by Jay | Sep 8, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: Monadnock Speedway hosted a very busy race venue this past Saturday which included all the regular divisions along with tour appearances from NEMA and Allison Legacy. Kirk Alexander cruised in victory lane for the Modifieds as Bryon baker celebrated his first Outlaw Pro win of the season. Nick Gravel took the checkers for the Super Stock along with Mini Stock competitor Beth Adams. Heath Renaud and Rob Morton took down the Enduro victories.
The Mini Stocks rolled onto the track for the first feature event. Beth Adams led the field to the green. Adams, the early leader, showed the way as Chris Davis, Derek Berquist, Chris McTaggart and Dennis Wallace followed. By lap ten, a battle for second developed between Davis and McTaggart. Fifteen laps in the books, Adams continued to lead as she worked through lap traffic as McTaggart followed on her back bumper. Lap seventeen, a caution came out for debris. On the restart, Adams held off McTaggart for the lead as Joey Kendall moved into third chasing down the top two. Three laps to go, the caution again came out setting the field up for a three lap shoot out. On the restart, Adams again held of McTaggart as the top three ran bumper to bumper. On the final lap, it was Adams celebrating her first win of the season followed by McTaggart, Kendall, Bergquist and Davis.
The Super Stocks took to the track with Dana Shepard on the pole. On the start, contact was made between Andy Brooks and Shepard bringing out a caution. On the restart, Gravel inherited the lead as David Striebel followed close behind. By lap ten, Gravel began to pull away as Striebel and Ken Springer settled in the top three. Nancy Muni and Bill Johnston battled for fourth as Ed Brehio III ran close behind. Five laps to go, a four car battle developed for third between Springer, Muni, Johnston and Brehio III. Gravel continued to have a good lead as Striebel was on his own in second. At the checkers, it was Gravel taking the victory followed by Striebel, Springer, Muni and Johnston.
Barry Gray brought the Outlaw Pro field to the green with Steve Gauthier on the side of him. By lap two, Gray felt the pressure of Bryon Baker for the lead. On lap four, Baker made his move to the inside of Gray and took the lead. Mike Parks and Russ Hersey followed leaving Gray in fourth. Half way to go, Parks placed the heat on Baker for the lead attempting the outside for several laps. Hersey ran on Parks back bumper awaiting his opportunity to take over second. Gray and Gauthier battled for fourth. Five laps to go, the top three continued to run bumper to bumper as they approached lap traffic. As the top three worked around lap traffic, Parks took the high side in turn three as Hersey went low and moved into the second spot. At the checkers, it was Baker followed by Hersey, Parks, Gray and Gauthier.
Modified pole sitter, Rich Hammann, was scored the early leader of the feature event until Vic Johnson took it away. By lap eight, Kirk Alexander moved into second and began chasing down Alexander for the lead. On lap thirteen, Alexander took over the lead as Dale Evonsion moved into third. Hammann and JR Baril challenged each other for third. At the half way mark, Alexander worked his way through lap traffic as Johnson gained some ground on him running second. Jim Boniface and Bryan Shumway moved into the top five. Ten laps to go, Alexander again worked through lap traffic as Johnson continued to run second. Evonsion began to feel the presence of Boniface, Shumway and Todd Patnode behind him as they all ran tight. Two laps to go, Boniface and Shumway battled with Shumway taking over the fourth spot. On the final lap, it was Alexander posting back to back wins followed by Johnson, Evonsion, Shumway and Boniface.
This Saturday, the Modifieds return to the high banks of Monadnock Speedway along with the Outlaw Pros, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, 4-cylinder Enduros and Classic Lies. Following the race event, the speedway will host a demolition Derby. Race time is at 6pm. For more information, log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.
by Jay | Sep 8, 2009 | Canada
Fredericton, NB – The final checkered flag has fallen for the 2009-racing season. It was a beautiful day for the last race of the season, the Enduro 200. This was second race of the season for the Enduro drivers. There were a couple more races on the schedule but had to be cancelled due to rain. This weekend there was no rain in site. You could not ask for a better weather for the 2009 Speed Weekend. The weekend was absolutely perfect for today’s Enduro 200
There were 18 cars ready to take the green in the first 75 laps until the 21 of Kim and Courtney Barton had to be pushed to the pit because her car would not start. It was the # 10 of Carmen McKeen who started on the pole. He led for many laps until he was challenged by the # 8 of Dale Hathaway. The # 72 of Justin Kenny took the lead for while. There were a few lead changes. The dust was sure flying this afternoon as these cars for a little anxious and ended up in the beach a few times.
Everyone was waiting in anticipation to see if the #21 of Kim and Courtney Barton were going to put on a show like they did in the first Enduro 200. The two changed drivers back and forth a few times. The #21 had its share of problems as it was in a few on track mishaps. The #21 was in the infield late in the race and the # 15 of Jimmy Robinson came in to help push the car back on track. Unfortunately the # 21 was going the wrong way and got clipped by another car. This was the end of the day for the # 21 of Courtney and Kim Barton.
