by Jay | Sep 21, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT Five of the six NASCAR Whelen All-American series division championships will be decided this Thursday at the Thompson International Speedway. The tightest points races are in the track’s Sunoco Modified and Super Late Model divisions where only four points separate the top two contenders in both divisions.
Keith Rocco leads Woody Pitkat by four in the Sunoco Modified ranks while Derek Ramstrom holds the same edge over Mike O’Sullivan. Ramstrom, the high school senior, is the only one of these contenders seeking his first Thompson championship.
Close points races also involve the Thompson Modifieds, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. However, the Late Model title was decided on Thursday, September 17th, when John Materas claimed the crown by a 68 point margin over Mark Oliveira.
Three drivers are in the running for the top spot in the Thompson Modified division. Brian Sullivan, winner of five feature events this year, leads Keith McDermott by 14 points with Brian Tagg only twenty eight points behind. Anyone of the three could emerge with the title following their 20-lap main this week.
The Limited Sportsman division also has three drivers with a chance to claim the championship. Larry Barnett leads the points chase by a margin of thirty two over Jay Sundeen with Joe Arena, forty two off the pace, in third place.
Scott Michalski is in the best position of any of the title contenders. He holds a forty eight point advantage over Brad Caddick in the extremely competitive Mini Stock division. But, with fifty points awarded to the winner, it is still mathematically possible that Caddick could emerge with the crown.
Qualifying races begin at 5:15 PM and the TNTT season-ending feature races follow about one hour later. Tension runs high in these five divisions as championships come down to the last event of the regular season. Each race team is expected to bring their best effort in hopes of ending their season-long effort on a high note.
Once the regular weekly season concludes, Thompson Speedway management will turn their attention to the three-day XTRA MART World Series of Speedway Racing scheduled for the weekend of October 16th-18th. Track officials are expecting in excess of four hundred racers representing fourteen different and distinct divisions. Tickets for this racing extravaganza are now available by calling the track office at 860-923-2280. The entire World Series schedule along with race rules and driver registration forms for “outlaw” divisions are available on the Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com
by Jay | Sep 18, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
O’Sullivan, Gentes, Monahan, McDermott & Michalski Also Visit Victory Lane
Thompson, CT (September 17, 2009): The season is winding down at Thompson Speedway but the excitement is still ramping up. With tight point races in all divisions, Thursday night’s feature events had major championship implications. Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scored his third Super Late Model victory of the season to bring the chase to the championship to single digits. Cam McDermott had a good point night as he scored his second win of the season in TIS Modified competition.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, hustled his way from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, after qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event to win his sixth Sunoco Modified feature event of the season at Thompson and his second in a row. Christopher edged out fellow Modified Tour competitors Rowan Pennink, Keith Rocco, and Woody Pitkat to take down the victory.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, returned to his winning ways in the Late Models while Sean Monahan of Waterford, CT, scored the victory in the Limited Sportsman division. Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, CT, earned his second Mini Stock victory of the season.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, ended a busy day with a trip to victory lane. Christopher drove by pole sitter Dave LaCroix in the first turn of the first lap. Rocco and Pitkat followed through. The cars of Christopher, Rocco and Pitkat ran a distance ahead of Rowan Pennink in fourth.
Pitkat began to apply heavy pressure to Rocco for the second spot as they completed the fifth lap. Christopher could not gain any breathing room on Rocco. Pennink had begun to run the lead trio down. A bit deeper in the pack, Tim Sullivan and Danny Cates were locked in a heated battle for the sixth spot. Despite their battle they were reeling in fifth-place runner Kerry Malone.
Up front, Rocco had caught the back bumper of Christopher. Pitkat dogged Rocco for second and Pennink had caught the battle for the top spot. At halfway, Cates had gotten by Sullivan for sixth. He immediately began to apply pressure to Malone for fifth. Cates dove low in turn three to grab the fifth position away. The top three remained nose to tail as Pennink faded back.
A slugfest between Andy Gaspar, Ricky Shawn, and Harry Rheaume ended with Gaspar limping down the backstretch. The leaders came up on the slow car rapidly but all were able to take the low groove around safely. Ultimately, Gaspar would end up stopped on the backstretch to bring out the caution. Malone headed to pit road under the caution.
Christopher picked the low groove for the restart on lap 19. The move paid off as Christopher, who edged ahead on the restart. Pitkat appeared to miss a shift faltering a bit on the restart.
Rocco made a bold move in turn one to take the lead from Teddy. Christopher duplicated the effort in turn two to regain the top spot. The battle allowed Pitkat to regain the ground he lost to the leaders on the restart. Cates was now part of the mix as well. On lap 22, Cates got into Pitkat sending him spinning to the infield. His teammate Malone was also collected. Cates was put to the rear for his involvement in the incident.
