RPW Exclusive: Looking Back: Fourth Week Of February

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Fifty years ago in 1975, the NASCAR Modifieds made their annual spring trek to Martinsville for a 250-lap event. Bugsy Stevens in the Koszela No.15 took the win over Ronnie Bouchard, Jerry Cook and Mike Loescher.

A horrific fire on the front stretch marred the day when Brian Ross in the Bob Garbarino Mystic Missile was rear ended by a bumper-less car driven by Melvin Chilton. Chiltons bare frame rail tore into Ross’ fuel cell and ignited the fuel. Flames raged as high as the grandstand roof but luckily Ross emerged unhurt. To add insult to injury, when fire crews arrived on the scene, the fixture that was supposed to dispense the purple-K wouldn’t work and the fire had to be extinguished with water and hand held extinguishers.

Richard Petty was the NASCAR Grandnational (Cup) winner at Richmond.

Forty five years ago in 1980, Butch Lindley was the Late Model Sportsman winner at Richmond. Darrel Waltrip was the Winston Cup winner.

Forty years ago in 1985, Dale Earnhardt was the Winston Cup Winner at Richmond.

Thirty five years ago in 1990, Mark Martin was the Winston Cup winner and Michael Waltrip was the Busch Grandnational winner at Richmond. Reggie Ruggiero started 17th and took the lead from Jamie Tomaino on lap 142 and went on to win the season opening 200 lapper at Martinsville. Jeff Fuller finished second and was followed by Jamie Tomaino, George Kent and Jerry Cranmer.

Thirty years ago in 1995, the Modifieds were silent as the action was in Atlanta. Johnny Benson passed Ken Schrader with eight laps to go and went on to win the Busch Grandnational event. Jeff Gordon dominated the Winston Cup event.

Twenty five years ago, in 2000, Mark Martin was the Busch Grandnational winner at Atlanta after waiting out a six-hour rain delay. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was the Winston Cup winner after teammate Mike Skinner lost an engine in the closing laps.

Twenty years ago in 2005, the big news of the week was the announcement that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series would be returning to Martinsville, Virginia on Saturday night, September 3. The event, 250 laps in length, would carry a purse of $110,000. The speedway would install temporary Musco lighting to illuminate the .525 mile speedway. Speedway President Clay Campbell stated that the event would be held in combination with NASCAR’s newly-formed Southern Modified Tour. Drivers will earn championship points for their respective divisions. The Martinsville event will be NASCAR’s version of the highly popular North – South Shootout that is run as an open competition Modified event at the Concord Motorsports Park.

In the opinion of many the NEAR display at the annual Race-a-Rama was the highlight of the show. Plenty of drivers from years gone by and the present were on hand to sign autographs including Bob Polverari, Billy Greco, Jap Membrino, Ray Miller, Moon Burgess and Bob Potter. It was also announced that Eddie Flemke Sr, a charter member of NEAR and a member of the Hall of Fame would be inducted into the New Britain CT. Sports Hall of Fame on March 31. Flemke, who became a Modified Legend in his own time has over 500 wins to his credit and is responsible for mentoring many including Pete Hamilton, Richie Evans and Ronnie Bouchard. A hot topic of conversation was the momentum that the True Value Modified Series is gaining. The True Value Modifieds are an affordable alternative to the Whelen Modified Tour. Series leader Jack Bateman says he has 46 teams lined up to compete in 2005. The TVMS was born when the Modified division was displaced from the Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire. Since then the series has branched out to other tracks in the state as well as those in Vermont and now Massachusetts as they have three dates at the Seekonk Speedway.

It looked like the voting taxpayers in the State of Florida didn’t want to subsidize a proposed NASCAR Auto Racing Hall of Fame in the Daytona Beach area. The Quinnipac University in Hamden, Ct released results of a poll taken that showed that voters, by an 81 percent to 16 percent margin, opposed the possibility of giving $75 million to help Daytona Beach land a NASCAR Hall of Fame. To add insult to injury, even NASCAR fans didn’t like the idea: They opposed it by a margin of 63 percent to 35 percent. The poll was taken of 1,007 voters in the state. Known for its exactness and thoroughness, the Quinnipac poll was selected a “winner” by the New York Post for the most accurate prediction on the Schumer-D’Amato Senate race in 1998, and results are featured regularly in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and on national network news broadcasts.

Martin Truex, Jr. won the first Busch series race held outside of the United States by pulling away from the field following the final caution flag. Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards followed him across the line six seconds behind; Adrian Fernandez in 10th was the highest finishing Mexican national.