The #86 of Andrew Betts gave the fans a little excitement with his signature move of the day. Andrew liked driving his car in reverse a few times. He had a little trouble with his hood coming up on one side. This was something you don’t usually see on the track.
It was all Pat Sharpe for most of the race. No one seemed be able to touch him. He had some great momentum going and it got him to the Auto Pride victory lane for the second and final time this season. Finishing in second was the # 70 of Tyler Seveck. Rounding out the top three was last year’s champion the # 38c of Ed Vallis.
This is the end of the 2009-racing season at Speedway 660 and was it ever a good one. Last weekend we crowned two new champions Brain Fox in the Coast Tire Street Stock, John Rankin in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and we had a repeat champion in the Irving Lubricant’s Pro Stocks. If that wasn’t exciting enough, Speed Weekend sure was. 670 campers, Sterling Marlin, Travis Kittleson, a huge car count, Dan McNeil winning the O’Leary Pontiac 150 and Lonnie Sommerville being the only 2 time Peterbilt 250 champ. The list could go on and on. There was a record amount of fans in the stands. It was an absolutely spectacular 2009 Speed Weekend. Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming season.
by Jay | Sep 7, 2009 | NASCAR
HAMPTON, GA — Kasey Kahne saved his best for last Sunday night and won the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
A huge crowd, well over 100,000 and what most were calling the biggest crowd in many years at this track, was treated to great racing on a Labor Day Weekend.
In the last 50 laps alone, Juan Pablo Montoya led as did Kevin Harvick. A caution with less than 20 laps remaining set the stage for a final shootout.
Kahne, who figured he had a faster car on short runs, took the lead when the race was restarted with 11 laps to go and ran away from Harvick, who was second, and Montoya, who finished third. It was Kahne’s second win this season. He put the Petty Enterprises/Gillette Budweiser Dodge in Victory Lane this summer at Infineon Raceway.
Rounding out the top 15 spots were David Reutimann, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, David Stremme, Paul Menard and Robbie Gordon. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was 17th.
This race started with some of the drivers a little more nervous than normal for the start of the race. Just two races stood between them and the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup,auto racing’s 10-race playoff for the championship.
The top 12 drivers qualify for The Chase after 26 races, and points are recalibrated amongst the qualifiers to separate them from the rest of the starting fields.
Martin, Vickers, Montoya, Kahne, Kenseth and Biffle were a few of the drivers who had to finish well to stay in the running for one of the 12 spots.
Pole-sitter Martin Truex Jr., streaked ahead throwing caution to the wind as he was not a contender for The Chase. Truex just wanted a win.
While Truex had a comfortable lead, others were racing hard, side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper back in the field. Waltrip slid against the third turn wall racing for position and Montoya was squeezing in and out of traffic like he was late for work.
At 20 laps, Truex held a one-and-a-half-second lead over Kahne. Gordon was third, Johnson fourth and Kyle Busch fifth.
They were followed by Hamlin, Vickers, Kurt Busch, Martin and Montoya in 10th, after starting back in 22nd spot.
Sam Hornish brought out the night’s first caution when he spun off turn four on the 37th lap. He did not make contact with anybody or anything and was able to continue.
On the double-file shootout-style restart at lap 41, Kahne was out front in lieu of his pit crew’s stellar work. Truex was second, followed by Gordon, Johnson, Kyle Busch, Hamlin, Vickers, Martin, Kurt Busch and Montoya in 10th. Truex quickly regained the lead, and Gordon moved into second. Kahne, however, dusted Gordon for second one lap later.
Hornish went two for two in the caution category when a tire flew off his car on lap 61 in the tri-oval bringing out another caution.
Gordon probably welcomed this caution as his Chevy had dropped from third to 22nd during this run.
Kyle Busch took the lead on the restart this time with Truex and Johnson in tow.
Max Pappis punched the wall on lap 105 bringing out the caution again. After the restart on lap
Kyle Busch still had the lead on the restart at lap 108. Another caution on lap 131 for debris slowed the field once again.
Gordon took the lead on the 135th lap restart, trailed by Hamlin, Johnson, Kyle Busch, Montoya, Stewart, Logano, Kurt Busch, Martin and Vickers.
At the halfway point, Gordon was leading. Hamlin was second, followed by Harvick, Vickers, Earnhardt, Johnson, Martin, Montoya, Kahne and Reutimann. Stremme was was 11th and Kyle Busch 12th.
by Jay | Sep 7, 2009 | Hudson, New Hampshire
Hudson NH – Dylan Bilodeau, Louie Maher, John Morin Jr., Sandy Lee, and Dick Dubois all drove to victory lane in their respective divisions this past Sunday afternoon at Hudson Speedway.
