by Jay | Jun 9, 2009 | ACT, New
Speedbowl’s Late Model Competitors Ready to Host ACT Tour
Waterford, CT (June 8, 2009) – Late Model teams at Waterford Speedbowl will have Saturday June 13th off from NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. The ACT Late Model Tour visits the historic shoreline oval for a 100-lap event however, which some ‘Bowl competitors are hoping to provide some home cooking in.
The Speedbowl Late Model division is comprised of ACT-legal cars, giving the “home team” of drivers a leg up on the ACT Tour competition when it comes to experience and number of laps around the tricky three eighths mile Speedbowl. Waterford regulars Bruce Thomas Jr. and Tim Jordan will lead the charge for the locals. Others expected to defend their turf versus the Tour include Dennis Stampfl, Allen Coates, and Joe Curioso. Another driver looking to qualify is Howard Payne. Payne is just getting started in the division, but the multiple-time winner in the Truck Series has proven to be a quick learner in his racing career. Payne will be racing for a cause, donating any winnings from his effort to Racing Against Cancer.
“We’ve hoped our Late Model division would evolve towards this and our guys are ready” offered Speedbowl owner and promoter Terry Eames. “This should be a good one”.
A year ago, Bruce Thomas Jr. was impressive in the 100-lap event leading much of the race before succumbing to eventual winner Scott Payea during a restart in the middle stages of the race. Thomas finished the event second. Seven Speedbowl competitors in total qualified for the 30-car field last year. Many ran well and Ron Yuhas Jr. joined Thomas in the top-five finishers.
During NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model action this year, none have been quicker than Thomas or Jordan. The pair have captured the past three division championships and have routinely been clocked in the mid 15 second lap bracket during competition this year. Thomas, who hails from nearby Groton, turned in a blistering 15.202 second time-trial lap during qualifying for an event earlier in May. He’s found success claiming four of seven wins in the division this year and is the current points leader and two-time defending champion of the division.
Jordan on the other hand is looking to turn around a season mired with misfortune, with three hard wrecks sidelining the Plainfield, CT native. A strong showing in the ACT 100-lap event could be a turning point for the season. His outlook remains positive.
“Last year’s race proved that the local guys can be fast and put up a fight” stated Jordan, a feature winner this season himself. “We will try to give the Tour guys a run for their money.”
A big key to the potential success may lie with the ACT plus/minus qualifying system, where drivers earn points for number of cars passed in their qualifying race. “It’s all about the qualifying draw” according to Jordan. “It can make for an easy night or a tough one. The heats will dictate the outcome of the event. I don’t think anyone can come from the back and have tires left at the end. Last year, the contenders came from within the top-ten starting spots.”
The ACT heat races as well as consolation events are another treat for Speedbowl fans. Qualifying begins at 5:00pm Saturday for both the Speedbowl divisions and the ACT Tour, giving local fans the chance to root on their hometown heroes who try and make the show.
Leading the list of contenders for the ACT Tour is last year’s event winner Scott Payea. Payea leads the 2009 Tour points after five events, and has already reached Victory Lane. Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk Jr. has claimed a win and is tied for second in points with Brian Hoar. Brent Dragon, winner of an ACT race in 2003 at the ‘Bowl and Brad Leighton, winner at Lee USA Speedway earlier this year are other contenders and names Speedbowl fans should be familiar with.
Joining the ACT Tour will be NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action for the SK Modifieds with another 35-lap feature event, while the Street Stocks and Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks will compete in 20-lap features. The Legends Cars also join the action with a 20-lapper of their own. Main events will follow qualifying and are set to begin at approximately 7:00pm. Admission is priced $25 for adult grandstands and $5 for youth ages 6 to 14, and free for children 5 and under. The Speedbowl offers acres of free parking. For more information about the 2009 Speedbowl season and calendar of events, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact the track office at 860.442.1585.
by Jay | Jun 8, 2009 | New
NASCAR’S Tony Stewart Excited about Thunder Road Governor’s Cup
Barre, VT – NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Tony Stewart told GWC blogger Travis Barrett at Dover, Delaware last week that he is excited about his upcoming June 25th visit to Thunder Road. Stewart will compete in the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 with 30 of the best Late Model teams of the American Canadian and Thunder Road regulars.
