By Lou Modestino
Barbara Richardi of Easton reacted to the decision by Thompson Speedway officials to dump the Modifieds Lites due to the fact that the field of cars had only seven turn out at the recent event held two weeks ago. “I think that they should have let them run at the end of the field of the Sk Modifieds,” she said. Barbara also revealed ,” now my son Dave (Richardi’s) alternatives include racing his Modified Lite at the Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut or Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH.
Barbara also explained, “Another possibility is to sell the Modified Lite race car to someone who wants to race at Waterford or Monadnock. Also, we still have Dave’s Pro 4 Modified race car and we just sent the motor out for a rebuild.” From the sound of the situation Dave Richardi will be able to continue racing this season. The family just has to make some decisions. In the meantime brother Rob Richardi is focusing this year on the Valenti Modified Racing Series and will see action this Thursday night, May 29, at the Thompson Speedway. He’ll be among the 34 hopeful drivers who will all try to qualify for that 75-lap feature event.
Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the house for the TSI Harley-Davidson 125. Taking down NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly feature wins on the night were Nick Salva in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Andrew Hayes in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and Jeff Jolly in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature. Inclement weather halted the race program with 8 laps complete in the SK Modified® feature. All rain checks from tonight’s TSI Harley-Davidson 125 program will be honored next Friday night when the Whelen Modified Tour will return for the TSI Harley-Davidson 125. The NWMT cars will be joined by Stafford’s five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions plus the Legend Cars. The SK Modified® feature will be resumed from lap-9 and all other feature events will be their regular distance.
Severe weather forced the postponement of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s TSI Harley-Davidson 125 Friday at Safford Motor Speedway to Friday, May 30.
Despite avoiding precipitation throughout the day, the weather system ultimately brought strong thunderstorms into the region in the early evening hours. The Whelen Modified Tour was able to get practice and qualifying completed with Bobby Santos winning the Coors Light Pole Award. It was his fourth pole win in his last six tour starts at the half-mile track.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified race was halted in progress when lightning was approaching the facility. The schedule for the May 30 make-up date has not yet been finalized. It will include a full Whelen All-American Series schedule along with the 125-lap Modified Tour feature and completion of the SK Modified contest.
Following the Stafford date, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will head to Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl on Saturday, June 21 for the Mr. Rooter 161.
When the Valenti Modified Racing Series rolls into Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Thursday night, 34 race teams from New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, are expected to compete in the first of two races at the all-new Connecticut venue.
A 75-lap feature race and an early season battle for the points lead highlight the May 29th program.
Series regulars Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, CT, two-time series champion Chris Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, reigning champion Rowan Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Preston, Connecticut’s, Max Zachem, and Justin Bonsignore, of Islip, NY, are entered. The five drivers are currently ranked one through fifth in the point standings.
Szegedy, driver of the Stuarts Automotive sponsored entry out of Lowell, MA, leads the pack by only two points over Pasteryak, (Dawley’s Collision and Custom) #5CT car, and Pennink’s (Monk Hand Cleaner) #25 based in Saugus, MA. The 21-year-old Zachem, (Dunleavy Tire and Truck Repair) # 20, is 13 points back with Bonsignore, (Monster Marine) # 21, one point behind and 14 points from the top.
Additionally, Steven Masse, of Bellingham, MA, Richard Savary of Canton, MA, Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, MA, Charlie Pasteryak, of Lisbon, CT, Todd Owen, of Somers, CT, Matt Richmond, of Richmond, NH, and Dylan Kopec, of Palmer, MA, are entered.
Thursday’s race also features drivers that some consider outsiders but are no strangers to the VMRS. Most have committed to competing at the Connecticut tracks on the 2014 schedule. Legendary Ted Christopher, of Plainville, CT, again teams with New England Hall of Fame car owner Joe Brady of Stoughton, Keith Rocco, of Wallingford, CT, Woody Pitkat, of Stafford Springs, CT, Ryan Preece, of Berlin, CT, Tommy Barrett, of Millis, MA, and Rob Fuller, of Auburn, MA, make up the impressive group. Qualifying heat races begin approximately at 6:15 p.m. Some 26-cars will start the 75-lap main event.
