by Jay | Oct 27, 2009 | New England, Thompson
Christopher Wins World Series 150
Perley & Fornoro Earn Winged Wins at Thompson
Silk, M. O’ Sullivan, T. O’Sullivan & Barnett Weekly Series Winners
Gentes, Foster & Adams Sunday Outlaw Winners
Thompson, CT: What a difference a day makes. After a rain soaked Saturday, the skies were crystal clear making the way for eleven feature events for the culmination of the XtraMart World Series of Speedway Racing on Sunday, October 25, 2009. Drivers from all over the northeast competed with winning drivers coming from five different states in New England.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, book-ended the season with Thompson Speedway victories in the Whelen Modified Tour. The veteran racer opened the season with a victory in the Icebreaker and capped off the 2009 season with a World Series win. Donny Lia secured the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship with his fourth-place finish.
A last lap pass found Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, in International Supermodified Association (ISMA) victory lane. Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg, PA, scored the Northeastern Midget Association 30-lap main event to send his retiring car owner out in grand style.
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, came out on top of a fierce Sunoco Modified battle to score the World Series win. In racing of the Late Model variety it was Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scoring the Super Late Models victory; his brother Tommy made it a family affair winning the Late Models. Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, continued his domination of the Outlaw Late Models with a dominating performance.
Other winners included Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, in the Limited Sportsman; Sean Foster of Middletown, CT, in the Outlaw Strictly Stocks; and Beth Adams of Winchendon, CT, in Outlaw Mini Stocks. Rob Richardi, Jr. of North Easton, MA, was tops in the Pro-Four Modifieds.
Ted Christopher jumped out to the early lead in the Whelen Modified Tour 150; relinquishing the lead when he headed to pit road for tires after a caution lap 82. He restarted the event inside the top ten and began to meticulously pick his way toward the front. He took the lead on a number of occasions only to have the caution come out to negate the passes. He took over the top spot for the final time from Lia on lap 131.
Ryan Preece recovered from an incident with Todd Szedegy on lap eight to run in the top three for the final half of the event. Doug Coby came on strong late to become a contender. In the end, Christopher sailed to the victory. Preece settled for the second position followed by Coby. Lia wrapped up his championship with a fourth place finish. Rowan Pennink rounded out the top five.
Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, came on strong late in the 50-lap main event for the ISMA Supermodifieds; making a last lap pass to score the victory. The victory sealed the 2009 championship for Perley. While World Series Sunday meant jubilation for Perley, it spelled heartbreak for Mark Sammut.
Sammut had led the lion’s share of the main event holding off the likes of Mike Litchey, Dave Shullick, Jr. and Russ Wood before a right front wheel sheered off his #78 in turn two on lap 42; only eight laps shy of the finish. Following the incident, Shullick inherited the lead with Wood in second. Perley laid in wait until the late stages of the event pouring it on with less than 10 laps to go. The “Rowley Rocket” had moved into the third position and was hunting Wood for second. He took over second position on lap 47. Perley had caught the back bumper of Shullick with two laps to go. On the final lap, Perley made the pass for the lead in turn two to score the victory.
Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg, PA, knew that today’s event was the final one for his car owner Mike Jarret. He sent him out in style with a World Series victory. Jarret and his MJ Motorsports team would end up losing the owner’s championship by a scant four points to Tim Bertrand, whose driver Randy Cabral had already secured the driver title.
Russ Stoehr had enjoyed a comfortable advantage in the early stages before a high flying Jeff Horn was able to take over the top spot. Jim Miller was having a great run in the third spot. Fornoro began picking off cars after the race hit the halfway maker. Fornoro passed Miller; Stoehr headed to pit road. Cole Carter had worked his way into the fourth position before giving way to his teammate Cabral.
The first and only caution of the event flew when the mount of Erica Santos came to rest in turn two. The yellow erased the sizeable lead Horn had enjoyed. The lightning fast Fornoro lined up to the outside of Horn. Fornoro bolted out to the lead on the restart leaving Horn in second followed by Cabral. The top five positions would not change over the final dash to the checkers with Fornoro taking the win over Horn, Cabral, Carter, and Miller.
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, bested a 29-car field of Sunoco Modifieds to score the World Series victory. Silk came out on top after a heated battle with Ted Christopher. Rowan Pennink was the early leader; however, under a caution necessitated when Tyler Chadwick went up in smoke, the leader had to be pushed to pit road with mechanical failure. Silk inherited the lead and set sail. Tim Sullivan and Bert Marvin battled for the second spot a distance behind Silk.
