Monthly Archives: July 2018

Andy Jankowiak holds off Matt Hirschman to win Thunder in the Hills 100 Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series event at THE TRACK @ HILLSIDE BUFFALO

July 24, 2018

HOLLAND, NY – Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, N.Y., maneuvered around Scott Wylie of Blasdell, N.Y., on lap 15, survived several restarts and held off a hard charging Matt Hirschman to win the Thunder in the Hills 100 at The Track @ Hillside Buffalo that was formerly Holland International Speedway.

The track was the site of Jankowkiak’s first series victory which Hirschman also finished second in. It was the 5^th Modified Series victory of Jankowiak’s Race of Champions career.

“We needed this tonight,” stated Jankowiak from victory lane. “I knew Matt (Hirschman) was back there and coming and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Matt is one of the best and to beat him always makes you feel good. We had a good car tonight and I knew I needed to save some for the end but it is tough to gauge that. We had just enough to get the job done. I have to take thank Tom, Erin, Bud and all of the people associated with our team. My first win in a modified came here so this one is pretty special.”

Wylie inherited the pole position as pole winner, via the redraw, Zack Knowlden of Horseheads, N.Y., elected to start at the rear of the field. Wylie and Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y., led the field to the green. Wylie took the early lead before Jankowiak slipped to the top spot.

Hirschman, who finished second, pitted just past halfway in the race for adjustments worked his way back to the front to get near Jankowiak’s in the closing laps, but it was to no avail.

Hossfeld finished third. Bryan Sherwood of Binghamton, N.Y., finished fourth in his first race of the season. Eric Beers of Northampton, Pa., advanced the most positions from 16^th to finish 5^th.

Hirschman posted the Speed 51 “Top of the Board” Award in group qualifying with a lap of 13.759 seconds (98.118 mph).

Hirschman, Jack Ely of Wall, N.J., and Wylie won the three qualifying races.

Travis Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., captured the first-ever Race of Champions Four Cylinder Dash Series race by winning the Butch Palmer Memorial 32. Montgomery and Jody London of Rochester, N.Y., battled side-by-side in the late stages of the race that went caution free. London finished a close second with Austin Montgomery of Ontario, N.Y., coming home third.

Austin Montgomery, Travis Montgomery, London and Jason Anasiewicz of Clarence, N.Y., won the four qualifying races while Scott Pastorious won the B-Main.

The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, US Army, Upstate Automotive Group, Waddell Communications, Pilat Graphic Design, Jerico Performance, TDH Refrigeration, Sherwood Racing Wheels, PavedTrackDigest.com and Speed51.com. The 68^th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2018 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.

Source: Race of Champions Media

Feature Finish

Thunder in the Hills (100-laps)

The Track @ Hillside Buffalo, Holland, N.Y.

Finishing Position, Car Number, Driver, Laps Completed, Reason Out (If Any)

Finish Starting Position No. Name Laps

1 4 12x Andy Jankowiak 100

2 10 60 Matt Hirschman

3 3 22 Chuck Hossfeld

4 8 95 Bryan Sherwood

5 16 45 Eric Beers

6 7 3 Daren Scherer

7 12 10 Daryl Lewis Jr.

8 15 32 Tyler Rypkema

9 18 40 Alan Bookmiller

10 17 0 Randall Richards

11 13 71 Danny Knoll, Jr.

12 11 65 George Skora, III 89

13 2 88 Scott Wylie 81 Accident

14 6 54 Jack Ely 76 Accident

15 14 59 Karl Hehr 75 Over Heating

16 9 66 Austin Kochenash 44 Engine

17 5 28 Kreig Heroth 32 Spark Plug

18 1 4 Zack Knowlden 21 Engine

19 19 1 Chris Risdale 1 Oil Leak

Time of Race: 42 minutes and 20 seconds Average Speed: 54.021 mph Margin of Victory: 1.055 seconds

Lead Changes: 3 among 3 drivers. (Zack Knowlden – Grid, Scott Wylie 1-15, Andy Jankowiak 16-100)

Speed51.com “Top of the Board” Award; Matt Hirschman (13.759 seconds @ 98.118 mph)

Paved Track Qualifying Race Winners; Matt Hirschman (2); Jack Ely (1); Scott Wylie (1)

Jerico Performance “Jammin’ Gears Awards”; Eric Beers (Advanced 11 positions in feature)

US Army Top Performer Award; Andy Jankowiak (14.125 seconds @ 95.575 mph lap 4)

Jan “Pops” Leaty Award – Leader Lap 25 – Andy Jankowiak

$100 Bicknell Racing Products Certificate Award (Third Place) – Chuck Hossfeld

MyRacePass “Free Pass” Award – (No Eligible Driver, No “Free Pass” Given during race”)

Craig Lutz looking to continue top-10 streak at Stafford in Starrett 150

Stafford Motor Speedway hosts the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Friday night, August 3 2018.