On the restart, Christopher resumed the lead but it was Pennink rocketing into the second spot ahead of Rocco. A spin by Rheaume brought out the caution to negate the pass for second. They would do it all again on the second restart attempt on lap 22.
It was a dogfight at the head of the pack between Christopher, Rocco and Pennink with the green flag flying once again. Bert Marvin had quietly made his way into the fourth position. Pitkat was back in the top five with five laps remaining; but a caution for a single-car incident involving Wayne Arute put Pitkat back to sixth.
An attempt at a single file restart was thwarted when a spin by Sullivan brought out the caution once again. Again, Christopher got a slight advantage over Rocco for the top spot. Pennink was once again looking racy for the second spot. With two laps to go, Pennink sent his #31 in the low groove in turn four to take over the second spot. Pitkat was able to get by Marvin for fourth.
At the checkers, Christopher took down the victory over Pennink. Rocco had to settle for third over Pitkat and Marvin. With the finish, Rocco gained two points over his nearest competition, Pitkat. Rocco has a four-point advantage over Pitkat going into the final point race next Thursday.
Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, edged ever-closer to another championship with his Super Late Model victory. Right from the drop of the green flag there was excitement in the Super Late Models. Pole sitter Larry Gelinas immediately had his hands full with Dennis Maxfield. The two went fender-to-fender for a number of laps. As the lead duo battled O’Sullivan and Norm Wrenn lurked behind.
On lap seven, Maxfield was finally able to gain the advantage. Gelinas immediately fell to the challenge of O’Sullivan. A great run by O’Sullivan on lap 11 gave him the advantage and the lead over Maxfield. Derek Ramstrom was making his way to the front taking spots from Rick Fuller and Norm Wrenn. He got by Gelinas on lap 17 to take over the third position.
Up front, O’Sullivan had run out to a six-car length advantage over Maxfield while Ramstrom was quickly closing the gap. Gelinas ran along in the fourth spot followed by a battle for the fifth position between Wrenn, Fuller, and George Bessette.
With five laps to go Ramstrom had caught Maxfield and the leader entered lapped traffic. Maxfield and Ramstrom were able to cut down the lead substantially when O’Sullivan was forced high on the track by a lapped car. The incident was hardly a glitch as O’Sullivan quickly gained his composure and once again stretched his advantage.
O’Sullivan had nearly a half straightaway lead as he streaked under the checkers for his third win of the season. Ramstrom could not muster up a serious challenge on Maxfield for second. Gelinas and Norm Wrenn completed the top five. With this victory on Thursday night in the Super Late Model division, Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, cut Derek Ramstrom’s point lead to a mere four points heading into the final point race.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored his fourth win of the season in impressive style. Gentes took the lead after halfway and ran uncontested to the checkers. Corey Hutchings came from the fifth position to set the pace early in the Late Model main event. While Hutchings had quickly run out to a sizable margin in the opening five laps, point leader John Materas was coming on strong; reeling in the leader. Gentes joined the fray before the completion of lap 10 to make it a three-car freight train at the head of the field. The most recent winner, Tommy O’Sullivan, was beginning to run down the leaders.
Gentes began to assert himself with less than 10 laps to go. He got alongside Materas and easily made the pass for second. Once by Materas, Gentes immediately went to work on Hutchings. The two went side-by-side lap after lap before Gentes muscled his way by on lap 19.
Ken Bamford made hard contact with the outside wall to bring out the caution on lap 20. On the single file restart, Hutchings appeared to miss a shift making it clear sailing for Gentes, who ran out to a 10-car length advantage. The hottest battle on the field was for the third position. The battle got too hot as Materas and O’Sullivan made contact. Materas got out of shape but was able to continue with some damage. O’Sullivan headed to pit road for service. He, too, was able to rejoin the tail end of the field.
An uneventful last dash to the checkers saw Gentes run away with the win. Hutching finished a distant second to Dave Trudeau. Damon Tinio had a career night to finish fourth. Wayne Coury, Sr. recovered from a heat race incident to complete the top five.
Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI, cut into the point lead of Brian Sullivan with his second TIS Modified victory of the season. McDermott now trails Sullivan by 14 points heading into the final race of the regular season. A heated battle for the lead between John Studley and McDermott was slowed when Jeff Barrows and Jay Sundeen made hard contact with the outside wall in turn one on the opening lap. McDermott grabbed the lead from Studley on the restart. Another incident followed involving Glenn Boss and Bart Ramos. Brian Sullivan was penalized for his involvement. Brian Tagg headed to pit road with a flat tire.
