Jimmy Hebert (#58VT), Ryan Kuhn of East Bridgewater(#72MA), and Bryan Kruczek (#19NH) put on a great battle at Thompson Speedway and could very well do the same in the Dream Ride 150 at Star Speedway. (Daniel Holben photo)
Waterbury, VT – The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) travels to Epping, NH’s Star Speedway for the first time since 2013 this Saturday, June 29 at 4:30pm. The Dream Ride 150 will certainly be a dream for at least one driver with a $5,000 check awaiting the winner of the Summer Kickoff Series finale.
The month of June has been a big-money month for the ACT Late Model Tour with two $5,000 winner’s prizes already awarded. Lebanon, NH’s Rich Dubeau grabbed five grand for his first ACT win at Quebec’s Autodrome Chaudiere on June 1 while Williamstown, VT’s Jimmy Hebert took the second $5,000 award at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway on June 15. The duo now sit 1-2 in the point standings, meaning both will surely be a threat for another big score on Saturday.
However, plenty of other ACT and local stars are ready to knock them from their perch. While it has been six long years since the Tour has visited Star Speedway, plenty of runners have Late Model experience and success at the track, meaning it could be anyone’s game when the green flag drops.
“Star Speedway is a tough racetrack to get around,” two-time Star winner and top ACT rookie Ryan Kuhn said. “It’s tight and has a very narrow groove. I think that kind of track really suits my driving style – just wrapping it around the bottom. But just racing there in general is a blast.”
“One thing it will help us with is the setup,” Kuhn added of his experience at Star. “Every time we’ve been there, we’ve burned the right rear off the car. But now we know to start off tighter so hopefully it will be better for the long run. And it’s just big turning laps there. We’ve run there three times and won there twice, and that’s a huge help running with some of their weekly guys. Some of them are pretty good and have a lot of experience and success. Running well against them means a lot.”
Kuhn joins a growing list of drivers looking to make a big score as ACT opens the second half of its point-counting season. At least one former ACT winner at Star is expected to be in the field. Hudson, NH’s Joey Polewarczyk has been running a limited schedule this year, but the 2013 winner has stated that Star is an event where he plans to put his full-season entry to use.
But that means much of the field will be hungry for their first ACT win at Star — or their first ACT win period. Two-time defending champion Scott Payea of Colchester, VT has vaulted back into this year’s title hunt after three-straight top-5 finishes. Milton, VT’s Dylan Payea continues to make strides on the Tour as do former Série ACT Champion Jonathan Bouvrette and sophomore Christopher Pelkey. Any of them could reasonably find themselves onto the podium at Star.
However, some locals have plenty of Late Model credentials. Three-time ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr. has gone two-for-two in weekly features at Star Speedway this season and is going for a third victory. Newmarket, NH’s Bryan Kruczek won the ACT Tour season opener at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway while also making multiple starts at Star.
Both have entered the event, as have number-six Star Late Model point man Randy Cole Jr., former ACT regular Matt Anderson, and part-time Rhode Island racer Jason Larivee Jr. Several others from the growing weekly class are expected to defend their home track from the outsiders rolling in.
Qualifying for the Star Speedway Dream Ride 150 begins at 4:30pm on Saturday, June 29. The ACT Late Model Tour is joined by the track’s Woody’s Auto Street Stocks, Maddy’s Car Wash Six Shooters, Lucky 13 Fast 4’s, and Star Troopers. The pits open at 12:00pm and the front gates open at 1:00pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors/juniors/military, and free for kids ages 10 and under.
Source: Michael R. Stridsberg/American-Canadian Tour Media Director
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmai..com
Milton’s Scott Dragon (#16VT) and Wolcott’s Marcel J. Gravel (#86VT) both enter CCV Night trying to capitalize on strong runs last week and gain ground in the title chase. (Alan Ward photo)
Thunder Road Speedbowl lives up to its motto “The Nation’s site of excitement!
Barre, VT – School may be out for the summer, but Barre’s Thunder Road is ready to give some lessons in high-speed excitement this Thursday, June 27 at Community College of Vermont (CCV) Night. The final event of June includes double the action for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models as they kick their championship battle into high gear.
The Late Model stars have two features on Thursday as they open the night with their 50-lap Casella Waste Systems feature that was rained out two weeks ago. They then turn around quickly for a full round of qualifying and their CCV main event. A good night could kick-start a championship run or be a quick remedy to early-season blues.
For several top runners, the Casella feature is a chance to double down on last week’s success and close on point leader Jason Corliss. Last week’s winner Scott Dragon of Milton, runner-up Marcel J. Gravel of Wolcott, and others who had strong runs this past Friday get two chances on Thursday to gain more ground.
“The key to the first one is just being smart,” Gravel said. “You basically have two nights of racing ahead, and you always want to be smart when you’re out there on the track, but I like to think everybody goes into that first race with the same mentality – let’s keep it caution-free, take what our cars will give us, then go put on a show in the second race…I’ve got a good starting spot, and I really want to go for it, but you also try to keep a level head for the first feature so you don’t ruin your whole season by not even getting to race in the second one.”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Gravel went on. “As on as (Corliss) has been this year, this is a great opportunity for us to capitalize. I’m going to be cautiously aggressive in that first race, if that makes sense, because you have to go out there and go for the win. That’s just our mentality this year. We’ve been safe and cautious most of my Late Model career, and it’s paid off in some ways, but this year I’m not settling.”
Gravel is part of a large group trying to catch the early top dogs in the division. Barre’s Corliss has surprised no one by sitting atop the overall standings. His consistent excellence, with no finishes outside the top-five so far, has been tough to match. Another hometown driver, Cody Blake, now sits second in points after two straight podium finishes in his own right. Things are tight from third on back, with third-place Kyle Pembroke and eighth-place Gravel separated by just nine points.
