the 2nd green-white-checker try to win the 52nd Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The race ran an extra 8 laps, for 208 laps and 520 miles. The win was McMurray’s 4th of his career and 2nd at Daytona. The race took just over 6 hours to run as there were two lengthy red flag for holes in the turn two area that needed repair. Greg Biffle, who led going in to the 1st green-white-checker, finished 3rd, followed by Clint Bowyer and David Reutimann.
Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series race at Daytona.
Ten years ago in 2015, Ryan Preece was on a mission Monday night at New Smyrna as he wasted little time after the drop of the green of night No.4’s Tour type Modified feature. Preece started third in the 14 car field and as the field completed lap one, shot past Justin Bonsignore for the lead. Try as he might, Bonsignore’s car was no match for the all new Troyer Concept Car that car owner Eddie Partridge had purchased for 2015. Bonsignore finished second after a spirited battle with Chuck Hossfeldt who ended up third. JR Bertuccio and Jimmy Zacharias rounded out the top five. Eddie MacDonald made it two for two as he won the American-Canadian Tour 100. Wayne Helliwell, a two-time ACT champions, used patience throughout the event to make his way to the front and eventually challenge MacDonald on a late restart before settling for a second-place finish. Alex Labbé finished third. Keith Rocco got his new engine and finished 13th. Coming from the rear, Rocco had worked his way into the top five before being slowed by a deflating tire. Jeff Rocco finished 20th.
Rain washed out all racing at New Smyrna on Tuesday night.
In Wednesday night action at New Smyrna, Eddie MacDonald ended up going three for three in American-Canadian Tour competition. The field was inverted and coming from a 17th starting spot was not a problem. MacDonald took the lead after diving under Keith Rocco and Brad Babb in lap 71. Wayne Helliwell, Jr. ended up in second spot with Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., third. Babb and Alex Labb’e rounded out the top five. Rocco finished sixth. Eric Goodale broke the strangle hold that Ryan Preece had on the Modifieds at New Smyrna as he took the win in the John BlewettIII Memorial 76 lap event. Goodale took advantage of Preece’s mis-handling mount with two laps to go as he shot into the lead. At the checker, Preece had faded to third as Justin Bonsignore took over the runner-up spot. JR Bertuccio and Chuck Hossfeldt rounded out the top five.
Also on Wednesday night, Bret Hearn took the checkered flag on the dirt at Volusia Speedway Park in the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series opener during the DIRTcar Nationals. Hearn swept into the lead late in the 30-lap feature then charged to victory for the 861st time overall in his storied career. Hearn dedicated the victory and the Gator trophy to fellow racer Brian Stevens, who lost his battle with cancer earlier in the day.
David Garbo, a native of Stonington, Connecticut, took the lead from early leader Brandon Jones on lap 20 of the 50-lap Super Late Model feature and never looked back on the way to scoring his first career SLM victory on Thursday night at the New Smyrna Speedway. Ryan Preece continued his winning ways in the Modifieds in Florida. Preece took the lead from JR Bertuccio on lap 21 of the 35 lap feature. Bertuccio faded in the closing laps as he gave way to Chuck Hossfeld who finished second. Bertuccio, Eric Goodale and Jim Zacharias rounded out the top five.
The Daytona International Speedway ran “The Duals” on Thursday night in front of a lot of empty seats. Defending Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. went from last to first to win thenight’s first Budweiser Duel at Daytona qualifying race. He defeated Hendrick Motorsports teammate and Daytona 500 pole winner Jeff Gordon’s Chevrolet by .166 of a second. Joey Logano was third followed by Tony Stewart with Clint Bowyer rounding out the top five.In the second “Dual” Jimmie Johnson was able to hold off the field at the finish and Danica Patrick was able to work her way into the Daytona 500 starting lineup with a 10th-place finish in a damaged race car. Johnson defeated Kyle Busch by .125 of a second. Carl Edwards was third with Greg Biffle, fourth and Martin Truex Jr., fifth.
