by Jay | Oct 14, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
The 25th season of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will draw to a close and a champion will be crowned at the World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart on Sunday, Oct. 18 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
The final stop for the Whelen Modified Tour in 2009 will be a familiar one as Thompson has played host to more events than any other venue in the Tour’s 25-year history. And as the season concludes, a familiar storyline has once again come to the forefront: a tight championship battle.
Donny Lia – the 2007 Whelen Modified Tour champion – carries a slim 26-point lead into the season finale. Lia, from Jericho, N.Y., earned his Tour-high fourth win of the year last time out at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway, and consequently took the points lead for the first time this year.
Although he may have momentum on his side after winning three of the last five races, Lia will have his hands full at Thompson, however. Ryan Preece is Lia’s closest competition at just 26 markers back.
Preece, from Berlin, Conn., has been the season’s most consistent top finisher. Highlighted by a pair of wins and third-place efforts in the last three races entering Thompson, Preece has a Tour-high nine top-five finishes in 12 starts this year. Recent history has shown that – barring mechanical failure or getting caught up in an accident – Preece will be at or near the front on Sunday.
The Lia versus Preece match-up provides an interesting storyline entering the World Series. The No. 4 “Mystic Missile” driven by Lia has been a fixture in NASCAR Modified racing since 1962 with car owner Bob Garbarino, while the No. 3 “Ole Blue” Modified of Boehler Racing Enterprises began competition in 1957 under the direction of the late Len Boehler. History has come full-circle in the 25th season of the Whelen Modified Tour with Lia and Preece the title frontrunners in cars that represent the longest-running Modified teams in the Northeast by far.
For all intents and purposes, it is a two-horse race between Lia and Preece. Although still mathematically alive, Ted Christopher, Todd Szegedy and Rowan Pennink will be long shots for the championship trophy at Thompson. Szegedy and Pennink will be eliminated from contention when Lia takes the green flag and Christopher – at 109 points out of first – would need to win and have Lia finish worse than 30th to pass the current points leader. Should that happen, Christopher would also have to leapfrog Preece by finishing sixth or better, assuming Preece finished between 22nd and 32nd.
The 2009 World Series marks the second year in a row – and just the latest on the list of instances – where the championship comes down to the last race. A year ago, Christopher carried a 35-point lead to Thompson against Matt Hirschman. Christopher went on to win the race and secure his first title.
Raceday Notes: The smallest championship points differential occurred in 1995 when Tony Hirschman edged Steve Park by three points … If Lia were to win the title, he would become just the fourth driver in Whelen Modified Tour history to earn multiple championships, joining Tony Hirschman (5), Jimmy Spencer (2) and Mike Stefanik (7) … If Preece were to clinch the title, it would mark the third year in a row that the crown goes to a first time winner, following Lia in 2007 and Christopher in 2008 … Lia enters the race with 15 career wins, which has him tied with Spencer on the Whelen Modified Tour all-time list, and one shy of the totals of Mike McLaughlin and Park … The Whelen Modified Tour champion will earn a secured starting position in the 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, to be held Jan. 29-30 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) … Renee Dupuis will attempt to make her 100th career Whelen Modified Tour start at the World Series.
Fast Facts
The Race: World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart
The Place: Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway
The Date: Sunday, October 18
The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Distance: 150 laps / 93.75 miles
Race Purse: $85,971
2008 Winner: Ted Christopher
2008 Polesitter: Eric Beers
Event Schedule: Saturday: Practice 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Qualifying 2:20 p.m.
by Jay | Oct 14, 2009 | Maine, Unity
Unity, Maine — Randy Turner of Freedom, Chris Thorne of Sidney and Mac Hannan, Jr. of Union topped the list of feature race winners on a busy Longjohn Weekend stock car racing card at Unity Raceway.
Turner won the 75-lap race for the Pro Stock division, Thorne scored in a 75-lap Late Model main event and Hannan survived a wild, $1000-to-win 69-lapper in the Wildcat division.