Thursday night’s event will also feature full championship action for the Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and Allen Lumber Street Stocks. In the Flying Tigers, a rookie leads the pack after five events. Craftsbury’s Stephen Martin became the youngest champion in track history last year when he captured the Street Stock title. He’s adapted to eight-cylinder cars in a big way and now holds a 19-point edge over two-time champion Jason Woodard of Waterbury Center.
But plenty of other racers have been fast in the Tigers this year and could vault to the top. Former point leader Tyler Austin of E. Calais still sits third overall despite an early incident in last week’s second feature. Nine points divide fourth-place Joe Steffen and eighth-place Kevin Streeter with Kelsea Woodard, Micheal MacAskill, and Brandon Lanphear sandwiched between.
Barre’s Jeffrey Martin continues to expand his lead in the Allen Lumber Street Stock ranks. Martin hasn’t finished worse than fourth in the last four events and not sits a relatively comfortable 34 points ahead of 2014 champion Tommy “Thunder” Smith of Williamstown. Youngsters Kasey Beattie and Kasey Collins remain strong in third and fourth with veterans Dean Switser Jr. and Jamie Davis not far behind.
The Thursday night action at Thunder Road begins at 7:00pm on June 27 with Community College of Vermont Night. Double features for the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models are on the schedules as they start the evening with their 50-lap Casella Waste Systems make-up race. The Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and Allen Lumber Street Stocks are also in-class. The pits open at 3:30pm and the front gates open at 5:15pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12, and $25 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids).
Source: Michael R. Stridsberg/Thunder Road Speedbowl Media Director
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases andflyersto: lmodestino@hotmail.com
Mike Brightman continued his speed from the previous week as he leapt off the pole and held the lead all the way to the checkers in a feature which ran caution-free. He had shared the front row with Radical Rick Martin, and at the finish, the wily Martin was still there to claim the runner-up spot. In fact, along the way, Martin had notched top speed of the feature at 93.920.
Kevin Casper also held onto last week’s quickness to finish third, just ahead of last week’s winner and points leader, Dave Darling. Tom Scully, Jr ran fifth as all of the top five finished on the same second following the forty laps.
Brightman broke from the blocks at a sprint and had the lead immediately. Martin dropped behind him and Darryl Stampfl grabbed third, ahead of Casper. Fred Astle, Jr. got under Mike Mitchell onto Casper’s tail. Ryan Vanasse got in behind Astle as Dave Darling charged up from a tenth place start onto The Rocket’s tail.
Nine laps in, Brightman had Radical Rick on his bumper, and there was a ten-car gap back to a three-car nose-to-tail between Casper, Astle, and Vanasse. Casper began to bridge up to the leaders and arrived on lap 15 to join the leaders in another three-car nose-to-tail. The lead trio continued to smoke its way around the oval. Vanasse, in the meantime, got under Astle into fourth. Darling, running sixth, now, was the third car in the chase pack and Scully was still hot on his tail.
The field closed in on the leaders and by lap nineteen there was a seven-car line of cars with only inches between them, starting with Brightman and ending with Scully, including all the hottest numbers on the speedway.
This went on for several laps until Darling dug in under Astle for fifth. He had the spot on the next circuit. Scully followed him on the next lap, dropping Astle back to seventh.
Brightman, Martin, and Casper continued to blister the asphalt as Darling looked toward Vanasse. He edged past and Scully now moved in. With five to go, the trio was running bumper to bumper. Scully then focused on Vanasse as the four cars ahead ran full tilt toward the finish with three laps remaining. Scully was able to complete the pass for fifth.
At the checkers, Brightman roared home with Martin on his bumper, where he had spent the entire forty laps. Casper collected third as Darling and Scully rounded out the top five. Vanasse ran sixth, followed by Astle, Mitchell, Stampfl and Dick Benoit.
Eleventh went to Dylan Estrella, and here the story becomes even more compelling. Estrella seemed eliminated by a grinding crash in the heat race which did eliminate Austin Blais. Blais had been running with Mike Mitchell, who made contact. Blais went uptrack coming out of turn two to take a huge hit from Estrella coming around the outside, driving Blais downtrack toward the grass and bursting his radiator.
Estrella went into the wall and climbed it, coming off in full flight well up in the air and coming down hard but still upright. He had to be double-hooked from the track.
An immediate offer went to Estrella from the Pelland racing team to loan Bobby III’s pro stock to keep Estrella running. Bobby is running a limited schedule at Seekonk while running the tour. The track approved and the car was trailered into the pits, renumbered for Estrella and he made the feature and finished the race.
Newcomb: First Win In Late Models
Paul Newcomb to his first win in Late Models, showing good speed and a great deal of determination in battling veteran Bobby Tripp through the early and middle going, then brawling the rest of the way to the finish with Dan Johnson. They swapped the lead over the last six laps, but Newcomb was able to edge ahead and take the win. Johnson was a close second and Tripp was in for third. Rounding out the top five came Tom-the-Bomb Adams with yet another top-five finish and Ryan Souliere.
Newcomb sat on the pole for the start with Tripp on his shoulder. It took two tries to get the race started, but on the second try, Newcomb and Tripp hacksawed the lead until Newcomb to command the front in lap three. Tripp dropped in and Johnson ran door-to-door with Jeremy Lambert behind Tripp. Jerry DeGasparre, Jr. looked under Lambert to try for a three-wide and third place, but couldn’t find enough room to make the move. Johnson finally worked free of Lambert to grab third.