Before a lap could be completed, the #31 broke in a shower of sparks; coming to rest on the front stretch and bringing out the caution. Things settled down after the restart with McDermott in control. The young driver was able to extend his lead by nearly a half-straightaway advantage over Studley in second. A fully recovered Tagg was running down R.J. Marcotte for third.
A hard lick by Ramos in the turn four wall set up a green-white-checker restart that pitted McDermott against Studley once again. In the single-file restart, McDermott edged out to a single car-length advantage. Things remained unchanged over the final two laps as McDermott headed to victory lane. Studley had a great run to finish second. Marcotte, Tagg, and Sullivan completed the top five.
With a last lap pass, Sean Monahan of Waterford, CT, scored his second win of the season in Limited Sportsman competition. Joe Campbell jumped out from his front row starting spot to lead the opening laps of the event. After a restart on lap three, his car began to show smoke. He gave up the lead to Joe Arena. After losing the second position to Sean Monahan, Campbell headed down pit road.
Arena had run out to a comfortable lead over Monahan as Barnett had already worked his way into the third position. The leader encountered heavy lapped traffic as the field got the halfway marker. Arena had to weave in and out of the slower traffic allowing Monahan to cut the margin. Monahan was only a couple of car lengths away. Barnett was not able to make any headway toward the lead duo.
With rotors aglow, Monahan went in search of Arena. On the white flag lap, Monahan caught Arena. On the final lap, in a last ditch effort, Monahan was able to make the pass. Arena had to settle for second. Barnett padded his point lead finishing third. Chris “Moose” Douton and Paul Palen completed the top-five.
In the Mini Stock main event, Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, CT, earned his second win of the 2009 season. Ian Brew moved from the fourth position to the lead in the opening lap. Less than a lap later, Brad Caddick had taken over the point. Almost immediately, Caddick had company. It was a three car battle for the lead between Caddick, St. Michalski, and a charging Randy Churchill. After a heated battle, Michalski had taken over the lead on lap 12.
Once out front, Michalski was able to extend his lead. Meanwhile his brother Scott Michalski had joined the lead pack. In the closing laps with St. Michalski comfortably out front the battle continued for the second position. Steve Michalski went on to score his second win of the year. Scott came on strong on the final lap to finish second. Churchill continued his late season string of top finishes finishing in the third position. Caddick and Jeff Moffat rounded out the top five.
After the 1,500 plus votes were tallied, the “Most Popular Driver” awards were presented on Thursday night to drivers in each of the six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division. Taking the honors were Woody Pitkat of Stafford, CT, in the Sunoco Modifieds; Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, in Super Late Models; Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, in Late Models; Joe Arena of Bristol, CT, in the Limited Sportsman division; Jay Sundeen of Douglas, MA, in the TIS Modifieds; and Scott Michalski S. Killingly, CT, in the Mini Stock divisions.
Sunoco Modified Feature (Top-Ten) Finish: 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Rowan Pennink, Huntington Station, PA; 3. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 4. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 5. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 6. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 7. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, RI; 8. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 9. Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 10. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT.
Super Late Model (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 3. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 4. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, MA; 5. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 6. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 7. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 8. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 9. Steve Desmarias, Westport, MA; 10. Jim Banfield, MA.
Late Model (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 3. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 4. Damon Tinio, Medfield, MA; 5. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 6. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 7. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 8. Phil Rondeau, Baltic, CT; 9. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 10. Al Mandarino, Lake Grove, NY.
TIS Modifieds (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Cam McDermott, Scituate; 2. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 3. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 4. Brian Tagg, Oxford, CT; 5. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA; 8. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 9. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 10. Glen Boss, Danielson, CT.
Limited Sportsman (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Joe Arena Bristol, CT; 3. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 4. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 5. Paul Palen, Pelham, CT; 6. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 7. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 8. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 9. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 10. Al Stone III, New Haven, CT.
Mini Stock (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 3. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 4. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 5. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 6. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 7. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct, RI; 8. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 9. Billy Pomposelli, Chepachet, RI; 10. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT.
by Jay | Sep 15, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT With two weeks remaining in the regular racing season, the pressure is on as race teams try to secure one of the six division championships up for grabs at Thompson International Speedway. Drivers compete for both money and points at each event during the season. As the season draws to a close, the points, in many cases, become the driving force behind the competition.
The points competition in each of Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions is red hot. Two events that award track points remain on the 2009 schedule. Going into those events, not a single driver has clinched one of the coveted titles.
