by Jay | Apr 23, 2009 | New
Brad Leighton Wins NH Governor’s Cup At Lee USA Speedway
Lee, N.H. (April 20, 2009): Brad Leighton, driver of the No. 55 Irving Oil Ford, kicked off the 2009 season with a win in ACT’s New Hampshire Governor’s Cup at Lee USA Speedway. Leighton took the lead from Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. on lap 130 and never looked back. The win qualifies Leighton and his Irving Oil race team for the inaugural ACT invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway later this year.
“It’s a real honor to be the first qualifier for the New Hampshire Invitational. The Invitational is going to be a huge boost for the ACT series and attract tremendous regional exposure. And it’s great to be part of it,” Leighton said from victory lane.
Leighton started the Governor’s Cup from the 19th position after drawing a tough starting position in the fourth heat. The Center Harbor, N.H. resident was able to get into the feature with his win in the second Consi.
Leighton was patient during the first fifty laps of the race when a battle between Mike Olsen and Brian Hoar stole the attention up front. Leighton, meanwhile, worked his way through the field to put himself into position to become a contender. A long green flag run developed after the 50 lap mark giving Leighton the opportunity to challenge Joey Polewarczyk at lap 130 for the lead. Once out front, Leighton was able to hold off all challenges and take the checkered flag.
“This is awesome,” a joyous Leighton said after the race. “The guys put a great car underneath me! We had two goals coming into this season – to win a race and qualify for the New Hampshire Invitational – so I’d say we’re off to a really good start to the year! I can’t thank everyone at Irving Oil and Subway for supporting us in this series. This is great for everyone involved!”
Leighton dedicated the win to “Grammy Peg”, his wife Lynn’s grandmother. Brad had a close relationship with her – talking and joking about his race career and everyday topics on life were some of their favorite past times. Peg passed away Thursday morning.
“We certainly will miss her,” said Leighton. “Peg was a wonderful woman who I adored. She would have bragged to all her friends at the nursing home that I won this race so this one is for her!”
by Jay | Apr 23, 2009 | New
Lee, NH – Over forty race teams hauled into the Lee USA Speedway over the weekend, hoping to secure a starting spot for the prestigious season-opening American Canadian Tour New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.
Drivers from all over New England as well as two Canadian provinces were on hand for the action, but when checkers waved, it was home-stater Brad Leighton of Center Harbor taking home the Governor’s Cup win.
Defending race winner Joey Pole of nearby Hudson was in the hunt all race long, but Leighton put him in his rear-view mirror with some 20 laps remaining, and he led the balance of the event to score the win.
The win also sent Leighton the first invitation to the big ACT Invitational race to be held on the 1.058-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, a race that will feature the best ACT has to offer.
Following Pole across the stripe, was Scott Payea, who ran a solid race from flag to flag to grab third, with hometown favorite Eddie MacDonald closing out the top five ahead of former Lee USA champion Ricky Wolf, who wound up sixth.
John Donohue was scored seventh ahead of another former Lee USA champ, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., followed by teammates Brian Hoar and Mike Olsen, who started the race on the front row.
Defending champion Eddie Witkum, Jr. was a heavy favorite to win when the Small Block Supers took to the asphalt for their feature event, but he had a few problems and finished slightly off his usual blistering pace.
Mike Netishen jumped out to the early lead when starter Bryon Callen unfurled the green, but he quickly gave way to Justin Belfiore, who moved the Tom Tombarello, Jr. machine to take a turn out front.
Just past halfway, Bowes made his move, and he never looked back on the way to victory lane. Belfiore finished second, while Witkum checkered third, with Danny Lane and Mike Spurling rounding out the top five.
In Late Model Sportsman/Super Street main event action, second-generation racer Nick Gravel bolted out to the early lead, moving out to a healthy advantage while the pack sorted out behind him.
Lee Weldy held down the second spot in the early going, but Grant Aither took over that position before they reached the crossed flags, and he was headed to the front.
Aither ran down leader Gravel and quickly completed the pass, and the race was his to lose from there. Aither pulled away to a comfortable lead, and he held it until the checkers to score the win.
