By Lou Modestino
Many of the NEMA Midget members, drivers, car owners and officials were on hand at the recent Toys For Tots promo held at Boch Toyota on the Automile in Norwood. Among them were President Mike Scravani. We had a discussion with Mike about the 2013 season.
“It looks like 15 races for NEMA and 16 for the NEMA Lites. We’ve got some new tracks for 2013 like Airborne Speedway in northern NY and Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH. We’ve never been to Airborne before and we haven’t been to Riverside in a long time. We’re also working on a date at Oxford and we’ll be going back to Seekonk, Lee, Waterford, Thompson and Oswego. We’re also working to get a date at Star Speedway, ” said Mike.
On the growth of the NEMA Lites, “The Lites are doing what the should be doing. That is we bringing in new drivers and moving some of the more experienced drivers up to the top NEMA division. It looks like Bethany Stoehr, Ian Cummins and Alan Chambers will be moving up to NEMA from the Lites.
On display outside the Boch showroom was Halifax’s Jack Glockner’s Midget with the name of his grandson the late Shane Hammond. Shane was killed in a racing accident about five years ago at the Thompson Speedway. Jack’s daughter and mother of Shane Hammond, Deb Marvuglio, a NEMA official, was also present.
We also had an opportunity to talk to Anthony Marvuglio of E. Bridgewater. He’s the son of Ded Marvuglio. Anthony races the NEMA #38 owned by Chris Desrochers and Tammy Bounbeau both of Salisbury. Anthony got his start in racing when he was eight years old go karts and when he turned 16 moved up into the NEMA Lites. All during that time he was being mentored by his grandfather Jack Glockner. Jack also drove Modifieds at many of the southern New England tracks during the 60’s.
Last season was Anthony’s first full year in NEMA. He finished ninth overall in the NEMA point standings. During the day Marvuglio works in the parts department at Plymouth Hundai. The 20-year old driver finished up his education at E. Bridgewater High School in 2010.
We also got a chance to talk to Ashland’s Mike Horn who is still recuperating from his racing accident at the Lee USA Speedway in NH during the season ender during the Oktoberfest. “Yes it was a big crash and I broke my collarbone. It’s healing just fine. Things are good enough that I’m back to work in my Dad’s (Jeff Horn) garage. I’m also look to replace my totaled car. I did find one and we expect to be working on it and getting it ready for the 2013 season. If all goes well I might even make the first NEMA race in the Spring, ” said Horn.
After finishing second in the 2012 New England Truck Series points standings, Somers, CT native Jason Lafayette is ready to make the transition into Stafford Speedway’s SK Light Modified division for the 2013 season. Lafayette began his racing career at Riverside Park Speedway in the Mini Stock division before moving up to the Strictly Stock ranks, where he was the 1998 Rookie of the Year. After a Late Model effort at Stafford in 2000 didn’t quite pan out, Lafayette took some time away from racing before buying a truck in 2010 and racing in the N.E. Truck Series for the past two seasons.
When the green flag is displayed to kick off the 2013 DARE Stock season at Stafford Motor Speedway, Wethersfield native Frank L’Etoile, Jr. will realize a vision that has been three years in the making. L’Etoile is a veteran of the Wild Thing Kart ranks, winning the Senior Outlaw championship in 2008 and 2009. L’Etoile finished second in the 2012 Senior Outlaw points standings as well as making his DARE Stock debut at the CARQUEST Fall Final in preparation for his first full season of DARE Stock competition in 2013.
The 2013 DARE Stock season will see the addition of a father/daughter combination as 15-year old Allison Coelho will join her father Gus on the track. Allison Coelho moves into the DARE Stock division with an extensive background to her credit. Coelho began her racing career at the age of 9 in the Wild Thing Karts, and she progressed to the Young Guns 4-cylinder division at Monadnock. After recording several podium finishes this past season, Coelho is ready to make the move into the DARE Stock division and join her father on the track.
Thompson International Speedway celebrated the 2012 season this weekend with two ceremonies honoring seven division champions in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn. took center stage and was honored as the Sunoco Modified Champion on Saturday night while Late Model Champion Tommy O’Sullivan of Wilbraham, Mass. took top honors on Friday night.
Other champions honored Friday night included Limited Sportsman Champion Scott Sundeen of Douglas, Mass. and Mini Stock Champion Chad Baxter of Pascoag, RI. On Saturday night, Super Late Model Champion Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, Mass., Lite Modified Champion Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI, and Thompson Modified Champion John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. of Milford, Mass joined in celebrating their division titles.
