South Burlington, VT’s Trampas Demers made a return to victory lane in the Late Model Stock Car division on Thursday (June 21) night’s Casella Waste Management event at Barre’s Thunder Road. Demers, who was driving his father’s familiar #86 automobile after a hard wreck in last Sunday’s (June 17) event, had to hold off a hard charging Jamie Fisher and Cody Blake to pick up his first victory of 2012.
Outside pole sitter Dave Whitcomb dominated early, leading all but the final two laps in the caution-free 50-lap event. Demers slid underneath Whitcomb on lap 35, only to engage in a no-holds-barred showdown for the win. Whitcomb seemed to have the race in hand in the outside lane until he slid too high and into the dirt in turn one with less than two laps remaining. Demers took advantage, sliding underneath Whitcomb with Fisher and Blake in tow. Whitcomb recovered to finish fourth, and Mike Bailey came home fifth. Rookie Lance Allen, Eric Chase, Ricky Roberts, John Donahue, and Chip Grenier rounded out the top ten. (more…)
Jim Banfield and Jesse Gleason scored their first season wins and led a roster of exciting finishes in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Thursday Night Thompson Thunder at Thompson International Speedway this week. Ted Christopher and Tommy O’Sullivan earned milestone career finishes for their teams while Cam McDermott and John Lewinski-Loh added to their season totals.
Patience paid off for Jim Banfield in the 50-lap Super Late Model feature Thursday night. The So. Glastonbury, Conn.-native took the lead with two laps to go after then-leader Mike O’Sullivan blew a tire in turn one. Banfield drove to the lead and eventual victory unchallenged. Derek Ramstrom catapulted to the front at the drop of the green, and even an early-race caution couldn’t slow him down. Dick Houlihan and Mike O’Sullivan took over second and third on the restart as the top-five began to string out single file. O’Sullivan maneuvered by Houlihan for second and set his sights on Ramstrom, who was already out to a half-a-straightaway lead. Caution flew on lap seven and tightened the field back up again. O’Sullivan won the drag race into turn one on the drop of the green and took over the lead on lap eight with Ramstrom in his rear view mirror and Larry Gelinas in third. Ramstrom continued to pressure O’Sullivan before reclaiming the top spot at lap 20. Once out front, he was able to pull away by five-car lengths over O’Sullivan and Gelinas. With 14 laps to go, the No. 41 of Scott Rotherforth spun into the infield retaining wall on the front stretch and brought out the caution flag. O’Sullivan beat Ramstrom to the lead, but a caution would force him to try again. Ramstrom appeared to have the lead heading into turn one, but Gelinas went low making it a three-wide battle into turn one. Gelinas took the lead in commanding style, but had a lot of pressure by Ramstrom and O’Sullivan. Ramstrom dove low to challenge, and as he attempted to go by for the lead on lap 40 in turn one, Ramstrom started to go around and collected Gelinas in the mix. O’Sullivan inherited the lead for the restart with Jim Banfield and Rick Gentes rounding out the top-three. With two laps to go, O’Sullivan lost the left front tire on his No. 08 machine and handed the lead and win to Jim Banfield. (more…)
A look back at the SK Modified event held at the Waterford Speedbowl on June 16, 2012 and won by Tyler Chadwick. Includes grandstand commentary throughout the race from Sid and his friends, plus GoPro cameras on the racecars of Chadwick, runner-up Rob Janovic Jr, Nichole Morgillo, Joe Gada and track official Eric Webster
One of northern New England’s first purpose-built race tracks received statewide recognition today, as Northeastern Speedway was officially recognized by the State of Vermont with the unveiling of a historical marker on speedway grounds.
Northeastern Speedway operated alongside Route 18 in the rural town of Waterford from 1959 to 1966. Hosting today’s dedication ceremony were present property owners Paul and Lise Bellefeuille, of Waterford. The Bellefeuilles have worked tirelessly since 2008 to restore speedway grounds to their original condition, creating a living museum to Vermont’s rich racing history. (more…)
Series only visit to the Pine Tree State comes on June 23
The Granite State Pro Stock Series will head to the Pine Tree State on Saturday, June 23 to visit the tricky one-third mile Unity Raceway in Unity, ME for race number two of the season. Over 20 cars are expected for the 112-lap main event and the series only appearance in the state of Maine in 2012.
Drivers from all across New England are expected to travel to Maine’s toughest oval, including 15-year old Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH. Griffith scored a second place finish in his first Pro Stock race in the season opening David’s House 106 at Monadnock Speedway. (more…)
Jim Banfield and Jesse Gleason scored their first season wins and led a roster of exciting finishes in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Thursday Night Thompson Thunder at Thompson International Speedway this week. Ted Christopher and Tommy O’Sullivan earned milestone career finishes for their teams while Cam McDermott and John Lewinski-Loh added to their season totals.