NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS SOUTH
By Lou Modestino

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and sometimes a driver can be both.

Justin Bonsignore was just that as he was able to miss the late accidents that collected some of the lead pack cars and hold off a strong challenge by Matt Hirschman on a green-white-checkered finish to win the Budweiser King of Beers 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

It was the second consecutive NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win for the Holtsville, New York native at Thompson and his third of the season. Doug Coby followed Hirschman in third with Ryan Preece and Ron Silk completing the top five.

Bonsignore became the first driver to win back-to-back races at Thompson since Ted Christopher scored four consecutive wins at the track from 2010-11.

The race was relatively calm through the first half mark with only three cautions. However, business picked up in the field over the final 75 laps of the contest with the yellow flag displayed for several multi-car accidents. The most significant of those incidents came on Lap 124.

Silk was leading the race with Donny Lia, who led the first half of the race before pitting under caution, second and Tommy Barrett Jr. third. Patrick Emerling spun in Turn 1 collecting both Lia and Barrett ending their night.

Coby took the lead past Silk on the ensuing restart on Lap 134 and remained out front for just two laps until Bonsignore made his move past the points leader on Lap 136 where he remained the rest of the night.

Timmy Solomito finished sixth with Christopher seventh and Todd Szegedy eighth. Glen Reen and Spencer Davis completed the top 10.

With the win, Bonsignore was able to slice five points off of Coby’s lead entering the night and will head to Bristol Motor Speedway for next Wednesday’s Bush’s Beans 150 just three points (367-364) out of the top spot.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Budweiser King of Beers 150

Unofficial Results

Thursday

At Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

Thompson, Conn.

Lap length: 0.625 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (9) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY, Chevrolet, 150 laps, 78.763 mph.

2. (16) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA, Chevrolet, 150.

3. (4) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.

4. (8) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Ford, 150.

5. (11) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Chevrolet, 150.

6. (5) Timmy Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.

7. (19) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.

8. (13) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn, Chevrolet, 150.

9. (17) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.

10. (18) Spencer Davis, Dawsonville, Ga., Pontiac, 150.

11. (12) Keith Rocco, Wallingford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.

12. (24) Gary McDonald, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Pontiac, 150.

13. (21) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 149.

14. (22) Jimmy Zacharias, Candor, N.Y., Chevrolet, 149.

15. (23) Wade Cole, Hartland, Conn., Chevrolet, 148.

16. (15) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 147.

17. (20) John Beatty, Jr., Merrick, N.Y., Chevrolet, 142.

18. (6) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 137, accident.

19. (2) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 137, accident.

20. (7) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY, Chevrolet, 133.

21. (14) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 129, accident.

22. (1) Donny Lia, Jericho, NY, Dodge, 124, accident.

23. (3) Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, Mass., Chevrolet, 123, accident.

24. (25) Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, N.H., Chevrolet, 105, brakes.

25. (10) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 13, accident.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 11 minutes 25 seconds

Margin of Victory: 0.316 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: D.Lia (119.706 mph, 18.796 seconds)

Caution Flags: 8 for 37 laps.

Lead Changes: 4 among 5 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Lia 1-75; G. Reen 76-82; R. Silk 83-133; D. Coby 134-135; J. Bonsignore 136-150.

Standings: 1. D. Coby, 367; 2. J. Bonsignore, 364; 3. T. Christopher, 346; 4. B. Santos, 329; 5. R. Preece, 327; 6. R. Silk, 327; 7. M. Hirschman, 305; 8. T. Solomito, 304; 9. W. Pitkat, 303; 10. E. Goodale, 299.

Kerry Malone used two three-wide moves to take the lead on the third lap of the Sunoco Modified feature and lead the remainder of the 30-lap Sunoco Modified feature.

Troy Talman took the early lead, but had Malone to deal with as he shot up to the front to challenge heading into turn three. Talman held the lead as they came to the line. On lap three, Talman’s night took a dramatic turn when he and Keith Rocco made contact in turn two and took him out of the lead and out of contention.

