June 24th, 2018
Shawn Buffington battles his way to NELCAR victory at Star Jim Storace, Jay Townsend, JT Cashman, Tommy Trempe & Mike Rucci Get Wins Before The Rain Came Rich Hayes PREpping, NH – With rain showers all around the area once again, Star Speedway officials somehow found a way to put an almost complete racing program into the record books. Despite a rain delay that interrupted the program for a few minutes, everybody on the schedule except the 350 Supers got their feature events in before the rains returned.
The NELCAR Legends and Senior Tour Auto Racers (STAR) were moved up in the feature event lineup to ensure the traveling racers got to race, with Shawn Buffington taking down the checkers in the Legends main after a rough and tumble battle with Noah Korner throughout most of the 25-lapper. Beautifully-restored 1960’s-era cars were the big winners in STAR action, with Tommy Trempe of Jaffrey winning the “A” main in his sharp Mustang, and Mike Rucci of Worcester, MA picking up the winner’s trophy in the “B” main in a unique Corvair-bodied Modified. In the Woody’s Auto Strictly Stock main, Ray Dinsmore of Sanford, ME grabbed the early lead, and he stayed out front for the first 12 circuits before second-generation racer Jimmy Renfrew, Jr. of Candia knocked him off the point. Renfrew immediately began to pull away from the field, but on lap 19, he dropped out of the race with obvious mechanical woes that started with smoke trailing, and ended with flames under the hood of his once-fast racer. Kingston ace Jim Storace inherited the lead with Renfrew’s demise, and he outran teammate Bill Fiske of Chester to score yet another feature win. Michele Fushpanski of Salisbury, MA came home third, with Dinsmore and Jeremy Scott of Salem fourth and fifth. Pittsfield’s Jason Hodgdon led the Brickyard Roadrunner main for the first couple of circuits before Aaron Day moved past and took over the point, but it wasn’t long before the previous week’s winner, Dan Sweeney of Barrington slipped past Day and took command. Day’s night went south just a few laps later and ended early with a lost wheel and a shower of sparks. Sweeney eventually yielded to top spot to Jay Townsend of Nashua, who held the lead until the checkers to score his second win of the season. Sweeney, Andrew Harmon of Farmington, Peter Raby of Manchester, and Andrew Gillis of Ashland, MA were the rest of the top five. Rookie J.T. Cashman of Danvers, MA jumped out to the lead at the start of the L & W Auto Repair Six Shooter main event, holding off an early-race challenge from Scott Byron of Haverhill, MA to maintain the top spot. Byron eventually lost the second spot to Pittsfield’s Cody Hodgdon, who quickly set his sights on leader Cashman. With the checkers in the air, Hodgdon moved to the low side, but his last-lap charge came up short by about a bumper cover, with freshman Cashman holding on to score his first career win. Hodgdon, Byron, Jason Terrio of Epping, and Jeremy Decourcy rounded out the top five. The 350 Supermodified “Jen Garland Memorial” was the only feature event lost when the persistent showers finally won out, setting up double features for the 350’s next week. Pit gates will open at 2:30, with practice at 3:30, and the rained out feature hitting the track at 5:30 to start the night’s action. Late Models, Strictly Stocks, Roadrunners, Six Shooters, Star Troopers, and a 50-lap 4-cylinder Enduro will make up the regularly scheduled program. |
Monthly Archives: June 2018
Todd Buckwold tops in Sportsman Modified Twin 20’s at Legion Speedway
It was Dyer’s Welding/Upper Valley Line-X night at the Legion Speedway with Twin 20’s on tap for the Peanut’s Auto Sportsman Modifieds along with race number two for the Homestead Creations Limited Late Models between Bear Ridge Speedway and Legion Speedway. The Rand’s Hardware Mini Stock had a regular show with the Wingless Auto Club also on hand.The Peanut’s Auto Sportsman Modifieds ran Twin 20’s with the best overall combined finish getting the win. The first race saw David Heath jump into the lead from the pole with Matt Lashua second. The races’ only caution flew with three laps complete and on the restart Matt Lashua would power into the lead, bringing Ryan Christian to second with him. A lap later Todd Buckwold slipped by Heath into third and that is how the top three remained for the duration of the race with Matt Lashua taking the win, Ryan Christian second and Todd Buckwold third. The Second race found Jeff Huntington quickly take the top spot with Josh Currier and Wayland Childs swapping the second spot a couple of times. After the caution flew for Josh Currier, a victim of a flat tire, Todd Buckwold quickly made his way to second on the restart with Ryan Christian moving to third. The top three remained the same the rest of the way with Huntington first, Buckwold second and Christian third. The overall win went to Todd Buckwold with Ryan Christian second and Matt Lashua third. All three drivers amassed five points with the tiebreakers being finishing position in the second race. Jeff Huntington was fourth and David Heath fifth.
The Homestead Creations Sportsman Late Model Main Event saw Kelly Miller lead the first lap before Travis Smith made an inside move as Miller slipped up the track. Matt Pike also took advantage of Millers’ slip and take the second position. A lap later Ryan Christian also got by Miller, advancing to third. By the time the race reached the halfway point Toby Stark, who started seventh, started to pressure Christian for third, successfully completing the pass a few laps later. At the checkers it was Travis Smith with the win, Matt Pike second and Toby Stark third. Ryan Christian and Kelly Miller rounded out the top five.
