by Jay | Sep 1, 2009 | NASCAR, Thompson
Ted Christopher (No. 36 Al-Lee Installations Chevrolet) may have come up just short of the victory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, but he still finds himself in the driver’s seat in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour points standings.
Barely.
After rain washed out a trip to Chemung, N.Y., this past weekend, the Tour will resume this Thursday at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway with a makeup date for the Budweiser 150 presented by New England Dodge Dealers. The race was originally slated to run prior to the combination race at Bristol.
Instead, it will serve as the tour’s return to the track. Christopher, from Plainville, Conn., will return to the .625-mile banked oval where he opened the defense of his championship with a victory in April. He will carry a slight 29-point lead over Todd Szegedy (No. 2 Wisk/Snuggle Ford) of Ridgefield, Conn.
A third Connecticut driver, Ryan Preece (No. 3 Mizzy Construction/Reynold’s Auto Wrecking Chevrolet), from Berlin, has won two of the last three races and is just three points behind Christopher.
In fact, the top five are all within 134 points of the lead.
Donny Lia (No. 4 Mystic Missile Dodge), who passed Christopher late in the Bristol race for the win, has moved up to fourth. The Jericho, N.Y., driver is 82 points behind Christopher and finished third behind Christopher and Jimmy Blewett (No. 12 TS Haulers Chevrolet) at Thompson in April.
Rowan Pennink (No. 93 Monk Mechanics Hand Cleaner Chevrolet) of Huntington Valley, Pa., is enjoying a breakout season and sits fifth.
Thursday’s visit is particularly significant to the points chase because the next time the tour returns to Thompson, it will be for the season finale in October.
Christopher and the rest of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour competitors will get the action going on race day at Thompson with practice at 2 p.m. Time trials are set for 5:30 p.m. and the 150-lap race is scheduled to go green at approximately 8:45 p.m.
by Jay | Aug 31, 2009 | Thompson
THOMPSON, CT. With only five races remaining on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 2009 schedule, the competition for that division’s championship is really heating up. Defending champion, Ted Christopher, will enter the Budweiser 150 presented by the New England Dodge Dealers at the Thompson Speedway this Thursday night with a slim 29 point advantage over Todd Szegedy. Ryan Preece finds himself only three points behind Szegedy.
The extremely competitive Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) finds itself in a very familiar position with regard to the race for the title. Virtually every year, the lucrative championship honors are not determined until very late in the season if not at the final event of the year at Thompson. This Thursday’s running of the Bud 150 at Thompson will play a vital role in determining the outcome of the title chase for 2009.
` Christopher has maintained the points lead for most of the season. He gave it up briefly to Szegedy but roared back to put himself at the top once again. Szegedy, however, is one tough customer and has the 2003 title to his credit and finished 2nd in 2007 and 3rd last year in the final standings.
The dark horse in what may appear to be a two-man race is Ryan Preece. The eighteen year old driver from Berlin, CT has won two of the last four WMT events and is a mere 32 points away from Christopher. Preece has positioned himself to be a real contender for the prestigious crown. Other drivers in the top five in points are the 2007 champ, Donny Lia and one of the busiest drivers in the northeast, Rowan Pennink. The title will not be settled this Thursday, but the Bud 150 at Thompson is sure to play a major role in determining the eventual winner.
The WMT will be joined by Thompson’s own NASCAR Whelen All American Race Series divisions in their features only presentation. Those races will be preceded by time trials for the WMT. It all gets underway at 5:30 PM. Grandstands will open at 2 PM.
For more information and the complete schedule for the day, fans are urged to visit the Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com Advance ticket sales are available by calling the track office at 860-923-2280.
by Jay | Aug 28, 2009 | New England, Thompson
Thompson, CT (August 27, 2009): On Thursday night, the third time was certainly a charm for20Andy Seuss of Hampstead, NH, who scored the victory in the third attempt to get the True Value Modified Series event in the books at the Thompson International Speedway. The event was postponed on two different occasions earlier in the season. In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action, Woody Pitkat of Stafford, CT, scored his second win of the season in the Sunoco Modifieds. Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, also took down his second win of the season in the Super Late Models.
