RPW Exclusive: Mother Nature’s Not Playing Nice With Racers In The Northeast, RoC & More…

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The fickle New England weather continues to plague racing in region.

Due to forecasted rain, the Stafford Speedway has postponed its opening Friday Night Weekly Racing program to next Friday night, May 16th.

The SK Light 30-lap feature that was rescheduled to May 9th will now move to May 16th along with qualifying and feature events for the SK Modified®, Late Model, Limited Late Model, and Street Stock divisions.

Tickets can be ordered online. Any tickets from the Saturday portion of the NAPA Spring Sizzler® can be used for entry on May 16th.

By mid day on Saturday the northeast skies had cleared which allowed scheduled racing to go on as planned. It was Military Appreciation night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. With 16 SK Modifieds on hand Andrew Molleur took the 35 lap win. Adam Gada finished second with Anthony Flannery, third.

In other action Nicholas Hovey mastered a 15 car SK Lite field, Devin Deshaies was the best of an 11 car Late Model field and Aaron Plemons topped a nine car Street Stock field. The Legends Cars had the largest field of the night, drawing19 cars. Zachary Martinez went pole to pole to win that event, a 25 lapper.

Jack Ely pulled out a surprise win in the Race of Champions 75 lap Modified event at the Chemung NY Speedrome. Austin Beers finished second with Matt Hirschman, third. Ely earned some redemption on Saturday night, winning the May Flowers 75 for the Race of Champions Modified Series at Chemung Speedrome.

In the series opener at Mahoning Valley Speedway, Ely’s race ended with 15 laps to go against the outside wall in turn two. The efforts to repair his car from that incident paid off on Saturday, as Ely passed Matt Hirschman on lap 55 and led the rest of the way for the victory.

Burt Myers likes to play games on restsarts and it almost cost him a win of the 100 lap Modified event at the Bowman Gray Stadium. Myers lined up on the outside pole of a lap 10 restart. When the green flsg dropped for the restart Myers didn’t go which allowed Mike Speeny to take the lead. Myers had done this many times snd officials decided to teach him a lesson by letting the restart go. It took 40 laps of hard driving to get by Speeny for the eventual win, his 99th at Bowman Gray. Speeny ended up second with Brandon Ward, thithird. Riley Neal was fourth with two to go when he lost an engine.

Special Happy Birthday wishes to Carl “Bugs” Stevens who would have been 91 on Mothers Day.

In NASCAR Cup racing Kyle Larson had a historically dominant day as he won the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet led 221 of 267 laps, won Stages 1 and 2, and even turned the Xfinity Fastest Lap for good measure. Larson eclipsed 10,000 career laps led during the race, which puts him alongside only Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin among active drivers, who have achieved that stat. On the final lap, Larson slowed dramatically as he felt a vibration, and just wanted to make sure he didn’t lose a tire before collecting the checkered flag. He held on to defeat Christopher Bell by 0.712 seconds. Ryan Preece had a very solid seventh place finish.

Coming up this Wednesday night, May 14, is the Monaco Tri-Track Modified Series at the Thompson Motorsports Park Speedway. RaceChoice.com is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece for two highly anticipated Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series events: Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday, May 14, and Stafford Motor Speedway on Wednesday, July 16. As a dedicated supporter of motorsports, RaceChoice.com is proud to be represented by Preece, a seasoned competitor known for his skill and determination on the track. Preece will pilot a RaceChoice.com Modified as he competes in the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, bringing together top-tier talent in the world of short-track racing. Following the Thompson event the Stafford Motor Speedway will again try to get it’s regular weekly season going on Friday, May 16. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series travels to the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina to be part of All Star Weekend.

NASCAR and JDV Productions announced the Cheshire County Clash NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Monadnock Speedway has been rescheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, July 20. The race was originally scheduled for May 3, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Fans will now have the opportunity to watch a unique weekend double-header with the Whelen Modified Tour at Monadnock Speedway. Saturday, July 19, will feature the Duel at the Dog 200 presented by USNE Power before the teams return for Sunday’s event. Each race will operate as a separate event day, including practice, qualifying and full points and payout awarded for the two races.

“We appreciate the collaboration with JDV Productions and Monadnock Speedway in finding a makeup date that will ensure we can put on a successful and entertaining race for our fans,” said Jimmy Wilson, Senior Director, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. “While we can’t control the weather and it’s always disappointing to postpone a race, we are looking forward to a great weekend of racing at Monadnock in July.”

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).