by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | NASCAR
HAMPTON, Ga. (Sept. 5, 2009) — Kevin Harvick passed polesitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the next-to-last lap and pulled away to win Saturday night’s Degree V12 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch, who also passed Earnhardt on Lap 194 of 195, ran second and padded his NASCAR Nationwide Series points lead from 192 to 221 over second-place Carl Edwards, who completed the race despite fracturing two bones in his right foot playing Frisbee on Wednesday. Edwards finished seventh, one lap down.
After pitting for the last time on Lap 125, Earnhardt saved enough fuel to make it to the end of the race but couldn’t stay ahead of Busch and Harvick, who came to the pits for four tires and gas on Lap 181 and 182, respectively.
Brad Keselowski came home fourth, followed by Jeff Burton and Joey Logano.
“Kyle was a little better on the short runs there, but after about eight or 10 laps, this thing was just flat-out awesome,” Harvick said of his No. 33 Chevrolet. “We cut it a little bit closer than I would have liked to there at the end. …
“It was nice to race the 18 (Busch) head-to-head like that and have fun with him. I really thought everybody had to pit. Just a great night for the fans who came out to watch the race — Dale Jr. on strategy, Kyle good on short runs and us good after about 10 laps — so you had all kinds of that good Atlanta racing tonight.”
Earnhardt credited his crew, which included former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. in a consulting role, with a good call in the pits.
“We saved enough gas, and we finished closer to them two guys than we were on the racetrack,” Earnhardt said. “So I guess it was the right call. We just didn’t have enough at the end to hold them off. I tried to get going when they were coming. … Hopefully we put on a good show for the fans out there.”
Harvick held a lead of more than six seconds when NASCAR called the third caution of the race on Lap 124 because of debris in Turn 2, ending a green-flag run of 79 laps. At that point, there were five cars on the lead lap.
Busch, however, won the race off pit road after the lead-lap cars pitted for tires and fuel under yellow. After a restart on Lap 129, he and Harvick battled side-by-side for five laps, before Busch edged ahead and stayed out front until Lap 147.
Harvick’s car, however, was stronger on long runs, and the driver of the No. 33 Chevrolet passed Busch for the lead with 48 laps left and began to pull away. His lead had reached more than seven seconds when he pulled into the pits on Lap 182.
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Maine, Oxford Plains Speedway
OXFORD, Maine – Two of Oxford Plains Speedway’s three headline championships have been clinched with a week to spare, each by repeat offenders.
With a sixth-place finish Saturday night, Travis Adams wrapped up his fourth consecutive Late Model title and his fifth overall at OPS. Only Jeff Taylor (nine) and Mike Rowe (seven) have won more in any divisions at the 3/8-mile oval.
Skip Tripp won for the fifth time in his last six Strictly Stock starts and his eighth overall to capture that crown for the second year in a row.
The only driver unable to close the deal was Justin Karkos, who retired early from the Polly’s Variety 100 Mini Stock main event and settled for a 14th-place finish.
All is not lost for Karkos, who needs only to start his heat and feature race next weekend to cement his first career championship.
Reigning champion Ashley Marshall dominated the four-cylinder finale for his third Mini Stock victory of the season, putting everyone except the second and third place cars one lap down..
It applied an exclamation point to what has been a frustrating season for Marshall, whose team has sustained no fewer than five engine failures in its title defense.
“I just gave it some and it’s still ticking,” said Marshall, referring to a series of celebratory tire doughnuts. “There’s no way I would be here without all the time and effort my dad (Jeff) has put into this car this year.”
Calvin Rose Jr. gave himself a mathematical chance at the championship and solidified his rookie of the year credentials with a runner-up finish. He dedicated the run to his mother, Bonnie, who was just released from a two-week stay in the hospital with a life-threatening condition.
Jeff Beaule made it two rookies on the podium with his initial third-place trophy.
Marshall’s win was slowed only twice by caution, the final time at lap 90, By then, he had a buffer zone of five lapped cars between himself and Rose.
Tim Brackett put on a clinic in the 40-lap Late Model showdown, charging from the rear of the field in the outside lane to log his third win of the season.
“Was that awesome or what? That’s the best the car has gone since we’ve been back here,” said Brackett, a 2005 OPS champion who returned to the speedway in midseason of ’08. “It’s good to be home, and this (victory lane) is the best place of all.”
Scott Luce led most of the event before yielding to Brackett on lap 27 and settling for a season’s best second. Shawn Martin used a last-lap pass of Jeff White to collect third, with Jimmy Childs fifth.
Tripp steered clear of a tangle between the top two cars of Mike St. Germain and Matt Williams on lap 10 and dominated a green-white-checkered restart to seal his title defense.
The father-son tandem of Larry and Zach Emerson was second and third, respectively, followed by Kim Tripp and a resurgent St. Germain.
Corey Williams claimed his first OPS checkered flag in more than 10 years of trying, leading wire-to-wire in the 20-lap Sport Truck feature.
John Lizotte took second and clinched the title in the Acceleration Series Saturday Showdown, joining his father Jon as an Oxford champion. Wednesday night point leader Ryan Farrar took third.
Derek Cook and birthday boy John Childs took the checkered flags in twin, 20-lap Runnin’ Rebel features. Kyle Hewins, third in the ‘A’ feature in the car normally driven by his nephew, Ryan, held on for his second Saturday Showdown championship in three years.