Jean Desilets led the opening laps of the Rookie Stock main before Andy Nichols took over to lead the middle portion of the race. Scotty Duval took over with 8 laps to go and John Morin Jr. slipped past Nichols a few laps later. Duval had the race in hand until a caution with two to go bunched the field for a single file restart. Morin Jr. restarted on Duvals bumper and stayed with him until making his move in the final corner getting inside of Duval to set up a drag race to the finish line and beat Duval by inches. Third through tenth were Nichols, Brian Harron, Dean Wendell, Dan Murphy, Jerry Lepage, Desilets, Larry Fortin and Mark Nevers.
Sandy Lee won his first feature of the 2009 season in the Outlaw sportsman. Lee took the lead on lap 3 from polesitter Rick Woodside and never looked back. John Meany had his best finish of the season by taking second. Lee’s teammate, Lee Weldy finished third. Fourth through tenth were Bobby Allen, Tim Casey, Chris Lee, Mitch Wendell, Peter Fiandaca, Woodside and Shawn Waites.
It was all Wayne Brooks front row in the V-6 Modified feature with Wayne Brooks Jr. and Sr. starting first and second. Brooks Jr. got a better start and led the opening laps before Dick Dubois took over the top spot. Keith Caruso took over second and chased Dubois but couldn’t get close enough to make a run and had to settle for second behind Dubois. Third through fifth were Allen Reiser Jr., Chris Kuebler and Brooks Jr.
Louie Maher won his tenth Roadrunner main of the year followed by Jef James, Jesse Tellier, Eric Miller and Patrick D’Alba in the top five.
Points leader Dylan Bilodeau won the Thunder Lite feature followed by Derek Griffith, Sammy Gilman, Bobby Stirk lll and Dan Fortin in the top five.
Chris Igo won the Mini-cup main. Ron Lord Jr. won the Flagpole Race. Ricky Morrocco won the Spectator Race and Darren Poutre won the Spectator Drags.
Next Sunday, September 13th at Hudson Speedway it’s the return of the Classic Lites plus the V-6 Modifieds, Mini-cup cars, Rookie Stocks, Roadrunners, Thunder Lites, Spectator Race, Spectator Drags and Flagpole Race. Gates open at 11am and the first race at 1pm. For more info please visit www.hudsonspeedway.info.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | ACT, New England, Thunder Road
Barre, VT – Dave Pembroke of Montpelier led all 200 laps of the American Canadian Tour Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT. Pembroke started on the pole after earning a +8 handicap by moving from 11th to 3rd in his heat race. John Donahue and Patrick Laperle battled hard for the final 19 laps with Donahue getting the edge by a bumper at the line. Brian Hoar and Eric Williams were the final two cars on the lead lap and rounded out the top five.
The thirty car field made it through the first 181 laps caution free while Pembroke put all but the top five cars down a lap. Pembroke felt no competition as the closest car on the lead lap was nearly a half a track behind as they both worked their way through lap traffic. All thirty cars were still on the track when the checkered flag flew.
Pembroke has already qualified for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19 with his win earlier this year at the Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road.
Scott Coburn of Barre took home his 6th career NAPA Tiger Sportsmen feature win. Coburn came from the fifth starting spot and held the lead through the majority of the race while surviving a late race restart. Ricky Roberts, Pete Ainsworth, Joey Laquerre and Tom Therrien all finished in the top five. Lance Allen, Bobby Therrien, Shawn Fleury, Brendan Moodie and Matt Potter finished in the sixth through tenth positions.
Hyde Park’s Tucker Williams captured the fourth feature win of his rookie season. Williams was chased to the line by Tommy Smith, David Whitcomb, Kevin Streeter, and Lloyd Blakely rounding out the top five. Martin Ingram, Greg Adams, point leader Gary Mullen, Mike Martin and Bunker Hodgdon all came home with top ten finishes.
Donnie Yates of Montpelier was the top finishing leader and remains on top of the point standings. Kevin Streeter finished second followed by Ken Christman, Keith Fortier, and Kevin Dodge.
The 50th Anniversary Season at Thunder Road International Speedbowl will come to a conclusion with the Booth Bros./H.P. Hood Qualifying Day on Saturday, September 26 and the 47th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl on Sunday, September 27th. The Milk Bowl will be the final point counting event for the NAPA Tiger Sportsmen, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Power Shift Junkyard Warriors. The 47th Annual Milk Bowl will award a purse of over $70,000.
The American Canadian Tour will be back in action next weekend on Sunday, September 13 for the Mohawk Casino Fall Foliage 300 at Airborne Speedway. It will be the 12th race on the ACT Tour schedule and the final qualifying race for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19. Post time next Sunday is set for 1 pm.