John Materas of Voluntown, CT, swept the action in twin features for the Late Model division. Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, scored his first Limited Sportsman feature event of the year in dominating fashion. Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, was tops in the TIS Modifieds while Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, CT, was the winner in the Mini Stocks.
Andy Seuss of Hampstead, NH, scored his first True Value Modified Series (TVMRS) victory of the season in a drama-filled 75-lapper. Seuss took the lead late in the event and held back serious challenges from Steve Massey and Rowan Pennink to score the victory. Richard Savary had a strong run to finish second. Todd Owen joined the duo on the podium. Ted Christopher, who started scratch on the field, finished fourth. Chris Pasteryak completed the top five.
Rowan Pennink looked like he was headed to his second straight TVMRS victory on Thursday night. However, the early leader was penalized to the tail end of the lead lap for jumping the start after dominating the first half of the event. He battled back to vie for the win only to run out of fuel on lap 68. Young Steve Massey, who was the show for much of the event battling first with Pennink and then Seuss, had a spin while battling for the lead with less than 15 laps to go. Mechanical woes sidelined his bid at a comeback.
Woody Pitkat of Stafford, CT, took over the lead on lap five and withstood a number of late race cautions to score his second Sunoco Modified feature event of the 2009 season. The opening lap was marred by an incident involving Tim Sullivan and Shelly Perry. The caution led the way to some intense racing. Jimmy Blewett was the early leader followed by Rowan Pennink and Pitkat. The top four cars ran side-by-side and nose-to-tail.
As Rocco began to challenge Pennink for third, Blewett and Pitkat got away just slightly. They began a heated battle of their own to once again tighten up now the eight cars that made up the lead pack. Pitkat was able t o take the top spot from Blewett on lap five while Rocco moved into the third spot.
Pennink began to take back the ground he lost earlier to regain the second position. Blewett had his hands full with Rocco who in turn had pressure from Kerry Malone. Bert Marvin was on the move taking the sixth position from Ted Christopher.
Blewett began to falter falling back to the eighth position. Marvin took over positions from both Blewett and Malone and into the fourth spot. Pitkat continued to lead with Pennink and Rocco in close proximity.
At halfway, Pitkat led Pennink, Rocco, Marvin, Malone, Christopher, Blewett and Danny Cates. Harry Rheaume and Andy Gaspar ran a straight-away behind to round out the top ten. At lap 20, Rocco was getting racy; peeking to the inside of Pennink. All action mellowed when the second caution of the event flew for an incident involving Rheaume.
Coming out of turn four for the restart, Rocco ducked to the inside making it three-wide for the top spot. Pitkat came out of the mix with the lead once again. Rocco was able to steal second from Pennink. Marvin was fourth while Christopher was using the outside groove to make his way inside the top five.
Contact between Christopher and Cates necessitated the caution. Under the caution, Blewett headed to pit road for service. Both Blewett and Cates were able to continue while Christopher retired from the event.
On the single file restart, Pitkat had the advantage until turn one when Rocco got alongside. The two went wheel-to-wheel before Rocco had to settle back into second. Pennink got a run on the outside looking to take the second position away from Rocco. Contact between Rocco and Pennink found Pennink into the outside wall on the backstretch. Marvin and Malone were nearly collected. Rocco was put to the rear for his involvement.
With the green in the air once again, Pitkat led a hard-charging Marvin. Malone ran in the third position ahead of Ricky Shawn. After only two laps, Rocco was already up to the fifth spot.
At the checkers, Pitkat was able to hold off Marvin to score his second win of the season. With his win, Pitkat secured his car owners Bob Hitchcock and Kelly Iverson a guaranteed starting spot in the 7th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout at Concord Speedway in Concord, NC, on November 7, 2009. Marvin came home second followed by Malone, Ricky Shawn, and Rocco.
Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, proved to be the man to beat on Thursday night with his second Super Late Model victory of the season. Les Rose led the field to green and was able to gain a favorable advantage as the battle for second heated up between Norm Wrenn, O’Sullivan, Derek Ramstrom, and Larry Gelinas. O’Sullivan took over the second spot from Wrenn and immediately began to cut into Rose’s advantage.
At the halfway marker, the man on the move was George Bessette. He broke into the top five and began to hunt down Gelinas. There were problems for Ramstrom who fell to the tenth position. With 10 laps to go, O’Sullivan had caught the back bumper of Rose. Wrenn was right in step with the lead duo as well.
On lap 22, O’Sullivan easily made his way into the lead. Wrenn followed through relegating Rose to third. He fell in jeopardy of losing another spot to Gelinas. Over the final laps, O’Sullivan was able to edge away from Wrenn for a two-car length advantage. The #48 of Gelinas dropped off the pace with only three laps to go.
O’Sullivan headed to the checkers uncontested for his second victory of the season. Wrenn was second at the line followed by Rose, Bessette and Mike Stefanik in the top five.
John Materas of Voluntown, CT, started in the eleventh position when the Late Model division set out to complete the final 40 laps of their 50 lapper that was rain-shorted back on June 11, 2009. He considered himself a long shot but in the end he was the big shot. Tom O’Sullivan assumed his lead when the racing resumed on lap 10. The top three of O’Sullivan, Jay Stuart, and Jeff Zuidema quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the pack. The battle for the second position heated up when Zuidema made a move on Stuart. Division top-gun Rick Gentes retired from the event in the early going.
Once free of Stuart, Zuidema began to run down O’Sullivan. At the halfway marker, Zuidema had caught O’Sullivan. The two ran nose to tail as Mark Oliveira and John Materas were trying to work their way into contention. The leaders, O’Sullivan and Zuidema, entered lapped traffic. Tom Fox ran alone in third followed by a brewing battle between Oliveira and Materas.
Materas found some steam in the late stages of the event passing both Oliveira and Fox to move into the fourth position with fifteen laps to go. Up front, Zuidema continued to tail O’Sullivan. Over the final laps, Zuidema began to apply serious pressure on the leader. With only 10 laps to go, Zuidema’s car faltered. A spin by Zuidema on lap 40 brought out the event’s first caution.
The restart pitted Stuart against O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan handily resumed his lead. O’Sullivan was able to get some breathing room as Stuart and Materas battled. A string of cautions slowed t he action and ultimately changed the complexion of the race.
Materas took advantage of a lap 43 restart motoring past both Stuart and O’Sullivan to be the new leader at lap 44. Zuidema had rebounded to battle for third over Stuart. Contact between the two ended up with the point-leader Zuidema hard into the outside wall. Stuart was put to the rear of the field for his involvement.
Materas had to withstand pressure from O’Sullivan in the closing laps. The Voluntown, CT, driver was up to the challenge to score his third win of the season. O’Sullivan had to settle for second. Oliveira, Fox and Randy Waterman rounded out the top five.
In the night capper for the division, Materas was both lucky and good en route to his second win of the evening and fourth of the season. From early in the event, Materas once again found himself in the heat of the battle. He took the lead early but immediately had pressure from Rick Gentes. It took only a handful of laps for Gentes, who had problems in the opening event, to take over the top spot. Gentes never got away from Materas. The duo had nearly a straightaway advantage over Corey Hutchings in third.
The best battle on the track was for the fourth position. Randy Waterman held the position but had his hands full with Dennis Perry, Oliveira and O’Sullivan. On lap 10, a billow of smoke came from behind the #70 of Gentes sending the leader to pit road. Materas inherited the lead over Hutchings. O’Sullivan got out of shape flying through the dirt on the same lap.
