by Jay | Oct 1, 2009 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road
Waterbury, VT – For Cris Michaud it was a pretty easy decision.
Michaud was injured when he fell off a ladder at a job site and broke a vertebrae. When doctors informed him that he would not be able to race in the rained-out 47th annual Chittenden Milk Bowl at Thunder Road this coming Sunday, October 4, the three-time track champion went after one of his biggest Thunder Road rivals to fill the seat for him.
“What better guy to take over my ride in the Milk Bowl than Chad (Wheeler)? I really wanted to win the three Thunder Road Championships in a row in 2006 (Michaud won the Thunder Road track championships in 2004 and 2005, along with his title in 2001), but Chad was unbelievably consistent with his finishes all season long. He deserved to win the title that year”, said Michaud convalescing at his home in Williamstown, VT.
The 2004 winner of what is known as the ‘toughest short track race in America’ went on to say, “I think the Milk Bowl is the perfect race for Chad to come back and have some fun. He is a patient and smart racer and that’s what it takes to raise the milk can and kiss the cow,” concluded Michaud.
Over $70,000 in purse money, with a guaranteed minimum of $10,000 to win, is up for grabs by the American Canadian Tour (ACT) starting field of competitors. The thirty car field was set last Saturday in the unique format of time trials, triple 50 lap qualifying races, and a ‘Last Chance Race’. Fifty-four (54) teams attempted to qualify for the prestigious event.
A pair of ACT young guns will sit on the front row. 2008 ACT Rookie of the Year, Nick Sweet, in only his second year of racing Late Models, will lead the field to the green flag in segment one of the unique three-segment event. The first segment is lined up according to time trials and the Triple 50 qualifiers. The following two segments are reversed from the previous segments, with the best having to come from the rear twice to have a chance to win the Milk Bowl. Sweet, a hometown favorite from Barre, VT, will start beside Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., a three-time pole sitter and holder of the Thunder Road track record of 12.935 seconds.
“I have heard that Cris had a heck of a run in the Triple 50 qualifiers last Saturday. Coming from dead last to finish fourth was pretty darn impressive. I know I will have a good car under me and I am excited about trying out the only Ford engine. I had a great time racing against Cris for a lot of years and beating him for the title in 2006 got me to thinking that there really wasn’t much more for me in the sport at this time in my life. I wanted to spend a lot of time with my young boys, but now maybe there is one more thing I could accomplish with racing. It sure will be fun to try. I am looking forward to it, and I appreciate the confidence Cris has in putting me in his car,” said Wheeler.
The 47th annual Chittenden Milk Bowl is re-scheduled for this Sunday, October 4th, after having been rained out last Sunday. Gates will open at 10:00 am and pre-race ceremonies, which will include the Catamount Pipe and Drum Corps, the Norwich University color guard and Shock Platoon Drill Team will kick off the festivities at 1:00 pm. Racing will start at 1:30, and all the competitors in the various Thunder Road divisions, except the Late Models, will complete their championship seasons. Late Model racer Jean-Paul Cyr, from Milton, VT was named the King of the Road for 2009 at the final Thursday night event in August.
The Milk Bowl will bring down the curtain on the 50th Anniversary celebration of the racetrack.
by Jay | Oct 1, 2009 | New England, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH – September 26, 2009 – The Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) completed their eleventh race of the season on Saturday at Monadnock Speedway. The Bot-L-Gas and RF Logic-sponsored race brought out the best car count of 2009, with a total of 21 cars. The #5 of Dan Meservey, Jr. and the #83 of Franky Perry each won a heat race, but it was the #1m of “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn who claimed the victory, his ninth of the season.
The PFMNE were led by the #00 of Dave Richardi and the #13 of George Sherman as the field took the track for their 25-lap feature. As the green flag waved, the #07 of Phil Lausier advanced from his fourth starting position into second, around the #12 of Rob Richardi, Jr. and Sherman. The #10 of Brian Vincent followed close behind Lausier to claim the third position. Towards the back of the pack, the #19 of Tim D’Amico passed under the #86 of Mark Charette and the #31 of Michael Crawford for the eleventh position. But on lap three, Richardi Jr. and Sherman got loose and made contact heading into the backstretch, necessitating the first caution of the event.