In the Rand’s Hardware Mini Stock Main Event Rich Willey flew to the lead from his fourth starting spot before a lap was complete, but his lead was short lived as just two laps later Jack Cook claimed the top spot with Tim St. John moving to second, dropping Willey to third. A few laps later Jacob Brown, who started ninth, made his way to third and four laps later make his way into second and set his sights on leader Cook. Brown and Cook tangled racing for the lead, causing a caution and handing the lead to Sean Lantas. Lantas held the lead the rest of the way to take his first win of the season. Points leader Erin Aiken made a last lap pass coming to the Checkers to take second at the line with David Flanders third. Jacob Brown and Justin Carbee completed the top five.
The Wingless Auto Club made their third appearance of the season with a caution free event that found Doug McPhail take advantage of Mark Cole’s mechanical misfortune as Cole broke while leading, handing the lead to McPhail, who would go on to take the win. Jamie Glidden was second with Adam Trott third.
Joining the regular divisions of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Twilight Racing Series this Friday night at 7:00PM, June 29th will be the second appearance of the season for the Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Coupes. An Enduro will complete the night.
The Legion Speedway is located on Route 25 at the Wentworth/Rumney NH Town line with racing every Friday Night at 7:00 PM.
Unofficial Results-Legion Speedway, Friday June 29th, 2018 Peanut's Auto Sportsman Modified Feature 1. Todd Buckwold 2. Ryan Christian 3. Matt Lashua 4. Jeff Huntington 5. David Heath 6. Wayland Childs 7. Josh Currier 8. Stephen Lary 9. Lenny Pillsbury 10. Ricky Sanville Homestead Creations Sportsman Late Model Feature 1. Travis Smith 2. Matt Pike 3. Toby Stark 4. Ryan Christian 5. Kelly Miller 6. Scott Heath 7. Russell Coutu 8. Tyler Trembely 9. Todd Dunham Rand's Hardware Outlaw Mini Stock 1. Sean Lantas 2. Erin Aiken 3. David Flanders 4. Jacob Brown 5. Justin Carbee 6. Tim St. John 7. Jack Cook 8. Tim Davis 9. Mike McClay 10. Rich Willey 11. Austin Tallman 12. Jason Gaudette 13. Cody Copeland-DNS 14. David Comeau-DNS
Tombarello returns to Lee Supermod Victory Lane Eldredge, Holland, Carleton and Waites Score June 22nd Wins.
Chuck Hossfeld holds off Mike Leaty for Ol’ Boy Cup 60 at Lancaster, NY
LANCASTER, N.Y. (June 29, 2018) – Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y. held off hard-charging Mike Leaty to win the fourth annual Ol’ Boy Cup 60 Bill Colton Memorial presented by Thermal Foams on Thursday night at Lancaster National Speedway. Leaty made a last lap challenge on Hossfeld, but came up just a few feet short as Hossfeld won by .019 seconds.
In X-Press Signs Stock Car Series Action, Joe Mancuso of Buffalo won the 30-lap Race of Champions Super Stock feature. Andy Cryan of Buffalo was victorious in the Advance Auto Parts Street Stock for the fourth race in a row. In the Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinders, Jason Anasiewicz of Alden, N.Y. scored his first feature win of the season.
Hossfeld showed plenty of speed right off the trailer as he topped Race of Champions Modified Series qualifying with a quick lap of 16.932 seconds. He went on to win his heat race and then drew second for his starting position in the 60-lap main event.
Daryl Lewis, Jr. drew one better than Hossfeld and started on the pole for the fourth edition of the Ol’ Boy Cup 60. Eric Beers and Kevin Miller started the race in the second row.
Lewis took off with the lead at the drop of the green flag followed by Hossfeld, Beers and Patrick Emerling. That foursome pulled away from the field during the first third of the race.
Mike Leaty was just as fast Hossfeld to start the night, but his luck wasn’t as good. Leaty was second fastest in qualifying and he also won his heat race. His luck ran out during the redraw and had to start 11th for the feature. The short distance of the race forced him to move to the front quickly. It took Leaty 14 laps to work his way up to fifth place.
From there his luck started to change as the caution flag waved for the first time on lap 20 when Tommy Catalano stopped on the track with a mechanical issue. This bunched the field back up and gave Leaty a chance to challenge the leaders.
The restart also benefitted Hossfeld as he took the lead from Lewis when the race resumed.
Two more cautions just past the halfway portion of the race allowed Leaty to move his way through the top five. Leaty took over second from Lewis with 25 laps to go.
The race came down to a battle between Hossfeld and Leaty. Leaty chased “The Hot Shoe” and appeared to have the faster car in the closing laps. Leaty had two potential bids for the lead come up short. The first saw Leaty make contact with Hossfeld in turn one, and it forced him to save the car from spinning out. He regrouped and made another attempt with less than 10 laps to go, but the car pushed up the race track in turn two.