The closest points race is in Thompson’s premier division, the Sunoco Modifieds. Going into this week’s competition, a mere two points separate drivers Keith Rocco and Woody Pitkat. Rocco will be determined to maintain his advantage over Pitkat after seeing his chances for a national championship fade when rain washed out his last two opportunities to overtake Ruckersville, VA driver Philip Morris for the national crown. Rocco claimed the 2007 Thompson title by only six points over Pitkat who was the 2006 titlist. However, it’s not just Rocco and Pitkat who could claim the top spot. Both Rowan Pennink and Ted Christopher have a shot at the top spot. Last year’s Sunoco Modified champion, Kerry Malone, is mathematically out of the running to repeat since he is 136 points behind the leader with just two points events remaining.
Thompson’s Super Late Model division is nearly as close with Derek Ramstrom holding a slim eight points advantage over the 2007 champ, Mike O’Sullivan. Norman Wrenn and Les Rose, Jr. are also contenders in this extremely competitive division.
Brian Sullivan has a twenty two points lead over Cam McDermott with Brian Tagg and Glenn Boss within striking distance in the Thompson Modified division. Limited Sportsman driver Larry Barnett is a mere twenty four points in front of Jay Sundeen. That number doubles when measuring the distance between Barnett and third place driver, Joe Arena. However, Arena, Scott Sundeen, the 2008 champ, and Paul Coutu, Jr. are also still very much in the race for that number one position.
The largest points lead going into the final two weeks of competition belongs to Late Model competitor John Materas. In spite of a difficult outing last week, Materas still holds an advantage of some fifty eight points over Mark Oliveira and a ninety points over third place driver Tom O’Sullivan. Not quite as large of an advantage is enjoyed by Mini Stock driver Scott Michalski. A total of forty four points separate Michalski and Brad Caddick. The division’s biggest winner in ’09, Tim Taylor, is eighty points behind and is followed by Steve Michalski and Rookie Randy Churchill. Any of these Mini Stock competitors could end up with a front row table at the Thompson awards banquet in January.
The number of contenders could be reduced drastically after this Thursday night’s competition or things could get even tighter. With fifty track points awarded for a win, almost any combination of changes is possible in the final two weeks. Complete points standings and event schedules are available on the Thompson website. www.thompsonspeedway.com Thompson Thunder series events are family priced at only $15.00 for adults and Jr. tickets are only $5.00.
by Jay | Sep 13, 2009 | New England, Thompson
Christopher Scores Fifth Sunoco Modified Win at Thompson
Fuller Scores Popular Super Late Model Victory
O’Sullivan, Gleason, Sullivan, & Churchill Also Tops
Thompson, CT (September 10, 2009): A full-slate of NASCAR All-American Series racing was on tap at Thompson International Speedway on Thursday night. Six different drivers graced victory lane during Thursday Night Thompson Thunder. Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, made it look easy as he earned his fifth Sunoco Modified feature win of the season. Rick Fuller of Auburn, MA, scored a much-anticipated victory in the Super Late Model division. Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, made it two-in-a-row in Late Model action.
Jesse Gleason of Lisbon, CT, scored his first win of the season in the Limited Sportsman division. Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, scored his sixth TIS Modified feature event win of the season. In the Mini Stocks, Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, scored consecutive victories.
In a race laden with national implications, Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, stole the show; cruising to the victory in the Sunoco Modified main event. The veteran sailed around Ronnie Silk on lap 10 in the caution-free main event. Silk bolted out to the early lead over Christopher and pole sitter Andy Gaspar.
While Kerry Malone was all over Gaspar, Rowan Pennink, Keith Rocco and Woody Pitkat jockeyed for position. Nearly a half straightaway ahead of an intense battle for third, Christopher was all over the back bumper of Silk. After laps of cat-and-mouse, Malone finally freed himself of Gaspar, who continued to fall out of the top-five.
Christopher was able to grab the lead away from Silk on lap 10 with a move in turn one. Rocco was able to gain a position from Pennink; bringing Pitkat along for the ride. Rocco immediately ran down Malone to take over third. Pitkat followed through sending Malone back to fifth.
Christopher continued to lead Silk by over 10 car-lengths. Rocco was doing little to cut into the advantage Silk enjoyed in second. With only five laps remaining, Rocco had his hands full with Pitkat, who he is also locked in a battle with for the lead in the Sunoco Modified point standings.
Pennink passed Malone to enter the top five in the closing laps. With the action behind him, Christopher handily cruised to the victory over Silk. Rocco settled for the third spot over Pitkat and Pennink. Rocco will head into the final two point races with a scant two point advantage over Pitkat.
Local favorite Rick Fuller of Auburn, MA, returned to his racing roots earlier this season making the Thompson Super Late Models his home for the 2009 season. After being close on several occasions, Fuller made his triumphant return to victory lane; his first as a driver since 2001.
