by Jay | May 3, 2009 | New
Epping, NH – All-Star Speedway opened up the 2009 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season on Saturday night, and it was veteran Joe Lemay taking home the win in the All-Star Modifieds, beating out 2008 Super Late Model champion J.R. Baril by a nose at the checkers.
Eric Hudson jumped out to the early lead aboard the Newmarket Sand and Gravel machine, and he looked to be well on the way to victory when mechanical failure sent him to the pits with five laps to go.
Baril picked up the point from there, but after trying Hudson unsuccessfully for most of the race, Lemay took one last shot at the win against Baril, and he made it work on the outside.
He got loose and bounced his right rear off the wall coming to the checkers, but somehow managed to maintain control, and he inched ahead of Baril at the stripe for the win.
Baril arrived at the track late and had virtually no practice time before starting the main, but he had a solid run to score second behind Lemay, with fan favorite Brandee Tree taking third over Bill Boudreau.
Gary Beauregard and Nick Gravel battled side by side when the Super Streets went green, with Beauregard eventually gaining the advantage and pulling out to the lead. Gravel settled into second right on Beauregard’s back bumper, and the two pulled away from the field.
The duo set the pace for the entire distance, with Beauregard pulling into victory lane when the smoke cleared. Gravel checkered second, followed by Chris Lee, Gary Modugno, and defending Super Street champ Sandy Lee.
Polesitter Bill Beardwood outran Mark Parenteau to claim the top spot when the green waved to start the Strictly Stock feature, and he immediately established himself as the man to beat.
Mechanical problems sent Mike Williams to the pit area with the Mike White entry on lap six, with Beardwood once again moving out to the lead on the restart. Keith Walton came on like gangbusters in the final few laps, but he came up short at the checkers.
Beardwood held on to score his first career win, with Walton, Chris Augevich, Parenteau, and Chuck Roberto filling out the top five spots.
It was another first-time winner when the Fast-4’s hit the track, as Josh Kirk led from green to checker to make his first career trip to victory lane. Kirk held off a tough Bryan Scott and Tyler Mailhut to pick up the win.
by Jay | May 3, 2009 | New
JOSH ST. CLAIR TAKES A WIN AT 95
Josh St. Clair of Liberty powered past Joey Doyon of Winterport on a lap 23 restart to take the lead in the 50 lap Dysart’s Late Model feature event Sunday afternoon at Speedway 95. Greg Morse of St. Albans, in his first outing of the season, ran St. Clair down but was unable to make the pass in the closing laps and settled for a runner up finish. Dale Swoboda of Hermon finished the event in third, followed by Doyon in fourth and Bradley’s Deane Smart in fifth.
Steve Moulton of Holden took the early lead in the 25 lap Super Street feature event and held off a tough challenge from Hermon’s Kris Watson to post his first win of the 2009 season. Watson finished second with newcomer Jeremy Glasier of Appleton coming home third. Pole sitter Mike Overlock of Franklin finished the event in fourth spot followed by Hermon’s Doug Sinclair in fifth.
Bradley Norris of Ellsworth made it two in a row as he won the 25 lap Strictly Street feature when early leader Travis Poulin of Holden had ignition problems that slowed his pace and allowed Norris to pass for the lead on lap 21. Poulin finished in second with the father son team of Shawn Hamel and Shawn Hamel II of Bangor finished in third and fourth respectively.
David Green of Hampden won his second feature of the young season, but it was nowhere near as easy as his win the week before. Green chased down early leader James Johnson II of Bucksport for almost the entire 25 lap distance before he made the pass for the lead on lap 23. Johnson fought back on the outside but Green was able to keep his Mustang about half a car length at the checkers. Johnson finished second with Ralph Allen of Hermon third. Tim Robinson of Clinton was fourth, followed by Stetson’s Gary Richards.