Tripp came back to challenge for the lead and Lambert was able to retrieve his spot in third. As Johnson fell back, Stephen “The Cyclone” Potter jumped past into fourth. But Potter spun on lap eight, forcing Mark Hudson and Adams to spin in avoidance. The remainder of the field scattered to avoid. Hudson pitted for the night.
Tripp grabbed the lead from Newcomb in turn two after the restart. DeGasparre grabbed third.
Gerry went under Newcomb on Tripp’s bumper, while Tyler Tomassi was digging in under Johnson. Potter headed for the pits under green and was gone for the night.
DeGasparre was all over Tripp’s bumper. Newcomb moved in on them, jumped onto Gerry’s bumper and the trio circled the oval nose-to-tail. Tomassi had broken away from Johnson and Souliere got under him. Souliere then ducked under Tomassi and into fourth. Johnson moved up to grab fifth and Tomassi settled into sixth, ahead of Chase Belcher.
With twelve to go, Tripp led by seven over DeGasparre when Ryan Lineham spun up to the wall between turns three and four, bringing another caution. Lineham was lost to the pits for the remainder of the feature.
Tripp now had Degasparre on his shoulder and Newcomb on his bumper for the restart. Soulier was outside Newcomb and Johnson shared row three with Tomassi. Tripp pulled ahead and Newcomb ran under DeGasparre following a half-lap of wheel-to-wheel
Newcomb got alongside for the challenge and took a nose going into lap 22. Johnson had passed DeGasparre into third and he took on Tripp, succeeding him at second. Adams was door-to-door with DeGasparre over fourth and Belcher was battling Souliere for sixth. Belcher escaped from Souliere and got in under Gerry as Adams moved up.
As Newcomb, Johnson, and Tripp battled at the front, Belcher had passed DeGasparre and got in under Adams, looking for fourth. Johnson looked under Newcomb for the lead but was denied. He tried again, and they were side-by-side across the stripe. Johnson took the front, but Newcomb dropped and looked under then went in. He had the lead under the white flag and Johnson could not make up the ground before the checkers.
Tomassi came home sixth, followed by Lambert, Mark Jenison, Belcher, and Mike Duarte.
Kid Chaos Grabs Gold Kid Chaos – Corey Fanning – quickly ducked under outside polesitter Paul Williams from the low side of the second row. Moments later he was on the back bumper of polesitter and race leader Chris Gomes. While Sparky Arsenault worked in under Williams – who became stuck on the big freight train going backwards – Fanning was devising schemes to attack the leader. Two laps in, he found one and ducked under Gomes. With Scott Bruneau taking advantage while Sparky and Williams were involved, third went to Bruneau as the two leaders battled for supremacy.
Fanning grabbed the lead crossing the stripe into lap three and Bruneau looked under Gomes. Behind them, Arsenault now was dealing with an underneath move from Kyle Casper, who had just passed Vinny Pangelinan.
Bruneau dueled with Gomes for seven laps while Fanning developed a solid lead. Casper broke cleanly into third and behind him, Jesse Melberg was door-to-door with Williams. Paul Lallier was getting under Arsenault behind them.
Seven laps in, however, Jason Steely took a solo spin down the front stretch.
Fanning and Gomes lined up while Bruneau and Casper backed them up, followed by the pair of Melberg and Paul Lallier. On the green, Kid Chaos broke away and Bruneau jumped forward and under Gomes, then went all the way into second. Melberg followed him through leaving Gomes in fourth while Arsenault and Casper were wheel-to-wheel behind them. Adam Pettey was working his way up and stuck his nose under Casper as Arsenault pulled ahead in the low groove. Pettey went to sixth as the field strung itself out to mostly single-file.
Fanning was ten cars up on the rest of the field as Melberg eased Bruneau out of second. Gomes, Arsenault, and Casper gave chase and Casper got in under Sparky to steal fifth.
But Petty and Sparky made contact, sending Petty sliding to the infield in turn four with an obvious front suspension problem. Arsenault went pitside and Petty was off on the hook. Neither returned.
Fanning and Melberg came off the line with Fanning going out to a two-car lead as Bruneau inserted himself into second on the low side just before Tyler Lallier spun in turn four. Joe Melberg pitted and they lined up for the restart.
This time, Fanning went to the front again and gained a two-car lead as Melberg and Bruneau debated second place. Bruneau won out on the backstretch and Captain Fun – Craig Pianka – ran into Bruneau’s spot. Chad Baxter was the next slip under Jesse while last week’s winner, Steve Axon, ran up behind them.
With ten laps remaining, Fanning was enjoying the clear air so much that he now had a fifteen-car lead on the field. Bruneau was running second, still, with Baxter pursuing. Behind Chad, Axon and Pianka were doing the door-to-door dance. Axon was able to leverage the spot.
Three trips around with a stretched out field, Fanning was a half-straight ahead with a line of followers behind Bruneau. Casper was sixth behind Axon with Pianka on his high side. Pianka found some more speed and pushed ahead. Austin Ericson and Jesse Melberg followed.
From there, it was four laps of hard, single-file running to the checkers. Over the stripe, it was Fanning, Bruneau, Baxter, Axon, and Pianka for the top five. Sixth went to Casper, while Erickson, Jesse Melberg, Smokin’ Joe Kohler, and Gomes finished out the top ten with Paul Lallier just behind them.
First Rookie Win for Murray in Trucks Richie Murray and Ed Perry held a battle extraordinaire at midrace in Sport Trucks, going side-by-side with the rest of the top seven on their bumpers, running nose-to-tail, everybody looking for whatever opportunities they could steal. The opportunity that overcame them all went to Murray when, after several rebuffed attempts, he was finally able to inch his nose past at the stripe just before last week’s winner, Mike Cavallaro, spun in turn two.