Jim Banfield was having the run of his season leading the opening laps of the Super Late Model main event. He was able to gain an advantage over a heated battle for the second position between Dennis Maxfield and Rick Fuller. After several laps, Fuller was able to free himself from Maxfield. By the halfway marker, Fuller had all but caught Banfield. Larry Gelinas and Derek Ramstrom ran fender-to-fender for the fourth spot. Norm Wrenn lurked outside of the top five with Mike O’Sullivan.
Banfield maintained a two car-length advantage over Fuller. Ramstrom had gotten past Gelinas and O’Sullivan grabbed a spot away from Wrenn. With less than 10 laps to go, Fuller began to apply pressure. On lap 22, Fuller got up alongside Banfield. As they started lap 23, Fuller was the new leader. The field got strung out with Fuller in command over Banfield, Maxfield, Ramstrom and O’Sullivan. Over the final five laps, all Banfield could do was watch as Fuller motored away. On the last lap, Ramstrom caught Maxfield and applied heavy pressure.
Fuller handily headed to victory lane. Banfield had a season-high runner-up finish. Maxfield held off Ramstrom for third. Mike O’Sullivan completed the top five.
Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, proved to be the man to beat in the Late Model division for the second week in a row. O’Sullivan took the lead from Mark Oliveira early in the race event. John Materas, who had started mid-pack, looked like he was making headway toward the front. The point leader watched as promise turned to despair when mechanical failure sent the #73 pit side. The man on the move was Corey Hutchings, who had taken over the third position with the laps winding down.
An incident involving Damon Tinio brought out the caution setting up a green-white-checker restart. On the restart, Hutchings went spinning but was able to continue. The caution flew when Phil Rondeau came to rest on the front stretch. Hutchings was the beneficiary of the caution by getting his position on the last completed green flag lap.
O’Sullivan was able to gain some breathing room over Oliveira. Hutchings could not make any advances toward Oliveira. At the stripe, O’Sullivan was the winner followed by Oliveira and Hutchings. Jeff Hartwell and Tom Fox each brought home top-five finishes.
Jesse Gleason of Lisbon, CT, was an opportunist on Thursday night to top a 22-car field of Limited Sportsman; scoring his first victory of the 2009 season. The opening lap of the main event was marred by a melee involving a host of cars. Tommy Shea, running third, got out of shape in front of the pack collecting a host of cars including point leader Larry Barnett, Shawn Monahan, Paul Palen, and others. After a trip to the pits, Barnett was able to rejoin the field.
With racing finally underway it was Kevin Bowe leading the way. The second spot was being hotly contested between Jay Sundeen and Joe Coates. Barnett was quickly making his way toward the front; moving into the fifth position before the completion of lap six.
A caution at lap seven bunched up the field. Barnett jumped from the fifth spot to third on the restart. On lap eight, Barnett got along side Sundeen entering turn one. He gained the position and set his sites on Bowe. Joe Campbell had broken into the top five.
Barnett dove low on lap 10 pressuring Bowe for the lead. He made the pass look easy as he drove into the lead. Coates spun from inside of the top five on lap 11 to bring out the caution. Under the caution, Campbell watched his great run end; heading down pit road.
On the restart, Barnett faltered going from the lead to the tail-end of the field in a single lap. Bowe had inherited the lead but his day ended with mechanical woes as well; handing the lead over to Jesse Gleason. Chris “Moose” Douton found himself in the second position. In the closing laps, Douton had caught the bumper of the leader Gleason. Gleason was up for the challenge to score his first win of the season. Douton settled for second over Sundeen, Gerald Sevigny, and Coates.
Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, continued to set the bar in the TIS Modified division with another win on Thursday night. The TIS Modified main event, too, was marred by an opening lap incident. Outside pole-sitter Jay Sundeen lost the handle on his TIS Modified sending the field scattering in turn two. After a complete restart, point leader Sullivan rocketed into the lead. R.J. Marcotte was all over the back bumper of Sullivan. Boss ran alone in the third position.
Both Brian Tagg and Cam McDermott were mired in traffic back in the pack. At the halfway marker, John Studley made contact with the outside wall. This freed up the lane for Tagg to start making his way toward the front. Tagg took over the fourth spot from Bart Ramos and looked to hunt down Boss. In the waning laps Sullivan was able to open up a slight advantage over Marcotte. Boss was secure in the third place as Tagg could do little to cut down the margin.
In the end, Sullivan was able to extend his point lead with his sixth victory of the season. Marcotte came home the runner-up over Boss. Tagg and Ramos rounded out the top five.
Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, scored his second straight Mini Stock feature victory over point leader Scott Michalski in a photo-finish. The duo went door-to-door over the final laps with Churchill taking the top spot by mere inches over Sc. Michalski.
