by Jay | Aug 4, 2009 | Beech Ridge, New England
Scarborough, ME – August 2, 2009 – The Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) completed their eighth race as part of the Four Cylinder Nationals, sponsored by Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment, at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Sunday. It was the #1m of “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn that thundered his way from last to victory lane for the seventh time this year.
The series gridded a 15-car field for the 39-lap feature—in honor of the PFMNE’s 39th anniversary. In what was to be his first appearance of the season, the #00 of Dave Richardi was unable to complete his heat or return for the feature when his machine encountered mechanical difficulties. The same held true for the #83 of Franky Perry and the #68 of Eric Trask as well.
Taking the green flag was the #11a of Dan Meservey and the #13 of George Sherman in the front row. The #29 of Matt Sagar, who started in fifth, worked his way passed the #07x of Robin Berghman and the #12 of Rob Richardi, Jr. on the inside. On lap two, Sherman took the lead away from Meservey. Meanwhile, at the back of the pack, the #10 of Brian Vincent and Wrenn’s #1m worked their way through the traffic, passing under the #07 of Phil Lausier in the process. One lap later, Sagar drove his machine around Meservey and Sherman to become the new race leader. The #4 of Cory Cleary started in 10th and made his way through the field, passing Berghman on lap 4, with Wrenn close behind. Five laps into the event, Richardi Jr. saw an opportunity and took it—passing Sherman on the frontstretch for the bridesmaid position. Wrenn moved into third after racing side-by-side with Sherman.
A caution came out on lap twelve, when Cleary, Meservey, and Lausier spun in turns three and four. On the restart, Sagar exploded into the lead with Wrenn following in the low groove from his third place restarting position. Within two laps, Vincent passed Berghman for seventh, and Bedard began closing in on the #07x also. It was on this same lap that Richardi Jr. slowed on the fronstretch, bringing his Richardi Automotive machine to the pits after it began billowing smoke.
The caution came out for the second time on lap twenty-one when Sagar spun. On the restart, Wrenn and Vincent held the first and third positions, but when the green flag unfurled, they roared passed Cleary, who had restarted in second. On the backstretch, Sagar—who had to start at the end of the lead lap cars—powered under Berghman for a spot in the top five. But that glory was short-lived when he was forced pit-side with mechanical failure. With fourteen laps to go, Bedard and Crawford kept up their battle in the middle of the pack, but Bedard continued to hold the advantage.
Wrenn, Vincent, and Cleary made up a close top three going into the final ten laps of the feature event. When the two-to-go signal was shown, Cleary made his move under Vincent for second. When the white flag unfurled, Crawford made his move around Bedard. In turns three and four, however, Cleary spun before he reached the checkered flag; he was able to get it going again and cross the line. Wrenn took home the win, followed closely by Vincent and Cleary to round out the top three. Berghman; Lausier; Crawford; Bedard; D’Amico; Mertz; Meservey; Sagar; Richardi, Jr.; Sherman; and Eric McGovern rounded out the top ten. Crawford was the first Limited driver to cross the finish line, and Bedard and Mertz rounded out the top three.
The PFMNE have a week off, but will return to racing on Saturday, August 15, at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH.
by Jay | Aug 3, 2009 | New Hampshire
Hudson NH – The Outlaw Sportsman were in for the first of two consecutive shows this past Sunday evening at Hudson Speedway. Tim Casey, Dean Wendell and Allen Reiser Jr. all got their first wins of the 2009 racing season in their respective divisions.
Rick Woodside Jr. brought the twenty one car Outlaw Sportsman field to the green flag. Veteran Pete Fiandaca jumped out to the early lead from his outside pole starting spot. A lap ten restart pitted Fiandaca and Casey on the front row with Casey on the outside. Casey powered past Fiandaca when the green flew. Mitch Wendell challenged Casey for the lead just past the halfway point and with two to go Bobby Allen got to the outside of Casey and had his nose in front of Casey’s as the pair crossed the stripe getting the white flag. But Allen couldn’t keep his momentum in turn one and slide back to third behind 2nd place finisher Wendell. Fourth through tenth were John Meany, Jason Ferriera, Gary Bearegard, Sandy Lee, Ron Lord Jr., Chris Lee and Rob DeAlmeida.
The Rookie Stock main saw a fast improving Jerry Lepage lead the first five circuits. On lap six there was grinding crash on the backstretch heavily damaging the cars of Dan Murphy, Billy Clement and Charlie Coombs, with Coombs getting airborne over the tire barrier and coming to rest upside down. All involved were ok. Wendell took over the top spot on the ensuing restart building a big lead before having trouble getting by side by side lapped traffic. John Morin got within a few car lengths but Wendell made it past and cruised to his first ever Feature win at Hudson Speedway. Morin finished second. Third through tenth were Scott Duval, Lepage, Larry Fortin, Keith Ennis, Travis Nevers, Heath Toutellotte, Alicia Kincaid and Clement.