Preece led a talented pool of drivers in one of the most competitive divisions in New England racing to win the Sunoco Modified championship. Preece’s season included an astonishing 10 victories, a record that is only matched by Ted Christopher in 2010, and he finished in the top-five in all 19 starts. The effort was headed by car owners Al and Cathy Moniz of North Falmouth, Mass. Preece accomplished the championship while running weekly at two other tracks and full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Preece bested runner-up Kerry Malone for championship honors with Dennis Perry, Ted Christopher, and Woody Pitkat rounding out the top-five in points.
“All my wins were pretty memorable, but winning the Icebreaker and starting the season off on the right note was a big help,” said Preece about his championship setting year. “Thompson has a lot of history so to win a title and a lot of races there – that’s just incredible. It was really special to get Al and Cathy (Moniz) a championship and that means a lot to me.”
Special awards were presented to Sunoco Modified Most Improved driver, Eric LeClair, and Rookie-of-the-Year, Dennis Perry.
Preece was also the recipient of the Chief Starter’s Award, presented by Tim Bennett, for sportsmanship to a driver or drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. Bennett also presented the award to Jesse Gleason of Lisbon, CT in the Limited Sportsman division.
Derek Ramstrom was honored with his owner Rick Ramstrom for the Super Late Model Championship. It is his third division title in four seasons with the Super Late Models at Thompson Speedway. Ramstrom won the championship after placing third in the final 50-lap feature of the season and edging out Jim Banfield by a mere six points for the title. The division ran a limited schedule with Ramstrom earning two victories and five top-five finishes. Rookie-of-the-Year honors were presented to Colby Fournier.
The LKQ/Keystone Lite Modifieds made its debut at Thompson International Speedway this season with 2011 Thompson Modified champion Cam McDermott moving up the ranks and winning the series title in commanding style. McDermott checkered the first race on May 20th and racked up an impressive 14-win total by season’s end. Runner-up Troy Talman was also presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. and car owner John Lowinski-Loh, Sr. were honored for their dominating season in the Thompson Modifieds. The 2011 Rookie-of-the-Year secured nine victories over the course of the season and concluded the year with 18 top-five finishes. The Milford, Mass. native was also presented with the Most Improved Driver award for the division. Danny Gamache, Jr. was presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
Tommy O’Sullivan took center stage Friday night as Thompson Speedway honored him for a second consecutive Late Model championship. O’Sullivan’s consistency yielded an amazing 11 victories and 17 top-five finishes in 18 starts. T&E Motorsports fielded the car for O’Sullivan, who’s accomplishments have not been seen in the division in over a decade. O’Sullivan bested runner-up John Falconi for the title and third place point man Randy Tucker. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Damon Tinio and Rookie-of-the-Year Jared Materas.
Scott Sundeen repeated his 2008 Limited Sportsman division accomplishments by winning the division title this season for the second time in his career. Sundeen was dominant with eight victories, 16 top-10’s and 15 top-five finishes. Sundeen, who was recently honored by NASCAR for the Division III Asphalt Short Track national title, was joined by car-owner Cheryl Sundeen in the honors. Most Improved Driver went to Corey Fanning while Lloyd Anderson, Jr. was presented with Rookie-of-the-Year.
Chad Baxter was honored as the championship owner/driver in the Monster Mini Stock division. Baxter, who has been competing at Thompson since 2009, earned the title with three wins, 16 top-10 and 13 top-five finishes in a division that saw eight different winners over the course of the season. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Nick Anderson and Rookie-of-the-Year Steve Violette.
The John Hoenig Memorial Award, which recognizes one individual for their hard work and dedication to the Speedway, was presented to Dick Brooks.
Brooks has served in many capacities in the auto racing industry and with the track since the 1970’s. He was the Chief Starter at Thompson for many years, before stepping up as the NASCAR Chief Steward, a position he was familiar with after serving in that capacity at Riverside Park Speedway. In 2009, Brooks assumed full responsibility for enforcing NASCAR and track rules in the infield. All of his positions at Thompson have put him in direct and close contact with the competitors on a week-to-week basis. In addition to his responsibilities at Thompson, Brooks also serves as an official for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and as the race director at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) during Speedweeks and with the North-South Shootout.