Lapped traffic and a last lap attempt decided the race. Leaty pulled the outside of Hossfeld in turn three on the final lap with a trio of lappers just ahead. Hossfeld and Leaty raced side-by-side to the checkered flag with Hossfeld crossing the finish line first by about a half of a car length.
For Hossfeld it gave him his second-straight win at Lancaster after winning the Joe Reilly Sportsman Summer Slam on June 16. It was his tenth career Race of Champions Modified Series win at Lancaster, and his first RoC Series win since July 2016.
Leaty took the defeat in stride and was happy with a second place run for his best finish of the year. Lewis finished third for his second-straight top three finish at Lancaster. Patrick Emerling and Daren Scherer rounded out the top five.
Tommy Barron finished second. Tim Gullo bounced back from an early race spin on the backstretch to finish third. Tommy Reese and Anderson completed the top five.
Andy Cryan continued his win streak in the Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks. Cryan passed Ken Maltby for the lead on lap seven, and he then drove away for the final 18 laps for his fourth win in a row. Maltby placed his second for his best run of 2018. Kyle Sharpe finished third in his first race of the season.recorded top five finishes.
RESULTS
RACE OF CHAMPIONS MODIFIED SERIES
Fast Qualifier: Chuck Hossfeld – 16.932 seconds
Heat Winners: Mike Leaty, Camden Barber, Chuck Hossfeld
4th Annual Ol’ Boy Cup 60 Presented by Thermal Foams finish: CHUCK HOSSFELD, Mike Leaty, Daryl Lewis, Jr., Patrick Emerling, Daren Scherer, Andy Jankowiak, George Skora III, Karl Hehr, Amy Catalano, Eric Beers Scott Wylie, Zack Knowlden, Timmy Catalano, Kreig Heroth, Tyler Rypkema, Alan Bookmiller, Jack Ely, Danny Knoll, Jr., Kevin Miller, Tommy Catalano, John Barber, Camden Barber, Chris Ridsdale
Source: Lancaster National Speedway
Donahue makes thrilling charge to break into winner’s circle on CCV Night
Barre, VT – Graniteville’s Stephen Donahue joined the ranks of Maplewood/Irving Late Model winners at Barre’s Thunder Road by charging to the win on Community College of Vermont (CCV) Night on Friday, June 29. The third-generation racer took the lead for good from Washington’s Ricky Roberts on lap 38 of the 50-lap feature and sped away for his first Late Model win on the Barre high banks.
Roberts gad grabbed the lead off the outside pole and opened up a big advantage multiple times during the first half of the event. But following the race’s only caution flag on lap 9 for an incident involving Tyler Cahoon and Jim “Boomer” Morris, Donahue began his charge. From eighth on the starting grid, the sophomore competitor flew up the outside. He got around rookie Brendan Moodie for second lap 27 and was at Roberts’ doorstep just five laps later.
Donahue went right to work on Roberts, eventually putting the nose ahead on lap 35. But the two slapped doors entering turn 3 a lap later, and Donahue lost control just enough for Roberts to regain the top spot. Donahue quickly got his bearings back, retaking the lead two laps later and going on to the win.
Milton’s Scott Dragon made a similar charge up the outside, coming from 12th at the start to swipe second from Roberts in the closing laps. Roberts was able to nip Jason Corliss for 3rd in a photo finish at the line. Moodie, Marcel J. Gravel, Darrell Morin, Matt White, Christopher Pelkey, and Cody Blake rounded out the top-10. Both Dragon and Corliss made big gains on point leader Trampas Demers, who spent most of the night mired in traffic en route to a 15th-place finish.
Waitsfield’s Kyle Streeter kicked off the night by going back-to-back in the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers. Streeter started outside pole for their Casella make-up feature, as the line-up had been set prior to his win in last week’s feature. He grabbed the lead from polesitter Brett Wood following the event’s only caution on the opening lap and, after opening up a nice gap in the middle stages, held off his father Kevin Streeter late for a family sweep of the top two spots.
Morrisville’s Brandon Lanphear came out on top of a lengthy battle with Barre’s Cameron Ouellette for third. Joel Hodgdon, Mike Martin, Joe Steffen, Dwayne Lanphear, Trevor Lyman, and Tyler Austin completed the top-10.
In the Flying Tiger nightcap, it was Steffen who stood in Victory Lane for the 17thtime in his career. “Double O Joe” quickly worked his way forward from 13th on the grid and swung around early leader Colin Cornell on lap-23 restart. He then held off Brandon Lanphear on a 3-lap sprint after the event’s third and final caution. With the win, Steffen tied Joey Laquerre for second on the all-time Flying Tiger win list, just one back of Brendan Moodie.
Lanphear finished second for his fourth straight podium finish. E. Burke’s Cornell barely edged Oullette for third, marking his first time on the podium at Thunder Road. Matt Potter, Hodgdon, Lyman, Dwayne Lanphear, Martin, and Chris Chambers also earned top-10 finishes.
Barre’s Patrick Tibbets made a special delivery in the Allen Lumber Street Stocks to capture his second career victory. The full-time mail carrier had dogged outside polesitter Scott Weston for much of the 25-lap event when the first caution came out on lap 20 for a hard crash off turn 3 involving Justin Town and Justin Blakely.
