RPW Exclusive: Looking Back: First Week Of June
Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Seventy five years ago in 1950, Rusty Rushton made it three in a row in Modified action at the Seekonk Speedway.
Seventy years ago in 1955, rain and cold forced officials at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl to cancel the racing for the weekend. The action was hot at Seekonk with Ed Hoyle taking the Modified main. Lou Tetreault was the non-Ford winner and George Landry won in the Midgets.
Sixty five years ago, in 1960, Wild Bill Slater, driving the Connecticut Valley Rocket, V-8, won a 100 mile modified event at the Trenton Fairgrounds in New Jersey. The night before, Slater made it six wins in a row at the Norwood Arena as 8000 spectators looked on. At Norwood, Slater took the lead on the last lap from Mario “Fats” Caruso. Wally Silva finished third. Ernie Gahan was the winner on the dirt at Stafford. Don Collins won three Modified features in one day at the Waterford Speedbowl as the shoreline oval presented triple Modified features. Newt Palm was the Bomber winner.
Don Hall was the Class A winner at Seekonk. Bobby Sprague won in the Cut Downs.
Sixty years ago in 1965 New Yorker Bill Wimble won his first of eight season wins at Stafford on Friday night. On Saturday, Dick Dunn won a 50 lap Modified event at the Waterford Speedbowl. Eddie Bunnell was the Bomber winner. Freddie Schultz took the Modified win at Norwood. Lou Lazzaro was the winner at the Fonda Speedway and Steady Eddie Flemke won a 100 lapper at the Utica-Rome Speedway over Rene Charland and Elton Hill.
At the Seekonk Speedway Bugsy Stevens went two for two as he won a 50 lap and a 30 lap Modified feature. Eliot Goff was the B division winner. Eddie Crouse won a Modified event at the South Boston Speedway in Virginia.
Fifty five years ago in 1970, Eddie Pieniezak was the Friday night winner at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY. Jerry Cook finished second with Bugsy Stevens, third. Stafford and Seekonk rained out on Saturday. At Fonda, Kenny Shoemaker in the Bob Judkins 2x and Don Wayman each won 25 lap events and at Plattsburg, Dick Fowler took the win. Down on the Connecticut shoreline at the Waterford Speedbowl Charlie Webster took the 30 lap Modified feature. Johnny Delong won the Late Model Daredevil feature.
In twin 25’s at Thompson on Sunday, Eddie Flemke and Bob Santos shared victory lane and at Utica-Rome, local favorite Dave Kotary beat out Jerry Cook for the win.
Fifty years ago in 1975, In Friday night action at Freeport, Art Tappen took the win over Charlie Jarzombek. At Utica-Rome, Sonney Seamon bested Lou Lazzaro and Dick Fowler. Jerry Pearl was the Modified winner at the Waterford Speedbowl. Don Fowler made it two in a row in Late Model Daredevil action. At Stafford on Saturday night, 53 Modifieds and 5000+ spectators were on hand as Leo Cleary beat Fred DeSarro and Bugsy Stevens. The event went non stop after three restarts. At Islip, Jarzombek turned the tables on Tappen as he took the top spot and at Lancaster, Maynard Troyer went two for two. George Kent was the top dog at Shangri-La and at Fulton on Sunday it was Richie Evans over Jerry Cook. Sunday night racing at Thompson had to be postponed when the lights went out and couldn’t be restored. Shortly there after Speedway owner Don Hoenig procured a diesel generator to make his own electricity. George Savory scored a Modified win at Seekonk. Hank Goff was the Late Model winner.
Forty five years ago in 1980, the New England Drivers and Owners Club(NEDOC) met with Don Hoenig for six hours to discuss problems and requests pertaining to pit fees. NEDOC wanted Hoenig to give owners, drivers and mechanics a break on their pit fees. Nothing was settled and a strike was called. In response to NEDOC’s action, Hoenig announced that the Thompson Speedway would be closed indefinitely. At Stafford on Friday night, Ronnie Bouchard was the Modified winner as he beat out Satch Worley and Jerry Cook. At Monadnock, Kenny Bouchard took the win over Bob Karvonen and Ernie Hastings. Rain washed out action at Westboro, Spencer, Waterford and Lancaster.Richie Evans headed south to Winston Salem, NC where he scored a 200 lap win over Don Smith and Ralph Brinkley. It was the first time a northerner won at the North Carolina bull ring since Eddie Flemke Sr won back to back New Years Day Tobacco Bowl Classics in the early 60’s. At Islip it was Don Howe over Wayne Anderson and at New Egypt, Fred and Alan Harbach finished one-two.