(Stafford Springs, CT)—In a short amount of time, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Craig Lutz is finding himself right at home when it comes to racing at Stafford Speedway. The Miller Place, NY native and driver of the #46 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet comes into the August 3 Starrett 150 riding a 4-race top-10 streak at Stafford. Lutz recorded his second career top-5 NWMT finish at the NAPA Spring Sizzler back in April and he will be looking to turn his luck around after misfortune has hit the #46 team in 2 of the last 3 NWMT races.

“Stafford is my favorite track and we’re looking forward to trying to rebound there,” said Lutz. “It’s been a really good season so far. We started off with a lot of momentum and then we had a motor issue at Langley and we got caught up in an early incident at Loudon so we’re looking to bounce back at Stafford. I’m starting to get more seat time at Stafford so I’m more comfortable and luckily I’ve been able to have some good cars there. Stafford is a fun track to drive and it’s very line sensitive. You have to hit your marks all the time to be fast. It definitely helps that I’ve had my best finishes at Stafford. We’re hoping to be better than we usually are at Stafford.”

For Lutz and the #46 team, what a difference one year can make. Lutz joined the #46 team in last year’s edition of the Starrett 150 where he scored his first career NWMT pole position and drove to an 8^th place finish. In the final 9 races of the 2017 season, Lutz scored 3 top-10 finishes, 2 of which came at Stafford. Enter the 2018 season and Lutz and the #46 team have top-10 finishes in all but 2 of the first 8 races and they enter the Starrett 150 in fourth place in the NWMT points standings.

“It’s been awesome, the #46 team is an awesome group of guys and I’m very grateful for the opportunity I have to drive for Russell and Jeff Goodale,” said Lutz. “We keep building together little by little and we’re looking to continue to click off top-10’s and top-5’s. It’ll be pretty huge to get a good result at Stafford. We’ve struggled for the last couple of races so it’ll definitely be a plus to gain some momentum for the August run of races that we have coming up.”

Despite his pole position run last August at Stafford, qualifying has not been a strong suit for Lutz. Lutz’s average starting position during his 4-race top-10 streak at Stafford has been 11.0 with his pole position the only top-10 start he has enjoyed in the last 4 Stafford races. Lutz will be looking to emulate his pole run from a year ago when the NWMT cars take to the track for their group qualifying session and make another top-10 run an easier prospect to achieve.

“Last time at Stafford we struggled on short run speed so we’ll be working on that and hopefully we can qualify up front and be there for the whole race and be able to capitalize at the end,” said Lutz. “Any time you can qualify up front, it makes your night that much easier. Everyone is so close so you’re always looking for that little bit and if you’re able to start up front and have a good start to the race, it carries throughout the night.”

While qualifying up front is one half of continuing his top-10 streak at Stafford, the second half will be choosing a good pit strategy. With NWMT teams only allowed one tire per pit stop, Lutz and the #46 team will have to figure out the best time to come to pit road for new tires.

“I think we’ll figure out our strategy as the race goes along,” said Lutz. “Myself, I always like to wait as long as possible to take new tires. This race will be a little different strategy-wise from the Sizzler with 150 laps instead of 200 laps. I think tires are going to be a big deal so whoever wins the race will probably have the newest tires at the end. We’ll have to see how things play out with caution flags. I think you’ll see most of the heavy hitters wait until late to take new tires. That’s what we did at the Sizzler and it ended up working out in our favor. I’ll leave it up to my crew chief to make the call when we come to pit road.”

Tickets for the August 3 Starrett 150 are available and on sale now at the Stafford Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seat tickets are $37.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking along with overnight parking available for self contained Recreational Vehicles. Stafford’s five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will join the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars in feature action.

Source: Scott Running/Staford Speedwy PR

Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com

South Boston PASS South event becomes “Roads to Oxford and Richmond” Qualifier

CHARLOTTE, NC (July 26) –Officials with the Pro All Stars Series announced today that the PASS South Super Late Model event scheduled for Saturday night, August 11 at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway will now be the final “Roads To Oxford & Richmond” qualifier of the year. Several teams have expressed interest in having the choice to get a guaranteed starting spot for the 45^th Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday, August 26 or the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway in October. The 150-lap event at South Boston Speedway is the only date left available to give teams the option to choose between the Oxford 250 or the Commonwealth Classic at Richmond. The top five finishers at South Boston Speedway on August 11 will be locked into the Oxford 250 or at Richmond.