MINI STOCK (100 laps): 1. Ashley Marshall, Jay; 2. Calvin Rose Jr., Turner; 3. Jeff Beaule, Lewiston; 4. Jake Burns, Gray; 5. Butch Keene, Turner; 6. Dan Morris, Auburn; 7. Kevin Bishop, South Paris; 8. Matt Moore, South Paris; 9. Greg Watkins, Bridgton; 10. Nathan Guptill, North Turner; 11. Darrell Moore, Mechanic Falls; 12. Dale Brackett, Oxford; 13. Jimmy Childs, Leeds; 14. Justin Karkos, Jay; 15. Nik Coates, Lisbon; 16. Jim Robbins, Dixfield; 17. Greg Aptt, Oxford; 18. Travis Dunbar, Lisbon. DQ: Larry Melcher, Livermore Falls.
LATE MODEL (40 laps): 1. Tim Brackett, Buckfield; 2. Scott Luce, Strong; 3. Shawn Martin, Turner; 4. Jeff White, Winthrop; 5. Jimmy Childs, Leeds; 6. Travis Adams, Canton; 7. Al Hammond, Paris; 8. Corey Morgan, Lewiston; 9. Ben Ashline, Pittston; 10. Gary Chiasson, Peru; 11. Shawn Knight, South Paris; 12. Kenny Harrison, Pownal; 13. Gerald Parlin, South Paris; 14. Don Wentworth, Otisfield; 15. Billy Childs Jr., Leeds; 16. Tommy Ricker, Poland; 17. Jason Larrabee, Raymond; 18. Tyler Knightly, Paris.
STRICTLY STOCK (30 laps): 1. Skip Tripp, Poland; 2. Larry Emerson, Durham; 3. Zach Emerson, Durham; 4. Kim Tripp, Oxford; 5. Mike St. Germain, Auburn; 6. Mike Short, Auburn; 7. Sumner Sessions, Norway; 8. Keith Stuart, Naples; 9. Rick Spaulding, Lisbon; 10. Vern Hodgkin, Lewiston; 11. Jeremy Wescott, Naples; 12. Derek Farrington, Freeport; 13. B.J. Chapman, Bridgton; 14. Matt Williams, Brownfield; 15. Nick Hoyt, Mechanic Falls.
RUNNIN’ REBEL ‘A’ (20 laps): 1. John Childs, Leeds; 2. Matt Dufault, Turner; 3. Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 4. Scott Farrington, Minot; 5. Zach Audet, Wilton; 6. Troy Jordan, Turner; 7. Doug Degroat, Oxford; 8. Brady Romano, Livemore Falls; 9. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 10. Corey Beaulieu, Oxford; 11. Craig Farrington, Hebron; 12. Jamie Heath, Waterford; 13. Roger Bourgoin, Sabattus.
RUNNIN’ REBEL ‘B’ (20 laps): 1. Derek Cook, Livermore Falls; 2. Jeff Hebert, Auburn; 3. Dustin Salley, Auburn; 4. Jason Berry, Turner; 5. Mark Childs Jr., Mechanic Falls; 6. Craig Bartlett, Denmark; 7. Derek Cairns, Waterford; 8. Jonah Farrington, Hebron; 9. Charlie Hall, Oxford; 10. Cody Smith, Oxford; 11. Bob Lucas, Peru; 12. Don Smith, Oxford; 13. Brandon Palmer, Bridgton; 14. Mikel Tabor, Auburn.
SPORT TRUCK (20 laps): 1. Corey Williams, Sumner; 2. John Lizotte, Mechanic Falls; 3. Ryan Farrar, Oxford; 4. Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls; 5. Nathan Merrill, Norway; 6. Ken Varney, South Paris; 7. Sean Jordan, Auburn; 8. Ryan Varney, South Paris. DQ: Herb Farrar, Sumner.
by Jay | Sep 5, 2009 | Maine, Unity
Unity, Maine – Josh St. Clair of Liberty and Steve Moulton of Holden were winners in the top two classes at Unity Raceway Friday night, while two feature wins were scored by both Carl McAlpine of Burnham and Molly Feeney of Hope on a busy racing program including three make-up features previously postponed by summer rain.
Other feature winners on Benton Family Fun Park Night included Clinton’s Ben Clark, Steve Rackliff of Starks, Kyle Gallant of Veazie, Mike Mason of Skowhegan and Chris Burbelo of Frankfort.
Josh St. Clair continued his impressive string of top-notch finishes in his Unity Raceway appearances with a hotly-contested victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature. St. Clair and eventual runner-up Brian Whitney of Burnham both worked their way from the back of the starting grid to get by early race leader Kevin Douglass of Sidney, then squared off on a pair of late-race restarts where the lead tandem made contact on a couple of occasions before the third-generation teen from Liberty prevailed under the checkered flag.
Scott Modery of Hermon chased St. Clair and Whitney under the checkered flag, but his third-place finish was negated in post-race inspection due to a carburetor violation. Modery’s troubles made Douglass the official third-place finisher, with the top five filled out by Ajay Picard of Palmyra and Skip Conner of Oakland. Modery crossed the line first in the heat race.
