Pembroke Leads Heading Into Times Argus Mid-Season Championship

by | Jul 14, 2009 | Thunder Road

Barre, VT – Montpelier’s Dave Pembroke holds the Late Model points lead by a slim 11 points over Barre’s Nick Sweet at Thunder Road International Speedbowl Season heading into this Thursday’s Times Argus Mid-Season Championship Night. Double points will be on the line. Pembroke and Sweet head into what is possibly the most important event in their campaign to become the “King of the Road” in the 50th Anniversary Season.

Although the eventual champion has not won the Times Argus Mid-Season Championship event since Cris Michaud did it in 2004, it is clear that the event plays a big role in crowning the champion. Since 2003 the soon to be “King of the Road” finished no worse than 8th place with double points on the line. In all but one of those years the champion would leave the Mid-Season Championship event with the point lead. The only exception being in 2007 when champion Dave Pembroke trailed by only one point after Times Argus Mid-Season Championship Night.

Double points are up for grabs in all four of the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” divisions, including the NAPA Tiger Sportsmen. James Hebert of Williamstown leads the Tiger point’s battle by a mere three points over Derrick O’Donnell. The top five are currently separated by just 10 points.

The Allen Lumber Street Stocks point race is just as tight as 2008 champion Jason Corliss of Danville holds an eight point advantage.

Double points should give Ken Christman a chance to close the 26 point gap between himself and the Power Shift Junkyard Warrior point leader Donnie Yates of Montpelier. Four-time feature winner Kevin Streeter is 40 points out of the lead.

Times Argus Mid-Season Championship Night is this Thursday, July 16. All four divisions will be fighting for double points. There will also be an autograph session with all the drivers during intermission. Post time is set for 6:30pm.

Hudson Race Report 7/12/09

by | Jul 13, 2009 | Hudson, New Hampshire

Hudson, NH – Keith Walton made a triumphant return to Hudson Speedway this past Sunday evening by winning the Rookie Stock feature. Making his first appearance since his 2007 Rookie Stock championship, Walton started last in the seventeen car main event. While avoiding several spins, Walton methodically sliced his way to the front by the halfway point enroute to victory. Brian Harron placed second, 2-time champion Scotty Duval was third, fourth through tenth were Corrie Merritt, Dan Murphy, John Morin Jr., Dean Wendell, Billy Clement Jr., Larry Fortin and Jerry Lepage.

The Classic Lite feature was much like the Rookies with Eric Bacon coming from the last row in the twenty-two car main event and winning over Billy Ryder, Steve Dickey, Jeff Miller, Jon Provost, Danny Shields Jr., Jimmy Ryder Jr., Dennis O’Brien, Ralph Cook and Eddie Gilman who recovered nicely from a last race ride into the brush off Hudson’s backstretch.

Points leader Jef James was cruising to victory in the Roadrunner feature when mechanical issues sidelined his VW. Louis Maher took over the lead at that point and held on to it until the checkers fell, cutting James point lead in half. Loren Smith Jr. finished a close second. Third through fifth were Patrick D’Alba, Jeff Guillmette and Peter Raby.

J.R. Gorman, Allen Reiser Jr., and Dick Dubois ran nose to tail for the most of the V-6 Modified main. With two to go, Reiser saw an opening under Gorman that closed up as he got there.  Contact between the front two sent them to the rear for a restart. Dubois picked up the lead from there and took his car to the checkers with Keith Caruso, Chris Kuenbler, Walter Boucher and Eric Vilande rounding out the top five.

Shauna Randall become the first female feature winner at Hudson Speedway this season with her win in the Thunder Lights, Hudson’s youth racing division. Second through fifth were Nick Gilcris, Gage Harron, Bobby Stirk and Dan Fortin.

Ralph Coombs won the Flagpole Race, Bryan Either won the Spectator Drags, and Ronnie Lord won the Spectator Race.

Next Sunday at Hudson Speedway is the return of the Outlaw Sportsman, plus Mini-cups, Rookies, Roadrunners, Thunder Lights, Spectator Race, Spectator Drags and Flagpole race. Gates open at 4pm with the first race at 6pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.