The 45^th Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway will be on Sunday, August 26, giving racers the chance to win up to $50,000. The inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway will be on Saturday, October 20 and will pay $10,000 to the Super Late Model winner. Tour-Type Modifieds, Late Model Stocks, Limited Late Models, and Street Stocks will also be in action as part of the most anticipated new event in short track racing.

As for the fate of the 12^th Annual Orange Blossom Special at Orange County Speedway that was postponed last weekend due to the possibility of severe weather, a decision on a new date is still pending. Officials for both PASS and Orange County Speedway are discussing a new date for later this fall, but there are very few dates available that do not compete with previously scheduled events at other tracks or with other series. A final decision regarding Orange County Speedway will be announced soon at ProAllStarsSeries.com and on the PASS social media pages.

Source: Alan Dietz/PASS Tours PR

Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com

Bud “King of Beers” 150 on deck for Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday night, Aug. 8

Justin Bonsinore looks good to win the upcoming Bud 150 at Thompson Speedway (Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo.)

By Kyle Souza, for Thompson Speedway

THOMPSON, Conn. – The stars and cars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are headed for Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the 10^th race of their season on Wednesday, August 8.

And as the schedule begins to wind down for the modifieds, Thompson’s 29^thannual Bud “King of Beers” 150 will play a crucial role in the championship chase. It also marks the final stop at Thompson for teams to tune on their equipment before the champion is crowned as part of the Sunoco World Series in October.

In two previous Thompson events this year, Justin Bonsignore drove the No. 51 Phoenix Communications Inc. Chevrolet into Victory Lane. In April’s Icebreaker 150, Bonsignore rolled by Jon McKennedy when McKennedy ran out of fuel and went on to score the victory. In June, a late caution flag allowed Bonsignore’s stellar pit crew to shine and get him out at the front of the pack, and he never gave up the top spot.

Bonsignore leads all active drivers with the most career wins on the 0.625-mile oval (seven) and has put together a fast start to the season that has him as the championship favorite to this point. But behind him, 2015 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Chase Dowling is looking to break into Thompson’s Victory Lane and Doug Coby will be looking to regain his magic on the high-banks. Coby swept all four races in 2015, and has five career wins in 56 career starts. He finished inside the podium during the Thompson 125.

Other entrants to watch include Timmy Solomito, Matt Swanson, Bobby Santos III and Ronnie Williams. For Williams, the Thompson stops so far this season have proven to be difficult for him during the race action, but not in practice or qualifying. Williams qualified on the front row for both races, but has failed to finish inside the top-10. Will the speed he has shown so far return and allow him to have a chance at the victory?

One entry in the field that Thompson local fans may really want to watch is Ray Parent.

The defending Thompson Late Model champion is making his move to the modified ranks with Don Parsons Racing and he will drive the No. 98 Make A Wish entry in the Bud “King of Beers” 150. Parent has plenty of laps around Thompson and will look to use that experience to help him expedite the learning process driving a modified. Parent started 23^rd and finished 16^th in the Thompson 125 back in June in his Whelen Modified Tour debut.

Along with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All American Series racing is also planned for the night. The Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions will all compete in qualifying and feature racing. The NEMA Midgets will also return to the high-banks of Thompson for a 25-lap feature.

In the NWAAS Sunoco Modifieds, Keith Rocco has been victorious in three of the first four races, and holds a 28-point advantage in the championship point standings over Troy Talman. The only driver to knock Rocco off the top so far – Ryan Preece – will pull double duty and attempt to close the gap in the Sunoco Modified championship chase.

After some impressive runs to start the season, Nick Johnson finds himself in position to score a championship in the Late Model ranks. Johnson has finished inside the top five in all events so far in 2018, and holds a 17-point lead over Mark Jenison in the title fight. However, the top seven drivers are separated by 27 points – meaning it will be crucial for the eventual champion to score three consistent finishes at the front of the pack if they want to seal the deal.

Eric Bourgeois has won two races so far, and holds a 26-point lead in the Mini Stocks, while defending Limited Sportsman champion Shawn Monahan is running away with the Limited Sportsman title. Monahan is 27 points ahead of Chris Meyer with three races remaining and has already been victorious twice.

