by | Aug 8, 2013 | New England, New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
For the second consecutive week and the fifth time this season, weather has forced the cancellation of tonight’s race program at Thompson Speedway. With the predictions of rain arriving late afternoon with heavy downpours throughout the evening, Thompson management was left with no choice but to cancel tonight’s activities. Tonight’s race was to feature the Valenti Modified Series, The New England Truck Series and Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions.
The Valenti Modified Series management has agreed to run their race next Thursday, August 8th. They will be joined by Thompson’s NASCAR divisions.
Waterford Speedbowl hosted a jam packed grandstand for its popular mid-week Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday family fun program. Picking up victories on the night of motorsports included Nick Ladyga of Voluntown in the INEX Legend Cars, his first of the season in the Wednesday series. Jon Porter of Canterbury won another Super X-Car race, while Willmantic’s Mitch Bombard won his first X-Car feature of the year. Ken Morin Jr. of Old Saybrook won a thrilling INEX Bandolero race that went down to the wire and the Wacky Hot Dog eating race went to Peter Pollard of Old Lyme. An aerial fireworks display capped the night of action on the track.
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by | Aug 7, 2013 | New England, Schedules
Monday, 8/9/13
Cardi’s Furniture(Rt. 2, W. Warwick, RI)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Haywagon Restaurant(504 W. Hartford Ave., Uxbridge, MA)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Mark’s Auto Parts(Granby, CT)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, 8/8/13
A&W Restaurant(Rt. 44, Greenville, RI)-Cruise Night, 5 pm.
Rite Aid Plaza(Cobb’s Corner, Canton, MA)-Cruise Night, DJ, Food, Music, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/9/13
Elk’s Club(Rt 53, Weymouth, MA)-Cruise Night, 5:30 p.m.
Capeway Rovers(Middleboro, MA)-MotoX Practice, 9 a.m.
Cardi’s Furniture(Rt. 1A, Attleboro, MA)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
New England Dragway(Epping, NH)-Street Night, 5 p.m.
Waterford Speedbowl (CT)-Wild n’ Wacky Stockcar Racing, 7 p.m.
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by | Aug 1, 2013 | New England, New England Motorsports North
By Lou Modestino
Thursday, August 1st is the new date for the Valenti Modified Racing Series to run at the Thompson Speedway. Track officials announced late on Thursday that an agreement had been reached with the Valenti Modified Racing Series officials to run the event next week. The change was made necessary when rain forced the postponement of the July 25th race date.
The event is expected to draw the very best race teams on the VMRS roster. Current points leader Tommy Barrett, JR will lead the impressive lineup of drivers to the Connecticut oval. Drivers like Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Louie Mechalides, Norm Wrenn, Chris Pasteryak and many more are expected to compete for a starting spot in the VMRS 75-lap feature event.
Several Thompson regular competitors and graduates are also expected to compete with the VMRS series. Drivers like Keith Rocco, Ted Christopher, Woody Pitkat, Todd Owen, and Charlie Pasteryak are only a few of the many drivers who are fan favorites at Thompson and who compete with the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
Joining the program will be all five of Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions along with the New England Truck Series. The previously scheduled extra distance race for Thompson’s Late Model division will be run at a date to be announced. That division will compete in a regular 25-lap main on Thursday, August 1st. Grandstands will open at 2 PM with racing getting under way 30 minutes earlier than usual at 5:30 PM.
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by | Aug 1, 2013 | New England, New England Motorsports North
By Lou Modestino
Seven drivers and one car owner with hundreds of victories and dozens of championships comprise the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013. It is the 16th class and brings the membership to well over 115.
Drivers Stan Meserve, Brian Ross, Drew Fornoro, Ralph Nason, the late Bob Stefanik, Bill Eldridge and Bob Sharp and car owner Ron Berndt will be inducted at the 16th annual NEAR Hall of Fame Banquet Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Lodge at Manelley’s in South Windsor, CT.
The New England Antique Racers website www.near1.com will have complete times and ticket prices in the near future. Meserve, a Maine product, has been a driver, car owner/mechanic and race official for four decades plus including a season (1968) as an independent on the NASCAR Grand National circuit. As a driver, he won throughout Maine, including a pair of Oxford Opens and captured championships at Unity, Speedway 95, Wiscasset and Oxford Plains.
Berndt, a Meriden, CT native, has won in six different decades, most recently in 2012. Grandson Eric Berndt is on the end of a long list of drivers that include Sparky Belmont, Danny Galullo, Ted Christopher and Dave Alkas. His win total is estimated to be well into triple figures and his championships were won at Plainville Stadium, Waterford Speebowl and Thompson Speedway.
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by | Aug 1, 2013 | Schedules
By Lou Modestino
If a Sprint Cup driver ever needed a win it was Ryan Newman. Now out of his driving assignment with Stewart-Hass Racing at the end of this season, the Indiana native had his resume sent out to all of the teams.because Stewart-Hass Racing told him he wouldn’t be coming back in 2014.
It was Newman’s first Brickyard 400 win, and he pulled off that big coup in front of pretty much a hometown crowd. He told his crew as he was coming down to the finish line,”Thanks for a great weekend,” which also included his winning the pole a day earlier.
He went on,” I was more emotional when I won the pole. It was also the best race car I’ve every had in my life in racing!” His team made the right decision about only taking on two new tires on the last pit stop. Ryan told SPEED’s Bob Dillner,”The Indy win does wonders for me in trying to get a new ride next year.”
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by | Jul 31, 2013 | New England, Schedules
Monday, 7/28/13
Cardi’s Furniture(Rt. 2, W. Warwick, RI)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Haywagon Restaurant(Uxbridge, MA)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Mark’s Auto Parts(Granby, CT)-Cruise Night, 5-9 p.m.
Tuesday, 7/29/13
A&W Restaurant(Rt. 44, Greenville,RI)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Rite Aid Plaza(Cobbs Corner, Canton, MA)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
7/30-8/4/13
NHMS(Loudon, NH)-23rd Annual Vintage Racing Celebration. Oval Days-7/30- 8/1, Road Course Days, Vintage Sports Cars, Formula Cars, Motorcycles, Side Cars, Classic & Custom Car Show, 8/3-8/4, 9 a.m. Each Day.
Wednesday, 7/30/13
Capeway Rovers(Middleboro, MA)-MotoX Practice, 9 a.m.
Cardi’s Restaurant(Attleboro, MA)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Denny’s Restaurant(W. Greenwich, RI)-Cruise Night, 5 p.m.
Elk’s Club(RT. 53, Weymouth, MA)-Spindles Cruise Night, 5:30 p.m.
New England Dragway(Epping, NH)-Street Night, 5 p.m.
Waterford Speedbowl(CT)-Wild And Wacky Stockcar Racing, Xtra Distance X Cars, 7 p.m.
Star Speedway(Epping, NH)-Family Fun Night 6 Shooters, Spectator Drags, Enduros, 7 p.m.
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