ACT Tour Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 Results – 1. Dave Pembroke (44) Montpelier, VT, 2. John Donahue (26VT) Graniteville, VT, 3. Patrick Laperle (91) St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, QC, 4. Brian Hoar (37) Williston, VT, 5. Eric Williams (7VT) Hyde Park, VT, 6. Cris Michaud (6) Northfield, VT, 7. Brent Dragon (55vt) Milton, VT, 8. Chip Grenier (9vt) Graniteville, VT, 9. Craig Bushey (05) Cambridge, VT, 10. Nicholas Sweet (88) Barre, VT, 11. Scott Payea (89) Milton, VT, 12. Jean-Paul Cyr (11vt) Milton, VT, 13. Phil Scott (14) Montpelier, VT, 14. Pete Potvin, III (41) Graniteville, VT, 15. Jamie Fisher (18) Shelburne, VT, 16. Travis Stearns (5) Auburn, ME, 17. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (97nh) Hudson, NH, 18. Brad Leighton (55nh) Center Harbor, NH, 19. Quinten Welch (78nh) Lancaster, NH, 20. Randy Potter (02nh) Groveton, NH, 21. Tony Andrews (1) Northfield, VT, 22. Trampas Demers (85) South Burlington, VT, 23. Tyler Cahoon (38vt) St.Johnsbury, VT, 24. Joe Becker (16) Jeffersonville, VT, 25. Eric Chase (40vt) Milton, VT, 26. Dave Paya (72vt) N. Clarendon, VT, 27. Gary Caron (22vt) Colchester, VT, 28. David Whitcomb (25) Essex Jct., VT, 29. Jerry Lesage (74) Winooski, VT, 30. Glen Luce (7me) Turner, ME.
NAPA Tiger Sportsmen Unofficial Feature Results – 1. Scott Coburn (1) Barre, VT, 2. Ricky Roberts (9) Washington, VT, 3. Pete Ainsworth Jr. (80) Middlesex, VT, 4. Joey Laquerre (15) E. Montpelier, VT, 5. Tom Therrien (48) Hinesburg, VT, 6. Lance Allen (18) Barre, VT, 7. Bobby Therrien (4) Hinesburg, VT, 8. Shawn Fleury (31) Middlesex, VT, 9. Brendan Moodie (94) Wolcott, VT, 10. Matt Potter (23) Marshfield, VT, 11. Brian Delphia (55) Waterbury, VT, 12. Jason Bonnett (79) St. Albans, VT, 13. James Hebert (58) Williamstown, VT, 14. David Finck (37) Barre, VT, 15. Derrick O’Donnell (68) Bradford, VT, 16. Joel Hodgdon (36) Craftsbury, VT, 17. Christopher Lacey (35) Burlington, VT, 18. Jason Corliss (61) Danville, VT, 19. #Neal Foster (19) Waterbury, VT, 20. Tony Rossi (90) Barre, VT, 21. Eric Badore (04) Milton, VT, 22. John Drinkwine (98) Barre, VT, 23. Steven Quenneville (88) Barre, VT, 24. Mark Barnier (0) Essex Jct., VT, 25. Jeff Bousquet (60) Montpelier, VT, 26. Josh Demers (10) Middlesex, VT, 27. Ray Stearns (89) E. Corinth, VT, 28. Jason Allen (33) Northfield, VT.
Allen Lumber Street Stocks and Power Shift Junkyard Warriors Unofficial Feature Results – 1. #Tucker Williams (99ss) Hyde Park, VT, 2. Tommy Smith (50ss) Williamstown, VT, 3. Dave Whitcomb (77ss) Elmore, VT, 4. Jason Corliss (61ss) Danville, VT, 5. Lloyd Blakely (30ss) Graniteville, VT, 6. Martin Ingram (7ss)Essex Jct., VT, 7. Greg Adams Jr. (38ss) Hardwick, VT, 8. Gary Mullen (29ss) Tunbridge, VT, 9. Mike Martin (01ss) Craftbury Comn,VT, 10. Bunker Hodgdon (83ss) Hardwick, VT, 11. David Allen (11ss) North Troy, VT, 12. Marvin Johnson (24ss) Essex Jct., VT, 13. #Jamie Davis (43ss) Wolcott, VT, 14. Ron Gabaree (9ss) Barre, VT, 15. Garry Bashaw (92ss) Lincoln, VT, 16. Michael MacAskill (3ss) Williamstown, VT, 17. David LaFleche (2ss) Graniteville, VT, 18. Bruce Melendy (68ss) Danville, VT, 19. #Danny Doyle (51ss) Hancock, VT, 20. Markus Farnham (13ss) Randolph Ctr, VT, 21. Donny Yates (05jyw) N. Montpelier, VT, 22. Kevin Streeter (61jyw) Waitsfield, VT, 23. Ken Christman (4jyw) Cabot, VT, 24. Keith Fortier (35jyw) Hinesburg, VT, 25. Buddy Chapman (8jyw) Barre, VT, 26. Lance Donald (52jyw) Williamstown, VT, 27. Joe Fecteau (75ss) Hardwick, VT, 28. Timmy Campbell (34ss) W. Topsham, VT, 29. Michael Moore (06ss) East Haven, VT, 30. William Hennequin (47ss) Morrisville, VT.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Maine, Wiscasset Raceway
Wiscasset, ME- The final point’s night at Wiscasset Raceway was a great one. There was a great sponsor, Team Woody’s. Great Fan’s, hundreds of them and above all, great racing action. The Clark’s Car Crushing Pro-Stock title was won by Scott King who finished fifth in the race. The title was King’s first in his 13 year racing career. Chuck Colby won the feature event with Scott Moore hot on his heels and Randy Turner not far behind in third. Fourth went to Gary Smith.
