by Jay | Jul 24, 2009 | New Hampshire
Waterbury, VT – In a continuing celebration of the 50th anniversary of Thunder Road International Speedbowl, the greatest stock car driver of all time will be coming to Thunder Road Thursday, July 30, 2009. Seven-time NASCAR Champion and seven-time Daytona 500 winner, Richard Petty will sign autographs for fans, conduct a question and answer session with fans, and will be the Grand Marshall for the annual WDEV-Calkins Porta-Pottie Grand Prix!
A lot has changed since Petty last made his appearance at Thunder Road in 1990. Petty is now a car owner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup; Thunder Road has gone through major renovations; and many of the drivers at Thunder Road were not even born the first time Petty made his appearance.
“The Petty name is synonymous with the foundation of stock car racing. It is a great pleasure to have this pioneer of racing stop by to help Thunder Road celebrate its 50th anniversary. Our fans have a wonderful appreciation of the history of the sport and Richard certainly was a major contributor to that history”, said Ken Squier, President of Thunder Road.
Petty will conduct a press conference at 5:00pm, followed up by an autograph session from 5:45 until 6:30. Fans will be asked to submit questions for Petty to answer during an intermission interview with Squier. Perhaps the highlight of the evening will be dropping the green flag on the annual “Porta-Pottie Grand Prix”. This unique event is presented courtesy of the evening’s co-sponsor…Calkins Portable Toilets … whose slogan is “# 1 in the # 2 business”! Richard Petty has seen about everything there is to see in racing, but it is assumed that this will be his first experience in an official capacity as Grand Marshall of this unique intermission event. The divisional leading teams following the Times Argus Mid-Season Championships are required to bring the most colorful and unique ‘racing port-a-lets’ or something that passes inspection, in the one of a kind race for the ‘golden plunger’ award.
Gates will open at 5pm and racing starts at 6:30. Admission is only $9.50 for adults and a family pass is available for two adults and two kids (6-12) for only $20. All four divisions of racing will be presented where over 120 teams will compete at the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’.
by Jay | Jul 24, 2009 | New England, New Hampshire, PASS, Riverside Speedway
NAPLES ME – (7/21/2009) There’s something for everyone this weekend when Groveton New Hampshire’s Riverside Speedway once again hosts Summerfest 2009, a weekend of motorized mayhem that promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Presented by Dalton Mountain Motors and the Marshall Insurance Agency, the two day extravaganza kicks off on Friday with the $1,000.00 to win Ray Haskell Memorial 100 for street stocks plus late models, and daredevils. The monster trucks share the spotlight, with Predator and Pouncer on hand to wow the fans. The action gets underway at 7:00 PM.
On Saturday night its PASS time, with the lightning quick Pro All Stars Series super late models taking center stage for 150 laps of green flag racing on the tough quarter mile. The popular PASS Mods share the spotlight with Riverside’s own Cyclones, Daredevils and Angels, plus another round of monster truck thrills and chills with Predator and Pouncer. Saturday’s events kick off at 5:00 PM .
There’s free camping on site and best of all, a two day ticket is just $25.00 for adults, $20.00 for juniors and seniors and eight bucks for kids five to nine. Friday only adult tickets are $12.00, and Saturday’s is $15.00.
2008 PASS North super late model Champion Johnny Clark kicked off his title charge at Riverside last season, earning the victory in a downpour over Travis Benjamin and Derek Ramstrom. Clark currently holds a forty five point lead over Ramstrom in the standings, and Adam Bates trails Ramstrom by just four points.
Andy Shaw has been on a tear in the PASS Mods, winning three of the first five races and topping the point standings by a 30 point margin over Scott Grant. Steve Bennett Jr. trails Grant by two markers in third. Fourth place points man Bill Dixon was the 2008 Summerfest PASS Mod winner, and he’ll be looking to gain ground on Shaw and the others with another Riverside win.
by Jay | Jul 21, 2009 | Hudson, New Hampshire
Hudson, NH – The Outlaw Sportsman headlined an action packed show with veteran Lee Weldy picking up his first win of the year in the Jim Daley owned car. Ron Bolduc looked like he had the car to beat after taking over the top spot from Ron Lord Jr. at the halfway mark, but had to pit with a flat tire just three laps from the checkers. Having recovered from an early race spin, Weldy took over the top spot from Bolduc and drove on to victory lane. Second through tenth were Mitch Wendell, Sandy Lee, Chuck Dehney, Ron Lord Jr., Tim Casey, Mark Parenteau, Bobby Allen, Bob Riopelle and Shane Gendron.