Other groups racing at Speedway 95 on Sunday afternoon were the NELCAR legends and the Wicked Good Vintage Racing League. In the Legends, it was Max Zachem of Preston CT taking the win. He was followed by Evan Beaulieu of Durham, Me. and Bob Weymouth of Topsham. In the Vintage League, Tim Reynolds of Bradley won, with Kenny Robinson of E. Machias second and Mike Millette of Bradley third.
by Jay | Apr 30, 2009 | New
Hersey Takes Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash Opener
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway hosted their annual Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash Season Opener with a full crowd on hand. First of the season victories went to TVMRS Rob Goodenough, Outlaw Pro Russ Hersey, Super Stock Matt Mead, Mini Stock Tim Jackson, Full Size Enduro Jeff Kirley and 4-cylinder Enduro Dick Houle.
The special event started off with the Mini Stocks rolling on the track with 2008 champion, Derek Bergquist , leading the field to the green. On the first lap, Bergquist lost the lead to teammate Chris McTaggart. On lap seven, the first caution flew for Ron Normandin. On the restart, McTaagrt held the lead with Tim Jackson on his back bumper. Joe Kendall worked on Bergquist for third. The top five run bumper to bumper as Bergquist gave a little bump to Jackson. Jackson held on to second and worked the outside of McTaggart for the lead. Bergquist looking at the inside of Jackson attempted to slip into second. Five laps to go, McTaggart and Jackson ran side by side with Jackson winning the battle for the lead. Bergquist attempted the same move on McTaggart for second as Joe Kendall and Beth Adams battled for fourth. Two laps to go Adams made her move and took over fourth. At the white flag, McTaggart and Bergquist ran wheel to wheel for second. At the checkers, Tim Jackson took down the win McTaggart held of Bergquist by inches for second. Adams and Kendall followed for top five.
Nancy Muni sat on the pole for the twenty five lap Super Stock event. Muni quickly took over the lead as Jeremy Sorel challenged her on the outside. Lap ten, the top four ran tight with Muni still in the leas followed by Sorel, Bill Johnston and Matt Mead. Lap traffic began to be a factor as the top leaders carefully passed around the. Half-way to go, Muni continued to hold off Sorel as he looked to the inside for the top spot. Mead worked on Johnston for third. Ten to go, Sorel attempted the outside of Muni but was shuffled back to fourth. Mead and Johnston ran side by side with Mead coming out on top and in pursuit of Muni. Five to go, Mead made the move on Muni and took over the lead as Sorel follwed for second. Johnston, Ed Brehio III and Ken Springer as battled for fourth. Two to go, Brehio III ran side by side with Johnston. At the checkers, it was Mead celebrating the victory followed by Sorel, Muni, Brehio III and Springer.
Outlaw Pros took the track with Steve Gauthier and Russ Hersey, side by side, to the green. Gauthier was the early leader with Hersey on his back bumper. Mike Parks and Barry Gray battled for third. On lap four, Hersey made the pass on the outside of Gauthier to take the lead. Gray moved into third as Brandon Ovitt was on the back bumper of Parks four fourth. On lap eleven, Ovitt took over fourth. Gray began to close in on Gauthier for second. Half way to go, heresy developed a good lead as Gauthier continued to hold off Gray. Ten to go, Gauthier suffered mechanical issues as the caution was brought out. On the restart of the ten lap shoot out, Hersey got the jump for the lead as Ron Smith moved in on Gray for second. Smith moved into second and was on the back bumper of Hersey. Two laps to go, Smith attempted the outside for the lead but was denied. At the checkers, Hersey held off the hard charges off Smith to claim the win. Gray came in third as Parks beat out Brandon Ovitt by inches for fourth.
Full Size Enduro 2008 Champion, Jeff Kirley, wasted no time starting where he finished last season. Kirley dominated the lead early as Dan Yagmin, Joe Ethier, Randy Rameau and Jared Edson followed in the top five. Twenty laps in the battle for fourth brewed between Edson, Ryan Rivet and Eitheir. Half way to go, Kirley was on rails as he developed a quarter track lead on second place runner, Dan Yagmin. Rameau attempted to catch Yagmin for third. Ten laps to go, Kirley gained a ½ track lead. Few laps later, third place runner, Rameau, suffered a blown engine giving the third spot to Rivet. At the checkers, it was Kirley, Yagmin, Rivet, Edson and Ethier.