Stewart, coming off his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory as a car owner at Pocono Raceway last Sunday, is now perhaps the premiere racing star of the NASCAR Cup circuit. Stewart transcends ‘old school’ drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip and the new breed drivers like Carl Edwards, the Busch brothers and Jimmy Johnson. Stewart has raced in multiple disciplines of racecars, including Indy open wheel cars, sprint cars, and all forms of stock cars. He has made it clear to track owners that he is coming to Thunder Road to race.
The appearance by Stewart at Thunder Road will highlight the track’s 50th Anniversary season. Thunder Road would appear to fit Tony Stewart’s passionate love for racing like a glove. Tough and challenging, lots of history, heavy-duty competition, along with avid and knowledgeable race fans —- Tony Stewart is expected to have a lot of fun at the CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150. Thunder Road is selling a 50th Anniversary souvenir ticket to mark the special occasion. Stewart will attempt to be the first non-Vermont driver to take the Cup out of the home state. With the appearance of Tony Stewart competing in the Governor’s Cup, Thunder Road has expanded its parking lot to nearly double the size of the main lot. In anticipation of this historic night of racing, Thunder Road has added another 500 seats to the already largest spectator venue in the state of Vermont. The local divisions will share the spotlight at the Governor’s Cup and will run extended lap features only on race night.
Stewart will be driving an American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model car prepared by Joey Pole Racing (JPR) from Hudson, New Hampshire. Stewart will drive the same car that Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. drove to the pole position in the Chittenden Milk Bowl in 2008. “We have spent a lot of time since March getting this car as near perfect as we can for Tony Stewart. He is definitely our kind of racer, and I think he will be pleased with the car. Actually, our team is as excited about watching him race at Thunder Road as we are at getting the car set up for him. It will be a real experience for Joey to be able to tell NASCAR Cup Champion Tony Stewart how to get around Thunder Road!! We can’t wait to meet him and share a few laughs”, said Joe ‘Pole’, Sr.
The 50th Anniversary CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 will post $3,000 to win and the best of Thunder Road and ACT teams will be looking to lock up a qualified spot in the ACT INVITATIONAL to be held on September 19 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Governor’s Cup winner will join all ACT Tour winners, ACT Castrol Series winners, and other invited teams to participate in the inaugural 50-mile ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19 during the NASCAR Chase weekend. This will be the first time local Late Model teams will have a chance to race at the only Super Speedway in New England. “If Tony wins the Governor’s Cup, the JPR car will be waiting for him at NHMS if he wants to have some Saturday fun, said Joe Pole, “Now that would be something to see if he decides he wants to show us around the ‘magic mile.”
Gates will open at Thunder Road on June 25th at 4 PM; post time is scheduled for 6 PM. The CARQUEST Governor’s Cup 150 is slated to begin at 8PM. Advanced tickets for the Governor’s Cup are now on sale at only $17 for Adults and day of race tickets will be sold at $20. Children’s (6-12) tickets are $5, under 6 are admitted free. Thunder Road has announced that it will hold a minimum of 2,000 tickets for race day fans.
Thunder Road opens its 50th season of Thursday night racing this coming Thursday night, June 11th, with the Ferguson Waterworks trophy dashes. Gates open at 5 PM, post time is 6:30. Admission is only $9.50 for Adults, $3.00 for kids and a family ticket for two adults and two kids is only $20 dollars for the 16-event show at the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’.
by Jay | Jun 8, 2009 | New
Parks Scores Outlaw Pro Victory
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway hosted a full night of racing where Mike Parks took his new Outlaw Pro race machine to victory lane. Jeremy Sorel scored his first of the season Super Stock win as Mini Stock Chris McTaggart repeated. Paul Tuthill won the Allison Legacy North Series race and Dan Yagmin held off Jared Edson to take the Full Size Enduro checkers.
