by Jay | Jan 11, 2010 | New England, New Hampshire
Raymond N.H. – The Northeast Classic Lites held their annual awards Banquet on January 9th at Strikers East Function Hall in Raymond N.H.
After a buffet dinner, Master of Ceremonies Dennis O’Brien began by introducing special guests Phil Boriello of PB Chopper Shop and Rods, Dave Joyce of Davids Racecars, photographers Bob and Rich Hayes, Dan Provost, and Bob Munroe who came out of retirement from flagging to serve as the clubs dedicated flagman when the Classics Lites race at Hudson Speedway.
Trophies were then handed out those drivers that finished in the top twenty five in points. Drivers that finished eleventh through twenty fifth included Paul Colson, Ralph Cook, Jim Ryder Sr., Jeff Gilman, Shane Reinhold, Dan Shields Sr., Sean Kehoe, Dave McGinn, Adam Giacomozzi, Tom McGowan Jr., Dwayne Schofield and Kyle Pittman.
Finishing tenth through second were Roger Provost, Josh Provost, Eric Bacon, Jeff Miller, Jon Provost, Danny Shields, Eddie Gilman, Dennis O’Brien and Jimmy Ryder Jr.
On the strength of five feature wins and eleven top fives in fifteen races Billy Ryder received the Championship trophy.
The Winners Circle Club includes any driver that won at least one feature or heat during the season. These drivers are Reinhold, Jeff Gilman, Ryder Sr., Cook, Colson, Josh Provost, Bacon, Miller, Jon Provost, Eddie Gilman, Ryder Jr. and Billy Ryder.
Jim Ryder Sr., Sam Gilman and John Dimambro received Appreciation Awards. Paul Colson and Dennis O’Brien both received Sportsmanship Awards. Jim Ryder Jr. received the Hard Luck Award. Dan Shields received the Best Appearing Car. Shane Reinhold was Most Improved Driver and Jeff Miller was Rookie of the Year. All drivers in the top five received a check from club sponsor nhyogamatters.com.
The 2010 Northeast Classic Lites schedule has yet to be finalized, please visit www.neclassiclites.com for updates.
by Jay | Jan 6, 2010 | ACT, New England, New Hampshire, NHMS
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that the total point fund awards for the 2009 season will total over $85,000. The annual Banquet of Champions will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in So. Burlington, VT on January 16, 2010.
The ACT TOUR will honor the 2009 Championship team of Brian Hoar and owner/crew chief Rick Paya, who also owns RPM Engines in Georgia, VT. Hoar will celebrate his sixth American Canadian Tour title, and car owner, Rick Paya, will also celebrate his sixth ACT title, having won previous titles as crew chief and then owner of the only seven-time ACT winner in its 25-year history, Jean-Paul Cyr. The RPM team will receive $10,000 first place point money at the annual festivities for their efforts during the 2009 thirteen (13) race campaign.
“This past year was a whole lot of fun for RPM racing. We kind of struggled at the beginning of the season, but most of that was trying to figure out what each of us (Hoar and Paya) needed to be successful,” said Rick Paya. “Working with Brian was great, especially after we got things sorted out over the initial few weeks. We kind of entered the deal hoping to get immediate results, but I think our team is better off having to go through the learning curve we experienced. We really are excited about being together for next season, and winning the 25th anniversary title of ACT would be pretty meaningful for Brian and our entire team,” concluded Paya. Both Paya and Hoar have been supporters of the ACT Late Model program since its inception in 1992.
The Thunder Road “King of the Road” title chase was another blending of veteran teams. Ironically, Jean Cyr, who won all those championships with Paya, joined the most storied crew chief of the decade at Thunder Road, Jeff Laquerre, from Barre, VT. Laquerre and his veteran father, Joey Laquerre put together a new team with the sole purpose of winning the 50th anniversary title at Thunder Road. Jeff Laquerre led the Tracie Bellerose championship chase in 2000. She was the first female to win a major division title. Laquerre followed that up with Thunder Road titles for Cris Michaud in 2004 and 2005. The Laquerre-Cyr team took a few weeks to get things sorted out, but in the end they held off Michaud, Phil Scott and David Pembroke to win the coveted 2009 title. The team will receive $5,000 in point fund money for the championship win. Total money awarded to the Thunder Road competitors in three divisions will exceed $20,000.
Previously, in November, 2009, the ACT Castrol Series awarded over $30,000 in point fund money to those that competed in the 2009 nine (9) ACT Castrol Série.