Christopher, who had been involved in an incident earlier in the event, was on the march and back into the top-ten with 10 laps in the books. During the long green flag run the second position was being hotly contested between Sullivan and Marvin. The battle for fourth spot was heating up between Danny Cates, Kerry Malone and Timmy Solomito. The battle hit a boiling point when Malone went spinning into the infield to bring out the caution. Cates ducked down pit road under the caution as well.
Once back to green at halfway, Silk was able to maintain his lead. But the man on the move was Christopher; who ran in third. On a lap 15 restart Teddy bolted by Sullivan to take over the second spot. A single lap later, Christopher was the new leader. Silk drifted up into Christopher in turn one. The contact sent both cars sliding. Christopher gathered it up to retain his lead. Silk lost a position to Sullivan.
A hard wreck involving Eric LeClair brought out the caution on lap 17. On the ensuing restart, Silk was able to get back around Sullivan to take over second. Silk then did the cross-over move on Christopher to take the lead back once again. The two swapped grooves and the top spot several times before Silk settled into the lead on lap 20. The battle allowed Marvin to join the battle for the top spot. Woody Pitkat recovered from an earlier incident to run fifth.
The front duo was able to pull a few car lengths ahead of Marvin making it a two-car race for the win. Christopher was stuck to the back bumper of Silk as the laps wound down. Over the final two laps, Silk; however, was able to get away from Christopher. Silk ran under the checkers for the victory a car-length ahead of Christopher. Marvin settled for the third over Sullivan and Pitkat.
Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, used a bold three-wide move with five laps remaining to score the Super Late Model victory. Newly crowned divisional champion Derek Ramstrom jumped out to the early lead in the main event that went 23-cars strong. It was anything but smooth sailing as the teenager had to contend with cagey veteran Rick Fuller. Ramstrom led from his pole position through a caution at lap seven before relinquishing the top spot to Fuller. Ramstrom immediately fell into the clutches of O’Sullivan.
By halfway, Ramstrom was beginning to look racy again, diving to the inside of Fuller. The battle for third was heating up as well with Wrenn pressuring O’Sullivan. The top five ran nose-to-tail looking for running room. Ramstrom could get alongside Fuller while Wrenn could get a fender below O’Sullivan. Neither could make the pass.
Despite a trio of cautions, the running order in the top four remained unchanged. The battling allowed Larry Gelinas to join the mix. Contact between the lead duo of Fuller and Ramstrom opened the door for O’Sullivan, who went three wide in the outside groove to take over the lead on lap 25. The contact between Fuller and Ramstrom continued in turn four. Ultimately, Fuller went spinning. He did not continue in the event. Ramstrom was able to keep going in third.
O’Sullivan was in command with Norm Wrenn in tow. The battle for the third position was fierce between Ramstrom and Gelinas. Coming off turn four, Gelinas’ #48 appeared to scrape the wall resulting in a flat tire. Gelinas limped around the speedway as O’Sullivan was taking the victory. Wrenn came home second. Ramstrom survived the fireworks to finish third. Jim Banfield and Rob Murphy completed the top five.
In the Late Model feature event, Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scored his fifth win of the season. O’Sullivan and John Materas had checked out from the rest of the field during the early going while the battle from second on back was intense between Corey Hutchings, Dave Trudeau, and Mark Oliveira.
A restart picked up the battle for the second spot between Materas and Hutchings. Contact that involved Trudeau ended Materas’ 2009 championship season with his #73 in the outside wall in turn four. Hutchings sustained damage but was able to continue. Trudeau was also able to continue.
O’Sullivan was able to pick-up where he left off with the race back under green. Woody Pitkat ran in second followed by Mark Oliveira and Ryan Posocco. O’Sullivan was able to withstand a number of restarts to retain his place at the head of the pack.
In the closing laps, O’Sullivan was able to gain some distance over Pitkat. The man on the move was Hutchings. Despite some damage to his #36 he passed cars one-by-one. At the end, O’Sullivan earned another victory for his family. Pitkat ended his triple duty with a second place finish in the Late Models. Hutchings stormed to a third place finish ahead of Mark Oliveira and Ryan Posocco.
Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, capped off his championship season with a Limited Sportsman victory in the World Series. It was no surprise that Sean Monahan and Barnett would race for supremacy in the Thompson regular division. Monahan took the lead from his pole starting position but had his hands full with a charging Barnett.
Joe Arena and Chris “Moose” Douton ran side-by-side only feet behind the side-by-side battle for the lead. Barnett used a lapped car as a pick exiting turn four on lap nine to gain the lead. Only a few laps later, Monahan dropped off the pace. Barnett enjoyed a sizeable advantage over now second Douton and Josh Galvin. Barnett cruised to the victory over Douton, Josh Galvin, Joe Arena, and Paul Coutu, Jr.
Sean Foster of Middletown, CT, bested a strong and varied mix of competitors from tracks around New England to score the victory in the Outlaw Strictly Stocks, who were the first to take to the race track for feature action on World Series Sunday. The event, which went 25 cars strong, saw Sean Foster and Andy Brooks, Jr. battle side-by-side in the opening laps before Foster gained the advantage.
Foster had his hands full with Thompson regular Mike O’Sullivan before mechanical woes sidelined the Springfield, MA, driver with only two laps remaining; leaving Foster to run unchallenged to the checkers. Sean Thibeault, Ryan Lineman, Anthony Crimaldi III, and Chris smith rounded out the top five.
Beth Adams of Winchendon, NH, wired the field to score the victory in the Outlaw Mini Stocks. Adams took advantage of her pole starting position to move out to a sizeable advantage almost immediately over the 26-car field. The fierce battle for second between Bill Leonard, Mark Panaroni, Chris McTaggart, and Joseph Kendall helped Adams stretch her advantage.
Leonard was able to assert himself into the second spot with McTaggart in tow. McTaggart was all over the back bumper of Leonard over the final stages of the event. Thompson regular Scott Michalski had moved up from his 20th starting position to run inside the top five but watched his good run come to an end with a spin in turn three as the field approached the final lap. Adams was the class of the field taking the victory over Leonard, McTaggart, Ian Brew, and Kendall.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, turned in a commanding performance to score the Outlaw Late Model victory. He had built up a straight away advantage over a budding battle for second between George Rego and Dennis Botticello. The battle cooled when Botticello fell off the pace losing several positions. Gentes was in a groove as he went on to take a dominating win by nearly a half a lap advantage over Rego, Jimmy Rosenfield and Nick Gravel and Daryl Stampfl.
In the Pro-Four Modifieds, Rob Richardi, Jr. of North Easton, MA, held off a ferocious assault from Norm Wrenn to score the victory for the Pro-Four Modifieds.
The track will be silent but there will still be action on the grounds of the Thompson International Speedway with Don Hoenig’s Original Automotive Swap Meet and Flea Market on November 7&8, 2009. For more details visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. Look to the track’s official website for news about the 2010 season.
Whelen Modified Tour 150 Finishing Order (Top Ten): 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 3. Doug Coby, Milford, CT; 4. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 5. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Station, PA; 6. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 7. Erick Rudolph, Ramsomville, NY; 8. Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 9. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 10. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT.
ISMA Super Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chris Perley, Rowley, MA; 2. Dave Shullick, Jr., N. Ridgeville, OH; 3. Russ Wood, Pelham, NH; 4. Mike Lichtey, Innerkip, Ontario; 5. Justin Belfiore, Ipswich, MA; 6. Bobby Magnor, Oswego, NY; 7. Jeff Holbrook, Oswego, NY; 8. Dan Lane, Essex, MA; 9. Ben Seitz, Bourne, MA; 10. Ray Graham, Jr., Ankeny, IA.
NEMA Midgets Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Nokie Fornoro, Stroudsburg, PA; 2. Jeff Horn, Ashland, MA; 3. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA; 4. Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 5. Jim Miller, Weymouth, MA; 6. Paul Scally, Raynham, MA; 7. Chris DeRitis, Philadelphia, PA; 8. Rich Gerbe, Elmont, NY; 9. Abby Martino, Norfolk, MA; 10. John Zych, Jr., Mendon, MA.
Sunoco Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 3. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 4. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 5. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 7. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 8. Rick Shawn, Bradford, RI; 9. Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 10. Frank Hirt, III, Danbury, CT.
Super Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Sprinfield, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 4. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 5. Rob Murphy, Rochester, CT; 6. Steve Desmarais, Westport, MA; 7. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 8. Greg Kleila, Lindenhurst, NY; 9. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 10. Mike Cavallaro, Seekonk, MA.
Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 3. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 4. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 5. Ryan Posocco, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Dillon Moltz, Waterford, CT; 7. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 8. Robert O’Connell, Wrentham, MA; 9. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Joe Oliver, Commack, NY.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 3. Josh Galvin, Franklin, CT; 4. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 5. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 6. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville, CT; 7. Phil Evans, Uncasville, CT; 8. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 9. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 10. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT.
Outlaw Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. George Rego, Dartmouth, MA; 3. Jimmy Rosenfield, Middleboro, MA; 4. Nick Gravel, Pepperell, MA; 5. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 6. Randy Burr, Middleboro, MA; 7. Billy Schulz, Norton, MA; 8. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA; 9. Dennis Botticello, Suffield, CT; 10. Mark Curtis, Worcester, MA.
Outlaw Strictly Stocks Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Sean Foster, Middletown, CT; 2. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville, CT; 3. Ryan Lineham, Coventry, RI; 4. Anthony Crimaldi, III, Port Monmouth, NJ; 5. Chris Smith Scarborough, ME; 6. Andy Brooks, Jr., Winchendon, MA; 7. Leslie Keyser, Northfield, NH; 8. Andy Durand, Chicopee, MA; 9. Danny Gamache, Jr., Seekonk, MA; 10. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA.
Outlaw Mini Stocks Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Beth Adams, Winchendon, MA; 2. Bill Leonard, Wood River Junction, RI; 3. Chris McTaggart, N. Swanzey, NH; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 5. Joseph Kendall, Winchendon, CT; 6. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton, CT; 7. Nick Maniatis, Hooksett, NH; 8. Tony Kumiega, Palmer, MA; 9. Derek Bergquist, Warwick, MA; 10. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI.
Pro-Four Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. Rob Richardi, Jr., North Easton, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Frank Perry, Holbrook, MA; 4. Brian Vincent, Coventry, RI; 5. George Sherman, Framingham, MA.
by Jay | Oct 24, 2009 | New England, Thompson
Sullivan, Churchill, St. Germain & Anderson Scored Feature Victories to Open Thompson’s 2009 World Series
Thompson, CT: Friday of the Thompson International Speedway XtraMart World Series of Speedway Racing is traditionally reserved for qualifying for a host of regular Thompson divisions and the always varied and exciting Outlaw divisions. In an effort to be proactive with a less than stellar forecast, Speedway Management decided to run feature events for the ARTS Truck Series, the SK Lights, TIS Modifieds, and Mini Stocks.
After post race technical inspection, John St. Germain of West Sand Lake, NY, was scored as the winner of the ARTS Trucks. Brit Anderson of Branford, CT, scored the victory in the SK Lights Modifieds. TIS Modified champion Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, put an exclamation point on his 2009 season with a victory at the World Series. Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, continued his prowess in the Mini Stocks with a win.
When the checkered flag flew it looked as if rookie Brandon Warren of Chicopee, MA, had scored his second consecutive ARTS victory. After refusing technical inspection, John St. Germain of West Sand Lake, NY, was credited with the victory to kick-off the 2009 World Series feature race action. Germain jumped out to take the early lead in the 20 lap main event. While Andy Lindeman was making his way to the runner-up position, St. Germain was distancing himself from the rest of the field. Chris Correll ran in the third position being closely pursued by Howard Payne.
Just shy of halfway marker, the battle for second began to heat up between Lindeman, Correll, and Payne. As the three ran nose to tail, St. Germain was able to maintain his near straightaway lead.
Correll encountered problems in turn two just after taking the crossed flags. Correll was able to keep his truck moving. Further back in the pack, Tony Naglieri had problems to ultimately bring out the caution. Going back to the last completed green flag lap, Correll was able to get his spot back.
On the ensuing restart, front row restarters St. Germain and Lindeman made substantial contact right under the flag stand. Fourth running Payne was also collected in the incident. Correll went from spinning on lap 10 to being the new leader on the second attempt at the same lap restart.
Warren grabbed the top spot away from Correll exiting turn two of lap 10. Contact between a host of trucks inside the top five had trouble on the restart allowing St. Germain to streak through the field. By lap 12, St. Germain was already back into the second position and searching for more. Payne had worked his way into the third spot as Correll continued to fall through the pack.
