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 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).
by Jay | Oct 9, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 8, 2009) – The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a racing series steeped in history. Whether you trace its roots to the beaches of Daytona in 1948, or the paved banks of Thompson, Conn., in 1985, there is plenty of history and tradition to go around. The present-day incarnation of that tradition will be on full display as the Tour heads to Thompson International Speedway to crown the 2009 champion.
The World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart – the finale for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s 25th season – will see two of the most notable teams in the history of the New England Modified racing battling for the trophy. Donny Lia, pilot of the No. 4 “Mystic Missile” Dodge owned by Bob Garbarino, will take a 26-point lead on Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 3 “Ole Blue” Chevrolet, of the famed Boehler family.
“It’s pretty cool – this being the 25th season [of the Tour] – and the two longest running teams going for the championship,” Preece said. “It just goes to show you that experience helps a lot to contend for a championship.”
The only two Modifieds that carry a nickname, the Nos. 4 and 3 have been around longer than any other teams. Garbarino fielded his first “Mystic Missile” in 1961, nearly a quarter of a century before the present-day Whelen Modified Tour was founded. “Ole Blue” dates back even further as legendary car owner and builder Len Boehler founded the team in 1957.
Garbarino’s dedication to NASCAR Modified racing through the decades was finally paid off in 2007 when Lia delivered the longtime owner his first championship. The No. 4 has featured a host of notable drivers in the seat through the years, but the pairing of Lia with the team in 2007 resulted in the perfect combination to bring home the trophy. Garbarino, who was recently selected as a 2010 inductee for the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame, has only the utmost respect for the No. 3 team.
“We’ve been parking alongside of them for a long, long time, and anything that’s in my truck they can have, and I think that goes the other way too,” Garbarino said. “I’m happy for them – I’m glad that they’re in the running for this whole deal.”
Garbarino reasoned that because the teams have been so close through the years, it will be tough for one to leave Thompson disappointed.
“I almost wish it was any other car in the pit area [in championship contention],” Garbarino said. “I consider those guys all good friends – and this won’t change the friendship at all – but somebody’s going to win and somebody’s not going to win.”
Now in their sixth decade of Modified competition, Boehler Racing Enterprises continues to be a stalwart. The cars built by Boehler – a 2004 NEAR Hall of Fame inductee – produced NASCAR Modified national championships in 1967-69 with Bugs Stevens behind the wheel. “Ole Blue” earned another three-peat in the mid-1990s as Wayne Anderson (1994) and Tony Hirschman (1995-96) captured the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour titles. And while Len passed away in 2001, his widow, Jan, and son, Michael, have sustained the family tradition.
Like Garbarino, BRE President and Manager Michael Boehler has mutual respect for the competition.
“Bob and his wife Joan are great, great people – they’re first class,” Boehler said. “They’re always the first ones there to lend a hand if something goes wrong. They’re positive, encouraging people, and they’ve given their life to the sport like we have. There’s not many of those families left that do that, so it’s just great that it’s the “Mystic Missile” against “Ole Blue” [for the title].”
The significance of the two teams competing for the title is not lost on the drivers either, even though they are only in the second year with the respective teams.
Following his win at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway on Oct. 4, Lia acknowledged the history of the two cars that will battle for the 2009 championship.
“The 3 car and the 4 car – they’ve been around forever – and are a big part of Modified history,” Lia said. “So for me, whether I was driving the car or not, I think it’s pretty cool that those two cars are going for it.”
While Lia is already part of – and will look to add to – the history of the “Mystic Missile,” the 18-year-old Preece is just in his second year behind the wheel of “Ole Blue,” and his third year of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour racing overall.
“I’m really happy that the 3 car is where they are, and that we’re going for the championship together,” Lia said. “He’s a good kid, and he’s got a great future ahead of him. Hopefully we can hang on and win it, but if they do, that’s pretty cool.”
The young Preece is well-versed in Modified history. His grandfather – Bob Judkins – was a longtime Modified car owner.
Lia can clinch his second Whelen Modified Tour crown by finishing fifth or better at Thompson, but with Preece just 26 points out, there are a number of scenarios that will make every lap important in the season finale.
The World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart will commence with practice and qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour on Saturday, Oct. 17. The 150-lap race is set to go green on Sunday, Oct. 18 at approximately 3:30 p.m.
by Jay | Oct 7, 2009 | New England, Thompson
To Benefit Sonny “King” Richards Memorial
Groton, CT (October 4, 2009): On Friday, October 16, 2009, at 8PM, the friends of Sonny “The King” Richards will host the first-ever Texas Hold’ Em Poker Tournament at the Raceway Golf Club Restaurant on the grounds of Thompson International Speedway during the running of the World Series of Speedway Racing. There will be a $40 buy-in with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Sonny Richards “Education is King” Scholarship Fund. The payout will be determined by the number of players. Prizes will be paid out to the top-three finishers.
Known to many as the “King”, Sonny Richards was a longtime supporter of Modified racing and friend to the entire Motorsports community. A fan since the days of the coupe, Sonny was a fixture at Modified races throughout the decades. He began his love affair with the auto racing as a journalist covering the sport for the Connecticut Daily News and later as the field representative for Speedway Scene. Sonny passed away at his home in Hartford, CT in July of 2001 after having enjoyed an action-packed Modified race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The King was a man who gave so much of himself to others. The Sonny “King” Richards Memorial was created by a group of his closest friends shortly after his death to help ensure that his spirit lives on. Tributes to Sonny include a memorial award and the Scholarship fund.