Fifteen years ago in 2010, with Speedweeks in Florida and the New Smyrna World Series history most of the auto racing snow birds had headed back north to await the beginning of the 2010 season at their favorite tracks. For the most part race fans and teams endured the cold, wind and rain during their stays in the sunshine state. The racing at New Smyrna could have been better but the somewhat short fields didn’t help. Ted Christopher was off his game a bit as many thought he would clean house in Fla. Keith Rocco had a chance to prove himself but he blew it when he went after Ron Silk. Rocco has a lot of raw talent but he needed to tone it down a bit.

A big disappointment was the fact that Burt Myers didn’t come to New Smyrna to trade paint with the northern boys. Myers has become somewhat of a racing personality because of his part in the Mad House reality show on the History Channel.

Had occasion to speak to Bob Garbarino who stated that he was surprised to hear from Donny Lia that he was going with the trucks. In the mean time, he said, no deals with any one had been made. It could very well mean that the Mystic Missile has taken its final lap.

Lou Modestino reported that the recession has hit the Daytona Beach area hard with several businesses closed up, and there were lots of half-priced tickets for the big events at Daytona International Speedway. He also stated that there were a lot of room vacancies, even though the room rates at the major hotels had dropped prices, some as much as two-thirds.

Between the weather and the ailing economy, things were way off from a few years ago in the Daytona Beach area.

Kyle Busch barely overtook Greg Biffle out of the final turn in a green-white-checker finish to win by 0.051 seconds in the NASCAR Nationwide race at Fontana, California on Saturday, with Brad Keselowski right behind them.

It was a heartbreaking loss for polesitter Joey Logano, who led 130 laps and was up front when the final caution came out. Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate finished fifth.

Danica Patrick was 31st in her second Nationwide race, three laps off the pace and ahead of six other cars that were still running at the end.

In Sprint Cup action Jimmie Johnson held of Kevin Harvick to take the win at Fontana. Johnson scored his 48th career victory, which came at the same track where he got his first one eight years previous. He led eight times for 101 laps to win for the fifth time in 15 starts at California, including the last three fall races there. Harvick finished 1.523 seconds behind Johnson, with teammate Jeff Burton in third. Clint Bowyer was eighth, putting all three Childress drivers in the top 11 for the second straight week.

Ten years ago in 2015, The wheels of progress turn slow at times but at the track known as the Speedbowl the new owner Bruce Bemer and new General Manager Shawn Monahan shifted into high gear and were running wide open despite a heavy blanket of snow that covered the Connecticut shoreline oval. First off the new manager and owner opted to take a step back as they re-named the facility the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. When the Speedbowl was built in 1951 it was called that by the original owners. It was during the Harvey Tattersall years that the name was shortened to the Waterford Speedbowl. Another tidbit is the fact that the new management was considering a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series event in addition to a Valenti Modified Racing event and maybe a Tri-Track series event.

As of the previous Saturday night, Feb 28 it was one down and two to go as Shawn Monahan put the word out that the New London-Waterford Speedbowl would be part of the Tri-Track Series. The Tri-Track Open Modified Racing Series will make its Speedbowl debut with a Sunday afternoon show on Sept. 13. Said Dennis Perry, “So excited about the tri track event at the bowl. No doubt in my mind this will be the premiere modified show of the year. With the bowl offering the best in short track racing and the purses James Schaefer and the racing guys put up this show could rival some of the big dirt shows in cars and attendance.” The Waterford event will be a non-points race,” said Tri Track series promoter James Schaefer. ”Teams that have already pre-entered with the Tri Track Open Modified Series will not have an additional entry fee for this race.” Even though the purse collection is in its beginning stages, Schaefer said he expects the purse to be around $5,000 for the winner of the race. If everyone pre-registers, the lion’s share could boost to as much as $10,000.

Snow had also buried the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, the Stafford Motor Speedway and the Seekonk Speedway.

The NASCAR big three were at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jimmie Johnson had to start in the back of the pack in Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, but the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion was in front when it mattered most. Johnson out-dueled Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. on a restart with 14 laps to go, then held off a charge from runner-up Kevin Harvick to score his 71st career win. The second- and third-place finishers, Harvick and Earnhardt, were the same as in the season opening Daytona 500. Polesitter Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. Johnson started 37th after being unable to post a qualifying time on Friday after his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS failed technical inspection on its first trip. Jeff Gordon, in his final start at Atlanta, where he made his Cup debut in 1992, suffered the same fate as Johnson in qualifying and had to start 35th. Sunday was no better for the four-time champion. He was involved in a multi-car crash with 69 laps to go that relegated him to a 41st-place finish.