Advantage to Murray: he got to restart on the pole and after a brief door-to-door with Perry, he pulled away and the final ten laps went green all the way. Murray had the win. Perry, stuck on the outside, saw the rest of the top five slip by: Rob Bryant taking second, Mike Duarte, Andrew Kun, and Darryl Dutch recovered from last week’s tech DQ to gather in fifth.
Connor Souza jumped off the pole to grab the initial lead while Perry dived forward under Lenny Guy, who had been the outside pole. But Tim Watson took a spin before the first lap was complete and they had to start it all over again.
Souza rushed ahead again and Perry came in under Guy, then caught Souza drifting up and ducked under him. Second lap saw him grab the front coming out of turn two and Souza settled into second. Mikey Cooper was under Guy, now, with Murray rushing up to their bumpers. Perry had gone out to a two-car lead.
Four laps in and Dutch had gone under Guy for fifth and then Cavallaro followed into sixth. Elias Dib banged Guy’s back bumper, sending Lenny into a spin. They went to the rear for the restart.
Perry now had Souza on the outside, Cooper behind him and Murray on the outside of row two. Dutch followed under Bryant, while Duarte and Kun made up row four.
It took three tries to get underway, with Perry and Souza trying to outsmart each other at the start. Finally, Souza nosed ahead with Perry coming back in turn two and ran wheel-to-wheel the rest of the lap. Cooper and Murray ran side-by-side behind them. Cooper got under Souza and began looking to Perry’s low side. Dutch ran up under Murray.
Murry then ran hard alongside Cooper and into third, where he dropped in behind Perry.
Lap 13 saw Perry leading Cooper, Murray, Bryant, Duarte, and Souza. Guy was battling for position, made contact and headed for the wall between turns one and two. Cavallaro, following, found his bumper locked to Lenny’s and they stopped just feet short of disaster high in the entrance to turn. Two.
Perry pulled away from Cooper after some wheel-to-wheel running. Murray then ducked under Cooper and Barry Shaw moved in to take his place. With sixteen laps remaining, Perry had new company on his rear bumper: Murray, Shaw, and Bryant; Murray began to relentlessly look to pass Perry as Shaw worked over Richie’s bumper. The trio closed up, running nose-to-tail, jostling each other.
Murray looked to the outside and couldn’t go. Shaw pressed in and Bryant moved up to contend from fourth. Murray pressed ahead to run wheel-to-wheel with Perry just as Cavallaro spun in turn two.
Now Murray found himself on the pole as he had been ahead by a few thousandths of a second the last time across the line. Shaw and Bryant followed, just ahead of Duarte and Mike Belanger. Murray pushed out and built a two-car margin. Shaw got under Perry to take away second.
The lead pushed out to four cars as Shaw broke away from Bryant who came back up onto his bumper. Duarte was under Perry behind them. As Duarte pressed forward, Kun replaced him, keeping Perry on the rearward-bound freight train. Dutch ran forward to debate Kun over fifth.
With four cars to go, Murray was nursing a ten-car advantage. Shaw had a momentary loss of speed and Bryant dodged in underneath him. Barry couldn’t recover his power and limped around to the pit exit. Murray now was watching Bryant in his mirror. Duarte ran third, ahead of Kun, Dutch, Perry and Brittany Campbell. Campbell set to work on Perry. As the white flag waved, she was able to press in underneath and into sixth behind Dutch.
Murray charged home a good two seconds ahead and Bryant followed.
Sixth went to Campbell, followed by Perry, Guy, Cavallaro, Souza, and Cooper.
Sources: Seekonk Speedway
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino2hotmail.com
Jake Barrows of Middlebury, Vt., was all smiles after his first Mini Stock win at Devil’s Bowl Speedway; he was joined in Victory Lane by representatives from Heritage Family Credit Union. (Bill McGaffin photo)
David Boisclair of Watervliet, N.Y., was a first-time Devil’s Bowl Speedway winner in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division; he was joined in Victory Lane by representatives from Heritage Family Credit Union. (Bill McGaffin photo)
Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland, Vt., won the Super Stock feature at Devil’s Bowl Speedway; he was joined in Victory Lane by representatives from Heritage Family Credit Union. (Bill McGaffin photo)
Scott FitzGerald (#5) races with his son Andrew FitzGerald (#55) in Super Stock action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
Young race fans scurry to collect some quick cash during the Heritage Family Credit Union “Penny Drop” at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (Bill McGaffin photo)
The Mini Stocks go four-wide down the frontstretch at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, with rookie David Sartwell-Cornell (#13) on the bottom groove. (Alan Ward photo)
Evan Roberts, 13, of Fletcher, Vt., earned his first win in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division at Devil’s Bowl Speedway; he was joined in Victory Lane by representatives from Heritage Family Credit Union. (Bill McGaffin photo)
Pepsi Sportsman Modified winner Kenny Tremont Jr. (#115) speeds through the corners in “topless” action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
Pepsi Sportsman Modified drivers Justin Comes (#51) and Allan Hammond (#97NH) race together in “topless” action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway; Comes started 28th and finished fifth. (Alan Ward photo)
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman drivers Marty Hutchins (#1VT) and James Hanson (#31) race together in “topless” action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
Kenny Tremont Jr. of West Sand Lake, N.Y., earned his third “topless” win at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in the Pepsi Sportsman Modified division; he was joined in Victory Lane by representatives from Heritage Family Credit Union. (Bill McGaffin photo) Youngsters Evan Roberts (#50X) and Joel Belanger (#25) finished 1-2 in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint “wingless” feature at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
First-time winners in three of five features
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – The annual “topless” racing event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway usually throws drivers for a bit of a loop as the roofs come off the racecars, but Kenny Tremont Jr. seems to have it figured out. The West Sand Lake, N.Y., driver copped his third topless win in four years on Sunday, June 23, highlighting an exciting Heritage Family Credit Union “Member Night” event that also included three first-time winners in support division action.
