With the 2013 schedule nearing completion, Seekonk Speedway has announced that the 9th Annual Open Wheel Wednesday will be held on Wednesday, July 17th. This has become one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar for any open wheel fan and competitor.
The Modified Madness portion of this event has produces some of the most spectacular races in recent New England history, starting with the last lap pass by Donny Lia to pick up the first $10,000 winner prize. With a green, white, checkered finish, Lia squeezed past Ted Christopher and went on to carry the checkered flag, in a race that the fans talked about for years.
The 2012 event still has people buzzing about the side by side clinic put on by Ryan Preece and eventual winner Matt Hirschman. Matt became the only driver to win this prestigious event twice. Additional winners include Doug Coby, Chris Pasteryak, Kirk Alexander, Vinny and Todd Annarummo and Lia.
Competitors from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Valenti Modified Racing Series, Race of Champion Modifieds, and from independent speedways from New York to New Hampshire have attempted to bring home the big dollar prize.
In addition to the Open Wheel Wednesday, The Action Track of the East will host the Valenti Modified Racing Series on three occasions, as the speedway celebrates their 68th season of competition. The VMRS will invade the Bay State oval on Saturday, June 8 and August 17, and again on October 5, for the annual D.A.V. Fall Classic. 2012 winners were Louie Mechalidaes in June and Rowan Pennink, who won the rain shortened D.A.V. Fall Classic. The August event was rained out.
With the 2013 season on the horizon at Stafford Motor Speedway, Enfield native Kris Fluckiger is ready to count himself among the challengers for the 2013 DARE Stock track title. In only his second season of competition at SMS, Fluckiger recorded his first victory to go along with 12 top-5 and 16 top-10 finishes to end the season in fourth place in the points standings. With a victory in the season ending non-points Paradiso-Muska DARE Stock Shoot-Out, Fluckiger is ready to make a step up and be counted among the challengers for the track title when the green flag drops on 2013.
After 7 seasons away from the DARE Stock division at Stafford Motor Speedway, Springfiefld, MA native Fran Siana will make a comeback for the 2013 season. Siana ran in the DARE Stock division from 2002-2005 with his best season coming in 2004, when he won 2 races and finished 7th in the points. From 2006-2011, Siana competed in the SK Modified® division, with his only full season coming in 2007 when he finished 17th in the points standings with 3 top-10 finishes. Siana is hoping to return to his winning ways in the DARE Stock division when the green flag is waved at the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler on April 27 & 28.
After winning the Limited Late Model championship in 2012 at Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs native Cory Casagrande will make the move up the Stafford ladder into the Late Model division for the 2013 season. Casagrande will have Shark Cycle of Stafford Springs returning as his primary sponsor, and while a new division often presents a new set of challenges for any driver, Casagrande has shown that he is a quick study when it comes to Stafford.
For Danny Cates, the 2012 season at Stafford Motor Speedway marked a new chapter in the Chaplin, CT native’s career. After making his SMS debut in the 2011 CARQUEST Fall Final SK Modified® feature, Cates moved from Thompson to Stafford and he recorded 8 top-5 and 11 top-10 finishes on his way to finishing fifth in the points standings. With an average finish of 10.2 during the 18-race season, Cates had a good year, but he says it was a struggle for he and his team.
For the past eight years the first Sunday in June at Bezema Motors on US Rt. 1, the AutoMile, has seen the Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunion grow. There’s no doubt about the fact that this annual gathering of the faithful race fans, officials, drivers and race car owners brings back the memory of this great venue that entertained thousands of fans every weekend from the time it opened in 1948 right up through it’s demise in 1972.
This event celebrates all of the historical stockcar, midget, sports car, drag racing and motorcycle events held on the quarter-mile oval and adjacent 1/8 mile drag racing strip in southeastern Massachusetts. Several race drivers earned their reputation for no-hold barred competition on the oval as well as the drag strip.
It will be celebrated for the ninth time on Sunday, June 2, 2013 when the vintage stockcars of NEAR and STAR converge on Bezema Motors that day. In addition, there will be other vintage race cars of all types on display at the event. All types of race cars, both vintage and contemporary, are welcome.
There will be vendors offering memorabilia and such on hand to make this annual show a success. Also Don Thomas, the Norwood Arena Speedway webmaster, will be coming in from California with his display. There will also be a classic car show for muscle cars, hot rods and customs as well as motorcycles.