The Steel’s Real Rod’s and Custom’s Late Model’s put on a heck of a show. The thirteen car field saw Seth Raven pick up his second win of the season. A straight away behind him Tyler Robbins caped off a birthday celebration with a second place run while Will Collins finished third. Fourth would go to Adam Chabourne and fifth to Allan Moeller Sr. Chris Thorne won his third straight and fourth overall Late Model championship.
In the Verizon Wireless Super Street division Bernie Dinsmore made it two in a row holding off Bryan Robbins over the last three laps. Third place would go to Allan Moeller Jr. Crossing the line in fourth and fifth were Matt Stuart and 2009 champion Jeremy Glasier.
The New England Transmission’s Strictly Street’s saw Mike Moody pick up the feature victory and his second championship. Jamie Henderson crossed the line in second and Ian Bresnehan third. Fourth went to Maurice Young and fifth to Wally Henderson.
The Aable Auto Parts Mini Stocks had Pete McCollett picking up the feature win. Thomas True finishing second and Ryan Ripley third also had Ripley winning the championship. It was his first at Wiscasset. Chelsea Young did a great job avoiding a wreck early on to finish fourth and Bob Grady turned in a good run in fifth.
U.S. Cellular Mini Truck’s put a great show as well. Ryan Hayes picked up his first championship at 17 years old. He also picked up the win. Second went to Opie Allard and third to Josh Harjula. Fourth would go to Kevin Oliver.
Sat. 26th – Ray Haskell Ford “Fall Brawl” Weekend plus Wicked Good Vintage
Race Cars
(tba)
Sun. 27th – Ray Haskell Ford “Fall Brawl” Weekend
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Canada
Sept 5, 2009
Fredericton, NB – The 1st leg of Speedweekend 2009 started out with a bang and end with a bang on Saturday night. First off it was the 43 cars that tried to qualify for 28 starting positions. This created a hectic set of qualifying heats with several cautions having an impact on the flow of the night. Some might say it was the huge crowd and maybe a few nerves to go with it. Whatever it was, it ended quickly once feature time hit the Geary Woods. The racing action heated up as the temperature dropped.
During qualifying Derek Christie charged his way to a pole position with Brent Roy “the Camry Kid” on the outside pole. With the exception of an early caution because the 12 of Glyn Nott broke the first 75 lap segment treated the Speedway 660 faithful to some awesome racing. Derek Christie led until lap 35 when he got into the back of a lapped car which brought out the caution and sent him all the way to the back for the restart. With Chrisitie’s misfortune Brent Roy and Wade Harris would do battle.
The “Camry Kid” made an impressive pass on the outside just out of turn two on lap 37 to lead the charge and once Harris was passes it looked like he had used up his rubber as he moved back to 5th. On lap 65, Bradley Logan in his #37 was exactly where he wanted to be, on the outside of Brent Roy in 2nd place. Logan would make the outside pass just 1 lap after the green flag restart. He would hold this lead barely until lap 75 when the competition yellow was brought out. As the competition yellow was coming to an end, officials at Speedway 660 instructed the #80 of Dan McNeil to make his way to the pits due to a tire that had been badly damaged during competition. McNeil was able to return to the racing surface just prior to the event going back to green flag racing. In the end this would prove to be a crucial event in the race.
As the race resumed it was Bradley Logan leading the way with Wade Harris in the preferred spot, the upper groove. Once again it proved to be the place to be. Just two laps in Harris made a strong pass on the outside. As the leaders made their way around the Geary oval, McNeil back in last place started to make strong charge to the front with fresh right front tire to aid in his attack on the remaining field of 22. A caution late in lap 89 would see the front of the field bunch up once again allowing McNeil to gain some much needed track position. On lap 90, out of turn 2, Wade Harris slipped just so slightly and the no 9 of Derek Christie took it three wide down the backstretch making the pass on Harris and the “Camry Kid” Brent Roy on the inside. With the entire crowd of over 6,500 people on the edge of their seats, the 5 of Wade Harris made the right move and backed off to avoid what would most certainly have been a huge wreck. Meanwhile Logan took advantage of the side by side racing behind him to take a 3 car length lead over Christie and the 26 of Roy.
