by Jay | Jun 16, 2009 | New
June16, 2009
Fredericton N.B – Saturday night under the lights in the Geary woods will be Fredericton Inn’s Weekly Points racing + Mascot Night. Points are heating up in all divisions. Local Mascots will be out in full swing strutting their stuff in some crazy events to capture bragging rights for another year! If any organisation has a mascot, that would like to register for the Mascot Challenge, please contact Angela @ 454-RACE (7223) for more information. The more the merrier!
It is going to be hard to top last weekend Coast Tire Street Stock feature race. It was a story telling night for sure. The points in the Coast Tire Street Stock division are very close there are only twelve points separating the hope five. Shawn Hyslop is leading the points after the first feature of the 2009 season. Brian Fox is a close second only four points behind and has also had some good finishes with a second place podium finish last week. Jason Shannon, Robert Raynes and Bill Belleville, round out the top five in points. All of the drivers in this division have a chance each week of picking up a race win.
In the always exciting and competitive Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman division, we see some new names on top of the points this season. Young gun, Brent Roy, is leading the points for two weeks in a row now. Roy just turned 19 years old a couple weeks ago and you would never know it by seeing him race. This young guy is running as hard and as well as the veteran drivers. Young Matt Maillet, is second, with six points separating him and Roy. Michael Banks is third and he is also having a pretty good season with a podium finish in last week’s feature. It is really nice to see Richard Atkinson’s name close to the top of the leader board as well. Atkinson is a veteran driver at the speedway and has found his way to the podium too. He is nineteen points behind the leader. Wade Harris who won a feature at the season opener and last year’s rookie of the year Derek Christie are tied for fifth, only twenty-three points behind. This division of racing is one of the best classes of racing in Atlantic Canada.
Seven is the number of points that separates point’s leader Glenn Rasmussen’s Big Black Dodge from 5th position’s Big Kevin Moore in the Irving Lubricant’s Pro Stock division. Glenn already has a feature win this season. After only racing a few races in the 2008 racing season, Glen is back for a full season to try and add another points championship to his resume. Glenn is a multi-time points champ at Speedway 660. Second in points and only one point behind is the inaugural points champion at Speedway 660, Chris Duncan. Duncan has been having a good season. Winning back to back features in the 2009 season, Matt Harris is having an outstanding season, third in points only three points behind the leader.. Last year’s points Champion Greg Fahey is only four points out of the lead, in the fourth position.
Each of these divisions of racing is exciting to watch. So don’t miss is it. Also available for the 2009 are newly designed Speedway 660 t-shirts. Come on out to the Geary woods this weekend and check out Speedway 660 for some WicKID Family Fun!
by Jay | Jun 16, 2009 | New
Former champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. became the second repeat
winner of the season in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models at
Lee USA Speedway last Friday night, scoring a convincing win in the 50-lap
main event.
Helliwell made a determined run to catch early-race leader Katrina Canney,
making his move to the front just past halfway, and he easily outran the
field to collect the checkered flag in the E Keys 4 Cars sponsored feature
event.
Canney put in her best performance of the season to finish in the runner-up
slot, with Dean Weber, A.J. Begin, J.R. Baril, Tom Fuller, Jeremy
Harclerode, Bryan Kruczek, Geoff Rollins, and Joe Amour rounding out the top
ten.
Jesse Bousquet broke through in a big way in the Prime Storage Late Model
Sportsman feature event, holding off all the big guns to grab his first
feature event victory of the season in convincing style.
The battles were fierce behind him, but Bousquet ran virtually unchallenged
out front on the way to the winner’s circle. Bill Ahern put in another
solid run, and was next across the stripe to collect runner-up honors.
Sparky MacIver finished in the third spot, with Grant Aither getting the
best of Bobby Melvin in the late laps to score fourth. “Piranha Pete”
Evans, Jimmy Renfrew, Michele Fushpanski, and rookie Ryan Green were next
across the stripe.
Defending two-time PB Chopper Shop and Rods Small Block Super champion Eddie
Witkum, Jr. returned to his winning ways on Friday night, bringing the Dave
Callahan-owned machine to victory lane for the third time this season.
Dan Bowes came up a few car lengths short of Witkum in the second spot, with
rookie contender P.J. Stergios continuing to impress with a strong third
place finish ahead of heat winner Mike Spurling and Billy Osborne.
Another first time winner came through in the Planet Aid Hobby Stock main,
as rookie competitor Chris Kingsley held the lead from flag to flag to score
his first-career win in the Hobbies.