Super Saturday Showdown hit the asphalt at Waterford Speedbowl Saturday with a seven-division racing card. A briskly paced program saw Keith Rocco of Berlin take home his third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® win of the year. In other NASCAR action, a new face found the Valenti Auto Mall Late Model winner’s circle as Vin Esposito of Seymour claimed the checkered flag. Franklin’s Josh Galvin won again in the Street Stocks while Hope Valley, RI driver Garrett Denton was victorious in the Mini Stocks. The Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday divisions
were also on hand, with Berlin’s Dave Yardley and New London’s Zac Thomas scoring the respective Super X-Car and X-Car wins. Dylan Izzo of Westport won in the night’s INEX Legend Cars feature.
Rocco was back in Victory Lane in SK Modified® action for the first time since May 3 with an impressive performance. After a false start by the front row on the initial green flag, Shawn Thibeault got the jump over Jeff Gallup on the second try to start the 35-lap race. Gallup settled into second and Rob Janovic Jr. third. The first yellow flag flew when Craig Lutz took a hard hit into the front stretch wall on lap-2 battling for a spot among the top-five cars.
Thibeault resumed his pace out front after the restart, pulling away from the pack. Janovic got past Gallup’s inside to take second and behind that, Tyler Chadwick, Keith Rocco and Ted Christiopher were each on the move, arriving in the top-five cars by lap-7. Rocco found room to
Chadwick’s inside in turn one on lap-10 and quickly moved in on Janovic.
Rocco pressed him for second, finally using the outside lane to wrestle second away on lap-13. Before another lap could be completed, Morgillo was stopped on the high side of the track in turn two, returning the race to caution.
Rocco restarted outside of Thibeault and stayed even with him for two laps, hanging on after the two cars made contact in turn three on lap-15 before driving away. Once in front, Rocco comfortably led Thibeault who continued to run a strong second place. Chadwick and Christopher each got by Janovic’s outside and ran nose to tail for several laps battling for third position. That battle ended with Chadwick turned around in turn one on lap-29 to bring out a yellow flag, with Christopher penalized to the rear for overaggressive driving.
Rocco was masterful over three late race restarts, the final over Ed Puleo who climbed to second, cruising to his third victory of the year. Rocco’s win was the 88th of his Speedbowl career and helped pad his lead in the championship standings. Puleo finished second for the second straight week and Janovic got past Thibeault in the closing laps to finish third.
Thibeault and Kyle James rounded out the top-five.
Esposito ended a dry spell with his Valenti Auto Mall Late Model victory. He bolted out to the race lead from his pole starting position at the drop of the green flag in the non-stop 30-lap feature. Keith Rocco moved through the top five cars into second position by lap-13, however could not track down Esposito without the benefit of a yellow flag. Rocco closed rapidly over the final five laps but Esposito was able to hang on to win by three car lengths at the finish. Rocco was second and Jason Palmer rebounded from a hard wreck two weeks ago to finish third in his first race back.
Galvin won for the fourth consecutive week in the Street Stocks, and the fifth time in the past six races for the division. He took the lead from Al Stone on lap-14 with a cross-over move exiting turn two after spending two laps looking to Stone’s outside. Galvin was the third leader of the race following Stone, who took over from Steve Barrett on lap-8. Once in
front, Galvin pulled away from a battle for second and survived one caution flag with ten laps remaining for a spin by Scott Sundeen. Ryan Waterman ran a solid race to finish second and Stone came in third.
Denton landed in the winner’s circle for the first time of the year in Mini Stock action after a slow start to the season. After the only caution flag of the 25-lap race came on lap-9 when Doug Curry spun off turn two, Denton was patient behind a battle for the lead between Ian Brew
and Ray Christian, the latter seeking his second consecutive win. The two spent several laps side-by-side before Denton eventually got past the inside of both to lead lap-14. He cruised the rest of the way, posting his third consecutive podium finish. Ken Cassidy Jr. came on strong at the close of the race to wind up second, beating out Christian, who ended
up third.
Izzo halted Mike Christopher Jr.’s win streak in the INEX Legend Cars. Christopher had won the previous two Saturday series as well as the first two Wednesday night series races in the division, and had the lead again in Saturday’s race. Christopher took command on lap-15 from early race leader Kyle Rogers while Izzo was not far behind, mired in traffic until breaking through behind Christopher on lap-16. The only caution flag of the race came a lap later, giving Izzo the opportunity to restart outside of Christopher. He got the better restart to prevail, leading back to the finish line and went on to the win. It was the third win of the year but first since April 12 for Izzo, last year’s division champion. Christopher
finished second and Joey Ternullo was third.