Other Sunday feature winners included Oakland’s Mike Landry, Ben Clark of Clinton, Kyla Gallant of Veazie and Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro. Saturday afternoon main event victories were scored by Don Giggey of Athens, Brad Bosworth of Cornville, Shelby Kimball of Cornville, Lucas Porter of Norridgewock, Bob Hills and Kenny Robinson.
Randy Turner’s Pro Stock victory left Morrill’s Travis Benjamin upset as the region’s fastest full-bodied stock cars visited Unity Raceway for just the third time this season.
Turner paced the majority of the 75-lapper, but lost the lead to Benjamin, who made good use of the quicker outside groove following a restart to get in front of Turner. When Turner made a bid to regain the lead going into turn three on the inside of Benjamin there was contact, and a lap later Benjamin rolled to a stop with a flat tire.
Benjamin pitted and returned to the rear of the restart lineup, but had to settle for third-place honors behind Turner and runner-up Scott Chubbuck, who had an eventful run en route to claiming his trophy. Unity’s Dustin Hubbard impressed in his first Pro Stock race, posting a fourth-place finish. Chuck Colby rounded out the top five.
Chris Thorne survived a wild 75-lap Late Model main event, which was the third round of the Linnehan’s Credit Now Triple Crown Series, with a race at both Speedway 95 and Wiscasset Raceway crowning a series champion.
In the caution-filled affair both Thorne and Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs were able to avoid all situations unfolding in front of them until it all was happening behind them. Sidney’s Kevin Douglass picked up the third-place trophy.
Josh St. Clair of Liberty wrapped up the Triple Crown series championship with a fourth-place finish. St.Clair survived a trip into the turn one sand pile and made several pit stops before climbing back into contention. Burnham’s Frank Moulton, the track’s 2009 Late Model champion, rounded out the top five.
Mac Hannan’s run from 16th starting position to victory lane in the 69-lap Wildcat race was patient and methodical, but loaded with luck as several very quick cars were sidelined in a freak spike in the axle-breaking ratio. At least a couple of drivers who led the race – Jeff ‘Bo Overlock., Jr. and Carl McAlpine – were later sidelined with broken axles, as were a couple of other cars running in front of Hannan’s Dave Brannon-owned machine.
Early on it looked like Overlock and Shorey were the cars to beat. They got together and Shorey was done for the day, with Overlock going on to lead by a healthy margin for several laps until his axle broke. Late in the race, 2009 Unity Raceway Wildcat champion Carl McAlpine was holding off Hanaan’s challenges, but his axle broke as the white flag was in sight.
Hanaan held off Lyman McKeage of Gorham on a green-white-checkered restart for the win and the $1000 top prize. Brad Norris of Ellsworth finished in third position, followed under the checkered flag by Auburn’s Mike Short and Brent Chase of Burnham.
Mike Landry held off Shane Tatro of Levant to win the 50-lap Super Street finale. Early race leader Nate Weston of Madison was third across the line, with another early pacesetter, Dan McKeage of Gorham, crossing the line in fourth position. Steve Moulton of Holden had an eventful drive, resulting in a top-five finish.
Ben Clark romped to an impressive win in the Late Model Pro Four feature. Mike Mason of Skowhegan, moving up from the Flyin’ 4 division he’s the new champion of for the first time, drove his new mount to runner-up honors. Jimmy Dennis of Benton wheeled to a third-place finish with Bryan Lancaster of Skowhegan and Oakland’s Reggie Bickford rounding out the top five.
Kyle Gallant led wire-to-wire in the Monsta Mini division main event. Dylan Lancaster of Skowhegan easily claimed runner-up honors with Scott Theriault of South China taking the final trophy after an intense battle with Plymouth’s Derrick Terrill. Lewis Batchelder of Dixmont rounded out the top five.
