by Jay | Apr 6, 2009 | New
Christopher Starts WMT Title Defense with Icebreaker Victory
Ceravolo Scores Sunoco Mod Victory, Wrenn Makes History with Win
Zuidema Sweeps in Late Models; Arena, Rogers & Sullivan Also Winners
Thompson, CT (April 5, 2009): Ted Christopher led the lion’s share of the Icebreaker 150 for the Whelen Modified Tour to start his title defense with a victory. The win was the third Icebreaker victory for the Plainville, CT, driver and the eighth Tour win of his career at Thompson. The victory, the 32nd of his career, puts him solely in fourth on the all-time win list.
Over the final laps of the race, Jimmy Blewett made it exciting. Just before a spin by Woody Pitkat set up a green-white-checker restart, Blewett got alongside Christopher exiting turn three. Christopher was able to do the cross-over move to retain his lead. After the caution, neither Blewett nor Lia ultimately had anything for Christopher.
“He is an interesting character to race with” said Christopher of Blewett.
Blewett finished a strong second to keep the fans on their feet.
“This track owes me one,” said Blewett. “I will win a Tour race here some day.”
Lia, back with the Tour after a stint in the Camping World Truck Series, had a good homecoming with a third-place finish. Ryan Preece finished fourth followed by Todd Szegedy.
Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry, CT, earned a hard-fought victory among a strong field of Sunoco Modifieds on Sunday afternoon. Norm Wrenn of Nashua, NH, kicked- off a new era in full-fendered racing at Thompson Speedway with the first-ever Super Late Model victory. Jeff Zuidema of N. Brookfield, CT, went two-for-two in Late Model competition on Icebreaker weekend winning both ends of the double-header.
Joe Arena of Bristol, CT, turned in a dominating performance to score the victory in the season-opener for the Limited Sportsman division. Chuck Rogers of Quaker Hill, CT, scored his first-ever winner at the Thompson Speedway in the Mini Stocks. Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT picked up where he left off winning TIS Modified features.
The Sunoco Modifieds took to the track on Sunday afternoon to run the second of the Icebreaker double-header. At the conclusion of the 25-lapper, veteran and former Series champion, Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry, CT, was victorious. Ceravolo jumped out to the early lead of the main event followed by Keith Rocco. Mired deep in the field, Kerry Malone and Woody Pitkat were making tracks to the front. When the caution flew on lap 3 Malone was already inside the top ten.
With five laps down, Bert Marvin had moved into the third position and began chasing down the leaders. Malone had worked his way into the fourth spot by lap ten. The two Falmouth Ready Mix cars driven by Tommy Cravenho and Rowan Pennink ran in fifth and six, respectively.
At the halfway marker, things were starting to heat up as Rocco had his hands full with both Marvin and Malone. Smoke billowed from the #15 of Harry Rheaume to bring out the caution cooling the battle for the time being. Under the caution, Pennink headed down pit road for service to his #31x.
On restart, shuffling at the head of the pack resulted in the charging Malone being double-hooked. Things settled down on the ensuing restart as Ceravolo continued to lead with Rocco, Marvin and Cravenho in tow. Pitkat had worked his way into the fifth position.
A restart at lap 18 opened the door for Marvin. Ceravolo headed out in the lead once again. Slight contact between Marvin and Rocco, gave Marvin the edge; moving into the second position. Lap-after-lap Marvin dogged Ceravolo.
On the final lap, Marvin could get up alongside Marvin but could not muster up enough momentum to make the pass. Ceravolo rolled into victory lane for his first win of the season. Marvin had to settle for second followed by Rocco. Pitkat had a strong run to finish fourth. Cravenho completed the top five.
There was a new name for the division but it was the same cast of characters making headlines in the Super Late Model division; formerly known as the Pro Stocks. Veteran competitor, Norm Wrenn of Nashua, NH, put his name in the record books with the first victory.