With just 35 laps left, Christie seemed to all but use up what he had left for rubber as he dropped back one by one in the field. Logan in his Dairy Queen ride seemed unbeatable at this point but the top 5 thought otherwise. Logan going nose to tail with the Harris knew he had to be perfect with only 15 laps to go or the veteran Harris would make him pay dearly. That slip looked like it might happen as the leaders crossed the line at 142 but Logan was able to gather it up and looked like he had it when Wade Harris got the caution he was looking for on lap 147. That put the 5 car of Harris in the preferred outside lane for what looked like a 3 lap shootout between the two front runners Harris and Logan….boy was I wrong, along with the other Geary faithful in attendance. ! On the restart Logan and Harris battled for the next 1.5 laps when Logan drifted up the racetrack on the backstretch seemingly to do what any driver might do in that situation; protect the lead. Harris had to back off and did everything he could to save the car. While this happened a complete shuffle took place with the #80 of Dan McNeil diving for the bottom of the racetrack and a 2nd place position. McNeil with his newly found rubber post the 75 lap competition yellow made the #80 stick like glue on the inside lane, something most had not been able to do all night. With just a half lap left, the stage was set for the most dramatic finish in the history of the O’Leary Pontiac Excitement 150. McNeil made the unthinkable pass on the inside coming out of turn 4 on the final lap to win the biggest race of his life not to mention a cool $ 2,000 for his heroics. McNeil vibrating from his win arrived on the Auto Pride Victory Lane stage and proceeded to the rooftop of his Chevy Monte Carlo Snooty Fox #80. As he jumped up in celebration, the fireworks display wowed the crowd and the 1st event of SPEEDWEEKEND 2009 was complete.
The Atlantic Open Wheel modifieds also put on great show in their 30 lap main event with Shelley Stewart of Emerald PEI taking home the checkers in a very popular win with the crowd. Mike Raeburn and Mark Price rounded out the top three respectively.
On a side note of interest, over 45 pro stocks practiced on Saturday in preparation for the Peterbilt 250 on Sunday.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Maine, Speedway 95
Hermon’s Scott Modery finally dug his Late Model racer out of the garage last week after spending the summer helping his son, Ryan, learn to race and win the points title in the Stars of Tomorrow, a division for 11-14 year olds. In only his second race at Speedway 95 this season, Scott picked up the win in the Late Model Division Saturday night. One caution flag interrupted the race when Joey Doyon of Winterport and Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs spun on the backstretch, sending Ryan Deane of Winterport off the track and into the turn three tire wall. All drivers recovered to return to the race. Modery took the lead on the restart, and while he was leading by a couple of car lengths, Fred Brown of Winterport and Dale Swoboda of Hermon were having a tight battle for the second and third spots over the last 15 laps of the event. The two veteran drivers raced side by side, with Brown on the outside and Swoboda on the inside. Brown came out ahead when the checkered flag fell, finishing the race in second, with Swoboda in third. Josh St. Clair of Liberty and John Phippen Jr, of Bar Harbor rounded out the top five. Seekins won the qualifier and started the race on the pole.
The Little Enduro Division put on the show of the night as 21 cars took the green flag for the first race in a two race series to finish out the Saturday night season. Travis Beale of Hampden led the first five laps until a tap from Jason Trundy sent Beale high on the track, allowing Trundy to get by on the inside. Beale did a masterful job of controlling his car and managed to hold on to the second spot. Trundy led until a red flag on lap 17, caused when David Ogden of Old Town and Dennis Burns of Carmel went off the track in turn 1, tightened the field up for the restart. Trundy got the jump on the restart, but another red halted the field on lap 18. This time it was for Mark Lane of Newport and Burns, again, colliding in turn 1. Beale got the lead on the restart and battled with Trundy until lap 22 when Beale got caught on the outside behind a slower car. Trundy retook the lead on the low side and went on the post the win. Beale finished in second, with Kyle Gallant picking up third. Darren Durrell of Newburgh was fourth with Donny Blanchard of Orrington finished fifth. Mike Ogden of Bucksport and Beale won the qualifiers.
Doug Day of Glenburn started the Strictly Street feature in the 5th spot, but by lap 4 had raced his way into the lead which he held to the finish in the caution free event. Not too far behind, Travis Poulin of Holden and points leader Bradley Norris of Ellsworth were holding their own side by side race for the second and third spots. On lap 20, Poulin used the slower car of Dover-Foxcroft’s Brad Finnemore for a pick and forced Norris to back off and slide in behind him in third. Not content there, Norris clawed his way back beside Poulin to take second place by a nose at the checkers. Poulin finished third with Shawn Hamel II of Bangor fourth and Shawn Hamel of Bangor in fifth. Day also won the 10 lap qualifier.