It was the Houle versus Houle showdown in the 50 lap 4-cylinder Enduro event. Dick Houle commanded the lead early with Adam Houle, Patrick Houle and Josh Houle all battling for the top spot. The leaders approached heavy lap traffic as a lap car blocked Dick Houle giving Adam Houle the lead. Josh Houle moved into second. Half way to go, Dick Houle and Patrick Houle made contact resulting Pat Houle loosing position. A few laps later, Adam Houle and Josh Houle ran wheel to wheel as the red flag was displayed for Jacob Wilkins who took a hard hit into the third turn wall. Wilkin’s car suffered extensive damage but he was okay. On the restart, Ada Houle continued to lead as Josh Houle and Dick Houle challenged him. Louis Maher held off Pat Houle and Matt Gauffin for fourth. Ten laps to go, Dick Houle made his move and took the lead a s Adam Houle and Josh Houle ran side by side. Maher moved in on the Houles’ and challenged them for second. At the checkers, it was Dick Houle followed by Josh Houle, Adam Houle, Pat Houle and Louis Maher.
This Saturday, Monadnock Speedway will welcome the return of Modified racing at the high banked ¼ mile. The Monadnock Speedway Modified field consist of tour type open wheel race machines guarantee to keep the fans on the edge of their seat in the 50 lap debut. In addition to the Modifieds on May 2nd, the Allison Legacy North Series, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks and 4-cylinder Enduros will be competing. Race time is at 6pm.
Outlaw Pro Results: Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Ron Smith, Oakham, Ma; Barry Gray, Belchertown, Ma; Mike Parks, Charlestown, NH; Brandon Ovitt, Bernardston, Ma; Geoff Rollins, Groton, Ma; Eric Poulin, Keene, NH; James Hancock, Litchfield, NH; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH
Super Stock Results: Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinville, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Jeff Wright, Jaffrey, NH; Andy Brooks Jr; Winchendon, Ma; Robert Bedaw, Greenfield, Ma; Adam Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT; Ken Thompson, Alstead, NH; Buster Duncan, Greenfield, Ma; Dan Jackman, Bernardston, Ma; Scott Cashman, Keene, NH
Mini Stock Results: Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Joe Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Travis Grover, Brattleboro, VT; Ron Normandin, Fitchburg, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Cosmo Casamassa; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Jamey King, Orange, Ma
Top Ten Full Size Results: Jeff Kirley, Palmer, Ma; Dan Yagmin, Whethersfield, CT; Ryan Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Jared Edson, Bernardston, Ma; Joe Ethier, Auburn, Ma; Duane Stonier, Wolcott, Ct; Barry Schonborg, Westminster, Ma; Jon Wyman, Westminster, Ma; Dan Cheveralls, Harvard, ma; Bucky Sheats, Troy, NH
Top Ten 4-cylinder Enduro Results: Dick Houle, W. Brattleboro, VT; Josh Houle, Vernon, VT; Adam Houle, Vernon, VT; Pat Houle, Vernon, VT; Louis Maher, Spencer, Ma; Matt Gauffin, Hancock, NH; Eric Pomasko, Peterborough, NH; Jason Spaulding, CJ Johnson, Keene, NH; Scott Hatt, Swanzey, NH
by Jay | Apr 26, 2009 | New
LATE MODEL ROOKIE TAKES 95 FEATURE EVENT
He had never driven a Late Model race car until a Friday practice session, but Hermon’s Mike Hopkins is evidently a quick learner as he won his first outing in the new division on Sunday by winning the qualifier, then led the field from start to finish in the feature event. The event went smoothly, with only a couple of single car incidents causing the yellow flag to fly until a lap 17 melee on the front stretch scattered the field. Winterport’s Joey Doyon and Liberty’s Josh St.Clair, who were running second and third, came together while racing for position and spun in front of the field. Cars spun everywhere as the 14 car field tried to slow up and miss the spinning leaders. Most made it through with minor damage, but Dale Swoboda and Josh St. Clair were finished for the day. On the restart, Hopkins held off Bar Harbor’s John Phippen Jr. for the final 7 laps to post the win. Phippen finished second, with Dave St.Clair of Liberty coming in third. Dean Smart of Bradley and Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs rounded out the top five in the season opener.