Steve Moulton’s Super Street division feature victory was of the come-from-behind variety, as he chased down race-long leader Donnie York of Thorndike and got to the lead only about 100 feet before the checkered flag waved over the side-by-side combatants. Moulton edged out York by about two feet, with Shaun Austin of Norridewock picking up the third-place trophy. John Kalel II of Orrington ran in second position for most of the race before settling for fourth position at the finish line, with the top-five rundown completed by Ryan St.Clair of Liberty. Moulton also won the heat race.
Carl McAlpine won twice in Wildcat division feature race competition, which found the top five finishing positions in both races to be identical when all was said and done. Maurice Young of Windsor was runner-up in both races, nearly claiming victory in the second go-around. Luke Rickards of Anson nailed down a pair of third-place finishes for his best night of the season, with reigning Wildcat division champion Dustin Hubbard of Unity claiming fourth position in both main events. Brent Chase of Burnham, a winner for the first time in Wildcat competition a week earlier, posted a pair of fifth-place finishes. McAlpine also carried the checkered flag following the heat race.
Ben Clark and Steve Rackliff split top honors in the two Late Model Pro Four feature events.
Clark prevailed in the first main event to pick up his second win of the season in dominant fashion. The Clinton teenager was chased under the checkered flag by Augusta’s Corey Walker and Benton’s Jimmy Dennis, the latter bouncing back from a first-lap spin while challenging Clark for the race lead. Bryan Lancaster of Skowhegan and Ben Nile of Anson rounded out the top five.
Rackliff outran Clark to earn his trip to victory lane in the regularly-scheduled Late Model Pro Four feature race. Walker, Lancaster and Dennis finished in third through fifth positions. Clark drove to victory in the heat race.
Kyle Gallant cruised to victory lane in the Monsta Mini main event. Defending division champion Mike Wilson of Chelsea made Gallant work for the win, holding the eventual victor off for more than half of the race before yielding the top position. Wilson went on to finish in the runner-up slot, with Dyaln Lancaster of Skowhegan grabbing the final trophy. Rick Grant of LaGrange finished fourth, followed by Ben Clark of Clinton. Gallant also won the heat race.
Mike Mason won the Flyin’ 4 feature event, adding to his impressive victory total just hours after being named Unity Raceway’s ‘Driver of the Month’ for August. Mason’s latest victory wasn’t as easy as many of his earlier conquests, as Pete McCollett of Readfield dogged the Skowhegan racer throughout the 20-lap distance en route to a second-place finish in his first appearance of the season at Unity Raceway. Natasha Dyer of Arrowsic led the first hale of the event as both Mason and McCollett worked their way from the rear of the starting lineup. Dyer ended up with the third-place trophy, with top-five finishes also posted by Cody Sleeper of Augusta and 15-year-old Brad Bosworth of Cornville, making his first start in the class after posting several wins in the Teen Thunder division, which had the night off. Dyer and McCollett won the Flyin’ 4 heat races.
Molly Feeney of Hope added to her division-leading win total in Ladies competition with a pair of feature race victories. Feeney, who has missed several events due to other commitments, isn’t a contender for the 2009 track championship, but she certainly has established herself as the lady to beat at Unity Raceway.
In the first Ladies main event Alica Goodwin of Clinton was closest to the flying number 14 driven by Feeney. Mika Wilson of Chelsea crossed the line in third position, followed by Shelby Kimball of Cornville – rebounding after a trip into the frontstretch sand pile – and Kayla Allen of Bucksport.
Feeney’s closest rival in the nightcap was division point leader Kimball, with Carmel’s Becky Elston earning third-place honors. Kayla Allen and Mika Wilson rounded out the top five. Kimball won the Ladies heat race.
Enduro division racers were turned around to race in the opposite direction on the thiord-mile oval, and they provided their most entertaining race of the season with Chris Burbelo prevailing after running most of the event side-by-side with multi-time winner Patrick Cook of Swanville, who finished in second position. Young Matt Kimball of Cornville made up a lot of ground late in the race to finish third, and he may have been a factor in deciding the winner had the race been just a bit longer. Chad Michaud of Fairfield was fourth across the line, followed by Daymon Dodge of Troy.
The Wicked Good Vintage Racing Association joins all of the regular weekly divisions on Bangor Savings Bank night this Friday (September 11).. NWA On Fire Wrestling & Racing returns to Unity Raceway on Friday, September 18. Post time on both nights has been set for 6:30 p.m. For more information visit unityraceway..info or call (207) 453-2021.
Late Model: 1. Josh St. Clair, Liberty; 2. Brian Whitney, Burnham; 3. Kevin Douglass, Sidney; 4. Ajay Picard, Palmyra; 5. Skip Conner, Oakland; 6. Dylan Turner, Freedom; 7. Darren Doucette, Sidney; 8. Dave St. Clair, Liberty; 9. Chris Doucette, Casco; DQ Scott Modery, Hermon.
Super Street: 1. Steve Moulton, Holden; 2. Donnie York, Thorndike; 3. Shaun Austin, Norridgewock; 4. John kalel II, Orrington; 5. Ryan St. Clair, Liberty; 6. Michael Fortier, Winslow; 7. Steve Rackliff, Starks; 8. Hal Stratton, Belgrade; 9. Kris Watson, Hermon.
Wildcat (make-up): 1. Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 2. Maurice Young, Windsor; 3. Luke Rickards, Anson; 4. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 5. Brent Chase, Burnham; 6. Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 7. Chris King, Burnham.
