by Jay | May 22, 2009 | New
Clean sweep for Kyle Mooney, first win
for Avery Spear in 2009 kart opener
OXFORD, Maine – A double victory and feature wins by three different drivers making their first regular-season start in a new division highlighted Friday night’s seventh season opener in the JARRacing Photography Go Kart Series at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Kyle Mooney, tackling both Box Stock and Purple Plate divisions after a sensational freshman season in the former ranks last summer, held off Brandon Varney to capture both of his 20-lap main events.
Avery Spear celebrated his first win in three seasons of trying with a wire-to-wire triumph in the Gold Plate finale.
Reigning Gold Plate champion David Blackwell led every lap of both his heat race and main event in the Unrestricted class.
Other winners were multi-time division champions Mike Ricker (Star Champ) and Troy Davis (Blue Plate).
Mooney led the entire Box Stock sprint ahead of Varney and Ethan Brown.
His Purple Plate debut offered a more difficult challenge, with Varney leading laps 2 to 13 before Mooney took control. Heat winner Zachary Rich made it a three-car battle at the finish before settling for the show trophy.
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Spear was the only Gold Plate kart on the lead lap, but that’s deceiving. Spencer Thompson applied pressure throughout until spinning in the final corner while racing to the white flag. Rookie Cody Wilson captured third.
Blackwell had his hands full with Dan Pelletier Jr. for the entire, caution-free Unrestricted main. Impressive rookie Brandon Douglas joined the fray, charging from seventh to third and catching the leaders with five laps to go.
It was Blackwell by two car lengths at the finish, with Pelletier hanging on for second. Kayla Ashline warded off Kyle Metivier in a superb scrap for fourth.
Davis, who owns the second most wins in OPS kart history, overtook rookie Wade Blanchette on lap 8 of the Blue Plate battle. Davis reportedly will be ready to join the Gold Plate group as early as next week.
Blanchette bested two-time Purple Plate champion Evan Armington and Varney in a three-car tangle for second.
Ricker ruled all but one lap of the Star Champ scramble, getting around qualifying round winner and early leader Erwin Carey.
Carey’s spin enabled two-time defending division champ Stephen Beattie to claim second.
The JARRacing karts are back in action next Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m.
OPS holiday weekend action continues Saturday with Oxford Federal Credit Union Night, featuring five divisions of racing and a huge fireworks display. Qualifying races commence at 6:30 p.m.
UNRESTRICTED (20 laps): 1. David Blackwell, Brunswick; 2. Dan Pelletier Jr., East Poland; 3. Brandon Douglas, West Paris; 4. Kayla Ashline, Pittston; 5. Kyle Metivier, Lisbon; 6. Leo Jolin III, Rumford; 7. Nate Knowles, Dixfield; 8. Josh Brown, South Paris.
Heat winner: Blackwell.
Lap leaders: Blackwell 1-20.
STAR CHAMP (20 laps): 1. Mike Ricker, Sebago; 2. Stephen Beattie, Conway, N.H.; 3. Erwin Carey, Mexico.
Heat winner: Carey.
Lap leaders: Carey 1, Ricker 2-20.
GOLD PLATE (20 laps): 1. Avery Spear, Oxford; 2. Spencer Thompson, Oxford; 3. Cody Wilson, West Paris.
Heat winner: Thompson.
Lap leaders: Spear 1-20.
BLUE PLATE (20 laps): 1. Troy Davis, Windham; 2. Wade Blanchette, Buxton; 3. Evan Armington, Lovell; 4. Brandon Varney, Lewiston; 5. Jacob Hendsbee, Whitefield; 6. Chris Staples Jr., Brunswick; 7. Gabe Seavey, Conway, N.H.
Heat winner: Davis.
Lap leaders: Blanchette 1-7, Davis 8-20.
PURPLE PLATE (20 laps): 1. Kyle Mooney, New Gloucester; 2. Brandon Varney, Lewiston; 3. Zachary Rich, Casco; 4. Owen Poisson, Brunswick; 5. Nick McNelly, Oxford; 6. Garrett Tinker, Gray.
Heat winner: Rich.