With Materas all alone up front; Hutchings could do nothing but chase. Again the battle with Waterman began to heat up once again; this time with different players. Fox took over the third position leaving Waterman to battle with Perry.
The caution flew with only two laps remaining with after an incident on the backstretch. Under the caution, Fox relinquished the third spot and headed to pit road. A green white checker restart proved to be of little consequence as it was uneventful up front as Materas went on to sweep the Late Model main events on the evening. Hutchings, Waterman, Perry, and O’Sullivan rounded out the top five.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, scored a commanding victory in the Limited Sportsman feature event on Thursday night. The event featured a great battle for the top spot between leader Tommy Shea and Monahan. Monahan moved around Shea and into the lead on lap four. The top three were spread out while the fourth position on back was hotly contested between Jay Sundeen, Larry Barnett, Gerald Sevigny, Scott Sundeen and Joe Arena.
J. Sundeen and Barnett had maneuvered into the top five. J. Sundeen caught Gleason. He motored into the third spot with Barnett and S. Sundeen in tow. Barnett got up alongside J. Gleason with three laps remaining. Sundeen was holding off Barnett as his father Scott looked on. Monahan enjoyed a sizeable advantage as he cruised to his first Limited Sportsman victory of the season. Shea had a season high runner-up finish. J. Sundeen was able to hold off Barnett for the third position. S. Sundeen completed the top five.
Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, scored his third TIS Modified feature win of the season on Thursday night. Tagg was the new leader on a lap four restart; taking over the top spot from early leader Richie Ferreira. During the green flag run approaching halfway, Tagg, Ferreira, and RJ Marcotte had broken away from the remainder of the field.
Tagg was able to extend his lead as Marcotte began to pressure Richie Ferreira. Studley had begun to reel in the battle for the second position. With only three laps to go, Studley had caught Ferreira and Marcotte. The three jockeyed for position as Tagg got further ahead.
Tagg was able to cruise to the victory. Ferreira was able to hold off all challengers to finish second. Marcotte, Studley and Cam McDermott completed the top five at the stripe. After post race technical inspection, Studley was disqualified moving McDermott to fourth and Jay Sundeen to fifth. It was a tough night for the divisional point leader Tim Sullivan, who was eliminated from the competition in a grinding crash with Leo Oliveira on the opening lap. He was scored last.
In the Mini Stock main event, Steve Michalski set sail at the head of the pack in the early going of the feature event. He had plenty of company in Mike Gorgievski. Teammates Randy Churchill and Tim Taylor were locked in a battle for the third position. With less than five laps to go, Taylor watched his bid for his seventh feature victory disappear. The seven-time feature winner was collected when the car of Alicia Thatcher got out of shape exiting turn three. Taylor made hard contact with the outside wall in turn four.
On a lap 12 restart, Michalski had his hands full with a charging Gorgievski. On the final three laps Gorgievski hounded the leader. Coming out of turn three Gorgievski got alongside of Michalski. He edged ahead coming into turn four. Michalski battled back. The two went door-to-door as they approached the checker. Michalski was declared the winner in a photo-finish. Gorgievski settled for the second position over Churchill, Blanchard, and the winner’s brother Fred Michalski.
True Value Modified Racing Series 75-Lap Feature Event Finish (Top Ten): 1. Andy Seuss Hampstead, NH; 2. Richard Savary Canton, MA; 3. 29 Todd Owen Somers, CT; 4. Ted Christopher Plainville, CT; 5. Chris Pasteryak Jewett City, CT; 6. Jeff Malave, S. Windsor, CT; 7. Rob Goodenough Swanzey, NH; 8. Shelly Perry Westerly, RI; 9. Peter Jarvis Ascutney, VT; 10. Jack Bateman Canaan, NH
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 2. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 3. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 4. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, RI; 5. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 6. Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 7. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 8. John Catania, Agawam, MA; 9. Andy Gaspar, Andover, CT; 10. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ.