Before the restart, the #39 of Travis McCalister headed to the infield for the remainder of the race. When racing got underway again, it was D. Richardi and Lausier who led the field. D’Amico moved under the #16 of Stan Mertz to claim the eighth position. Vincent was able to move himself around Lausier to claim the bridesmaid spot, but then the second caution came out, slowing all progress.
The restart quickly became a caution when D’Amico found himself in the frontstretch wall; he was unable to return to the event. Dave Richardi and Vincent led the field on the restart, followed closely by Lausier and the #4 of Cory Cleary—who had started the feature in tenth. Perry drove his machine passed the #11a of Dan Meservey, while the #49 of Joe Lemay headed pit side. Wrenn drove under the #07x of Robin Berghman to capture the ninth position; and Cleary was able to steal the third spot away from Lausier. On lap five, however, the caution flag was brought out for #34 of Mark Giordano, who spun alone on the frontstretch.
On this restart, D. Richardi and Vincent led the field again. Wrenn drove into the seventh spot, after moving under Charette and the #99 of Billy Joerres; and within one more lap, he’d driven under Meservey and Lausier to claim a spot in the top five. On lap seven, D. Richardi got loose coming out of turns three and four; Vincent was able to pass him to claim the lead. Meservey, Jr. was making an impressive run through the field from his 20th starting position; on lap nine, he passed Meservey for seventh. On lap ten, the caution flag was displayed for the #26 of Mike Patnaude who spun.
On the restart, Vincent and D. Richardi took the green with Perry and Wrenn at their heels. One lap later, Meservey and the #60 of Andy Majors were putting on some great side-by-side racing, with the nose of Majors’ machine holding a slight advantage. On lap twelve, however, Lausier spun in turn two, bringing out another caution.
When racing got underway again, it was Vincent, Perry, Wrenn, D. Richardi, and Cleary in the top five. Majors moved from seventh into sixth position when he passed under Meservey, Jr. Fighting their way to the front, Richardi, Jr. followed Lausier as they passed under Joerres and Charette. On lap fifteen, Wrenn moved his machine ahead of Perry to claim second. By lap nineteen, Wrenn had caught up to Vincent and had begun challenging him for the lead. But on the next lap, Perry and Cleary made contact, and Cleary’s machine spun on the backstretch. Cleary parked his car for the rest of the night, while Perry restarted at the rear of the field.
Because there were only five laps to go, the PFMNE had a single file restart. But on the first attempt, D. Richardi spun and brought out the caution. He drove into the infield, where he remained for the rest of the race, while Meservey, Jr. headed into the pits. Once racing began again, Wrenn moved outside Vincent on the backstretch, but they stayed side-by-side for a lap before Wrenn held the advantage. When the checkers unfurled, Wrenn claimed the win, followed closely by Vincent, Majors, Meservey, and Berghman to round out the top five. Right behind them, Lausier, Richardi, Jr., Perry, Patnaude, Giordano, Charette, Cleary, D. Richardi, Meservey, Jr., Joerres, Mertz, Sherman, D’Amico, Lemay, Crawford, and McCalister rounded out the rest of the field. Charette was the first Limited driver to cross the line, followed by Joerres and Mertz.