Tibbets had his bumper out front one lap later when another caution flew for Stephen Martin’s spin. He then used the inside on the final restart to walk away to the win.
Weston crossed the line in second but was disqualified in post-race technical inspection for a tire infraction. Barre’s Jeffrey Martin inherited the runner-up spot while Tunbridge’s Gary Mullen completed the new podium. Jamie Davis, Tim Hunt, Tommy Smith, Kasey Beattie, Bryan P. Wall, Troy Kingsbury, and Tyler Pepin rounded out the top-10. Point leader Matthew Smith was forced to retire early due to damage sustained in a heat-race crash that also saw Will Hennequin end up on his lid.
The tech line also played a major role in the Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors as Graniteville’s Frank Putney inherited his first career win. Putney crossed the finish line second after dogging S. Royalton’s Derek Farnham for much of the 30-lap event. But Farnham failed technical inspection due to tire and camber violations, handing Putney the victory.
E. Montpelier’s Brodie Frazier became the new 2nd-place finisher followed by Williamstown’s Kyle MacAskill. James Dopp, Fred Fleury, Eric Chase, Sean McCarthy, Chris Davis, Haidyn Pearce, and Jayme Lee also earned top-10 finishes.
Hinesburg’s Caden Frost dove to the inside of Warren’s Sean Lawson coming to the white flag to be crowned the winner of the 3rd Annual Vermont Brewer’s Cup. Garin Frost, Eric Spoerl, and Andrew Puchalik completed the field.
Thunder Road kicks off its Independence Day doubleheader this Tuesday, July 3 at 7:00pm with the annual Aubuchon Hardware Holiday Spectacular. A full card of championship action for the Maplewood/Irving Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will be followed by one of the biggest fireworks shows in the region.
COMMUNITY COLLGE OF VERMONT NIGHT
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
MAPLEWOOD/IRVING LATE MODELS
Pos., Driver, Car #, Hometown
1. Stephen Donahue ( 2VT ) Graniteville, VT
2. Scott Dragon ( 16VT ) Milton, VT
3. Ricky Roberts ( 3VT ) Washington, VT
4. Jason Corliss ( 66VT ) Barre, VT
5. #Brendan Moodie ( 94VT ) Wolcott, VT
6. Marcel Gravel ( 86VT ) Wolcott, VT
7. Darrell Morin ( 17VT ) Richmond, VT
8. Matt White ( 42VT ) Northfield, VT
9. Christopher Pelkey ( 64VT ) Barre, VT
10. Cody Blake ( 99VT ) Barre, VT
11. Mike Bailey ( 00VT ) S. Barre, VT
12. #Evan Hallstrom ( 1VT ) Northfield, VT
13. Boomer Morris ( 13VT ) Barre, VT
14. Kyle Pembroke ( 27VT ) Montpelier, VT
15. Trampas Demers ( 85VT ) Shelburne, VT
16. Tyler Cahoon ( 38VT ) Danville, VT
17. Eric Chase ( 40VT ) Milton, VT
18. Scott Coburn ( 72VT ) Barre, VT
19. Joey Laquerre ( 15VT ) E. Montpelier, VT
20. Mark Norris ( 22ME ) Benson, VT
LENNY’S SHOE & APPAREL FLYING TIGERS
CASELLA MAKE-UP FEATURE
Pos., Driver, Car #, Hometown
1. Kyle Streeter ( 37 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT
2. #Kevin Streeter ( 67 ) Waitsfield, VT
3. #Brandon Lanphear ( 11 ) Morrisville, VT
4. Cameron Ouellette ( 90 ) Barre, VT
5. Joel Hodgdon ( 36 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
6. Michael Martin ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
7. Joe Steffen ( 00 ) Grand Isle, VT
8. Dwayne Lanphear ( 40 ) Morrisville, VT
9. Trevor Lyman ( 17 ) Hinesburg, VT
10. Tyler Austin ( 5 ) East Calias, VT
11. Brett Wood ( 29 ) Georgia, VT
12. #Kelsea Woodard ( 55 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT
13. #Cooper Bouchard ( 7 ) Hinesburg, VT
14. Robert Gordon ( 20 ) Milton, VT
15. Matthew Potter ( 23 ) Marshfield, VT
16. Mike Billado ( 8 ) Essex, VT
17. Jason Pelkey ( 64 ) Barre, VT
18. Adam Maynard ( 57 ) Milton, VT
19. Colin Cornell ( 54 ) E. Burke, VT
20. Michael MacAskill ( 33 ) Williamstown, VT
21. Chris Chambers ( 14 ) Brookfield, VT
22. Kevin Dodge ( 88 ) Barre, VT
CCV FEATURE
Pos., Driver, Car #, Hometown
1. Joe Steffen ( 00 ) Grand Isle, VT
2. #Brandon Lanphear ( 11 ) Morrisville, VT
3. Colin Cornell ( 54 ) E. Burke, VT