Qualifying racing gets underway at 5 p.m., and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will hit the track for group qualifying at 7 p.m. In the midst of feature racing, the Mini Stocks and the Late Models will follow the modifieds and complete the full night of racing. Paddock entry for the Bud 150 night is $50, while fans can walk into the front gate for just $44 and watch six action-packed feature events. As always, kids 12 & under are free for admission.

News from TSMP: Meet your favorite drivers this Saturday, July 28 at King Cadillac GMC in Putnam CT!

Come meet your favorite drivers at The Thompson Speedway Driver Meet & Greet at King Cadillac GMC this Saturday!

The Putnam Lions Food Trailer will there serving their famous Ribbon Fries. There will also be Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheese Burgers and Fried Dough for purchase.

Buddy Charette (No. 81 Late Model), Dave Trudeau (No. 97 Mini Stock), and Larry Barnett (No. 73 Limited Sportsman) will all be there!

More surprises to be announced…

The Whelen Modified Tour returns to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the third time in 2018 on Wednesday, August 8 with the 29th Annual Bud “King of Beers” 150.

The yearly mid-summer staple will feature the stars of the Whelen Modified Tour with points leader Justin Bonsignore looking for his 5th Victory of the year (3rd Victory of the season at Thompson Speedway). The NEMA Midgets and Thompson’s four track divisions with drivers will also be looking to capture every point they can as the season winds down.

Here is some footage from a past Bud 150 that has us pumped up for this year!

Upcoming Events at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park:

July 27th-29th: Lucas Oil School of Racing

Rounds 7 & 8 of the 2018 Lucas Oil Formula Car Championship Series. Day 1 is Pre-Race Lapping, and features three 30-minute sessions followed by instructor feedback and data debrief.

August 3rd-4th: Tony’s Track Days

Tony’s Track Days will be running the track in the Counter Clockwise direction!
Since 1996, Tony’s Track Days have encouraged average street riders to come to the track to hone their skills and have a blast in an environment void of typical road hazards. They invite all street riders to bring their motorcycle to the track to see just how much fun and learning happens at their track days. All types of bikes and riders are welcome.

August 4th: Exotic Driving Events

Experience the thrill of sitting in a Ferrari and pushing the limits of what a supercar can handle on a professional Autocross course here at TSMP!
Special pricing for TSMP Email Members: www.circuit1events.com

August 8th: Bud ‘King of beers’ 150

The American Muscle Experience was featured on Fox 61’s Daytrippers! We are now apart of their Summer Bucket List !!

This video really showcases the American Muscle Experience which comes back to Thompson on August 28th!

Our American Muscle road racing experience begins with a classroom session focused on the basics of road racing and vehicle dynamics, you’ll then be put behind the wheel of our 650 horsepower Corvettes around our 1.7 Mile Road Course.. the perfect gift or experience for any auto enthusiast!

Click Here for More Information

Or call (888) 314-6965. Be sure to mention SUMMER18 for special pricing! Code also valid on our website: www.circuit1events.com.

Cheer on the Connecticut Sun, Mohegan Sun’s very own WNBA team!

CT Sun VS. NY Liberty – Wednesday, August 1st at 7:00pm
CT Sun VS. Las Vegas Aces – Sunday, August 5th at 3:00pm
CT Sun VS. Chicago Sky – Sunday, August 12th at 3:00pm
CT Sun VS. Dallas Wings – Tuesday, August 14th at 7:00pm
CT Sun VS. Minnesota Lynx – Friday, August 17th at 7:00pm
CT Sun VS. LA Sparks – Sunday, August 19th at 3:00pm

Click WNBA’s Connecticut Sun to view the full summer schedule

Our mailing address is:

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT

Thompson, CT 06277

AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship gets underway Sat., July 28 and Sun., July 29 at Quoboag Riders in Monson, MA

July 25, 2018

Click here to download a high-resolution action shot by Samantha Laderer from the 2017 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship:

https://gallery.americanmotorcyclist.com/AMAMedia/Racing/n-gvHTH/i-CHQTTT4/A

AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship gets underway July 28

Riders to battle for AMA No. 1 plates at Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club in Monson, Mass.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The nation’s best amateur motorcycle and ATV hillclimb competitors are set to converge on the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club in Monson, Mass., for the 2018 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship, July 28-29.

“We are looking forward to a weekend of intense competition and fun at this event,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “The Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club is an excellent venue, and I am sure the riders are going to put on a great show.”