SUNOCO MODIFIED DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 2. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 3. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 5. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 7. Keith Rocco, Meriden, CT; 8. Wayne Arute, Meriden, CT; 9. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA, ; 10. Jimmy Smith, Woodstock, CT.
SUPER LATE MODEL (Top-5): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 3. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 5. Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater, MA.
LKQ/KEYSTONE LITE MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI;
2. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 3. Nikki Ouellette, East Granby, CT; 4. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA; 5. Shawn Brule, W. Thompson, CT.
THOMPSON MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. John Lowinski-Loh, Jr., Milford, MA; 2. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 4. Chad LaBastie, Uxbridge, MA; 5. Danny Gamache, Jr., Woonsocket, RI.
MONSTER MINI STOCKS (Top-10): 1. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 2. Eric Bourgeois, East Haddam, CT; 3. Steve Violette, Canterbury, CT; 4. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 5. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 6. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 7. Nick Anderson, Oxford, MA; 8. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 9. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 10. Brad Caddick, Wyoming, RI.
XTRAMART LIMITED SPORTSMAN DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 2. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 3. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 4. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 5. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 6. Tom Shea, New London, CT; 7. Lloyd Anderson, Jr., Wauregan, CT; 8. Mike Palin, Dudley, MA; 9. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 10. Art Moran, III, Preston, CT.
LATE MODELS (Top-10): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Wilbraham, MA; 2. John Falconi, Oakham, MA; 3. Randy Tucker, Millis, MA; 4. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 5. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 6. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 7. Robert O’Connell, Jr., Wrentham, MA; 8. Marc Palmisano, Hadley, MA; 9. Jared Materas, Palmer, MA; 10. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT.
Jon McKennedy, of E. Chelmsford, MA and Art Barry, of Preston, CT., were crowned champions Saturday night December 8, as the Valenti Modified Racing Series conducted it’s 9th annual awards banquet at the Clarion Conference Center, W. Springfield, MA.
McKennedy, winner of three races in 2012, captured his third series title. Barry, a long-time race car owner and fabricator, captured his first VMRS owner’s title. Both were highly complimentary of each other’s efforts and expressed thanks to the teams families, crewmembers, series sponsors, and officials. Barry received a standing ovation when presented the annual ‘Dedication To Racing’ award.
In addition to the champions, the top 15 drivers and owners received awards.
Drivers Rowan Pennink, Norm Wrenn, Chris Pasteryak, Louie Mechalides, Tommy Barrett, Les Hinckley, Max Zachem Mark Bakaj, Mike Holdridge, Joe Doucette, Dwight Jarvis, Todd Owen, Tim Jordan, and Geoff Gerhard were recognized.
Owners Gary & Kim Casella, Norm Wrenn, Kevin Stuart, Charlie Pasteryak, Max Zachem, Mark, Bakaj, Tom Barrett, Joe Doucette, Jack Bateman, Dale Holdridge, Chuck Montville, Patrick Jordan, Rob Goodenough, and Bonnie Jarvis were recognized.
Series founder Jack Bateman made the annual Hoosier Tire East award presentation to McKennedy. Norm Wrenn received the Sunoco Hard Charger award, Spafco Most Improved Driver recipient was Max Zachem, Tough Luck award, the 06 CMR team, Sportsmanship award, the JRB # 17 team, Mechanic of the Year, Dave Berghman, Mountainside Graphix Rookie of the Year, Mark Bakaj, the Bob Polverari “711” plaque, to Joe Doucette, and the series ‘Above and Beyond” award to chief scorer, Jenn Ready.
Bateman in his annual state of the series remarks spoke of the 19-race schedule in 2013, recognized and thanked series sponsor, the Valenti Auto Group, series officials, and welcomed newly named race director, Scott Tapley, of Poland, ME., who was introduced.
Bateman also disclosed a rules meeting will be scheduled in January on a date to be announced.
The 2012 New England Pro Four Banquet will be held at The Clarion Hotel/ Formerly the Ramada Inn, on Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA on Saturday, January 5, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and include dinner, awards ceremony and dancing.
The New England Pro Fours have a block of rooms which have been put aside for the Club at a special rate of $89.00 per night. If you wish to make reservations please call 508-336-7300 and let them know you are with the Pro Fours.
New England Pro Four Modified Champion: Rob Richardi, Jr. of N. Easton, MA
Limited ProFour Champion – Dan Fresh, Holliston, MA.