The Banquet of Champions will award trophies, prize money, and special awards to an expected crowd of 500 teams and fans. Announcements regarding the 25th anniversary season of the American Canadian Tour, along with the prestigious awarding of the annual MacTavish Award, Doc Nielsen Award, and many other special recognitions will highlight the evening’s activities. Tickets are still available by calling the ACT office at 802-244-6963.
The 2010 ACT and Thunder Road seasons will offer Late Model teams in the region over $800,000 in various purse and prizes beginning with the opening event at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday, April 18th, the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.
by Jay | Dec 8, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, December 5th, Monadnock Speedway held their annual rules meeting where all division were well attended and represented. The management of the speedway welcomed to new division that will debut on 2010, the Sportsman Modifieds and the Young Guns (Youth division).
The rumors of the Outlaw Pro (Pro Stock) division not returning 2010 were subsided as teams attended and worked together on the rules, ensuring Monadnock Speedway will be a track that Pro Stocks teams from the Northeast are welcomed to compete.
The meeting agenda started with the Mini Stocks as very few changes were made. The changes in the Mini Stock division included; 1.8 VW would be allowed to compete with the Holley 7448, rear jacking bolts were approved for rear wheel drive cars as the front rear drives were granted adjustable coil over in the front only, weight to be increased from 2150lbs to 2200lbs and fiberglass hoods will be permitted for 2010.
The Super Stocks competitors also permitted few changes in their division. Those changes included; decrease in weight with the GM metric OEM four link car with OEM cross member weight be reduced to 2850lbs and all four link “Late Model” type suspension or metric frame three point rear suspension weigh 2950lbs. , front clips may be replaced with a aftermarket front clip designated by a specific part number regulated by the track (part number to be listed on website) and two way radios will be permitted.
The Outlaw Pros (Pro Stocks) competitors and track management met next with one agenda on everyone’s list, to keep the division alive and well at the high banked ¼ mile speedway. The speedway ‘s owner, Larry Cirillo, opened the meeting stating “the Pro Stocks have been part of his racing family for years and will consider all suggestions being made to keep his racing family together“. Few rule changes were made as the discussion was most about promoting the division within the competitors in the Northeast Region who have Pro Stocks. One suggestion was made and approved that the speedway will welcome an “outside” Pro Stock team by allowing the driver and race team free admittance for one event to try out the track (more details will be listed on the speedway’s website). Monadnock Speedway Outlaw Pro competitors and race teams, who compete regularly throughout the 2010 season will also be given the opportunity for one free race admittance. Rule changes included; competitors competing with a unaltered GM 88958604 engine will weigh 2700lbs (2009 was 2750lbs) and anyone with an ABC body (with no alterations or down force bodies) will receive a 50lb weight break. The competitors also requested that the tires be kept at the speedway.
The Modifieds had no rule changes except the allowance of four new tires to be brought into inventory at the half way point of the season for those who compete in all the events.
The new Sportsman Modifieds division was well attended and were presented a rough copy of the rules for the 2010 season. All agreed the rules written is the starting ground for the division and will be monitored in the beginning of the season for any necessary changes needed to be made to ensure an “equal playing field” for all. The only revision, to date, was the weight was changed to accommodate the weights set by other tracks who have the similar type division.
To conclude the meeting, the track management met with the new young stars of Monadnock Speedway. The track will be offering a youth division (ages 12-15)which has been named the Young Gun division. The division’s goal is to give these young drivers the opportunity to learn to drive and compete in a full bodied car while being safe and having fun.
For more information regarding the rules, please call the speedway’s office at 603-239-4067 or email them at [email protected]. All 2010 rules along with the 2010 schedule will posted on the
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | ACT, NASCAR, New England, New Hampshire, NHMS
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway have reached an agreement for the Second Annual ACT Invitational to take place at the only superspeedway in the Northeast on Saturday, September 18, 2010.
“The overwhelming success of the inaugural ACT Invitational this past September made it an easy decision to have the short track stars of our region return again next September,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Thirty-six teams from all six New England states, Quebec, and Ontario took part in the inaugural ACT Invitational during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend this past September. One of the largest Saturday crowds in the 19-year history of the speedway was treated to an action packed tripleheader of racing featuring the American Canadian Tour Late Models, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“We really thought things went great at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the first ACT Invitational last season,” said Tom Curley, President of ACT. “I would expect things to be even more fun for our teams and fans in 2010. We will add some laps to the event, and are discussing the possibility of allowing a tire change during the event. We will also add some positions to the starting field.”
Teams were qualified for the first Invitational by winning ACT and ACT Castrol Series events in the United States, Quebec, and Ontario. Additional teams qualified through special events such as the Oxford Plains Speedway TD BANK 250 in Oxford, Maine, and the Vermont Governor’s Cup at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, Vt. Individual track champions from ACT affiliated tracks were also invited to attend the inaugural Invitational.