Shauna Randall chased Dylan Bilodeau for the last half of the Thunder Lite feature but couldn’t make it past Bilodeau’s Mustang. Randall made it to Bilodeau’s rear bumper a few times but couldn’t get further and had to settle for second. Sammy Gilman beat Gage Harron for third and Tyler Hatch was fifth.
Louie Maher made it three in a row in the Roadrunner feature, followed by Jef James, Loren Smith Jr., Patrick D’Alba and Peter Raby.
Corrie Merritt showed the way in the Rookie stock feature. Roland LaPlante finished second holding off a slew of cars. John Morin finished third. Fourth through tenth were Dean Wendall, Scott Duval, Keith ”Slika” Ennis, John Cianciulli, Brian Harron, Billy Clement Jr. and Heath Gourdellotte.
Dave Heliwell won the Mini-Cups. Kyle Kuchla and Chris Igo finished second and third.
Ron Lord won the Spectator Drags. Timmy Lord won the Spectator Race and Dan Gill won the Flagpole Race.
Next Sunday, July 26th, is “Christmas In July” at Hudson Speedway featuring the return of the Classic Lites, Rookies, Roadrunners, Thunder Lites, Spectator Drags, Flagpole Race, Spectator Race, Enduros, fun and games for the kids including on track bike races and a visit from Santa Claus. Gates open at 3:30pm, kids activities start at 4:30pm and the first race at 6:00pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info
by Jay | Jul 21, 2009 | New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway hosted the annual Kayem Hot Dog Night where Julia Raymond went down in the history books as the first female to win a 4-cylinder Enduro feature event. Raymond is the grand daughter of the legendary Roger Raymond. Matt Mead captured the Super Stock Showdown special event. Jim Boniface celebrated his second victory in the Modifieds. Both Mini Stock competitor Derek Bergquist and Full Size Enduro competitor Jared Edson celebrated first of the season wins.
The mini stocks rolled onto the track with Beth Adams on the pole. Adams took the lead as Derek Bergquist challenged her for top spot early. Chris Davis, Joey Kendall and Chris McTaggart followed. On lap three, Kendall made the pass three wide for second out of turn four as Adams was shuffled back to fifth. Bergquist took over the lead. On lap nine, the caution flew as Davis suffered a flat tire. On the restart, Bergquist on the gas to remain the leader. Ten laps to go, Kendall went hard into turn two dropping from second to fourth. JameyKing moved into second as Rivet ran third. On lap seventeen the battle brewed for second as Rivet. Rivet made the pass under King and moved into second. Bergquist continued to lead. On lap to go, Bergquist and Rivet pulled away from the field as the last lap battle for third was between King and Kendall. Rivet, with a half of lap to go for second spun on the backstretch giving second to King. At the checkers it was former champion Derek Bergquist with the victory followed by King, Kendall, McTaggart and Davis.
The Modifieds took the track for their July 11th event that was cut short on lap two due to rain. Vic Johnson took the field to the green as the first caution flew for Rob Williams striking the backstretch wall collecting Todd Patnode, Kirk Alexander and Eric LeClair. On the restart, Johnson took the lead as Rusty Ball challenged him on the outside. On lap eight, Ball moved to the inside of Johnson as Johnson went too high into the turn and spun. Ball restarted the race as he felt the pressure from Jim Boniface for the lead. Ed Reed and Dave Berube battled for fourth. On lap fifteen, points leader Kirk Alexander retired to the pits as Boniface made the inside moved under Ball for the lead. Five laps later, Ball spun on the backstretch and into the infield giving Todd Patnode second followed by Reed, Berube and Marty Radewick. Half way to go, Patnode was on the move to catch the race leader as Radewick felt Josh Cantara on his back bumper for fifth. Ten laps to go, Patnode reeled in Boniface and was on his back bumper. Berube continued to work on Reed for third. On the final lap, Boniface and Patnode battled for the win coming out of turn four. Patnode made contact with Boniface causing him to lose the top position. At the checkers it was Patnode by a nose followed by Boniface, Reed, Berube and Cantara. Patnode was penalized one position for rough riding giving the victory to Boniface.