Gravel held on for a solid runner-up finish, with Weldy, Sandy Lee, Jimmy Renfrew, “Piranha Pete” Evans, Gary Beauregard, Cory Robert, Jesse Bousquet, and Geoff Rollins the rest of the top ten.
Dennis Dumas led the Hobby Stocks around to take the green for their feature event, but he was quickly knocked off the point by Eric Hoffman, and Jimmy Renfrew followed him to the front.
At the end of the fourth lap, Renfrew made his move on Hoffman, and he came away with the lead. Hoffman gave chase the rest of the way, but Renfrew held on to score the inaugural win of the season.
Hoffman took home runner-up honors, with Chris Titcomb taking a hard-earned third. Titcomb’s car was badly damaged in qualifying on Saturday, but his crew got it back in race shape in time for the feature. Dumas and Bobby
Glass finished up the top five.
There was a strong field of Roadrunner/4 cylinder/Mini Stocks on hand for their 20-lap feature event, but there was nobody stronger than defending Roadrunner champ Ricky Porter, Jr.
Cris King led the first lap of the main, with veteran Loren Smith next to take a turn out front. Emerson Cayer slipped past Smith to become the third leader of the race, but he couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Porter.
Porter took it to the outside to make the pass on Cayer, and he was off to the races after that. Porter pulled away by a couple of car lengths, and he stayed out front the rest of the way to score the victory. Cayer, Niko Manyati, Jim Piaseczny, and Smith were the rest of the top five.
Next Saturday, April 25th is the final test and tune session for all divisions with a rain date of Sunday the 26th, and the weekly Friday night season gets underway a week later on May 1. For more information, log on to www.leeusaspeedway.com, or call the speedway office at 978-462-4252.
by Jay | Apr 16, 2009 | New
NAPA Tiger Sportsman Tri-State Series Announced
Waterbury, VT – The NAPA Tiger Sportsmen will be hitting the road this year with a touring series of their own. The Tiger Tri-State Series will consist of three 100-lap events in three different states. The opening event will be held at the recently redesigned Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on July 11. Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, NH will host the second event on August 1st. Canaan featured the Tiger Tour in 2005 with five appearances. Canaan Speedway quickly became one of the favorite racing venues for the Series, often reminding veterans of the old Catamount Stadium in Milton, VT. On August 13, Thunder Road Speedbowl will decide the Series Championship in a 100-lap event for the NAPA Tiger Sportsman challengers.
The Tiger Sportsmen have been touring off and on since 1990 with the most recent going back to 2006 when the Series visited Airborne, Sanair in St. Pie, Quebec, with a pair of stops at Thunder Road.
Jason Bonnett of St. Albans, VT finished third in the 2006 Series and is a two-time (2003 and 2007) Airborne Speedway track Champion in the Tiger Sportsman division. “I’m glad the Tour is back. It’s fun to go to different tracks and race different people instead of racing the same track every week. I also like the challenge of adjusting the car to different setups for the different tracks.” Bonnett and 30 other Tiger Sportsmen teams will have plenty of adjusting to do with the new, banked Airborne ½ mile, Canaan’s 1/3 semi-banked oval, and the high-banked ¼ mile at Barre’s Thunder Road. Bonnett went on to say, “Airborne is going to be a totally different track this year with all the work they are doing over there. It’s going to make it even more challenging and more fun.”
Jamy Begor of Mooers, NY finished 9th on the 2006 tour. He said, “It’s a great idea to run a three race series because you can go to a couple different tracks and it fits the budget. I enjoy going to Thunder Road and Canaan. I even won a Street Stock race at Canaan back when we ran the “Street Stock tour’!” Begor agrees with Bonnett that Airborne will be challenging. “We are going to have to throw out all our notes on Airborne because it’s going to be a completely different track,” he said.
The NAPA Tiger Sportsmen will begin their regular Thunder Road season when the 50th Anniversary season starts on Merchants Bank opening day, May 3rd. Post time is 1 p.m. The first Tri-State Series race will be July 11th at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY.
