Rick Gentes won the Late Model Championship at TMSP in 2013 (TMSP photo)
By Lou Modestino
Registrations are pouring in for the Late Model Division at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP). To date, over 30 different drivers, hailing from four states, have registered for competition. A blend of seasoned veterans as well as young, up-and-coming drivers make up the 2014 roster.
The Materas family is a perfect snapshot, as seasoned father, John, and his son, Jared, intend to run the full schedule in 2014. John has enjoyed a storied career, including a Late Model Division track championship in 2009. His son, Jared, competed in the Late Model Division in 2013, and finished the season 11th in the championship point standings. The father-son duo only raced together once last year, and it was Jared who came out on top, as John was involved in an incident that forced him to retire from the race. When asked about the family goals for 2014, John said, “We’d like a top 10 in the Icebreaker and to be able to load the car on the trailer.” Jared has similar ideas: “We want to run every race, finish every race, run up front, and work together.” John did indicate that on the track, the father and son are fellow drivers: “If it came down to my son and I to win the race, I’m not really sure what would happen. We’ll have to see when it happens.”
Glen Boss, the only six-time champion in the history of TSMP with 56 wins to his credit was the runner-up in the Late Model Division in 2013. Boss has registered the No. 3 Brooklyn Farm & Pet/Cady’s Tavern racecar for the 2014 campaign. He was a multi-time feature winner in 2013, adding four podium finishes and seven top five finishes to his résumé . He will look to continue that momentum in 2014 and improve his position in the championship point standings by one position.
Defending Connecticut State and TSMP Sunoco Modified Champion, Keith Rocco, plans on doing double-duty in 2014, as he has registered the Scott Fearn-owned No. 1. Fearn and Rocco partnered for a Late Model Division title at the Waterford Speedbowl in 2013. The pair will look to duplicate those results in 2014 at TSMP.
In 2014, Buxton, ME’s Larry Gelinas will be returning to full-time competition at TSMP. Up until 2013, Gelinas piloted the legendary No. 48 for Rollie Lindblad in the Super Late Model Division. The veteran driver has received the nod from Jeff Hartwell to drive the Jim Morrissette’s Oil Burner Service/State Line Builders No. 91.
Also registered are up-and-comers Travis Jurcik, Derryck Anderson and Bobby Pelland. Jurcik finished the 2013 campaign ninth championship point standings in the Limited Sportsman Division. He plans on competing in that division again, but has also registered a Late Model racecar. Derryck Anderson is heading into his sophomore season at TSMP, coming off of an eighth place finish in the Late Model championship point standings. Pelland, who has moonlighted at TSMP in a Late Model and a Granite State Pro Stock Series racecar, has indicated his desire to run the entire schedule.
This diverse group of Late Model drivers – and many more – will kick off their 2014 season at the Icebreaker on April 5 – 6.