Kevin Harvick continued his dominance at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday as he rolled to victory in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 250 and Matt Crafton was in a league of his own Saturday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway as he cruised to his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory of the season during the Hyundai Construction Equipment 200.

Five years ago in 2020, Word has it that car owner Sully Tinio will return to the Whelen Modified Tour Series. As was before, Bobby Santos III will be his driver. Tinio will not commit to a schedule until he sees Santos’.

NASCAR plans to integrate the restart zone for NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races in 2020, per Kyle Souza. Previously, teams had double red lines on the outside wall to start the race. This joins single car qualifying and 2 tires per stop at @StaffordSpeedwy as offseason changes.

Joey Logano won Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 NASCAR cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway under caution, beating Matt DiBenedetto after a wreck unfolded right as the field took the white flag. Logano came out on top in what was supposed to be a two-lap shootout after he stayed out of the pits under caution after not understanding his crew chief’s instructions to pit.

He assumed the lead from teammate Ryan Blaney, who was directed to pit by his new crew chief, Todd Gordon.

The top five was completed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Austin Dillon and Jimmie Johnson. Ryan Preece lost an engine and finished 37th. He was in the top five with a little over 40 laps to go.

Last year, 2024, Fresh off his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at New Smyrna Speedway Ron Silk made it two in a row as he won Monday night’s 50 lapper at the central Florida oval. Following a re-draw of the top three qualifiers Silk started fourth behind Anthony Nocella, Patrick Emerling and Ron Williams. Emerling jumped out to take the lead at the start with Silk slipping into the second spot. Tommy Catalano brought out the first caution when he spun in turn four. Silk took the lead on the restart and never looked back.

The second caution flew on lap 14 for Tom Martino who spun in turn two. Ryan Preece was making his presence known as he passed Matt Hirschman for fifth spot on lap18. The third caution flew on lap23 when Trevor Catalano spun in turn three. Silk again led the restart with Williams, second and Emerling, third. Preece passed Emerling on lap 32. By lap 37 Silk was on cruise control with Williams, second. Preece moved into the second spot on lap 39 but was unable to close on Williams who ran the closing laps without a challenge. Preece settled for the runner-up spot with Williams, third. Emerling and Hirschman rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Nocella, Teddy Hodgdon, Anthony Bello, Eric Goodale and Cam McDermot.

Monday’s Pro Late Model feature was shortened to 20 laps as rain fell upon New Smyrna Speedway shortly past the halfway point. More importantly for Dawson Sutton, the rain arrived just two laps after he passed Jimmy Renfrew for the top spot, allowing him to claim his third consecutive win in the division. Monday’s rainfall also scratched the Florida Modified feature scheduled for the evening. 602 Modifieds started Monday’s program, with Bobby Jones taking the checkered flag.

Tuesday night at New Smyrna ended up being a late night as the Clyde Hart 200 for the ASA Super Late Models took center stage. The ASA event drew a full house of fans but didn’t start until after 8:00pm. Bubba Pollard took the win when the checker flew after 10:30pm. Twenty-nine Tour type modifieds took to the track. Ron Silk was the top time trialer with Ron Williams, second. This was the last event of the series for Silk and his team as they would head home because of work commitments. The top seven qualifiers were inverted which placed Tedy Hogdon on the pole for the 50 lap contest. Craig Lutz would start outside pole with Anthony Noscella and Ryan Preece filing out the second row. Lutz took the lead at the drop of the green with Preece in hot pursuit.

The first caution flew on lap 11 for Joey Colter who spun after making contact with Chris Haton, Following a restart, Preece took the lead on lap 16 and never looked back. At the half way mark of the 50 lapper Preese led Lutz, Silk and Williams. The second flew on lap 37 when JR Bertuccio spun in turn 4. On the restart Preece continued to lead as Silk spun his tires and settled for the second spot. The third and final caution flew on lap 45 when Jimmy Blewett and Anthony Bello crashed in turn three. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Preece again led the restart and ran the final five laps without incident. Silk settled for second and was followed by Williams, Noscella and Matt Hirschman. Lutz finished sixth and was followed by Eric Goodale, Hogdon, Patrick Emerling and Dave Sapienza.

The John Blewett III Memorial was on tap Wednesday night at New Smyrna. Matt Hirschman, who was having a so so week got his due as he scored the win, ending a dry spell. Hirschman took the lead on lap 56 when leader Craig Lutz was blocked by a lapped car.