Malone used the outside groove for the restart with Tyler Chadwick getting relegated back to the sixth spot after starting on the front row inside groove. Todd Ceravolo, Ryan Preece, and McDermott rounded out the top-four. Malone pulled out to a five car length lead as the remaining top-five, which included Rocco, ran nose-to-tail.

As the laps wound down, Malone and Ceravolo pulled away from Preece, who had slipped back by ten car lengths. Meanwhile, Rocco got by McDermott for the fourth spot at lap 26 and began to close in on Preece.

Malone approached lapped traffic as he took the white flag, but it didn’t slow him down at all as he cruised to checkered flag ahead of Ceravolo.

Corey Hutchings picked up the win in the Limited Sportsman 30-lap feature after taking the lead from Chris Douton on lap seven.

Scott Young took the early lead as Tommy Shea, Jr. and Douton battled it out for the second spot. Douton cleared the position and set his sights on the lead, which he claimed on lap three. Caution tightened the field back up with Douton and Young on the front row for the green flag.

Douton resumed the race lead with Corey Hutchings on his bumper. Coming around turn four on lap four, Hutchings challenged on the bottom groove as the duo went side-by-side through turns one and two. The battle continued through the entire lap with Douton holding on to the top spot by inches. On the following circuit, Hutchings got a run and cleared Douton on the backstretch of lap seven for the lead.

Caution flew at lap eight for a spun car in turn four, but the pause didn’t hinder Hutchings, who shot right back out front when racing resumed. Hutchings pulled ahead to a commanding lead with Douton trying to reel him in. Caution, however, closed up that distance for Douton at lap 18.

At the drop of the green, Douton went high and wide in turn four slipping back in the field before pulling off the track. Hutchings, meanwhile, pulled out front by five car lengths over the rest of the field. Shawn Monahan took over second with Scott Sundeen quickly closing in third.

Hutchings had no pressure as he continued to pull further and further away from the field before taking the checkered flag firmly in control.

Larry Gelinas ended a ten-year dry spell for car owner Jeff Hartwell when he took the victory in the Late Model 30-lap feature Thursday night. Gelinas took the lead on a lap six restart and never looked back.

Nick Ladyga and Gelinas brought the field to green with a tight door-to-door battle ensuing. Ladyga held a small advantage at the line to lead the first lap, but he had no time to get comfortable as Chris Curtis got up alongside him at lap four to challenge for the lead. The duo were side-by-side when Gelinas looked underneath entering turn four, but backed out of it coming out of the turn. On the next circuit, Ladyga made contact with Curtis, who spun in turn four before caution came out. Ladyga was sent to the rear and Gelinas took the lead for the restart.

Gelinas drove to the front on the restart with John Lowinski-Loh in second. Rick Gentes, however, was coming fast in third. A side-by-side duel for fourth was won by Jeff Smith over Jim Banfield. Gelinas pulled away from the rest of the field by a comfortable ten car lengths as Gentes started his challenges on Lowinski-Loh. Gentes tried the bottom groove, but Lowinski-Loh pulled away in the corner. Lap-after-lap, Gentes challenged for the position, but Lowinski-Loh continued to hold him off. On lap 20, Gentes got up alongside Lowinski-Loh as they traveled through turns three and four dead even. Coming out of turn one, Gentes took the spot as Lowinski-Loh shifted his focus to Smith, who also got by for the third spot.

Up front, Gelinas soared to the checkered flag unchallenged and took the checkered flag with a half-a-straightaway lead over the rest of the field.

Eric Bourgeois had a flawless run in the Monster Mini Stock feature after leading every lap of the 15-lap feature. Bourgeois took the checkers with a commanding two second lead over the rest of the field.

Bourgeois took the early lead with Nick Anderson and Joe Baxter rounding out the top three at the conclusion of the first lap. The race went single file as Bourgeois set a torrid pace, but caution tightened them back up again at lap four.

Bourgeois showed no signs of slowing when racing resumed, but a multi-car crash in turn four slowed the pace before the lap was complete. Among the cars involved in the wreck was Anderson, who had been running second to Bourgeois prior to the caution.

Dave Trudeau was the man on the move on the restart as he moved into second behind Bourgeois. Baxter, Seekonk’s Mike Viens and Mike “Butch” Veins rounded out the top-five.