Joe Rogers set the pace for the Mini Stock 25 lap main event. Rogers held onto the lead until lap five when last week’s winner, Chris McTaggart made the pass. Wallace sat in second and felt the heat of teammates Derek Bergquist and Rich Fournier on his back bumper. By lap ten, the three teammates of Big Boys Racing, McTaggart, Fournier and Bergquist sat in the top three. Kim Rivet followed in fourth while Wallace sat in fifth. Lap fifteen, the top three ran very tight as Tim Jackson moved into the top five to battle Rivet. Two laps later, Jackson looked to the inside and outside of Rivet for the pass as Bergquist moved into second. Five laps to go, Bergquist was all over the back bumper of McTaggart for the lead. White flag lap, Bergquist attempted the outside of McTaggart as Jackson, Rivet and Joe Kendall battled for the fourth spot. At the checkers, it was McTaggart, Bergquist and Fournier for the Big Boys Race Team in victory lane followed by Jackson and Rivet.
Super Stock Sophmore, Jeremy Sorel wasted no time to take the lead from pole sitter Kevin Ouellette. Ouellette settled in second but felt the pressure of Andy Brooks Jr for position. Lap five, Ouellette still held onto second as Ed Brehio III was on the back bumper of Brooks. Few laps later, both Brooks and Brehio made an inside pass on Ouellette for second and third. Sorel, widened his lead as the field behind him battled for position. Lap ten, Ouellette and Ken Springer battled side by side for fifth. Half way to go, Sorel enjoyed a good lead as Brooks and Brehio continued the fierce battle for second. Adam Brooks and Ken Springer ran fourth and fifth. Lap twenty, Brehio III looked to the outside of Andy Brooks for second but was denied as Adam Brooks and Matt Mead ran wheel to wheel for fourth. On the final lap, Sorel cruised into victory lane followed by Andy Brooks, Ed Brehio III, Matt Mead and Adam Brooks.
Steve Gauthier brought the Outlaw Pro field to the green with Mike Parks on the outside pole. By lap two, Parks took over the lead as Barry Gray looked to the inside of Gauthier for second. Lap ten, Parks began to develop a good lead as Russ Hersey was on the back bumper of Ron Smith for fourth. Lap fifteen, Parks was on a Sunday drive while Gauthier put the pressure on Gray for second. Hersey continued to attempt the pass on Smith looking to the inside in turn four. Just over half way to go, Gauthier continued to challenge Gray for second as Parks widened his lead. Ten laps to go, Hersey made an outside pass on Smith as the ran wheel to wheel for fourth. In the next lap, Hersey made the pass on Gauthier for third and was on the hunt to chase Gray down for second. At the checkers it was Parks celebrating in victory lane followed Hersey, Gray, Gauthier and Smith.
Ed Lofland was scored the early leader in the Full Size Enduro event. By lap six, Joe Ether was the new leader as Jared Edson made the challenge for the top spot. A few laps later, Edson succeeded and took over the lead. Lap twenty, Edson continued to lead as Dan Yagmin and Ryan Rivet battled side by side for third. Five laps later, Yagmin moved in on Ethier for second as both worked through lap traffic. Kirley moved into fourth. Lap thirty, Edson the leader battled to get around Barry Schonborg who was fighting not to go a lap down. The battle allowed Yagmin to gain ground on Edson for the lead. Lap forty-two, Yagmin took over the lead in a side by side challenge as Kirley moved into third. Edson challenged Yagmin back for the top spot. At the end, it was Yagmin with the win followed by Edson, Kirley, Etheir and Ed Lofland.
This Saturday, the Modifieds return to the high banked ¼ mile along with the All Star Race Trucks, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks and 4-cylinder Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For more information log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com or call 603-239-4067.