4. Cameron Ouellette ( 90 ) Barre, VT
5. Matthew Potter ( 23 ) Marshfield, VT
6. Joel Hodgdon ( 36 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
7. Trevor Lyman ( 17 ) Hinesburg, VT
8. Dwayne Lanphear ( 40 ) Morrisville, VT
9. Michael Martin ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
10. Chris Chambers ( 14 ) Brookfield, VT
11. Robert Gordon ( 20 ) Milton, VT
12. Brett Wood ( 29 ) Georgia, VT
13. Mike Billado ( 8 ) Essex, VT
14. Tyler Austin ( 5 ) East Calias, VT
15. Adam Maynard ( 57 ) Milton, VT
16. Jason Pelkey ( 64 ) Barre, VT
17. #Kelsea Woodard ( 55 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT
18. #Jeff Murray ( 35 ) Georgia, VT
19. Kyle Streeter ( 37 ) Waterbury Ctr., VT
20. John Drinkwine ( 98 ) Barre, VT
21. #Cooper Bouchard ( 7 ) Hinesburg, VT
22. Sid Sweet Jr. ( 51 ) Williamstown, VT
23. #Kevin Streeter ( 67 ) Waitsfield, VT
24. Michael MacAskill ( 33 ) Williamstown, VT
ALLEN LUMBER STREET STOCKS
Pos., Driver, Car #, Hometown
1. Patrick Tibbetts ( 48 ) Barre, VT
2. Jeffrey Martin ( 8 ) Barre, VT
3. Gary Mullen ( 29 ) Tunbridge, VT
4. Jamie Davis ( 43 ) Wolcott, VT
5. Tim Hunt ( 93 ) Derby, VT
6. Tom Smith ( 50 ) Williamstown, VT
7. Kasey Beattie ( 45 ) St. Johnsbury, VT
8. Nick Pilotte ( 27 ) Jefferson, NH
9. Troy Kingsbury ( 39 ) Waitsfield, VT
10. #Tyler Pepin ( 78 ) Barre, VT
11. Logan Powers ( 31 ) Middlesex, VT
12. Stephen Martin ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
13. #Juan Marshall ( 79 ) Pittsfield, VT
14. Michael Gay ( 3 ) So. Burlington, VT
15. Dean Switser Jr. ( 16 ) Lyndonville, VT
16. Justin Blakely ( 17 ) Graniteville, VT
17. Justin Town ( 53 ) Barre, VT
18. Matthew Smith ( 44 ) Essex Jct., VT
DSQ Scott Weston ( 04 ) Berlin, VT
BURNETT SCRAP METALS ROAD WARRIORS
Pos., Driver, Car #, Hometown
1. Frank Putney ( 88 ) Graniteville, VT
2. Brodie Frazier ( 17 ) E. Montpelier, VT
3. Kyle MacAskill ( 07 ) Williamstown, VT
4. James Dopp ( 0 ) Northfield, VT
5. Fred Fleury ( 98 ) Graniteville, VT
6. Eric Chase ( 13 ) Berlin, VT
7. Sean McCarthy ( 86 ) Williamstown, VT
8. Chris Davis ( 69 ) Berlin, VT
9. Haidyn Pearce ( 4 ) Berlin, VT
10. Jayme Lee ( 18 ) Williamstown, VT
11. Todd Raymo ( 26 ) Swanton, VT
12. Andrew Casavant ( 64 ) E. Hardwick, VT
13. Jesse Gerrow ( 01 ) Craftsbury Common, VT
14. Issac Spaulding ( 96 ) Wolcott, VT
DSQ Derek Farnham ( 5 ) S. Royalton, VT
VERMONT BREWER’S CUP
Pos., Driver, Hometown, Brewery
1. Caden Frost, Hinesburg, VT, Frost Beer Works
2. Sean Lawson, Warren, VT, Lawson’s Finest Liquids
3. Garin Frost, Hinesburg, VT, Frost Beer Works
4. Eric Spoerl, Waterbury/Stowe, VT, The Alchemist
5. Andrew Puchalik, tunbridge, Upper Pass
Source: Michael R. Stridsberg
Ronnie Williams wins 5th Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k at Stafford Speedway
Sk Modified driver Ronnie Williams went home with $5,000 after winning the Sk Modified feature at Stafford Speedway on Friday night!
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the 3rd Annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5k, which paid the winner $5,000 out of a purse of over $27,000. With the Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Sales Gambler’s Challenge bonus of $5,000 and a total heat race bonus of $2,000 from Wheelers Auto of Hamden, the total posted awards were over $34,000. Ronnie Williams won the NAPA SK 5K and in victory lane he pulled the winner take all chip for the Dunleavy’s Gambler’s Challenge to give himself a pay day of $10,675 with purse and contingencies added together. Other feature winners on the night were Al Saunders taking down his first career Late Model win and earning himself a $500 bounty from Stafford Speedway for ending Tom Fearn’s 6-race winning streak, Marcello Rufrano was a back to back winner in the SK Light feature, Jeremy Lavoie scored his fifth win of 2018 in the Limited Late Model feature, and Nicole Chambrello won the Street Stock feature one week after barrel rolling her car.