In Super Street action, Kris Watson of Hermon and Winterport’s Mike Lynch put on a side by side battle, swapping the lead for most of the event, with Watson taking the win when Lynch ducked into the pits on the white flag lap, leaving Watson to finish the race alone in the lead. Steve Moulton of Holden finished second, with Hermon’s Doug Sinclair in third. Mike Overlock of Ellsworth and former Ladies Division champion Lindsay Seekins-Young were fourth and fifth respectively.
The Strictly Street field was led to the finish line by Bradley Norris of Ellsworth after then leader Travis Poulin of Holden suddenly pulled his Monte Carlo from the front of the field to the pit area. Norris was followed to the checkered flag by Bangor’s Shawn Hamel, Shawn Racilla of Dover-Foxcroft and Shawn Hamel II of Bangor.
David Green of Hampden crossed the finish line ahead of the Sport-Four field with Rick Grant of Lagrange close behind, as he had been since a lap 16 restart. Grant finished second with Tim Robinson of Clinton recovering from an early race trip off turn one to finish third. Fourth went to Hermon’s Ralph Allen with Brent Fletcher of Milford in fifth.
In other racing action, the NELCAR Legends visited the speedway on opening day, with Charlie Buxton of Windham picking up his first win in the series. Buxton inherited the lead when early leader Max Zecham of Preston Connecticut had his engine expire on the 14th lap. Second place went to Bob Weymouth of Topsham, with Durham’s Terry Kirk in third. Windham’s Bobby Timmons and Lincoln’s Alan Smith rounded out the top five.
Also on hand were the Maine Super Car Racing League with their ½ scale racing machines. Josh Ireland of Howland picked up the win in the 20 lap feature with Hermon’s Gerry Phillips in second. Third went to Peter Rafuse of Milford with Francis Bernard and Fred Ireland, both of Howland, fourth and fifth.
Adding a little old time flavor to the day’s activities were the Wicked Good Vintage Racing Association, with their resurrected bomber and modified cars of yesteryear. Leading the field under the checkered flag was Jim Sprague of Morrill in a 1932 Ford Modified. Second went to Robert Hills of Searsmont in his 1938 Chevy Modified, followed by Dick McPhail of Fairfield in a 1947 Ford Bomber, Haggie Pratt of Dexter in a ’38 Chevy and Mike Willett of Winslow in a 1946 Plymouth, completing the top five in that order.
Racing continues at Speedway 95 on Sunday May 3 at 2:00, with an opportunity for fans to hop a ride with their favorite driver starting at 1:30
by Jay | Apr 23, 2009 | New
Brad Leighton Wins NH Governor’s Cup At Lee USA Speedway
Lee, N.H. (April 20, 2009): Brad Leighton, driver of the No. 55 Irving Oil Ford, kicked off the 2009 season with a win in ACT’s New Hampshire Governor’s Cup at Lee USA Speedway. Leighton took the lead from Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. on lap 130 and never looked back. The win qualifies Leighton and his Irving Oil race team for the inaugural ACT invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway later this year.
“It’s a real honor to be the first qualifier for the New Hampshire Invitational. The Invitational is going to be a huge boost for the ACT series and attract tremendous regional exposure. And it’s great to be part of it,” Leighton said from victory lane.
Leighton started the Governor’s Cup from the 19th position after drawing a tough starting position in the fourth heat. The Center Harbor, N.H. resident was able to get into the feature with his win in the second Consi.
Leighton was patient during the first fifty laps of the race when a battle between Mike Olsen and Brian Hoar stole the attention up front. Leighton, meanwhile, worked his way through the field to put himself into position to become a contender. A long green flag run developed after the 50 lap mark giving Leighton the opportunity to challenge Joey Polewarczyk at lap 130 for the lead. Once out front, Leighton was able to hold off all challenges and take the checkered flag.
“This is awesome,” a joyous Leighton said after the race. “The guys put a great car underneath me! We had two goals coming into this season – to win a race and qualify for the New Hampshire Invitational – so I’d say we’re off to a really good start to the year! I can’t thank everyone at Irving Oil and Subway for supporting us in this series. This is great for everyone involved!”