With early leader Jeff Moffat at the head of the pack in the early going things were busy inside the top five. Churchill had already worked his way into the second spot before the completion of lap five. Brad Caddick spun from the fourth position to bring out the event’s first caution. Steve Michalski was penalized for his involvement in the incident. On the restart Moffat was able to maintain his advantage. But less than a lap later, Churchill catapulted into the lead bringing Sc. Michalski along for the ride. Tim Taylor had caught Moffat before the second caution flew for a single car incident involving Nick Anderson.
On the ensuing restart, Sc. Michalski was able to get the advantage; however, when they crossed the stripe to complete the lap Churchill edged ahead by inches. Over the final laps, the two ran door-to-door while Moffat had his hands full holding off Taylor. The duo headed out of turn four coming to the checkers in a dead-heat. Churchill motored toward the checkers; edging out Sc. Michalski for the win. Moffat held on for the third spot. Taylor and Scott Jassaume completed the top five.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 3. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 4. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 5. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 6. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 7. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 8. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 9. Ryan Preece, Kensington, CT; 10. Andy Gaspar, Andover, MA.
Super Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 2. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 3. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 4. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 5. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 6. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 7. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 8. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 9. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 10. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 3. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 4. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 5. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 6. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 7. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 8. Dennis Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 9. Phil Rondeau, Baltic, CT; 10. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 2. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 3. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 5. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 6. John Carpenter, Danielson, CT; 7. Mike Palin, Dudley, MA; 8. J.P. Lwoinski, Jr., Milford, MA; 9. Dana Young, Willimantic, CT; 10. Joe Plonski, Worcester, MA.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 3. Glen Boss, Danielson, CT; 4. Brian Tagg, Oxford, CT; 5. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 6. Cam McDermott, Scituate, MA; 7. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 8. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA; 9. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 10. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 2. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 3. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 4. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 5. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 6.Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 7. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 8. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 9. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 10. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA.
by Jay | Sep 4, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
Lia Scores Two-Straight in WMT Action with Win at Thompson
Red-Hot Pennink Scores Career First Sunoco Mod
Ramstrom, O’Sullivan, Barnett, Tagg & Churchill Weekly Winners
Thompson, CT (September 3, 2009): The Whelen Modified Tour headed to Thompson International Speedway for the make-up of the event regularly scheduled for August 13, 2009. Donny Lia of Jericho, NY, in Bob Garbarino’s Mystic Missile was the show on Thursday night. Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon, PA, who has been enjoying strong seasons in both the Whelen Modified Tour and the True Value Modified Series, has now tasted victory in the Sunoco Modified Series with his victory at Thompson on Thursday.
Victories helped Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, and Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, stretch their point leads in the Super Late Model and Limited Sportsman divisions respectively. After post race tech, Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA; was awarded his third Late Model victory of the season. Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, streaked in TIS Modified competition with his second straight victory. Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, took down his first Mini Stock feature event win at Thompson.
Donny Lia, the 2007 Series champion, earned the Coors Light Pole Award with a lap at 119.847 MPH for 18.774 seconds. He went on to lead a number of laps and he likely passed the most cars. After the redraw, Lia started ninth. He made his first appearance at the head of the pack early in the race dualing with the likes of fellow former champions Christopher and Todd Szegedy. During a heated battle with Christopher for the lead on lap 106, contact sent Lia spinning.
The Jericho, NY, driver did a masterful job of keeping his car off the wall. He restarted at the tail of the field. He had meticulously worked his way through traffic. By lap 120, he was inside of the top five. The benefit of a well-placed caution lined Lia up with the likes of Szegedy, Christopher and Rowan Pennink. At lap 140, Donny Lia was the new leader. At lap 150, he was the winner. Christopher settled for the second spot over Szegedy. Rowan Pennink and Keith Rocco rounded out the top five.
Pennink of Huntingdon, PA, had a stellar night; wiring the field earlier in the night to score his first-ever Thompson Speedway victory and career first Sunoco Modified feature event win. Pennink led the opening lap but immediately had his hands full with Kerry Malone and Ted Christopher. Pennink was able to maintain the lead as Malone settled back in line ahead of Christopher. The fiercest battle amid the pack was for the fourth position between Tim Sullivan, Keith Rocco and Woody Pitkat. Sullivan had the spot with Rocco and Pitkat within striking distance. The action cooled when the first caution flew for a spin by Harry Rheaume.
On the restart, Malone was able to get the edge but his advancement was for naught as the caution flew before the leaders could get out of turn two. The dreadful season for Sullivan continued as he made hard contact with the outside wall in turn one to bring out the second caution. Malone got slightly out of shape on the ensuing restart making contact with Ted Christopher. Christopher slid through the infield making contact with the inside wall on the front stretch. The damage forced Christopher to retire from the event.