In the 100-lap NAPA SK 5k feature event, Eric Berndt shot into the lead at the start with Keith Rocco quickly working his way up to second. Michel Gervais, Jr. was third with polesitter Tyler Hines back to fourth and Glen Reen in fifth.
Rocco got around Berndt for the lead on lap-10 but Berndt came right back and he moved back into the lead on lap-11. The lead swap between Berndt and Rocco continued with Rocco going back out front on lap-13. Gervais was still third with Hines and Reen continuing to make up the top-5.
Hines worked his way past Gervais to move into third on lap-18 with Ronnie Williams following him into fourth to drop Gervais back to fifth. Berndt got alongside Rocco for the lead but couldn’t make the pass stick on lap-19. Berndt then fell back to third as Williams moved into second and nearly took the lead from Rocco on lap-21 before settling back into line. Williams made a move for the lead on lap-23 with a pass coming out of turn 2. Stephen Kopcik spun into the turn 3 wall after losing his engine to bring the caution out with 25 laps complete.
Williams and Rocco were side by side for the lead with Berndt, Gervais, and Joey Cipriano making up the top-5. Three laps later and Williams and Rocco were still side by side with neither driver giving an inch. Williams was able to finally get clear from Rocco on lap-30. The two drivers then swapped the lead twice in one lap as Rocco went to the front entering turn 3 but Williams made a nice crossover move to come out of turn 4 with the lead once again. The lead duo then resumed their side by side battle for the lead with Berndt, Gervais, and Cipriano behind them. Dan Wesson spun in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 34 laps complete.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Berndt and Williams side by side for second. Berndt took second on lap-35 with Cipriano now side by side with Williams for third. Williams held Cipriano off for third with Hines still in fifth. Berndt made a move to the inside of Rocco to take the lead on lap-38 but Rocco came right back on lap-39 and retook the lead. Chase Dowling was closing in on the top-5 cars after starting deep in the field. Tom Bolles spin in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 44 laps complete.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Williams moving into second. Berndt slotted into third with Dowling fourth and a side by side battle between Cipriano and Gervais for fifth. With 48 laps complete the caution and red flags came back out as Hines and Cipriano came together in turn 4 with Hines’ car briefly catching fire.
Rocco took the lead with Berndt and Williams side by side for second. Berndt took second on lap-49 and he took the lead from Rocco on lap-51 with a pass in turn 1. Williams was now side by side with Rocco for second with Dowling in fourth and Gervais fifth.
Rocco ran in line behind Berndt until lap-58 when he made a pass in turn 3 to go back into the lead. Williams was still third with Dowling and Gervais making up the top-5. Todd Owen was up to sixth after having to start deep in the field due to a heat race crash earlier in the evening, with Matt Galko, Dan Avery, Wesson, and Troy Talman making up the top-10.
Berndt was again applying heavy pressure to Rocco for the lead with the two cars side by side for the lead on lap-65. Berndt dropped back into line behind Rocco on lap-66 with Williams closing in on Berndt’s back bumper. Dan Wesson dropped off the pace on lap-68 with heavy smoke from underneath his car and then the caution came out for Dan Avery, whose car went up in flames coming out of turn 4 as he steered off the track and on to pit road.
Rocco took the lead with Williams able to get in front of Berndt for second on the restart. Gervais and Dowling were side by side for fourth with Doug Meservey, Jr. and Michael Christopher, Jr. side by side for sixth. Williams pulled alongside Rocco for the lead on lap-70 and he was able to get clear to the lead on lap-72 but Rocco came right back on lap-73 to the inside of Williams and they were even at the line. The caution came back out with 73 laps complete for a spin in turns 3+4 by John Studley.
Williams took the lead back under green with Rocco in second. Berndt was side by side with Dowling for third with Christopher in fifth. Rocco was applying heavy pressure to Williams while Berndt was able to finally get clear into third on lap-77. Rocco got to the inside of Williams and he had the lead by a nose at the line on lap-78. Rocco got clear into the lead on lap-79 but Williams came right back on lap-80 and he took the lead with a pass in turn 3. Dowling was now third behind Williams and Rocco with Berndt and Christopher making up the top-5 with 20 laps to go.
With 10 laps to go, it was still Williams followed by Rocco and Dowling. Berndt was fourth with Christopher still fifth. Williams led Rocco to the checkered flag to pick up his second win of the 2018 season. Dowling finished third with Berndt and Christopher rounding out the top-5.
In the 30-lap Late Model feature event, Al Saunders took ht lead at the green with Tyler Leary in second. Kevin Gambacorta quickly took third with Tom Fearn slicing his way into fourth and Paul Arute was in fifth. Fearn continued his charge towards the lead as he took third from Gambacorta on lap-4 and began to close in on Leary for second.
With 12 laps complete, Al Saunders was still out front with Fearn all over Leary for second. Fearn was able to make the move on lap-14 to take second. Arute was now fourth with Glen Reen in fifth as Gambacorta had slid back to sixth.
With 10 laps to go, it was still Saunders in the lead with Fearn giving chase from second. Leary was third, with Arute, and Reen making up the top-5 with Gambacorta still in sixth.
