RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: Monaco Mods At Thompson, Weekly Racing At Stafford & More…

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Monaco Tri-Track Modified Series visited the Thompson Speedway on Wednesday May 14.

The weather looked shaky for a while but impending rain held off allowing the event to be run. There were 25 tour type modifieds on hand. Qualifying heats were won by Stephen Kopcik and Ron Williams. Ron Silk, who finished third in the second qualifier saved the best for last as he outdueled Jake Johnson for the win.

Kopcok finished third with Jon McKennedy and Patrick Emerling rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Woody Pitkat, Mike Christopher, Chris Pasteryak Austin Beers and Marcelo Rufrano. Among those on hand was NASCAR cup star Ryan Preece who ended up with a 19th place finish. Preece’s return home went up with a puff of smoke on lap 55. Silk and crew chief Phil Moran are now three for three at Thompson in 2025.

In other action, Austin Goff went pole to pole to record his first ever SK Lite win. Nicholas Hovey finished second with Meghan Fuller, third. There were 14 cars in the field. The 604 crate modifieds were put in place of the Sunoco SK Modifieds who failed to support the track. Only nine of them showed up so it looks like they gotta go too! Keith Rocco took the win over Todd Owen and Jon Puleo. Rocco’s career overall total of 306 wins include 154 victories at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, 75 at Thompson and 82 at Stafford Speedway.

Larry Barnett won the 20-lap Street Stock feature which saw only six on hand. Jay Sundeen was second and Tony Macrino was third. Zack Robinson won the 25-lap Late Model feature. Jake Johnson was second and Manny Dias was third in the 10 car field. Dave Trudeau took the win in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature. Tim Dorr was second and Steve Michalski was third.

It was like days of old at Stafford on Friday night as Kieth Rocco scored a photo finish win over Jon Puleo. Both drove cars prepared by Kieth Rocco Racers. Starting 12th, Rocco wasted little time in his march to the front. By lap 22 of the 40 lap feature Rocco was running third behind Mike Christopher Jr.and Puleo. By lap 36 Rocco was firmly in the lead as he made the four lap run to victory. Following Rocco and Puleo was Christopher. Rocco’s career overall total of 307 wins include 154 victories at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, 75 at Thompson and 83 at Stafford Speedway.

Mikey Flynn finished fourth with Wes Prucher rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Todd Owen, Tyler Chapman, Cory DiMatteo, Dylan Izzo and Steven Chapman.

Nicholas Hovey in a car owned and prepared by Kieth Rocco Racers won the 30 lap SK Light feature. Meghan Fuller led the early going but in the end, had nothing for Hovey as she settled for second.

Other winners on the night were Paul Varricchio, Jr.in the Late Models, Matt Clement,in the Limited Late Models and Aaron Plemons, in the Street Stocks.

Opening night at Stafford drew 113 cars including 21 SK Modifieds, 35 SK Lights, 17 Limited Late Models, 13 Late Models and 27 Street Stocks. Racing continues this Friday night, May 23.

The SK Modifieds had the week off at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. The SK Lites had top billing for the evening. A new face was in victory lane. Kevin Davis copped his first career SK Light Modified victory in winning the division’s 25-lap feature. Robert Bloxsom III was second and Nickolas Hovey who won at Stafford on Friday night was third. Other winners at the shoreline oval were Jordan Hadley in the 25-lap Street Stock feature and Brandon Martinez in the 25-lap Legends feature.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series traveled to North Carolina this past Sunday for the FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Conspicuous by their absence were the Myers brothers, Burt and Jason. Burt was hot off his 100th win at Bowman Gray the night before. Also missing from the grid was Ron Silk.

Thirty one cars ran against the clock for starting positions. Setting top time with a speed of 129.608 mph was Luke Baldwin. Second fastest was Jake Lutz at 129.11 mph. Austin Beers was third fastest with Matt Hirschman and Justin Bonsignore rounding out the top five.

The Long Island Gang prevailed in the 150 lapper. Craig Lutz who drives for the owners of Riverhead Building Supply started 17th and saved the best for last as he won the event that was a preliminary for the NASCAR All Star event.