In a somewhat related matter, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch after a Kent County (Del.) Family Court commissioner issued his opinion linking the driver to domestic violence acts that were allegedly committed by Busch against his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
Ryan Preece was the odds-on favorite to win the Richie Evans Memorial 100 on Friday night. He delivered and also wrapped up the series championship. At the drop of the green, Cole Powell jumped out to the early lead while Preece conservatively ran near the rear of the 14 car field. Spencer Davis was also an early factor as he stretched out a big lead with his Hill family mount
Chuck Hossfeld, who had been a bridesmaid all week looked like he had the right combination as he took the lead on lap 71 with Preece in his mirror. Hossfeld’s blaze of glory lasted only one lap as Preece took the low road and the lead. Hossfeld held on for second. Eric Goodale, J.R. Bertuccio, and Justin Bonsignore rounded out the top five. Preece was honored post-race as the series Champion.
Ryan Reed stayed out of two major late-race crashes during the Alert Today Florida 300 at the Daytona Speedwy on Saturday, got a run on leader Brad Keselowski on the final lap and used a push from Roush Fenway Racing teammate Chris Buescher to take the lead. Reed, who has overcome Type 2 Diabetes to continue racing, celebrated wildly in Victory Lane. The emotions were quite different in the Joe Gibbs Racing pit. Kyle Busch suffered a right-leg injury after a vicious crash with nine laps to go saw his No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry hit the inside concrete retaining wall, which doesn’t have a SAFER barrier, at 90 mph. Brad Keselowski finished second.
Joey Logano had one of the few cars capable of beating a Chevrolet brigade as the driver of the No. 22 Pennzoil/Shell Ford won the 57th Daytona 500 on Sunday, holding off 2007 Daytona winner Kevin Harvick and defending Daytona champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon, who appeared to be a prime contender to win the Daytona 500 in his final attempt, crashed on the backstretch of a green, white, checkered flag finish. Logano won the race when the checkered and yellow flags were displayed on the 203rd and final lap of the 200-lap race that went into overtime.
Logano’s Ford defeated Harvick’s Chevrolet by 1.006 seconds. Earnhardt’s Chevrolet was third followed by Denny Hamlin’s Toyota and Jimmie Johnson’s Chevrolet. Logano is a graduate of the Thompson Speedway Quarter Midget ranks.
Big news continued to come out of eastern Connecticut concerning the future of the Waterford Speedbowl. Internet racing news site RaceDayCT.com reported that new track owner Bruce Bemer confirmed exclusively to RaceDayCT that he has named Shawn Monahan as the new general manager/promoter of the facility. Bemer also said that former track owner Terry Eames would not be a part of the track’s management staff in any capacity going forward. Monahan said he would bring former race director Scott Tapley back to the track. Tapley left his position as race director at the Speedbowl after the 2012 season to become the series director for the Valenti Modified Racing Series. Tapley is now the race director at Thompson Speedway, Lee USA Speedway in Lee N.H. and also leads the Mr. Rooter New New England Truck Series.
Longtime track official Eric Webster would serve as chief steward under Tapley. Patrick Williams, who served as race director last year, will work under Tapley and Webster. Monahan said other slots within the management of the facility will be filled soon.
Monahan said the track will remain NASCAR sanctioned and management is in talks with NASCAR to get a Whelen Modified Tour date for the 2015 season, despite the fact that NASCAR has already released a Whelen Modified Tour schedule. An opening weekend for racing has not been decided upon as of yet.
In operation since 1951, the shoreline oval has provided second to none in competition. As a racer, Monahan has seen the best and the worst in management at the speedbowl. It is sincerely hoped that Bruce Bemer and Shawn Monahan will breathe new life into the track and will have many years of success in their operation.
On a sad note, Mike Chapman, 62, died Monday, February 16, 2015 at his home in East Wareham unexpectedly. Mike was active in automobile racing for many years. He was a pit crew member and crew chief for several NASCAR Modified Series and ARCA teams. Mike was race director for both Thompson and Seekonk Speedways and also worked as a spotter at Daytona International Speedway.