Flyin’ 4: Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro prevailed in Flyin’ 4 feature racing action, holding off Augusta’s Cody Sleeper to claim the checkered flag. Sleeper got the second-place hardware, with third-place honors going to Jason Trundy of Old Town; Ed Sleeper of Vassalboro and Tasha Dyer of Arrowsic were fourth and fifth across the finish line.
Teen Thunder and Ladies division competitors raced together, producing a thrilling battle for the lead on the final lap that saw the position change twice. Teen winner Brad Bosworth ended up just beating out Ladies winner Shelby Kimball to the checkered flag. Alica Goodwin of Clinton and Kayla Chesley of Skowhegan got second and third-place trophies for the Ladies class. Gage Landry of Sidney and Jayson Bosworth of Cornville finished second and third in the Teen Thunder rundown.
Jeff Littlefield of Wilslow won the Mini Cup race, inheriting the lead when eventual runner-up Ralph Melanson of Dover-Foxcroft couldn’t successfully protect the top spot from Ed Trask’s assault on the final lap. Benton’s Alex Fernald claimed the third-place trophy.
Don Giggey of Athens outran Ryan Hayes of Jefferson and Jamie Foster of Benton in the Truck feature. Kevin Oliver of Gray and Lance Chapman of Benton rounded out the top five.
Lucas Porter of Norridgwock won the Enduro race. Bob Hills and Kenny Robinson won feature races for Wicked Good Vintage Race Car Association competitors.
One more event remains on the 2009 Unity Raceway schedule, with “Frostbite 50s” for all weekly support divisions and Fernald Frenzy Fun day action set to get under way at 1:00 p.m. For more information please call (207) 45302021 or visit unityraceway.info
Pro Stock: 1. Randy Turner, Freedom; 2. Scott Chubbuck, Dresden; 3. Travis Benjamin, Morrill; 4. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 5. Chuck Colby, Damariscotta; 6. Brian Whitney, Burnham; 7. Charlie Colby, Woolwich; 8. Jesse Smith, Bangor; 9. John Higgins, Glenburn; 10. Scott Moore, Anson; 11. Richie Dearborn, Hollis; 12. Matt Lee, Albion; 13. Chris Pangburn, Easton; 14. Jeff Burgess, Fairfield; 15. Tim Turner, Freedom; 16. Dean Fuller, Albion.
Late Model: 1. Chris Thorne, Sidney; 2. Duane Seekins, Stockton Springs; 3. Kevin Douglass, Sidney; 4. Josh St.Clair, Liberty; 5. Frank Moulton, Burnham; 6. Dave Farrington, Jay; 7. James Osmond, Wiscasset; 8. Dylan Turner, Freedom; 9. Seth Raven, Waldo; 10. Shane Lane, Kingfield; 11. Ajay Picard, Palmyra; 12. Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben; 13. Jeff Clewey, Winterport; 14. John Phippen, Bar Harbor; 15. Scott Modery, Hermon; 16. Milo Haney, Connor; 17. Dale Swoboda, Hermon; 18. Shane Clark, Winterport; 19. Troy Patterson, Stockton Springs; 20. Danny Smart, Buxton; 21. Darren Doucette, Sidney; 22. Louie Picard, Palmyra.
Super Street: 1. Mike Landry, Oakland; 2. Shane Tatro, Levant; 3. Nate Weston, Madison; 4. Dan McKeage, Gorham; 5. Steve Moulton, Holden; 6. Nick Huff, Orrington; 7. John Kalel II, Orrington; 8. Derek Mingo, Lamoine; 9. Artie Maguire, Bucksport; 10. Abel Leamer; Winterport; 11. Hal Stratton, Belgrade; 12. Kris Watson, Hermon; 13. Ryan St.Clair, Liberty; 14. Ed Drake, Vassalboro; 15. Sonny Robinson, Clinton; 16. Jason Morse, Ellsworth; 17. Mike Lynch, Winterport; 18. Doug Day, Glenburn.
