Monthly Archives: May 2014

Nick Sweet dominates the Vermont Late Model Championship at Devil’s Bowl

Nick Sweet is always a threat in an ACT Late Model  race.  (Credit: NH Racing News photo

Nick Sweet is always a threat in an ACT Late Model race. (Credit: NH Racing News photo

 

 

By Lou Modestino

Nick Sweet continued his dominance of Vermont State Late Model Championship Series racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Friday night, winning the People’s United Bank 100. The defending Vermont State Champion has now won in his last three visits to the Rutland County track. His victory headlined a list of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series winners on the night that also included Jessey Mueller, Robert Gordon, and Chris LaVair. Continue reading

Barrett wins Thompson Valenti 75 lap main with a last lap pass at Thompson

Tommy Barrett made all of the right moves when he had to in the VMRS 75 at Thompson Speedway. (Credit: NASCAR Home Tracks photo)

Tommy Barrett made all of the right moves when he had to in the VMRS 75 at Thompson Speedway. (Credit: NASCAR Home Tracks photo)

 

By Lou Modestino

19-year old Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, cashed in on a lap 66 caution flag, moved to second on the restart, then passed race leader, Todd Szegedy, of Ridgefield, CT, on the final lap to win the Valenti Modified Racing Series 75-lap feature race Thursday night at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, Connecticut. Continue reading

Seth Carlson wins NEMA main at Evans Mills Speedway in NY

 

Seth Carlson likes to race in NY State because he does well there. (Credit: NEMA Midget photo)

Seth Carlson likes to race in NY State because he does well there. (Credit: NEMA Midget photo)

By Lou Modestino

“I just love these New York tracks” Brimfield, CT resident Seth Carlson (#71) stated after his second New York state win in as many years. Seth claimed the 2013 Oswego, NY feature last fall. Continue reading

Jason Corliss scores first career win at T Road Memorial Day classic

 

Jason Corless scored a big win at T-Road (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

Jason Corless scored a big win at T-Road (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

By Lou Modestino

Barre’s own Jason Corliss scored his first career Thunder Road Late Model win in the 52nd running of the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. Corliss stole the win with a last lap pass of multi-time Thunder Road Champion Nick Sweet in a photo finish of the first Vermont State Late Model Championship event of the year. Continue reading

Some 34 entries head for Thompson Speedway for the first Valenti Modified Racing Series race on Thursday, May 29

Todd Szgedy is always a threat anytime he races a Modified car. Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo)

Todd Szgedy is always a threat anytime he races a Modified car. Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo)

 

A 75-lap feature race and an early season battle for the points lead highlight the May 29th program.

Series regulars Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, CT, two-time series champion Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, reigning champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Preston, Connecticut’s, Max Zachem, and Justin Bonsignore, of Islip, NY, are entered. The five drivers are currently ranked one through fifth in the point standings.

Szegedy, driver of the Stuarts Automotive sponsored entry out of Lowell, MA, leads the pack by only two points over Pasteryak, (Dawley’s Collision and Custom) #5CT car, and Pennink’s (Monk Hand Cleaner) #25 based in Saugus, MA. The 21-year-old Zachem, (Dunleavy Tire and Truck Repair) # 20, is 13 points back with Bonsignore, (Monster Marine) # 21, one point behind and 14 points from the top.

Additionally, Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA, Richard Savary of Canton, MA, Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA, Charlie Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, Todd Owen, of Somers, CT, Matt Richmond, of Richmond, NH, and Dylan Kopec, of Palmer, MA, are entered.

Thursday’s race also features drivers that some consider outsiders but are no strangers to the VMRS. Most have committed to competing at the Connecticut tracks on the 2014 schedule.

Legendary Ted Christopher, of Plainville, CT, again teams with New England Hall of Fame car owner Joe Brady, Keith Rocco, of Wallingford, CT, Woody Pitkat, of Stafford Springs, CT, Ryan Preece, of Berlin, CT, Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, and Rob Fuller, of Auburn, MA, make up the impressive group.

Qualifying heat races begin approximately at 6:15 PM.

26-cars will start the 75-lap main event.