Allen Reiser Jr. blasted out to a big lead in the V-6 Modified main and stayed out front the entire race. Dick Dubois led a pack of four cars chasing Reiser Jr. and they did catch him with three to go, getting to his bumper. But they didn’t have a chance to challenge him as the caution came out and on the restart Reiser Jr. pulled away and onto victory. Second through fifth were Dubios, Chris Kuebler, Anthony Frissone and Keith Caruso.
Louis Maher got back to his winning ways in the Roadrunner feature with his fifth win of the year. Second through fifth were Jef James, Don Mayo, Patrick D’Alba and Don Souzy.
Gage Harron won the Thunder Lite Feature. Dylan Bilodeau, Derek Griffith, Jen Lord and Bobby Stirk III were 2nd through 5th.
Charlie Baldwin won the Spectator Drags. Tim Lord won the Spectator Race and Cody Mackinnion won the Flagpole Race.
Awesome August at Hudson Speedway continues Sunday August 9th with Outlaw Sportsman, Mini-cup cars, Rookies, Roadrunners, Thunder Lites, Spectator Drags, Spectator Race and Flagpole race, gates open at 4pm and the first race at 6pm. For More info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.
by Jay | Aug 3, 2009 | Canada
(Shediac, N.B.) — Stephen Halpin (#03), the 20-year old rookie Sportsman driver from Saint John, captured his first ever Maritime Super Series for Sportsman race of his career crossing the finish line first in the Cavendish Farms 100 Sunday afternoon at the Centre for Speed (CFS), Atlantic Canada’s Super Speedway and “Metro Moncton’s Playground of Power”.
Halpin, who started seventh on the 18-car grid, quickly moved up to the lead pack behind pole-sitter Ron Lane (#46) of Prosser Brook and passed Lane on the inside on lap #47, just before the competition yellow flag flew on lap #50. On the ensuing restart, the rookie kept his cool and fended off challenges from Lane over the final stretch to capture the historic win ahead of veterans Lane, the
defending RGS Sportsman champ, and Dan Bourque (#15) of Grande-Digue.
Lane earned the pole position for the 100-lap feature thanks to a win in the first 10-lap heat. e Marcel Maillet (#25) of St. Antoine, who started the main event on the outside pole, also enjoyed a good afternoon with his first checkered flags in over three years in both the 5-lap Dash and the second 10-lap heat. Mark Price (#54) of Saint John also recorded his first win of 2009 at CFS crossing the stripe first in the 25-lap semi-final.
The Maritime Super Series for Sportsman points standings now find defending series champion, Claude Gaudet (#22) of Grand Barachois in the lead (60 points), six points up on the rookie Halpin (54 points) and eight points up on Maillet (52 points). Then we find a four-way tie for forth at 51 points between Marc Gautreau (#99), Ken MacKenzie (#85), Bert Cormier (#3) and Dan Borque (#15). The next Super Series event will be held on August 15th as part of the CARQUEST Maritime Pro Stock Series Lucas Oil 100 weekend.
In Streetstock action, Shawn Waterfield (#23) of Sydney made the long drive up from Cape Breton worthwhile as he picked up the checkered flag in the 50-lap Invitational feature for his first career win at CFS. He accomplished the feat thanks to a timely and daring through-the-middle pass in heavy lap traffic on lap #35 to take the lead from veteran Saint John driver, Rick Cashol (#54). Cashol, who had himself taken the lead from feature pole sitter Doug MacEwen (#40) of Charlottetown on lap #28, had to settle for third in the feature behind past CFS champ, Remi Gaudet (#75) of Grand Barachois who was making his 2009 season debut. Gaudet took consolation in his 10-lap semi win while Waterfield also picked up the win in the 10-lap heat.
In Mini Stock action, Daniel Gautreau (#20) of Shediac recorded his first three wins of the 2009 season capturing wins in the 10-lap heat, semi-final and 35-lap feature to complete the grand slam. Gautreau crossed the stripe in the feature ahead of his cousin and defending CFS champion, Pierre Gautreau (#99) of Shediac with Mike MacDougal (#23) of Riverview picking up third – the
exact same result as in the 10-lap heat.
In the Four Fun division, there were three different winners. SSW regular, Tim Tanner (#89) of Beaverbank, N.S., picked up his first career win at CFS crossing the stripe in a photo-finish in the 35-lap feature just a few centimeters ahead of Eldon Campbell (#17) of Moncton while fellow SSW regular, Kyle Gammon (#98) of Middle Sackville, N.S. was third. Campbell took some consolation from his earlier win in the 10-lap semi while points leader, Mike Weagle (#60) of Petitcodiac took home first place hardware in the heat.