Todd Bregy pressured Kingsley right to the checkers, but time ran out before
he could make his way past. Kingsley held on to pick up the win by a
half-car length over Bregy, with A.J. Panessiti, Jimmy Russell, Alby Ovitt,
Jimmy Renfrew, Patrick Tanguay, Eric Hoffman, Dennis Dumas, and Jake Michaud
the rest of the top ten.
Tim Boyle grabbed the lead when the David’s Race Cars and Components
Roadrunner feature went green, and he was still out front when flagman Bryon
Callen showed the crossed flags to the field.
Sixteen-year-old rookie Shaun Waites, Jr. was already up to second by the
halfway mark, and he was looking for the lead. Heading down the backstretch
on lap 14, Waites looked to the low side on Boyle, and he came away with the
top spot.
It was all but over from there, as Waites led the rest of the way to score
the win. Jim Piaseczny came on strong late in the race to finish second,
with Boyle, Niko Manyati, Anthony Nadeau, Cris King, Steve Nichols, Aaron
Day, Chris Harding, and Torrey Kovaleski finishing up the top ten.
It was once again Kevin Emery getting the job done on the American Auto
Parts Ironman feature event, picking up his third feature win of the year.
Tom “Hulk” Harton, Troy Washburn, Warren Harvey, and Matt Bakutis rounded
out the top five.
The Northeast Classic Lites were on hand for their first appearance of the
2009 season, with Billy Ryder taking down the win, while the STAR features
went to Dick Crotty and Skip Stearns, and Mike Collins won the All Out Car
Wars Drags.
by Jay | Jun 16, 2009 | New
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) defending Champion Patrick Laperle from St Denis, Quebec has entered the CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 on June 25th at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Laperle not only won his first ACT US title at the ¼ mile bullring in 2008, but he has a knack for winning the big shows at what many call the toughest quarter mile in America. Laperle is defending Champion of the 2008 Chittenden Milk Bowl, which he also won in 2006.
The challenge to race against one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, Tony Stewart, who will also compete in one of the most exciting 150 lap events of the season on Thursday, June 25th was just what the JPN Laperle Racing team enjoys. “I can’t wait to race against Tony Stewart. My brother and I are huge fans of his and this is going to be one of my best racing memories. The idea that I can just race and not worry about ACT Série Castrol points or anything like that is what I love to do. I hope we come to the wire side-by-side for the win after 149 laps. It would be the thrill of a lifetime”, said Patrick Laperle.
The unexpected entry by Laperle, who is trying to repeat winning the Série ACT Castrol in 2009 having taken the crown in 2007, will strengthen an already star-studded field of racers who would like to have the record book show they raced and beat the NASCAR Cup Champion. Laperle makes it eight (8) former Thunder Road Champions who will be entering the field of 30 cars for what will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated events in the long 50-year history of Thunder Road. Joining Laperle will be Kings of the Road: 2008 Eric Williams, 2007 David Pembroke (already a winner at Thunder Road this year by winning the Memorial Day Classic for the second time), 2005, 2004 and 2001 winner Cris Michaud, 2003 Jamie Fisher, three-time champion Phil Scott, the 1999 winner Brian Hoar and 1995 champion Dave Whitcomb who all are expected to try to qualify for the historic event.
Stewart will drive a car that sat on the pole for the 2008 Milk Bowl, prepared by Joey Pole Racing (JPR). Joey Polewarczyk will also field his own ACT Late Model in the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup. He said, “ I just think it will be neat to race against Tony Stewart. We were so happy to be able to supply him with our second car, and now to race against him is unbelievable. He is going to love the crowd at Thunder Road, the atmosphere and the competition, but I am not sure he is going to be any happier about turn 4 than Ken Schrader or Kenny Wallace were over the past couple years. Nobody knows better than me how challenging that place can be, but I love it and hope I can get a few laps of serious racing in with Tony.”
Darla Hartt, the Vice President of ACT and General Manager of Thunder Road said, “Advanced ticket sales have been great since we made them available over Memorial Day weekend. Tony Stewart has held up his end of the bargain with his great run to the front of the NASCAR Cup standings, I am sure our great fans at Thunder Road will come out in full force to watch him take on our regulars.”
Stewart, who owns Eldora Speedway in Ohio, which is one of America’s great dirt tracks, has heard a lot about Thunder Road, and his good friend Ken Schrader has encouraged him to visit the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’. “We are going to be proud to show off Thunder Road and her great fans as we believe Thunder Road is one of America’s great asphalt short tracks. We still have lots of tickets available, and although we expect a big crowd, we have additional parking and will have additional rest room facilities…it should be quite a night and it is fitting that Governor Jim Douglas will be handing out the Governor’s Cup…it has never left Vermont over all these years…I hope it is a great race, but as a native Vermonter, I kind of hope the Cup stays in the Green Mountains,” continued Hartt.
The CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup tickets are on sale at advanced discount prices. Adults are only $17 in advance and can be purchased at the ACT office 802-244-6963, or may be picked up at the race track during the first two Thursday night events scheduled for June 11, and June 18.
by Jay | Jun 15, 2009 | New
Shumway Takes Rain Shortened Modified Checkers
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway attempted to dodge the rain to complete the whole race venue. Most of the program was completed until a down pour came in during the Modified event on lap twenty-eight where Bryan Shumway was declared the winner. Other competitors in victory lane included Super Stock Bill Johnston, Mini Stock Jamey King and Andy Lindeman in the All Star Race Trucks. The 4-cylinder Enduros were not able to compete due to the rain and will be on the schedule for this upcoming Saturday’s event.
Joe Rogers set the pace for the Mini Stock twenty five lap main event. Jamey King wasted no time to take the top spot by lap five followed by Kim Rivet, Derek Bergquist, Chris McTaggart and Beth Adams. On lap nine the caution flag was displayed for Rogers and Tim Jackson. On the restart, King resumed the lead. On lap thirteen, another caution came out as Adams slowed due to mechanical failure causing Rich Fournier to hit the back end of Adam’s car. Fournier retired to the pit area for front end damage. On the restart, King led the field as Rivet and Bergquist ran wheel to wheel for second. Bergquist on the inside took over second and began to reel in his teammate for the lead. Half way to go, the battle for third developed between McTaggart and Jackson. Slight contact was made between the two but both held their position. Less than five laps to go, Bergquist challenged King for the lead as they approached lap traffic. Two laps to go, the battle between McTaggart and Jackson continued as both approached the lap car of Bob Chapdelaine. McTaggart took the high side around Chapdelaine as Jackson was slowed up on the inside. Jackson, on the backstretch, made contact with Chapdelaine sending him into the infield. On the final lap, King felt Bergquist all over his back bumper. At the checkers, it was King holding off Bergquist for the victory. McTaggart came in third giving the Big Boys race team the top three finish followed by Jackson and Rivet. Jackson was penalized for rough riding moving Rivet into fourth and Chris Davis into fifth.
Kevin Ouellette brought the Super Stocks to the green with Bill Johnston on the outside pole. On the first lap, Johnston moved into the lead. By lap three Andy Brooks and Ed Brehio III made the pass for second and third. Ouellette held of Nancy Muni for fourth. Ten laps complete, Johnston pulled away as Brooks and Brehio ran wheel to wheel. Nick Gravel made the pass on the outside of Muni for fifth. On lap thirteen, Brehio spun on the backstretch bringing out the first caution of the event. On the restart, Johnston remained the leader as Brooks felt the heat from Gravel for second. Both ran side by side until Gravel suffered a flat tire bringing out a caution. Johnston had a great restart commanding the lead as Brooks, Jeremy Sorel and Ken Springer all battled for the second spot. Five laps to go, Sorel put the pressure on Brooks as he attempted the outside pass. Jeff Wright, Springer and and Brehio ran tight for the top five positions. Brehio, on the outside, took over fifth from Springer as Sorel took over second on the inside of Brooks . At the checkers, it was Johnston celebrating his first of the season win followed by Sorel, Brooks, Wright and Brehio.
The Modifieds rolled onto the track for the fifty lap event as Eric LeClair brought the field to the start. Josh Cantara took the lead on the first lap as Vic Johnson followed for second. Four laps complete, Vic Johnson and Bryan Shumway ran wheel to wheel for second. Shumway succeeded as Johnson felt the heat from Todd Patnode and Kirk Alexander for third. Few laps later, Alexander made his move on the outside of Patnode for fourth and worked on Johnson for third. Ten laps complete, Shumway was on the back bumper of Cantara as Alexander continued to pressure Johnson for third. By lap eighteen, the two leaders worked through lap traffic as Alexander completed the pass for third and reeled in the leaders. Lap twenty two, Shumway had a good run off of turn four and took the lead on the front stretch. Alexander followed and took over second. The top three ran nose to tail as Shumway felt the presence of Alexander on his back bumper. On lap twenty eight, the race was halted as heavy rain quickly came in and multiple cars spun due to the slick conditions. Due to the race being over half way, the management decided to declare Shumway the winner followed Alexander, Cantara, Patnode and Johnson.
This Saturday, Monadnock Speedway will host the return of the Pro 4 Modifieds and welcome the Classic Lites for their first appearance at the high banks plus Outlaw Pros, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For more information, log onto the speedway’s website at www.monadnockspeedway.com.