In the closing laps, Payne had caught St. Germain; giving Warren the breathing room he needed to apparently grab the win. Payne jockeyed behind St. Germain but could not muster up a pass. Warren took the checkers but it was St. Germain getting the win. Payne, Lindeman, Correll, and Richie Brooks rounded out the top five.
By virtue of his victory, St. Germain earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors. The third-place finish was enough to give Andy Lindeman the 2009 ARTS Truck Series championship.
After being extended an invitation to run at the World Series, the Stafford Speedway regular division put on a great show with Brit Anderson of Branford, CT, taking down the inaugural victory. Earl Pelletier jumped out to the early lead from his pole starting position. Kyle Spencer took over the second position from Erica Santos before hunting down Pelletier. Anderson was looking to make his move into the top-three; racing wheel-to-wheel with Santos. Up front, Spencer was glued to the back bumper of Pelletier. Santos and Anderson continued to run side-by-side.
Spencer made the cross-over move exiting turn four to take the lead from Pelletier. Anderson was able to take the position away from Santos on the same lap. Anderson continued his march to the front grabbing the second position from Pelletier. On lap eight, Anderson was all over the back bumper of Spencer. Pelletier settled into the third spot while Santos had her hands full with Michael Gervais, Jr.
Anderson was the new leader by lap 13. A spin by Shawn Brule brought out the caution on lap 14. After one failed attempt at the restart, Anderson was able to motor away from Pelletier. Over the last green flag run, the hottest battle of the field was between Eric Santos and Pelletier.
Anderson cruised to the checkers ahead of Spencer. Santos beat Pelletier to the stripe to score a podium finish. Pelletier finished the event in fourth position. Gervais crossed the line fifth but was found to be in violation of the rules. Raymond Grassetti was credited with fifth.
In the TIS Modified division, Brian Sullivan picked up where he left off in the regular season. The newly crown champion turned his pole starting position into a ten-car length advantage. Behind the leader, Brian Tagg ran with Cam McDermott and John Studley in tow.
With Sullivan handily out front, the remainder of the top five ran nose to tail as Shane Michalski joined the fray. Tagg maintain second over McDermott and Studley. The caution flew on lap on lap 15 when Ryan Morgan, making his first TIS start, made hard contact with the outside wall in turn three. On the restart Sullivan was able to retain his lead but he had his hands full with Tagg. Michalski was able to grab the fourth spot from Studley on the restart.
Michalski looked to be making a bid on McDermott but settled back in line. After the initial onslaught, Tagg settled in behind Sullivan as well. Sullivan went on to score his seventh victory of the season. Tagg capped off a great season with a runner-up finish. Michalski and Studley completed the top five.
Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, ended the regular season with a Mini Stock victory. He started the World Series off by leading the opening laps of the Mini Stock main event. He finished off the run with the victory over a strong 21 car field.
Under green, Chuck Rogers began to run down leader Churchill. Eric Bourgeois was looking racy working over Bert Ouellette for third. Chad Baxter looked to join the action as well; catching Bourgeois.
At halfway, Churchill had, again, managed to gain a little breathing room on Rogers, who fell into the grasp of Ouellette. Publicover had joined the tight pack from second on back. As Churchill entered lap traffic, the action was really heating up inside the top-five.
Bourgeois got along side Ouellette but could not make the pass. He found himself playing defense instead of offense as Baxter looked to take the spot away. Baxter was able to free himself from Bourgeois and set his sites on Ouellette. Publicover was followed in Baxter’s tire tracks.
Contact between Ouellette and Baxter on the final lap sent the Ouellette spinning in turn two. The field raced to the checkers with Churchill scoring his fourth win of the season. Rogers came home second ahead of Publicover On the track, Baxter was scored fourth. His racer failed inspection giving Bourgeois the fourth spot over Jeff Moffat inside the top five.
A complete schedule of practice followed by a great line-up of feature events is scheduled for World Series Saturday. Qualifying is highlighted by time trials for the Whelen Modified Tour and heat races for the ISMA Supermodifieds and NEMA Midgets. Heat races are also scheduled for the Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models and Late Models. The feature action is set to include for the Pro-Four Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Outlaw Late Models, Outlaw Mini Stocks, and Outlaw Strictly Stocks. For a complete line-up for both Saturday and Sunday log on to thompsonspeedway.com.
ART Trucks Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. John St. Germain, West Sand Lake, NY; 2. Howard Payne, Shelton, CT; 3. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 4. Chris Correll, Old Lyme, CT; 5. Richie Brooks, Groton, CT.