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 | Apr 6, 2009 | New
WISCASSET 300 TO BECOME ACT INVITATIONAL QUALIFIER
CENTER OF SPEED 150 LATE MODEL EVENT ADDED TO LOUDON RACE
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model teams, along with a host of local teams
throughout New England, will have another opportunity to qualify for the inaugural ACT INVITATIONAL to be held at
the New Hampshire Motor Speedway as part of New England’s NASCAR September 18-20th race weekend in 2009.
Doug and Becky White, owners of the revitalized Wiscasset Speedway in Wiscasset, ME, have reached an agreement
with the American Canadian Tour to include their Center of Speed 300 Late Model portion of the event as a
Qualifier for the much-heralded ACT INVITATIONAL.
Designed as a cooperative effort by NHMS and the ACT organizations to help promote racing throughout the Northeast
region, the ACT INVITATIONAL has captured the imagination of much of the Northeast racing community.
The ACT INVITATIONAL will give the most talented short track Late Model drivers in the Northeast and eastern
Canada an opportunity to compete at the highest level, and should provide many short track fans in the region with
a chance to see their hometown stars when they visit NHMS over the Fall NASCAR weekend.
Thirty-six teams will receive invitations through winning a variety of ‘Qualifiers’ throughout the season to
compete in the highly anticipated event. The INVITATIONAL will be part of a spectacular triple-header on Saturday,
September 19, 2009 along with the NASCAR Whelan Modified Series, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
In a related story, ACT has also reached an agreement with Wiscasset Speedway to issue a guaranteed provisional
starting spot in the Center of Speed Late Model portion of the 300 to the winner of the May 17th ACT TOUR New
England Dodge Dealer’s 150 event being held at the Oxford Plains Speedway.
The Wiscasset Center of Speed 300 will be held on Sunday August 16, 2009.
For additional information contact the Speedway at 207.632.7322 or visit the website at www.wiscassetraceway.info/.
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.
by Jay | Mar 12, 2009 | New
Stanley “Stub” Fadden, 76, passed away earlier today. Stub entertained fans in New England for over six decades racing in everything from a flathead coupe at Thunder Road to the NASCAR Camping World Series East.
Stub loved short track racing and it showed. His remarkable career began in 1961 and included over 230 victories in the US and Canada. He won Championships at Vermont’s Thunder Road, Catamount Stadium, and Milton. In addition, he won a track championship at Mount Laurier, Quebec, was a triple crown winner at Cayuga Speedway, and a two-time winner of the prestigious Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. In what began as the NASCAR Busch North Series, Fadden was a fan-favorite. He accumulated four wins and was part of the only grandfather/grandson team in the series. He announced his retirement from full-time competition in 1998 at the age of 65, but went on to compete in a handful more races alongside his grandson, Mike Olsen. Fadden was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award in 1990, and was bestowed with the NASCAR Dedication award in the late 90s. Fadden was inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame in 2003.
by Jay | Mar 8, 2009 | New
NASCAR Champion Ted Christopher Wins Providence Indoor TQ Midget Finale
PROVIDENCE, RI – Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is proving he is one of the best indoor racers.
Christopher, 50, of Plainville, Conn., captured Saturday night’s 30-lap TQ Midget feature event at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. The race concluded the two-day event, which was the first held in the Ocean State in 50 years.
“I enjoy the opportunity of being part of history,” Christopher said. “I think this race was a success especially with how full the stands were and the racing was incredible.”
The win gives Christopher a pair of indoor TQ Midget events this year. In January, Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, N.J.
Christopher had a busy 24 hours in Rhode Island. After Friday’s race, which was won by New Jersey dirt Modified driver Mike Iles, Christopher had to take his TQ Midget to Seekonk, Mass., where it was repaired at Wayne Darling’s race shop.
In his qualifying heat race on Saturday, Christopher b arely qualified after a rear radius mount broke. The team went to work and made the respective repair just in time for the main event.
For the second consecutive night, it appeared as if Iles had the victory in hand.