Thomas was strong over the 25-lap X-Car feature to take the victory. He quickly moved through the top-ten cars into the race lead on lap-4, then used a solid restart to hold his lead following a caution flag on lap-14. Thomas bested Rich Nye and Randy Johnston was third.
Yardley put on an exciting display of clean, hard short track racing to come away with the 25-lap Super X-Car race win. He ran outside Mike Maskell in a side-by-side battle for the victory that lasted several laps. Maskell had led from the opening lap and was within inches of Yardley as the two cars took the white flag together. Yardley prevailed through turns three and four on the final lap to win by a fender in a drag race to thefinish line. Maskell settled for second and Jim Boyle was third.
Next week the Speedbowl returns with Four Cylinder Fury, highlighting an array of four cylinder racecars including a visit by the Pro Four Modifieds of New England. In addition, Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday is back with free youth admission. Details for the upcoming schedule are available online at Speedbowl.com
Waterford Speedbowl Saturday 5/24 Super Saturday Showdown Results:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith
Rocco, Berlin; 2. Ed Puleo, Branford; 3. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 4.
Shawn Thibeault, Plainville; 5. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 6. Joe Gada,
Salem; 7. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 8. Jeff Gallup, Agawam, MA; 9. Ted
Christopher, Plainville; 10. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill; 11. Paul
Kusheba IV, Monroe; 12. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 13. Adam Gada,
Bozrah; 14. Nichole Morgillo, Southington; 15. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard;
16. John Bergenty, Plainville; 17. Craig Lutz, Miller Place, NY; 18. Jeff
Rocco, Meriden
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (30-laps):
1. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 2. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 3. Jason Palmer,
Berlin; 4. Anthony Ryan Jr., Danbury; 5. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 6.
Joe Gada, Salem; 7. Mike Sweeney Jr., Meriden; 8. Chris Garside,
Waterford; 9. Rich Duranti, Groton; 10. Ken Morin Jr., Old Saybrook;
DNS – Nick Sowa, Middletown
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stocks (25-laps): 1. Josh
Galvin, Franklin; 2. Ryan Waterman, Danielson; 3. Al Stone III, Durham;
4. Steve Barrett, Preston; 5. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 6. Greg Moran Jr.,
Preston; 7. Norm Root Jr., Old Saybrook; 8. Lloyd Anderson Jr.,
Wauregan; 9. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin; 10. Nate Appell, Westbrook; 11.
Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 12. Chris Meyer, North Franklin; 13. William
Hahnel, Uncasville; 14. Brandon Fisher, Plainfield; 15. Kaitlyn Brice,
Manchester; 16. Jake Bercham, West Greenwich, RI
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Mini Stocks (25-laps): 1. Garrett
Denton, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 3. Ray Christian
III, Groton; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 5. Dave Trudeau,
Mansfield; 6. Joe Liskiewicz, Preston; 7. Wayne Burroughs Jr., Oakdale;
8. David Arute, Tolland; 9. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 10. Doug Curry,
Groton; 11. Jeff Lee, Uncasville; 12. Charles Canfield, New Haven; 13.
Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 14. Nick Pappacoda, North Branford; 15.
Chris Ivory, Oakdale; 16. John Bowes, Willington
INEX Legend Cars (25-laps): 1. Dylan Izzo, Westport; 2. Mike Christopher
Jr., Wolcott; 3. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 4. Keith Rocco, Berlin; 5.
Tim DePizzol, North Franklin; 6. Kyle Roger, Waterbury; 7. Jordan
Churchill, Lisbon; 8. John O’Sullivan Jr., Salem; 9. Ryan Lutz, Miller
Place, NY; 10. Colin Haley, Ashford; 11. Cornelius Flynn, Hampden, MA;
12. Connor Holderbach, Wolcott; 13. David Lespinasse, Milford; 14. Peter
DePizzol, North Franklin; 15. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 16. Caterina
LaBella, Plainville; 17. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 18. T.J. Thompson,
Lisbon; DNS – Noah Korner, Canton; DNS – Josh Zentek, East Hartford
Wild ‘n Wacky Super X-Cars (25-laps): 1. Dave Yardley, Berlin; 2. Mike
Maskell, Quaker Hill; 3. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 4. Shawn Gaedeke,
Southington; 5. Matt Carlson, Griswold; 6. Bill Reiman, Southington; 7.