Modified Finish: Bryan Shumway, Belchertown, Ma; Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH; Josh Cantara, Alfred, ME; Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH; Vic Johnson, Troy, NH; Jim Boniface, Winchester, NH; Dave Berube, |Bristol, CT; Rob Williams, Winchendon, Ma; Ed Reed, Groton, CT; Marty Radewick, Springfield, Ma; Eric LeClair, Southampton, Ma; Kevin Bolduc, Hudson, NH; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Brandee Tree, Nottingham, NH; Rich Hammann, Tolland, Ct; Frank L’Etoile, Whethersfield, CT; Roy Seidell, Southampton, Ma
Super Stock Finish: Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Andy Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Jeff Wright, Jaffrey, NH; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinville, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Nick Gravel, Groton, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Craig Cashman, Keene, NH; Adam Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Bob Bedaw, Whately, Ma
Mini Stock Finish: Jamey King, Orange, Ma; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Shawn Doubleday, Belchertown, Ma; Kevin Russell, Fitzwilliam, NH; Bob Chapdelaine, Chicopee, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Kevin McKnight, Orange, Ma
by Jay | Jun 15, 2009 | New
PASS North: Two wins in a Row for Rowe
Naples ME (June 14) Ben Rowe hung out in the top five for the majority of Saturday night’s Pro All Stars Series (PASS) 200 at Geary New Brunswick’s Speedway 660 and took the lead from Kirk Thibeau for good on lap 149 to claim his second PASS North super late model win of 2009.
Adam Bates chased Rowe to the checkers and Nova Scotian John Flemming returned to PASS competition with a third place finish. Kirk Thibeau hung on to finish fourth with Travis Benjamin fifth. Kelly Moore rebounded from a spectacular wreck at the touring series’ last outing at White Mountain Motorsports Park with a sixth place run. Lonnie Sommerville dominated the first half of the 200 lap grind, but a flat shortly after the half way break set him back to seventh Richie Dearborn, Shawn Tucker, and Greg Fahey completed the top ten.
Problems beset a number of the PASS front runners. Johnny Clark lost a right front wheel on lap 68, sending the point leader into the sand banks. Clark returned many laps down to salvage a 14th place finish. DJ Shaw started on the pole but suffered a flat tire and lost several laps, eventually finishing fifteenth. An early race wreck claimed Cassius Clark, local racer Brent Wiggins and Scott Alexander. Local super late model favorite Dave O’Blenis was out at the half-way mark.
Nine cars completed the 200 lap distance. The lead changed hands six times amongst five drivers; eleven cautions slowed the race. DJ Shaw, Kelly Moore and Adam Bates claimed the qualifying races.
Next weekend it’s a doubleheader for the PASS super late models. The PASS South warriors head for Georgia’s New Senoia Raceway for the Dixie 150 on Saturday night June 20th. The PASS North teams will take on “Maine’s toughest oval”, Unity Raceway on Sunday afternoon June 21st for the NAPA 150. The PASS Mod and PASS Sportsman series complete that card, and there are two-for-one admission coupons available now at all northern New England NAPA stores.
For all the latest PASS news, photos, schedules and standings visit www.racewithpass.com or www.proallstarsseries.com .
Unofficial Results – Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model 200 – Speedway 660, Geary New Brunswick Canada – June 13, 2009 ( with finishing position, car number, driver, home town, laps completed)
1) 4 Ben Rowe Turner ME 200 2) 98 Adam Bates Warner, NH 200 3) 97 John Fleming Halifax, NS 200 4) 28 Kirk Thibeau Fort Fairfield, ME 200 5) 17 Travis Benjamin Morrill, ME 200 6) 47 Kelly Moore Scarborough, Me 200 7) 23 Lonnie Sommerville Saint John, NB 200 8) 33 Richie Dearborn Hollis, ME 200 9) 52 Shawn Tucker Fredericton, NB 200 10) 20F Greg Fahey St. Stephen, NB 199 11) 87 Matt Harris Fredericton Jct, NB 199 12) 85 Nick Ribbe Kingston, MA 199 13) 35 Derek Ramstrom Worcester, MA 198 14) 54 Johnny Clark Hallowell, ME 178 15) 60 DJ Shaw Center Conway, NH 175 16) 20 Steven Legendre Danville, VT 137 17) 8 Cassius Clark Farmington, ME 135 18) 17W Brent Wiggins Fredericton, NB 113 19) 17A Scott Alexander Orrington, ME 103 20) 48 Dave O’Blenis Boundary Creek, NB 100 21) 12 John Danbrowski W. Bridgewater, Ma 92 22) 5 Chris Staples Brunswick, ME 78