Leighton dedicated the win to “Grammy Peg”, his wife Lynn’s grandmother. Brad had a close relationship with her – talking and joking about his race career and everyday topics on life were some of their favorite past times. Peg passed away Thursday morning.
“We certainly will miss her,” said Leighton. “Peg was a wonderful woman who I adored. She would have bragged to all her friends at the nursing home that I won this race so this one is for her!”
by Jay | Apr 23, 2009 | New
Lee, NH – Over forty race teams hauled into the Lee USA Speedway over the weekend, hoping to secure a starting spot for the prestigious season-opening American Canadian Tour New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.
Drivers from all over New England as well as two Canadian provinces were on hand for the action, but when checkers waved, it was home-stater Brad Leighton of Center Harbor taking home the Governor’s Cup win.
Defending race winner Joey Pole of nearby Hudson was in the hunt all race long, but Leighton put him in his rear-view mirror with some 20 laps remaining, and he led the balance of the event to score the win.
The win also sent Leighton the first invitation to the big ACT Invitational race to be held on the 1.058-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, a race that will feature the best ACT has to offer.
Following Pole across the stripe, was Scott Payea, who ran a solid race from flag to flag to grab third, with hometown favorite Eddie MacDonald closing out the top five ahead of former Lee USA champion Ricky Wolf, who wound up sixth.
John Donohue was scored seventh ahead of another former Lee USA champ, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., followed by teammates Brian Hoar and Mike Olsen, who started the race on the front row.
Defending champion Eddie Witkum, Jr. was a heavy favorite to win when the Small Block Supers took to the asphalt for their feature event, but he had a few problems and finished slightly off his usual blistering pace.
Mike Netishen jumped out to the early lead when starter Bryon Callen unfurled the green, but he quickly gave way to Justin Belfiore, who moved the Tom Tombarello, Jr. machine to take a turn out front.
Just past halfway, Bowes made his move, and he never looked back on the way to victory lane. Belfiore finished second, while Witkum checkered third, with Danny Lane and Mike Spurling rounding out the top five.
In Late Model Sportsman/Super Street main event action, second-generation racer Nick Gravel bolted out to the early lead, moving out to a healthy advantage while the pack sorted out behind him.
Lee Weldy held down the second spot in the early going, but Grant Aither took over that position before they reached the crossed flags, and he was headed to the front.
Aither ran down leader Gravel and quickly completed the pass, and the race was his to lose from there. Aither pulled away to a comfortable lead, and he held it until the checkers to score the win.
Gravel held on for a solid runner-up finish, with Weldy, Sandy Lee, Jimmy Renfrew, “Piranha Pete” Evans, Gary Beauregard, Cory Robert, Jesse Bousquet, and Geoff Rollins the rest of the top ten.
Dennis Dumas led the Hobby Stocks around to take the green for their feature event, but he was quickly knocked off the point by Eric Hoffman, and Jimmy Renfrew followed him to the front.
At the end of the fourth lap, Renfrew made his move on Hoffman, and he came away with the lead. Hoffman gave chase the rest of the way, but Renfrew held on to score the inaugural win of the season.
Hoffman took home runner-up honors, with Chris Titcomb taking a hard-earned third. Titcomb’s car was badly damaged in qualifying on Saturday, but his crew got it back in race shape in time for the feature. Dumas and Bobby
Glass finished up the top five.
There was a strong field of Roadrunner/4 cylinder/Mini Stocks on hand for their 20-lap feature event, but there was nobody stronger than defending Roadrunner champ Ricky Porter, Jr.
Cris King led the first lap of the main, with veteran Loren Smith next to take a turn out front. Emerson Cayer slipped past Smith to become the third leader of the race, but he couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Porter.
Porter took it to the outside to make the pass on Cayer, and he was off to the races after that. Porter pulled away by a couple of car lengths, and he stayed out front the rest of the way to score the victory. Cayer, Niko Manyati, Jim Piaseczny, and Smith were the rest of the top five.
Next Saturday, April 25th is the final test and tune session for all divisions with a rain date of Sunday the 26th, and the weekly Friday night season gets underway a week later on May 1. For more information, log on to www.leeusaspeedway.com, or call the speedway office at 978-462-4252.
