Tour Type Modifieds are the most popular race cars on New England paved track and is the big reason that that there’s four different tours sanctioning over 36 events in the New England area. (Credit: NASCAR Home Tracks photo.)
Track Talk
By Lou Modestino (for Sat. 7/29/17)
The 2017 Tri-Track Series race at Star Speedway in Epping, NH tonight, Saturday, July 29, will pay a purse of more than $50,000 with the winner getting $6,000. The Star divisions heats will begin at 5 p.m. followed by Tri-Track qualifying heats. Depending on the entries will determine the number consolation races followed by a 125-lap feature race with pit stops.
Last year Jon McKennedy proved that you have to pit to win. He tried staying out but fell back after 100 laps of racing with worn tires. However, McKennedy won’t be at Star because he has an ISMA Super-Modified commitment at Sandusky Speedway in Ohio. Les Hinkley has placed second three times in a row. He is expected to return with his #06 Modified once owned by Chuck Montville. Matt Hirschman is a three-time winner of the SBM at Star while McKennedy has won it twice. Former NH driver now residing in NC, Andy Seuss said, “With the race being so close to home at a track where I grew up not only racing at, but just becoming a fan and watching my local heroes race, it’s always special when I get to go back there. To win the SBM would be pretty amazing- a huge check off my bucket list.”
Some of the other drivers expected are: Rowan Pinnink in the Boehler entry out of East Freetown, Ron Silk in the Brady entry out of Stoughton, Tommy Barrett,Jr. of Millis, Rob Richardi of Taunton, Richard Savary of Canton and Woody Pitkat among many others because of the large purse.
The New London-Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut continues to make key decisions to salvage the 2017 racing season in spite of a late start due to legal issues. Gary Knight (Exit Realty Modified Touring Series Owner) and the Speedbowl’s General Manager, George Whitney, both confirmed that a second date has been added to the 2017 Finale on October 20–22 with the rain date scheduled for October 29, 2017. The Exit Realty Modified Touring Series will crown their 2017 Champion along with the $10,000 that comes along with “The Sunoco Quest for the Cup”. It was also announced that the purse structure will feature a $5,000 to win for the 125-lap event.The Exit Realty Modifieds Touring Series has three events left on their 2017 schedule with the first two to determine the five drivers to race for the (Sunoco Quest for the Cup).
Seekonk Speedway announced the addition of a new Tri Track Open Modified Series race to be held on October 28, 2017. The “Haunted Hundred” will be the fourth and final race in the 2017 Tri Track series season. The rain date for this event will be Sunday October 29. The race will feature a $6,000 first place winner’s share of the $35,000 purse with great payouts throughout the entire field. The race will count towards the Tri- Track point fund standings.
“We are grateful to the Venditti Family and Seekonk Speedway for hosting a second race this year,” said Rehoboth’s Wayne Darling, managing partner of TTOMS. “Seekonk has always been a great race track for the series. Fourteen years of $10,000 to win modified races has really put the track on the map in the modified racing world. As I said before, Tri Track has always been about the owners and the drivers. We committed to a four-race schedule and we plan to deliver that to those who support us.”
The four race Tri Track series opened at Seekonk Speedway on June 28 with Matt Hirschman picking up the $10,000 win. The next two races will be at Star Speedway on Saturday, July 29 and Wednesday, August 23. The series will conclude for 2017 at Seekonk on Saturday, October 28.
The October “ Haunted Hundred “will mark the end of the busy 2017 race season in New England. Race Director Frank Sgambato stated “With the Thompson World Series, Lee’s Ocktoberfest and Stafford’s Fall Finale all in the books, eyes and cars will be at Seekonk for one last run.”
The star-studded roster for the Tri Track series include the likes of NASCAR Modified Tour champions Ryan Preece, Ted Christopher and Ron Silk, driving the Brady Bunch car out of Stoughton. Other former modified champions Matt Hirschman, Jon McKennedy, Rowan Pennink, in the Boehler #3 out of East Freetown, and Chris Pasteryak. Perennial favorites who have also registered include Justin Bonsignore, Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Woody Pitkat, Eric Goodale, Todd Annarummo, Tommy Barrett of Millis, Anthony Nocella, Richard Savary of Canton and Andy Jankowiak.
The race card for the event will feature the 100 lap Tour Type Modified Open feature, a 50 lap Late Model event and a 30 lap Legends race. The Late Models will race for $1,500 to win while the Legends will compete for a $750 winner’s share. The Late Models will compete under the rules package used for the Seekonk Fall Classic which aligns with the ACT type Late Model rules.
Tickets for the event will be $25 at the front gate with kids under 12 free and $35 for pit access. Pits will open at 8 am with practice starting at 10 am. The show will have a 1 pm start time. The “Haunted Hundred” will also feature a costume contest for the young and young at heart with each winner being awarded a gift package from the Seekonk Grand Prix Family Amusement Center.
Next Friday night August 4 the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make another stop at the Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut. Post time is set for 6 pm.
Information for this column came from press releases and personal notes