Forty years ago in 1985, Reggie Ruggiero ruled the roost at Stafford on Friday night. Bugsy Stevens finished second with Bobby Fuller, third. Kenny Bouchard made it three in a row at Waterford on Saturday. Richie Gallup was second with Bob Potter, third. At Riverside Park it was Marty Radwick over Dan Avery and at Riverhead,on Long Island it rained. John Blewett Jr won at New Egypt over Bob Park and Tony Siscone and at Spencer, Tom Druar took the checker. Jim Spencer outran George Kent at Shangri-La and at Oswego on Sunday, Richie Evans and Brian Ross finished one-two. In Winston Cup action at Pocono Raceway, Bill Elliott was both pole sitter and winner.
Thirty five years ago in 1990, Rain washed out just about everything except Riverhead and Monadnock. Steve Park took the win at Riverhead over Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr and Don Howe. At Monadnock a NASCAR Modified championship event was run. Jamie Tomaino took the win over George Kent and Bruce Del.
Thirty years ago in 1995, Steve Park was the Friday night SK Modified winner at Stafford. Curt Brainard finished second with Bob Potter, third. In dirt track action at Malta, N.Y. Brett Hearne recorded his 400th career win. At Waterford on Saturday night, Jerry Pearl took the win after early leader Bert Marvin broke a crankshaft. Todd Ceravolo finished second with Jeff Pearl, third. At Riverside, Reggie Ruggiero scored yet another win and at Riverhead, Quinn Vollegraph scored his first win. It was also on this weekend that agless veteran Pete Fiandaca scored his 300th career win, that coming in Sunday night action at Hudson, Speedway. In Winston Cup action at Pocono, Terry Labonte had a win handed to him when Jeff Gordon missed a shift in a late restart and broke a rocker arm shaft. Last but not least, Kelly Moore won a Busch Grand National North event at Beech Ridge in Maine.
Twenty five years ago in 2000, Ted Christopher made it two in a row at Stafford as he won a 100 lapper there on Friday night. Christopher, who led the final 50 laps, was followed by Jim Williams, Todd Szegedy and Eric Berndt. The Featherlite Modified Tour was at Riverhead Raceway on Long Island on Saturday night. The event drew 48 cars and was won by Jerry Marquis who took the lead from Rick Fuller on lap 158. Fuller ended up in second spot and was trailed by Tim Connolly, Howie Brode, Ted Christopher and John Blewett III. Early in the evening Blewett had just missed out in trying to qualify and was headed back to New Jersey when Rob Summers had his time disallowed because of having two different ignition boxes. Blewett carried a beeper and recieved the message to return to the track as he was traveling down the Long Island Expressway. At Waterford, Dennis Gada recorded his third win of the season. Ed Reed jr finished second and was followed by Bob Potter and Tucker Reynolds. The World of Outlaws ran on the dirt at Bristol with 50,000 spectators on hand. Tracy Gordon won the Busch North Series event at Beech Ridge and on a sad note, Larry Nuber, the original co-anchor of the ESPN Midget and Winston Cup broadcasts, passed away.
Twenty years ago in 2005 year The Whelen Modified Tour joined hands with the Busch North Series for twin 100 lap events at the Thompson Speedway on Sunday. With intense humidity and temperatures in the 90’s most of the day the twin bill turned into a test of man and machine. When it was all said and done the weatherman won another one as torrential rain hit the speedway causing yet another rain out. There were 41 Modifieds and 34 Busch North Series Late Models in the pits when the races were called.