Kevin Moon, Exeter, RI; 8. Ken Downing III, Branford; 9. Marc Shafer,
Groton; 10. Shane Peele, Wales, MA; 11. Ed Ryan, Preston; 12. Ed
Flanagan, Warwick, RI; 13. Scott Bellisle, Wauregan; 14. Jon Porter,
Canterbury; 15. Dan Butler, Waterford; 16. Ray Reed, Plainfield; 17.
Dan Moon, Exeter, RI
Wild ‘n Wacky X-Cars (25-laps): 1. Zac Thomas, New London; 2. Rich Nye,
Stonington; 3. Randy Johnston, Westerly, RI; 4. Eddie Loomis,
Plainfield; 5. Kyle McPherson, Waterford; 6. Jeff Dombrowski, Oakdale;
7. C.P. Burdick, Deep River; 8. Ray Herman, Gales Ferry; 9. Chris Lee,
Uncasville; 10. Eric Finkbein Jr., East Hartford; 11. Josh Barrie,
Voluntown; 12. Michael Olsen, Deep River; 13. Rich Mollo, Seymour; 14.
Mike Shaw, Oakdale; 15. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 16. Kim Bickford,
Griswold; 17. Thomas Sheehan, Baltic; 18. Garrett Kuhn, Waterford; 19.
Jordan Hadley, Quaker Hill; DNS – Dave Gargaro Jr., Cranston, RI; DNS –
Mitchell Bombard, Willimantic
-In only his second season of racing competition in any class at any track, East Hampton, MA native Geoff Boisjolie has come out of the box blazing in Stafford’s SK Light Modified division. After recording 4 top-10 finishes as a rookie last season, Boisjolie drove his #3 Industrial Handling Systems Chevrolet a career best second place finish in the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler and followed that run up with a 6th place effort to sit in second place in the SK Light points standings. Boisjolie has already equaled half of his top-10 total from last year and he is looking forward to keeping his forward momentum for the remainder of 2014.
Since moving into the Limited Late Model division at Stafford Speedway in 2010, Indian Orchard, MA native Duane Provost’s best career points finish has been a 6th in 2011. Provost also had 2 career wins prior to the 2014 season, his first victory coming in 2011 which was followed by another win last season. But the dawn of the 2014 season has brought with it a white-hot start for Provost and the #88 Gus Coelho Automotive team. Provost won the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler feature and he then recovered from an early race spin to come back through the field and take a second place finish in the opening Friday night feature event to sit atop the Limited Late Model points standings.
The NEMA Midgets were racing out in NY State at Evans Mills Speedway. “I just love these New York tracks” Brimfield, CT resident Seth Carlson (#71) stated after his second New York state win in as many years. Seth claimed the 2013 Oswego, NY feature last fall.
The record books will forever list Seth as the first Evans Mills NEMA feature winner. He accomplished that feat with a daring three wide move from third to first coming out of turn four. At the checkers he was followed by Jim Santa Maria (#99) and Todd Bertrand (#39).
Long time club member and veteran driver Doug Cleveland (#87) took the lead from the pole at starter Steve Grant’s green flag followed by Santa Maria, Carlson, Bertrand and Ian Cumens (#29).
On lap 9 down the back straight, Carlson saw the lead duo go high and drove his Drinan chassis low going into turn three. He came out of the three wide move with the lead at the line by a car length. Santa Maria also got past Cleveland, changing the running order to Carlson, SantaMaria, Cleveland, Bertrand, Cumens.
Soon after, Bertrand, Cumens and John Zych (#9) got by Cleveland, who eventually finish 9th. Zych had charged all the way up from his ninth starting spot to fifth by mid race and remain there until the checkers.
Some drama developed on lap 21 as new comer Joe Scanlin stalled on the front straight causing a yellow. With under five laps to go the field lined up single file.
On the restart there was no change in the running order and at the end it was Carlson, Santa Maria, Bertrand, Cumens, and Zych. Bertrand was hanging onto third by a bumper. “The car had good balance all day,”, winner Carlson said after the race. “I was not concerned about the restart as I could keep my car low.” “I just love these New York flat tracks,” Seth said with a chuckle.