Rocco looked like he was shot out of a cannon on the restart moving to the second spot. Pitkat was able to get by Malone as well. A quick restart allowed Pitkat to gain another spot into the second position. Ronnie Silk, the new driver of the TS Haulers #12, made his first appearance inside the top five. After a stop on pit road, Danny Cates had come back to ride in the sixth spot.
A bobble by leader Pennink exiting turn four one lap shy of halfway gave Pitkat a shot at the lead. Pennink recovered to maintain the position. A half-lap later, Pitkat tried the low side in turn three. The lane swap gave Rocco the edge to put him back in the runner-up position.
Pennink continued to show the way with Rocco bearing down. Pitkat had settled back into the third position before the fifth caution of the event flew for a spin by Carl Oberg. Cates was back on pit road during the caution at lap 17.
It was much of the same on the restart as Pennink had to fight off the advances of Rocco. Pitkat laid in wait in third followed by Malone and Silk. Rocco pushed Pennink on the straight-aways lap-after-lap. Rocco got alongside Pennink exiting turn four on lap 21. He had to settle back in line as Pitkat began to apply pressure to Rocco.
On a restart on lap 24, Rocco tried the crossover move looking for the lead. He got the car a bit out of shape as he dove too low and into the dirt giving Pitkat daylight. Pitkat was able to take the second spot away. Rocco pulled in behind Pitkat. The two continued to dog Pennink.
On the final two laps the cat and mouse for the second position between Pitkat and Rocco allowed Pennink to celebrate his birthday with a victory as he flashed under the checkers. Pitkat finished a strong second followed by Rocco. Malone and Silk completed the top-five.
Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, CT, turned in a dominating performance to score his fourth Super Late Model victory of the season. The first half of the 30-lap event was laden with cautions decimating the field. All but the top few cars had been involved in incidents in some way or another. A couple of grinding crashes eliminated the cars of Norm Wrenn, Henry Stampfl and Daryl Stampfl. Top guns Mike Stefanik and Rick Fuller also sustained damage.
Things settled down after halfway with Ramstrom solidly in control. Ramstrom had a 10-car length advantage with the crossed flags in the air. The leader gained additional distance as Larry Gelinas had to fight off Mike O’Sullivan. As the two did battle Bessette was able to join the fray.
O’Sullivan was able to make the pass for the runner-up spot on lap 22. O’Sullivan had eight laps to catch Ramstrom, who had nearly a half-straightaway advantage. Meanwhile, Bessette had caught Gelinas.
Gelinas spun with only two laps to go relinquishing the third position. The veteran was able to keep his momentum allowing the leaders to go green to the checkers. Ramstrom handily took down the win followed by O’Sullivan. Bessette recovered from his early race incident to score a podium finish in third. Mike Stefanik and Dennis Maxfield rounded out the top-five.
In Late Model action, Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, drove under the checkered flag in the second position; however, following post race technical inspection, O’Sullivan was awarded with the victory. It appeared as if Rick Gentes had scored his fourth Late Model victory of the season but a rules infraction found the Woonsocket, RI, driver penalized to the tail-end of the lead lap.
Right from the drop of the green flag the Late Model main event was intense. They were three-wide for the lead as they streaked under the initial green flag. Randy Waterman held the top spot but Mark Oliveira and Tommy O’Sullivan bore down.
O’Sullivan was able to use a lapped car to his advantage to finish off the pass for the lead coming out of turn two on lap eight. Gentes was on the move taking over the second spot. Oliveira continued to fade losing the third position to John Materas.
From second, Gentes set his sites on O’Sullivan. By halfway, Gentes had caught the back bumper of O’Sullivan. Gentes began looking for running room to the inside of O’Sullivan. Materas ran all alone in the third spot. Oliveira faltered exiting turn four to give up the fifth spot to Jeff Hartwell.
Gentes got along side O’Sullivan on lap 16. At the stripe, Gentes was the new leader by a few feet. Materas had caught the battle for the top spot. In the waning laps, Gentes was able to stretch his lead over O’Sullivan, who had stretched his advantage of Materas once again. At the checkers, it was Gentes but scoring the win was O’Sullivan. Materas was scored as the runner-up. Hartwell, Oliveira, and Wayne Coury, Sr. completed the top-five. For the first time in likely a decade, local favorite Jeff Zuidema was missing from the field after issues from last week.
Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, used his years of experience to gain his sixth feature win of the season in Limited Sportsman competition over one of the division’s brightest young stars. Once again, the Limited Sportsman division treated the fans with a tremendous battle for the top spot. Jay Sundeen and Barnett went side-by-side lap after lap. A caution at halfway cooled the battled but only temporarily. On the restart, the lead duo picked up where they left off. On lap 12, Barnett was able to grab the lead away. Sundeen was not giving up as he remained glued to the back bumper of Barnett. Joe Arena ran alone in the third position.