Steve Moulton and Kris Watson are in a close battle for the points title in the Super Streets and their one-two finish in the feature on Saturday night showed why. Moulton started the event in the 8th spot, and by lap three had worked his way into the lead. Meanwhile Watson, who broke his car at Unity on Friday night, borrowed a car from Dave St. Clair, with permission from Josh St. Clair, the driver scheduled to be in the car,
and chased Moulton for the entire event, finishing a close second. The newest driver in the St. Clair family, 15 year old Ryan St. Clair of Liberty, grandson of David and brother of Josh, drove a strong race to come from the rear to finish in third. Artie Maguire of Bucksport was fourth with Lindsey Young finishing fifth. The race was stopped by caution only once when Hermon’s Doug Sinclair and Franklin’s Mike Overlock tangled in the fourth turn and ended up in the tire wall. Both drivers recovered without assistance from the track crews and continued in the race. Moulton was the winner of the qualifier earlier in the evening.
Racing action was superb again in the Sport-Fours as Gary Richards of Stetson picked up his second win of the season. Behind him, Kyle Gallant of Veazie and Rick Grant of LaGrange had a fierce battle going for the second and third spots with Gallant coming out ahead when the checkered flag fell. Grant finished third, but was unable to make the post race interview as his radiator exploded just past the finish line, causing him to spin off the track in turn one in his own water. Fortunately for the rest of the field, he was on the outside and they were able to avoid the mess by staying low on the track. Points leader David Green of Hampden finished in fourth with James Johnson II of Bucksport in fifth.
Green won the 10 lap qualifier.
The final event of the 2009 racing season at Speedway 95 will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 6:30. Highlighting the card, which includes the Super Streets, Strictly Streets, Sport-Fours and Little Enduros, will be race 2 of the Linnehan’s Credit Now Auto Company Triple Crown series for Late Models. This race will be 54 laps and pay $1754 to the winner. The friends and Family of Bob Coburn, a former driver of the #54 Pro Stock at the speedway who passed away in June, have raised $1054 to add to the normal $700 first prize and asked that the race be run for 54 laps in his memory. In addition, Linnehan’s Credit Now Auto Company will be holding a drawing during the night that will award three prizes to lucky fans in attendance in the grandstand. First prize will be $1000.00 cash, second is a Dale Earnhardt collectible die cast, and third prize will be 2 tickets to the Sprint Cup race in Louden N.H. on Sept 20. The final leg of the Linnehan’s Triple Crown Series will be held at Unity Raceway on Sunday. October 11.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Beech Ridge, Maine
Scarborough, Maine- Mike Rowe won his fourth straight Pro Series feature race and was crowned champion in the process. Travis Buzzell scored his first Sports Series feature win and Russ Morse secured his first division championship. Randy Snow won the Wildcat feature race and Lyman McKeage held on to win the division title. In the Road Runner division Brian Graffam won the 20 lap feature and Shawn Brackett repeated as champion.
Steven Jones led a strong field of 21 Pro Series cars to the green flag jumping into the early lead. Bill Whorff was having a very strong race and pulled even with Jones in a battle for the lead on lap 6. Whorff took over the top spot at lap 9 but Jones and Whorff made contact sending both cars spinning and handing the lead to Dan McKeage.
McKeage would hold the lead through lap 13 but Mike Rowe had moved to second place and had McKeage in his cross hairs looking for that fourth consecutive win. Rowe pulled to the outside of McKeage on lap 14 and took the lead with Trevor Sanborn moving to second place. Rowe would go on to take the win with Sanborn second and McKeage third. Bill Rodgers and Aaron Ricker were fourth and fifth.
Travis Buzzell won his first career Sport Series feature race cruising to the victory. Buzzell led from the pole position and despite a lap 6 caution flag was never challenged for the lead. When the checkered flag waved Buzzell had a full straight lead over second place finisher Nate Leavitt with the race for third place coming to the finish line looking like a pace lap. Third was awarded to Dalton Gagnon with Ben Tinker fourth. Robert Emery took fifth place honors. Russ Morse clinched his first division championship.
Randy Snow was looking like a feature winner several weeks ago when a mechanical problem forced him out of the race with just a few laps remaining while leading. On Saturday night Snow took down an hard fought victory after a 26 alp side by side duel with Brian Caswell. David Wildes was the third place finisher with Steve Benincasa fourth. Dan Bean took fifth place. Lyman McKeage struggled home with a 16th place finish but that was enough to win the Wildcat championship.
Brian Graffam creamed the Road Runner division winning by a quarter of a lap. The race for second place between Shawn Brackett and Ray Letellier was also the race for the championship. Letellier would finish second with Brackett third. Dave Cameron and Matt Dow rounded out the top 5 finishers and the third place finish for Brackett won him his second consecutive division crown.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | NASCAR, New England
Needing a win to stay in the hunt for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national title hunt, Keith Rocco did just that Saturday night. After a fourth-place finish in the first 25-lap SK Modified feature at the Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl, Rocco capped the evening with a win in the second feature.
The Wallingford, Conn., driver entered the weekend 34 points behind Philip Morris of Ruckersville, Va. Rocco was tied with Omaha, Neb. driver Bill Leighton Jr. with 801 points.
