Patnode & Byrne take Sportsman Modified Checkers
Winchester, NH – Win streaks either extend or end in every sport. Auto racing is no exception. Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway fans watched this theme play out on the high banks. It was another double-header evening, this time featuring twin fifty lap races for Sportsman Modified division.
Once qualifying was completed, the first 50-lapper took to the track in a make-up race from July 6th. That line-up was previously qualified. Kenny Thompson of Alstead, NH, led them to the green. After a back and forth battle with Alyssa Rivera of Claremont, NH, for the first five laps, former champion Keith Carzello from Somers, CT, moved in front then gave way to Swanzey, NH’s Todd Patnode a lap later. Patnode came into the night with a twelve point lead in the point standings and a four race win streak on the line. Forty-one laps and four cautions later, that streak extended to five. Carzello held position for second. Ben Byrne of Greenfield, MA, took the third finishing spot.
The second 50-lap feature for the Sportsman Modified closed out the night’s racing. This time Scott McMichael of Newbury, NH, had the pole and led the race for the first 20 laps. On lap 21, Byrne squeezed by for the lead with McMichael, Joel Monahan of Whatley, MA, and Patnode in pursuit. During a yellow flag caution on lap 26, Patnode, who started slipping back in the field, pitted. He returned to the track at the back of the field as the race went green again. Byrne stayed on top over the final 24 laps for his second win of the season. Patnode could only manage to get back to ninth at the end. His win streak was over. Brian Robie of Sunapee, NH, made a last lap move to take second with Monahan third. Unofficially, Byrne appeared to have tied Patnode for the point lead.
There were other win streaks on the line Saturday night. Most significant, of course, was the record-setting 8 wins in a row to start a season set last week by Solomon Brow of Vernon, VT. His Late Model Sportsman class took the green for their 25-lap feature with the Litttlewood brothers, Justin and Cole of Orange, MA, on the front row. Justin led the first three laps, Cole passed him on lap 4 and held sway till lap twelve. That’s when Brow swept past and cruised to his record-setting ninth consecutive win to open a season. Cole Littlewood held on for second. Robert Hagar of Hartland, VT, moved up to collect third.
The Pure Stocks joined the “streak show” with Chris Davis getting his second win in row for a total of five on the season. Erin Aiken of Claremont, NH, was again second with newcomer, Clark Brooks of Raymond, NH, taking third.
Speaking of streaks, Young Gun Jake Puchalski of Whately, MA, tallied his fourth win a row for a season total of six. Matt Lambert of Ashuelot, NH, was second with Brandon LaVoie from Littleton, MA, third.
Also on the race card Saturday night was the second visit of the year by the Granite State Legends and the first stop of the season for the Northeast Classic Lites. Shaun Buffington continued his dominance of the Granite State Legends with his second Monadnock win with Luke and Eric Lebrun finishing second and third. The 30-lap Northeast Classic Lites saw Danny DeGuio of Kingston, NH, lead most of the race. Stew McCormick of Plaistow, NH, starting deep in the field, caught DeGuio on lap 22 and took over the top spot and went on for the win. DeGuio second and Erik Schofield moving into third.
This coming Saturday, Monadnock Speedway, known colloquially as “Mad Dog”, will literally go to the dogs with a benefit night for the local Greyhound Rescue and Adoption organization. Race fans who bring items like paper towels, bleach, toilet paper, Milkbone treats, or other products needed to maintain and care for the Greyhounds as they wait to be adopted, will earn five dollars off their adult general admission. Qualifying for the Whelen All-American racing divisions begins at 6 PM.
Sportsman Modified Results (Feature 1): Todd Patnode, Keith Carzello, Ben Byrne, Matt Kimball, Brian Robie, Scott MacMichael, Joel Monahan, Dennis Charette, Alyssa Rivera, Kim Rivet, Brian Chapin, Kevin Pittsinger, Eric Leclair, Kenny Thompson
Sportsman Modified Results (Feature 2): Ben Byrne, Brian Robie, Joel Monahan, Scott MacMichael, Dennis Charette, Cole Littlewood, Matt Kimball, Brian Chapin, Todd Patnode, Keith Carzello, Keith Caruso, Kim Rivet, Alyssa Rivera, Kenny Thompson, Eric Leclair, Andy Major, Kevin Pittsinger
Late Model SportsmanResults:Solomon Brow, Cole Littlewood, Robert Hagar, Justin Littlewood, Shawn Stone, Ryan Bell, Eric Pomasko, Tyler Leary, Will Kuhn, Nancy Muni Ruot, Scott Beck, Dennis Stange, Dennis Bell
Pure Stock Results: Chris Davis, Erin Aiken, Clark Brooks , Rich Hammann, Taylor Striebel, Sammy Silva, Carter Chamberlain, Mike Douglas
Young Gun Results: Jake Puchalski, Matt Lambert, Brandon Lavoie, Matt Winter II, JD Stockwell, Reagan Buffum, Aaron Thompson