The Modifieds got a late start, 10:30pm because of a wreckfest on the 602 division. Ron Williams was the pole sitter but the first seven were inverted which put Jimmy Blewett on the pole for the start. Blewett took the lead as the field entered the third turn. Blewetts run ended on lap 4 when he came to a halt between turns three and four with broken rear end problems. Anthony Bello, who was running second, assumed the lead and by lap 16 had a full straight lead over Lutz. At the half way mark, Hirschman had moved into contention in third spot on Lutz’s bumper. Lutz passed Bello on lap 43 for the lead with Hirschman in tow. Lutz led until lap 56 when he was blocked by a lapped car. Hirschman went low to assume the lead. The second caution flew on lap 57 for a spin by Joey Coulter.

Hirschman led the restart and went on to record his 18th win in World Series competition. Anthony Nocella came alive in the closing stages and ended up in second spot. Lutz ended up third with Patrick Emerling and Eric Goodale rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Andrew Krause, Tommy Catalano, Bello, Ron Williams and Austin Beers.

With a poor weather forecast for Saturday, New Smyrna officials moved the Orange Blossom 100 to Thursday, meaning the 100-lap race would decide the title. In the Pro Late Model division, Jimmy Renfrew returned to victory lane for his second victory of the World Series. The opening night winner took the lead from Katie Hettinger on lap 16 and held off Hunter Wright on a series of late restarts to pick up the victory. Jack Baldwin, son of Tommy Baldwin, Jr., won Wednesday’s 602 Modified feature, the Grandpa Blewett Memorial 66. Baldwin held a 2.4 second lead over Josh Carey when the caution flew on lap 60 and the race ended six laps shy of its scheduled finish due to reaching the one hour time limit.

Matt Hirschman picked up where he left off on Wednesday night as he made it two in a row as he won the 50 lap tour type modified event at New Smyrna on Friday night. Starting fourth, Hirschman wasted little time as he was out front by lap 8, passing Patrick Emerling for the lead. Emerling would run in the runner-up spot until lap 18 when he tangled with Anthony Nocella in turn 4. Nocella was about to make a move on Emerling when Emerling went in to turns three and four a little too hot and came up and went over Nocella. Emerling was able to drive away but Nocella had to be towed off as his mount suffered severe front end damage. The only other incident in the remaining laps was a spin by Anthony Bello on lap 46. At the finish it was Hirschman taking the win over Ron Williams, Eric Goodale, Jimmy Blewett and Craig Lutz. Sixth thru tenth included Eddie McCarthy, Tommy Catalano, JR Bertuccio, Patrick Emerling and Joey Coulter.

Brent Crews closed out Super Late Model competition at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing with a walk-off win. Crews won the Orange Blossom 100 on Thursday evening, picking up both his first World Series win and the Super Late Model championship for this year’s World Series. With Saturday’s program cancelled due to a poor weather forecast, the Orange Blossom had been moved to Thursday and served as the Super Late Model finale.

The Richie Evans Memorial 100 at New Smyrna went off without a hitch. With the precision of a surgeon Matt Hirschman came from a sixth starting spot to win the event for the seventh time and with the win, also the championship for the tour type Modified division. Hirschman’s driving style is impressive to watch. He reads the track and is able to run at high speed without abusing his car or his tires. His line is quite a bit different than his competition.

Twenty four cars went to post as a packed grandstand looked on. Pole sitter Tyler Rypkema and Ron Williams led the charge to the green. Williams jumped out into the lead while Rypkema faded to fourth as Ryan Preece moved into the second spot with Craig Lutz, third. On lap four, Hirschman moved into the fourth spot. On lap 15, Hirschman moved into third spot as he passed Lutz. On lap 20, Jimmy Blewett who had been in the top five, dropped to sixth when he was passed by Eric Goodale. The event continued non-stop and on lap 33, Preece closed on Williams. Preece made his move one lap later in turn three for the lead. Hirschman followed as Williams slipped to third, then to fifth as appeared that his tires had given up.

Hirschman closed on Preece on lap 42 and made the pass for the lead in turn 3 on lap 43. At the half way mark, Hirschman was in the lead. Preece was second followed by Lutz, Goodale, Williams, Anthony Nocella and Rypkema. The first caution of the event flew on lap 55 for Tommy Catalano who spun in turn 4. All the front runners pitted for fresh tires. Hirschman led the restart. On lap58 Goodale made a pass on Preece, taking over the second spot. The second caution flew on lap 70 for Trevor Catalano who spun after his rear end locked up. Hirschman led the restart with Goodale, Lutz and Preece following. The third and final yellow was displayed on lap 87 when Andrew Krause spun in turn two. Hirschman led the restart and ran unchallenged the rest of the way to record the win. Goodale finished second. Jimmy Blewett who hit just about everything but the lottery finished third. Preece and Nocella rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Austin Beers, Tommy Catalano, Rypkema, Lutz and Williams.