Wildcat: 1. Mac Hannan, Jr., Union; 2. Lyman McKeage, Gorham; 3. Brad Norris, Ellsworth; 4. Mike Short, Auburn; 5. Brent Chase, Burnham; 6. Mike St.Germain, Auburn; 7. Shawn Hamel II, Bangor; 8.. DJ Moody, Prospect; 9. Jim Carr, Jr., Clifton; 10. Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 11. Matt Shaw, Troy; 13. Roger Smith, Jr., Clifton; 14. Jason Alton, Burnham; 15. Alex Waltz, Damariscotta; 16. Chris King, Burnham; 17. Travis Poulin, Holden; 18.. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 19. Jeff ‘Bo’ Overlock, Jr., Hermon; 20. #98 ?, 21. Jim Shorey, Lebanon; 22. Luke Rickards, Anson.
Late Model Pro Four: 1. Ben Clark, Clinton; 2. Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 3. Jimmy Dennis, Benton; 4. Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 5. Reggie Bickford, Oakland; 6. Jonathan Smith, Augusta; 7. Lance Chapman, Benton.
Monsta Mini: 1. Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 2. Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 3. Scott Theriault, South China; 4. 07 Derrick Terrill, Plymouth; 5. 5. Lewis Batchelder, Dixmont; 6. Paul Jackson, Augusta; 7. Richard Jackson, Hudson, 8. Alica Goodwin, Clinton.
Flyin’ 4: 1. Ryan Ripley, Waldoboro; 2. Cody Sleeper, Augusta; 3. 3. Jason Trundy, Old Town; 4. Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 5. Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic; 6. James Johnson II, Bucksport; 7. Abel Leamer, Winterport; 8. John Fortin, Vassalboro; 9. Chris Burbelo, Frankfort; 10. Rick Ripley, Waldoboro; 11. Henry Boudreau, Winterport; 12. Pete McCollett, Readfield.
Wicked Good (“Late Models”): 1. Bob Hills; 2. Keith Fuller; 3. Dick McPhail; 4. Rosie Gerry; 5. Keith Smalley; 6. Butch Hall; 7. Wally Henderson; 8. Shawn Racila.
Wicked Good (“Outlaw”): 1. Kenny Robinson; 2. Al Paradise; 3. Tim Reynolds; 4. Duane Dunifer; 5. Bob Dionne; Joe Legere; 8. Alan Robinson.
Ladies: 1. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 2. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 3. Kayla Chesley, Skowhegan; 4. Kayla Allen, Bucksport.
Teens: 1. Brad Bosworth, Cornville; 2. Gage Landry, Sidney; 3. Jayson Bosworth, Cornville; 4. Matt Kimball, Cornville; 5. Eddie Gilblair, Skowhegan.
Trucks: 1. Don Giggey, Athens; 2. Ryan Hayes, Jefferson; 3. Jamie Foster, Benton; 4. Kevin Oliver, Gray; Lance Chapman, Benton.
Mini Cup: 1. Jeff Littlefield, Winslow; 2. Ralph Melanson, Dover-Foxcroft; 3. Alex Fernald, Benton; 4. Ed Trask, Augusta.
Enduro winner: Lucas Porter, Norridewock.
by Jay | Oct 12, 2009 | PASS
CHARLOTTE, NC (October 12 2009) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) officials announced today that the 2009 season has been completed for the PASS Late Model Trucks. While the PASS Late Model Trucks will not compete in a previously scheduled event for Saturday, October 24th at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, the PASS South Super Late Models will still be there in action. The Howler will be the final points race of 2009 for the PASS South Super Late Models.