SUPER LATE MODELS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THOMPSON

by | Jul 13, 2009 | New England, Thompson

THOMPSON, CT   The NASCAR Whelen All American Series Super Late Models will face their longest race of the season this Thursday night, July 16th. Their regular 30-lap feature race will be extended to 50-laps for this division of high powered race cars and high profile drivers.
            Derek Ramstrom, the young “hot shoe” from West Boylston, MA, is the current points leader in the Super Late Model division and he will lead a very talented field of drivers into the biggest race of the season for this division.
            Ramstrom will face stiff competition from veteran drivers Norman Wrenn, Jeff Connors, Mike O’Sullivan and Les Rose, Jr. All of these drivers are in the top five in the points standings at the half way point in the racing season. Many of the very best Super Late Model drivers in the northeast compete weekly at Thompson.
            The Super Late Models will be joined by the other five of Thompson’s “Super 6” divisions in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. In addition, the Thompson Modified division will run double feature events to make up for their event lost to rain back on June 11th. It will be a full night of exciting racing competition.
            Next Thursday, July 23rd, the weekly Thursday Night Thunder race program will be a very special night as the True Value Modified Series returns to Thompson for a big 75-lap race. The True Value Modified Series event scheduled for June 18th was postponed due to inclement weather and was rescheduled for the 23rd.
            Due to the incredible interest in the True Value Series, the track will open earlier next week to accommodate fan interest. The grandstand will open at 2 PM. Qualifying races will begin at 5:30 PM with feature event racing scheduled for 6:45 PM.
            Race fans will find the entire schedule for this special night of racing on the Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com   They may also call the speedway office at 860-923-2280.

New Faces In Victory Lane at Monadnock Speedway

by | Jul 13, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire

Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway was able to get two features completed before the heavy rains came in to cancel the rest of the race program.  Prior to the rains, the speedway honored a former competitor and tech inspector, Fred Barlow, who lost his battle with cancer in May.  The two feature events that competed were the Mini Stocks and Super Stocks where two competitors picked up their first win of the season. Joey Kendall took the Mini Stock checkers as Jeff Wright cruised into victory lane in the Super Stocks.

The Mini Stocks rolled onto the track with Beth Adams leading the field to the green. One lap complete, Joey Kendall made the pass to take the lead as Adams held of Chris Davis for second. On lap five, Rich Fournier, running fifth dropped out of the top ten and eventually pulled into the pits on lap seven giving the fifth spot to last week’s winner Kim Rivet. By alp ten, Kendall began to develop a good lead as Adams, Davis, Jamey King and Rivet followed in the top five. Halfway to go, the leaders worked through heavy lap traffic as Davis continued to work on Adams for second.  Rivet attempted to use the lap traffic to get around King for fourth. Lap twenty two, the caution came out setting the field up for a three lap shoot out. On the restart, Kendall continued to lead the way as Davis used all he could to make the pass on Adams. Rivet was on the back bumper of King as she tried to move into fourth while protecting her position from Chris McTaggart.  At the checkers, it was Kendall celebrating his first win in 2009 followed by Adams, davis, King and Rivet.

Super Stock competitor, Wayne Lacey, led the field onto the track where the field of Super Stocks followed Lacey in a very emotional  parade lap with the checkered flag in honor of Fred Barlow.  Once the parade lap was complete, the field set for their starting position with Kevin Ouellette leading the field to the start.  Before one lap was complete, the caution flew as Bob Bedaw made contact with Ken Springer. On the restart, the field again had problems as Kevin Ouellette suffered a tire issue as the whole field scattered collecting multiple cars in the caution.  The start of the race was determined to be a single file start where Jeff Wright led the field to the green. Wright held off Bill Johnston for the lead as Jeremy Sorel ran in third. On lap six, the caution was shown again for Rookie Heath Renaud. On the restart, Wright again was shown as the leader as Sorel was all over Johnston for second.  Matt Mead was on the back bumper of Lacey for fourth. Half way to go, Wright began to check out as the top five behind him fiercely battled for position. Sorel patiently awaited the opportunity for second as he attempted several times under Johnston but backed off. Mead continued to work on Lacey as he tried the outside. Three laps to go, Mead made the pass on Lacey and tried to run the top three. At the end, it was Wright taking down his first win of the season followed by Johnston, Sorel, Mead and Lacey.