“We plan to change some of the qualifying procedures as we continue to make this one of the most unique and exciting short track events in the country,” said Curley.
2009 ACT Champion, Brian Hoar from Williston, Vt. said, “It is no secret that New Hampshire Motor Speedway is my very favorite track of all time. I can’t tell you how happy I am that we are going back. They tell me Goodyear is making a tire for us just for New Hampshire, and that will be a good thing. I really think I could have been in the battle to the great finish that Eddie (MacDonald), Nick Sweet, and the kid from Ontario (16 year-old Brandon Watson) had going on at the end of the race. But I just ran out of tire. I now know what one of my goals for the RPM Motorsports team is going to be in 2010– I can’t wait.”
Race fans from throughout the short tracks of the Northeast will now need to circle the weekend of September 17-19, 2010. The first of the qualifying events for the 2010 ACT Invitational will be held just down the road from New Hampshire Motor Speedway at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H. Over 50 teams are expected to try and capture the first invitation at the opening 150-lap event on Sunday, April 18, 2010.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Lee USA, New Hampshire
A packed house gathered at for the 2009 Lee USA Speedway Banquet of Champions on Saturday night, where Wayne Helliwell, Jr. received the hardware for his 2009 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model track championship.
Among the special awards presented during the night were the NASCAR Crafstman Mechanic of the Year award, picked up by Myra Fowler, and the Ed Castine/Ron Poitras Memorial Dedication award which this year went to Tom and Carol Kimball.
E Keys 4 Cars Late Model racer J.R. Baril also brought home a pile of awards on the night, taking home second overall in the LM’s, and receiving a special NASCAR presentation for his New Hampshire state NWAAS 2009 title.
Third through tenth place trophies were awarded to Bryan Kruczek, Jeffrey Labrecque, Jr., A.J. Begin, Tom Fuller, Jeremy Harclerode, Bobby Baillargeon, Geoff Rollins, and Dean Weber.
Rollins grabbed the prestigious Rookie of the Year honor, with Jeremy Harclerode picking up Most Improved Driver, Bobby Baillargeon taking Hard Luck, Tom Fuller scoring the Sportsmanship award, and the Bruce Bernhardt team taking home Best Team Performance.
Grant Aither collected his championship hardware in the Prime Storage Late Model Sportsmen, with Bobby Melvin, Bill Ahern, Pete Evans, Michele Fushpanski, Jesse Bousquet, Frankie Eldredge, Timmy Johnson, Brian Grantz, and Jimmy Renfrew honored for second through tenth.
Eldredge got the nod for Rookie of the Year in the Sportsmen, while Ryan Green who raced the entire season was under age and not recognized as a NASCAR Rookie. The Speedway has given Ryan the honor of the year as Lee’s Track Rookie of the Year and his 7th place finish in points for the Season. Ahern was recognized as Most Improved Driver, Fushpanski got the Hard Luck award, Melvin was honored with the Sportsmanship award, and Aither’s crew grabbed Best Team Performance.
It was a changing of the guard in the PB Chopper Shop and Rods Small Block Supers, where Dan Bowes celebrated his first career championship.
Former two-time titleist Eddie Witkum, Jr. was second, with P.J. Stergios, Mike Spurling, Billy Osborne, Tommy Tombarello, Jr., Johnny Burke, Mike Netishen, and Bob Millett, Jr. also picking up Small Block hardware.
Stergios took home Rookie of the Year honors in the Supers, with Tombarello getting Most Improved Driver, Spurling picking up the Hard Luck award, Witkum being recognized for Sportsmanship, and the Bowes team sweeping best Team Performance.
Jim Shorey was joined by car owners Jeff and Nancy Trask for the Hobby Stock championship celebration, with Jimmy Russell, Patrick Tanguay, Ron Washburn, Eric Hoffman, Kenny Scott, Alby Ovitt, Bobby Glass, Brian Thompson, and A.J. Panessiti picking up second through tenth place awards.
Dennis Dumas was the best of the freshman crop and took home Rookie of the year for his efforts, with Scott awarded Most Improved, Thompson getting Hard Luck, Russell claiming the Sportsmanship award, and the Trask/Shorey crew taking Best Team Performance.
Nick Maniatis and crew were on hand to celebrate the David’s Race cars and Components Roadrunner championship, with Jim Piaseczny, Steve Nichols, Aaron Day, Loren Smith, Tim Boyle, Torrey Kovalesky, James Fitzgerald,, Cristofer King, and Anthony Nadeau filling out the top ten.
