Monthly Archives: April 2014

Will the NASCAR TV ratings get better when the string of bad weather subsides?

Joey Logano proved that he's capable of winning even though some of his peer drivers feel that he hasn't paid his dues. (Credit: AP photo)

Joey Logano proved that he’s capable of winning even though some of his peer drivers feel that he hasn’t paid his dues. (Credit: AP photo)

By Lou Modestino

What’s going to happen when we finally get a string of NASCAR races that don’t get delayed by rain and the TV ratings are still lousy? Are we going to get another NASCAR/Fox Sports spin? Frankly, I just can’t really get excited about the NASCAR events on TV. Not to mention the fact that the new qualifying for The Chase is “if you win-you’re in”. It’s all meant to make the drivers take chances and quit point chasing. But we’ve seen stories that even if you win that doesn’t assure a driver a spot in The Chase!?! Continue reading →

Icebreaker at Thompson Motorsports Park kicks off the 2014 season in New England

Don't ever count out Woody Pitkat when he races on the 5/8ths mile Thompson Speedway. (Credit: NASCAR photo)

Don’t ever count out Woody Pitkat when he races on the 5/8ths mile Thompson Speedway. (Credit: NASCAR photo)

By Lou Modestino

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park kicked off the 2014 race season Saturday night with Shawn Monahan of Waterford, Conn. and Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, Conn. earning the overall division wins in the all-new Segment Saturday portion of Icebreaker weekend. Woody Pitkat set fast time in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying for his first career Coors Light Pole Award. In other action, John Studley of Framingham, Mass. was victorious in the Lite Modified division, Roger Turbush won the New England Truck Series feature, and Scott Quinn won the Vintage Outlaw race. Continue reading →

Thompson Speedway hosted several support races in the Icebreaker

Keith Rocco is always a threat to win wherever he competes. (Credit: NASCAR photo)

Keith Rocco is always a threat to win wherever he competes. (Credit: NASCAR photo)

By Lou Modestino

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park opened the season in grand style with Keith Rocco of Berlin, Conn. earning two NASCAR Whelen All American Series wins in one day in both the Sunoco Modified and Late Model divisions. Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. took the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win over Woody Pitkat. Shawn Monahan of Waterford, Conn. earned his second in as many days in the Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman division while Steve Dickey, Jr. of Londonderry, N.H. checkered the Monster Mini Stocks. Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, Mass. won the Granite State Pro Stock Series 50-lap affair and Vintage Outlaw checkers flew for Joe Baxter of Pascoag, R.I. Continue reading →

Quebec teams are set to help kick off the 2014 ACT season at Lee USA

Donald Theetge will be among the Serie ACT Canadian invaders at the upcoming Governor's Cup race at Lee USA Speedway.

Donald Theetge will be among the Serie ACT Canadian invaders at the upcoming Governor’s Cup race at Lee USA Speedway.

By Lou Modestino

Several Quebec teams are set to help kick off the 2014 American Canadian Tour season at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 13. The ACT Quebec runner-up in 2013, Alex Labbe of St. Albert, Quebec, two-time Serie ACT Champion Donald Theetge of Boischatel, and Jonathan Bouvrette of Blainville, a NASCAR All-American Series Champion and first-time ACT event winner on the final weekend at Autodrome St-Eustache in 2013, are all gearing up for the 150-lap Governor’s Cup on the fast 1/3 mile asphalt track.

Continue reading →

Monadnock Speedway set to open on Saturday, April, 19 with the VMRS

Rick Savary of Canton is expected to enter the up coming Valenti Modified Racing Series at Monadnock Speedway

Rick Savary of Canton is expected to enter the up coming Valenti Modified Racing Series at Monadnock Speedway

By Lou Modestino

The snow is finally melted and Monadnock Speedway is set to welcome the veterans and rookies to the high banked 1/4 mile track in Southern NH. The speedway will officially open the gates for their annual Test and Tune session on Saturday, April 12 from Noon to 5 p.m.

This is an opportunity for all competitors to shake down their race machines from a very long winter, fill out registrations, purchase NASCAR licenses and tires prior to the season opener. The pit gates will open at 10 a.m. on the Test and Tune session. General Admission is free on the Test and Tune event where the fans can check out the 2014 competition.

The management is very excited for the season to come as the NASCAR feature division, the Sportsman Modifieds, has grown and is expected to be a full field weekly. There are at least five rookies joining the division along with new competitors coming from other tracks making Monadnock Speedway their home track. It will be a very challenging field, as new talent will join the already seasoned field of veterans. The other NASCAR division also is expected to see growth as quite a few Young Guns have moved up to the NASCAR divisional ranks.

The speedway has also announced a few changes for the 2014 season. The Lightning Stocks, Thunder Stocks and Young will now compete in heat races compared to drawing for feature starting positions as they have done in the past. This change will give all the competitors more track time while placing them in the regular race procedures as all the NASCAR divisions follow

The 2014 season opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 with racing at 5 p.m.. The traditional Bond Auto Parts 100 will feature the Valenti Modified Racing Series, all the speedway’s NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series divisions along with the Pro 4 Modifieds. The pit gates will open at 11 a.m. with practice starting at 2 p.m..