Luke Baldwin took the lead at the drop of the green. The first caution flew on lap 2 when Dave Sapienza and Eric Goodale got together as they entered turn one. Both drove to the pit area to change tires. Goodale’s crew assessed the damage and decided that the car was too hurt to continue. Pazienza rejoined the fiel field. The event restarted on lap eight.. Matt Hirschman took the lead with Jake Lutz following into the second spot. The second yellow was displayed on lap 18 when Bobby Labonte’s engine blew. Dave Sapienza got into the wall as a result.

The green was displayed on lap 28. Hirschman continued to set the pace as Baldwin got back by Jake Lutz for the runner-up spot. The third caution came out on lap 31 for a multi car wreck which collected point leader Patrick Emerling. Emerling’s car had suffered severe front end damage including a smashed radiator after being hit by Tyler Barry.

The mayhem continued following the restart. Hirschman spun after being hit by Jake Lutz. Trevor Catalano and Austin Beers were also collected. On the restart Baldwin was on the point. Tyler Rypkema slipped by Justin Bonsignore for the second spot. Rypkema took the lead on lap 54. The caution returned on lap 66when Carson Loftins engine went up in smoke. He was just inside of the top ten at the time.

While most of the front runners elected to pit, Corey LaJoie was handed the lead with Stephen Kopcik the runner-up spot. The race restarted on lap 79 but as the field took the green the yellow was back out for a wreck that collected eight cars including Ryan Newman, Jake Lutz, Trevor Catalano and Kyle Bonsignore. Following the clean-up another 10 cars were collected. Among those collected was pre-race favorite Matt Hirschman. After the clean-up it left Kopck in the lead. With Beers in second and Rypkema, third.

When the green dropped on lap 101 restart Beers took the bottom lane under Kopcik and took the lead. On lap 105 Kopcik closed in on Rypkema’s bumper dumping him to the turn one wall. Ole Blu was hurt bad and was done for the day. Rypkema flashed Kopcik a double middle finger salute. Kopcik was black flagged and sent to the rear.

Craig Lutz found himself in the lead on lap 116. One more caution on lap 118 for a wreck involving Mike Marshall and Tyler Barry and from there it was a run for the roses except for a quick caution on lap 137. Luke Baldwin gave it his all but to no avail as Craig Lutz went on to score the victory. Justin Bonsignore finished third with Jake Lutz and Austin Beers rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Kopsik, Tommy Catalano, Joey Braun, Jeremy Gerstner and Luke Fleming.

The Whelen Modified Tour takes a week off to regroup before heading to the Seekonk Speedway on Saturday night, May 31. Craig Lutz has taken over the series point lead and currently holds a one point edge on Justin Bonsignore and Austin Beers. Luke Baldwin sits in fourth with Stephen Kopcik, fifth.

Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway lived up to its name and legacy, as two of the best drivers on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit dueled it out for supremacy in the $1-million-to-win showdown. Defending and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano was the class of the field throughout the exhibition event, but in the end, it was Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell that will be making a significant deposit at the bank on Monday.

The Norman, Oklahoma-native started the 250-lap contest from second after securing the win in Saturday’s second of two All-Star Heat Races. Throughout the entire afternoon, the driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE remained in contention and flexed his muscles at several points throughout the race. Joey Logano, who dominated the event and was looking for back-to-back wins in the NASCAR All-Star Race, had to settle for the runner-up position. Ross Chastain was also involved in the late-race battle and came home third, while Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott finished fourth and fifth.

Former editor of Stock Car Racing Magazine and Television Pit Reporter Dick Berggren sends word that2025 is the Year of the Modified at the New England Racing Museum. The museumis bringing in more modifieds than have ever before been on display in the museum at any one time. Photo albums of modifieds on Stafford’s dirt, the Eastern States half-mile, Rhythm Inn, Plainville, Waterford, Beech Ridge and more are already on display for museum guests to see. The museum’s biggest event is Legends Day which will be held on Sunday, November 16. A very well known personality whose history includes driving modifieds and considerable time in NACAR’s top division has agreed to be the emcee of this all-modifieds event. Four modified drivers will be on stage for what will be a fun afternoon that includes a buffet lunch..

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.