Five years ago in 2020, The World Series at New Smyrna got the green on Friday, Feb 6. Tour type Modified Racing at New Smyrna began on Monday night, Feb 10. There were 32 cars on hand. Of those, 28 took time in order to qualify for starting spots. To no ones surprise Matt Hirschman was the fastest of the fast as he toured the half milr oval in 17.257 second fastest. Patrick Emerling was second fastest at 17.278. Rounding out the top five were Anthony Nocella, Craig Lutz and Ryan Preece.
The top four were inverted for the start of the 50 lapper. Lutz led the field to the start. Nocella was at his finest as he grabbed the lead after a lap one restart and went on to lead the remainder of the event to take the win over Hirschman by less than a half car length. Emmerling finished third with Preece and Lutz rounding out the top five.
Sam Mayer won the ARCA Menards East 175. After two nights of light attendance the grandstand at New Smyrna was almost full. Dick Berggren was at Volusia’s dirt track on Sunday night where they had so many UMP cars they had to break the field in half, running each half on every other night. “The WoO outlaws feature had 27 410-engine cars and an incredible race that went to two to go before the first yellow. The grandstand capacity was significantly increased, I’d say by a factor of at least one-third and every seat was taken. Great racing, full fields, lots of passing in both divisions.”
Anthony Nocella’s car was based upon a Raceworks Chassis, a fitting tribute to Ed Flemke Jr and his dad, Steady Eddie Flemke Sr. Mike Petit provided the power. Ryan Preece used a CD chassis which is basically a 20 year old BoDyne chassis designed by Geoff Bodine and Bob Cuneo.
On Tuesday night 31 Modifieds were on hand for qualifying for the scheduled 35 lapper. Matt Hirschman was again the fastest qualifier with a time of 17.204 seconds. Second fastest was Monday night winner Anthony Nocella.Craig Lutz was third fastest with Patrick Emmerling and Ryan Preece rounding out the top five. The top two were inverted for the start.
For the second time in two nights, a first-time winner visited victory lane Tuesday night during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway. Craig Lutz of Miller Place, New York grabbed the lead from Monday night winner Anthony Nocella on a restart with 11 laps to go and held off a charge from Matt Hirschman to win the 35-lap feature.
“It’s huge. To come down to Florida, you race against the best of the best. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity,” Lutz said on the NBC Track Pass broadcast. “I have the best car owner imaginable. This one is a little extra special between me and my dad. This car was out of our garage. I’ve got an awesome team; part of my tour guys came and part of my guys are at home on the TV checking in all the time. It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done.” The turning point of the race occurred on a Lap 24 restart when Nocella, the leader at the time, elected to restart from the outside groove with Lutz to his inside. Lutz took advantage of the opportunity, rubbing nerf bars with Nocella before powering away with the lead down the backstretch.
Nocella wasn’t overly excited with the pass made by Lutz for the lead, but recognized after the race that he did what he needed to in order to win the race. When Nocella got out of shape on the restart with 11 laps to go, Matt Hirschman slipped into the second position. From there, he chased down Lutz and challenged for the lead. Like on Monday night, Hirschman came up just short when the checkered flag waved.
The 2019 Modified Racing Series champion Mike Willis, Jr. and New York racer Brad Vanhouten from Long Island completed the top five.
Without a doubt, the Wednesday night John Blewett III Memorial 76 had to be one of the best races ever witnessed. During the closing laps Anthony Nocella and Matt Hirschman ran wheel to wheel in a brilliant display of driving. The pair came across the start finish line in what appeared to be a dead heat or tie. A slo-mo finish also appeared to make it a tie. The starter broke the tie as he indicated that Noscella nipped Hirschman by inches. It was a tough call but both drivers accepted the out-come. In victory lane Hirschman stated “I felt I beat him, but don’t take anything away from that finish. That is a lesson right there for all you young racers out there. Not just Modified racers, but all racers. That’s how you race.”