Super Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Les Rose, Jr. Southbridge, MA; 4. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 5. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 6. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 7. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 8. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 9. Kraig Coffin, Uxbridge, MA; 10. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA.
Late Model June 11, 2009 Make-Up Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 2. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 4. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 5. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 6. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 8. Jay Stuart, Preston, CT; 9. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Frank Marabito, Willington, CT.
Late Model Feature Event Finish (Top Ten): 1. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 2. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 3. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 4. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 5. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 6. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 7. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 8. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 9. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 10. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Tommy Shea, New London, CT; 3. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 5. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 6. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 7. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 8. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 9. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 10. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 3. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 4. Rick Blanchard, Pascoag, RI; 5. Fred Michalski, Dayville, CT; 6. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 7. Nate Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 8. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 9. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 10. Brad Caddick, New London, CT.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Tagg, Oxford, CT; 2. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 3. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 4. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 5. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 6. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 7. Denis Leger, N. Reading, MA; 8. Bart Ramos, Putnam, MA; 9. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA; 10. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT.
by Jay | Aug 21, 2009 | New England, Thompson
THOMPSON, CT. New England race fans, thanks to Mother Nature, will get to see two major racing events in two consecutive weeks at the Thompson International Speedway. The True Value Modified Racing Series will be in the spotlight on Thursday, August 27th while the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will top the bill a week later at the famed Connecticut oval.
The Town Fair Tire presentation of the True Value Modified Racing Series has been the victim of rain twice and the third attempt to run this event will be Thursday, August 27th. Rain also raised havoc with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on August 13th. As a result, the new date for the New England Dodge Dealers presentation of the Bud 150 is Thursday, September 3rd.
The True Value Modifieds have proven to be a big attraction everywhere they have run this year and their annual Thompson appearance always draws a big crowd. Thompson is the largest track on which these cars compete. Race teams and fans alike love the high speed action and the close competition that has made this annual race special. The True Value cars will be joined by Thompson’s very own NASCAR Whelen All American Series “Super6” divisions. An additional bonus comes with the addition of dual races for the Thompson Late Models. Not only will they compete in their regular 25-lap main event, but they will also complete the 40-laps remaining from their June 11th race that was halted by rain.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event on September 3rd will bring both old and new fans to watch these incredibly fast race cars. The new fans will want to see the NASCAR Modifieds in person after seeing them, possibly for the fist time ever, on national television when this touring series made its debut at the Bristol Motor Speedway this past week.
The 2007 champion, Donny Lia, captured the inaugural Bristol race by besting pre-race favorite Ted Christopher. Christopher, fighting an ill handling race car, held on for second and Ryan Preece claimed the third spot. Rounding out the top five at Bristol were George Brunnhoelzl, III and Woody Pitkat.
The grandstands at Thompson will open at 2 PM on both August 27th and September 3rd. Qualifying on both days will begin at 5:30 PM. Complete schedules for these major racing programs are available on the Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com. Tickets for these events are available in advance by calling the Thompson Int’l Speedway’s track office at 860-923-2280.
by Jay | Aug 20, 2009 | New Hampshire, Thompson
Ramstrom, Gentes, Barnett, Sullivan & Blanchard Winners
Thompson, CT (August 6, 2009): The hotly contest Sunoco Modified division at Thompson International Speedway did not disappoint on Thursday night. Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, used veteran moves to score his fourth win of the season. Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, won a wild one in the Super Late Models while Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored the victory in the Late Models. Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, padded his point lead with his fifth Limited Sportman victory of the season. Another point leader, Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, was victorious in the TIS Modifieds. Rick Blanchard of Pascoag, RI, was declared the Mini Stock winner.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, showed his might in the Sunoco Modified main event taking his division leading fourth win of the season with a last lap pass. Tim Sullivan led the field to green but he would not lead the opening lap. Rowan Pennink took over the top spot and began to motor out to an advantage over Danny Cates. A bobble by Sullivan nearly collected Keith Rocco, who was forced out of the groove. Woody Pitkat had worked his way into the third position. The outside groove was the fast way around as Christopher had moved into the third spot with Rocco in tow.
