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Monthly Archives: October 2018
This Week At NED
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Travis Benjamin wins PASS North finale, DJ Shaw successful in Super Late Model championship defense
The PASS Tour made a rare appearance at Seekonk Speedway this past Sunday for an afternoon performance.
Seekonk, Massachusetts – Travis Benjamin did all that he could do in his quest for a third Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model championship, winning the season-ending 150-lapper at Seekonk Speedway. A seventh-place finish turned in by defending champion DJ Shaw proved to be enough to hold off Benjamin’s rally in the title bout. It is the third PASS North Super Late Model championship for Shaw, his family team and chief supporters Julio & Rita Miglioli.
Benjamin was at his best on the tight Seekonk oval, winning his heat race to cut Shaw’s lead entering the main event. Benjamin patiently worked his way from the back half of the starting grid, battling both regular PASS rivals and ultra-competitive weekly Pro Stock division competitors from the historic Bay State oval track.
Seekonk regular Ryan Vanasse led a huge chunk of the race, building a healthy advantage at times, but when Benjamin turned up the wick there was no one who could keep pace and he cruised into victory lane with the Petit Motorsports 7 for the second time this season.
Reid Lanpher of Manchester, Maine ended up in second position following an eventful afternoon. Lanpher won the biggest ‘open’ race of the season for the weekly Pro Stocks at Seekonk earlier this season. Nick Sweet of Barre, Vermont raced hard with the leaders throughout the 150-lap race to earn third-place hardware exactly one month after posting his first PASS North Super Late Model win.
Four-time 2018 PASS North SLM winner Curtis Gerry of Waterboro, Maine made his usual, healthy dose of late-race progress and crossed the finish line in fourth position. Derek Griffith of Hudson, New Hampshire, another PASS regular who has been successful in Seekonk open races, rounded out the top five.
Vanasse, of Warwick, Rhode Island, ended up in sixth position after dominating the middle portion of the race. Championship winner Shaw was seventh, ahead of Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, New Hampshire. Rounding out the top ten were Garrett Hall of Scarborough, Maine and Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Craig Weinstein of Walpole, Massachusetts, who splits his time between Super Late Model tour racing and weekly Seekonk Speedway competition, led much of the event’s early stages before an incident with a lapped car spoiled his day, relegating him to an 18th-place finish.
Drivers from all six New England States and Pennsylvania raced in the PASS North 150 at Seekonk Speedway.
Though the Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model season has been completed, the final 2018 PASS National Championship Series Super Late Model event is scheduled for Saturday, November 9 at North Carolina’s Hickory Motor Speedway. The Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 will also determine the PASS South Super Late Model champion as well as the national titlist. For more information please visit proallstarsseries.com or call (207) 539-8865.
Results from the October 28 Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model 150 at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Masachusetts, showing finishing position, car number, driver’s name, driver’s hometown:
1 7 Travis Benjamin, Morrill, ME; 2 59 Reid Lanpher, Manchester, ME; 3 40 Nick Sweet, Barre, VT; 4 7 Curtis Gerry, Waterboro, ME; 5 12 Derek Griffith, Hudson, NH; 6 11 Ryan Vanasse, Warwick, RI; 7 60 DJ Shaw, Center Conway, NH; 8 27 Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH; 9 94 Garrett Hall, Scarborough, ME; 10 35 Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 11 93 Ray Christian III, Uncasville, CT; 12 14 Rick Martin, Westport, MA; 13 47 Gabe Brown, Center Conway, NH; 14 52 David Darling, Seekonk, MA; 15 12 Bobby Pelland, Kingston, RI; 16 Nicholas Johnson, Rehoboth, MA; 17 76 Zane Zeiner, Bath, PA; 18 90 Craig Weinstein, Walpole, MA; 19 75 Gary Smith, Bangor, ME; 20 4 Ben Rowe, Turner, ME.
Source: Media Duffer/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.