Jeff Connors jumped out to the lead bringing Mike O’Sullivan and Wrenn along for the ride. The highlight of the Pro Stock race was the three-car battle for the point as the race approached halfway. Connors held the point with O’Sullivan and Wrenn in hot pursuit.
In a single lap, Wrenn went from third to the lead taking second from O’Sullivan and Connors. The driver on the move was Derek Ramstrom, after battling for position for several laps with George Bessette. Once he freed himself of Bessette, the youngster quickly went after Connors. The caution flew on lap 17 for a single-car incident involving Fred Astle.
The top three of Wrenn, O’Sullivan and Ramstrom continued to pace the field through a pair of quick cautions. Les Rose, Jr. was making his presence known with only a handful of laps remaining. The veteran competitor had passed Jay Macedonio to enter the top five. He immediately ran down Bessette but ran out of time to advance any further. On the final lap, as Wrenn was heading to the checkers and the first Super Late Model win at the Speedway, Zuidema encountered problems in turn two. Wrenn was followed to the checkers by O’Sullivan and Ramstrom. Bessette came home fourth over Rose.
Jeff Zuidema of N. Brookfield, MA, was the dominant force in the Late Models, not only on Sunday, but all weekend. At only one point during the 20 lap main event did Zuidema’s win ever look like it might be in jeopardy. After a restart for the one and only caution of the event on lap 14, Gentes gave Zuidema a run for the money. A bobble by Gentes provided the breathing room and that was all Zuidema needed to streak to the checkers.
“That’s what you gotta love about Rick Gentes, he never gives up,” said Zuidema in victory lane.
Gentes settled for second ahead of Mark Oliveira. Paul Newcomb, Jr., and Tom Fox rounded out the top five.
Joe Arena of Bristol, CT, led wire-to-wire to take down the win in a caution-free Limited Sportsman feature event. He took the lead from pole sitter Larry Barnett after a quick battle. Once out front, Arena was able to distance himself from Barnett and the remainder of the pack. In a groove, Arena was able to maneuver through lapped traffic without missing a beat. Arena visibly pumped his fist as he streaked under the checkers for his first victory of the 2009 season. Barnett finished second followed by Eric Grant, Ed Puleo and Chris Douton completed the top-five.
Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, scored the victory in the first TIS Modified main event of the 2009 season. Sullivan waited until late in the race to make his move. Sullivan chased early leader Leo Oliveria through lap 14 before taking over the point coming out of turn two. Once out front, Sullivan checked out distancing himself from a battle for the second position between Glenn Boss, Oliveira, and Richie Ferreira. At the checkers it was all Sullivan, Ferreira edged out his teammate Oliveira for second. Boss, in a borrowed mount, came from scratch on the field to finished fourth. McDermott recovered to finish fifth.
In the early going of the Mini Stock main event, Chuck Rogers of Quaker Hill, CT, was in the heat of an intense four-car battle for the lead, in the mid-portion of the event he was the class of the field. At the end, he was the winner on Icebreaker Sunday. Right from the drop of the green flag, the action was fast and furious with a four-car battle for the lead that featured Scott Michalski, Rogers, Andy Publicover and Steven Michalski. The battle cooled when Michalski and Publicover tangled in lapped traffic. Once solidly out front, Rogers was able to keep his composure through a number of restarts to claim the victory. Brad Caddick came from deep in the pack, to finish second over Eric Bourgeois, Mike Viens, and Rick Blanchard.
Unofficial Whelen Modified Tour (150 laps) Top Ten: 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 3. Donnie Lia, Jericho, NY; 4. Ryan Preece, Kensington, CT; 5. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 6. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 7. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 8. Doug Coby, Milford, CT; 9. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Station, PA; 10. Bobby Grigas, Marshfield, MA.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 2. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 3. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 4. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 5. Tommy Cravenho, Raynham, MA; 6. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 7. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Square, PA; 8. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 9. Josh Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 10. Zach Sylvester, Lebanon, CT.