Baxter challenged Trudeau lap-after-lap, but Trudeau wasn’t giving it up. Their battle allowed Bourgeois to pull ahead to a two-second lead and Mike Viens to close in on Baxter’s bumper. Bourgeois never faltered over the remaining laps and soared to the checkered flag. Trudeau held off Baxter for second and third respectively.

Art Chartier has been waiting a long time to visit Victory Lane at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, and Thursday night he finally got that chance. Chartier took the lead on lap 12 of the 15-lap Vintage Outlaws Modified Tour feature and held off Joe Baxter for the win.

Bill Cummins brought the field to green, but couldn’t hold off the advances of Baxter who took the top spot coming out of turn two on lap two. Baxter pulled ahead to a convincing lead before caution slowed his pace at lap four.

Baxter picked up right where he left off on the restart and pulled ahead to a commanding lead on the drop of the green. Chartier closed in, however, before caution flew for the second time at lap seven.

When racing resumed, Baxter proved he had his No. 58 machine hooked up and pulled ahead by five car lengths over Chartier, who closed in on his bumper entering turn three of lap eight. On lap 10, Chartier made a move on the outside groove, but Baxter closed the door. Chartier made another run on Baxter at lap 12 on the front stretch. Baxter tried to hold him off again, but this time Chartier was successful in his bid and took the lead on the backstretch.

NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR FEATURE FINISH (TOP-TEN): 1. Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY; 2. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 3. Doug Coby, Milford, CT; 4. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 5. Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT; 6. Timmy Solomito, Islip, NY; 7. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 8. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 9. Glen Reen, Wilbraham, MA; 10. Spencer Davis, Dawsonville, GA.

VINTAGE OUTLAWS FEATURE FINISH (TOP-FIVE): 1. Art Chartier, Douglas, MA; 2. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 3. Darryl Dutch, Greenville, RI; 4. Mark Alden, Westboro, MA; 5. Bill Cummins, Clinton, MA.

MINI STOCK FEATURE FINISH (TOP-TEN): 1. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 2. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 3. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 4. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 5. Mike (Butch) Viens, Putnam, CT; 6. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 7. Chris Ivory, Oakdale, CT; 8. Steven Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 9. Christopher Viens, Putnam, CT; 10. Nick Matera, Warwick, RI.

LATE MODEL FEATURE FINISH (TOP-TEN): 1. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 2. Rick Gentes, Burriville, RI; 3. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme, CT; 4. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 5. Marc Curtis, Worcester, MA; 6. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 7. Chris Curtis, Rutland, MA; 8. Nick Ladyga, Voluntown, MA; 9. Joe Curioso, Mystic, CT; 10. Chad LaBastie, Uxbridge, MA.

SUNOCO MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (TOP-TEN): 1. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 2. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 3. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT; 4. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 5. Keith McDermott, Scituate, RI; 6. Matt Gallo, Berlin, CT; 7. John Catania, Agawam, MA; 8. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard, CT; 9. Ken Barry, Preston, CT; 10. Andrew Charron, E. Greenwich, RI.

LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (TOP-TEN): 1. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 2. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 3. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 4. William Wall, Shrewsbury, MA; 5. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 6. Brent Gleason, Griswold, CT; 7. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 8. Scott Young, Willimantic, CT; 9. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 10. James Bendiak, Hopkinton, MA.

During the winter months, Stafford Motor Speedway announced that it was bringing Legend Cars racing back to its weekly program for the first time since the 1994 season. With the Legend Cars returning to Stafford’s mini-mile, it raised the question of who would be the car to beat. That question was answered early in the season by Farmington native Dana DiMatteo, who finished second and first in the first two races of the year. Since those first 2 races DiMatteo has gone on to record podium finishes in each of his five starts this season and he holds a 10-point lead over second generation driver Mike Christopher, Jr.