Hirschman turns Haunted 100 win into TTOMS Championship at Seekonk
Matt Hirshman hit victory lane in TTOMS at Seekonk Speedway on Sunday afternoon
Shaw Champions PASS Winner Benjamin; Morgan Makes Late Model Magic
Seekonk, Mass. (October 28, 2018): Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, had been winless in Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) competition in 2018 entering the final race of the season. The defending Haunted 100 race winner and series champion came through when it counted most; defending not only his race win but also his championship. In the companion Pro All Star Series (PASS) Super Late Model 150-lapper Travis Benjamin of Belfast, ME, took down the win as DJ Shaw of Center Conway, NH, secured the championship. Ryan Morgan of N. Franklin, CT, charged to the Late Model Haunted 50 victory.
Entering the event tied with Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT, Hirschman finished a single-spot ahead of his rival to win the championship by a mere two points. Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT, Chase Dowling of Roxbury, CT, and Anthony Sesely of Matawan, NJ, completed the top five.
The Pro All Star Series Super Late Models made their inaugural appearance in the Haunted Happenings at Seekonk Speedway. Like their counterpart Modifieds, a series championship was on the line. At the end of the 150-lap event, Travis Benjamin of Belfast, ME, was holding the checkered flag and DJ Shaw of Center Conway, NH had secured the championship. Reid Lanpher of Manchester, NH, Nick Sweet of Barret, VT, Curtis Geery of Waterboro, ME, and Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH, completed the top-five in the event. A full race report can be found at ProAllStarSeries.com.
By virtue of their heat race wins Keith Rocco of Berlin, CT, and Dana DiMatteo of Farmington, CT, led the field to green for the start of the Haunted 100. A great start by Rocco gave him the lead in the opening laps ahead of Brian Robie and Pasteryak as DiMatteo faded. While Rocco drove out to a couple car length advantage, Robie had his hands full with Pasteryak. Les Hinckley was making moves and into sixth spot by lap 11. Championship chasers Silk and Hirschman ran 14 and 27 respectively.
Rocco was able to extend his lead over a battle between Robie and Pasteryak. Hinckley continued his march to the front; taking fifth from Todd Patnode on lap 14 before making quick work of DiMatteo. Pasteryak got by Robie on laps 25; taking Hinckley along for the ride. Hinckley was running down Pasteryak when the first caution flew on lap 26 for a spin by Colbey Fournier. A handful of cars pitted from the tail end of the field under the caution. On the lap 26 restart Rocco edged ahead once again with Pasteryak and Hinckley taking chase. Back under green, Chase Dowling was using the outside groove to gain positions. Danny Cugini was having a good run in eighth.
The second caution flew when Sammy Rameau spun on lap 29. On the restart Hinckley used the bottom groove to take second away from Pasteryak. Any further progress was stalled when a caution flew for a mechanical failure on the #76 of Matt Galko.
On the ensuing restart at lap 30, Robie faltered; falling back to ninth. Hinckley was all over the back bumper of Rocco for the top spot. Dowling took advantage of Robie’s misfortune moving up inside the top-five. He was able to get by Pasteryak and into third. Silk now ran fifth.
Matt Swanson, who qualified through the consi, broke into the top-ten on lap 35. His progress was slowed by a caution on lap 35 for an incident involving Todd Annarummo, Carl Medieros, Jr. and Andy Jankowiak. Hinckley stayed alongside Rocco on the lap 35 restart. The two went wheel-to-wheel before the caution flew once again on lap 36 after contact between Rob Murphy and Brad Babb sent Babb spinning.
Rocco was strong on the lap 36 restart taking the lead. However, a charging Dowling would not only take second from Hinckley but would also take over the lead from Rocco. Dowling was the new leader on lap 38. Dowling could not shake Rocco. Hinckley and Silk ran nose to tail inside the top-five. Matt Swanson and Hirschman were looking racy as the race approached halfway.
At halfway Dowling continued to lead Rocco and Hinckley. Silk was able to get by Pasteryak for fourth. Anthony Nocella, Swanson, Hirschman, Sesely and Richard Savary completed the top-five after 50-laps. A battle between Pasteryak and Silk had allowed Swanson and Hirschman, who had moved passed Nocella, to catch the lead pack. A spin by Annarummo had the yellow flying for the sixth time on lap 55. During the caution period, Silk and Nocella headed pitside. Back under green Dowling charged back to the lead in front of Hinckley. Hirschman got by Rocco for third.