SK Light Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. Brit Anderson, Branford, CT; 2. Kyle Spencer, Montgomery, MA; 3. Erica Santos, Franklin, MA; 4. Earl Pelletier, Wolcott, CT; 5. Raymond Grassetti, Monson, MA
TIS Modified Feature Finish: 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 3. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 4. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, MA; 5. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 8. Ryan Morgan, Mystic, CT; 9. Denis Leger, North Reading, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 2. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 3. Andy Publicover, Sudbury, MA; 4. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 5. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI: 6. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 7. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 8. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 9. Roger Ducharme, Foster, RI; 10. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI.
Sullivan, Churchill, St. Germain & Anderson Scored Feature Victories to Open Thompson’s 2009 World Series
Thompson, CT: Friday of the Thompson International Speedway XtraMart World Series of Speedway Racing is traditionally reserved for qualifying for a host of regular Thompson divisions and the always varied and exciting Outlaw divisions. In an effort to be proactive with a less than stellar forecast, Speedway Management decided to run feature events for the ARTS Truck Series, the SK Lights, TIS Modifieds, and Mini Stocks.
After post race technical inspection, John St. Germain of West Sand Lake, NY, was scored as the winner of the ARTS Trucks. Brit Anderson of Branford, CT, scored the victory in the SK Lights Modifieds. TIS Modified champion Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, put an exclamation point on his 2009 season with a victory at the World Series. Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, continued his prowess in the Mini Stocks with a win.
When the checkered flag flew it looked as if rookie Brandon Warren of Chicopee, MA, had scored his second consecutive ARTS victory. After refusing technical inspection, John St. Germain of West Sand Lake, NY, was credited with the victory to kick-off the 2009 World Series feature race action. Germain jumped out to take the early lead in the 20 lap main event. While Andy Lindeman was making his way to the runner-up position, St. Germain was distancing himself from the rest of the field. Chris Correll ran in the third position being closely pursued by Howard Payne.
Just shy of halfway marker, the battle for second began to heat up between Lindeman, Correll, and Payne. As the three ran nose to tail, St. Germain was able to maintain his near straightaway lead.
Correll encountered problems in turn two just after taking the crossed flags. Correll was able to keep his truck moving. Further back in the pack, Tony Naglieri had problems to ultimately bring out the caution. Going back to the last completed green flag lap, Correll was able to get his spot back.
On the ensuing restart, front row restarters St. Germain and Lindeman made substantial contact right under the flag stand. Fourth running Payne was also collected in the incident. Correll went from spinning on lap 10 to being the new leader on the second attempt at the same lap restart.
Warren grabbed the top spot away from Correll exiting turn two of lap 10. Contact between a host of trucks inside the top five had trouble on the restart allowing St. Germain to streak through the field. By lap 12, St. Germain was already back into the second position and searching for more. Payne had worked his way into the third spot as Correll continued to fall through the pack.
In the closing laps, Payne had caught St. Germain; giving Warren the breathing room he needed to apparently grab the win. Payne jockeyed behind St. Germain but could not muster up a pass. Warren took the checkers but it was St. Germain getting the win. Payne, Lindeman, Correll, and Richie Brooks rounded out the top five.
By virtue of his victory, St. Germain earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors. The third-place finish was enough to give Andy Lindeman the 2009 ARTS Truck Series championship.
After being extended an invitation to run at the World Series, the Stafford Speedway regular division put on a great show with Brit Anderson of Branford, CT, taking down the inaugural victory. Earl Pelletier jumped out to the early lead from his pole starting position. Kyle Spencer took over the second position from Erica Santos before hunting down Pelletier. Anderson was looking to make his move into the top-three; racing wheel-to-wheel with Santos. Up front, Spencer was glued to the back bumper of Pelletier. Santos and Anderson continued to run side-by-side.
Spencer made the cross-over move exiting turn four to take the lead from Pelletier. Anderson was able to take the position away from Santos on the same lap. Anderson continued his march to the front grabbing the second position from Pelletier. On lap eight, Anderson was all over the back bumper of Spencer. Pelletier settled into the third spot while Santos had her hands full with Michael Gervais, Jr.
Anderson was the new leader by lap 13. A spin by Shawn Brule brought out the caution on lap 14. After one failed attempt at the restart, Anderson was able to motor away from Pelletier. Over the last green flag run, the hottest battle of the field was between Eric Santos and Pelletier.