Frank Ruocco staged a spirited battle with Jeff Malave in the closing moments of the 40 lap SK-Modified feature at Stafford on Friday night. Ruocco won out in the end as he recorded his first victory of 2005. Malave ended up second with Doug Coby, third. Ted Christopher and Lloyd Agor rounded out the top five. The SK Modified field continued to hover around the 21 car count. This was good and bad. The good was that everyone that showed up went home with a paycheck. The bad was the qualifying heats which are no more than glorified practice sessions. Joe Rzeszutek took advantage of a confrontation that escalated between Tom Fearn and Mike Quintiliano as he won the Late Model feature. Fearn and Quintiliano were battling one-two until contact and a spin after a late restart took both out of contention. Tom Butler finished second. Michael Bennett won the 20 lap Limited Late Model feature and Stacy Botticello was the DARE Stock winner.
The Waterford Speedbowl had Rob Janovic taking the win in the SK Modified feature after taking the lead from Frank Mucciacco with two laps to go in the 35 lap feature. Mucciacco faded to third after being passed by Ron Silk on the final lap. Jay Miller and Tom Fox rounded out the top five. Joe Curioso is a security officer at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. by day and a racer by night. On Saturday night he garnered his first win in the Speedbowl’s tough Sportsman division. Bruce Thomas was the 30-lap Late Model feature winner and Nick Pappacoda took the win in the Mini-Stocks.
Jeffrey Paul continued to showcase his ability as a racer in Wednesday night’s (June 9) Wild n’ Wacky action at the Waterford Speedbowl. The 17-year old captured both the 20-lap Legends and the 15-lap X-Modified features. Paul didn’t lead the Legends’ race until lap 18 and then held off Jason Palmer. He edged Bill Leonard and Dean Christensen, in the X-Modified event. Paul was looking to make it two in a row in the Legends on Saturday night when he became involved in a violent wreck that all but destroyed his mount. George Whitney ended up taking the win.
Carl Edwards won the Nextel Cup event at the Pocono Int, Raceway and Clint Bowyer won the rain delayed Sportsman event at Nashville. On a sad note, Patrick Evans passed away at the age of 47 after a long bout with cancer.
Fifteen years ago in 2010, the Modified Racing Series returned to action at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY. Rowan Pennink got a well deserved and long over-due win as he overcame a cut tire on lap three and came back to win the 100 lap East-West Showdown at Malta, NY Speedway New Jersey runner Pete Brittain led the first forty-seven-laps before yielding the top spot to Earl Paules, Paules set a torrid pace until lap seventy-six when Pennink claimed the top spot. Pennink went on to score his second Modified Racing Series win. The victory was the third for car owner, Gary Cassela. The race was marred by 15 caution periods including, a crash that saw 2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year, Jacob Dore vault over the second place car, Brittain while battling for the position.
Like Pennink, Sean Bodreau overcame an early race mishap to finish a strong third ahead of Les Hinckley, Rob Goodenough,, Daren Scherer, Norman Wrenn, Mike Holdridge, and Kenny Barry
The Stafford Motor Speedway celebrated NASCAR Day with a Whelen Event Night race program consisting of five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Keith Rocco picked up his second win of 2010 in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Corey Hutchings took down his first victory of 2010 in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Matt Galko was a first-time career winner in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, George Nocera took down his first win of 2010 in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and Don Wood scored his first victory of the 2010 season in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.
Jeff Paul broke the strangle hold that Keith Rocco had held on victory lane at the Waterford Speedbowl as he claimed his first win of the year in the SK Modifieds®, snapping Keith Rocco’s three race winning streak in the division. Eighteen year old Brian Andronaco was a first time winner in the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model event. Josh Galvin became the first repeat winner of the year in the Street Stocks and Louis Bellisle recorded his first Norwich Bulletin Mini Stock win of the season. Anthony Frissora won the visiting Allison Legacy Series tour race.
The Thompson International Speedway began their Thursday night Thunder Series before a very healthy crowd and 100 cars in the pit area. Ted Christopher had the crowd on it’s feet as he worked over Keith Rocco, finally taking the lead after the former slipped coming off turn four. Rocco, who started eighth, passed Woody Pitkat after a restart on lap 18. Christopher, who started seventh, closed in on Rocco’s bumper on lap 20 and began his assault. Back and fourth, up and down, Christopher tried every trick. It appeared that Rocco’s tires gave up as he drifted up just enough to give TC the opening he needed. Rocco held on for the runner-up spot. Ronnie Silk finished third and was followed by Woody Pitkat, Rowan Pennink, Tim Sullivan, Bert Marvin, Dave Salzarulo, Glenn Griswold and Ryan Preece.