The seventh caution of the event flew on lap 59 for a multi-car incident that involved Jankowiak and Robie. The top-five for the restart was Dowling, Hinckley, Hirschman, Rocco and Swanson. Silk restarted in position 13. Dowling got a strong restart as did Hirschman. He as able to get by Hinckley and into second. A brewing battle for the lead was cooled when a jumble at mid-pack sent Rameau spinning and the caution flying once again.
Hirschman now lined up beside the leader Dowling on the lap 61 restart. Hirschman rocketed past Dowling to become the new leader on lap 61. Dowling settled into second ahead of Hinckley. The best battle on the field was for fifth. Rocco held the position but a racy Sesely was applying heavy pressure. On lap 66 Sesely moved by Rocco and into the top five. Hinckley was being hounded by Swanson in third. Pasteryak, who had gotten by Rocco, had also reeled in Sesely. He was able to take fifth on lap 70. The jockeying for position inside the top five slowed for a spin by Cugini on lap 71. Under the caution both Hinckley and Rocco went pitside.
An attempt to go green on lap 71 was thwarted by a spin by Calvin Carroll. Bryan Narducci, who had worked his way into the top-ten, saw his strong finish go by the wayside on the second attempt at a lap 71 restart. Finally, back under green on lap 71, it was all Hirschman; leaving Dowling and Swanson to duke it out for second. Swanson took the spot away before the 12th caution flew for another spin by Annarummo. On the lap 72 restart it was still Hirschman being trailed by Swanson. Pasteryak stayed alongside Dowling in a bid for third. With only 25 laps remaining, Silk started his charge back to the front. Silk took a position away from Pasteryak and set his sights on Dowling. Silk got by Dowling and headed toward the lead duo of Hirschman and Swanson.
Dowling continued to backslide; giving up fourth to Pasteryak. Hirschman and Swanson saw their lead disappear as the yellow flew; this time on lap 84 for a spin by Fournier. On the restart Hirschman jumped back out in front, Silk was able to move by Swanson; putting the championship contenders 1-2.
Hirschman was able to get breathing room while Silk had a mirror full of Swanson. Another caution flew on lap 88 for a spin by Jankowiak; giving Silk a shot. Silk restarted to the outside of leader Hirschman with just 12 green flag laps remaining. The two went wheel-to-wheel into turn two on the ensuing restart and onto the backstretch. Hirschman was finally able to free himself of Silk to complete lap 89. Hirschman began to stretch his advantage. Pasteryak got my Swanson for third with Dowling taking chase. A great three-car able for sixth featured Sesely, Hinckley and a fully recovered Robie.
Coming out of turn four, bumper tag between Dowling, Swanson and Pasteryak, ended with Swanson spinning on the frontstretch. The resulting caution set-up a green-white-checker to determine not only the race winner but the championship.
The restart order with two laps remaining was Hirschman, Silk, Pasteryak, Dowling, Sesely, Hinckley, Robie, Nocella, Patnode, Rocco inside the top ten. Hirschman rocketed out to the lead. Silk could do nothing as he watched Hirschman cruise to the checkers and the championship. Pasteryak ended a strong day in third followed by Dowling and Sesely. Hinckley, Robie, Nocella, Patnode and Rocco completed the top-ten at the end of the Haunted 100.
Ryan Morgan was dogged in his pursuit of the victory in the 50-lapper for the Late Models as part of the Haunted Happening. Seekonk Speedway regular and 2018 Late Model champion Ryan Kuhn of East Bridgewater took the early lead from pole sitter Mark Hudson while Morgan and Vinny Arrenegado, Jr. battled for third. Kuhn was able to extend his lead in the early going with Morgan securing second. Contenders like Hersey and DeGasparre were mired deep in the field.
The best battle on the track was for sixth position between Chase Belcher, Dan Johnson and Rey Lovelace. Slight contact gave Lovelace the advantage over Belcher and Johnson. A single lap later a spin by Belcher brought out the event’s first caution on lap 17.