Super Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 4. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 5. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 6. Jay Macedonio, Somerset, MA; 7. Marc Curtis, Worcester, MA; 8. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 9. Wayne Dion, Warwick, RI; 10. David Darling, Seekonk, MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 2. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 3. Rick Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 4. Paul Newcomb, Jr., Bryantville, MA; 5. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 6. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 7. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 8. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 9. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 10. Mark Jenison, Cranston, RI.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 2. Larry Barnett, Ledyard, CT; 3. Eric Grant, New Milford, CT; 4. Ed Puleo, Branford, CT; 5. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 8. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT: 9. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 10. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 3. Leo Oliveira, Rayham, MA; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 5. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 6. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 7. Tyler Poulin, Millville, MA; 8. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 9. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA; 10. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 2. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 3. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 4. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 5. Rick Blanchard, Pascoag, RI; 6. Nathan Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 7. Billy Pomposelli, Chepachet, RI; 8. Bill Schoeler, Warwick, RI; 9. Steven Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 10. Steve Romjue, Coventry, RI.
by Jay | Apr 6, 2009 | New
TONY STEWART COMES TO THUNDER ROAD IN ’09 STEWART TO RACE IN VERMONT GOVERNOR’S CUP 150
Barre, VT – Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart will race in the CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 lap race Thursday, June 25 as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Barre’s Thunder Road International Speedbowl.
The 2002 and 2005 Cup winner with 32 major NASCAR victories to his credit is considered the most versatile race driver since Mario Andretti in the 1970s. In 1995 Stewart gained national attention when he swept all three of the United States Auto Club’s major open cockpit divisions, capturing the Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown Series. He was the first driver to ever do so. He was the 1997 Indianapolis Racing League Champion and is remembered as the rookie who sat on the Indianapolis 500 pole and led for 144 laps before his car went away.
The Rushville, Indiana racer, considered the most aggressive driver in American motorsports today told Thunder Road track officials ‘The Road’ has special significance. “Thunder Road has been on my list of short tracks that I just have to race”, he said. “My friend Kenny Schrader tells me the competition is tough. This is a race I’m looking forward to,” said the twice Daytona 400 winner.
Thunder Road promoter and co-owner Tom Curley said, “Of all the people, in any form of racing, the one driver I wanted to have help us celebrate the track’s 50th anniversary is Tony Stewart. I have always thought he represents what stock car racing is really all about”, said Curley. “He definitely will be coming to race and that’s what Thunder Road fans and competitors expect”.
The CARQUEST Governor’s Cup will draw a top field from the American-Canadian Tour. Earlier this year ACT announced that the Governor’s Cup would be designated as a Qualifier for the Saturday, September 19th ACT INVITATIONAL at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. It will be part of the Sprint Cup weekend, which will culminate with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 20th. If Stewart wins the Barre race and elects to compete, New Hampshire Motor Speedway will increase the starting line-up for the INVITATIONAL.
A special commemorative 50th Anniversary Governor’s Cup Tony Stewart discounted ticket will be available beginning with Thunder Road’s Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic double header over the May 23/24 weekend when the American-Canadian Tour will be joined by the True Value Modified Racing Series on Memorial Day weekend.
Ticket prices for the Governor’s Cup will be $17.00 for Adult advance tickets, with race day Adult tickets $20, and Children’s ticket (6-12) $3.00. Pits will open at 2pm, front gate at 3pm, with post time 6pm and the Governor’s Cup scheduled for 8pm.
by Jay | Mar 19, 2009 | New
Historical ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Creates Buzz
WATERBURY, VT – On September 19th, 2009, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) will become the 23rd different track to host an American-Canadian Tour Late Model event. It will also become the largest track (1.058 mile) to ever hold an ACT event, surpassing the 7/8ths mile Sanair Super Speedway in St. Pie, PQ.
Sanair Super Speedway held the inaugural ACT Late Model Tour race and was won by Norm Andrews of Warren, VT on April 26, 1992. To date, there have been 186 ACT Late Model Tour events with 57 different winners, including the non-point counting All-Star race at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallée-Jonction, PQ held in 2008.