Lap leaders: Poisson 1-2, Varney 3-13, Mooney 14-20.
BOX STOCK (20 laps): 1. Kyle Mooney, New Gloucester; 2 . Brandon Varney, Lewiston; 3. Ethan Brown, South Paris; 4. Chase Staples, Durham; 5. Ethan Matot, Casco.
Heat winner: Mooney.
Lap leaders: Mooney 1-20.
by Jay | May 21, 2009 | New
Exciting Win for Rocco in Sunoco Mod Thriller at Thompson
Opening Night Honors to Wrenn, Gentes, Sundeen, Sullivan & Taylor
Thompson, CT (May 21, 2009): The first Thursday Night Thunder at Thompson International Speedway started the season off with a bang. Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, earned victory in a thrilling Sunoco Modified main event to start off the season. Norm Wrenn of Nashua, NH, a winner during the Icebreaker in April, continued his winning ways in the Super Late Models while Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI edged out fan favorite Jeff Zuidema to earn the Late Model checkers. Scott Sundeen of Douglas, MA, in Limited Sportsman; Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT in the TIS Modifieds; and Tim Taylor of Wauregan, CT in the Mini Stocks also visited victory lane on the opening Thursday night.
The Sunoco Modified division lived up to its reputation on Thursday night as Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, scored the feature win in a dramatic finish for the Speedway’s premier division. It was the second win for Rocco at Thompson after his victory back in April on Icebreaker Saturday.
Kerry Malone got the edge on pole sitter Christopher before the caution flew for a pile-up exiting turn two. Danny Cates was sent spinning from the fifth position and several drivers took evasive action. Only the #36 of Tim Sullivan headed down pit road for service. He was able to rejoin the field.
On the restart it was all Malone, who motored out to a five-car length advantage over Jimmy Blewett. It was action-packed for the third spot as Josh Sylvester had his hands full with Christopher and Woody Pitkat. Keith Rocco, who was involved in the lap three caution, had worked his way back inside the top-ten by lap eight.
With 10-laps down, Blewett and company had caught Malone. Blewett made a power move exiting turn two to take over the lead. Sylvester and Christopher followed through.
Christopher made quick work of Sylvester to move into second. A single-lap later the caution flew for a spin by Dana Young. Under the caution, Malone gave up the fourth spot to head to pit road for adjustments. An incident that involved Harry Rheaume, Tim Sullivan, Dave LaCroix and Andy Gasper brought out the caution again on lap 16. The cars of Rheaume and Sullivan sustained heavy damage.
Back under green, Christopher was all but pushing leader Blewett while Sylvester, Pitkat and Rocco where locked in a heavy battle for third. Sparks flew when Christopher made a bid for the lead. Contact between the lead duo ended with Christopher stopped on the front stretch with a flat tire; necessitating the caution. Todd Ceravolo pitted from the fifth position under the caution.
Pitkat looked like he was shot out of a cannon on the restart giving Blewett a run for the lead. Sylvester stood his ground. Pitkat slipped back to third behind Sylvester. Rocco was now fourth followed by Marvin, who had worked his way back into contention after being involved in the first caution.
On lap 23, Rocco muscled his way passed both Pitkat and Sylvester and into the second spot. The young gun had five laps to chase down Blewett. It didn’t even take one as Rocco caught Blewett. In turn three, Rocco made a dive bomb move under Blewett. The car drifted up allowing Blewett to maintain his lead. The cat-and-mouse continued over the final two laps.
On the white flag lap, Rocco ran Blewett up toward the wall in turn one. Coming to the checkers, Rocco drifted high pushing Blewett toward the wall once again in turn three. Sylvester saw a glimmer of light in the middle while Pitkat looked low. All four cars had a shot at the victory. Slight contact with Sylvester slowed Rocco but not enough to derail the run to the victory. Blewett barely edged out Pitkat for second. Sylvester settled for fourth. Marvin completed the top-five.
Norm Wrenn of Nashua, NH, followed up his Icebreaker victory with a win in the Super Late Models on opening Thursday night. It was a tough night for the frontrunners in the feature event. Defending champ, Fred Astle, Jr., who made hard contact with the outside wall in turn two from the third position, was the first victim to bring out the caution.