Kevin Ouellette set the pace for the special Super Stock Showdown event. At the green, Ouellette quickly controlled the lead as Andy Brooks and Nancy Muni battled for second. By lap five, Brooks was all over the back of Ouellette for the lead as Muni, Ken Springer and Scott Cashman followed. On lap ten, points leader Jeremy Sorel made contact with Springer bringing out the first caution. On the restart, Ouellette attempted to hold off Brooks but by the next lap Brooks was the new leader. A few laps later, Matt Mead worked his way into second and began to hunt down Brooks for the lead. On lap fifteen, the third caution of the event was displayed as Muni, Ed Brehio Jr and Ed Brehio III all make contact. Brooks led the field to the restart as Mead set his sights on the lead. On lap twenty, Mead was shown as the new leader as Brooks had to settle in second. Oullette felt the pressure from Bob Bedaw and Jeff Wright for third. Five laps to go, Mead widened his lead as Ouellette held off Brehio Jr for third. Bedaw, Wright and Sorel all battled hard for the fifth spot. At the end, it was Mead capturing the Showdown title followed by Brooks, Brehio Jr, Ouellette and Bedaw.
Outlaw Pro Steve Gautier brought the field to the green for their feature event. By lap one, the fans saw a new leader of Russ Hersey as Gauthier held onto second. Brandon Ovitt and Bryon Baker challenged each other for third. Ten laps into the books, Hersey cruised away from the field as Baker continued to put the heat on Ovitt for third. Aric Blanchette sat in fifth. Half way to go, baker continued to work on Ovitt as Mike Parks challenged Blanchette for fifth. Hersey remained to show the way as parks made the pass on Blanchette for fifth. Ten to go, Ovitt and Baker approach a lap car causing Baker to lose ground to Ovitt. On the final lap, it was Hersey dominating the race to take the checkers followed by Gauthier, Ovitt, Baker and Parks.
The very healthy field of 4-cylinders rolled onto the track where Julia Raymond took the lead early. By lap ten, Raymond was working through lap traffic as CJ Johnson, Ed LeClair, Josh Houle and John Walker followed. Twenty laps into the books, Raymond continued to run strong as the field behind her battled for the top five spot. Lap twenty five, Houle was on the back bumper of Johnson for second as heath Renaud began to catch the two. On lap thirty, Raymond continued to lead as a three way battle for second developed between Houle, Johnsn and Renaud. Ten laps to go, Raymond cleared her way through very heavy lap traffic as Renaud moved into second followed by Josh Houle. Dick Houle broke into the top five chasing down the top three. On the white flap lap, Raymond worked through lap traffic as Dick Houle ran side by side with Josh Houle for second. At the end, it was Julia Raymond making history as the first female to post a 4-cylinder Enduro victory followed by Dick Houle, Josh Houle, Heath Renaud and CJ Johnson.
The Full Size Enduro concluded the evening’s program with Ryan Rivet being scored as the early leader followed by Duane Stonier, Dan Cheveralls, Dan Figueiredo and Randy Rameau. Rivet developed a good leas as Jared Edson challenged Cheveralls for third. Lap twenty, Rivet continued to lead but felt the pressure from Edson as Dan Yagmin moved into the top three. Five laps later, Edson took over the lead as Yagmin attempted to make the pass on Rivet for second. Lap thirty five, Yagmin ran second and beagn to challenge Edson for the lead. The two ran side by side with Yagmin coming out on top. Ten laps to a battle for third developed between Rivet, Stonier and Rameau. Rameau made the pass and was on the back bumper of Rivet for third. At the checkers, it was Yagmin followed by Edson, Rameau, Rivet and Stonier. Due to the three win rule, Edson was awarded the win.
This Saturday, the Modifieds will return to the high banks of Monadnock Speedway for Whelen Night at the races along with the Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm.
Mini Stock Results: Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Jamey King, Orange, Ma; Joey Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Tim Jackson, jaffrey, NH; James Hancock, Litchfield, NH; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Shawn Doubleday, Belchertown, Ma
Super Stock Results: Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Andy Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Ed Brehio Jr, Baldwinville, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Bob Bedaw, Whately, Ma; Jeff Wright, Jaffery, NH; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Scott Cashman, Keene, NH; Ken Springer, Swazney, NH; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinville, Ma; Craig Cashman, |Keene, NH; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Heath Renaud, Vernon, VT; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Dave Striebel, Hinsdale, Ma
Outlaw Pro Results: Russ heresy, Swanzey, NH; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH; Brandon Ovitt, Bernardston, Ma; Bryon Baker, Claremont, NH; Mike Parks, Walpole, NH; Aric Blanchette, Peterborough, NH; Geoff Rollins, Groton, Ma; Adam Brooks, Winchendon, Ma
Modified Results: Jim Boniface, Winchester, NH; Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH; Ed Reed, Groton, Ct; Dave Berube, Bristol, Ct; Josh Cantara, Alfred, ME, Bryan Shumway, Belchertown, Ma; Marty Radewick, Springfield, Ma; Vic Johnson, Troy, NH; Rusty Ball, Keene, NH; Shelly Perry, Westerly, RI; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Brandee Tree, Nottingham, NH; Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH; Rob Williams, Winchendon, Ma; Eric LeClair, Southampton, Ma; Butch Perry, Ashaway, RI; Rich Hammann, Tolland, CT; Dale Envosion, E. Hartland, CT; Kevin Bolduc, Hudson, NH; Roy Seidell, Southampton, Ma
by Jay | Jul 13, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway was able to get two features completed before the heavy rains came in to cancel the rest of the race program. Prior to the rains, the speedway honored a former competitor and tech inspector, Fred Barlow, who lost his battle with cancer in May. The two feature events that competed were the Mini Stocks and Super Stocks where two competitors picked up their first win of the season. Joey Kendall took the Mini Stock checkers as Jeff Wright cruised into victory lane in the Super Stocks.