Derek Ramstrom made it three straight in Super Late Model competition. Tommy O’Sullivan was victorious in Late Models while an ailing Chris “Moose” Douton was tops in the Limited Sportsman division. R.J. Marcotte scored the TIS Modified feature win while it was a career first for Lloyd Anderson in the Mini Stocks.
The Bowman-Gray Stadium, in Winston-Salem, NC ran a 50 lapper on Saturday night. MadHouse reality show star Burt Myers, who got his 41st victory in Bowman Gray’s featured Modified Division, strengthened his early-season points lead in the standings by leading the event from pole to pole with the exception of one restart. Myers started on the outside of the front row and took the lead from his brother and pole-sitter Jason Myers on the first lap. From that point, there were only two stretches of more than six laps without a caution period, which necessitate a double-file restart. Tim Brown took a short-lived lead in the eighth lap after a restart, zipping past Myers, who said he was a victim of a too-sensitive computer chip that threatened to stall his engine. In true MadHouse fashion Myers recovered with a stiff shot to Brown’s rear bumper. That loosened Brown, and Myers shot past to retake the lead by the ninth lap. Zach Brewer finished second, Brian Loftin was third and Alfred Hill finished fourth. Jason Myers rounded out the top five. Defending champion Tim Brown ended up 12th. Junior Miller was seventh.
Riverhead Raceway Co-Chief Steward Mike Capiello suffered two broken legs and a dislocated shoulder. One broken leg said to be of the “minor” variety, while the other was a compound fracture. This was a result of the Modified of Steve Booker being spun from behind during hot laps, and spinning out of control to the infield, where his car struck Capiello.
Capiello was transported first to Peconic Bay Medical Center, then later transferred to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was to get surgery on his leg. Tom Rogers was the Modified winner.
All eyes were focused on the NASCAR Sprint Cup All Star Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. As teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lined up side-by-side for the final segment of the All-Star race, one way or another, a Joe Gibbs Racing victory seemed a mere 10-lap shootout away. But with a cool $1 million prize on the line, neither driver had any intention of lifting off the gas in the no-points, dash-for-cash Saturday night showdown. Hamlin used defensive driving to protect his lead, Busch wrecked and his big brother, Kurt, sailed by both JGR drivers to grab his first career All-Star victory. One Busch was celebrating, while the other was so angry he threatened to kill Hamlin over his team radio.
The inaugural five members of NASCAR’s new Hall of Fame were inducted in a ceremony that both honored auto racing’s pioneers and celebrated the entire industry.
Bill France, the founder of NASCAR, was lauded for his vision of turning unregulated beach racing into America’s premiere motorsports series. His son, Bill France Jr., was remembered as a tough taskmaster who poured his soul into NASCAR.
Richard Petty, a seven-time champion, was credited as the sport’s first superstar, while Junior Johnson was celebrated as the symbol of the sport’s roots.
And then there was Dale Earnhardt, the “champion’s champion” who epitomized the blue-collar spirit at the heart of NASCAR.
Ten years ago in 2015, The stars and cars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series made their second stop of the season at the Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday night. Ryan Preece made it two in a row as he won the TSI Harley-Davidson 125. Preece took the lead on Lap 2 from pole sitter Doug Coby and led all but six laps. Woody Pitkat and Timmy Solomito finished second and third, respectively. Todd Szegedy finished fourth and Bobby Santos in fifth. Sixth thru tenth were Ted Christopher, Rowan Pennink, Keith Rocco, Patrick Emerling and Tom Rogers Jr.
There were 5 lead changes among 3 drivers. Preece took the lead for the final time on lap 107. Woody Pitkat used a power move to the inside of Timmy Solomito in the final turn on the final lap to steal the runner-up spot, while Solomitio hung on for third.
Coby, who had been running fifth in the closing laps was sent to the rear for rough riding after triggering a wreck on lap 118. He came back to finish 13th. Fourteen of the original 31 starters were on the lead lap at the finish.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will next get the green on Wednesday, June 10 for the Mr. Rooter 125 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
In regular weekly action at Stafford it was features only. Taking down NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly feature were Rowan Pennink, who picked up his third win of the 2015 season in the SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn scored his second consecutive victory in the Late Model feature, Nick Salva was a first time winner in 2015 in the SK Light Modified feature, Andrew Hayes got his first win of 2015 in the Limited Late Model feature, Zack Robinson was a first time career winner in the DARE Stock feature, and Devin O’Connell picked up his second win of the 2015 season in the Legend Cars feature.