Catch the PFMNE at Twinstate Speedway in Claremont, NH next Sunday afternoon for their twelfth race of the 2009 season.
by Jay | Sep 24, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
Third Straight Sunoco Modified Win for Christopher
Banfield Scores Career First Super Late Model Checkers
Gentes, Monahan, Tagg & Churchill Also Visit Victory Lane
Rocco, Ramstrom, Materas, Barnett, Sullivan & Michalski Thompson Champs
Thompson, CT: It was a night to crown champions at Thompson International Speedway as the 2009 season came to an end on a beautiful Thursday night. In Sunoco Modified action, Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, took his third straight victory but it was Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, taking the crown. Jim Banfield of S. Glastonbury, CT, had a career night winning his career first Super Late Model feature event. Teenager Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, earned his first Thompson championship.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, made it two in a row in Late Model competition. John Materas of Voluntown, CT, had a joy ride on Thursday night as he clinched the championship the week before. Tom Tagg of Oxford, MA, scored his fifth win of the season in the TIS Modifieds. Tim Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, earned the title in the division by a scant eight points.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, scored his second straight Limited Sportsman feature victory. After an eventful night, Larry Barnett recovered from an early race incident to become a multi-time Limited Sportsman champion. Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, scored his third win of the season in the Mini Stocks. Scott Michalski of S. Killingly, CT, had a banner year to win the division’s title.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, made a move in the late stages of the Sunoco Modified main event to cleanly take his seventh victory of the season at Thompson. Tim Sullivan jumped out to the early lead with Ronnie Silk in tow. Rocco and Pitkat ran side by side in the sixth and seventh positions respectively. Christopher ran behind in eighth.
Rheaume got out of shape allowing Rocco, in the outside groove, to gain a position on Pitkat. Rocco ran comfortably in the fifth spot. Pitkat ran a distant sixth followed by Christopher. Rowan Pennink ran in the eighth spot.
Rocco made a dive bomb move to get by Danny Cates to run in fourth. Pitkat followed through. There was contact between Rocco and Malone; sending Malone sliding and opening the door for Rocco to take over third.
Up front, Silk dogged Sullivan for the lead. The battle allowed Rocco to catch the lead pack. On lap 12, Silk was finally able to get by Sullivan taking Rocco along for the ride. Christopher caught Sullivan as well.
On lap 15, Rocco continued to tail Silk. Christopher had gotten by Sullivan to take over the third spot. Rocco dove low exiting turn three to take the top spot from Silk on lap 18. Christopher was able to get by Silk and immediately tracked down Rocco. A spin by Wayne Arute brought out the event’s first caution on lap 19.
On the restart, Silk was followed by Sullivan, Rocco, Christopher and Pennink inside the top five. Pitkat ran in the sixth spot. On the lap 19 restart, Sullivan failed to come up to speed. Pitkat was collected in the incident sustaining heavy damage to the right front. The race restarted with Pitkat on pit road. Rocco was able to retain his lead on the restart but he had plenty of company in Christopher and Pennink.
Christopher was able to maneuver by Rocco for the lead in turn one. Pennink began to apply pressure to Rocco for the second spot. Over the final laps, Rocco was glued to the back bumper of Christopher. They raced to the checker nose to tail with Christopher taking the win over Rocco and Pennink. Cates quietly came home in the fourth spot followed by Silk. Rocco’s strong run combined with Pitkat’s misfortune proved to be the winning combination for Rocco, who scored his second championship in three seasons.
Over the final stages of the 2009 season, Jim Banfield of S. Glastonbury, CT, had been able to turn his luck around. Runner-up finishes had paved the way to his first career Super Late Model feature on Thursday night. Larry Gelinas jumped out to an early lead over Jim Banfield. Derek Ramstrom, who led Mike O’Sullivan by eight points, ran in the sixth position while O’Sullivan was mired a bit deeper back in the pack in eighth.
Ramstrom was all over the back bumper of George Bessette while O’Sullivan was struggling in his efforts to get around Rick Fuller. On lap 11, Ramstrom was able to get alongside Bessette. The two went fender to fender lap after lap.
Up front, Gelinas continued to enjoy a ten car length advantage over Banfield. The battle for the third position was heating up between Dennis Maxfield and Norm Wrenn. On lap 14, Ramstrom was able to get by Bessette. O’Sullivan had not advanced his position.