The 2014 SK Light season at Stafford Motor Speedway for Joey Ferrigno can be summed up as a season of two halves that have seen both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Ferrigno’s season got off to a dismal start with wrecks in the first two races that left him sitting in 20th place in the points standings. But since then, Ferrigno has gotten his season turned around with 4 wins and a second place finish over the next eight races that has helped him climb back into the top-5 of the points standings. 3 of Ferrigno’s wins have come in the last 4 races as he is riding a hot streak as the season heads into the homestretch.

The unique Call Before You Dig 811 Challenge was established to promote CBYD’s 811 call number to help people know what’s below before starting an excavation project. The program awards five drivers from Stafford Motor Speedway with an $811 bonus for a total payout of $4,055. The success of the program that was developed in 2013 allowed it to continue for the 2014 season. The Challenge concluded with the feature events run during the August 8th Call Before You Dig 811 race program. Over the 2 years of the program CBYD has contributed an impressive $8,110 to 10 different drivers in the CBYD 811 Challenge.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing returned to Waterford Speedbowl Saturday evening with a six-division racing card on track. Hometown driver Rob Janovic Jr. claimed the night’s
SK Modified® victory, his first of the year. Bruce Thomas Jr. of Groton took his third Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature win, Josh Galvin of Franklin won for the tenth time in the Street Stocks, and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon took his sixth Mini Stock win of the year. Brendon Bock of Franklin Square, NY won his first ever Speedbowl feature in the evening’s INEX Legend Cars race and Allen Coates of Ledyard recorded another win in the New England Truck Series at his home track.
Journeyman modified pilot, Stormin’ Norman Wrenn crowned his years with the Valenti Modified Racing Series with his first MRS win. He hung in among the leaders throughout the race’s second half, then found himself in the right spot and made the right move to come through to the front at the checkers.

Norm started the 100-lapper in eleventh place and had eased up to seventh before Carl Medeiros, Jr. went around on the backstretch at the midway point. He then leapt past Mike Willis, Jr., Justin Bonsignore and leader Todd Annarummo, who was losing pressure in a tire, into third behind Max Zachem and Richard Savary.

Norm stayed on the backs of the leaders as they exchanged places three times. Zachem began to fade and Wrenn assumed second behind Savary. The chase went on until a lap 88 restart as Savary pulled away and Bonsignore jumped in underneath for second.

Wrenn stayed on their tails as they debated the lead. Bonsignore went to the outside on lap 93 and began trying to push up alongside Savary. At first Bonsignore’s attempts made it to Savary’s outside at the bumper, then up to the rear quarter. But he was able to pull alongside for a wheel-to-wheel. Savary began to ride him up in the straights and on the white flag lap, Bonsignore elected to try a dropping under maneuver.

Coming alongside underneath Savary, Bonsignore loosened up through turns three and four as the checkers waved. Both cars lost speed and Wrenn dived to the bottom and powered up, bursting through into the clear air as the charging pack reverberated from Savary and Bonsignore’s turbulence.

Rowan Pennink had been following Wrenn since lap 89 and followed him underneath the chaos. Wrenn lit the afterburners and streaked toward the checkers with Pennink on his bumper. Norm took the checkers with Pennink just .055 second back. Bonsignore recovered and was .344 back in third and Savary took fourth, just .344 off the pace. Rob Goodenough flashed home in fifth.

The early race had looked good for Annarummo, as the home town driver jumped off the outside pole, away from Zachem into the lead. After a lap two caution, the field resumed until a fifth lap caution that involved key players. Savary’s move to the bottom caught Pennink in the middle and Pennink spun, taking a hit which sent Tom Abele, Jr. to the pits for work.

Annarummo rushed away from the crowd as Chris Pasteryak was all over Zachem for second and the field began to string out. But lap 12 saw an air cleaner come loose from a car and roll through turn one, bringing a caution to clear the debris. Pasteryak passed Zachem for second and Savary got by him into third on lap 15. Bonsignore maintained fifth, ahead of Goodenough. He would maintain fifth for the next 25 laps

Savary eased Pasteryak out of second on lap 24.Pennink began to move out of midpack on that lap, getting by Dan Meservey, Jr. Three laps later he took advantage of Dan Kopec. He then moved Dopnnie Lashua out of tenth and pulled in behind Wrenn. Willis fell victim to the charge next and then Wrenn. Norm took it back on lap 37, then pushed Goodenough out of seventh.