In the SK Modified 40 lapper, Pennink took the lead from Christopher with a move in turn 4 with Joey Cipriano following suit getting around Christopher to drop him back to third place. The caution came out with 36 laps complete as Christopher’s car got turned into the frontstretch wall. Pennink powered into the lead on the restart with Preece locked in a side by side fight for second with Cipriano. Preece got clear to second on lap-37 while Cipriano was now trying to hold off Keith Rocco and Reen. Pennink led Preece back to the checkered flag to pick up his third win of the season. Cipriano held off Rocco in a photo finish for third, with Glen Reen rounding out the top-5.
Keith Rocco keeps rolling along at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl as he continues to build on his record setting feature win total. Rocco recorded his third SK Modified win of the season at the shoreline oval bringing his track win total to 109 wins. The win also brought Rocco closer to a career overall total of 200 wins which now total 197 which also include victories at Thompson and Stafford Speedways.
The SK Modified win by Rocco at the speedbowl was pretty much a cake walk as he beat out Rob Janovic and Ted Christopher. Rocco finished a close second to Jason Palmer in the Late Model feature. Other feature winners were Mark Panaroni (Mini Stocks), Chris Correll (SK Lights), Al Stone III (Limited Sportsman), Randy Cabral (NEMA Lites) and Toby Wells (North East Mini Stock Tour).
The SK Modified event was 35 laps and Timmy Jordan was the man to take the early lead with Paul Kusheba right behind him ready to take the lead away. Rocco took the lead with 19 laps remaining in the event. The first caution came out with 14 laps remaining in the event. Rocco took the lead on the restart and never trailed from that position. following Christopher in the SK Modified event was Tim Jordan and Tyler Chadwick.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series paid a visit to the Seekonk Speedway on Saturday night. Twenty five cars were on hand for the 100 lapper. Richard Savary took the lead from Dylan Kopec near the halfway mark and held off strong challenges from Woody Pitkat and Todd Szegedy to win the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature. Rowan Pennink finished fourth and Anthony Nocella in fifth. Woody Pitkat, Charlie Pasteryak, Norm Wrenn, Dennis Perry and Donny Lashua rounded off the top ten. The win was Savary’s first of the 2015 season.
Savory started the race in third spot, passed for the lead on lap 43 from early leader Dylan Kopec and went on to win the VMRS Seekonk 100.
The Riverhead Raceway on Long Island presented the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek Memorial event. Ryan Preece took the win over John Fortin and Jason Agugliaro.
Down in the southland at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem NC twin 25-lap NASCAR Modified features were on tap. Jason Myers held off his brother Burt Myers to win the first 25-lap race. It was Jason Myers’ 20th win at Bowman Gray. Danny Bohn, who was last year’s Bowman Gray’s Modified division champion, came back from New Jersey to win his eighth race at Bowman Gray in the night’s second Modified race. In the first Modified race, Jason Myers had the fastest qualifying lap of the year and won wire-to-wire to defeat his brother for the win. In the nite-cap, Bohn defeated Frank Fleming, David Calabrese and Tim Brown.
Martin Truex led a race-high 97 laps and drove away from defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick after a late-race restart to capture the Axalta We Paint Winners 400 at the Pocono Raceway, his third-career Sprint Cup victory and the second series victory for Furniture Row Racing.
Five years ago in 2020, The Asphalt Modifieds made their return in the Northeast with an event that didn’t disappoint. The John “Peepers” Yerger Tribute 77 at the Mahoning Valley ¼ mile Speedway in Pennsylvania will be a race that many won’t soon forget, with a packed house, a star-studded field (32 cars) and a finish that was far from what anyone expected.
In an event that was riddled with cautions, it was clear that Pennsylvania locals Eric Beers and Matt Hirschman were the class of the field. The duo ran nose to tail for the majority of the race but contact late in the closing moments would send both cars to the back, handing the lead and the eventual win to New Jersey native Jimmy Blewett.