Hundreds of fans in the large crowd enjoyed free admission as a benefit of their Heritage Family Credit Union membership, and they thrilled to the sight of Tremont’s drive through traffic in the 30-lap Pepsi Sportsman Modified feature. Known primarily as an inside-lane specialist, Tremont used the bottom, middle, and top grooves to slice through the field from his 16th starting position on the 29-car field.
Mike Palmer paced the field from the pole position as part of a trio of impressive underdogs with sophomore drivers Jeff Washburn and Bruce Loomis in tow. Tremont made his move on the outside of Palmer to take command at lap 14 and never looked back. Meanwhile, Adam Pierson came from 19th starting position and Hector Stratton drove from 11th to get past Palmer late in the race. A caution period with four laps to go bunched the field together, but Tremont never faced a serious challenge and drove off for the win.
Pierson finished second ahead of Stratton and Palmer, while Justin Comes had an incredible drive from 28th to finish fifth. Washburn capped his great night in sixth place, with Vince Quenneville a season-best seventh. Billy Lussier took his third top-10 finish in as many races in eighth place. Recent high school graduate Tanner Siemons finished ninth for his first top-10 of the year, and Jimmy Ryan came from 26th to finish 10th.
Seventeen-year-old David Boisclair copped his first-ever Devil’s Bowl win in the 20-lap topless feature for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division. The Watervliet, N.Y., racer had been one of the fastest drivers in the first two races of the season but was bitten by bad luck both times, and he very nearly had it happen again in the midst of a torrid battle for the lead with Anthony Warren; after trading the lead several times per lap for several circuits, Warren’s left-front tire hopped over Boisclair’s right-rear and Warren catapulted of the track.
Boisclair was able to come away unscathed and snatched his first win at the Vermont track. Adam Piper overcame some early-season gremlins for a strong runner-up finish. Matt Bilodeau came from 12th at the start to finish third, followed by James Hanson and Marty Hutchins. The top 10 was completed in order by Jesse Durkee, Mike Parodi, Mike Ryan, Anthony Ryan, and Dave Snow.
Scott FitzGerald was just as much lucky as he was good in the 20-lap Super Stock feature. The West Rutland, Vt., veteran was involved in a multi-car crash early the race but rebounded to run strong in second place. When leader Chris Murray blew a clutch with six laps remaining and was forced to retire from the race, though, FitzGerald inherited the lead and drove away for his first win of the year.
Kevin Elliott and Andrew FitzGerald – the winner’s son – both recovered from the same crash to officially take second and third place finishes, respectively. Rookie Cam Gadue scored his best finish in fourth. Garrett Given was officially scored in fifth place; Given was the second car across the finish line but was penalized three positions for failing to comply with an official directive during a restart earlier in the race.
Middlebury, Vt.’s Jake Barrows was a happy first-time winner in the Mini Stock division. The third-year racer took the point from Mike Preston three laps into the 20-lap race and left everyone behind with a convincing run. Shawn Moquin finished second ahead of Craig Kirby. Connor Bryan was a fist-pumping fourth in his first race ever, and rookie T.J. Knight scored his best finish in fifth.
Thirteen-year-old rookie Evan Roberts was a first-time winner in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division. The fourth-generation racer from Fletcher, Vt., ran a smooth line in a rough-and-tumble “wingless” race and was able to get away from a full-contact body slam at lap 10 to keep control of his car.
A 15-minute time limit was enforced due to excessive crashes and caution periods, and the race was cut short from 15 laps to 10; Roberts was in the lead at the time and is credited with the victory. Another youngster, 12-year-old Joel Belanger continued his strong start to the season with a career-best runner-up finish. Samantha Mulready was equally fast and finished third ahead of Kevin Smith and Dakota Green.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is back in action on Sunday, June 30, at 7:00 p.m., as Durkee Insurance Agency and FairHavenMotors.com present the “Vintage Racing Celebration” event featuring the 54-lap Charlie LaDuc Memorial Sportsman Modified race and the Champlain Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series. All five weekly divisions will be in action at the event. General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+), and free for kids 12 and under.
The speedway is also gearing up for the biggest and loudest Independence Day celebration in southern Vermont on Wednesday, July 3 at 6:00 p.m. A massive fireworks show will highlight the event, which includes a 100-lap Sportsman Modifieds race, the Sprint Cars of New England tour, the Enduro Series, and weekly divisions.
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, visitwww.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook atfacebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway, and on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Heritage Family Credit Union “Member Night”
(Stafford Springs, CT)—NAPA Auto Parts has once again partnered with Stafford Motor Speedway to produce the biggest SK Modified race in the country, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K. The 6th Annual NAPA SK 5K 100 lap SK Modified event, scheduled for Friday, June 28th, boasts over $34,000 in posted awards including a guaranteed $5,000 to the winner. With one of the most talented fields of SK Modified teams ever assembled, Friday’s 100 lap event promises to be a can’t miss event.
Similar to past years and other NAPA Auto Parts events, fans have the opportunity to purchase discount tickets for the NAPA SK 5K at NAPA Auto Parts stores throughout New England. All tickets include a pre-race barbecue on the Stafford midway along with a NAPA Auto Parts souvenir. Adult general admission tickets are available for just $28 with kids tickets available for $10.
The NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K 100 lap race is the longest race of the season for the SK Modified division at Stafford Speedway. The 100 lap race distance adds a unique challenge for teams that typically compete in 40 lap events, with the additional 60 laps teams are presented an entirely different strategy compared to a weekly event. Teams will have to evaluate how to set their car up for the longer distance and drivers will have to determine how aggressive to be in the early stages of the event. If the NAPA Sk 5K of the last few years are any indication, drivers will be flat out for the entire 100 laps.
Through the first 8 races of 2019 the storyline has been the incredible competition level throughout the division. Last Friday at Stafford, drivers Glen Reen, Steven Kopcik, Ronnie Williams, and eventual winner Todd Owen, thrilled fans with a heart stopping battle that included 10 lead changes. Fans can expect to be treated to more of the same this Friday in the NAPA SK 5K 100 lapper as nearly all of the drivers currently top 15 in points have shown the speed to get to victory lane.
General Admission gates for the Friday, June 28th NAPA SK 5K open at 5:15pm, qualifying begins at 6:15pm, with feature racing kicking off ay 7:00pm. The 100 lap event will be accompanied by Stafford other 4 weekly divisions including Late Models, SK Light Modified’s, Limited Late Models, and Street Stocks.
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
It was another busy Saturday night at the Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH.
Todd Patnode Repeats in Sportsman Modifieds
Winchester, NH – Thunderstorms and hail teased the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire early in the day Saturday. The residual electricity rippled through the competition that night at Monadnock Speedway.
If the electricity was static, it affected the Sportsman Modified division the most. Their 50-lap feature was slowed by eight cautions. Alyssa Rivera of Claremont, NH, took the field to the green and ran her best start of the year leading the first fourteen laps in spite of having to survive six of the eight restarts. The most serious stoppage of the race came on a lap ten restart. Rivera was slightly loose into turn one and two and made tire contact with JT Cloutier, Fitzwilliam, NH, sending Cloutier into the Armco barrier. The race was red-flagged to check on him and clean up the resulting fluid spill. Two more restart attempts and two more cautions in the next four laps finally got some green flag racing underway. By lap sixteen Swanzey, NH’s, Todd Patnode had caught Rivera and took the lead. From that point the race ran caution free until laps thirty-nine and forty-one before Patnode reeled in his second win of the season ahead of defending Champion, Keith Carzello of Somers, CT, and Joel Monahan of Whately, MA, third.
The Late Model Sportman 25-lapper was a cake-walk by comparison. Only one minor caution for a spin-out impeded Solomon Brow of Vernon, VT, on his way to his fifth consecutive win of the year, making it eight in row going back to last season. Cole Littlewood of Orange, MA, made the best effort to run Brow down, but settled for second. Dennis Stange of Athol, MA, captured the third spot on the podium.
Mini Stock rookie Kevin Cormier of Agawam, MA, showed why his previous experience racing Go-Karts was important preparation for full-sized racers, as he rolled into victory lane for his second consecutive win. Cormier held off a strong challenge from Agawam’s Tim Wenzel. Third finisher was former Mini Stock Champion, Gordon Farnham of New Ipswich, NH
The most popular win of the night came in the twenty-five lap Pure Stock race. Teenager and rookie driver, Taylor Streibel of Dalton, MA, collected her first divisional win holding off a bumper-tapping challenge from point leader Chris Davis of Winchester, NH. Newcomer, Seth Melcher of Cornish, NH, recovered from an early race spin-out to take third.
The Young Guns 15-lap feature went to Jake Puchalski of Whately, MA, ahead of Chris Phelps of New Salem, MA, and JD Stockwell from Turner’s Falls, MA. Newcomer Matt Winter suffered mechanical issues and wan unable to qualify.
The Pro-4 Modifieds make their first appearance the year at Monadnock Speedway. Coming out on top for their 25-lap race was Rob Richardi of Easton, MA. Over the past several seasons, Richardi has been the dominate driver on the high banks to the point that he considers Monadnock his home track. Randy Cabral of Kingston, MA, finished a close second. Doug Merservey, Jr., of Chatham, MA, rounded out the top three. Winning the race within a race, was Winchester, NH, driver Tom Royer, who was the top finisher among the Pro-4 Lite competitiors.
The New England Antique Racers brought two divisions of classic and restored stock cars of the past to Monadnock for their annual visit. Darrah Hoyt of Greenfield, NH, took their Sportsman race and Bob Donahue of Rindge, NH, won the Modified division.
This coming Saturday marks the third time in over 40 years that the super-fast, open-wheeled, winged racers of the International Super Modified Association compete at Monadnock. They will qualify for a 75-lap main event. There will be considerable anticipation for one of their drivers to set a new qualifying record for the speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American division will also be on the program. Starting time for the night will be 5PM.
Sportsman Modified Results: Todd Patnode, Keith Carzello, Joel Monahan, Ben Byrne, Kim Rivet, Alyssa Rivera, Eric LeClair, Brian Robie, Matt Zenisky, Scott MacMichael, Kevin Pittsinger, JT Cloutier, Kenny Thompson
Unofficial Late Model Sportsman Results: Solomon Brow, Cole Littlewood, Dennis Stange, Justin Littlewood, Keith Carzello, Marc Curtis, Tyler Leary, Will Kuhn, Nancy Muni, Alecia Fohlin-Parker
Mini Stock Results: Kevin Cormier, Tim Wenzel, Gordon Farnum, Ethan Marsh, Kevin McKnight, Shelby Avery, Louis Maher II, Kevin Clayton, Matt Croteau, Haydon Grenier, Nathan Wenzel, Cory Plummer, Jonathan Alden
Pure Stock Results: Taylor Striebel, Chris Davis, Seth Melcher, Jim Decroucy, Rich Hammann, Carter Chamberlain, Joe Brittain, Bruce Canatara
Young Gun Results: Jake Puchalski, Chris Phelps, JD Stockwell
Photo Attached: Taylor Striebel (Courtesy of Emily Miller)
Wednesday June 19th: Street Night! Gates open at 5 pm!