Next Sunday, August 9th at 2:00 p.m., the Centre for Speed will host the Covered Bridge Potato Chips Fan Appreciation Day with regular Southeast Challenge Series points racing in Sportsman and Streetstock divisions as well as the Little Guys 100, which is the longest race in the Maritimes for 4-cylinder race cars.
Full schedule details are available at www.centreforspeed.com
TRAVEL NOTE: Due to bridge
construction on Route #133, all CFS traffic must use Exit #43 (Grand Barachois) off Highway #15 until further notice. From this exit, traffic must turn left onto Route #133, at Gaudet Supermarket, and travel 2 km to the CENTRE.
About CFS
The CENTRE for Speed, built in 1996, is home to the Atlantic region’s largest and
fastest paved 3/8 of a mile stock car oval as its centerpiece. The CENTRE overlooks the Northumberland Strait and is located 5 kilometers east of Shediac’s Parlee Beach on Route #133 in the village of Grand Barachois.
by Jay | Aug 3, 2009 | New Hampshire
Fournier Tops Mini Stock Conquest,
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, the Northeast Midget Association competed at the high baked 1/4mile with Nokie Fornoro celebrating in Victory Lane. NEMA Lites winner was PJ Stergios. Rich Fournier took the checkers in the special 35 lap Mini Stock Conquest. Nancy Muni held off Andy Brooks to score her first of the season Super Stock win. Mike Parks dueled to the finish with Bryon Baker to take his second victory. Eric Pomasko celebrated his first 4-cylinder enduro victory.
The Mini Stocks were led out by Ron Normandin for their special 35 lap Mini Stock Conquest. Normandin held the lead early followed by Rich Founier and Beth Adams. Chris Davis and Jamey King ran side by side for fourth. By lap ten, Fournier moved in the lead. On lap thirteen, the caution flag flew for Kevin McKnight. On the restart, Fournier continued to lead as Adams moved under Normandin for second. Chris McTaggart challenged Normandin for third. McTaggart secured the third spot and began to hunt down Adams for second. Few laps later, Adams and McTaggart ran side by side for second as King and Derek Bergquist followed. Less than ten laps to go, Fournier checked out as the battle for third brewed between Adams and King. Bergquist and Normandin battled for fourth. On lap thirty two, Adams experienced mechanical problems as the caution was brought out to set up a three lap shoot-out. On the restart, Fournier held off teammate McTaggart. Kendall moved into the fourth spot as Normanidn felt the pressure of newcomer, Danny Field on his back bumper for fifth. At the checkers is one, two, three for Big Boys Racing as Fournier, McTaggart and King celebrated in victory lane. King and Fields followed for top five.
Dave Streibel brought the Super Stock to their green flag start. Nancy Muni wasted no time to take away the top spot from Streibel as Andy Brooks followed and moved into second. By lap five, Muni pulled away from the field as Striebel and Ed Brehio III battled for third. On lap ten, the top three of Muni, Brooks and Brehio began to pull away as Streibel, Kevin Ouellette and Jeremy Sorel were in a fierce battle for fourth. Five laps to go, Muni began to feel the pressure from both Brooks and Brehio III for the lead. The battle for fourth continued between Streibel, Kevin Ouellette and Jeremy Sorel. On the final lap and the final corner, Muni worked around a lap car and took the checkered flag for her first win of the season. Brooks, Brehio III, Streibel and Ouellette followed for top five.
Aric Blanchette set the pace for the Outlaw Pro main event. By the second lap, Bryon Baker moved into the lead leaving Blanchette in battle for second with Mike Parks. On lap five, Baker remained to led as Parks began to reel Baker in. Brandon Ovitt made the pass on Blanchette for third. Fifteen laps into the book, Baker and Parks ran nose to tail for the lead as Hersey caught the top two. Parks made several attempts to pass Baker on the high side but was denied as Hersey awaited his opportunity to move in for the top position. Over half way to go, the top three ran close as Hersey looked to the outside for the pass. On lap thirty three, Parks made his move and went to the high side of Baker. The two ran side by side as Baker fought back. On lap thirty five, Parks moved into the lead as Baker followed on his bumper for second. Hersey again tried the high side of Baker but was denied. At the checkers, it was Parks taking his second victory of the season followed by Baker, Hersey, Ovitt and Steve Gauthier.
This Saturday, Monadnock Speedway presents the Ford Brattleboro Open Track Party and Heroes of YesterYear Celebration. This special event will include the opportunity for the fans to go trackside from 5pm – 6pm to meet the competitors of Monadnock Speedway while also meeting some of the legends of racing from years past. Racing action will include Modifieds, Outlaw Pros, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Allison Legacy North Series, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros. For more information log onto the speedway’s website at www.monadnockspeedway.com.