With Maxfield and Wrenn battling, Ramstrom was able to catch the duo. In a flash of flame, the motor of Maxfield expired. The oil laid down on the speedway, sent cars sliding. During the incident O’Sullivan climbed over the #15 of Bessette.
Gelinas suffered mechanical failure on the ensuing restart; handing the lead over to Banfield. Ramstrom lined up in second while O’Sullivan was able to climb into the third spot on the restart. Ramstrom chased the back bumper of Banfield.
Ramstrom was looking racy for the lead with three laps to go. Sullivan had caught the leaders. With two to go, O’Sullivan was able to get to the rear tire of Ramstrom. The battle for the second spot allowed Banfield to head to his first win of the season. Ramstrom finished second ahead of O’Sullivan to earn the local favorite his first Thompson Speedway championship. Wrenn and Fuller completed the top five.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, survived a caution-marred Late Model main event to score his second straight victory. Jeff Hartwell capitalized on his front row starting spot to lead the opening lap but there was trouble right off the bat as Mark Oliveira spun in turn four. On the first attempt at a restart, the champ, John Materas, came to rest on the back stretch.
A three car battle for the lead erupted on the restart as O’Sullivan used the outside groove to get along side Hartwell. Dave Trudeau moved within striking distance. The leaders went side-by-side for the duration of lap eight before O’Sullivan could take over the top spot. Gentes was able to get around Hartwell and into the second position.
A spin by Al Mandarino brought out the caution on lap 10. Hutchings headed down pit road for service. On the restart, O’Sullivan was able to edge ahead of Gentes. On lap 14, Gentes began his bid. He got alongside O’Sullivan on lap 13. With the leaders side by side, Trudeau was once again able to join the fray. On lap 15, Gentes was the new leader. O’Sullivan immediately fell into the grasp of Trudeau. Materas had recovered to run in the fourth position.
A spin by Jeremy Sadowski set up a restart that would change the complexion of the battle for the lead. Contact between Materas and Trudeau sent Trudeau spinning to the infield. Damon Tinio and Corey Hutchings were also involved.
On the restart, O’Sullivan appeared to miss a shift leaving Gentes to battle with Materas for the top spot. The lead duo broke away from a heated multi-car battle for the third position between Phil Rondeau, O’Sullivan, Wayne Coury, Sr., and Tom Fox.
Contact between Hartwell and O’Sullivan sent the pack scattering on lap 18. The chain reaction resulted in cars deeper in the pack sustaining heavy damage. Back under green, it was much of the same as Gentes and Materas bolted out to a sizeable advantage over a great battle for third, this time between Coury and Fox. In the end, Gentes cruised to victory on the newly crowned Late Model champion Materas. Coury came out on the battle with Fox. Oliveira rebounded to finish fifth.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, muscled his way to his second straight Limited Sportsman feature victory. Kevin Bowe set the pace early but the action was a little further back in the pack. The first caution of the event flew for a spin by point leader Larry Barnett. Barnett joined the rear of the field in search of his second Limited Sportsman championship. His nearest competition in the championship chase ran in the third spot when back under green behind Bowe and Joe Campbell.
Back under green, things got strung out at the head of the pack. The best battle was for the seventh position between Paul Coutu, Jr. and Joe Coates. The race leader went up in smoke on lap seven with an apparent blown engine to bring out the second caution. New leader Campbell had some breathing room as J. Sundeen had his hands full with a charging Joe Arena. Barnett was methodically picking his way through the pack. At lap 10, Barnett was in the twelfth position.
Arena continued to pressure J. Sundeen as Monahan was locked in a battle with Coates for the fifth position. Chris Douton, who had trouble in the early going, had fought his way back to join the battle for fifth. There was another scary moment for Barnett as Jesse Gleason spun in his path on lap 14 in turn four to bring out the caution.
A failed attempt at a restart saw J. Sundeen lose the handle making contact with leader Campbell. Sundeen sustained heavy damage as he spun in front of the field. Campbell was able to continue. A handful of laps later, Campbell was not so lucky. He lost the handle collecting Coates.