Friday June 21st: NO RACING: NHRA New England Nationals Event Preparation Saturday June 22nd: NO RACING: NHRA New England Nationals Event Preparation Sunday June 23rd:NO RACING: NHRA New England Nationals Event Preparation Swap Meet! Vendor & Buyer Gates Open at 5 am! No Sales Tax! Free Parking! Free Admission! Vendors spots starting at $30 For more information e-mail: Gary@NEDragway.com
The 7th Annual NHRA New England Nationals is less than 2 weeks away!You can be a VIP with our VIP Finish Line Experience! This experience SOLD OUT last year and with a very limited number of tickets remaining this year we expect it to sell out again sooner than later! We expect visits from Ron Capps, Leah Pritchett, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan & more. Have you checked out our online store recently?! We are fully stocked right now with this best selling Stars & Stripes hoodie! July 5-7th:NHRA New England NationalsAugust 3rd:NH Lottery Jet Cars Under The Stars September 7th:O’Reilly Auto Parts Night Of Fire
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK! Support our sponsors who support you! We thank MI-Box for supporting racing at New England Dragway! We use Mi-Box’s here to store different things and we highly recommend! For more information visit getmibox.com New England Dragway | 603-679-8001 |
John Forceis 70-years old and still competes at the top level of drag racing. And will be on hand for the NHRA Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, NH over the July 4th 2019 Weekend.. (Credit: NHRA photo.)
New England Dragway | 280 Exeter Road, Epping, NH 03042
The competitors are at the starting line awaiting the start of the MotoX reving up their engines in a effort to get the hole shot and take the lead at the start. (Credit: AMA photo)
Carver’s Keith Johnson manages to keep racing MX once in a while. Right now he and his dad Rick Johnson are very busy getting their MX 338 venue in Southwick, MA ready for the invasion of Pro and Amature MX riders and the large turnout of fans for the weekend’s Lucas Oil MotoX National on June 29-30 (Credit: Keith Johnson photo)
The 39th Running of the Infamous Southwick National Commences on June 29.
(June 2019) – For more than four decades, the infamous sand track that is The Wick 338 has served as New England’s epicenter for the sport of motocross. The iconic Southwick, Massachusetts, venue is unlike anything else in American motocross, and on Saturday, June 29, it will welcome the return of the world’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle racing series as the 2019 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, invades the small, quiet town that sits on the cusp of the Massachusetts and Connecticut border. The 39th running of the MB Tractor & Equipment Southwick National will mark the halfway point of this summer championship, providing a critical juncture in the quest of the world’s most elite riders to capture the sport’s most coveted title Southwick
Since 1972 the most talented riders across the globe have laid it all on the line for a shot at victory in what is arguably the most physically and mentally demanding championship in all of motorsports. This season’s 48th running of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will center around the title defense of
Colorado native Eli Tomac, who became just the ninth rider in history to successfully defend his championship. With back-to-back titles to his credit, Tomac is in search of even more history in 2019, where he has the opportunity to join elite company in winning three straight championships, a feat accomplished by just three other riders before him. Additionally, for the first time in his career Tomac comes to Thunder Valley as the defending event winner, after he broke through last summer to finally claim victory at his home event.
Arguably the most talented field in series history will look to stop Tomac’s reign of dominance, led by Frenchman Marvin Musquin, who has finished runner-up in the championship for back-to-back seasons, German Ken Roczen, New Mexico’s Jason Anderson, and North Carolina’s Cooper Webb. Joining this veteran contingent is a trio of exceptionally talented rookies, two of which bring championship experience into the premier division. Virginia native Zach Osborne and Ohio’s Aaron Plessinger have won the last two championships in the 250 Class, while Georgia’s Joey Savatgy is no stranger to victory. All three of these rising stars have what it takes to challenge their more experienced rivals, adding intrigue to an already stacked field of the world’s best riders, all of whom will ultimately visit 11 different states over the course of 12 weekends from May to August.
While baseball has long been considered America’s pastime, the sport of motocross and its 47 years of thrilling fans throughout the country is also a beloved summer tradition with its own collection of the “boys of summer.” This gathering of world-class talent features some of the fittest, bravest, and highly skilled athletes on the planet that push their physical and mental limits each and every weekend on the world’s roughest tracks, and in the toughest weather conditions. A total of 40 riders will do battle on some of America’s most hallowed grounds in racing, each with the same common goal – winning.
Affectionately known as the “sandbox,” The Wick 338 has presented these exceptional competitors with their most unique challenge since 1976, building a motocross culture throughout the region that has ultimately made Southwick synonymous with the sport in New England. A sand track is an entirely different animal from the traditional motocross surface, and if the riders aren’t prepared, it will eat them up.
The key to The Wick 338 is adapting to its ever-shifting terrain. Diehard, knowledgeable fans get there early to see how smooth the track looks before practice begins, and then track how quickly the bumps begin to form. By the end of practice, the place is totally carved out, and the ruts only get deeper once the racing begins. The smartest riders will keep searching for smoother lines, hitting the untouched spots until they get rough, before finding new ground again somewhere else. Making these decisions while your heart, lungs, arms and legs are screaming is something only the toughest, fittest, and most tactful can do well enough to achieve victory.