The Modifieds took to the high banked ¼ mile with Rob Williams on the pole. One lap complete, Vic Johnson was scored the new leader. On lap two the caution flew as a multiple cars in the back of the pack spun. On the attempt to restart lap three, heavy rains came in red flagging the Modified feature event.

This Saturday, the speedway will host Kayem Hot Dog Night as the Modifieds will return to complete their 50 lap feature event.  The race program will also include a 35 lap Super Stock Showdown, Outlaw Pros, Mini Stocks, All Star Race Trucks, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For more information, log onto the speedway’s website, www.monadnockspeedway.com.
Mini Stock Results: Joey Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Jamey King, Orange, Ma; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Tim Jackson, Winchendon, Ma; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Brennan Johnson, Winchendon, Ma; Luois Maher, Spencer, Ma; James Hancock, Litchfield, NH; Bill Meany, Gardner, Ma; Bob Chapdelaine, Chicopee, Ma; Ron Normandin, Fitchburg, Ma; Shawn Doubleday, Belchertown, Ma; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma

Super Stocks Feature:  Jeff Wright, Jaffrey, NH; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Matt mead, Richmond, NH; Wayne Lacey, Montague, Ma; Bob Bedaw, Whately, |Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Scott Cashman, Keene, NH; Andy Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Heath Renaud, Vernon, VT; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Ed Brehio, Baldwinville, Ma; Dave Knight, Marlborough, NH; Dave Striebel, Hinsdale, Ma

Brad Leighton Wins Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway

by | Jul 12, 2009 | ACT, NASCAR

Peterborough, ON – Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, NH captured his second ACT Tour victory of the 2009 season in the Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, ON. Leighton started on the outside pole with a plus four handicap in ACT’s plus/minus system and led until Patrick Laperle took control on lap 27.

Laperle wouldn’t hold the lead for long as Randy Potter got by him on lap 56. Potter and Laperle then battled until a caution flag on lap 92 when Potter along with several other cars pitted for fresh tires and gas. Laperle would not be contested again until Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. caught him on lap 113.

Laperle and Pole rubbed fenders until lap 139 when Laperle lost the lead for good. It then appeared that Pole was going to run away from the field until a caution on lap 181 grouped the field back together and brought Potter within striking distance. Pole and Potter then swapped the lead through three more late restarts until it appeared Potter had issues on the lap 189 restart.

Leighton took advantage of Potter’s mishap and got by Pole for the final lead change on lap 191. Pole would hang on to finish second followed by ACT Tour point leader Scott Payea in third. Karl Allard and Jonathan Urlin finished fourth and fifth. Brian Hoar, Patrick Laperle, Dave Morgan, Brandon Watson and Chip Grenier filled out the sixth through tenth positions.

Leighton scored his first victory of the season at the ACT Tour opener at Lee USA Speedway in April, where he received the first invite to the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19th. Therefore the total number of qualifiers remains at eleven.

The ACT Tour has next weekend off but many of them will make the trip to Oxford Plains Speedway for the Oxford 250 on Sunday, July 19th. The next ACT Tour event will be at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME on Saturday, July 25th.