The field had a tough time getting action rolling as the event approached halfway. The caution on lap 17 was followed by a wreck on lap 19 with Nathan Tracy and a subsequent incident with Bobby Tripp, Paul Newcomb, Derek Gluchaki, and Josh Hedges. Lap 21 saw an additional incident with Newcomb, Tracy and Manny Dias.
Despite the yellow fever, Kuhn continued to lead over Morgan and Arrenegado. Lovelace was starting to make his presence known while Ryan Lineman was making his way into contention. Lovelace was all over the back bumper of Arrenegado. The two went door-to-door for several laps as Johnson took chase in fifth. Hudson came back to life working over Lineman, Lovelace and Arrenegado with 15 laps remaining.
Morgan caught the back bumper of Kuhn, who had dominated up to this point of the event. Lovelace and Arrenegado now had company from Johnson. Arrenegado was able to edge ahead; leaving Lovelace to defend the challenges of Johnson.
On lap 44, Morgan dove low on Kuhn in a bid for the lead. The two make slight contact. Morgan got the edge and the lead. Kuhn tried the crossover move; to no avail. Kuhn stayed glued to the bumper of Morgan in the closing laps.
On lap 49, Kuhn, in a last-ditch effort, dove to the bottom of Morgan coming out of two, tried the outside groove out of turn four; again, to no avail. Morgan was able to hold on for the victory over Kuhn. Arrenegado came home third ahead of Lovelace and Johnson inside the top-five. Hudson, Belcher, Bobby Tripp, Tommy Adams and DeGasparre, Jr. completed the top-ten.
The 20-lap Non-Qualifiers event for the Modifieds went green-to-checker with Russ Hersey turning in a dominating performance to score the win. Hersey was not eligible to transfer to the main event but did pocket $1,000 for the victory. During qualifying for the Haunted 100, heat race victories went to Rocco, DiMatteo, Robie and Patnode. The two consolation events went to Rob Murphy and Zane Zeiner.
Tri-Track Open Modified Series, Haunted 100 Feature Finish, Seekonk Speedway, October 28, 2018: 1. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 2. Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT; 3. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 4. Chase Dowling, Roxbury, CT; 5. Anthony Sesley, Matawan, NJ; 6. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; 7. Brian Robie, Sunapee, NH; 8. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA; 9. Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH; 10. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT; 11. Dana DiMatteo, Farmington, CT; 12. Richard Savary, Canton, MA; 13. Rob Richardi, Taunton, MA; 14. Andrew Molleur, Shelton, CT; 15. Danny Cugini, Marshfield, MA; 16. Calvin Carroll, Johnsonburg, NJ; 17. Colbey Fournier, Berkley, MA; 18. Andy Jankowiak, Tonawanda, NY; 19.Brad Babb, Windham, ME; 20. Matt Swanson, Acton, MA, 21. Zane Zeiner, Bath, PA; 22. Matt Galko, Meriden, CT; 23. Carl Medeiros Jr.,Westport, MA; 24. Bryan Narducci, Colchester, CT; 25. Sam Rameau, Westminster, MA;26. Rob Murphy, Rochester, MA; 27. Dylan Izzo, Monroe, CT. DNQ: Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT; Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA; Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA; Dylan Izzo, Monroe, CT; Jake Johnson, Rehoboth, MA; Tom Rogers, Riverhead, NY; Michael Gervais, Wolcott, CT; Bill Dixon, N. Waterboro, ME; Sal Accardi, Jr., Deer Park, NY; Ron Frees, Brick Township, NJ; Jon Kievman, Deerfield Beach, FL; CJ Bolton, Weare, NH; Andy Shaw, Center Conway, NH; Geoff Nooney, Southwick, MA; Russ Hersey, N Swanzey, NH.