Annarummo continued to roll on lap 39, pursued by Savary, Pasteryak, Zachem, Pennink and Bonsignore. Medeiros’ spin on the backstretch brought caution and Annarummu came away sluggish. Savary and Zachem went around 3-wide and Annarummo faded to the rear of the pack He spun out on the backstretch as Medeiros spun on the front, collecting Colbey Fournier coming out of turn four.

Savary took over the lead and Wrenn looked under but the door closed.. Bonsignore came aroundto fourth on lap 55. Savary and Zachem swapped the lead and then Savary held him off as Annrummo began to move forward rapidly on new tires he’d secured in the caution. He gained four positions to tenth on a lap 60 restart and progressed to fifth behind Pasteryak.

But lap 80 saw a shock break on Pasteryak’s gar and Annarummo was caught up in it. Ryan Vanasse, driving his first Modified feature was also caught up, driving across Annrummo’s nose. It ended the evening for all three.

Another caution at lap 81, and two tried to get started on lap 88 set the field for a final run to the finish. Savary, bobbing and weaving, came out of the box away from Wrenn and Bonsignore made the move under Norm into second. The scene was aligned for Norm’s dash underneath for the checkers.

Zachem laid claim to sixth, followed by Medeiros, Rob Richardi, Jr., Kpec, Willis, Meservey and Abele.

Steady progress and driving skills issued Ryan Vanasse through the fifty laps of the Crab Manchester Memorial Race, taking him progressively through the field from his seventh place start to the lead with ten laps to spare. Enroute, he had to work past the Memorial’s founder, Bill Bernard then hotshot Nick Lascuola who the evening before had claimed the Phil’s Propane triple crown for Legends. Vinny Arrenegado was next, then multi-feature winner and division co-leader Dylan Estrela. Veteran Charlie Rose was next and teammate and co-leader of the division Bobby Pelland III. His final contest was to get by Jeramee Lillie, who had led the race for 30 laps. And hold him and the surging Pelland to the finish line. And, he took home the second of two Crab Memorial trophies. Not bad for a driver on a night when his (Pro Stock) division isn’t scheduled to race.

Arrenegado started at the pole, but Charlie Rose leapt from the second row to the lead, but Eddie LeClerc bogged on the start and came to a halt in turn two. He was assessed a lap for drawing the caution and they lined up again. This time Rose started outside Arrenegado and they dueled until Rose went high and wide in turn four, grabbing the lead across the stripe.

Lillie slid into third on lap two and Pelland looked uner him but was denied. Estrella was working under Bernard, who was suffering a balky racecar. Lascuola was working under Vanasse. Rose worked out to a one-car lead on Arrenegado as The Hammer locked onto Vinny’s bumper and Estrella pursued. Lillie put his nose to Arrenegado’s rear quarter and then went under into second and began to close on Rose. Pelland continued to give chase as Estrella got under Arrenegado.

Arrenegado faded to seventh and Bernard tried to leap in underneath, but Vinny’s back end came around as he accelerated and he drove over Bernard’s nose. Bernard went to the pits as did Gerry DeGasparre, Jr.

Rose and Lillie came out of the box and Rose pulled ahead, but Lillie sprung back alongside and into the lead on the backstretch. Pelland looked under Lillie, but he closed the door. Rose began looking under the leader but couldn’t stay.

Vanasse was up to fifth by lap 14 and looked under Lascuola and pushed through alongside. Pelland got under Rose as Vanasse took fourth on lap 15. Byu lap 17 the field was strung in a straight line.

Vanasse got below Rose on lap 22 and Charlie gave him a good battle for two laps. But Vanasse was ahead by a nose on lap 24. As Vanasse cleared into third, Lascuola looked under Rose, was denied then tried again. They were side-by-side on lap 25.

Lap 27 saw Lillie with a half-straightaway lead on Pelland, Vanasse and Lascuola. Behind them, Estrella was working under Rose. Vanasse went under Pelland for second on the following cirucuit and found himself looking 15 cars ahead to Lillie. He began a run on the leader with the rest of the field single-file behind him.