Reen did a 360 spin on the backstretch on lap-26 but he was able to rejoin the action and the race stayed green. Fearn closed in on Saunders but he couldn’t get close enough as Saunders scored his first career Late Model feature win and in the process claimed a $500 bounty put up by Stafford CEO/GM Mark Arute for the first driver who could end Fearn’s 6-race winning streak. Leary finished third with Arute and Gambacorta rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap SK Light feature event, Chris Viens took the lead at the green flag with Chris Matthews in second. Teddy Hodgdon was third with Mark Bakaj in fourth and Bob Charland in fifth. Just behind Charland was Mikey Flynn in sixth and a side by side duel between Marcello Rufrano and George Nocera, Jr. for seventh. Wesley Prucker spun coming out of turn 2 to bring the caution out with 10 laps complete.
Matthews and Viens went side by side of the lead for a lap before Matthews got clear into the lead on lap-12. Rufrano moved into second behind Matthews with Bakaj and Hodgdon all over his back bumper. A spin in turn 4 that involved several cars brought the caution back out with 14 laps complete.
On the restart, Norm Sears got into the backstretch wall to bring the caution right back out. The next restart saw Matthews hold off a charge from Rufrano for a lap before the caution came out for Pete Lopuch, who came to a stop against the wall at the exit of turn 2.
Matthews and Rufrano went back side by side for the lead on the next restart with Rufrano coming out with the lead. Matthews and Hodgdon were side by side for second with Bakaj right behind them in fourth and Nocera in fifth. Hodgdon took second from Matthews in the outside lane on lap-18 and Bakaj followed suit on lap-19 to move into third and drop Matthews back to fourth as Rufrano stretched out his lead to several car lengths. Rufrano led Hodgdon back to the checkered flag to pick up his fifth win of the 2018 season. Matthews finished third with Bakaj and Nocera rounding gout the top-5. Viens spun on the last lap and collected the car of Rit Dulac.
In the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, Jeremy Lavoie made a three-wide move on the first lap to shoot into the lead with Ryan Fearn taking second and Steven Midford third. Andy Marchese fell back to fourth with Gary Patnode in fifth.
Lavoie and Fearn began to slowly pull away from the rest of the field while Steve Midford pulled off the track on lap-11. In a green to checkered race, Lavoie led Fearn to the checkered flag to pick up his fifth win of the 2018 season. Justin Bren finished third but he refused post-race technical inspection and he was disqualified from the race. This moved Duane Provost into third with R.J. Surdell and Patnode rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap Street Stock feature, Jason Lafayette took the lead at the green with Richard Ciriello in second. Nicole Chambrello was quickly moving to the front as she streaked into third and then took second from Ciriello on lap-3. Ciriello began to slide backwards as Chris Bagnall moved into third, George Bessette, Jr., fourth, and Mike Hopkins fifth. Hopkins got around Bessette to take fourth on lap-5 with Lafayette still leading Chambrello out front.
Brandon Michael was also on the move, moving into sixth on lap-6 after starting mid pack and right behind him was Meghan Fuller, the Street Stock points leader. Bessette took fourth from Bagnall on lap-8 and opened the door for Michael to follow him through to move into fifth and drop Bagnall back to sixth. Paul Bourdon brought the caution out with 11 laps complete with a spin in turn 2.
Chambrello took the lead on the restart with Bessette moving into second. Lafayette slotted into third with Hopkins fourth and Michael fifth.
NAPA SK 5K (100)
1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
2) Keith Rocco, Berlin
3) Chase Dowling, Woodbury
4) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
5) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
6) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma
7) Matt Galko, Meriden
8) Troy Talman, Oxford, Ma
9) Nick Salva, Cheshire
10) Todd Owen, Somers
11) Matt Vassar, Plantsville
12) John Studley, Framingham, Ma
13) Tony Membrino, Jr., Berlin
14) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
15) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect
16) David Arute, Stafford Springs
17) Doug Meservey, Jr., Chatham, Ma
18) Tom Bolles, Ellington
19) Dan Avery, Somers
20) Dan Wesson, Monson, Ma
21) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa
22) Joey Cipriano, III, Waterbury
23) Tyler Hines, North Haven
24) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown
LATE MODEL (30)
1) Al Saunders, Stafford
2) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, Ma
3) Tyler Leary, Hatfield, Ma
4) Paul Arute, Tolland
5) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington
6) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma
7) Michael Wray, Northford
8) Tom Butler, Stafford Springs
9) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin
10) Richard Duranti, Quaker Hill
11) Chase Cook, Oakdale
SK LIGHT MODIFIED (20)
1) Marcello Rufrano, North Haven
2) Teddy Hodgdon, Iv, Danbury
3) Chris Matthews, Stafford
4) Mark Bakaj, Lebanon
5) George Nocera, Jr., Plainville
6) Brett Gonyaw, Vernon
7) Joey Ferrigno, East Hartford
8) Alexander Pearl, Salem