Haunted 50 Late Model Feature Finish: 1. Ryan Morgan, North Franklin, CT; 2. Ryan Kuhn, East Bridgewater, MA; 3. Vinny Arrenegado, Jr., Warren, RI; 4. Rey Lovelace, North Providence, RI; 5. Dan Johnson, Rehoboth, MA; 6. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA; 7. Chase Belcher, West Wareham, MA; 8. Bobby Tripp, Westport, MA; 9. Tommy Adams, East Providence, RI; 10. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. Pawtucket, RI; 11. Derek Gluchaki, Dartmouth, MA; 12. Josh Hedges, Middleboro, MA; 13. Russ Hersey, North Swanzey, NH; 14. Manny Dias, South Attleboro, MA; 15. Mike Benevides, Coventry, RI; 16. Paul Newcomb, Plymouth, MA; 17. Ryan Lineham, Coventry, RI; 18. Nathan Tracy, Seekonk, MA; 19. Louis Romiza, Falmouth, MA; 20. Jason Larivee Jr., West Greenwich, RI; 21. Mike Mitchell, Cumberland, RI.
Source: Dale Wolbrink/TTOMS PR
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com
Matt Hirschman takes TTOMS go at Seekonk Speedway on Sunday, 10/28/18
Speed51Modifieds@Speed51ModsCourtesy of Speed51
Benjamin does everything he can, But Shaw wins PASS title at Seekonk
Travis Benjamin may not have been able to claim the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Model Series championship on Sunday afternoon at Seekonk Speedway (MA), but he ended the season on a high note with a win in their 150-lap season finale at The Cement Palace.
Benjamin muscled to the inside of Ryan Vanasse to take the lead with 22 laps remaining and didn’t look back, taking the win at a track that holds a special place in Benjamin’s heart.
“I got my first win here when I was eighteen,” Benjamin said. “That was a long time ago. I’ve always been close to getting another win but I could never seal the day, but finally today we got it.”
Despite his joy with the win, Benjamin felt remorse for the physical nature of his pass for the lead, apologizing to Vanasse and his team. The contact shuffled Vanasse backwards through the field, before he ultimately finished sixth.
“I really didn’t want to be on the outside on that last restart,” Benjamin explained. “I didn’t know if I could run out there. It seemed like I’d overdrive corner entry. I thought I had him cleared once, then the next corner I went down and overdrove corner entry and he’d get back down beside me. Here, drivers take a weird arc into the corner. That’s what he did. He arced it into the corner, I kind of stuck my nose in there and when I did I kind of moved him.
“I hate racing like that,” Benjamin added. “I apologize to him and his whole crew. They had an awesome car and they didn’t deserve that. But you know, we did it.”
Despite the win, Benjamin came up just short in the chase for the PASS North Super Late Model Series title hunt. D.J. Shaw claimed the series’ championship after a seventh-place finish. Unofficially, Shaw ended the season with an eight-point lead over Benjamin in the standings.
“It was a pretty bad day in the long haul but we regrouped and made a pit stop just when it counted, got back out there and got the spots we needed just barely,” Shaw said. “It was a good team effort today and nobody gave up.
DJ Shaw and crew celebrate their third PASS North championship. (Speed51.com photo)
“It fired off great and I got sixth there and I just couldn’t get enough of a run under the 90 (Craig Weinstein) to stay in there and make the pass,” Shaw added. “It just stopped going. We made a bleeder adjustment, a stagger adjustment there on the pit stop and it crunched it to get to the end. We still had way too much. We made an adjustment after the heat on tire pressures and we learned not to do that. At least we didn’t throw it all away with that adjustment.”
For Shaw, the story of the season was consistency, as his 11 top-fives and 16 top-10 finishes buoyed him in the points tally.
“Consistency won us this one really,” Shaw said about the championship chase. “It wasn’t a super flashy year, but we were in the top five most weeks. We got to still work on not having weeks like we had at Beech Ridge and keep getting better. We rebounded well at Oxford. That’s my biggest takeaway from the year, finishing off the year with a top three at a flat track. I’m excited about that.”
Benjamin did not let the title picture impact his race today, focusing on getting the best finish possible and letting the points settle themselves.
“I’m very happy with today,” Benjamin said. “We’ve kind of been hit or miss a lot of the season. Today, we did what we had to do and let the cards fall as they may. DJ, they’ve had a better year than us all year so they kind of deserve it. But hey, we did all we could.
“You know what? I don’t points race,” Benjamin added. “I really, really don’t. I just want to win. We come to do what we did today, and today was a great day.”
Reid Lanpher, who won the U.S. Pro Stock/SLM Nationals at Seekonk in July, scored a runner-up finish on this afternoon.