On the restart, Jeff Connors was able to get the jump over early leader Steve Desmarias. Desmarias had slipped back to the fourth position before being involved in an incident in turn two to bring out the event’s second caution.
Les Rose, Jr. capitalized on the restart jumping to the head of the pack. Derek Ramstrom exited turn two a little hot spinning into the infield to relinquish the second position. Wrenn got a great restart but bobbled in turn two giving Rose the edge once again. Fully regrouped, Wrenn was able to retake the lead.
With Wrenn and Rose out front the heaviest action was between Bessette and Marc Curtis. Curtis came out on top of the battle. Jeff Zuidema ran in the fifth position. Ramstrom had hunted down Zuidema.
Early leader Jeff Connors spun with a left rear tire to bring out the caution once again. Back under green, Ramstrom, now free of Zuidema, set his sites on Bessette. In a matter of a couple of laps, Ramstrom had moved all the way back into the third spot. Meanwhile Rose had caught Wrenn. Rose made a last ditch effort exiting turn four on the final lap but had to settle for the second spot. Ramstrom had put on a show to finish third. Curtis and Bessette rounded out the top five.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored the victory over a hard-charging Jeff Zuidema in the Late Model feature event. In the early going it looked as if Gentes was going to walk away with the victory. After a short battle with early leader Tommy O’Sullivan, Gentes enjoyed a comfortable lead. The “Professor” Jay Stuart had moved into the second position. A heated battle for the top spot was brewing when a shower of sparks trailed the #42 of Stuart. He headed to pit road and ultimately behind the wall.
At the halfway marker, Zuidema had begun to track down Gentes. With each lap the lead got smaller. In the closing laps, Zuidema repeatedly made attempts to take over the top spot. Gentes was up to the task; turning away the advances and into victory lane for his first win of the season. Zuidema settled for the second position over John Materas, O’Sullivan, and Mark Oliveira inside the top five.
Scott Sundeen of Douglas, MA, withstood heavy pressure throughout the Limited Sportsman main event to score the victory on Thursday night. The fans were treated to a great battle between Sundeen and Larry Barnett. Sundeen held the point but Barnett was never far behind. In true Limited Sportsman fashion, there were three-wide battles around the speedway and throughout the field.
At the midway portion of the event, with Barnett dogging Sundeen, Icebreaker winner, Joe Arena caught the leaders. For a time it looked like it might be a three-horse race. Barnett settled back into the second position as the race wound down. The veteran and former division champion waited until two laps remaining before showing his hand again. Barnett was locked to the back bumper of Sundeen; getting up alongside the leader in the corners. In the end, Sundeen was able to hold off Barnett to take down the win. Arena settled for third ahead of Joe Campbell and Paul Coutu, Jr.
After an Icebreaker win back in April, Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, made it two straight in TIS Modified competition. Leo Oliveiria took over the top spot from pole sitter Brian Tagg just laps into the race. Things were anything but smooth sailing at the head of the field as the leader Oliveira had his hands full with a charging Sullivan. On lap 12, Sullivan got the run in turn one taking over the lead exiting turn two.
The handle appeared to be going away for Oliveira. Once ousted from the top spot, the early leader slid back to third position with others, including Bart Ramos, bearing down. After a red flag for a non-racing occurrence, Sullivan assumed his place at the head of the pack. Over the final few laps, the top three of ran nose to tail. They sailed under the checkers with Sullivan taking his second win in as many starts. Tagg had a great run to finish second ahead of Ramos. R.J. Marcotte came from deep in the field to finish fourth followed by Tyler Poulin.
Tim Taylor of Wauregan, CT, turned in a dominating performance to score the first Mini Stock victory of the 2009 Thompson Thursday Night Thunder series. Taylor took over the top spot from early leader Trevor Michalski before checking out on the field. The top four positions got strung out ahead of the field while deeper in the pack the action was more intense. Leader Taylor watched his lead evaporate when the second caution of the event flew for an incident involving Tim Higginbottom and Keith Ballou.