Unofficial ACT Tour Summer Sizzler 200 Results – 1.Brad Leighton (55NH) Center Harbor, NH, 2. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (97NH) Hudson, NH, 3. Scott Payea (89) Milton, VT, 4. Karl Allard (48QC) St-Felicien, QC, 5. Jonathan Urlin (4) London, ON, 6. Brian Hoar (37) Williston, VT, 7. Patrick Laperle (91) St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, QC, 8. Dave Morgan (70) Buckhorn, ON, 9. Brandon Watson (19) Stayner, ON, 10. Chip Grenier (9VT) Graniteville, VT, 11. Ricky Rolfe (51ME) Albany TWP, ME, 12. Donald Theetge (80) Boischatel, QC, 13. Derek Lynch (15) Warkworth, ON, 14. Dan McHattie (71) Cavan, ON, 15. Pete Vanderwyst (72) St. Thomas, ON, 16. Cole Powell (25) Mount Bridges, ON, 17. John Donahue (26VT) Graniteville, VT, 18. Justin Holtom (17ON) Ottawa, ON, 19. Glen Luce (7ME) Turner, ME, 20. Sylvain Lacombe (3) Terrebonne, QC, 21. Claude Leclerc (11PQ) Lanoraie, QC, 22. Daniel Descoste (2) St-Joseph du Lac, QC, 23. Randy Potter (02NH) Groveton, NH, 24. Pete Potvin (41) Graniteville, VT, 25. Stéphane Descoste (10QC) OKA, QC, 26. Tyler Cahoon (38VT) St.Johnsbury, VT, 27. Mike Sinopoli (8) Courtice, ON, 28. Nick Sinopoli (1) Oshawa, ON, 29. Bryan Mercer (81) Port Hope, ON, 30. Spencer MacPherson (31) Carleton Place, ON, 31. Ryan Kimball (16) Norwood, ON, 32. Tim Kirby (07) Carleton Place, ON, 33. Darragh Moroney (5) Peterborough, ON, 34. Tim Fernandes (77) Peterborough, ON, 35. Eric Chase (40VT) Milton, VT, 36. Brent Dragon (55VT) Milton, VT, 37. Yvon Bédard (67) St.Nicolas, QC.

Unofficial ACT Summer Sizzler 200

Pos         Car #      Driver

1              55NH     Brad Leighton

2              97NH     Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.

3              89           Scott Payea

4              48QC     Karl Allard

5              4              Jonathan Urlin

6              37           Brian Hoar

7              91           Patrick Laperle

8              70           Dave Morgan

9              19           Brandon Watson

10           9VT        Chip Grenier

11           51ME     Ricky Rolfe

12           80           Donald Theetge

13           15           Derek Lynch

14           71           Dan McHattie

15           72           Pete Vanderwyst

16           25           Cole Powell

17           26VT      John Donahue

18           17ON     Justin Holtom

19           7ME       Glen Luce

20           3              Sylvain Lacombe

21           11PQ     Claude Leclerc

22           2              Daniel Descoste

23           02NH     Randy Potter

24           41           Pete Potvin, III

25           10QC     Stéphane Descoste

26           38VT      Tyler Cahoon

27           8              Mike Sinopoli

28           1              Nick Sinopoli

29           81           Bryan Mercer

30           31           Spencer MacPherson

31           16           Ryan Kimball

32           07           Tim Kirby

33           5              Darragh Moroney

34           77           Tim Fernandes

35           40VT      Eric Chase

36           55VT      Brent Dragon

37           67           Yvon Bédard

Brad Leighton Wins Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                            ACT-071209

Peterborough, ON – Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, NH captured his second ACT Tour victory of the 2009 season in the Summer Sizzler 200 at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, ON. Leighton started on the outside pole with a plus four handicap in ACT’s plus/minus system and led until Patrick Laperle took control on lap 27.

Laperle wouldn’t hold the lead for long as Randy Potter got by him on lap 56. Potter and Laperle then battled until a caution flag on lap 92 when Potter along with several other cars pitted for fresh tires and gas. Laperle would not be contested again until Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. caught him on lap 113.

Laperle and Pole rubbed fenders until lap 139 when Laperle lost the lead for good. It then appeared that Pole was going to run away from the field until a caution on lap 181 grouped the field back together and brought Potter within striking distance. Pole and Potter then swapped the lead through three more late restarts until it appeared Potter had issues on the lap 189 restart.

Leighton took advantage of Potter’s mishap and got by Pole for the final lead change on lap 191. Pole would hang on to finish second followed by ACT Tour point leader Scott Payea in third. Karl Allard and Jonathan Urlin finished fourth and fifth. Brian Hoar, Patrick Laperle, Dave Morgan, Brandon Watson and Chip Grenier filled out the sixth through tenth positions.