“We’ve had some good luck getting this thing to turn well around this place,” Lanpher said. “Earlier in the year we didn’t expect to have the speed we did. This place is fun, it’s violent though. It’s beating and banging, slipping and sliding out there, without a doubt.
“We did so much stuff wrong, not intentionally wrong on our part, but we got shuffled back a couple times and had to pit,” Lanpher said about his race. “The car was fast. Without one of the three major hiccups, I think we would’ve had a great shot. I’m not going to lie; I did a horrible job saving my stuff throughout that race. It was kind of one of those were I had to go, had to go.”
Race fans who missed the action at Seekonk Sunday, including the PASS North season finale and the Haunted Hundred Tri-Track Open Modified Series event, can catch up on everything they missed on Speed51.com. Click here to view Trackside Now updates from the race, or click here to order our on-demand broadcast of the day’s racing.
Story by Zach Evans, Speed51.com Southeast Editor / Brandon Paul, Speed51.com Editor
-Photo credit: Speed51.com
NASCAR-Elliott looking forward, Xfinity penalty issued, Day sets sights on MENCS
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Fall Motorcycle Swap Meet | 2019 Number registrations now available @Stafford Speedway
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Meghan Fuller wins R.A.D. Auto Machine Street Stock Rookie of the Year honors at Stafford Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)— Being a rookie driver in any division can be a daunting task but for Meghan Fuller, the 2018 Street Stock season at Stafford Speedway proved just the opposite. The Auburn, MA native began her rookie campaign at Stafford with only 3 previous Street Stock starts under her belt but that didn’t slow her down. Fuller scored her first career Stafford win in the second race of the season and she was a championship contender for the entire season before finishing second in the final Street Stock standings and taking home the R.A.D. Auto Machine Rookie of the Year honors in her #2 Propane Plus Chevrolet.
“I’m very excited to be the Rookie of the Year because we worked really hard this season and we had a pretty successful year completing every lap of competition,” said Fuller. “The season went pretty well for us. We didn’t expect to get a win as early in the year as we did but we got a win and a few podium finishes so I was pretty satisfied with how the year went. I’d like to thank my sponsors Interstate Transmission, Propane Plus, Simoniz, Tri-State Speedway, and Tick Mike and I’d like to thank my photographer Ann, my Dad, Uncle Jimmy, my brother, Lisa, David, Chris, and all my fans for their support this season.”
What Fuller was able to accomplish behind the wheel of her #2 car as a rookie driver was truly remarkable. Fuller was the only driver in the Street Stock division to complete every single lap of competition and she was tied with Street Stock champion George Bessette, Jr. for the most top-10 finishes with 19. Fuller credits her father, former Whelen Modified Tour champion Rick, her brother, and her Uncle Jimmy as the reason why she was able to be so competitive as a rookie.
“Definitely my Uncle Jimmy helping with the setup and my father, my brother, and Uncle Jimmy working on the car every week to get it ready and make it faster for me was the reason why were able to be so competitive this year,” said Fuller. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling to be the only driver to complete all the laps this year. I was speechless when we won and we were hoping that we could get another win but we just couldn’t quite make it happen. It was a little disappointing that we didn’t get another win but I’m still very proud of how we did this year.”
While getting her first career Stafford win was a major highlight of the year, Fuller says that once the season was over and she was able to reflect on everything that she had accomplished this year, her accomplishments stood out as the highlight of her rookie campaign.
“Getting a win this season was pretty amazing but at the end of the year when I found out all the accomplishments that we achieved this season by finishing second in points, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing seventh in the UNOH Youth Achievement standings and 8th in the national standings and being nominated for Most Popular Driver, that was the highlight of our year.”
With a full season of experience to be able to lean on, Fuller is looking forward to the 2019 season where she hopes to be challenging for more wins and the track championship. Fuller will also find out in January if she will become part of the 2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity class.
“We were hoping to do the best that we could this year and gain some experience and hopefully next season we can win a few more races and the championship,” said Fuller. “Getting the championship and more wins is always going to be our goal. I’m looking forward to next season. I love the competition at Stafford and the whole environment is very laid back. We’ll find out in January if I made the NASCAR Driver for Diversity program. If I do get accepted, I’m not sure how that will affect my Stafford race schedule.”