After his second place finish, Jim Santa Maria stated, “I had a loose car all race, but a drivable loose. On the restart, I was confident I could pass Seth, but I’m happy with second. This is the best finish of my three years with the full NEMA cars.” Third place finisher, Todd Bertrand said, “The track changed a lot and on the restart I thought I could pass Jim but happy with third.” Maine is the next state on the NEMA schedule as Wiscasset Speedway will host “NEMA NIGHT” on Saturday June 7th. The track’s Late Models, Strictly Streets, Thunder 4s, and Trucks are on the racing card that night.
The 26th Lap
Joe Scanlin, a long time Chambers family friend, wheeled the former Adam Cantor Beast for the first time, placing twelfth. The Bertrand #39 failed to fire for practice but an electrical issue was soon resolved for the heat race. Doug Coby, Bertrand #74, was clocked at a 13.00 seconds lap early in the day. Busy day for veteran Paul Scally who had a rear brake rotor problem but made repairs in time for the feature. Bethany Stoehr, NEMA #5b, again sang the National Anthem right after mom Tara gave a touching invocation prior to the racing Saturday afternoon.
In the NEMA Lites East Hampton, CT’s own Scott Bigelow made it two wins in as many races for the Bigelow family at the fast NY track Saturday. It was a popular win for the driver of the #32, chased across the line by Logan Rayvals (#94) and Matt Swanson (#9). With brother Paul, the winner at Waterford two weeks ago, looking on, Scott, took the lead from the pole at the drop of the green. On lap two the yellow flew for a Randy Cabral (#35) spin in turn one. On the restart, Scott took off and was followed by Jake Smith (#93) and Rayvals.
Rayvals quickly overtook Smith for second. Lap six saw Swanson also get by Smith for third from his eighth starting spot. and Danny Cugini (#51) had moved up all the way from thirteenth to fifth. The running order from the middle laps to the closing laps was Bigelow, Rayvals, Swanson, Smith, and Cugini. The Cugini Hawk chassis was on rails as Danny was digging hard to run down Smith. Danny completed the pass in the closing laps to claim forth, placing Smith back to fifth.
Said Scott post race, “Everything was good until halfway, then I started losing my tires. After that I just concentrated on hitting my marks and hoped for the best. The motor was overheating all day, and I have dropped out of races because of that that problem. But today it all worked out.” Second place Rayvals, “I Needed a caution, my car was a little loose, but happy with second.” “Just ran out of laps,” Swanson said later. “I did gain some ground on him before the end.” Star Speedway, Epping N.H., is next up on the Lites schedule on May 31st.
The Norwood Arena/New England Dragway Reunions go with the 10th Annual event this Sunday, June 1 at Bezema Motors on Rt. 1, the Auto Mile, in Norwood, MA. There will be all kinds of race cars like the ones that were in action on Saturday nights at the famed 1/4 mile oval which was shuttered by short sighted owners and promoters of that track back in 1972.. Featured this year will be vintage dragsters driven by Tom Dunn of Wrentham, MA and the King and Marshall car that was a always a threat in it’s day. Canton, MA resident Al Segrini, won a few NHRA Nationals in his day will also pay a visit to the event. There will also be other various drag machines along with lots of roundy-round stock cars, Midgets, Super-Modifieds and Pro 4 Modifieds among others.
Also on hand will be a classic car show with 12 awards for classics, hot rods, custom and muscle cars plus dash plaques for the for the first 110 entries. Also, a 60’s era Dodge Coronet in Norwood Arena Speedway livery for the fans who attend to view owned by home town classic car buff Brendan King. Brendan and Jerry Kelliher, a popular Norwood pillar in the Norwood town government, will discuss their latest documentary movie about how Norwood Arena Speedway impacted the racing action at both the Daytona International and Talledega Super-Speedways with none other than Newton native Pete Hamilton who scored wins on those famous tracks after serving his apprentice ship at the Norwood Arena oval. Hamliton was a guest of the event last year. The movie is scheduled to premier on Saturday night, September 20 at the Norwood Theater. In addition Don Thomas, the Norwood Arena webmaster, will put on his usual show for attendees.
The legendary Modified driver Leo Cleary will lead a large contingent of drivers of the Norwood era who will be more than welcome to sign pictures, programs and other memrobilia for the fans in attendance. Attendees are urged to bring those and their scrap books. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. or even later. A light lunch will be served courtesy of the Bezema family by Boston’s Baddest Burgers.