Iles jumped out into the lead at the start of the race, but his momentum was slowed on lap five after Bobby Santos III spun out his race car in turn three.
Matt Janisch of Nazareth, Pa., moved into the runner-up spot on lap nine and started to challenge the race leader.
But a several car incident slowed the race and took out the front runners on lap 12 as Iles, Janisch and Mike Lichty were involved in a crash in turn two.
Ryan Smith had the lead, but that was short lived as Christopher took over the top spot on the restart.
As expected, indoor master Lou Cicconi Jr., who was substituting for an ill Matt20Roselli, challenged Christopher for the lead spot, but a miscue (he hit the kill switch on a restart) hindered his chances of getting by the race leader.
“Lou raced me real clean and I appreciated it,” Christopher said. “He’s one of the best indoor racers ever.”
Cicconi of Aston, Pa., settled for second, while Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was third, Smith was fourth and Mike Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J. was fifth.
Heat races went to Iles, Janisch, Mike Stefanik and Licty. Tim Adams and Glenn Heverin won the consolation races.
In the 20-lap Champ Kart main, Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., scored his second consecutive main at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Daley got=2 0the lead after a close race with John Hillman, who later crashed.
Daley defeated Eric Zeh, George Bark, Justin Bonsignore and Ron Midford Jr. completed the top five.
TQ Midget Feature Finish, 30 Laps: 1. Ted Christopher; 2. Lou Cicconi Jr.; 3. Timex Morgan; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Mike Tidaback; 6. Joey Payne; 7. Ian Cumens; 8. Matt Janisch; 9. Bobby Santos III; 10. Alex Bright; 11. Paul Lotier Jr.; 12. Mike Lichty; 13. Jeff Kot; 14. Don Zrinski; 15. Jonathan Reid; 16. Glenn Heverin; 17. James Michael Friesen; 18. Mike Iles; 19. Heath Hehnly; 20. Tim Adams; 21. Mike Stefanik; 22. Ryan Barlett.
Champ Kart Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Chris Daley; 2. Eric Zeh; 3. George Bark; 4. Justin Bonsignore; 5. Ron Midford Jr.; 6. Jay Dimond; 7. Bryan Ray; 8. Evan Beaulieu; 9. Nick Hadden; 10. Ryan Arsenault; 11. Tammy Smith; 12. Mike Perry; 13. Clinton Mills; 14. Tyler Robertson; 15. Tim Buckwalter; 16. Adam Gage; 17. Andrew Swisher; 18. John Hillmann; 19. Andrew Hutchinson; 20. TJ Laro.
by Jay | Feb 13, 2009 | New
Racin’ Preview show in Portland a mix of new and old
Portland, Maine – Local stock car racers get anxious for their upcoming short track seasons as the NASCAR season gets underway each February in Daytona.
Short track fans get their first opportunity to see what’s in store for the 2009 season on the local bullrings at the 15th annual Racin’ Preview 2009 show at the Portland Expo on the weekend following the Daytona 500, Friday and Saturday, February 20-21.
Several stock car racing facilities will be officially represented, and there will be a number of unofficial representatives from various tracks and tours competing throughout Northern New England.
Joining the various local speedways from the tri-state region will be regional touring series like the Pro All Stars Series (PASS), the American-Canadian Tour (ACT), the True Value Modified Racing Series (TVMRS), Sprint Cars of New England (SCONE) and NELCAR Legends, along with representatives from two or three other traveling series.
Racin’ Preview 2009 annually salutes the past in local and regional motorsports and this year the Maine Vintage Race Car Association promises what should be their best-ever display. More vintage racecars and historic displays than ever are on the agenda, says MVRCA show coordinator Dodo Brockman.
Autograph opportunities abound at Racin’ Preview 2009, and hundreds of door prizes will be handed out, chiefly by show floor host and emcee Bill DaButler.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, with the show open until 10:00 p.m. Saturday Racin’ Preview 2009 hours run from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Portland Expo is located at 239 Park Avenue (U.S. Route 1) in Portland, Maine. For more information please call 603-447-4251.