When the green flag dropped on the 24-car field, it was Beers and Todd Baer who led the field to turn one. As the early laps clicked off, Beers would hold a solid lead, but it was Hirschman who would put on a charge to the front. After starting eighth, he would find himself in the runner-up position by lap 21, nipping at the heels of the Beers No 45. Through numerous cautions, Hirschman and Beers would keep the top two spots as the field continued to shuffle behind them.
With seventeen laps to go, Hirschman took a look to the inside of Beers coming off of the second turn on lap 60 of the scheduled 77-lap distance. As they approached turn three, the space got small and minimal contact was made between the rear end of Beers and the nose of Hirschman. The contact turned Beers sideways as he drifted his way through turn three, eventually coming the full way around in turn four and bringing out the caution flag. Race control would send Hirschman to the rear for contact as he would give a wave to take blame to Beers while joining him at the tail of the field.
The on-track action would become a gift to Wall Stadium Speedway regular Jimmy Blewett, who was making his first ever appearance to the tight oval. As the field tried to complete the remainder of the race, it was a slew of caution flags to the finish. The checkered flag waved on lap 66 of the scheduled 77 on a green-white-checkered due to the number of cautions. Blewett would score the victory over Mahoning Valley regular Josh Scherer and invader Blake Barney. Although the contact took both Beers and Hirschman out of contention for the win, both drivers finished the race and no hard feelings were had between them. While Beers was able to salvage a sixth-place finish, Hirschman would have to settle for 11th. Following Blewett at the finish was Josh Scherer, Blake Barney, Austin Kochenash and Chuck Hossfeld.
The Stafford Motor Speedway management announced Saturday, June 13 through Facebook that the track has tentatively scheduled its first Friday night racing event of the season for June 26. It was also announced that the track would hold an open practice on Saturday June 20.
New state guidance in regard to reopening plans due to the COVID-19 global pandemic shutdown opened the door for outdoor events to take place. Under new state guidelines the state will allow outdoor events to take place on June 17. Stafford Motor Speedway has been unable to host racing events because of shutdowns due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Paul Arute stated that track’s reopening plan calls for their season to be extended with events through late October. The track typically run its final racing events in late September or early October.
As NASCAR Weekly Series sanctioned events begin to return at select tracks across North America, NASCAR and Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, today announced a multiyear official partnership, designating Advance Auto Parts as the series entitlement sponsor. As part of the agreement, Advance also becomes the “Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR.” Whelen is no longer the title sponsor for the National Weekly Racing Series program.
Race fans can catch select NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races live and on-demand via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold, the new streaming service from NASCAR and NBC Sports. NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races are part of the NASCAR Roots package for $2.99/month or $19.99/annually. The full TrackPass package, which includes NASCAR Roots, IMSA and American Flat Track events is available for $4.99/month or $44.99/year. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold will be available on desktop web browsers and via the NBC Sports app on iOS and Android phones and tablets, Apple TV (Gen 4), Roku, Amazon Fire TV, AndroidTV, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and Chromecast devices connected via HDMI.
NAPA is a big sponsor at Stafford and certainly a competitor of Advanced Auto Parts. It will be interesting to see how the Stafford Speedway handles this. Nascar used to have a rule at the cup level anyway that you couldn’t have competing sponsors but it is believed current sponsors were grandfathered in.
In NASCAR Cup racing, Denny Hamlin found the magic once again at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hamlin took the lead for the final time with 30 laps left and held off Chase Elliott for his record-tying third NASCAR Cup Series victory at Homestead. Ryan Blaney was third in a race delayed by rain and lightning. Tyler Reddick finished fourth. Ryan Preece finished 24th, one lap down.
Fans, 1,000 of them, mostly invited military members who could each bring a guest, were back at a NASCAR race for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started, and there were no banned flags in sight. Most of those fans were gone when Hamlin drove under the checkered flag at 10:46 p.m., ending the marathon day.
Last year, 2024 On a sad note, Carl “Bugsy” Stevens passed away on Monday, May 20. RIP Champ! We lost a remarkable individual to say the least. Bugs was highly respected by his peers and loved by his thousands of fans.
