RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: Stafford Still Puts On A Great Show, NASCAR Mods At Riverhead & More…

Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – The Stafford Motor Speedway continues to be the best show in town.

Their lead division, the SK Modifieds continue to draw over 25 cars per week. The competition is by far is without a doubt, the best. Last weeks Casella 80 was a nail biter right to the end. Michael Christopher, Jr. took home the Casella Waste hardware for a second consecutive season.

In 2024, Christopher won the race as an Open Modified 80 event and this season as an SK Modified® event. The victory is Christopher’s first of the 2025 season and extends his recent string of success in extra distance, big money events.

Twenty eight starters went to post. Jon Puleo led the field to the green but by the time the field entered turn two Andrew Molleur had taken over the top spot. Mike Christopher Jr did him one better as he took over the top spot in turn three. Molleur shot back and re-took the lead on lap four. Molleur rebounded and was back in the top spot by lap 6 but it was not for long as Christopher re-took the lead on lap 8.

Puleo came alive as he made a move for the second spot on lap 9. Puleo put the pressure on Christopher for the lead but to no avail. Puleo was finally able to get alongside Christopher on lap-20 and he took the lead on lap-21. Behind the four leaders, Mikey Flynn was making a move around Molleur to take fifth place on lap-23

With 30 laps down, Puleo was still leading Christopher, Tyler Chapman, Korner, and Flynn. Keith Rocco was sixth followed by Max Zachem, Cory DiMatteo, Marcello Rufrano, and Michael Gervais, Jr.

Rocco, who had three in a row at Stafford, came alive at the 50 lap mark as he moved into the fifth spot. At this point he could all but smell the checkered flag as he moved into the fourth spot on lap 51. Christopher was waiting in the wings for Puleo to make a mistake. Christopher nearly took the lead from Puleo on lap-68 but Puleo was able to maintain the lead. Behind the two leaders, Rocco was all over Flynn looking high and low for a way to take over third place, but was unable to find a way around Flynn. Prucker spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution flag out with 75 laps complete and set up a 5 lap dash to the finish.

Puleo took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Flynn behind him. Tyler Chapman was fourth in line with Rocco fifth. Puleo took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Flynn behind him. Tyler Chapman was fourth in line with Rocco fifth. Dan Avery spun in turn 4 to bring the caution back out with 77 laps complete.

Puleo held off a challenge from Christopher on the restart and the field completed one lap before the caution came back out for Korner, who spun and slid through the backstretch grass and back onto the track in turn 3 to set up a green white checkered finish.

Puleo took the lead ahead of Christopher on the restart but there was contact in the rear of the field between Brainard, Art Caruso, and Chase Van Houten to bring the caution out.

Puleo took the lead on the restart but going into turn 1 on the white flag lap, Christopher made a bottom shot move to the inside of Puleo to take over the lead. Puleo and Flynn nearly took it 3-wide going through the final corner, but Christopher had enough steam coming out of turn 4 to lead the trio to the checkered flag and pick up his first win of the 2025 season. Puleo edged out Flynn at the line for second with Tyler Chapman and Rufrano rounding out the top-5.

Rocco’s luck ran out with two laps to go when his distributer malfunctioned causing his mount to lose power.

Puleo took the lead ahead of Christopher on the finalrestart but there was contact in the rear of the field between Brainard, Art Caruso, and Chase Van Houten to bring the caution out.

Puleo took the lead on the restart but going into turn 1 on the white flag lap, Christopher made a bottom shot move to the inside of Puleo to take over the lead. Puleo and Flynn nearly took it 3-wide going through the final corner, but Christopher had enough steam coming out of turn 4 to lead the trio to the checkered flag and pick up his first win of the 2025 season. Puleo edged out Flynn at the line for second with Tyler Chapman and Rufrano rounding out the top-5.

Sixth thru tenth included Michael Gervais, Jr., Steven Chapman, Cory DiMatteo, David Arute and Matt Vassar. Rocco ended up 22nd.

Among the other feature winners were a pair of first-time Stafford winners in Christopher Buffone in the Late Model feature and Brent Gleason in the Street Stock feature. Nickolas Hovey was a winner for the third time in four races this season in the SK Light feature and Gary Patnode notched his first Limited Late Model feature win of the season.

NASCAR and Riverhead Raceway postponed Saturday’s scheduled NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event one day to Sunday as a forecast for inclement weather impacted the area. The New London-Waterford Speedbowl suffered it’s fourth rainout in a row. Back in the late 70s the speedbowl suffered a similar fate when then promoter Dick Williams ran a mid week event to break the rain cycle.

It took two days to do it but Justin Bonsignore finally broke the ice to put himself in victory lane for 2025. Setting fast time and electing to start from the outside pole, Bonsignore led on three different occasions to win the Tribute to Steve Park at the Riverhead Raceway on Long Island. Matt Hirschman finished second with Patrick Emerling, third. Ron Silk and Craig Lutz rounded out the top five.

There were only 21 cars on hand including five Riverhead regulars. The NASCAR requirements for special licenses and tires plus the fact of the high costs of tolls and ferry tickets have driven costs to competitors out of sight. Of the 21 starters, the highest finishing regular was Dylan Slepian who finished 11th. Of the 21 starters, 19 finished on the lead lap.

A little bit of pre-race drama cast a shadow over the Riverhead oval. Dave Sapienza involved himself in a beef with Riverhead track officials who mistakenly waved Sapienza off the track during a pre-season test session Sapienza embroiled himself to the point where he was asked to leave the premises and don’t come back. Sapienza was right to a point but should not have abused the official. To add fuel to the fire Sapienza rented a bucket lift and put it next to the raceway to harass those at the track. Years ago, in the early 1970s, Richie Evans was banned by NASCAR from competing in NASCAR sanctioned events. Evans went to court stating that NASCAR had violated “Right to Work” laws and a judge agreed. It will be interesting to see if Sapienza takes any legal action in this matter.

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.