On lap 9, Christopher was able to dive inside Cates for second. Rocco, once again, followed TC through and into third. Christopher caught Pennink while Rocco caught the bumper of Christopher. The top three ran nose-to-tail.
At halfway, Rocco was able to slide below Christopher when he bobbled exiting turn four on lap 15. The caution flew on lap 16 for an incident on the backstretch involving Andy Gaspar and Wayne Arute. Leader Pennink opted to use the outside groove on the restart but it was Rocco in the low groove gaining the advantage. Christopher was able to get around Pennink as well. The action was slowed for a spin by Harry Rheaume.
Rocco was up to the challenge on the restart but an incident further back in the pack brought out the caution once again. A spin by Bert Marvin collected Tim Sullivan and Todd Ceravolo. Sullivan’s car sustained significant damage.
On the restart, Rocco was up to the challenge once again. After a short battle with Pennink, Christopher remained in the second position. Christopher dove beneath Rocco in turn one. They went wheel to wheel through turn two. Christopher got the edge on the backstretch but Rocco did the slingshot move exiting four. They crossed the stripe even. In turn one, Rocco was the leader once again. Pennink ran in the third spot with heavy pressure from Pitkat. Cates ran alone in the fifth position.
With two to go, Christopher got along side Rocco. The duo streaked under the white flag with Rocco ahead by inches. Rocco maintained a slight advantage on the back stretch. Coming out of four Rocco tried holding Christopher low. Christopher retaliated riding high out of four. Rocco drifted up in the marbles making way for Christopher to take the checkers. Pennink came through for second. Pitkat was able to grab third spot at the checkers. Rocco had to settle for fourth ahead of Cates. At press time, the results of the Sunoco Modified main event were unofficial.
Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, scored the victory in a wild Super Model main event. Jay Macedonio enjoyed a sizeable lead in the early going of the 30-lap main event. Heavy hitters Norm Wrenn, Ramstrom, and Rick Fuller were making tracks to the front. By lap 10, Mike O’Sullivan had reeled in leader Macedonio. Fuller found running room on the low side taking positions from Wrenn and Ramstrom. Alone in third, Fuller quickly caught the lead duo.
Up front, O’Sullivan was able to grab the lead from Macedonio on lap 11. A pair of laps later, Fuller propelled himself into the runner-up spot. Macedonio fell into the clutches of Ramstrom at halfway. A lap later, Macedonio spun on the backstretch to bring out the caution.
The lead duo made grazing contact on the restart. O’Sullivan was able to maintain his lead. Ramstrom rocketed into the third spot followed by Larry Gelinas. O’Sullivan gained the advantage but not any breathing room. Fuller dogged O’Sullivan lap after lap.
A stream of sparks followed Bessette as mechanical failure resulted in hard contact with the outside wall exiting turn two. Macedonio was collected in the incident. Steve DesMarias made severe contact with a still-spinning Macedonio. All drivers walked away.
A different kind of sparks flew after a lap 23 restart. Contact between the lead duo found Fuller in the outside wall in turn one. O’Sullivan was put to the tail of a decimated field for his involvement. He restarted from the sixth position.
Gelinas sat on the point for the restart. He stayed with Ramstrom only briefly before Ramstrom took over the top spot. Ramstrom was able to distance himself from the Gelinas. O’Sullivan moved into the third spot. That is the way they would cross the stripe. Wrenn and Jim Banfield completed the top five.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, took down his third Late Model feature win of the season on Thursday night. A day that started dreadfully for Gentes ended with a trip to victory lane. After a practice crash, Gentes was forced to start the night’s event in his back-up car. The “Woonsocket Rocket” never missed a beat.