A funeral service was conducted with a huge crowd of family and friends paying tribute. As a final tribute he was taken one last lap around the Seekonk Speedway just prior to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event held there on Saturday night. Even in death. The former champion drew thousands of fans to send him off as his remains circled the track in one of Len Boehler’s Modifieds driven by David Berghman.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour visited the Seekonk Speedway on Saturday night. It was a perfect night for racing at the Massachusetts 1/3 mile oval with 23 cars on hand for the 150 lap contest.
Matt Hirschman was the fastest qualifier touring the oval in 11.945 seconds. Second fastest at 11.961 was Austin Beers. The first eight redrew for starting spots. Hirschman drew eighth spot and Austin Beers drew the pole. At the drop of the green Beers jumped out into the lead with Matt Swanson and Jake Johnson in tow. Johnson had the heat turned up as he took over the second spot on lap 28. Point leader Ron Silk started 11th and by lap 58 had moved into 8th spot. At the half way mark, lap 75, Beers continued to lead. Johnson was second followed by Justin Bonsignore, Swanson and Jacob Lutz. By lap 66 Hirschman had displaced Lutz and moved into fourth spot. Hirschman could almost smell the victory as he continued his march to the front, passing Bonsignore for third on lap 98 and by Johnson on lap 117. On lap 120 the first and only caution flew for Tyler Catalano who spun.
Following the restart it was neighbor against neighbor as they both live on the same street in Pennsylvania. The pair ran wheel to wheel until Beers faltered after the pair banged wheels.on lap 130. In a non-related incident, Johnson who was running third spun and allowed Silk to move into the third spot. At the finish it was Hirschman followed by Beers, Silk, Justin Bonsignore and Stephen Kopcik. Sixth thru tenth included Jacob Lutz, Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling, Jake Johnson and Matt Swanson.. The next stop for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be the series’ most prestigious venue, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, for the running of the Mohegan Sun 100 on June 22 at 6:40 p.m. ET. FloRacing will provide live flag-to-flag coverage.
Stafford Speedway hosted AZ Roofing Kids Night on Friday, May 31st, the first of three kids nights scheduled for the 2024 season. It was a night of first-time 2024 winners with Marcello Rufrano taking the SK Modified® feature, Paul Varricchio, Jr. the Late Model feature, Nickolas Hovey the SK Light feature, Kyle Theriault the Limited Late Model feature, and Tyler Trott the Street Stock feature. There were two kids big wheel races with Joseph Davenport and Max Ayers the winners. The car count continues to be very healthy. There were 27 SK Modifieds, 30 SK lites, plus a good assortment of Street Stocks, Late Models and Limited Late Models.
Cory DiMatteo had a string of three in a row in the SK Modifieds but found himself starting deep, 18th, in the SK Modified field. After numerous restarts it came down to a near three wide finish with Marcello Rufrano taking the win. Anthony Flannery took second by a nose over Andrew Molleur in third with Michael Gervais nipping Todd Owen at the line for fourth. Owen rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth included Dylan Kopec, George Bessette Jr, Steven Chapman, Mike Christopher Jr and Cory DiMatteo.
In the SK Lite 20 lapper, Nick Hovey scored a convincing win over Tyler Chapman and Sami Anderson. Women competitors have made their presence known as they consistently run to win rather than just start and run in the rear week after week.
At the New London-Waterford Speedbowl it’s amazing on how well they do without any PR or advertising. Jon Puleo took the SK Modified feature over Kyle James, Andrew Molleur, Timmy Jordan and Todd Owen.
Down in North Carolina at the Bowman Gray Stadium New Jersey native Danny Bohn held off Bert Myers to take the victory in a 100 lap Modified event. Bohn started seventh. Chris Fleming finished third with Jason Myers, fourth.as a crowd of over 10,000 looked on.
In NASCAR Modified action at the Riverhead Raceway it was JB Fortin over JR Bertuccio and Chris Young.
Riverhead Raceway owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz announced on Friday three 2024 inductees who’ll be enshrined on the Cromarty Wall of Champions Saturday August 17th during an on-track ceremony. The 2024 inductees will be unique as it’s the first time since inception none of the three are being enshrined for driving or owning race cars. “Big” Bob O’Rourke longtime NASCAR chief steward and race director, Ray Bouchard, award winning crew chief and Bob Finan, former announcer and public relations director will be inducted prior to the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 race program.
With the cooperation of the Arute family a 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.