In addition to competing for AMA No. 1 plates, racers will vie for awards recognizing the AMA Hillclimb Racer of the Year, AMA Vet/Senior Hillclimb Racer of the Year and AMA Youth Hillclimb Racer of the Year.

The King of the Hill award will be given to the fastest competitor in a run-off. Riders with the 10 fastest times during the weekend will compete for the honor in a one-run class at the end of the program Sunday.

Known as the “Monson Monster,” the facility is owned by the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club, which is celebrating 74 years of operation. The facility will be hosting the event for the fifth time since 1993.

The event is also the fourth round of the 2018 AMA Northeastern Hillclimb Challenge Series, an AMA Featured Series. For more information on the series, visit northeasternhillclimbchallenge.com.

Gates open at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Competition begins at 8 a.m. Gates close at 9 p.m. nightly.

Hillclimb is one of the AMA’s oldest racing disciplines, dating to the early 1900s. In the competition, the country’s best amateur motorcycle and ATV hillclimbers attempt to reach the top of the hill, with the winner determined by the quickest time.

For more information about this event, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com and the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club’s website at www.monsonmonster.com, or call (413) 267-4414.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/mobile-join

American Motorcyclist Association,13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147

Steep competition ready for TTOMS at SBM125 at Star Speedway

Ryan Preece has set his sights on winning the SBM 125 sTTOMS race at Star Speedway on Saturday night, July 28(Credit: NASCAR.com photo)

Seekonk, Mass. (July 26, 2018): Only two drivers have ever won the SBM 125 at Star Speedway; but no less than a dozen have a realistic shot at winning the race on Saturday night when the Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) takes to the track. Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, and Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, MA, have had a stronghold on SBM victory lane. With $6,000 going to the winner and a roster of 30 plus cars, the 125 lap event for the ground-pounding Modifieds should be one of the most hotly contested on record.

The most notable contender, of course, is Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT. Fresh off a third-place finish in the Xfininty Series at nearby New Hampshire Motor Speedway this past weekend, Preece looks to add an SBM victory to his already impressive resume. Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT, the most recent winner in the TTOMS series, has strong odds to repeat at Star this weekend. While winless in TTOMS competition, Russ Hersey of Swanzey, NH, has had some impressive runs recently and is clearly knocking on the door of victory lane.

The racy quarter-mile has been good to Les Hinckley over the years. Hinckley has posted three runner-up finishes in this race over the last four years. A win could be in the making for the Windsor Locks, CT, driver. Josh Cantara of Saco, ME, has posted three podium finishers in the SBM; making Star Speedway his best shot to win.

A host of drivers that have posted Modified victories elsewhere the season will undoubtedly be in contention for victory on Saturday night. Tommy Barrrett, Jr., of Milford, MA, has won in open Modified competition at Stafford Motor Speedway. Rowan Pennink of New Egypt, PA, has multiple wins with the Modified Racing Series (MRS) as well as a win in weekly completion at Stafford. Other MRS winners this season include Anthony Nocella of Woburn, MA, Todd Patnode of W. Swanzey, NH, and Sammy Rameau of Westminster, MA, who claimed a career-first at nearby Lee recently.

Multi-time Southern Modified champion and Hampstead, NH native Andy Seuss, now of Salisbury, NC, looks to put his bad luck in SBM competition in the rearview to win in front of the ‘hometown’ crowd. Among those also capable of capturing a win at the Granite State’s fast quarter mile include Kirk Alexander of Swanzey, Woody Pitkat of Stafford, CT, and Richard Savary of Canton, MA. Another former Modified champion Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT, is slated to make his first TTOMS appearance of the year.

The full racing card includes the 125 lap Modified main event along with Late Models, Strictly Stocks, Roadrunners and Six Shooters. Racing will get underway on Saturday, July 28 with heat races for weekly divisions at 4:30pm followed by heat race action for the Tri-Track Mods. Features for all divisions will roll-off at approximately 6:00pm and will culminate with the running of 125 laps of Modified action.

Star Speedway’s Strictly Stock race winner was determined by mere feet at the checkers last week. The Late Model division has found old rivalries rekindled with the likes of former track champions Charlie Rose and Bobby Cabral vying for supremacy over newcomers and other veterans alike. The night promises to be chock full of exciting racing action.

Grandstand admission is $30 for adults, $25 for Seniors and $20 Juniors (11-16yrs). Kids under 10 are admitted free. Early bird pit passes (that includes early practice) are $55. Pit gates officially open at 11:30 am with a cost of $40. Practice for the TTOMS is scheduled for 1:pm.