Wildcat: 1. Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 2. Maurice Young, Chelsea; 3. Luke Rickards, Anson; 4. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 5. Brent Chase, Burnham; 6. Chris King, Burnham; 7. Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 8. Bo Ivey, Winslow; 9. Jason Alton, Burnham; 10.Nate Yeaton, Lisbon Falls; 11. Chet Hanscom, Benton.
Late Model Pro Four (make-up): 1.Ben Clark, Clinton; 2.. Corey Walker, Augusta; 3. Jimmy Dennis, Benton; 4. Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 5. Ben Nile, Anson; 6. Steve Rackliff, Starks; 7. Norm Cummings, Jr., Augusta; 8. Greg Cummings, China.
Late Model Pro Four: 1. Steve Rackliff, Starks; 2. Ben Clark, Clinton; 3. Corey Walker, Augusta; 4. Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 5. Jimmy Dennis, Benton.
Monsta Mini: 1. Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 2. Mike Wilson, Chelsea; 3. Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 4. Rick Grant, LaGrange; 5. Ben Clark, Clinton; 6. Alex Cromwell, Woolwich; 7. Derrick Cook, Wilton; 8. Dom Bailey, Benton; 9. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 10. Chris Williams, Oakland.
Flyin’ 4: 1.. Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 2. Pete McCollett, Readfield; 3. Natasha Dyer, Arrowsic; 4. Cody Sleeper, Augusta; 5. Brad Bosworth, Cornville; 6. Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 7. Derek Cook, Wilton; 8. Jordan Hawes, Skowhegan; 9. Nick Lizotte, Sidney; 10. Chris Williams, Oakland; 11. Merv Greene, Clinton; Tony DeJulio, Ellsworth.
Ladies (make-up): 1. Molly Feeney, Hope; 2. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 3. Mika Wilson, Chelsea; 4. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 5. Kayla Allen, Bucksport; 6. Carol Wilson, Chelsea.
Ladies: 1. Molly Feeney, Hope; 2. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 3. Becky Elston, Carmel; 4. Kayla Allen, Bucksport; 5. Mika Wilson, Chelsea; 6. Alica Goodwin, Clinton.
Enduro (top five): 1. Chris Burbelo, Frankfort; 2. Patrick Cook, Swanville; 3. Matt Kimball, Cornville; 4. Chad Michaud, Fairfield; 5. Daymon Dodge, Troy.
by Jay | Sep 5, 2009 | ACT, New England, New Hampshire
Claremont, NH – Brent Dragon of Milton, VT scored his second feature win of the week in American Canadian Tour competition. Dragon took home the win in the Twin State 100 at Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH after winning the Showdown at Chaudiere just five days ago. It was Dragon’s first win of the 2009 ACT Tour season.
Dragon took over the lead after Phil Scott was involved in a lap 82 accident. Prior to the accident Scott had led every lap after starting on the pole. Dragon came from the fourth starting position to challenge Scott before the wreck. John Donahue challenged Dragon for the final 17 laps but settled for second, followed by point leader Scott Payea in third. Young Joey Doiron came home fourth followed by Brian Hoar to round out the top five. Quebec’s Daniel Descoste finished sixth followed by Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Ben Rowe, Aaron Fellows and Dallas Trombley completed the top ten.
The 100 green flag laps were completed in just under 45 minutes with sixth cautions. Thirty cars started the event with 14 cars finishing on the lead lap. Forty-one cars attempted to qualify.
Dragon has already qualified for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 19 with both a win on the Serie ACT Castrol at Riverside Speedway and with last week’s win in the Showdown at Chaudiere. Twenty-eight drivers have received invites with more to be announced next week.
The American Canadian Tour Championship Stock Cars will be back in action in just two days, as they finished off their Labor Day weekend doubleheader at Thunder Road International Speedbowl. Sunday, September 6 will mark the running of the 31st Annual Bond Auto Labor Day Classic. Local divisions will start their qualifying on Saturday, September 5 at 3 pm. Also Saturday will be a practice session for the ACT Tour. Sunday’s action will begin at 1:30 pm.
Unofficial Twin State 100 Results
American Canadian Tour
Friday, September 4, 2009
Pos Car # Driver Laps
1 55VT Brent Dragon 100
2 26VT John Donahue 100
3 89 Scott Payea 100
4 73ME #Joey Doiron 100
5 37 Brian Hoar 100
6 2 Daniel Descoste 100
7 97NH Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. 100
8 10NH Ben Rowe 100
9 29 Aaron Fellows 100
10 25 Dallas Trombley 100
11 10QC Stéphane Descoste 100
12 02NH Randy Potter 100
13 79 Darrell Keane 100
14 55NH Phil Scott 100
15 4 Chris Riendeau 99
16 38VT Tyler Cahoon 99
17 18 Jamie Fisher 99
18 34 Todd Davis 99
19 41 Pete Potvin, III 99
20 33 Marc Palmisano 99
21 9VT Chip Grenier 93
22 11 Bryan Town 92
23 27 Chris Bergeron 92
24 77NH Mark Hayward 89
25 81 Punky Caron 73
26 8 Guy Caron 70
27 7VT Eric Williams 62
28 44 Dennis Stange 48
29 51ME Ricky Rolfe 39
30 7ME Glen Luce 17
by Jay | Sep 5, 2009 | Video
A recap of the races that took place at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, CT on the night of (more…)
by Jay | Sep 4, 2009 | NASCAR, New England, Thompson
Lia Scores Two-Straight in WMT Action with Win at Thompson
Red-Hot Pennink Scores Career First Sunoco Mod
Ramstrom, O’Sullivan, Barnett, Tagg & Churchill Weekly Winners
Thompson, CT (September 3, 2009): The Whelen Modified Tour headed to Thompson International Speedway for the make-up of the event regularly scheduled for August 13, 2009. Donny Lia of Jericho, NY, in Bob Garbarino’s Mystic Missile was the show on Thursday night. Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon, PA, who has been enjoying strong seasons in both the Whelen Modified Tour and the True Value Modified Series, has now tasted victory in the Sunoco Modified Series with his victory at Thompson on Thursday.