Anderson cruised to the checkers ahead of Spencer. Santos beat Pelletier to the stripe to score a podium finish. Pelletier finished the event in fourth position. Gervais crossed the line fifth but was found to be in violation of the rules. Raymond Grassetti was credited with fifth.
In the TIS Modified division, Brian Sullivan picked up where he left off in the regular season. The newly crown champion turned his pole starting position into a ten-car length advantage. Behind the leader, Brian Tagg ran with Cam McDermott and John Studley in tow.
With Sullivan handily out front, the remainder of the top five ran nose to tail as Shane Michalski joined the fray. Tagg maintain second over McDermott and Studley. The caution flew on lap on lap 15 when Ryan Morgan, making his first TIS start, made hard contact with the outside wall in turn three. On the restart Sullivan was able to retain his lead but he had his hands full with Tagg. Michalski was able to grab the fourth spot from Studley on the restart.
Michalski looked to be making a bid on McDermott but settled back in line. After the initial onslaught, Tagg settled in behind Sullivan as well. Sullivan went on to score his seventh victory of the season. Tagg capped off a great season with a runner-up finish. Michalski and Studley completed the top five.
Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, ended the regular season with a Mini Stock victory. He started the World Series off by leading the opening laps of the Mini Stock main event. He finished off the run with the victory over a strong 21 car field.
Under green, Chuck Rogers began to run down leader Churchill. Eric Bourgeois was looking racy working over Bert Ouellette for third. Chad Baxter looked to join the action as well; catching Bourgeois.
At halfway, Churchill had, again, managed to gain a little breathing room on Rogers, who fell into the grasp of Ouellette. Publicover had joined the tight pack from second on back. As Churchill entered lap traffic, the action was really heating up inside the top-five.
Bourgeois got along side Ouellette but could not make the pass. He found himself playing defense instead of offense as Baxter looked to take the spot away. Baxter was able to free himself from Bourgeois and set his sites on Ouellette. Publicover was followed in Baxter’s tire tracks.
Contact between Ouellette and Baxter on the final lap sent the Ouellette spinning in turn two. The field raced to the checkers with Churchill scoring his fourth win of the season. Rogers came home second ahead of Publicover On the track, Baxter was scored fourth. His racer failed inspection giving Bourgeois the fourth spot over Jeff Moffat inside the top five.
A complete schedule of practice followed by a great line-up of feature events is scheduled for World Series Saturday. Qualifying is highlighted by time trials for the Whelen Modified Tour and heat races for the ISMA Supermodifieds and NEMA Midgets. Heat races are also scheduled for the Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models and Late Models. The feature action is set to include for the Pro-Four Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Outlaw Late Models, Outlaw Mini Stocks, and Outlaw Strictly Stocks. For a complete line-up for both Saturday and Sunday log on to thompsonspeedway.com.
ART Trucks Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. John St. Germain, West Sand Lake, NY; 2. Howard Payne, Shelton, CT; 3. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 4. Chris Correll, Old Lyme, CT; 5. Richie Brooks, Groton, CT.
SK Light Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. Brit Anderson, Branford, CT; 2. Kyle Spencer, Montgomery, MA; 3. Erica Santos, Franklin, MA; 4. Earl Pelletier, Wolcott, CT; 5. Raymond Grassetti, Monson, MA
TIS Modified Feature Finish: 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 3. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 4. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, MA; 5. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 8. Ryan Morgan, Mystic, CT; 9. Denis Leger, North Reading, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 2. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 3. Andy Publicover, Sudbury, MA; 4. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 5. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI: 6. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 7. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 8. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 9. Roger Ducharme, Foster, RI; 10. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, R.
by Jay | Oct 23, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
Whelen Modified Tour Championship To Be Settled This Sunday At Thompson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2009) – When the green flag drops on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s season finale – the World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart – this Sunday at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, the waiting game will finally be over.
Donny Lia took his fourth checkered flag of the season last time out on Oct. 4 at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway and moved into the championship points lead for the first time this year. The 2007 titlist has little breathing room atop the standings, however, as Ryan Preece crossed the line third that day to sit a mere 26 points out of first.