Source: Dale Woolbrink/TTOMS PR

Note:If your track, tor or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com

Timmy Solomito in search of victory lane in Starrett 150 at Stafford

Long Island’s Timmy Solomito (Credit: NASCAR Home Track photo. )

(Stafford Springs, CT)—For many drivers, sitting in third place in the points standings at the halfway point of a season would be considered a good thing. But for Timmy Solomito and the #16 Starrett Tools team, the 2018 season is not quite where they want to be after winning 5 races and finishing second in the championship by a scant 6 point margin last year. Solomito is still in search of his first win of 2018 despite sitting third in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings. With the August 3 Starrett 150 at Stafford Speedway kicking off the second half of the 2018 NWMT season, what better place and time for Solomito to pick up his first win of the season than in a race that is sponsored by his team sponsor?

“I’m looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be pretty exciting,” said Solomito. “It’s pretty cool that Starrett has stepped up and is sponsoring a race at Stafford. It puts a little added pressure on us but that might do us some good right now. We’re not having the season we’d like, but hopefully we can start to get things turned around at our sponsor’s race. We had 5 wins last year so we’re definitely not where we want to be this year. I think by this time last year we already had 3 wins and we’re halfway through this season and we haven’t won yet, so it’s been tough. We’re still fighting and plugging away and trying to do the best we can to get back to victory lane. It would be great to get a win for our sponsor, especially in a race that they’re sponsoring.”

If Solomito is to end his 2018 win drought at Stafford, he will have to do it at a track where he hasn’t always enjoyed the best of results. In his first 7 career starts at Stafford, Solomito only had one top-10 finish but he has recorded 9 top-10 finishes in his last 12 Stafford starts dating back to the 2015 NAPA Spring Sizzler. Solomito has come agonizingly close to winning at Stafford with a second place effort in the 2016 NAPA Fall Final and two other third place efforts, but he is still in search of that elusive first Stafford victory.

“We’ve been close at Stafford in the past just not close enough to win,” said Solomito. “Stafford hasn’t really been my strong suit so it would be really cool to turn that around in our sponsor’s race. Stafford is a tough track and there’s a lot of really good competitors. We’ll bring our best car and put our best foot forward and give it all we got.”

The keys to victory at Stafford depends on a good qualifying effort and having the right pit strategy. Solomito has qualified in the top-9 in 9 of his last 11 Stafford starts and with teams only allowed one tire change per pit stop, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will be the correct pit strategy to employ for the Starrett 150.

“It’s tough to pass at Stafford some times so having a good starting position and having a good pit strategy to stay up front all night is going to be important,” said Solomito. “Usually the guys who start in the top-5 are up front at the end so hopefully we can lay down a good lap and at least start the night off right. There’s so much that can happen in 150 laps and you can’t really plan when the cautions are going to happen. It’s kind of a roll of the dice once you get out there and you see what’s going on and what other teams are doing. This one tire deal kind of has everybody doing different things so hopefully our strategy will play out the best and we can be up front at the end when it counts.”

With the Starrett 150 kicking off a five race stretch in five weeks for NWMT teams, Solomito will be looking for some good runs in order to stay in the thick of the championship chase.

“A good run in this race would be huge for us,” said Solomito. “The first half of the year didn’t go as good as we were looking for. We’re third in points and we’re still in the championship race, which is a bonus. It would be huge to start the second half of the year with a strong run and put us in for a good month of August. August is a tough stretch for everybody with a lot of races in a short amount of days. Last year we were close to winning the championship so it would be nice if we could fight for it again this year.”

Source: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com

Aug. Updates and info from Rhode Island Street Rodding

Hello Fellow Automotive Enthusiasts,

Drive safely and join the fun as Rhode Island Street Rodding Association will hold Hot Rod and Harley Haul on August 5, 2018 at the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce Seafood Festival, Ninigret Park, Charlestown RI. Details; ristreetrodding.org/hot-rods-harley-haul

Two NON-RISRA events notices;

First: the Arctic Cruise Night scheduled for tonight has been postponed and rescheduled for September 5th.

Second reminder:

There is a flyer shown below to aid our veterans. Tickets are to be purchased in advanced by Aug 1!

RISRA ristreetrodding.org will have their next Monthly Meeting August 3, 2018, 7:30 PM, at Shriners , 1 Rhodes Pl, Cranston, RI

We are always actively seeking new members, if you have an interest in street rodding and would like further information either email us webmaster@ristreetrodding.org or attend a meeting.

Thank you, Webmaster