Victories helped Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, and Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, stretch their point leads in the Super Late Model and Limited Sportsman divisions respectively. After post race tech, Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA; was awarded his third Late Model victory of the season. Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, streaked in TIS Modified competition with his second straight victory. Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, took down his first Mini Stock feature event win at Thompson.
Donny Lia, the 2007 Series champion, earned the Coors Light Pole Award with a lap at 119.847 MPH for 18.774 seconds. He went on to lead a number of laps and he likely passed the most cars. After the redraw, Lia started ninth. He made his first appearance at the head of the pack early in the race dualing with the likes of fellow former champions Christopher and Todd Szegedy. During a heated battle with Christopher for the lead on lap 106, contact sent Lia spinning.
The Jericho, NY, driver did a masterful job of keeping his car off the wall. He restarted at the tail of the field. He had meticulously worked his way through traffic. By lap 120, he was inside of the top five. The benefit of a well-placed caution lined Lia up with the likes of Szegedy, Christopher and Rowan Pennink. At lap 140, Donny Lia was the new leader. At lap 150, he was the winner. Christopher settled for the second spot over Szegedy. Rowan Pennink and Keith Rocco rounded out the top five.
Pennink of Huntingdon, PA, had a stellar night; wiring the field earlier in the night to score his first-ever Thompson Speedway victory and career first Sunoco Modified feature event win. Pennink led the opening lap but immediately had his hands full with Kerry Malone and Ted Christopher. Pennink was able to maintain the lead as Malone settled back in line ahead of Christopher. The fiercest battle amid the pack was for the fourth position between Tim Sullivan, Keith Rocco and Woody Pitkat. Sullivan had the spot with Rocco and Pitkat within striking distance. The action cooled when the first caution flew for a spin by Harry Rheaume.
On the restart, Malone was able to get the edge but his advancement was for naught as the caution flew before the leaders could get out of turn two. The dreadful season for Sullivan continued as he made hard contact with the outside wall in turn one to bring out the second caution. Malone got slightly out of shape on the ensuing restart making contact with Ted Christopher. Christopher slid through the infield making contact with the inside wall on the front stretch. The damage forced Christopher to retire from the event.
Rocco looked like he was shot out of a cannon on the restart moving to the second spot. Pitkat was able to get by Malone as well. A quick restart allowed Pitkat to gain another spot into the second position. Ronnie Silk, the new driver of the TS Haulers #12, made his first appearance inside the top five. After a stop on pit road, Danny Cates had come back to ride in the sixth spot.
A bobble by leader Pennink exiting turn four one lap shy of halfway gave Pitkat a shot at the lead. Pennink recovered to maintain the position. A half-lap later, Pitkat tried the low side in turn three. The lane swap gave Rocco the edge to put him back in the runner-up position.
Pennink continued to show the way with Rocco bearing down. Pitkat had settled back into the third position before the fifth caution of the event flew for a spin by Carl Oberg. Cates was back on pit road during the caution at lap 17.
It was much of the same on the restart as Pennink had to fight off the advances of Rocco. Pitkat laid in wait in third followed by Malone and Silk. Rocco pushed Pennink on the straight-aways lap-after-lap. Rocco got alongside Pennink exiting turn four on lap 21. He had to settle back in line as Pitkat began to apply pressure to Rocco.
On a restart on lap 24, Rocco tried the crossover move looking for the lead. He got the car a bit out of shape as he dove too low and into the dirt giving Pitkat daylight. Pitkat was able to take the second spot away. Rocco pulled in behind Pitkat. The two continued to dog Pennink.
On the final two laps the cat and mouse for the second position between Pitkat and Rocco allowed Pennink to celebrate his birthday with a victory as he flashed under the checkers. Pitkat finished a strong second followed by Rocco. Malone and Silk completed the top-five.
Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, CT, turned in a dominating performance to score his fourth Super Late Model victory of the season. The first half of the 30-lap event was laden with cautions decimating the field. All but the top few cars had been involved in incidents in some way or another. A couple of grinding crashes eliminated the cars of Norm Wrenn, Henry Stampfl and Daryl Stampfl. Top guns Mike Stefanik and Rick Fuller also sustained damage.
Things settled down after halfway with Ramstrom solidly in control. Ramstrom had a 10-car length advantage with the crossed flags in the air. The leader gained additional distance as Larry Gelinas had to fight off Mike O’Sullivan. As the two did battle Bessette was able to join the fray.
O’Sullivan was able to make the pass for the runner-up spot on lap 22. O’Sullivan had eight laps to catch Ramstrom, who had nearly a half-straightaway advantage. Meanwhile, Bessette had caught Gelinas.