Two laps late, he had cut five laps and the lead was down to just four lengths by lap 35. Vanasse bor steadily in. Lap 38 saw him on The Hammer’s bumper, where he began looking underneath. Lillie went high in turn four on lap 39 and Vanasse got underneath for some wheel-to-wheel racing.

Vanasse had his nose ahead on lap 41 and Lillie tried to cross under but did not succeed. Vanasse began to edge away. Pelland followed, while behind him, Lascuola was holding off Estrella.

Five laps remained, and the field flashed around the final five laps in a pace line with Vanasse in the lead. Lillie finished second, followed by Pelland, Lascuola and Estrella. Rose was sixth with Roland Wheeler at his back, followed by Ron Barboza, DeGasparre, Bernard and Jariah Roderick.

Steve Axon won the Sims Metals Handling Street Stock feature despite the fact that old friend Mike Mitchell finished two lengths ahead of him. But Mitchell had been black-flagged three laps previous. Lap 19 saw them side-by-side at the front as Axon got loose. There was contact and Axon’s bumper pulled a large section of Mitchell’s front fender loose and it hung down to the racing surface. Officials showed him the black flag but Mitchell remained in the racing groove, pursued by Axon. Mitchell crossed in the lead but Axon won the race.

Mitchell, on the pole, escaped Tyler Lallier and Craig Pianka worked into second, going underneath Lallier. Axon went by lalier, who was trailed by Ray Lovelace, Scott Bruneau and Vinny Pangelinan. Lap three saw Axon move in under Pianka and go to second on the next circuit. By now, Mitchell had a 20-car lead. Ed Gannon was working around Lallier when AJ Solomon spun in turn one and barely managed to avoid a meeting with the outside wall.

Mitchell and Axon met for the restart and went door-to-door through lap six with Pianka and Lovelace giving chase. Mitchell took the lead at the stripe but Axon was on his bumper while Pianka closed on his. Behind Lovelace, Bruneau was working to get underneath Lallier.

By lap ten, Gannon was in sixth and Austin Blais was under Lallier and into eighth. The leaders were spreading out, gaining a few cars between eath other while Lovelace and Bruneau were arguing over fourth and Gannon was poised behind them.

By lap 15, Blais had passed Chris Demoura, Lallier, Corey Fanning, Gannon and Lovelace into fourth place. Mitchell, Axon, Pianka and Bruneau continued ahead of him. Demoura fell to a black flag for fluids on lap 17 and the field began to lap slow cars. Axon was one length behind Mitchell.

Tom Adams spun on lap 20, bringing the field back to lap 19 for a restart.

Mitchell and Axon lined up with Pianka and Bruneau behind them. Blais and Gannon backed them up. Axon bobbled on the start, pulling the fender from Mitchell’s right front and the black flag came out. Mitchell elected to continue. Blais, meanwhile, escaped Gannon and went under Pianka into third with two to go.

The field wound through the two laps remaining with no changes at the front. Despite’ Mitchell’s finish at the head of the field, Axon was awarded the win. Mitchell vented his displeasure but went to congratulate Axon on the win before returning to the pits.

Second went to Blais, followed by Pianka, Bruneau, gannon and Lovelace. Fanning was sixth, followed by Lallier, Ray Negley, Banglinan, AJ Solomon and Tony Oliviera.,

Nick Uhrig gained his second win on the season with a strong run at the front after a tough battle with division leader Rob Murphy in the early laps. back. In the meantime, Uhrig, who started sixth, outside Belcher and Murphy, who was outside Cavallaro and behind Uhrig, were waging a war in the middle

At the start, Chase Belcher rused past polesitter Cavid Lougee and the two got together with Belcher spinning. Both went to the back and the field lined up for a full race restart.

Darryl Church and Lima went door to door with Church edging out on the backstretch and into the lead on turn four. He began gaining distance on the field with the only four cylinder truck on the track. Mike Duarte went under lima as Urig got under Murphy back in the pack. Cavallaro was in sixth followed by Lenny Guy, Blecher and Lougee.