Twenty nine Modifieds went to post. Tuesday night’s winner Craig Lutz jumped out to the early lead and led the field for the first 16 circuits of the 76-lap race. Eric Goodale, who had not been having a good week, put that all behind him as he took the top spot on lap 17. Jimmy Blewett took the lead for the first time on lap 20 before Goodale took it back one lap later on Lap 21. On lap 28, Blewett regained the lead and remained in control throughout the middle portion of the race.
Hirschman, who started second and Nocella, who started third, both saved their equipment during the first two-thirds of the race before beginning their charge to the front. Nocella followed Hirschman back through the field with less than 25 laps to go and took advantage of a late restart to get by Hirschman for second. From there, Nocella and Hirschman both worked their way by early leader Jimmy Blewett, setting up a thrilling battle to the finish. Hirschman’s young son joined Noscella in victory lane holding the checkered flag.
Behind the photo finish, Blewett ended up third in the race that honored his brother, the late John Blewett III. NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece charged through the field to finish fourth after pulling his car out of impound and starting at the rear of the field. Long Island native Dave Sapienza had his strongest run of the week and completed the top five.
A new winner emerged in the 35 lap Tour type Modified event at New Smyrna on Thursday night. Patrick Emerling, the 2019 Race of Champions (RoC) Asphalt Modified Series champion, led 30 of the 35 laps run to break the ice on his 2020 season. A late-race caution added some drama for a three-lap shootout with Jimmy Blewett and Matt Hirschman.
Emerling elected to restart from the inside lane with Blewett to his outside and used a good restart to clear him as they exited turn two. That set up a great battle between Blewett and Matt Hirschman, a battle that Blewett ultimately won to earn his best finish of the week thus far.
Twenty six cars attempted to qualify. Anthony Nocella was the top qualifier with Eric Goodale and Hirschman following. The top eight were inverted for the start with Blewett and Kyle Ebersol making up the front row. Blewett jumped out to the early lead before Ebersole made a move to his inside on lap 5. After crossing the line as the leader of the lap, Ebersole made contact with the left front of Blewett’s car, sending Ebersole hard into the turn one wall. It appeared that Ebersol’s spotter did not tell his driver that he had not cleared Blewett, Blewett avoided major contact and held the lead on the ensuing lap 5 restart. One lap later, Emerling made his move for the lead on the inside and completed the pass on lap 6. From there, the 2019 RoC Modified Series champion kept the field in his rearview mirror until a late-race caution stacked the field back up for a three-lap shootout.
Emerling elected to restart from the inside lane with Blewett to his outside and used a good restart to clear Blewett off of turn two. That set up a great battle between Blewett and Hirschman, which Blewett ultimately won. Craig Lutz and Eric Goodale rounded out the top five.
At the Daytona International Speedway Joey Logano grabbed the lead on the final lap of the first Bluegreen Vacations Duel 150-mile qualifying race Thursday night and held on for the win, but a wreck at the halfway point dashed Daniel Suarez’s prospects of competing in his first Daytona 500 with his new team Gaunt Brothers Racing.
In the second Duel, William Byron made a late charge to edge Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson for the victory by .117 seconds
The victory in the qualifier was Byron’s first win of any kind in the NASCAR Cup Series and his first after teaming with seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus last year.
Matt Hirschman saved the best for last as he dominated the most prestigious race, the Richie Evans Memorial 100, of the five-day Modified Tour type portion of the World Series and captured the 2020 Tour-type Modified championship.
There were 19 cars that attempted to qualify. Anthony Nocella was the quickest with a time of 17.228 sec. Second fasted was Hirschman with a time of 17.245 sec. The top two were inverted while rain fell upon the speedway.
Hirschman started from the pole position and led the first 54 laps of the 100-lap race before a caution mixed things up with 46 laps remaining. While most of the field elected to visit pit road, Jimmy Blewett remained on the track and inherited the lead for the ensuing restart. Blewett jumped out in front and led six laps before Hirschman raced back to the front to reclaim the lead. From there, Hirschman pulled away from the rest of the field to score his fourth career Richie Evans Memorial victory.