Outlaw Pro Finish: Mike Parks, Walpole, NH; Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Barry Gray, Belchertown, NH; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH; Ron Smith, Oakham, Ma; Brandon Ovitt, Bernardston, Ma; Eric Poulin, Swanzey, NH
Super Stocks Finish: Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Andy Brooks Jr, Winchendon, Ma; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinville, Ma; |Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Adam Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Robert Bedaw, Greenfield, Ma; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Craig Cashman, Keene, NH; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT
Mini Stock Finish: Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Joe Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Shawn Doubleday, Belchertown, Ma; Jamey King, Orange, Ma; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Anthony Kumiega, Palmer, Ma; Brennan Johnson, Winchendon, Ma; Cosmo Casamassa, Brimfield, Ma
Full Size Enduro Top Ten: Dan Yagmin, Whethersfield, CT; Jared Edson, Winchendon, Ma; Jeff Kirley, Belchertown, Ma; Joe Ethier, Auburn, Ma; Ed Lofland, Belchertown, Ma; Ryan Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Duane Stonier, Wolcott, CT; Barry Schonborg, Westminster, Ma; Trevor Dyer, Wolcott, CT; Bucky Sheats, Troy, NH
by Jay | Jun 8, 2009 | New
THOMPSON CHAMPS TO MAKE JUNE 18TH TRUE VALUE MODIFIED DEBUT
THOMPSON, CT. Two Thompson International Speedway division champions will make their first True Value Modified Series starts on Thursday, June 18th. That’s the date that the exciting True Value Modifieds invade the Thompson race track for the running of the Town Fair Tire 75-lap main event.
Jeff Zuidema of North Brookfield, MA is a multi-time division champion at Thompson. But, in spite of all of his success at the Connecticut oval, Jeff will be behind the wheel of a Modified division race car for only the second time in his career. Speaking about this new racing venture, Zuidema said, “It’s something new, challenging and different. We’ve had our hands in just about everything, so why not try it.” Zuidema has raced just about every kind of race car competing in the northeast and will now add an ultra-fast True Value Modified to his resume. The car is owned by veteran owner and driver, Dennis Gagliardi.
The second Thompson champion who will attempt to make the starting field will be Kurt Vigeant from Oxford, MA. Vigeant gained back-to-back Thompson Modified championships before making the move to a True Value Modified. “I’m really looking forward to it, said Vigeant. Thompson has been my home track. We have practiced with the car there and it felt good. But, this will be the longest race I’ve ever run, so I will need to learn to be patient. My goal would be a top ten finish, if possible. On the other hand, if I walk out with four wheels still on the car, that would be a win, win situation for me. It will be a big step to suddenly be racing with the big guys. It will be my first time racing with Ted Christopher, Kirk Alexander and all of those guys. I’m really excited about it,” Vigeant concluded.
The True Value Modified Series will make a stop at Thompson on Thursday, June 18th. The list of drivers and race teams is impressive. The popularity of this touring series has exploded in recent years and the series has attracted some of the very best racing talent in the northeast.
Mike Stefanik, the 7-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion will have a brand new car with which to compete. He’ll face some very tough competition from the likes of defending True Value champ, Chris Pasteryak, veteran Dwight Jarvis, Les Hinckley, Rowan Pennink, Andy Suess and last year’s winner at Thompson, Todd Owen.
Grandstands will open at 2 PM on June 18th with qualifying set for 5:30 PM. The first feature race is slated for 6:45 PM. The True Value Modifieds will be joined by Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. This combination will provide fans with a total of seven main events for the evening.
by Jay | Jun 8, 2009 | New
Epping, NH – Former Strictly Stock champion Mike Murphy scored his first career win in the All-Star Modifieds last Saturday night, coming from deep in the field to score the victory aboard the Ken Giles machine.
Eric Hudson looked unbeatable in the early going, moving out to a comfortable lead in the Newmarket Sand and Gravel entry. Two-time winner Joe Lemay challenged Hudson quickly for the lead, but contact sent both to the rear of the field.
Bill Boudreau picked up the lead on the restart, running the race of his life as the field sorted out behind. Second year Modified driver Mike Murphy was next up to challenge for the lead, and he took over to set the pace at halfway.