Morris and Leighton were both in action Saturday night, as well. Morris wrecked while battling for the lead at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and did not finish the race, while Leighton finished sixth at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb.
Rocco failed to improve his points total with a third at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway Thursday and a 15th at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Friday. Saturday’s performance, however, came with a full field of 23 cars at Waterford, allowing Rocco to unofficially jump to 816. Morris remains at 835 and Leighton at 801.
All points totals are unofficial until released by NASCAR Points & Membership Department on Tuesday.
The deadline for races to count toward NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and national points is Sunday, Sept. 13. A driver’s best 18 results are counted toward their state and national points totals.
Rocco started 12th in the first feature at Waterford Saturday and got up as high as third before settling for a fourth-place run behind race winner Justin Gaydosh.
“We were good enough to win the first one, we just ran out of time,” Rocco said. “It was hard to get to the front.”
Rocco started eighth in the second feature and took the lead just past the halfway point. It was Rocco’s sixth win of the year at Waterford and his 13th overall.
He is scheduled to finish next weekend with asphalt Modified division races at Thompson (Thursday), Stafford (Friday) and Waterford (Saturday). Unofficially, he needs at least one win, and a minimum second and third in the other two features – contigent on each of the races having a full field of 23 cars – to tie Morris.
[b]Rocco Closes Ground On Morris Nets a win and a fourth at Waterford, while national points leader wrecks at South Boston[/b] Needing a win to stay in the hunt for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national title hunt, Keith Rocco did just that Saturday night. After a fourth-place finish in the first 25-lap SK Modified feature at the Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl, Rocco capped the evening with a win in the second feature. The Wallingford, Conn., driver entered the weekend 34 points behind Philip Morris of Ruckersville, Va. Rocco was tied with Omaha, Neb. driver Bill Leighton Jr. with 801 points. Morris and Leighton were both in action Saturday night, as well. Morris wrecked while battling for the lead at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and did not finish the race, while Leighton finished sixth at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. Rocco failed to improve his points total with a third at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway Thursday and a 15th at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Friday. Saturday’s performance, however, came with a full field of 23 cars at Waterford, allowing Rocco to unofficially jump to 816. Morris remains at 835 and Leighton at 801. All points totals are unofficial until released by NASCAR Points & Membership Department on Tuesday. The deadline for races to count toward NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and national points is Sunday, Sept. 13. A driver’s best 18 results are counted toward their state and national points totals. Rocco started 12th in the first feature at Waterford Saturday and got up as high as third before settling for a fourth-place run behind race winner Justin Gaydosh. “We were good enough to win the first one, we just ran out of time,” Rocco said. “It was hard to get to the front.” Rocco started eighth in the second feature and took the lead just past the halfway point. It was Rocco’s sixth win of the year at Waterford and his 13th overall. He is scheduled to finish next weekend with asphalt Modified division races at Thompson (Thursday), Stafford (Friday) and Waterford (Saturday). Unofficially, he needs at least one win, and a minimum second and third in the other two features – contigent on each of the races having a full field of 23 cars – to tie Morris.[b]Rocco Closes Ground On Morris Nets a win and a fourth at Waterford, while national points leader wrecks at South Boston[/b] Needing a win to stay in the hunt for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national title hunt, Keith Rocco did just that Saturday night. After a fourth-place finish in the first 25-lap SK Modified feature at the Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl, Rocco capped the evening with a win in the second feature. The Wallingford, Conn., driver entered the weekend 34 points behind Philip Morris of Ruckersville, Va. Rocco was tied with Omaha, Neb. driver Bill Leighton Jr. with 801 points. Morris and Leighton were both in action Saturday night, as well. Morris wrecked while battling for the lead at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and did not finish the race, while Leighton finished sixth at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. Rocco failed to improve his points total with a third at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway Thursday and a 15th at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway Friday. Saturday’s performance, however, came with a full field of 23 cars at Waterford, allowing Rocco to unofficially jump to 816. Morris remains at 835 and Leighton at 801. All points totals are unofficial until released by NASCAR Points & Membership Department on Tuesday. The deadline for races to count toward NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and national points is Sunday, Sept. 13. A driver’s best 18 results are counted toward their state and national points totals. Rocco started 12th in the first feature at Waterford Saturday and got up as high as third before settling for a fourth-place run behind race winner Justin Gaydosh. “We were good enough to win the first one, we just ran out of time,” Rocco said. “It was hard to get to the front.” Rocco started eighth in the second feature and took the lead just past the halfway point. It was Rocco’s sixth win of the year at Waterford and his 13th overall. He is scheduled to finish next weekend with asphalt Modified division races at Thompson (Thursday), Stafford (Friday) and Waterford (Saturday). Unofficially, he needs at least one win, and a minimum second and third in the other two features – contigent on each of the races having a full field of 23 cars – to tie Morris.
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