Gelinas spun with only two laps to go relinquishing the third position. The veteran was able to keep his momentum allowing the leaders to go green to the checkers. Ramstrom handily took down the win followed by O’Sullivan. Bessette recovered from his early race incident to score a podium finish in third. Mike Stefanik and Dennis Maxfield rounded out the top-five.
In Late Model action, Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, drove under the checkered flag in the second position; however, following post race technical inspection, O’Sullivan was awarded with the victory. It appeared as if Rick Gentes had scored his fourth Late Model victory of the season but a rules infraction found the Woonsocket, RI, driver penalized to the tail-end of the lead lap.
Right from the drop of the green flag the Late Model main event was intense. They were three-wide for the lead as they streaked under the initial green flag. Randy Waterman held the top spot but Mark Oliveira and Tommy O’Sullivan bore down.
O’Sullivan was able to use a lapped car to his advantage to finish off the pass for the lead coming out of turn two on lap eight. Gentes was on the move taking over the second spot. Oliveira continued to fade losing the third position to John Materas.
From second, Gentes set his sites on O’Sullivan. By halfway, Gentes had caught the back bumper of O’Sullivan. Gentes began looking for running room to the inside of O’Sullivan. Materas ran all alone in the third spot. Oliveira faltered exiting turn four to give up the fifth spot to Jeff Hartwell.
Gentes got along side O’Sullivan on lap 16. At the stripe, Gentes was the new leader by a few feet. Materas had caught the battle for the top spot. In the waning laps, Gentes was able to stretch his lead over O’Sullivan, who had stretched his advantage of Materas once again. At the checkers, it was Gentes but scoring the win was O’Sullivan. Materas was scored as the runner-up. Hartwell, Oliveira, and Wayne Coury, Sr. completed the top-five. For the first time in likely a decade, local favorite Jeff Zuidema was missing from the field after issues from last week.
Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, used his years of experience to gain his sixth feature win of the season in Limited Sportsman competition over one of the division’s brightest young stars. Once again, the Limited Sportsman division treated the fans with a tremendous battle for the top spot. Jay Sundeen and Barnett went side-by-side lap after lap. A caution at halfway cooled the battled but only temporarily. On the restart, the lead duo picked up where they left off. On lap 12, Barnett was able to grab the lead away. Sundeen was not giving up as he remained glued to the back bumper of Barnett. Joe Arena ran alone in the third position.
Over the final few laps, Barnett was able to free himself from Sundeen to gain a 10-car advantage. There was a scary moment for Sundeen on the final lap of the event. The lapped car of Paul Palen bobbled nearly making contact with the young driver. Sundeen never missed a beat; however, and chased winner Barnett to the checkers. Paul Coutu, Jr. and last week’s winner Shawn Monahan rounded out the top five.
Brian Tagg of Oxford, MA, turned in a strong performance to score his fourth victory of the season. Glenn Boss led the opening laps; withstanding a pair of early restarts. A restart on lap six proved to be the undoing for Boss as Tagg was able to take over the lead exiting turn three.
After halfway, the top five ran nose to tail as Tagg extended his lead. With the laps winding down, early leader Boss began to fade. Cam McDermott was able to move into the second position on lap 12. A lap later, Boss fell to the challenge of Brian Sullivan. In the closing stages, Tagg continued to distance himself from the field. In the end, the second-generation driver ran to his second straight victory. McDermott cut slightly into Sullivan’s point lead to finish second. Sullivan settled for third over Boss and R.J. Marcotte.
He had been a winner in Outlaw Mini Stock competition but on Thursday night Randy Churchill of Niantic, CT, notched his first Thompson Mini Stock feature win. Churchill had to wrestle the lead away from early leader Chad Baxter more than once to gain the victory.
Slight contact between Baxter and Churchill on lap four gave Churchill the lead. A caution flew negating the pass for the lead. Once back to green, the battle for the lead resumed. After 15-laps Churchill would prevail as the Mini Stock winner. Steve Michalski passed Baxter to finish second. Point leader Scott Michalski finished fourth ahead of Tim Taylor, who was aboard a new car after last week’s wreck.
Whelen Modified Tour Feature Finish (Unofficial Top Ten): 1. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 3. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 4. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 5. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 6. Eric Beers, Northampton, PA; 7. Eric Berndt, Cromwell, CT; 8. Bob Grigas, III, Marshfield, MA; 9. Glenn Reen, Wilbraham, MA; 10. Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon, PA; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 4. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 5. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 6. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 7. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 8. Ricky Shawn, Bradford, CT; 9. David LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 10. Wayne Arute, Berlin, CT.
Super Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 4. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 5. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 6. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 7. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 8. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 9. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 10. Henry Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 3. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 4. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 5. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 6. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 7. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 8. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 9. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 4. Paul Coutu, Jr. Thompson, CT; 5. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 6. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 7. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 8. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 9. John Carpenter, Danielson, CT; 10. Tom Shea, New London, CT.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 2. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 5. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, CT; 6. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 7. John Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 8. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, CT; 9. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 10. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Churchill, Niantic, CT; 2. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 3. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 4. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 5. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 6. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 7. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 8. Trevor Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 9. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 10. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT.
by Jay | Sep 3, 2009 | PASS
CHARLOTTE, NC (September 3) – Since is first opened in 1993, Southern National in Kenly, NC has been one of America’s premier short tracks. Touring divisions and weekly racers flocked to race at the facility that saw drivers like Denny Hamlin and Scott Riggs hone their skills before moving on to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But, in recent years, the track struggled to find its identity and, following a tumultuous end to the 2008 season, Southern National’s future looked bleak. While other tracks around the country have been putting on races for much of 2009, Southern National has sat idle. Leaving locals with a void that has yet to be filled. But, that will soon come to an end, when the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models breathe new life into the shuttered speedway on September 26th.