Maniatis was a lock for Rookie of the Year in the Roadrunners, while runner-up Piaseczny scored Most improved Driver, Day was awarded Hard Luck, Fitzgerald picked up the Sportsmanship award, and Maniatis’ team picked up Best Team Performance.
Tom Harton led the American Used Auto Parts Ironmen to the stage, taking home the big trophy for his championship season. Kevin Emery, Crystal Brown, Warren Harvey, Matt Bakutis, Troy Washburn, Matt Lambert, and Howard Brown III also received hardware for their efforts.
Norm Wrenn was presented the championship after his dominating three-win performance in the Pro-4 Modified Triple Crown Series, and Sumner Sessions scored the champ’s hardware in the Twin State PASS Modified Series.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, November 21st, Monadnock Speedway honored the champions and top ten at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Ma.
Master of Ceremonies, Dave Sutherland and Mark Wiernasz, welcomed everyone to the 2009 Awards Banquet while recognizing a 2009 Maine Vintage Racing Hall of Fame Inductee, Hannaford Goodwin. Goodwin, who was in attendance, addressed the crowd stating he was honored to be part of the Monadnock Speedway racing family and thanked everyone for a wonderful season. Hannaford is the car owner of the 71ME Modified wheeled by Josh Cantara.
After welcoming the banquet attendees, the awards ceremony began first recognizing the second through tenth place finishers for the Enduros. The recipients included 4-cylinder drivers Matthew Gauffin, Heath Renaud, Julia Raymond, Eric Pomasko, CJ Johnson, Fred Rogers, Adam Houle, John Walker and Pat Houe. Full Size Drivers of Jared Edson, Ryan Rivet, Joe Ethier, Barry Schonborg, Duane Stonier, Bucky Sheats, Robert Thompson, Trevor Dyer and Ed Lofland.
Next, the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions were called up to accept their achievement of placing in the top ten. Mini Stock competitors were honored first as the second through tenth made their way to the stage and included Tim Jackson, Kim River and car owner Ron Rivet, Joey Kendall, Jamey King and car owner Lenny May, Chris Davis, Derek Bergquist, Beth Adams and Rich Fournier. Super Stocks Matt Mead, Ed Brehio III and car owner Ed Brehio Jr, Andy Brooks Jr and car owner Andy Brooks Sr, Bill Johnston and car owner Dana Johnston, Bob Bedaw, Nancy Muni-Ruot, Ken Springer, Kevin Ouellette and Dana Shepard. Outlaw Pros Mike Parks, Steve Gauthier, Brandon Ovitt and car owner Horrocks Motorsports, Barry Gray, Bryon Baker, Eric Poulin, Aric Blanchette Adam Brooks and Geoff Rollins. The final division to be honored for the first time in many years were the Modifieds and included second through tenth of Kirk Alexander, Bryan Shumway and car owner Bruce Shumway, David Berube, Ed Reed and car owner Nicholas Verno, Jim Boniface, Vic Johnson, Josh Cantara, Rob Williams and Eric LeClair.
In the conclusion of second through tenth being honored, General Manager Michelle Cloutier, addressed the crowd stating the track’s appreciation of all the dedication shown from the race teams, fans and employees while thanking them for bringing the true spirit of auto racing to the high banked ¼ mile.
The special awards segment of the program followed Cloutier’s speech and included the categories of Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, Best Appearing and Sportsmanship. The recipients for Rookie of the Year were Jamey King (Mini Stocks), Ed Brehio III (Super Stocks) and Vic Johnson (Modifieds). Most Improved were Kim Rivet and Chris Davis (Mini Stocks), Jeremy Sorel (Super Stocks) and Steve Gauthier (Outlaw Pros). Best Appearing awards went to Joey Kendall and Derek Bergquist (Mini Stocks), Bob Bedaw (Super Stocks), Barry Gray (Outlaw Pros) and Bryan Shum way (Modifieds). Sportsmanship recipients were Kim Rivet (Mini Stocks), Jeremy Sorel Super Stocks) Russ Hersey (Outlaw Pro) and Rob Williams (Modifieds). This years NASCAR Craftsman Mechanic of the Year award went to Scott Adams, crew chief of the #87 Mini Stock of Beth Adams.
To conclude the evening’s ceremonies, the six champions were honored. First to be presented were 4-cylinder Champion Dick Houle and Full Size Champion Dan Yagmin followed Mini Stock Champion, Chris McTaggart, Super Stock Champion Jeremy Sorel with car owner William Sorel, Outlaw Pro Russ Hersey and Modified Champion Todd Patnode. All presented speeches thanking their sponsors, their race team, families and the owner and employees Monadnock Speedway.