Mark Oliveira jumped out to the early lead in Late Model Main event. Oliveira was able to stretch his advantage as the battling for second on back was fierce. Dave Trudeau, making his first Late Model start in two years, was locked in a heated battle with Rick Gentes. John Materas, Jeff Hartwell, Tommy O’Sullivan, and Jeff Zuidema also jockeyed for position.
Gentes had worked his way past Trudeau and set his sites on the leader. During an extended green flag run, Gentes chopped into Oliveira’s lead. Materas and O’Sullivan meanwhile caught Trudeau. O’Sullivan made it three-wide in an effort to get by Materas and Trudeau for the third spot; but it was Materas getting the edge to move into the third position. O’Sullivan was able to get by Trudeau into fourth.
Up front, Gentes was glued to the back bumper of Oliveira. The first caution flew on lap 16 for a spin by Jeremy Sadowski. On the restart, Oliveira was able to maintain his lead for less than a lap. Gentes used the low groove to take over the top spot. Materas followed through and into second. Oliveira continued to falter.
Over the final five laps, Gentes was able to extend his lead over Materas. The field got strung out as Gentes sailed under the checkers to take the win. John Materas continued his stellar season with a runner-up finish. O’Sullivan, Jeff Hartwell, and point leader Jeff Zuidema rounded out the top-five.
Joe Arena set the pace for much of the first half of the event. After leading through halfway, Arena had his hands full with a charging Larry Barnett. The two went door-to-door before Barnett was able to gain the advantage. Once out front, Barnett was able to extend his lead. Scott Sundeen had caught Arena. The two waged a great battle. At the checkers, it was all Barnett. Arena nosed ahead of Sundeen at the start/finish line to claim second. Jay Sundeen and Paul Coutu, Jr. completed the top five.
Tim Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, made it a handful of wins with his TIS Modified feature victory on Thursday night. Rookie Jay Sundeen led the field to green. It took only a pair of laps before Brian Tagg asserted himself into the lead. Point leader Sullivan was on the move early; taking over the second spot by lap five. Sullivan immediately caught the leader. He began to work over Tagg for the top spot.
It took several laps but on lap 10 Sullivan was able to take over the lead. Once out front, Sullivan rode out to a sizeable advantage over Tagg. In the closing laps, Sundeen was able to catch Tagg. The rookie driver ran out of time and had to settle for third behind winner Sullivan and Tagg. Glenn Boss, who turned 50, celebrated with a fourth-place finish. Cam McDermott rounded out the top five.
Rick Blanchard of Pascoag, RI, gave it everything he had in the pursuit of his first Mini Stock victory of the season. After post race technical inspection, it was mission accomplished. Apparent winner Leo Defevers was disqualified for an illegal exhaust.
Leo Defevers of Brooklyn, CT, appeared to have scored in his first career feature. Mike Gorgievski set the pace through an unusually rough early going for the Minis. He relinquished the top spot to Defevers, who took command of the main event. Once out front, Defevers would never be headed. Rick Blanchard made it interesting near the end. He caught Defevers and was making a series bid at the top spot.
With two to go, Blanchard was bearing down. Coming down to the white flag, Blanchard got out of shape losing ground and the race. Defevers streaked to the checkers ahead of Blanchard. Shortly after the event, Blanchard was declared the winner. Tim Taylor, who was involved in an early race incident, recovered to finish in the second position. Point leader Scott Michalski, Brad Caddick, and Chuck Rogers rounded out the top five.
Sunoco Modified 30-Lap Feature Event (Top Ten) UNOFFICIAL Finish: 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 3. Woody Piktat, Stafford, CT; 4. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 5. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 6. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 7. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 8. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 9. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, CT; 10. Andy Gaspar, Andover, CT.
Super Late Model 30-lap Feature Event (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 3. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 5. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 6. Matt Zenisky, W. Springfield, MA; 7. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 8. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 9. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 10. Jay Macedonio, Somerset, MA.