Any active participant in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour or their families actively enrolled in a collegiate program is eligible to receive the “Education is King” Sonny Richards Memorial Scholarship. Past recipients of scholarship include Megan Clifford and Kelly Coby-Silk. Megan and her parents remain active in the racing community today. Kelly, along with her husband Ronnie Silk and brother Doug Coby, are among the new generation of the Modified Tour. Anyone interested in the “Education is King” Sonny Richards Memorial Scholarship should contact Dale Wolbrink at (508) 847-0565 or [email protected] for application requirements.
Proceeds from the Texas Hold’ Em Poker Tournament will help to support the educational aspirations of another member of the racing community. Noted journalist and avid Poker player Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford Courant has agreed to organize the tournament.
Tickets are available for the Texas Hold’ Em Poker Tournament by emailing [email protected] or by calling (508) 847-0565.
Also, during the weekend, a member of the Modified Tour Racing community will walk away with the 9th Annual Sonny Richards Memorial Award. Each year as part of the ongoing tribute to the late Richards, the memorial award is presented to the owner, driver, crewmember, or official deemed by the media as the best representative of the Whelen Modified Tour. Some truly outstanding people have won this special recognition including Art Barry, Tony Ferrante, Sr., Ralph Solhem, Tom Baldwin, Sr., Jerry Marquis, Howie & Mary Hodge, Mark Mockovak, and Bill Brice.
The World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson is one of the most fun and unique race events of the season. The friends of Sonny Richards are proud to be a part of the festivities.
by Jay | Oct 5, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship will once again come down to the final event of the year at the Thompson International Speedway. A mere 26 points separate the top two contenders going in the XTRAMART World Series of Speedway racing at Thompson.
Donny Lia, looking to win his second series title, moved into the top spot following his win at the Stafford Motor Speedway this past weekend. Ryan Preece is the driver in Lia’s rearview mirror. Preece is only 26 points behind Lia and well within striking distance of the division’s crown. Ted Christopher saw his nearly season-long points lead disappear on Sunday when an accident knocked TC out of the competition. He was credited with a 31st place finish, dropped to third in the standings, and now faces an up hill battle to erase his current 109 point deficit. Rounding out the top five as they head for Thompson are Todd Szegedy and Rowan Pennink.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title is, more often than not, decided at the XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing and the 2009 champ will be crowned following the WMT 150-lap main event slated for Sunday, October 18th.
Championships are a big part of the three-day XTRAMART World Series. Chris Perley will lead the ISMA Super Modified contingent into their final event of the year and Tim Bertrand, holding a slim 18 points advantage over Mike Jarret, will attempt to secure the NEMA title at Thompson.
The XTRAMART World Series is a one-of-a-kind racing spectacle. Hundreds of race cars and racing trucks converge upon the huge Thompson Speedway complex to compete in one of the fourteen different divisions that make up this extra-special event. Racers from all up and down the east coast make the annual trek to Thompson to compete on one of America’s premier short tracks. The ultra fast, high banked 5/8ths mile oval, offers competitors a chance to be part of one of the largest racing events in the country.
Thompson’s Super 6 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will play a major role in the World Series with each providing, as they have all season long, exciting, wheel-to-wheel racing action. Racing trucks from the ARTS series, Pro 4 Modifieds and three “outlaw” divisions will round out the fourteen division event.
Practice and qualifying races for eight divisions will make up the on-track activity on Friday. Saturday will feature qualifying for the WMT, ISMA, NEMA and the remaining divisions that will race on Sunday. Once Saturday qualifying is complete, eight feature races will make for an exciting and fun filled Saturday night. Sunday’s action starts at 12 Noon with the heavy hitters in six incredible feature races.
The XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing is also host to some of racing’s greatest party atmospheres. It’s the last major event of the season and race fans enjoy all of the food, fun and entertainment at the Raceway Restaurant and Lounge.
Tickets for the XTRAMART World Series at Thompson are available by calling the Thompson track office. 860-923-2280.The entire weekend’s schedule is available on the Thompson web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com
by Jay | Oct 2, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT. The 36th annual XTRAMART World Series of Speedway Racing is coming to Thompson the weekend of October 16rh-18th. This amazing three-day racing extravaganza is the largest, most diversified and most incredible racing program anywhere in the country.
Hundreds of race cars and race trucks and thousands of race fans will converge on the Thompson International Speedway to be part of one of auto racing’s annual gems. Fourteen different divisions of race cars and trucks will compete for championships, money and prestige as the 2009 racing season comes to an end.
The huge Thompson pit area will be filled to capacity with racers representing the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA Midgets, ARTS Trucks, Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Pro 4 Modifieds and three different “Outlaw” divisions. Many of the touring division will crown champions at Thompson including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Friday’s schedule includes practice and qualifying races for 8 of the 14 divisions. These divisions will compete in feature races on Saturday night. Prior to the running of those Saturday night feature races, the remaining 7 divisions will practice and qualify during the day on Saturday. Those qualifying on Saturday will run their feature races on Sunday. The Sunday lineup will spotlight ISMA Super Modifieds, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA Midgets along with Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models and Late Models to complete this amazing lineup of racing cars and stars.
Racing is, of course, the main focus of the XTRAMART World Series. However, the fact that it is also one enormous, season-ending race party is also a large part of this fun-filled outing. Thousands converge upon the Speedway grounds for the entire weekend and take full advantage of the great times offered up by the Raceway Restaurant and Lounge, the tailgate parties that fill the parking lot, the Raceway Golf Course and driving range and the many attractions within easy driving distance of the Speedway. Race fans meet up with old friends and make many new ones during the many social hours that make up this extra-special weekend.
The complete three-day schedule along with stories, accommodations listings and much more are all available on the Thompson web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com Tickets are available by calling the Thompson Speedway track office at 860-923-2280.