Tyler Rypkema ended a week full of mechanical issues by running a strong second to Hirschman in the biggest race of the week. He had an engine failure, a rear end failure and then we got run over on lap one on Thursday night. Craig Lutz finished third and was followed by Eric Goodale, Eddie McCarthy, Brett Meservy, Mike Willis and Jimmie Blewett
Hirschman came into Friday’s finale with six-point lead over Nocella in the standings. Nocella had mechanical issues in Friday’s feature and ended up retiring from the event in the closing laps. Nocella ended up scored 16th in the 20-car field Friday. In the end, Hirschman was the series champion of the Tour type Modified portion of the World Series by 32 points over Craig Lutz, Nocella, Mike Willis and Tyler Rypkema. Thirty seven drivers in 33 cars were in competition.
In action at the Daytona International Speedway, Noah Gragson won his first career Xfinity Series race when Saturday’s opener was stopped on the final lap by a crash well behind the winning JR Motorsports Chevrolet.It was the third consecutive win at Daytona for a car fielded by Dale Earnhardt Jr., his sister and Rick Hendrick in what they consider a family business.
Gragson and Chase Briscoe swapped the lead in the closing three-lap sprint to the finish, but NASCAR threw the yellow-flag for a multi-car crash on the final lap. Harrison Burton and Timmy Hill, were second and third in Toyotas. Briscoe was fourth in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing.
The Daytona 500 was postponed by rain for the first time since 2012, dampening NASCAR’s season opener that started with a ballyhooed visit from President Donald Trump. The race was postponed after two lengthy delays totaling more than three hours.
Denny Hamlin won his second straight Daytona 500 and third overall, beating Ryan Blaney in an overtime photo finish marred by a terrifying crash that sent Ryan Newman to the hospital on Monday.
Newman had surged into the lead on the final lap when Blaney’s bumper caught the back of his Ford and sent Newman hard right into the wall. His car flipped, rolled, was hit on the driver’s side by another car driven by Corey LaJoie, and finally skidded across the finish line engulfed in flames.
It took several minutes for his car to be rolled back onto its wheels. The 2008 Daytona 500 winner was placed in a waiting ambulance and taken directly to a hospital, and the damage to his Mustang was extensive. It appeared the entire roll cage designed to protect his head had caved.
Drivers were stricken with concern, including a rattled LaJoie, the driver who hit Newman’s car as it was flipping.
Hamlin is the first driver since Sterling Marlin in 1995 to win consecutive Daytona 500s, but his celebration in victory lane was subdued. Behind Hamlin and Blaney at the finish were Chris Buescher, Newman’s teammate at Roush Fenway Racing; David Ragan, fourth in a one-off after retiring from full-time racing; and Kevin Harvick. Newman was credited with a ninth-place finish.
Ryan Preece was running third with two laps to go and had a good shot at taking the win but his efforts fell short when he was put in the wall by an out of control Ross Chastain. Seconds before the accident Chastain went to the track apron where he made contact causing him to shoot up the track and taking Preece out. Prece ended up 29th.
In some good news Ryan Newman was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and was seen walking with his two daughters.
Internet racing news site Speed51 reported that Tyler Rypkema of Owego, New York, a frequent competitor on the Race of Champions (RoC) Modified Series in recent years, has made his intentions to purchase equipment from Mike Smeriglio Racing and plans to chase Rookie of the Year honors this coming season. Rypkema confirmed exclusively to Speed51 on Sunday that his family-owned team has made intention to purchase two of the Modifieds previously driven by defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby.
“It basically just came down to us knowing that it was really good equipment,” Rypkema told Speed51. “We didn’t think that they were asking an astronomical amount of money for it, and then we had a good week in Florida as far as racing smart and stuff like that. My father was talking to Mike (Smeriglio) and they were able to come to an agreement that they were both happy with. That’s how that all really came about. We didn’t buy everything. We intend to buy a couple cars and a couple other miscellaneous parts.”