The veteran driver was able to rebuild his lead just as quickly once the green flag flew once again. Eric Bourgeois came on strong in the late going motoring to a runner-up finish. Chad Baxter completed the podium. Scott Michalski and Brad Caddick rounded out the top five. The Taylor Family was well represented as the Tim’s son Nathan turned in a solid performance to finish seventh.
Racing resumes next Thursday with the six divisions of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action including a 50-lapper for the Limited Sportsman division. This Sunday, Thompson International Speedway proudly hosts Family Fun Night. For more information on these and all events at Thompson Speedway visit thompsonspeedway.com or by calling the raceway hotline at (860) 923-2280.
Sunoco Modified 30-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 2. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 3. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 4. Josh Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 5. Bert Marvin, New London, CT; 6. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 7. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 8. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 9. Rick Shawn, Bradford, CT; 10. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT.
Super Late Model 30-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 2. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 3. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 4. Marc Curtis, Worcester, MA; 5. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 6. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 7. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 8. Jay Macedonio, Somerset, MA; 9. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 10. Chris Curtis, Rutland, MA.
Late Model 25-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 3. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 4. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 5. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 6. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 7. Dave Trudeau, Manfield, CT; 8. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 9. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 10. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT.
Limited Sportsman 20-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 2. Larry Barnett, Ledyard, CT; 3. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 4. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 5. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 6. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH; 7. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 8. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 9. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 10. John Carpenter, Danielson, CT.
TIS Modified 20-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Brian Tagg, oxford, MA; 3. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 4. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 5. Tyler Poulin, Millville, MA; 6. Leo Oliviera, Raynham, MA; 7. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 8. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 9. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA; 10. Glen Boss, Danielson, CT.
Mini Stock 15-Lap Feature Finish (Top-Ten): 1. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 2. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 3. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 4. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 5. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 6. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 7. Nathan Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 8. Trevor Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 9. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT.
by Jay | May 19, 2009 | New
Ovitt Scores Outlaw Pro Win, Alexander Repeats in Modified
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, eight exciting race divisions took to the track at Monadnock Speedway. With the threat of storms moving in late, the program was moved quickly completing all divisions before the skies opened up. Winners included, Modified Kirk Alexander, Outlaw Pro Brandon Ovitt, Super Stock Matt Mead and Mini Stock Rich Fournier. Matthew Gauffin won the 4-cylinder enduro event and Dan Yagmin took the Full Size Enduro event.
Mini Stocks rolled out with Rich Fournier setting the pace. Fournier quickly took the lead as Anthony Kumiega and Derek Bergquist battled for second. Kim Rivet and Beth Adams followed in the top five. Lap ten, Bergquist moved into second as Rivet worked on Kumiega for third. Half way to go, Fournier developed a good lead as teammate Bergquist tried to reel him in. Rivet held of Jackson for third. Lap nineteen, the field saw the only caution come out when Adams running fifth was tapped by Joey Kendall causing her to spin. On the restart, Berquist attempted the outside pass on Fournier but couldn’t pull it off. Rivet had her hands full with Jackson. Fournier and Bergquist ran bumper to bumper as Jackson looked to the inside of Rivet. The top four ran nose to tail until the checkered flag with Fournier capturing his first win of the season followed by Bergquist. Rivet held off Jackson for third. Ron Nomandin came in fifth.
Craig Cashman brought the Super Stocks to the green flag start. Before one lap was complete, the yellow flew as Ken Springer made his way into the pits for mechanical problems. On the restart, Cashman jumped to the lead with Andy Brooks, Ken Thompson and Bill Johnston on his back bumper. On lap three, Thompson goes high in the backstretch leaving the position open for Johnston. Cashman and Andy Brooks ran wheel to wheel for the lead. Ten laps into the feature, the top six ran tight as Brooks and Johnston battle for the lead. Ed Brehio III and Matt Mead fought for third. Half way to go, Mead took the high lane to pass Brehio III for third. The top four ran close as Mead placed the pressure as Brooks continued to lead. Five laps to go, Mead and Brooks ran side by side for the lead as Bedaw moved into fifth. Brooks fought back as Johnston awaited his opportunity ahead of him. Bedaw gained on Brehio III for fourth. At the checkers, Mead scored his second victory followed by Andy Brooks, Johnston and Bob Bedaw.