Arena had inherited the lead as Monahan and Douton resumed their battle; this time for the second spot. Monahan was able to free himself of Douton, who immediately fell into the clutches of Scott Sundeen. Monahan quickly ran down leader Arena. Over the final laps, the battle for the lead heated up. Monahan got up alongside Monahan exiting turn two with two laps remaining. The two made contact at the start finish line. Monahan was able to move by Arena in turn two.
Monahan went on to claim the victory. Arena had to settle for the second spot. Chris Douton, Al Stone III, and Scott Sundeen rounded out the top five. Barnett rebounded to finish sixth and to claim his championship.
In the TIS Modifieds, Brian Tagg scored a popular victory. Outside pole sitter John Studley got out of shape to ride the wall on the opening lap. Tagg capitalized on the confusion to take the lead. Championship contender Cam McDermott ran a distant second. During the green flag run, McDermott was able to cut into Tagg’s lead while point leader Sullivan and Shane Michalski took chase.
With two laps to go, McDermott dove to the low groove in a last ditch effort at the lead. Tagg was up to the challenge and headed to victory lane for his fifth win of the season. McDermott settled for second in the race and in the chase for the championship. Michalski, Sullivan, and Jay Sundeen completed the top five. The top-five finish was enough to secure Tim Sullivan the 2009 TIS Modified championship.
Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, turned a last lap pass into his third feature win of the season in the Mini Stock division. Early leader Mike Gorgievski had run out to a sizeable advantage in the early going of the main event. Rick Blanchard was making great strides in the opening laps. Both were able to continue where they left off when racing resumed after a caution on lap three. Gorgievski resumed his place on the point while Blanchard had moved into the second spot. Churchill; too, was also making tracks to the front.
Blanchard watched his great run come to an end as he dropped off the pace on lap nine. His misfortune opened the door for Churchill; now running in second. In the waning laps Churchill, began to cut into the lead that Gorgievski had built up. Point leader Scott Michalski ran comfortably in the third position.
A spin by J.T. Suprenant set up a green-white-checker restart that pitted Gorgievski against Churchill. Gorgievski was able to gain the advantage on the restart but Churchill got a great run on the outside. Churchill took the lead entering turn two on the final lap putting Gorgievski. That is the way they would head to the stripe. A third place run gave Scott Michalski his first Mini Stock championship. Eric Bourgeois and Steve Michalski completed the top five.
Sunoco Modified (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 3. Rowan Pennink, Huntington Station, PA; 4. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 5. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 6. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 7. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, RI; 8. Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 9. Carl Oberg, Sutton, MA; 10. Andy Gaspar, Andover, CT.
Super Late Model (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 2. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 3. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 5. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 6. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 7. Marc Curtis, Worcester, MA; 8. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 9. Chris Magee, Edgartown, MA; 10. Bobby Tripp, Westport, MA.
Late Model (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Rick Gentes, Woonstocket, RI; 2. John Materas Voluntown, CT; 3. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 4. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 5. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 6. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 7. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 8. John Falconi, N. Grafton, MA; 9. Phil Rondeau, Baltic, CT; 10. Robert O’Connell, Franklin, MA.
Limited Sportsman (Top Ten) Feature Finish: Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 3. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 4. Al Stone, III, New Haven, CT; 5. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 6. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 7. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 8. Phil Evans, Uncasville, CT; 9. Tom Shea, New London, CT; 10. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA.
TIS Modifieds (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Brian Tagg, Oxford, CT; 2. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 4. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 5. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 6. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 7. John Studley, Framingham, CT; 8. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA; 9. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA; 10. Glen Boss, Danielson, CT.
Mini Stock (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Randy Churchhill, Niantic, CT; 2. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 3. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 4. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 5. Steven Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 6. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 7. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 8. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 9. Billy Pomposelli, Chepachet, RI; 10. Mike Viens, Seekono, MA.