Trophies will be awarded in three categories and dash plaques will be given out as long they last. This year we have added a DJ who will air music of the the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s as a reminder of that period when the Norwood Arena Speedway and New England Dragway South entertained gear heads every weekend. Attendees are urged to bring photos, programs and memorabilia to share with other fans. Drivers will also sign autographs for those fans who come to the event.
The Bezema family, hosts of the event, will offer a free light lunch to all attendees. The Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South will start at 11 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, call organizer Lou Modestino at 781.784.7857 or Bezema Motors at 781.769.4700. Bezema Motors is located at 401 Providence Hwy., Rt.1, Norwood, MA just 1 mile south of the Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South site.
On Saturday night, over 700 friends and family members got together at the Venus de Milo in Swansea to celebrate and honor Seekonk Speedway’s 2012 Champions in their annual awards celebration.
Taking home the top honors was Dave Darling of Rehoboth, and his car owner Gary Johnson of Pawtucket, RI as they picked up their third Pro Stock Championship honors. The Bristol Toyota Scion team carried 4 wins on the season, and did not finish outside of the top five all season. All three championships have come with crew chief Ronnie Pond.
Dick Benoit was named Rookie of the Year. Ryan Vanasse was honored as Most Improved Driver in the Pro Stocks.
Pro Stock Top Ten: Dave Darling, Ryan Vanasse, Dick Houlihan of Bridgewater, Fred Astle Jr, Tom Scully Jr, Mike Brightman, Kyle Casper, Kevin Casper, Kenny Spencer, Dave Silvia.
Gerry DeGasparre Jr and car owner Gerry Sr. of Pawtucket, RI were honored as the Late Model Champions for the sixth time in the past 12 years. With a division leading 4 wins, the A-1 Custom Auto Body Chevy prevailed once again.
Rookie of the Year honors went to Danny Thibeault, while Jeramee Lillie picked up Most Improved LM Driver honors.
LM Top Ten: Gerry DeGasparre Jr, Bobby Pelland III, Bill Bernard, Jeramee Lillie, Dylan Estrella, Danny Thibeault, Dave Hutchins Jr, Mike Marfeo, Jariah Roderick, Ron Barboza Jr.
For the fifth time, Mike Cavallaro of Seekonk claimed his fifth Sport Truck class championship. His J Fortin Concrete Forms Chevy picked up 5 victories on his way to the title.
Nick Uhrig won Rookie of the year with Darryl Church getting Most Improved driver in the Sport Trucks.
Sport Truck Top Ten: Mike Cavallaro, Rick Martin, John Paiva, Nick Uhrig, Scott Dion, Darryl Church, Lenny Guy, Anna Gregoire, Jim Hawkins, Dan Leach.
Attleboro’s Paul Lallier claimed his first Sam’s Club Street Stock title on the wave of 3 wins. Paul led the championship standings from opening day and never looked back in his Big Dog Disposal Camaro.
Charles Beal picked up the Rookie of the Year with Scott Bruneau gaining Most Improved Driver honors.
The Fast Friday divisions were also honored, and picking up top honors in the Pure Stocks was Jesse Melberg. Jesse had a speedway tying 6 wins in his Bristol County Choppers Chevy.
Ian Savard picked up Rookie of the year honors with Chris Lima gaining Most Improved Driver status.
Pure Stock top 5: Jesse Melberg, John Robidoux, Jamie Salley, Earl Curtin III, Chris Lima.
In the inaugural year for the Nick’s Pit Stop Legend Series, Shawn Buffington of Plainfield topped a field of driver from throughout the Northeast, and picked up the Championship honors. His T & M Motorsports coupe topped the division with 6 victories.
Nick’s Pit Stop Legends top five: Shawn Buffington, Thomas Grey, Nick Lascoula, Taylor Martin, Branden Dion.
Going winless didn’t slow down 2012 Sport4 Champion Chuck McDonald of Groton CT. Chuck used consistency and some help from another competitor to gain his first championship.
Henry Lavallee was honored as the Rookie of the Year while Taylor Therrien was most improved driver.
Sport4 Top 5: Chuck McDonald, Henry Lavallee, Lenny Sousa, Taylor Therrien. Jason Enos II.
Austin Blais of Somerset took home the top honors in the Seekonk Youth Racing Association 750 division. Austin picked up 6 feature wins on the way to his first title.