Leighton scored his first victory of the season at the ACT Tour opener at Lee USA Speedway in April, where he received the first invite to the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19th. Therefore the total number of qualifiers remains at eleven.

The ACT Tour has next weekend off but many of them will make the trip to Oxford Plains Speedway for the Oxford 250 on Sunday, July 19th. The next ACT Tour event will be at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME on Saturday, July 25th.

Unofficial ACT Tour Summer Sizzler 200 Results – 1.Brad Leighton (55NH) Center Harbor, NH, 2. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (97NH) Hudson, NH, 3. Scott Payea (89) Milton, VT, 4. Karl Allard (48QC) St-Felicien, QC, 5. Jonathan Urlin (4) London, ON, 6. Brian Hoar (37) Williston, VT, 7. Patrick Laperle (91) St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, QC, 8. Dave Morgan (70) Buckhorn, ON, 9. Brandon Watson (19) Stayner, ON, 10. Chip Grenier (9VT) Graniteville, VT, 11. Ricky Rolfe (51ME) Albany TWP, ME, 12. Donald Theetge (80) Boischatel, QC, 13. Derek Lynch (15) Warkworth, ON, 14. Dan McHattie (71) Cavan, ON, 15. Pete Vanderwyst (72) St. Thomas, ON, 16. Cole Powell (25) Mount Bridges, ON, 17. John Donahue (26VT) Graniteville, VT, 18. Justin Holtom (17ON) Ottawa, ON, 19. Glen Luce (7ME) Turner, ME, 20. Sylvain Lacombe (3) Terrebonne, QC, 21. Claude Leclerc (11PQ) Lanoraie, QC, 22. Daniel Descoste (2) St-Joseph du Lac, QC, 23. Randy Potter (02NH) Groveton, NH, 24. Pete Potvin (41) Graniteville, VT, 25. Stéphane Descoste (10QC) OKA, QC, 26. Tyler Cahoon (38VT) St.Johnsbury, VT, 27. Mike Sinopoli (8) Courtice, ON, 28. Nick Sinopoli (1) Oshawa, ON, 29. Bryan Mercer (81) Port Hope, ON, 30. Spencer MacPherson (31) Carleton Place, ON, 31. Ryan Kimball (16) Norwood, ON, 32. Tim Kirby (07) Carleton Place, ON, 33. Darragh Moroney (5) Peterborough, ON, 34. Tim Fernandes (77) Peterborough, ON, 35. Eric Chase (40VT) Milton, VT, 36. Brent Dragon (55VT) Milton, VT, 37. Yvon Bédard (67) St.Nicolas, QC.

Unofficial ACT Summer Sizzler 200

Pos         Car #      Driver

1              55NH     Brad Leighton

2              97NH     Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.

3              89           Scott Payea

4              48QC     Karl Allard

5              4              Jonathan Urlin

6              37           Brian Hoar

7              91           Patrick Laperle

8              70           Dave Morgan

9              19           Brandon Watson

10           9VT        Chip Grenier

11           51ME     Ricky Rolfe

12           80           Donald Theetge

13           15           Derek Lynch

14           71           Dan McHattie

15           72           Pete Vanderwyst

16           25           Cole Powell

17           26VT      John Donahue

18           17ON     Justin Holtom

19           7ME       Glen Luce

20           3              Sylvain Lacombe

21           11PQ     Claude Leclerc

22           2              Daniel Descoste

23           02NH     Randy Potter

24           41           Pete Potvin, III

25           10QC     Stéphane Descoste

26           38VT      Tyler Cahoon

27           8              Mike Sinopoli

28           1              Nick Sinopoli

29           81           Bryan Mercer

30           31           Spencer MacPherson

31           16           Ryan Kimball

32           07           Tim Kirby

33           5              Darragh Moroney

34           77           Tim Fernandes

35           40VT      Eric Chase

36           55VT      Brent Dragon

37           67           Yvon Bédard