After a scheduled off week, the 2009 championship was to be settled at Thompson on Oct. 18, but rain and snow forced the event to be postponed. Now with a more promising forecast, the World Series of Speedway Racing looks likely to take the green flag this Sunday, and the Whelen Modified Tour champion will finally be crowned. The three-week layoff has led to heightened anticipation for both title contenders.
“I’m really pumped up and excited to go to Thompson,” Lia said. “It’s been about three weeks since we raced, and it was supposed to be two weeks, so you just get amped up. You want to go to the race track and race. These three weeks off has seemed like forever.”
Preece – like Lia – has avoided getting impatient, but is likewise anticipating returning to the track.
“I’m ready to race,” Preece said. “You get all these people talking about the championship – who they want to win, who wants to win – that kind of deal. You kind of just want it to come, and get it over with. I’m just looking forward to the race, and seeing if we can pull it off.”
While both have not lost sight of the big picture, they intend to bring the same mentality to the track this weekend that they have each and every race this year: race to win.
“You go to every race to win the race,” Preece said. “That’s what you’re paid to do. That’s what we want. We’re definitely going [there] to win the race, and we have the car and the team capable of doing it. I’m definitely going there looking to win the race, and let the points fall wherever they do.”
Although Lia has a points cushion entering the weekend, don’t expect him to ride around on Sunday either.
“You kind of stick to the same principles and same goals, which is to win the race,” Lia said. “We always just go for the win and get the best finish we can. Just take the same approach to it, try to win the race and let everything else fall into place from there.”
Lia can clinch his second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour crown in three years by finishing fifth or better at Thompson, but with Preece so close behind, 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 is scheduled to commence for the Whelen Modified Tour with practice and qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 25. The 150-lap race is set to go green on Sunday, Oct. 25 at approximately 3:30 p.m.
by Jay | Oct 22, 2009 | New England, Thompson
NEMA’S Owners Crown Decided At World Series
The owner’s championship is still a question mark as the Northeastern Midget Association brings the 2009 season to a finish at Thompson Speedways rescheduled World Series this weekend. Defending champion Tim Bertrand (47) takes a 26-point edge on Mike Jarret (4) into Sunday’s 25-lap feature.
NEMA has a long relationship with the World Series that was rained out last weekend. Championship battles ending at the traditional season-ending event are hardly unique. It will be NEMAs only visit to Thompson this season.
Bertrand’s driver Randy Cabral already has his second straight championship in hand. Jarret’s driver Nokie Fornoro is assured of second place in the final standings. Both are seasoned-hands on the ultra-quick fifth mile, totaling 11 victories between them.
Cabral, the unofficial record holder with a 17.620 lap turned at last year’s World Series, is the club’s all-time Thompson winner with seven. Fornoro has been winning at Thompson since 1982. Russ and Greg Stoehr have both been involved in classic season ending-races at Thompson in the past as well.
Clearly the fastest place NEMA visits, a victory at Thompson is a perfect ending. Adam Cantor, the winner a couple weeks back at Twin State, makes no secret of his desire to end a strong campaign in Thompson’s Victory Lane.
Other possibilities for the Marvin Rifchin Trophy are Jeff Horn, Erica Santos and Jim Miller. Chris DeRitis, NEMAs top rookie, Abby Martino and John Zych Jr. are among the drivers seeking to protect top-10 spots in the driver and owner standings.
Cabral, who doesn’t like talking about points, had five wins among ten top-fives in 13 starts en route to the driver’s championship. He comes to the World Series in pursuit of his 27th career win, all of them coming in the past 10 campaigns.
In one less start, Fornoro had a couple wins among 10 tops 10s. He’ll be after his 45th NEMA checkered.
by Jay | Oct 15, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT The consistent predictions of a rain-filled weekend forced Thompson International Speedway officials to reschedule the XTRA MART World Series of Speedway Racing to next weekend. The event schedule for the new dates, October 23, 24, and 25 will be exactly the same as that listed for this weekend.
Thompson track management, after careful consideration of both race teams and fans, made the rescheduling decision at this time in order to give those traveling to Thompson as much notice as possible. “We desperately wanted to run the World Series event this weekend, said track owner, Don Hoenig. But, when virtually every weather forecast is predicting a complete wash out, we felt we had no choice but to move everything to next weekend”.
The three-day XTRA MART World Series of Speedway Racing, featuring all fifteen racing divisions, will get underway on Friday, October 23rd and will continue through Sunday October 25th. The original schedule of events will remain unchanged.
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.