Murphy split Uhrig and Lima, charging through to create a three-wide and nab third. Uhrig grabbed the spot back on the following lap and Murphy latched onto his bumper. But Church was now a straightaway in the lead. Lima was two cars behind Murphy, how attached himself to Uhrig.

By lap ten, Church was still leading Uhrig, who was followed by Murphy, Lima, Cavalaro, Duarte. Belcher, Lougee and Guy. The field was stretched out and ran through three laps before Murphy began coming loose in the turns. But once again, he powered up to Uhrig’s bumper in the straights.

But on lap 16, Murphy got sideways and spun on the backstretch, snagging Lima. Murphy went to the pits and returned. Church and Uhrig lined up with Lima and Cavallaro behind them. Uhrig’s v-8 outpowered Church off the line but Chruch gathered speed and ran back underneath. Uhrig then began steteching out a lead but they were again door=to-door at the stripe. Cavallaro was up to church’s bumper as Lougee and Duarte got together on the backstretch and spun. Church immediately retired to the pits amd dod mpt return.

Uhrig and Cavallaro lined up for the restart, followed by Lima and Belcher. Guy and Murphy were row 3. On the green, Uhrig snapped away from Cavallaro and Lima got under Cavallaro for some door-t-door. Guy and Belcher were doing the same, followed by Murphy and Duarte.

Guy had jumped to fourth, easing Belcher back to fifth, but Murphy came around them both and into fourth, with Guy in fifth and Belcher sixth. But with four to go, Belcher eased Guy back to sixth. The finish had been determined, and the field followed Uhrig around in a paceline to the checkers, sending Uhrig to Victory Lane.

Lima was second followed by Cavallaro, Murphy and Chase Belcher. Guy finished sixth, with Duarte, Lougee and Bill Schoeler completing the field on the track.

The Northeastern Midget Association heads to the famed Star Speedway in Epping, NH on Saturday night. It has been a favorite stop for the midgets since the 60’s, in fact Star has hosted more NEMA events than any other facility.

Some of the greats have gotten their first NEMA victory at Star including Joey Coy, Mike Favulli and Billy Mann, as well as modern day drivers like Jeff Horn, Joey Payne, Bobby Seymour and Russ Stoehr. There will be plenty of drivers gunning for their first on Saturday night.

Stoeher leads all active drivers with 10 wins at Star.

The NEMA midgets bring a see-saw battle at the top of the point standings in both of their classes.
The top spot has traded back and forth between young Avery Stoeher of Lakeville, MA and another Massachusetts South Shore native, Randy Cabral of Kingston. Cabral now leads by 13 points thanks to a runner-up finish last time out at Waterford. Stoehr could only muster a fourth place in that event and lost his grip on the points lead.

Consistancy is what’s keeping them close. Of the 9 races so far this season Randy has won 3 and finished second 3 times. Avery has been only a shade off that with 2 wins, a second and a pair of thirds.

The other points battle in the full midgets is right behind them between Suffield CT’s Todd Bertrand in third and Brimfield, MA resident Seth Carlson. The latter has been red hot in the last two races, with a win and third. He has closed the gap on Bertrand and now trails by just 10 points.

It’s just as tight in the Lites. A win by Marshfield, MA’s Danny Cugini at Waterford last time catipulted him to the top of the standings over Ryan Krachun of Neshanic Station, NJ. Even without a victory, Krachun had a lock on the top spot for several weeks. Cugini now leads by 11 points going into Star.

Krachun could now fall into the clutches of another consistant finisher. Andy Barrows of New Ipswich, NH is only 17 points out of second.

The real story in the Lites this season has been PJ Stergois of Candia, NH. Though he missed 3 races, he’s only finished outside the top 3 once in the 8 main events he’s run. 4 of those podium finishes were victories. He’ll be looking to score another one at his “home” track on Saturday night.

A special match race sponsored by All Star Performance has been added to the program. “The Sundown Showdown” will feature some of Star Speedway’s historic superstar drivers taking on some of the young, up and coming stars of the NEMA. A trophy and huge bragging rights are on the line for this sure-to-be-special, multi-generational race.