In 2009 PASS sanctioned the Late Model Trucks for the first time as a support division for the PASS South Super Late Models. Veteran racer Hal Goodson won the first ever PASS Late Model Truck race back in March at the Dillon Motor Speedway. In nine races in 2009, 30 drivers competed in at least one event with four drivers taking wins including Goodson, Grant Davidson, Jody Measamer, and Clint King. On the strength of a series leading four wins and never finishing lower than third, Davidson will be crowned as the inaugural PASS Late Model Truck Champion. Davidson took the title by 36 points over Measamer, who finished the season by winning three of the final four PASS Late Model Truck events.
The decision to cancel the final PASS Late Model Truck event at Greenville was made following a disappointing Truck turnout for the most recent series event at Southern National. A decision regarding the 2010 season will be coming soon.
“This season we decided to bring the Late Model Trucks in under PASS sanction and we saw some really outstanding races everywhere we went,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “We really appreciate Grant Davidson, Jody Measamer, Michael Cooper, and Justin Crider for their support throughout the entire season. During the off season will talk to the Truck competitors and make a decision about next year in the coming weeks.”
The PASS South Super Late Models return to action this weekend at the South Boston Speedway in Virginia for the Mason-Dixon 500. The race will be the longest at 250 laps and richest of the 2009 season. In addition to the 250 laps of racing for the PASS South Super Late Models, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stocks will also be competing in a 250 lap event. For more information go to southbostonspeedway.com, racewithpass.com or proallstarsseries.com..
by Jay | Oct 12, 2009 | Hudson, New Hampshire
Hudson NH – J.R. Baril returned to Hudson Speedway this past Sunday afternoon after fourteen years away and won the twenty eight car Outlaw Sportsman feature race.
Shawn Waites led the Outlaw field to the green and led most of the first half of the race while fighting off a tough Peter Fiandaca. Fiandaca and Waites battled side by side for many laps until a caution flew and Fiandaca restarted first. Waites and Lee Weldy made contact on the ensuing restart sending Waites spinning and championship points leader Mitch Wendell to the pits for repairs after hitting the back of Weldys car trying to avoid the spin. After Waites spin, Baril restarted second next to Fiandaca and contact with Fiandaca sent Fiandaca spinning off the backstretch. Sandy Lee had moved into second but wasn’t able to mount a challenge as Baril cruised under the checkers.
Mitch Wendell won the Outlaw Sportsman championship but it wasn’t easy as he had damage from the Waites spin, pitted, restarting last with ten laps to go and needed to make up nine positions to win. Wendell made a furious charge through the field and with his last pass of the race moved back into first place in points. It was Wendells second championship at Hudson, he was the 1995 Bud Light Champion.
Second through tenth were Lee, Bobby Allen, Tim Casey, John Lavoie, Geoff Rollins, Wendell, Eddie Brehio Jr., Weldy and Fiandaca.
Shane Reinhold led the Classic Lites to their green flag and held the top spot for half the race until Jimmy Ryder Jr. finally chased him down and took over. Ryder Jr’s lead only lasted a few laps until Eric Bacon took his usual top spot. Bacon took it home from there with Ryder Jr. second. Reinhold held on for his first podium finish in third, Danny Shields ran a fine race coming in fourth and Dennis O’Brien rounded out the top five.
Dylan Bilodeau extended his points lead in the Thunder Lights by winning the feature. Derek Griffith finished second getting within a few car lengths of Bilodeau but not able to mount a serious challenge. Bobby Stirk lll spun early and recovered to finish third. Jen Lord finished fourth and Dan Fortin fifth.
Louie Maher won his thirteenth Roadrunner feature of the year. Jef James was second for the thirteenth time and Eric Miller was third. Patrick D’Alba was fourth and Peter Raby fifth.
John Cianciulli won his third Rookie feature of the year. Second through tenth were Dean Wendell, John Morin, Heath Toutellotte, Andy Nichols, Dan Murphy, Larry Fortin, Scott Duval, Jerry Lepage and John Desilets.