The Mini Stocks rolled onto the track with Beth Adams leading the field to the green. One lap complete, Joey Kendall made the pass to take the lead as Adams held of Chris Davis for second. On lap five, Rich Fournier, running fifth dropped out of the top ten and eventually pulled into the pits on lap seven giving the fifth spot to last week’s winner Kim Rivet. By alp ten, Kendall began to develop a good lead as Adams, Davis, Jamey King and Rivet followed in the top five. Halfway to go, the leaders worked through heavy lap traffic as Davis continued to work on Adams for second. Rivet attempted to use the lap traffic to get around King for fourth. Lap twenty two, the caution came out setting the field up for a three lap shoot out. On the restart, Kendall continued to lead the way as Davis used all he could to make the pass on Adams. Rivet was on the back bumper of King as she tried to move into fourth while protecting her position from Chris McTaggart. At the checkers, it was Kendall celebrating his first win in 2009 followed by Adams, davis, King and Rivet.
Super Stock competitor, Wayne Lacey, led the field onto the track where the field of Super Stocks followed Lacey in a very emotional parade lap with the checkered flag in honor of Fred Barlow. Once the parade lap was complete, the field set for their starting position with Kevin Ouellette leading the field to the start. Before one lap was complete, the caution flew as Bob Bedaw made contact with Ken Springer. On the restart, the field again had problems as Kevin Ouellette suffered a tire issue as the whole field scattered collecting multiple cars in the caution. The start of the race was determined to be a single file start where Jeff Wright led the field to the green. Wright held off Bill Johnston for the lead as Jeremy Sorel ran in third. On lap six, the caution was shown again for Rookie Heath Renaud. On the restart, Wright again was shown as the leader as Sorel was all over Johnston for second. Matt Mead was on the back bumper of Lacey for fourth. Half way to go, Wright began to check out as the top five behind him fiercely battled for position. Sorel patiently awaited the opportunity for second as he attempted several times under Johnston but backed off. Mead continued to work on Lacey as he tried the outside. Three laps to go, Mead made the pass on Lacey and tried to run the top three. At the end, it was Wright taking down his first win of the season followed by Johnston, Sorel, Mead and Lacey.
The Modifieds took to the high banked ¼ mile with Rob Williams on the pole. One lap complete, Vic Johnson was scored the new leader. On lap two the caution flew as a multiple cars in the back of the pack spun. On the attempt to restart lap three, heavy rains came in red flagging the Modified feature event.
This Saturday, the speedway will host Kayem Hot Dog Night as the Modifieds will return to complete their 50 lap feature event. The race program will also include a 35 lap Super Stock Showdown, Outlaw Pros, Mini Stocks, All Star Race Trucks, 4-cylinder and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For more information, log onto the speedway’s website, www.monadnockspeedway.com.
Mini Stock Results: Joey Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Jamey King, Orange, Ma; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Tim Jackson, Winchendon, Ma; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Brennan Johnson, Winchendon, Ma; Luois Maher, Spencer, Ma; James Hancock, Litchfield, NH; Bill Meany, Gardner, Ma; Bob Chapdelaine, Chicopee, Ma; Ron Normandin, Fitchburg, Ma; Shawn Doubleday, Belchertown, Ma; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma
Super Stocks Feature: Jeff Wright, Jaffrey, NH; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Matt mead, Richmond, NH; Wayne Lacey, Montague, Ma; Bob Bedaw, Whately, |Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Scott Cashman, Keene, NH; Andy Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Heath Renaud, Vernon, VT; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Ed Brehio, Baldwinville, Ma; Dave Knight, Marlborough, NH; Dave Striebel, Hinsdale, Ma