Rhode Island’s Ray Parent battled his way to victory lane in the ACT 100 at Airborne Speedway

Ray Parent of Tiverton, RI won the ACT race at Airborne Speedway in Plattsbrugh, NY and also got a guaranteed spot in the field for the ACT race at NHMS in Loudon, NH.  Parent is also a past winner of that event at NHMS. (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

Ray Parent of Tiverton, RI won the ACT race at Airborne Speedway in Plattsbrugh, NY and also got a guaranteed spot in the field for the ACT race at NHMS in Loudon, NH. Parent is also a past winner of that event at NHMS. (Credit: ACT Tour photo)

By Lou Modestino

Tiverton’,Rhode Island’s Ray Parent battled through an intense final six laps to claim his first career American Canadian Tour point counting event victory in the Airborne 100 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on Saturday, May 17. Parent edged Quebec’s Jonathan Bouvrette by half a car length at the checkered flag and New Hampshire’s Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. took third. It was the ACT Late Model Tour’s 250th event since its inception in 1992.

Continue reading

Indy Car’s secret race!

 

 

Indy Cars raced on the Indy road course for the first time on Mother' Day weekend. (Credit: IMS photo)

Indy Cars raced on the Indy road course for the first time on Mother’ Day weekend. (Credit: IMS photo)

By Lou Modestino

Is it just me or does Indy Car have a problem getting their advances out on the doings at Indianapolis?!? We kept looking at TV listings for Mother’s Day weekend particularly at a mysterious one called “Indy Grand Prix”. We knew that years ago Indianapolis Motor Speedway cut back on the amount of activity during the month of May because of the lack of interest (Read that as selling tickets). Continue reading

10th Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South at Bezema Motors goes Sunday, June 1

Pete Hamilton was one of the more prominent drivers to hit the big time after racing at Norwood Arena and won the 1970 Daytona 500. Credit: NASCAR photo

Pete Hamilton was one of the more prominent drivers to hit the big time after racing at Norwood Arena and won the 1970 Daytona 500. Credit: NASCAR photo

 

By Lou Modestino

Bezema Motors on US Route 1, the AutoMile in Norwood, is pleased to host the Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions for the tenth year in a row. For the past decade on the first Sunday in June, the Bezema family has hosted this event for the well known Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South. The Bezema family will once again serve lunch to attendees courtesy of Norwood’s newest restaurant, Boston’s Baddest Burgers and Sandwich Co.

This year’s celebration will be another opportunity to meet legendary competitors who raced at the long-shuttered racing venue. New this year trophies will be awarded to the top three classes for oval race cars, drag racing cars, classic cars and motorcycles. Attendees will be able to to share their memorabilia, programs, pictures and autographs. They will also get the opportunity to take photos of race cars, hot rods, classics and motorcycles featured at this event. It’ll also be a chance to get autographs for those picture and programs that are unsigned.

Brendan King will bring his ’63 Dodge Coronet facsimile Norwood Arena pace car, and all race cars, muscle cars, classic cars and motorcycles are welcome. There will be fun and memories of one of the greatest short oval tracks and the 1/8 mile drag strip in the northeast. In the midst of the socializing, DJ Jay will play nostalgic music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The Norwood Arena operated from 1948-1972, while the New England Dragway South drag strip operated in later years. Vendors are welcome to this event free of charge.

Last year notable drivers such as 1970 Daytona 500 winner Pete Hamilton, Leo Cleary, Don McCollough, Jerry Capazzolli, Bob Healey, Bill Singersen, Jack Malone and others came to meet and greet their fans.

The first 110 vehicles to attend the event will receive a souvenir dash plaque, while trophy awards will be awarded for best in show. The 10th Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions will get underway at 10 a.m. and will run to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, rain or shine.

For further information call Bezema Motors at 781-769-4700 or the event organizer at 781-784-7857.

Granite State Pro Stocks move to Monadnock next

Barry Gray is always a threat  anytime he races. Credit:: Granite State Pro Stock Series photo

Barry Gray is always a threat anytime he races. Credit:: Granite State Pro Stock Series photo

By Lou Modestino

With one race already in the books for the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS), competitors are preparing for a date with Monadnock Speedway May 24. Continue reading

Mike Rowe takes PASS race at Beech Ridge

Mike Rowe has been an outstanding Late Model driver for several decades. Credit: Mike Rowe photo

Mike Rowe has been an outstanding Late Model driver for several decades. Credit: Mike Rowe photo

By Lou Modestino

Turner, Maine’s Mike Rowe took over the lead on a lap 101 restart and cruised home to victory in the Southern Maine Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine this past Saturday afternoon. The legendary veteran edged out Travis Benjamin and Austin Theriault for the win. Continue reading