While Rypkema has not competed full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the past, he’s not a complete stranger to the series. He has six career starts on the tour, including five last season at tracks like Stafford Motor Speedway (CT), New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Oswego Speedway (NY) and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
Away from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Rypkema is a former winner on the RoC Asphalt Modified Series, as well as a winner during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway. He’s coming off of a second-place finish in the 2020 Richie Evans Memorial at New Smyrna.
No word as to the key man, namely Phil Moran or the driver of the #2, Doug Coby.
If anyone is on the fence on buying Trackpass, It is highly recommend it based on the New Smyrna coverage. They showed all the divisions running, no commercials. The coverage is a definite upgrade from Fan’s Choice’s coverage. They have also been quick making the races available on-demand. Not bad for $20/year. New Smyrna’s website also does a really good job posting the results. Other tracks could learn something from them. Now if the track could speed up the show a bit.
NASCAR and NASCAR Cup Series team owners announced the extension of the Charter agreement through 2024. “The Charter agreement is delivering stability and long-term value to existing team owners while providing a clear path for ownership in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR President. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the team owners that extends the length of the Charter system until 2024. A healthy ownership structure ensures strong, competitive racing for our fans, which is a goal the industry collectively shares.”
NASCAR announced that to honor the legacy of the sport’s founding family, NASCAR has created the Bill France Cup which will be awarded to the champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, beginning in 2020.
The renamed trophy pays tribute to Bill France Sr., who founded NASCAR in 1947, as well as his son, Bill France Jr., who elevated the sport to a national phenomenon as the sanctioning body’s chief executive from 1972 to 2003. “As the sport ushers in a new era, it’s fitting that my father’s name is associated with the highest mark of excellence in our sport,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “My father and brother’s vision for NASCAR has been realized, many times over, as millions of fans follow and engage each week with the best racing in the world.”
The Bill France Cup, created by Jostens, will maintain the size and shape of last year’s championship trophy and will feature outlines of the 24 NASCAR Cup Series racetracks that comprise the 2020 season schedule. The trophy design will be updated as the race schedule evolves, and new tracks are introduced to NASCAR Cup Series competition.
On a sad note, long time New England Modified car owner Billy Simons passed away. His Excavator Specials carried many drivers to the winners circle for over forty years.
Last year in 2024, Gio Ruggiero, who is a competitor at the Seekonk Speedway, scored his first career Super Late Model win at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Friday night, taking the win in the 35-lap feature to kick off nine nights of racing at New Smyrna Speedway. Ruggiero took the lead with six laps to go, as a spirited and physical battle between Nicholas Naugle and Jett Noland for the top spot sent both drivers sliding up the racetrack. That opening was enough for both Ruggiero and his Wilson Motorsports teammate, Brent Crews, to move into first and second.
The Pro Late Model opener came down to a battle between Jimmy Renfrew, Jr. and George Phillips, with Renfrew ultimately winning the battle and taking the checkered flag. Renfrew took the lead from Phillips on lap 27 and held on over the final nine laps for the win. Brody Monahan, who races at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, finished eighth.
The NASCAR Modifieds rolled in on Saturday morning for their season opening 200 lapper to be run later in the day. The 35 cars on hand took to the track shortly after lunch. Fastest of the group was Ryan Preece. Jeremy Gerstner who normally runs the SMART tour had the mis-fortune of having his throttle stick wide open forcing a vicious crash in turn one which resulted in a fracture of the left knee. A torn meniscus was also found. Jeremy is recovering and resting. The crash inflicted in extensive damage to his car. The final practice went off without a hitch with Craig Lutz in the top spot. Second fastest was Austin Beers followed by Ryan Newman and Justin Bonsignore. The slowest of the 35 were Melissa Fifield, Gary McDonald and Christopher Hatton.
With a sold-out crowd on hand and 65deg temps the Modifieds took time. Craig Lutz was the fastest as he turned the half mile in 17.52 sec. Austin Beers was second fastest at 17.575 seconds. Ron Silk was third fastest with a 17.645 sec run. Justin Bonsignore and Patrick Emerling rounded out the top five.