Doug Simes won the Flagpole Race. Ron Lord Jr. won the Spectator Race and Gary Boutreau won the Spectator Drags.
Next Sunday, October 18th is Pumpkinfest ’09 at Hudson Speedway with championships for the Classic Lites, V-6 Modifieds, Rookie Stocks, Roadrunners, Thunder Lights plus Enduros, Spectator Race, Spectator Drags and Flagpole Race. The kids bike races start at 1130am. Gates open at 11am and the first race at 1pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.
by Jay | Oct 12, 2009 | New England, Thompson
Pointing out Thompson Speedway separates the men from the boys is both a true and a tired observation. It has been so for over half a century. It will continue when the Northeastern Midget Associations 25-lap Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race joins World Series festivities Oct. 17-18 with a 25-lap feature.
It was quick back in the fall of 1974 when Dave Humphreys 21.428 seconds qualifying run raised eyebrows. Randy Cabral had a fast lap of 17.620 seconds en route to a victory at last years World Series a reduction of almost four seconds.
The race honors Rifchin, the tire manufacturer (M&H) who was a long-time contributor to NEMA.
Cabral, defending driver champion and current point leader, will be looking for his eighth career win at Thompson (five in Bertrand equipment). He has won the past two World Series and three of the last six. The owners point race, however, holds the spotlight as Mike Jarret (and driver Nokie Fornoro) hopes to chase down Cabrals owner Tim Bertrand.
Although there have been exceptions, Thompson tends to favor the veteran competitors. Cabral, the all-time Thompson NEMA winner with seven, can also expect plenty of competition from Greg and Russ Stoehr, Adam Cantor and Jeff Horn, all winners this year.
Thompson is a stand on it place, says Tim Bertrand, a test of both driver and car. Straightaway speeds are over 125 mph.
You have to challenge the place but you have to show it the utmost respect, says Fornoro, a four-time Thompson winner.
The Thompson NEMA win list, going back to a victory by Dutch Schaefer in 1960, is one of the most impressive in NEMA. The good drivers have always looked forward to Thompson, says NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. A Midget victory at Thompson looks very good on the resume.
Dave Humphrey, Hank Rogers Jr., Gene Bergin and Nokie Fornoro won at Thompson in cars owned and prepped by Mike Jr. and his legendary father.
Like the Scrivani family, the Stoehr brothers have a long Thompson history. Greg Stoehrs Thompson win, in the Zahar car back in 1993, came after a late-race pass of brother Russ. The brothers have not raced together at Thompson since that day.
Gene Angelillo, Russ Stoehrs current owner, grabbed his 100th NEMA win at Thompson in 2000. Joey Payne Jr., in a backup car, passed Russ Stoehr with two to go.
NEMA Winners at Thompson
No. Driver First Last
7 Randy Cabral 2001 2008
6 Johnny Mann 1972 1978
5 Drew Fornoro 1985 2003
4 Johnny Coy Sr. 1969 1981
4 Nokie Fornoro 1982 2005
4 Armond Holley 1976 1977
3 Bob Cicconi 1978 1987
3 Ben Seitz 2005 2007
3 Russ Stoehr 1994 2002
2 Mark Buonomo 2001 2004
2 Dave Humphrey 1970 1971
2 Russ Klar 1969 1972
2 Hank Rogers 1980 1980
2 Bobby White 1979 1979
One-time Thompson winners: Gene Bergin (1969), Lennie Boyd (1979), Kyle Carpenter (2002), Joey Coy (1992), Johnny Coy Jr. (1981), Ryan Dolan (2002), Leigh Earnshaw (1979), Ronnie Evans (1970), Mike Favulli (1989), George Ferguson Jr. (1978), Walt Gale (1968), George Monsen (1978), Joey Payne Jr. (2000), Bobby Santos III (2003), Dutch Schaefer (1960), Greg Stoehr (1993), Butch Walsh (1986), Hank Williams (1960).