In other Friday night action at New Smyrna, George Phillips closed out Pro Late Model competition at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing with a win in the Hart to Heart 100 Friday night, while Hunter Wright claimed the Pro Late Model championship. Phillips backed up his victory in Thursday night’s Pro Late Model feature by taking the win in the longest Pro Late Model feature of the week at New Smyrna. The 2023 Carolina Pro Late Model Series champion took the lead on lap five from Hudson Bulger and pulled away from the field in a race that went caution-free.

Racing was cancelled for Saturday night because of impending rain.

In Daytona 500 qualifying, Team Penske’s Joey Logano put his car on the pole for the “Great American Race,” as he and Front Row Motorsports’ Michael McDowell locked into the front row for the 500. Logano secured his first Busch Light Pole Award at Daytona with a final-round lap of 181.947 mph, beating McDowell (181.686 mph) by 0.071 seconds. Ryan Preece qualified 13th.

Tyler Reddick climbed from sixth to the lead on the final lap of the opening Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona, and he narrowly topped Chase Elliott for the race win. With the win, Reddick will start third in the Daytona 500. Behind Reddick, there was a spirited battle for a Daytona 500 transfer spot between Jimmie Johnson and JJ Yeley. Johnson emerged victorious in that battle after a spin earlier in the race, and being behind Yeley on the last lap. Ryan Preece finished 13th. Christopher Bell won the second dual.

In a frantic scramble after a restart on Lap 197 of 200 in the Daytona 500, William Byron reached the start/finish line and took the white flag moments before NASCAR called the fifth caution of the evening as Ross Chastain slid wildly through the infield grass off the bumper of Austin Cindric’s Ford.

Alex Bowman was a close second to his teammate at the moment of caution, giving Hendrick a 1-2 finish and the organization’s first victory in the “Great American Race” since Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s triumph in 2014. Ryan Preece finished 23rd.

It’s an instant crown jewel event for Modified racing in America. The Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds will pay a minimum of $20,000 to the winner of the 125-lap event on Saturday, March 23, at South Boston Speedway in Virginia for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. As rumblings moved through the Modified community in recent weeks, it has sparked an interest from Modified teams from north and south. The event will be a five-tire race for what will be one of the most lucrative purses of 2024. More details regarding the event will be announced soon.

“The SMART tour is very excited to create a crown jewel event at the iconic South Boston Speedway, one of the premiere racing facilities in the country. We have been working towards holding this race for a few years. and now with the extraordinary help from Senator (Bill) Stanley (VA), our primary sponsor Pace-O-Matic and some new local Virginia sponsors, we can now showcase the power, greatness and history of both Modified race cars and their drivers with this upcoming event,” said Chris Williams, Series Director. “It’s also an honor to have this race in southern Virginia, where so many great modified drivers have made their mark in racing; it is therefore both proper and fitting to name this race the ‘King of The Modifieds.”

Dating back to its inception in the late 1950s, South Boston Speedway has been an epicenter of Modified racing. And now, it will host one of the largest events in the United States for this genre of stock car racing. “We’re kicking our 2024 season off in five weeks with a brand new crown jewel. The King of the Modifieds is going to be a can’t-miss event,” said Brandon Brown, General Manager of South Boston Speedway. “Every driver and team is going to want to win this race — especially in its inaugural year. It’s going to give our fans an incredible show, and you all know what a show the SMART Modifieds put on here at South Boston Speedway. I can’t wait until race day.”

In other SMART news, 16-year old Luke Baldwin will make the step-up from 602 Crate Modified racing to compete full-time in the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic in 2024. The news came Tuesday in a social media post as SS Racing, the Modified team owned by former NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler and Virginia Senator Bill Stanley, will field a 7va PSR Racing Chassis for Luke to contend for the Racing Electronics Rookie of the Year title. Also revealed in the release was that NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte will move to a part-time schedule for the SS Racing team while team mainstay Jonathan Cash moves to a full-time seat on the SMART Tour. Luke will also compete in select CARS Tour Pro Late Model races and 602 Crate Modified races with his family owned Tommy Baldwin Racing team.

Twenty-year old Jack Baldwin, announced that he will race 11 races in the SK Modified division at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway. He will also make his Tour-Mod debut racing in three SMART Modified Tour events as well as the Islip 300 at New York’s Riverhead Raceway in the family’s famed black No. 7NY machine.

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).