Thirty four cars went to post. Ron Silk used a skillful level of aggression to beat rival Justin Bonsignore in last year’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season-opener at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. He used a similar brand of boldness on another championship-caliber rival, Austin Beers, to win Saturday night’s New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau 200. The defending Modified Tour champion now has consecutive New Smyrna wins on his resume.
When the green flag dropped, Lutz paced the field with ease. When first the caution came out on lap 20 when Eddie McCarthy spun in turn one, several drivers were given an early opportunity to vary their strategy in an attempt to catch up to the leader. Lutz stayed on track, giving him the distance to dominate the first 80 laps of the race. However, drivers like Ron Silk gave up track position to head to pit road, a strategy call by crew chief Phil Moran that worked to his advantage. Lutz led the restart and was followed by Justin Bonsignore, Ryan Preece and Silk. The second yellow flew on lap 41 when JR Bertuccio spun on the front chute and hit the wall. When the field went back to green on lap 48 Silk was planted on Lutz’s bumper. Silk executed a move to the lead on lap 80 with Lutz slipping to the second spot. By lap 82 Andrew Krause had moved into the third spot with Matt Hirschman, fourth and Justin Bonsignore, fifth.
At the halfway mark Silk continued to lead with Krause, second. Hirschman was third as Lutz had slipped to fourth with Justin Bonsignore rounding out the top five. Krause, having a career night, took the lead on lap 116. Pre-race favorite Ryan Preece was having handling problems and went a lap down on lap 120. The third caution flew on lap 127 when Patrick Emerling stopped on the track. During this caution Silk pitted along with Hirschman, Jake Johnson and Justin Bonsignore. Following a restart on lap 139 Silk continued to lead with Bonsignore and Hirschman following. The fourth caution flew for Anthony Sesley who stopped in turn four. Silk continued to set the pace following a restart. The fifth caution flew on lap 156 when Eric Goodale and Austin Beers tangled. The Goodale car suffered left front damage and was done for the night. The field went back to green on lap161 with Silk leading the charge with Bonsignore second and Lutz, third.
The sixth caution flew on lap 163 when JB Fortin hit the wall in turn four. The field went back to green on lap 167 with Silk leading Bonsignore, Lutz and Doug Coby. Lutz moved into second on lap 172 and Krause moved into fourth on lap 173. The seventh caution flew on lap 178 when Treavor Catalano’s engine expired between turns three and four. Brett Meservy was collected by the oil on the track. The field went to red while the mess was cleaned up. Before going back to green most of the front runners with the exception of Coby pitted for fresh tires.
On the restart with ten laps to go Beers got into Coby as they were fighting for the lead. Beers got the lead as Silk moved into second. One lap later Silk took the lead in turn 2. Coby, who had slipped back as a result with his confrontation with Beers, came storming back and on lap 197 got into Beers and rode him up as a payback. At the finish it was Silk making it two in a row. Justin Bonsignore finished second with Coby, third. Patrick Emerling and Trevor Catalano. Catalano is a candidate for Rookie of the Year. Sixth thru tenth included Austin Beers, Tyler Rypkema, Andrew Krause, Jake Johnson and Matt Hirschman.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour gets a lengthy break before its second race of the 2024 season, a visit to Richmond Raceway on Friday, March 29.
Other Saturday night winners were Brandon Gaither in the Bombers, Dawson Sutton in the Pro Late Models, Brody Monahan finished 7th and Kody Brusso in the Sportsman.
The Catalano family from upstate New York showed up at New Smyrna loaded for Bear with a total of seven Modifieds, all entered to compete. Four tour type mods for Tommy, Amy,Trevor and Tyler plus three more Whelen Modified Tour Modifieds for Tommy, Trevor and Tyler Catalano. Bet they had a tire bill that would choke a horse!
New Smyrna Speedway butted heads with the NFL Superbowl on Sunday night. Needless to say, the Super Bowl won as the speedway’s grandstand was all but empty. The World Series went on as planned with their program. Recording features were Eugene Tuminello in the E-Mods, Wayne Parker in the Florida mods, Dawson Sutton in the Pro Late Models and Gus Dean in the Super Lates. The 602 Modifieds brought back memories of the early days of the SK Modifieds as they couldn’t complete more than three laps without a crash. The SK Modifieds have evolved into an elite division as have the SK Lights. The 602s have a long way to go. Their feature was called after 8 laps when they exceeded a track mandated time limit. Lee Sharpsteen was declared the winner.