Murphy was in control the rest of the way, leading them under the checkers to score career win number one. Boudreau picked his best-ever finish in the runner-up slot, with Marty Radewick, Lemay, Bobby MacArthur, J.R. Baril, Hudson, Kurt Vigeant, Dana Smith, and Sumner Scott the rest of the top ten.
“Racin’ Jason” Ferreira was the man to beat in the Super Street main, as the rookie ran off to set the pace for the first half of the race. Rob DeAlmeida followed in his tire tracks at halfway, but two-time Gary Beauregard was on the move.
Beauregard made it past DeAlmeida to challenge Ferreira for the lead, but the pair tangled, putting DeAlmeida outside of two-time feature winner Nick Gravel for the restart that followed.
Gravel had a tire going down and drifted to the high side of the track in turn one, with DeAlmeida ducking to the low side to take advantage of the situation and move to the lead.
DeAlmeida went on to score the win, with Gravel charging back through the field to finish second. Steve Wilmot, Matt Kawejsza, and Ferreira were the rest of the top five.
Keith Walton finally shook the monkey off his back, scoring his first career All-Star Speedway win in the Strictly Stock feature event. Walton took over the lead on lap five, and he held off a determined Mark Parenteau to score the win.
Third spot went to last week’s feature winner Chris Augevich, with Mike Williams, Keith “Slika” Ennis, Randy Carmichael, Chuck Roberto, Johnny Gervais, Matt Robinson, and Jimmy Gervais the rest of the top ten.
Tyler Mailhot grabbed his second Fast-4 feature event win of the season, with runner-up Joey Fernandez and “Uncle Dana” Sullivan joining him on the post-race podium.
by Jay | Jun 7, 2009 | New
Podium Finish Vaults Moffitt Into NCWSE Point Lead
Watkins Glen, N.Y. (June 7, 2009): Brett Moffitt has already set records as the youngest driver to ever win a race and the youngest driver to ever win a pole. Following a third place finish in the Tioga Downs Casino 125 at Watkins Glen International road course, Moffitt is now the youngest driver to ever lead the NASCAR Camping World Series East point standings. It’s a record that Joey Logano, who was 16 years, 11 months, and 4 days old when he first led the series, held until now.
“It’s awesome,” said Moffitt after learning he took over the point standings. “The bigger point lead we can get right now makes it an easier walk to go at the end of the season. Hopefully now we have a nice little cushion and we’re able to go hard at some races and real conservative to keep that lead.”
Moffitt kicked off the weekend with a qualifying lap of 118.504 mph to earn a fourth place starting position in the 22-car field. However, the team found an exhaust leak in the car following time trial procedures and opted to go the rear of the field so that they could fix it.
“We cracked the exhaust actually and it was right below the driver’s area. There aren’t too many cars here. It put us to the back but it wasn’t too far to go,” he said.
At the drop of the green, Moffitt catapulted from the rear of the field to eighth in less than ten laps, and was running in the top-five by lap 22.
“There were a lot of openings to make a move. I wasn’t going to make a move that I thought was going to risk the car, but where I could, I did and it paid off,” Moffitt said about his early progress.
On a restart at lap 35, Moffitt wheeled his No. 44 Castle Packs Power Chevrolet into fourth, where he remained until the final lap when he got by Patrick Long for the third position.
“This is quite the place,” said Moffitt. “It’s a really fast track and it’s a lot of fun to come and do this instead of just running in circles. Overall it was a good day and hopefully we can get a few more of these.”
Moffitt signed on with ASM Motorsports for a limited schedule in 2009, but hopes to secure a sponsor this month in order to finish out the season.
“We are going to assess what our options are after the race at New Hampshire, but without sponsorship, it doesn’t look good at finishing out the season. We’re really hoping that a company can see the benefit of a partnership with me and ASM Motorsports. We’ve been setting records and winning races, but without that partnership, we won’t be able to continue doing it.”
