by Jay | Dec 7, 2010 | Whip City
No News is Bad News At Whip City Banquet
BY MARK McKEON
WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – Whip City Speedway co-owner Dave Pighetti opened the 16th Annual Whip City Speedway Awards Banquet by the by telling the turnaway crowd of 450 that he had no news about the possible sale of the speedway.
“There are still some people interested and we’re still hopeful, I just have to ask you to be patient a little while longer,” he said.
Earlier this year, the current owners announced that they were retiring and that the track was for sale. Since then, they’ve held discussions with several interested parties, but a sale has not yet taken place. (more…)
by Jay | Oct 4, 2010 | Whip City
Champions Crowned as Whip City Season Ends
BY MARK McKEON
WESTFIELD, MA – The last night of racing under the current management had the highest car count of the year as several competitors stopped by to say both hello and farewell.
The 750cc Mini Sprint points battle went down to the wire at the Whip and Flyin’ Phil Bessette’s heat race victory made all the difference in his winning the championship. Bessette won the championship with 1332 points to John Casazza’s 1312. Tyler Jackson won the feature. (more…)
by Jay | Sep 27, 2010 | Whip City
Casazza and Artibani Triumph at Whip City Fall Shootout
BY MARK McKEON
WESTFIELD, MA – John Casazza scored the biggest win of his career by capturing the East Coast Mini Sprint Association 750cc Fall Shootout at Whip City Speedway. Casazza led from flag to flag in the 30 lap event, which was interrupted only once, by a red flag on lap 13 for a tip over by Shelby Kolkata. It was Casazza’s fourth win in five years of racing.
“The car ran great. All we did for the extra laps was put in a little more fuel and take a half a pound of air out of the tires, Casazza said. “Maybe we can take the points lead next week.”
Casazza trails points leader Phil Bessette by just 16 points and Bessette trailed Casazza by about 16 feet across the finish line. “John was faster tonight, and he deserved the win,” Bessette said after the race. (more…)
by Jay | Sep 20, 2010 | Whip City
Broken Wrist Doesn’t Slow Tara Galko at Whip City Speedway
BY MARK McKEON
WESTFIELD, MA – Driving with a wrist she broke in a racing accident two weeks ago, Tara Galko of Meriden, CT had the best night of her racing life as she captured her 270cc heat and went on to win her first Mini Sprint feature. The 18 year old nursing student at Southern Connecticut State University had to withstand a pair of restarts and a determined challenge from points leader Seth Carlson, who pulled alongside on multiple occasions, but couldn’t complete the pass.
“I was a little nervous on the second restart because I knew Seth would be right behind me and he’s tough, but I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to let him get by me,” a smiling Galko said in victory lane.
(more…)
by Jay | Sep 12, 2010 | Whip City
Kurt Conklin Takes 750 Sportsman win at the Whip
BY MARK McKEON
WESTFIELD, MA – In only his second 750cc Sportsman start, Kurt Conklin did the only thing he could do to improve on his second place finish last week by winning the 20 lap feature. Conklin, a regular competitor in the 270cc Mini Sprints this season, also finished sixth in that division.
Jay Coppo (600cc) and John Casazza (750cc) each picked up his third win of the year while Jon Moore (1200cc) used his fourth win to extend his points lead. Brett Crowther garnered up his second Modified Lite victory of the season.
(more…)
by Jay | Aug 29, 2010 | Whip City
Igo is Fast and Fortunate
At Whip City Speedway
BY MARK McKEON
WESTFIELD, MA – With two wins in only six previous starts, it’s a given that Brandon Igo is a very talented driver, but he also needed a double shot of luck to pick up his third 600cc win at the Whip.
His first good fortune came at the expense of Chris Lennox, who was looking for his first win of the season. Igo passed Lennox on lap seven, but the pass was negated by a yellow flag. Whether Igo could have raced by Lennox again at the end will be fuel for the hot stove league this winter, because Lennox’s car was sidelined by a minor electrical issue with only two laps remaining. Igo’s second piece of luck came when his engine temperature climbed alarmingly to 245 degrees, but then leveled off after the caution flag for Lennox’s disabled mount.
(more…)