Fuller will officially be crowned as the 2018 R.A.D. Auto Machine Street Stock Rookie of the Year at the 49th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 16 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor.
Tickets to the 49th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony are $50 per person and can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or by paying for tickets online atwww.staffordspeedway.com.
Source: Scott Running/Satafford 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
Bryan Narducci Wins R.A.D. Auto Machine SK Light Rookie of the Year honors at Stafford Speedway
Fri 10/26/2018, 12:15 PM
(Stafford Springs, CT)—The 2018 season at Stafford Speedway saw Bryan Narducci come very close to a fairytale ending to his rookie season in the SK Light division. A graduate of the Wild Thing Karts, Narducci moved up to the SK Light division after 2 seasons and 6 wins in Stafford’s Limited Late Model division. Narducci was bidding to become the fifth driver in Stafford’s SK Light history to win both the championship and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season but he ended 2 points short of winning the championship. Narducci will take home the R.A.D. Auto Machine Rookie of the Year honors and the $500 bonus that goes along with the award.
“It was a great season,” said Narducci. “It would have been nice to win the championship along with the rookie of the year, but we only lost by 2 points so that shows we were right there. It’s definitely nice to have a bonus from R.A.D. Auto Machine. We’ll definitely put that to use next season. I have to thank The Florida Connection, Chris Our, Baldwin Automotive, Curley’s Kids Care, Waddell Communications, Preece’s Auto, R.A.D. Auto Machine, Todd and all the guys on the crew, my Uncle Jeff for the transmission, and everyone who helps us out for their support this season.”
When the first green flag of the 2018 season was unfurled at the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler, Narducci looked like a grizzled veteran rather than a rookie driver making only his second start at Stafford behind the wheel of his #01 The Florida Connection Chevrolet. Narducci opened the year with back to back second place finishes before scoring his first win in the third race of the season. Narducci continued his hot start, racking up 11 podium finishes in the first 15 races of the season, which gave him a 48 point lead over Marcello Rufrano with 6 races to go. Although he won twice more in the closing races, several finishes outside the top-10 in that span allowed Rufrano to be tied with Narducci in the championship race and Rufrano would clinch the championship in the final race. Narducci is proud of what he accomplished this season and is already looking forward to the 2019 season.
“The season was real good for us,” said Narducci. “We won 5 races and we had only 2 finishes outside the top-4 in the first 12 races so it was going real good. Then we had a couple rough weeks towards the end of the season and in any season you’re going to get caught up in something or something happens. We went into the last race tied for the championship and lost by 2 points but we were real close to winning the championship and it’s always a good year when you can go into the last race and be in contention for the championship. I’m definitely itching to get back racing. We’ll make sure everything is right over the winter and I’m sure we’ll have a fast car once again next season.”
Narducci’s five victories this season, while an impressive total, was only the third most wins by an SK Light rookie driver at Stafford. Tommy Barrett, Jr. holds the SK Light rookie record with 10 wins in 2010 and Chase Dowling is second on the rookie win list with 7 wins back in 2013. Although he expected to reach NAPA Victory Lane at some point during his rookie season, Narducci never imagined winning 5 races.
“I expected to run good and we thought we could maybe win a couple of races but we didn’t expect to win 5 races and be tied for the championship going into the last race,” said Narducci. “If you look at some of the rookies who have come through the SK Lights at Stafford, Matt Galko won 2 championships, one as a rookie, Tommy Barrett always ran really well and won a lot of races, last year Cory DiMatteo won the championship and 4 races as a rookie, and guys like Michael Gervais and Chase Dowling are now in the SK Modified® division, so I think that rookies seem to adapt pretty well to Stafford. Hopefully I can be racing against all those guys in a couple more years.”
Narducci will officially be crowned as the 2018 R.A.D. Auto Machine SK Light Rookie of the Year at the 49th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 16 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor.
Tickets to the 49th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony are $50 per person and can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or by paying for tickets online atwww.staffordspeedway.com.
Source: Scott Running/Stafford 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