by Jay | Aug 10, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, New England, Thompson
Thompson, CT: Donny Lia earned his 16th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race and his third at Thompson International Speedway when he won the Bud 150 in convincing fashion and ended a winless drought that dates back to 2009. Danny Gamache, Jr. visited Thompson International Speedway victory lane for the first time in his career when he checkered the Thompson Modified division in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. Other winners included Ryan Preece in the Sunoco Modified division, Tommy O’Sullivan in the Late Models, Jesse Gleason in the Limited Sportsman division, Eric Bourgeois in the Monster Mini Stocks, and Cam McDermott in the Lite Modifieds.
In the Bud 150, pole sitter Mike Stefanik battled Ron Silk to lead all but one circuit in the first 75 laps before losing the point to Todd Szegedy coming out of turn four. A red flag stopped the action at lap 87 when Woody Pitkat’s No. 11 machine landed on top of Ed Flemke’s No. 28 machine and remained there halfway down the backstretch. On the restart, Silk drove underneath Szegedy heading into turn one and after a side-by-side battle drove to the front coming out of turn three. The race remained green until a caution tightened the field up for a restart at lap 123. Silk held the lead at the green, but Donny Lia took it away at lap 129 in turn two. Lia pulled away from Silk as the laps ticked off and drove to the checkered flag for the first time since 2009.
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by Jay | Aug 7, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, Thompson
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads for Thompson International Speedway this Thursday night for the annual running of the King of Beers Budweiser 150. The Bud 150 will mark the Tour’s first appearance at Thompson since the track hosted the season-opening Icebreaker back in April.
Fresh off his win at Stafford, Doug Coby, current WMT points leader, will head a potent field of New England’s most popular touring series to the historic speedway for what is traditionally one of the best races of the year. The race has become a true fan favorite based in its rich history of incredible competition by NASCAR’s best Modified drivers.
Defending WMT champion, Ron Silk opened the season by winning Thompson’s Icebreaker and he will look to repeat that magic in the Bud 150. Silk, who comes into the race sitting third in the points battle, will face Ryan Preece, second in points, and others who have seen much success at Thompson. Some on that list include Jimmy Blewett, Ted Christopher, Justin Bonsignore, Eric Beers, Rowan Pennink, Mike Stefanik and many more.
Preece has had a tremendous year in Thompson’s Sunoco Modified division and will be tough to beat. To date, Preece has four wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth in this division and is the current points leader.
Mike Stefanik, always tough at Thompson, claimed the win at NHMS in July and the seven-time champ proved that he is still very much a factor in WMT competition. Other former champs, Todd Szegedy and Donny Lia will be part of this star-studded field. The WMT will be joined by Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ‘Super 6” divisions.
Grandstands will open at 2 PM so that fans can watch race teams practice prior to qualifying time trials slated for 5:30 PM. Feature event races will follow time trials with the King of Beers Bud 150 scheduled to take the green at roughly 8:30 PM.
by Jay | Aug 6, 2012 | Massachusetts, New England, PASS, Photos, Seekonk Speedway
DJ Shaw put his Precision JLM Toyota out front on lap 104 of Saturday night’s Pro All Stars Series (PASS) 150 to earn his first super late model feature win of 2012. Travis Benjamin raced home in second and Ben Rowe was third.
The victory was Shaw’s first PASS feature victory since September of 2011 when he checkered at White Mountain Motorsports Park. The Center Conway New Hampshire racer, who builds the race cars he drives for Julio and Rita Miglioli, now has four PASS North career wins. He joins Cassius Clark, Travis Benjamin,Johnny Clark, Derek Ramstrom, Joey Doiron and Scott Dragon on the 2012 PASS North winner’s list.
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by Jay | Aug 6, 2012 | Massachusetts, New England, PASS, Seekonk Speedway, Touring Series News
Mulkern Racing: PASS North Series
Lonnie Sommerville Seekonk Speedway Report
SEEKONK, Mass. – Lonnie Sommerville of Saint John, New Brunswick, finished fifth in the PASS North Series 150 at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, August 4. Sommerville ran as high as second before a late-race caution flag jumbled the field. The Mulkern Racing No. 48 A.E. McKay Builders/Southern Maine Motors Chevrolet posted its third Top-5 finish of the season with the effort. Sommerville has now finished in the Top-5 in each of his two career starts at Seekonk Speedway.
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by Jay | Aug 6, 2012 | Lee USA, Modified, New Hampshire
Legendary car builder Jim Belfiore has been chosen as Grand Marshall for this Friday night’s Annual 75 lap Ollie Silva Memorial Summer Classic at the Lee USA Speedway presented by Haffner’s Gasoline and Fuels, “It Kicks.” Belfiore , who considered Ollie Silva as a personal friend, describes his selection as “A great honor.”
Born and raised in Haverhill, MA, Jim Belfiore was a participant during the early days of super modified racing both as an owner and a driver, and was a charter member of New England Super Modified Association organization. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at U Mass Lowell. Career opportunities took him to San Jose, CA where he resided for several years. He attained a Master’s Degree in California, and it was in the Golden State where his enthusiasm for super modified racing was rekindled.
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by Jay | Aug 5, 2012 | Massachusetts, New England, PASS, Seekonk Speedway, Touring Series News
Gerry D wins LM main. Barry Shaw Jr claims first Sport Truck win, Lineham again in the Sam’s Club Streets
Center Conway NH’s D.J. Shaw admitted in Victory Lane that he wasn’t looking forward to the Pro All Stars Series returning to The Action Track of the East. “I didn’t like the track, we just never seem to run well here.” is what the winning driver had to say. But that perception has all changed now, as the post-race victory photos were taken.
Three time Seekonk winner Ryan Vanasse and former PASS Champion Ben Rowe brought the 27 car field down with Vanasse setting the pace for the first several laps before six time Seekonk Champion Fred Astle took over after a lap 11 restart. Astle led for several laps before Derek Ramstrom took over the lead. As the race reached the mid-point, it was apparent that there would not be a Seekonk Pro Stock regular carrying the checkers, as the only regular remaining in the top five was pole sitter Ryan Vanasse, who was sitting in the fifth position.
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