Although PASS has only raced at Southern National once, PASS President Tom Mayberry and his staff saw the potential in the speedway. That race at Southern National in 2006 was only the second race of the then brand new PASS South division and attracted drivers from near and far. Super Late Model veteran Freddie Query took his only PASS South victory at Southern National after a spirited battle with local driver Clay Jones, future PASS South champions Mike Rowe and Ryan Lawler, and Alabama hotshoe Charlie Bradberry.
“When we went to Southern National in 2006 we had an outstanding race,” said Mayberry. “The lead changed hands all day long and that race proved to us that PASS South just might have the legs to be a success. I just loved the track, but for whatever reason we were not able to put things together to get another race there.”
In the years following PASS’s visit to Southern National, track owner and former racer Kirk Leone made significant capital improvements to the 4/10 mile facility including repaving the track, paving the infield, erecting a new scoreboard and public address system, and constructing new buildings on the property. And, although the track has sat idle this season, Leone has continued to make upgrades as he tries to sell Southern National.
“We’ve got a brand new sewer system and have done a lot of work to the track to get ready for the PASS race and for any potential buyers out there,” said Leone. “The track is great and it will be a steal for whoever buys it. I just don’t have the time to devote to it that I need to for it to be a success. I’m glad PASS is coming in to put on this show and I know our fans are looking forward to it because they love their racing here at Southern National.”
PASS South has put added emphasis on the Southern National 150 by making it one of only four races in the PASS National Series. The PASS National Series consists of four special events taken from the PASS North and PASS South schedules that will help to determine an overall PASS National Champion. The Southern National 150 will be race number three of the PASS National Series and is expected to attract the top Super Late Models from across the country. In addition, former Southern National regulars such as John Batten, “Big” Jim Kelley, and Shelton McNair have expressed their intention to return to their old stomping grounds.
The PASS Late Model Trucks and 4 Cylinders will also be on the racing card at Southern National on September 26th. Southern National was one of the first racetracks in the region to race Trucks and a great field of newcomers is expected to join PASS Late Model Trucks regulars such as Grant Davidson, Jody Measamer, Clint King, Michael Cooper, and Marty Griggs. The 4 Cylinder division has a great heritage at Southern National and will add to the excitement as the local fans and drivers look to return to their home track.
But, the Southern National 150 will not be the only race held this year at Southern National. PASS South will continue the Thanksgiving tradition of racing at Southern National with the Thanksgiving Classic on November 27-28. The PASS South Super Late Models will have a special non-points race with several other divisions also racing. Those divisions competing at the Thanksgiving Classic will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Southern National 150 weekend kicks off with practice for all divisions on Friday, September 25th. Then, on Saturday, September 26th, practice and qualifying will be held prior an on track autograph sessions and main events for the 4 Cylinders, PASS Late Model Trucks, and PASS South Super Late Models.
For more information on any PASS division go to racewithpass.com or for information on the Southern National 150 go to southernnational.net.
by Jay | Sep 3, 2009 | Video
Announcement with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Stewart. Produced by the White House, (more…)
by Jay | Sep 3, 2009 | Maine, Oxford Plains Speedway
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW ‘A’ (20 laps): 1. Ryan Robbins, Dixfield; 2. David Childs, Oxford; 3. Steve Moon, Gray; 4. Jerry Goss, Mechanic Falls; 5. Chris Burgess, Sabattus; 6. Addison Bowie, Auburn; 7. Jim Drake, Hebron; 8. John Patria, Turner; 9. Jay Wilkins, Gray; 10. Carey Robertson, Leeds; 11. Chris Coolidge, South Paris; 12. Dan Brown, Peru; 13. Steve Brill, Bridgton. DQ: Zach Bowie, Lisbon; Josh Childs, Leeds.
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW ‘B’ (20 laps): 1. Guy Childs, Turner; 2. Jim Davis Jr., Sabattus; 3. Fred Clavet, Buckfield; 4. Doug Degroat, Oxford; 5. Michael Haynes, Livermore Falls; 6. Tyler Belanger, Sumner; 7. Josh Paradis, Sumner; 8. John Spencer Jr., Farmington; 9. Clint Sherwood, Poland; 10. Shannon Judd, Jay; 11. Bob Ferguson, New Gloucester; 12. David Brown, Poland; 13. Scott Hethcoat, Danville Junction; 14. Jerry Freve, Buckfield; 15. Kyle Curtis, Oxford.
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW ‘C’ (20 laps): 1. Nic Stanley, Buckfield; 2. Brian Picard, Gorham; 3. Gerry Richard, Leeds; 4. Todd Hall, Auburn; 5. Chad Truman, South Paris; 6. Keith Landry, Oxford; 7. Scott Veinott, Greene; 8. Phil Knowlton, Poland; 9. Dottie Patria, Turner; 10. Justin Vining, Peru; 11. Todd Bisbee, South Paris; 12. Ryan Hewins, Leeds; 13. Dennis Morang, South Paris; 14. Don Veinott, Sabattus. DQ: Glen Henderson, Sabattus.
MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN’ REBEL ‘A’ (20 laps): 1. Brady Romano, Livermore Falls; 2. Jamie Heath, Waterford; 3. Jason Berry, Turner; 4. Matt Dufault, Turner; 5. Craig Bartlett, Waterford; 6. Troy Jordan, Turner; 7. Corey Beaulieu, Oxford; 8. Ryan Hewins, Leeds; 9. Dustin Salley, Auburn; 10. Jamie Leavitt, Minot; 11. Scott Farrington, Minot; 12. Zach Audet, Wilton; 13. John Childs, Leeds; 14. Mike Ward, Harrison; 15. Roger Bourgoin, Sabattus; 16. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 17. Derek Cook, Livermore Falls; 18. Craig Farrington, Hebron; 19. Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 20. Mark Childs Jr., Mechanic Falls.
MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN’ REBEL ‘B’ (20 laps): 1. Jeff Hebert, Auburn; 2. Jim Hart, Turner; 3. Ryan Philbrick, Greenwood; 4. Doug Degroat, Oxford; 5. Derek Cairns, Waterford; 6. Bill Dunphy, New Gloucester; 7. Eric Rowles, Lewiston; 8. Jonah Farrington, Hebron; 9. Randy Desmarais, Auburn; 10. Todd Sawyer, Pownal; 11. Charlie Hall, Oxford; 12. Chad Wills, Mechanic Falls; 13. Curt Chapman, Lewiston; 14. Bill Sprague, Minot; 15. Gene White, Lisbon; 16. Carl Conant, Lewiston; 17. Michael Carver, Durham; 18. Bob Lucas, Peru.
CALL OF THE WILD RV CENTER TRUCK (20 laps): 1. Yogi Hiscock, Jay; 2. John Lizotte, Mechanic Falls; 3. Kevin Oliver, Gray; 4. Ross Spurling, New Gloucester; 5. Opie Allard, Harpswell; 6. John Reynolds, Wells; 7. Ryan Farrar, Oxford; 8. Jerry Stevens, Searsport; 9. Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls; 10. Laurette Theriault, South Casco; 11. Brad Corson, Sumner; 12. Chad Binette, Arundel; 13. Nathan Merrill, Norway; 14. Duane Booth, Wells; 15. Eugene Corson, Sumner; 16. Corey Williams, Sumner; 17. Wade Hanscom, Arundel.
ALLEN’S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY LADIES (20 laps): 1. Debbie Marston, Hartford; 2. Dottie Patria, Turner; 3. Kayla McCubrey, Hollis; 4. Deanna Robertson, South Paris; 5. Lisa Brooks, Auburn; 6. Missy Morgan, Lewiston; 7. Tori Burgess, Sabattus; 8. Sue Veinott, Sabattus; 9. Missy Blash, Oxford; 10. Cathy Manchester, Gray; 11. Kristen Brown, Poland; 12. Annie Chartier, Mexico; 13. Vanna Brackett, Buckfield; 14. Christina Spaulding, Lewiston; 15. Shannon Wheeler, Auburn.
GOULET HOME INSPECTIONS RENEGADE (10 laps): 1. Jason Hannigan, Greene; 2. Bill Grover, Waterford; 3. Charlie Hall, Oxford; 4. Bob Morey, Lisbon; 5. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 6. Justin White, Wiscasset; 7. Spencer Morse, Waterford.
by Jay | Sep 3, 2009 | Thompson
Keith Rocco has been named the new driver for the T.S. Haulers # 12 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car owned by Ed Partridge. Rocco will replace Jimmy Blewett for the balance of the 2009 season beginning with this week’s running of the Bud 150. In addition, Ronnie Silk has been given the seat in Partridge’s Sunoco Modified in Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series division. These changes were announced Monday by team owner Ed Partridge. Rocco will continue to drive the number 6 Interstate Diesel Sunoco Modified in Thompson’s weekly competition.
In announcing the change, Partridge told Thompson Speedway that “things have gotten to be too much for Jimmy. He has huge family and family business commitments and he just needed a break. All is good between Jimmy and me and he will still drive my car at Wall Stadium. He will probably drive one of our Sunoco Modifieds at Thompson’s World Series,” Partridge concluded.
Keith Rocco is thrilled at the chance to drive a top notch WMT race car. “I am definitely excited. This is a great opportunity, said Rocco. Jimmy Blewett and I are really close friends and he has been giving me tips and pointers on the car and the Tour. He’s given me some great advice and it means a lot.” Rocco has competed once before in a WMT car at Thompson. That outing came last October when he drove the Joe Brady car during the World Series of Speedway Racing.
Rocco is in a tough battle with Woody Pitkat for the Thompson Sunoco Modified championship and is also in the thick of points battle for the NASCAR national championship.
Ronnie Silk will join the ranks of the Sunoco Modified division in the Partridge owned #12 this week. Silk has had much success at the Thompson. He has three WMT wins to his credit. The first coming in September of ’07 and that was followed by back-to-back wins in June and August of ’08.
The New England Dodge Dealers presentation of the Bud 150 is scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd. Qualifying begins at 5:30 PM with the Bud 150 scheduled for a start time of approximately 8:45 PM.