Over the final few laps, Barnett was able to free himself from Sundeen to gain a 10-car advantage. There was a scary moment for Sundeen on the final lap of the event. The lapped car of Paul Palen bobbled nearly making contact with the young driver. Sundeen never missed a beat; however, and chased winner Barnett to the checkers. Paul Coutu, Jr. and last week’s winner Shawn Monahan rounded out the top five.
Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, turned in a strong performance to score his fourth victory of the season. Glenn Boss led the opening laps; withstanding a pair of early restarts. A restart on lap six proved to be the undoing for Boss as Tagg was able to take over the lead exiting turn three.
After halfway, the top five ran nose to tail as Tagg extended his lead. With the laps winding down, early leader Boss began to fade. Cam McDermott was able to move into the second position on lap 12. A lap later, Boss fell to the challenge of Brian Sullivan. In the closing stages, Tagg continued to distance himself from the field. In the end, the second-generation driver ran to his second straight victory. McDermott cut slightly into Sullivan’s point lead to finish second. Sullivan settled for third over Boss and R.J. Marcotte.
He had been a winner in Outlaw Mini Stock competition but on Thursday night Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, notched his first Thompson Mini Stock feature win. Churchill had to wrestle the lead away from early leader Chad Baxter more than once to gain the victory.
Slight contact between Baxter and Churchill on lap four gave Churchill the lead. A caution flew negating the pass for the lead. Once back to green, the battle for the lead resumed. After 15-laps Churchill would prevail as the Mini Stock winner. Steve Michalski passed Baxter to finish second. Point leader Scott Michalski finished fourth ahead of Tim Taylor, who was aboard a new car after last week’s wreck.
Whelen Modified Tour Feature Finish (Unofficial Top Ten): 1. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 3. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 4. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 5. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 6. Eric Beers, Northampton, PA; 7. Eric Berndt, Cromwell, CT; 8. Bob Grigas, III, Marshfield, MA; 9. Glenn Reen, Wilbraham, MA; 10. Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 4. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 5. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 6. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 7. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 8. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, CT; 9. David LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 10. Wayne Arute, Berlin, CT.
Super Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 4. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 5. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 6. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 7. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 8. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 9. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 10. Henry Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 3. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 4. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 5. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 6. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 7. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 8. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 9. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 4. Paul Coutu, Jr. Thompson, CT; 5. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 6. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 7. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 8. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 9. John Carpenter, Danielson, CT; 10. Tom Shea, New London, CT.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 2. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 5. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, CT; 6. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 7. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 8. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, CT; 9. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 10. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 2. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 3. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 4. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 5. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 6. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 7. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 8. Trevor Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 9. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 10. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT.
by Jay | Sep 3, 2009 | Thompson
Keith Rocco has been named the new driver for the T.S. Haulers # 12 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car owned by Ed Partridge. Rocco will replace Jimmy Blewett for the balance of the 2009 season beginning with this week’s running of the Bud 150. In addition, Ronnie Silk has been given the seat in Partridge’s Sunoco Modified in Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series division. These changes were announced Monday by team owner Ed Partridge. Rocco will continue to drive the number 6 Interstate Diesel Sunoco Modified in Thompson’s weekly competition.
In announcing the change, Partridge told Thompson Speedway that “things have gotten to be too much for Jimmy. He has huge family and family business commitments and he just needed a break. All is good between Jimmy and me and he will still drive my car at Wall Stadium. He will probably drive one of our Sunoco Modifieds at Thompson’s World Series,” Partridge concluded.
Keith Rocco is thrilled at the chance to drive a top notch WMT race car. “I am definitely excited. This is a great opportunity, said Rocco. Jimmy Blewett and I are really close friends and he has been giving me tips and pointers on the car and the Tour. He’s given me some great advice and it means a lot.” Rocco has competed once before in a WMT car at Thompson. That outing came last October when he drove the Joe Brady car during the World Series of Speedway Racing.
Rocco is in a tough battle with Woody Pitkat for the Thompson Sunoco Modified championship and is also in the thick of points battle for the NASCAR national championship.
Ronnie Silk will join the ranks of the Sunoco Modified division in the Partridge owned #12 this week. Silk has had much success at the Thompson. He has three WMT wins to his credit. The first coming in September of ’07 and that was followed by back-to-back wins in June and August of ’08.
The New England Dodge Dealers presentation of the Bud 150 is scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd. Qualifying begins at 5:30 PM with the Bud 150 scheduled for a start time of approximately 8:45 PM.