Outlaw Pro Results: Mike Parks, Bryon Baker, Russ Hersey, Brandon Ovitt, Steve Gauthier, Aric Blanchette, Barry Gray
Super Stock Results: Nancy Muni, Andy Brooks, Ed Brehio III, Dave Streibel, Kevin Ouellette, Jeremy Sorel, Matt Mead, Bob Bedaw, Jason Stone, Bill Johnston, Josh King, Craig Cashman, Dana Shepard, Brian Grantz, Ken Springer, Jeff Wright
Mini Stock Results: Rich Fournier, Chris McTaggart, Jamey King, Joey Kendall, Danny Fields, |Ron Normandin, Kim Rivet, Tim Jackson, Chris Davis, Joe Rogers, Dennis Wallace, Derek Bergquist, Alecia Fohlin, Beth Adams, Kevin McKnight, Louis Maher, Jason Roberts, James Hancock
Top Ten 4-cylinder Enduros Results: Eric Pomasko, matt gaffing, Dick Houle, Scott Hatt, Bruce Clark, Julia Raymond, Fred Rogers, Heath enaud, CJ Johnson, Gordon Farnum
by Jay | Aug 3, 2009 | Maine, PASS, Unity
Naples ME ( 8/3/2009) Scott McDaniel looked high and low for a way around race leader Gary Norris in Sundays’ 40 lap Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Mod feature at Unity (ME) Raceway, and when the white flag unfurled the young racer from Livermore Falls Maine found a way by Norris to capture his first PASS Mod series feature win. McDaniel looked like he had the car to beat from the get go and gave the fans plenty to watch as he tried the outside and inside lines on Norris. It was tight clean racing at its best for the full 40 laps as the pair battled for the win.
Norris hung on to second and Bill Dixon raced home third. Point leader Andy Shaw suffered damage on the first lap when the front of the field checked up and retired, finishing last.
McDaniel is the second new PASS Mod winner in as many races. Sulo Burbank captured his first victory at Riverside Speedway on July 25th.Burbank recorded a fourth place finish at Unity, followed by Scott Grant in fifth. Heat races went to Dan Somes and Andy Shaw.
Shane Tatro has to have taken a liking to Unity Raceway. The Levant Maine PASS Sportsman regular has two wins in the series; his first coming in a shoot out with Dan McKeage in the series’ May appearance at the speedway, and the second came Sunday when he beat Lyman McKeage and his son Dan McKeage to the line in the 75 lap PASS Sportsman portion of the NAPA 150 card. Carey Martin stayed alive in the point race by finishing fourth and Duane Seekins rounded out the top five.
Mike Landry looked like a winner with less than ten laps to go. Landry and Tatro dueled all race long, with Tatro out front until Landry used the high line to take over on lap 53. Landry appeared to have the measure of Tatro, but the lead was never more than a car length or two. During that lap 53 caution period the telltale smell of gear oil was in evidence, and it proved to be coming from the rear end of the leader’s ride. Landry dropped into the infield with seven to go, and Tatro cruised to another PASS victory lane visit at Unity. Landry and Tatro each won a qualifying round.
The PASS Mods and Sportsman share the limelight at Groveton New Hampshire’s Riverside Speedway on Saturday August 16th. For more information on the speedway visit www.riversidespeedway.org . The Pro All Stars are on line at www.racewithpass.com or www.proallstarsseries.com .
Unofficial Results – PASS Mod 40 Lap Feature – Unity Raceway – Unity ME – 8/2/09
1) 14 Scott McDaniel Livermore ME 2) 03 Gary Norris West Gardiner ME 3) 33 Bill Dixon North Waterboro ME 4) 21 Sulo Burbank Gorham ME 5) 27 Scott Grant Waterboro ME 6) 56 Dan Somes Belgrade ME 7) 12 Steve Bennett Jr. Buckfield ME 8) 85 Glen Bradbury Hollis Center ME 9) 50 Sumner Sessions Norway ME 10) 29 Greg Ellis Hermon ME 11) 66 Andy Shaw Center Conway NH
Unofficial Results – PASS Sportsman 75 lap feature – Unity Raceway – Unity ME – 8/2/09
1) 7 Shane Tatro Levant ME 2) 58 Lyman McKeage Gorham ME 3) 38 Dan McKeage Gorham ME 4) 18 Carey Martin Denmark ME 5) 19 Duane Seekins Stockton Springs ME 6) 8 Clyde Hennessey Windham ME 7) 5 John Kalel ll Orrington ME 8) 56 Mike Short Auburn ME 9) 04 Nate Swallow Stark NH 10) 40 Mike Landry Oakland ME 11) 54 Donnie York Thorndike ME 12) 48L Mike Lynch Winterport ME 13) 60 Kyle Hart Fryeburg ME 14) 48A Megan Allen Winterport ME 15) 47 Nate Weston Madison ME DNS Steve Bennett Sr. Buckfield ME DNS 80 Dana Reed Buckfield ME