The Wick 338 is so unique that it favors local riders more than any other track. Their homegrown knowledge allows them to anticipate where the good lines will develop, with thousands of Southwick faithful pushing them to dig deep late in the motos. Because of this truly unique characteristic, someone many have never heard has the opportunity to put himself in contention for a podium.
Despite its rugged and relentless nature, Southwick sits nestled right in the middle of a very quaint suburban landscape, intimately tucked behind baseball fields and American Legion Post 338, which gives the track its numeric name. Despite the stark contrasts, all of that just adds to a motocross experience unlike any other.
Event Info
MB Tractor & Equipment Southwick National
Round 6: Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
June 29, 2019 – Southwick, Massachusetts
Race Day Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Practice & Qualifying
12:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
1:00 p.m. First Motos (250 Class & 450 Class)
3:00 p.m. 125 All Star Series
3:30 p.m. Second Motos (250 Class & 450 Class)
Ticket Info:
Saturday General Admission: $45 Adults / $25 Kids (ages 6-12)
Tickets for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship are available at ProMotocross.com.
For information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please visit ProMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the Pro Motocross social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news: · Facebook: @americanmotocross · Instagram: @promotocross · Twitter: @ProMotocross · YouTube: AmericanMotocross
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of six competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. The 12-round series begins just outside California’s famed Hangtown in May, and ends at Indiana’s Ironman Raceway in August. The summer-long championship includes stops at America’s premier motocross racing facilities, with events in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, New York and Indiana. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The series is televised on NBC, NBCSN and MAVTV, and is streamed live on NBC Sports Gold. The title sponsor is Lucas Oil, a leading producer of premium oils, greases, and problem solving additives, all made in America.
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press reelases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com
Note: The Mello Yello NHRA national makes its annual stop at the New England Dragway in Epping, NH on the long July 4th Weeekend!
NORWALK, Ohio (June 23) — Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. almost managed to give himself the ultimate birthday present Sunday at the NHRA national event in Northwest Ohio but came up just a little short in a rare semifinal pedaling contest with Elite Motorsports teammate Alex Laughlin. With temperatures soaring at the Bader family’s beautiful facility, both men found themselves losing traction just off the launch and after a moment of hesitation when they each realized the race was still on, the two tried desperately to get their cars under control and reach the finish line. Ultimately, Laughlin was able to calm his car first, limping over with a winning 8.794 to Coughlin’s 9.330.
“He blew my birthday candles out,” Coughlin said with a laugh. “There’s not a whole lot of pedaling contests in Pro Stock because it’s so rare for both cars to lose traction at the hit like that but, obviously, being teammates and all, his car is set-up very similarly to mine and we got the same result. “We had a nice jump on him (.050-second head start) and I knew I had hit the tree really well but before I had time to enjoy that feeling my car tried to come around on me. I went through second and third (gear) and it was still all over the place so I pulled fourth and fifth and was being as gentle as I could to get it into the groove. Alex just got his car settled down a touch sooner and edged us down at the other end. We both wanted that one so much. It was actually a really fun race.” Nothing came easy for Coughlin on his 49th birthday.
Working all weekend without his regular crew chief Rickie Jones, who stayed home for the birth of his daughter, the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro crew managed to collectively tune him to a mid-pack starting spot. That forced a first-round date with two-time champ and teammate Erica Enders, whom he beat with a 6.609 at 208.71 mph when she got a little out of shape herself. Coughlin then had to beat No. 1 qualifier Derek Kramer to even have a chance at Laughlin, which he did with a 6.636 at 208.62 mph. Kramer also suffered tire shake early in his run. “I felt great on the Tree all day,” said Coughlin, who posted stellar reaction times of .016, .013 and .009 seconds.
“We know Erica is always sharp. Derek had been killing the Tree all weekend so we knew he’d be ready, and Alex is one of the best in the class. To leave first on all three of them in one day is special. “We had a great race. I’m having an awesome birthday. Having my father and brother Troy, my wife Samantha and little Carly all here, along with checking off most of the boxes we wanted to accomplish with the race car, it’s hard to complain. Big congrats to Rickie and his wife as well on the birth of their daughter. He did all he could from home, reviewing each run on the computer and working with the guys over the phone. I’m also thrilled for my nephew Troy for winning in Top Alcohol Dragster. What a great moment for him. It’s time to party.”
About JEGS Automotive, Inc.JEGS Automotive, Inc. (JEGS) is one of the largest e-commerce and mail order high-performance auto parts retailers worldwide. Founded in 1960 by racing legend Jeg Coughlin Sr., JEGS remains family-owned to this day and offers more than 1 million SKUs available for purchase. The JEGS corporate headquarters is located in Delaware, Ohio, and is home to a 225,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, two state-of-the-art call centers, the Coughlin Family classic car and truck collection, the Team JEGS racing research and development facility and The JEGS Foundation. For more information, call (800) 345-4545 or visit us at www.JEGS.com.
About Team JEGSTeam JEGS is the official racing team of JEGS Automotive, Inc. (JEGS), and is fueled by the legacy of one of racing’s most winningest families, the Coughlin Family. Led by JEGS founder and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee Jeg Coughlin Sr. and his four eldest sons, John, Troy Sr., Mike and Jeg Jr., Team JEGS has claimed nine National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) World Championships, 17 divisional championships and 122 NHRA national event victories. Meet Team JEGS, follow the Team JEGS race schedule and results, and learn more about racing by visiting www.TeamJEGS.com.