Late Model 25-Lap Feature Event (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. John Materas,Voluntown, CT; 3. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 5. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 6. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 7. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 8. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, MA; 9. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 10. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT.
Limited Sportsman Feature Event (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 3. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 5. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 6. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 7. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 8. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 9. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH; 10. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT.
TIS Modified 20-Lap Feature Event (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 3. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 5. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 6.John Studley, Framingham, MA; 7. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 8. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 9. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 10. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr.
Mini Stock 20-Lap Feature Event (Top Ten) Finish: 1. Rick Blanchard, Pascoag, RI; 2. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 3. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 4. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 5. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 6. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 7. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 8. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 9. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 10. Nate Taylor, Wauregan, CT.
by Jay | Aug 10, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
Preece On A Roll Heading To Thompson
The 2009 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season has reached its halfway point, and as the Tour heads to Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway this week, Ryan Preece is perhaps the hottest driver on the circuit.
Preece, from Berlin, Conn., has won the last two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races and is now just 27 points out of the championship lead thanks to top-10 efforts in six of the season’s seven events.
The last two weeks have been a constant emotional high for Preece, who recorded his first career win last year at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, but never got to celebrate in Victory Lane as Burt Myers was there originally, before being disqualified. His triumph at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway on Aug. 1 was the first time he got to pull into Victory Lane, and symbolically, it felt like his first win.
Last Friday at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway, Preece then got the first win of his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour career at his home track.
Preece had a stout car the last handful of races at Stafford, but the cards didn’t line up for a victory. The long wait ended in the Town Fair Tire 150 when he led the final 47 laps to take the checkered flag.
“I’ve always wanted to win here, and I finally got it,” said an elated Preece following the win.
Both wins have been hard-earned for Preece. In the previous week’s win, he had to fend off a host of Riverhead regulars to get to the finish line first, and Friday’s win at Stafford featured a similar storyline as he had to outlast the winningest driver in the track’s storied history: Ted Christopher.
Christopher had led the first two-thirds of the race after starting first on the redraw, but after a restart, Preece was able to get past the defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion on Lap 104 and hold off some hard charges from Christopher for the win.
As the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour now heads to Thompson for the Budweiser 150 presented by New England Dodge Dealers on Thursday, Aug. 13, Preece will have to turn the page quickly. The Tour is currently halfway through its busiest part of the 2009 schedule with four events in the span of 19 days. Fortunately for Preece and the No. 3 team, momentum is clearly on their side, for the time being.
“The month of August seems to be a real good month for me, and hopefully my luck will stay like this,” Preece said.
The 18-year-old driver knows that things can turn around quickly in auto racing, so he’s not going to get too caught up in the team’s current run.
“Who knows, I could be wrecking next week, so I’m living in the moment, and things are real great right now,” Preece said.
While he has traditionally been a front-runner at Stafford, Preece has yet to find much success at Connecticut’s biggest oval. In 10 career starts at Thompson, the third-year driver has an average finish of 15 with four top 10s. A fourth- place finish there in the season opener – the best of his career – should be encouraging.
While the season is only halfway over, it may be too early to hedge bets on the championship, but the consistency that Preece’s team has exhibited to this point indicates that they could be a legitimate title contender.
Preece and the rest of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour competitors will get the action going on race day at Thompson with practice at 2 p.m. Time trials are set for 5:30 p.m. and the 150-lap race is scheduled to go green at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Fast Facts
The Race: Budweiser 150 presented by New England Dodge Dealers
The Place: Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway
The Date: Thursday, August 13
The Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
The Distance: 150 laps / 93.75 miles
Race Purse: $84,168
2008 Winner: Ron Silk
2008 Polesitter: None-rain
Event Schedule: Practice 2 – 3 p.m.; Tire Scuff 5:15 p.m.; Qualifying 5:30 p.m.