Chase Belcher was the division’s Rookie of the Year.
Tyler Boudreau of Coventry, RI rode a second half wave that propelled him to the Seekonk Youth Racing Association 600 title. With 3 wins and even more runner up finished, he overcame a deficit to take over the championship lead with only a few events remaining.
David White picked up the Rookie of the Year honors while Doug Meservey Jr picked up Most Improved title.
SYRA 600 top ten: Tyler Boudreau, Taylor Bowser, David Lougee Jr, David White, Madison Birchall, Doug Meservey Jr, Shawn DeMello, Matt Barboza, Jessica O’Leary
Ed St. Germain and Bob Roderick were both honored for their dedication and work behind the scenes.
The Annual D. Anthony Venditti Memorial award goes to an individual who dedicates his life to the sport of Auto Racing. This years’ recipient was long time official Ron Manfredo of Warwick RI.
At the Seekonk banquetChatham’s Dan Meservey, Jr. said that he’s set to run half-season with the Valente Modified Racing Series. He’ll also take in a some Pro 4 Modified races, as well. He’s also mentoring his son Brett’s efforts in the Seekonk SYRA 600 (Mini Cup) Series. Brett also won one feature in 2012 and ranked 8th overall in points. Doug Meservey also revealed that he will also take in some VMRS events. Doug’s daughter Cathy and son Doug, Jr. also race in the SYRA Mini Cups at the Rt. 6 oval. Their father,Dan, Sr., who spends the winters in central Florida will also be taking in a few Pro 4 events during the 2013 season.
Established haunts make up the 2013 Northeastern Midget Association schedule including a return to Monandock Speedway after a two-year absence. As NEMA President Mike Scrivani puts the finishing touches on the final schedule, there are 13 races currently on the NEMA agenda while the NEMA Lites will make 15 stops in what will be the club’s 61st consecutive season, making it New England’s oldest sanctioning body.
Randy Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand will begin defense of their NEMA championships and the Lites will begin their sixth season at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off on April 6-7.
Monadnock returns to the schedule hosting both NEMA and the Lites for the Iron Mike Scrivani Race on June 22. The club will honor the 30th anniversary of the passing of the legendary car owner on the speedy high banked quarter mile.
The full midgets and the Lites will share the billing eight times including Stafford Motor Speedway Carquest Super Saturday on June 29. It will be the Lites first time on the historic half mile. Both divisions will return to New York State’s Oswego Speedway as well on Sept.14
Two special events – the Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race at Star Speedway on June 8 and the Shane Hammond Memorial at Waterford on July 27 will also include the Lites. Lee USA Speedway hosts both on July 12.
NEMA will also return to Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday (July 17) and Waterford’s Wings & Wheels, two traditional stops.
The season ends in traditional style – Waterford’s Finale, Lee’s Oktoberfest and Thompson’s World Series, the Lites part of the first two.
“We’ve run hundreds of races on these tracks,” said NEMA Scrivani. “That coupled with a field of good drivers and great equipment is a recipe for a great season. Last year saw some terrific speeds. We’ll be quicker this year.”
2013 NEMA Schedule:
April 6-7 Waterford Speedbowl
May 31 Lee USA Speedway
June 8 Star Speedway (Marvin Trophy Race)
June 22 Monadnock (Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial)
June 29 Stafford Motor Speedway
July 12 Lee USA Speedway
July 17 Seekonk Speedway
July 27 Waterford Speedbowl (Shane Hammond Memorial)
Sept. 14 Owego Speedway
Oct. 5-6 Waterford Speedbowl
Oct. 12-13 Lee USA Speedway
Oct. 19-20 Thompson Speedway.
2013 NEMA Lites Schedule
April 6 Waterford Speedbowl
May 11 Star Speedway
May 31 Star Speedway
June 8 Star Speedway
June 22 Monadnock Speedway
June 29 Stafford Motor Speedway
July 12 Lee USA Speedway
July 27 Waterford Speedbowl
Aug. 9 Lee USA Speedway
Aug. 24 Star Speedway
Sept. 7 Star Speedway
Sept. 14 Oswego Speedbowl
Oct. 5 Waterford Speedbowl
Oct. 12-13 Lee USA Speedway
The MA International Auto Show is at the DCU Center in Worcester and winds up on Saturday.