The Outlaw Pros made their way onto the track with Steve Gauthier on the pole. At the wave of the green, Gauthier took the lead but felt early pressure from Brandon Ovitt. Gray lloked to the inside of Mike Parks for third. Lap ten. Gauthier held onto the lead as Gray mad slight contact with Parks but backed off for third. Next lap, Gray took over third as Russ Hersey followed for fourth. Half way to go, Gauthier held strong as Ovitt ran close in second. Hersey attempted to take away third from Gray but was denied. Lap twenty five, Ovitt took the lead and began to pull away as Gray and Hersey continue the battle for third. Ten laps to go, Hersey goes to the outside to complete the pass on Gray. As laps wind down, Hersey began to run down Gauthier for second. Two laps to go, Gauthier suffers a broken wheel and the caution flew. On the restart, Ovitt had a great start for the two lap shoot out as Hersey attempts to catch him. Gray sat in third followed by Ron Smith and Adam Brooks. On the final lap, it was Ovitt scoring his first win of the season followed by Hersey, Gray Smith and Brooks.
Josh Cantara brought the full field of Modifieds to the start line with Eric Leclair on the outside pole. At the green Cantara took off leaving LeClair in an early battle with Ed Reed for second. Frank L’Etoile and Todd Patnode battled for fourth. Patnode wasting no time moved into second by lap six as Cantara held a good lead, Dave Berube moved into third. On lap eleven, the first caution flew as a pile of cars get caught up in the front stretch. On the restart, Cantara and Patonde ran wheel to wheel for the lead as Rowan Pennink and Dave Berube fought for third. Two laps later, Pennink spins in turn one and two collecting several cars. Lap twenty, berube was scored the leader as he felt Kirk Alexander on his back bumper. Cantara and Patnode battled for third, Pennink worked his way to sixth and put the pressure on Vic Johnson for fifth. Half awy to go, Alexander took over the lead as berube fought back. Pennick chased down Cantara to battle for third. Ten to go, the leaders caught lap traffic and carefully made the pass as Berube tied to make ground on Alexander. At the checkers, it was Alexander in victory lane followed by Berube, Pennink, Patnode and Cantara.
Ryan Rivet was the early leader for the Full Size enduro event. Joe Ethier ran second with Dan Yagmin putting in the heat. Lap ten, Yagmin moved into second and was on his way to catch Rivet. Half way to go, Yagmin was all over Rivet at both worked their way through lap traffic. Jeff Kirley and Randy Rameau battled for third. Ten laps to go, Yagmin took over the lead as Rivet settled for second. Rameau and Kirley continued to challenge each other for third. Barry Schonborg ran fifth. At the end, it was Yagmin taking the win followed by Kirley, Rivet, Rameau and Schonborg.
A large field of 4-cylinder Enduros rolled onto the track as CJ Johnson took the leadearly. Lap ten, a challenge for the lead developed between Johnson and Matthew Gauffin followed by Jason Houle, Adam Houle and Scott Hatt. Lap fifteen, the red flag was displayed as Matthew Somerville took a hard hit on the front stretch. On the restart, gaffing continued to leadas Josh Houle and Adam Houle battled for second. The two made conatct spinning into the infield. CJ Johnson took over second followed by Hatt, Dick Houle and Heath Renaud. Half way to go, Gauufin ledthe way as Renaud moved into second. Dick Houle gained ground on Johnson for third. Ten two go, Renaud and Dick Houle switched back and forth for the second place position working their way through heavy lap traffic. At the checkers, it was Gauffin taking the win followed by Dick Houle, Heath Reanud, Adam Houle and Josh Houle.
This Saturday , Monadnock Speedway will celebrate the Memorial Weekend holiday with the very fast Northeast Midget Association making their first trip to the high banks. The race program will also include Outlaw Pros, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For more information call the speedway’s office at 603-239-4067 or log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.