In 2009 there will be 12 point counting events and another All-Star race at Chaudiere before the ACT Invitational. That will bring the total events to 199 and make the ACT Invitational at NHMS the 200th event run by the American based ACT Late Model Tour.
It will also be the first time the point leaders from the nine ACT affiliated tracks will be invited to an invitational event. These nine tracks are Thunder Road in Barre, VT, Lee (NH) USA Speedway, White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH, Oxford Plains (ME) Speedway, Seekonk (MA) Speedway, Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH, Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, and Kawartha (ON) Speedway.
The ACT Invitational wouldn’t be possible without the revolutionary crate engine and spec shock programs, and their acceptance by these affiliated tracks. These programs were developed by ACT President Tom Curley to keep short track Late Model racing in the Northeast affordable and competitive. Since these programs were introduced into ACT competition, they have kept car counts up by allowing teams to be competitive without going broke. This has been crucial to keeping short track racing alive in the Northeast.
Short track racing will continue to grow this season with all the interest created from the ACT Invitational. Few short track drivers get the opportunity to race at NHMS, the only track in the Northeast on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. This year 36 drivers will get that rare opportunity. These 36 drivers will include the winners of each of the first twelve 2009 ACT Tour events, the first eight Serie ACT Castrol events and three non-point counting events; the TD Bank Oxford 250, the Showdown at Autodrome Chaudiere and the Governors Cup at Thunder Road. This will most likely mean more drivers will show up to these events in the hope of qualifying for the Invitational and a chance to race at NHMS.
Also qualifying for the Invitational will be the point leaders of the nine racetracks previously mentioned. The opportunity to race at NHMS should make the points battles at these racetracks even more intense and therefore the racing even more exciting.
However, qualifying for the Invitational is not a guarantee even for those who are leading the points at these tracks. They must not only be 100% ACT legal, but they also have to meet experience and quality standards as determined by ACT. These requirements will ensure that only the highest quality teams will be at NHMS, therefore making the ACT Invitational field one of the stoutest to ever compete in the Northeast.
The Invitational will put more pressure on drivers to win races and earn a chance to qualify. Veteran driver Randy Potter of Groveton, NH, said, “There is a lot of extra pressure on all of us to win and get into this race. Plus there most likely will be guys who have already run the big shows in different type cars (Busch East, Cup, etc) that will come in with big budgets and try to “steal” some of the spots from the full time ACT guys by winning a race.”
Five-time ACT Tour champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT, is back full time this season taking over the seat from Jean-Paul Cyr in the Rick Paya machine. He says, “I will always put a lot of pressure on myself and my team to win races! Winning is one of the many allusive goals that keep us coming back for more. That being said, I always look at the big picture and realize winning is not everything.” If the past is any indication, Hoar should have no trouble qualifying for the Invitational. He has won at least one race in each of his full time seasons on the ACT Late Model Tour from 1992 to 2000 and holds the record for most wins in a season with five in 1999. He also has the most total wins in ACT Late Model Tour history with twenty-three.
The opportunity to race at NHMS seems to be the hot topic among drivers competing on the ACT Tour in 2009. Hoar, who has raced at NHMS in a Busch East car, is excited to return. He continued, “I have always loved the place, the speed and had good results, which I hope to add or improve to this fall. I think the Late Models will put on an exciting race, much like the modifieds do. With the limited horsepower and tires I think the cars will race more similar to the mods than other divisions.”
Potter added “I have a short “bucket” list and one of them is to compete at NHMS. So this is the best chance I’ll have.” But the race at NHMS isn’t blocking his view of his main goal, “We want to be in contention to win multiple races this year to put ourselves in a position in points to run for the title and all of the rest of that qualifying stuff will take care of itself.”
The ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will add a new dynamic to the ACT Tour and Series ACT Castrol schedules, as well as the ACT affiliated tracks with the opportunity to qualify.
The first qualifier will be determined at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday April 19th, as the ACT Tour kicks off its 2009 season with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. A practice session is scheduled for Saturday April 18th.