9) Wesley Prucker, Stafford
10) Glenn Griswold, Vernon
11) Raymond Grassetti, Monson, Ma
12) Amanda West, Colchester
13) Cassandra Cole, Westbrook
14) Glenn Bartkowski, Manchester
15) Mark Alkas, Berlin
16) Chris Viens, Putnam
17) Rit Dulac, Plantsville
18) Pete Lopuch, West Redding
19) Norm Sears, Andover
20) Bob Charland, Stafford
21) Mikey Flynn, Hampden, Ma
22) Bryan Narducci, Colchester
23) Andrew Molleur, Shelton
24) Geoff Nooney, Southwick, Ma
LIMITED LATE MODEL (20)
1) Jeremy Lavoie, Windsor Locks
2) Ryan Fearn, East Longmeadow, Ma
3) Duane Provost, Palmer, Ma
4) R.J. Surdell, Willington
5) Gary Patnode, Barkhamsted
6) Andy Marchese, Tolland
7) Steven Midford, Ellington
STREET STOCK (20)
1) Nicole Chambrello, Kensington
2) George Bessette, Jr., Danbury
3) Jason Lafayette, Somers
4) Michael Hopkins, Springfield, Ma
5) Brandon Michael, Granville, Ma
6) Meghan Fuller, Auburn, Ma
7) Chris Bagnall, Winsted
8) Tess Beyer, Stratton, Vt
9) Dan Soucie, Ashford
10) Richard Ciriello, Reading, Ma
11) Rob Sears, Stafford Springs
12) Chris Danielczuk, Goshen
13) Samantha Anderson, Wolcott
14) Paul Bourdon, Jr., Jewett City
15) Joe Maglio, New Fairfield
Source: Scott Running/Stafford PR
Note:If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com
Track Talk Column for Saturday
Track Talk
By Lou Modestino (for Sat. 6/30/18) Check out Lou Modestino’s Track Talk blog at http://www.enterprisenews.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1838
The rain-shortened Open Wheel Wednesday $10,000 to win 100-lap Tri Track Open Modified Series event at Seekonk will be concluded on Tuesday night, July 3. All front gate tickets and pit passes that were purchased for the June 27th event will be honored for admittance on Tuesday.
For the second time, Mother Nature has forced Monadnock Speedway to postpone the highly anticipated event of the year, the Genden Auto Parts ISMA 75 presented by T-Bird Mini Marts. The event was originally scheduled in May, however the forecast of rain halted the special event and was postponed to June 23rd. Last Saturday, rain showers covered the region once again forcing the event to be postponed to tonight, Saturday, June 30th.
The return of ISMA Super Modifieds will mark a 40-year absence from the ¼ high banked track. Many competitors from all over East Coast and Ohio region will come into Southern NH with hopes of grabbing the victory. Time Trials start at 4 pm with heats to follow.
With all of the pavement Modified races squeezed into 30 weekends, there’s very little wiggle room. Some of those 46 events may not take place because of weather issues. Tracks can only schedule mid-week programs around the summer holidays. We’ve also seen ticket and pit fee prices rise to being very expensive. It can work when fans get to see huge entry fields. But drawing just 21 mods for a recent Open leaves fans disappointed. Not enough entries and high entrance fees could lead to the demise of modified racing’s recent surge of popularity.
Things are going well at the Tuesday night cruise at Cobb’s Corner in Canton. More and more cars are showing up every week. We were there this week and saw a turnout of 50 hot rods, classics, specialty vehicles and antiques. It starts at 4 and ends at dusk. Also cruise nights in the region take place on the first and third Thursdays at Bass Pro Shops in Patriot Place in Foxborough with Raynham Park hosting the Wheels of Time out of Brockton the second and fourth Thursdays. In Halifax the Connecting Rods out of Scituate offer a weekly Friday night cruise at Wal-Mart’s on Rt. 106.
Information for this column came from press releases and personal notes
Dale Jr.’s new gig, more breaking news from NASCAR
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Tuesday fireworks event sdtart time moved to 7 pm at Devil’s Bowl
Devil’s Bowl Speedway Moves “Fireworks Spectacular” Start Time to 7:00
Change made in anticipation of forecasted heat wave
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Devil’s Bowl Speedway has made a change to the starting time of its “Fireworks Spectacular” on Tuesday, July 3. In anticipation of the expected heat wave, the event has been pushed back one hour to help alleviate some of the heat concerns.
Racing on the half-mile dirt track will now begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night, while a massive fireworks show will start at approximately 9:30 p.m. as previously planned. Six racing divisions will be in action including the Sprint Cars of New England tour and all of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series classes. The event is presented by Bruno’s Towing & Recovery.
In addition to the racing and fireworks, the event also features the annual Kids Bicycle Giveaway at intermission, giving young fans the chance to win new bikes donated by drivers and race teams.
Special event admission on Tuesday, July 3, is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $5 for teens (13-17), and free for kids age 12 and under. Grandstand gates now open an hour later at 5:30 p.m., and racing starts at 7:00 p.m. Camping is free and opens on Sunday at 12:00 noon.
There is no racing scheduled for Sunday, July 1. Weekly Sunday night racing resumes on July 8.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of U.S. Route 4, Exit 2, and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt. For more information,
Source: Justin St. Louis, Media Director E