Hot off the wires from NASCAR comes word that a portion of the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season will operate with a wrinkle in how some of the fastest cars line up to start races. A re-draw process will be implemented for select Modified Tour races, beginning with the May 4 event at New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway. At events where the re-draw procedure is implemented, the following policy/procedure will be used:
The fastest qualifier will draw a pill to determine the number of drivers that will re-draw for their starting positions. 4, 6, 8 or 10 positions will re-draw.
Once the fastest qualifier draws the initial pill, NASCAR will have the various buckets ready to immediately start the re-draw procedure. Drivers will re-draw in their qualifying order (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 – however many are applicable).
The pole position and any bonus will be awarded to the fastest qualifier and will be the pole of record.
Driver introductions will be done by qualifying order. When the field rolls off for pace laps, the cars will re-align themselves by how they re-drew their starting positions as the cars roll off. If qualifying is rained out, the field will be set by the rule book. The re-draw procedure will still take place based on the rain lineup. Pole awards are not paid on rain lineups.
Justin Bonsignore is teaming up with Rette Jones Racing for the ARCA Menards Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion will pilot the No. 30 Ford Mustang for the 2024 season opener. Bonsignore was part of the ‘Road To Daytona’ program which gives select drivers from touring and regional series the chance to drive the high banks at Daytona. He tested originally with Fast Track Racing back in January. Justin’s debut in the ARCA Menards Series live from Daytona International Speedway on February 17th at 1:30 PM on FS1.
On a sad note, Vinnie Annarummo who raced at the Seekonk Speedway for many years, passed away. He was 74 years old. Annarummo was known by the moniker “Vinny Who” in New England Racing circles. It was a name affectionately given to him by Modified racing legend Richie Evans because of Annarummo’s long last name. He was inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in 2019.
Annarummo, of Swansea, Mass., produced an amazing legacy of success at Seekonk Speedway, where he earned six championships. He won his first in 1973 in the Class B Late Model Cadets. He followed that with five Pro Stock championships at the track in 1990, 1992, 1993, 2004 and 2005. After an amazing career in full-fendered rides, Annarummo etched his name deeper into the history books at Seekonk by getting his first career Tour Type Modified victory in one of the track’s marquee events. Annarummo topped many of the greats of Modified racing by winning the 2007 Open Wheel Wednesday event.
He was voted into the Seekonk Speedway Wall of Fame in 2018 and also the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame one year later in 2019.. Away from Seekonk, Annarummo had an SK Modified victory in 1984 at Stafford Speedway. Annarummo also competed in Modifieds at Seekonk, and finally broke-through, going to victory lane in June of 2007 in a True Value Modified Racing Series event. He followed it up by capturing the famed “Open Wheel Wednesday” in 2007, collecting a $10,000 check. Years later, his son, Todd, also captured Open Wheel Wednesday’s top honors. The Annarummo father and son combination are the first to both capture the big win. They raced together, against each other and worked with each other to share in success, for many years.
He was inducted into the Seekonk Wall of Fame with his friend and fellow competitor, Ed St. Angelo. Angelo also introduced Vinny for his New England Auto Hall of Fame induction.
In 1967 the Stafford Motor Speedway was paved. The NASCAR Modifieds were the headline division. For 20 years thru 1986 Stafford would host and provide competition from the best in the busines from throughout New England, New York State, Long Island and from the south. Names like Eddie Flemke, Bugsy Stevens, Fred DeSarro, Reggie Ruggerio, Ray Miller, Richie Evans, Maynard Troyer, Geoff Bodine, Charlie Jarzobeck, Greg Sacks, Wayne Anderson, Jamie Tomaino, Satch Worley and Ray Hendrick would be in the line-up and would record victories.
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).
