by | Apr 11, 2014 | New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
For Somers native Todd Owen, NAPA Victory Lane at Stafford Motor Speedway has been an elusive piece of real estate. Owen has 5 career SK Modified® feature wins at Stafford to go along with 7 ProStock wins. Although Owen was winless in 2013 and his feature win in 2012 was his first since the 2006 season, Owen is determined to drive his #81 into the winner’s circle this season.
Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that On Time Accounting of Feeding Hills, MA has become the newest member of its Contingency Program. On Time Accounting will provide a $50 bonus each Friday night to the 3rd place finisher in the Limited Late Model division.
“I love the sport, I love the competitive nature of the sport, and I know a lot of the drivers at Stafford very well,” said Michael Margiotta, President of On Time Accounting. “I remember watching Ed Flemke and several others going three deep during a heat race for 8 laps and it was the wildest thing to see. Stafford is an awesome track and anyone who is interested in brand awareness needs to take a look at what racing is all about. The guys in the Limited Late Model division are drivers who have some talent and who are trying to come up through the ranks and I thought why not help those guys out? One of our missions here at On Time Accounting is to give back to certain charities and I think it’s important to help who you can. Obviously you can’t help everyone but we like to help who we can and we’re looking forward to making this a multi-year program and we’d love to be able to expand our program in the future.”
In the 8 NAPA Spring Sizzlers run since 2006, only 4 drivers, Doug Coby, Donny Lia, Ted Christopher, and Doug Coby, have visited victory lane. But one driver who has quietly put in some great Sizzler performances and is on the verge of breaking into that Sizzler winners club is Huntingdon Valley, PA native Rowan Pennink. In only 6 career Sizzler starts, Pennink has accumulated 3 top-5 and 4 top-10 finishes with a career best finish of second in 2011. Coming off a win in the 2013 season ending race, Pennink is feeling good about his chances of putting his #93 Monk Mechanics Hand Cleaner Chevrolet into NAPA Victory Lane.
Waterford Speedbowl opened its 64th consecutive season of racing Saturday evening with a seven division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program. Chilly weather greeted fans in attendance but the action on the track was hot as a first-time winner emerged in the SK Modified® ranks.
Ed Puleo held off all challenger including a late rally by defending division champion Keith Rocco. Puleo made it two wins on the night by also picking up the Street Stock victory. Rocco would not be outdone in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, scoring the win. Another first-timer found the winner’s circle in the Mini Stocks as Doug Curry took a popular victory. Jon Porter and Zach Thomas won the night’s Super X-Car and X-Car divisions respectively, and defending Legend Cars champion Dylan Izzo checkered that division’s opening race of the year.
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park kicked off the 2014 race season Saturday night with Shawn Monahan of Waterford, Conn. and Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, Conn. earning the overall division wins in the all-new Segment Saturday portion of Icebreaker weekend. Woody Pitkat set fast time in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying for his first career Coors Light Pole Award. In other action, John Studley of Framingham, Mass. was victorious in the Lite Modified division, Roger Turbush won the New England Truck Series feature, and Scott Quinn won the Vintage Outlaw race.
Scott Sundeen took the early lead in the first of three segments for the Limited Sportsman division, but was slowed by a caution after one lap. Sundeen and Corey Hutchings took the field back to green, but it was all Hutchings at the line. Sundeen stayed on his bumper with Shawn Monahan a close third until yellow marked the end of the segment. On the final lap, Jeff Van Pelt and Chris Bisson tangled in the middle of turns one and two.
Todd Dean and William Wall took the field to green in the second segment with Wall taking the top spot. A battle for third took the attention of the crowd as Dean and Jason Chicolas battled side-by-side for the third spot. Chicolas took over the spot as a four-wide battle emerged further back in the field that resulted in Corey Hutchings coming across the start/finish line sideways before coming to a stop in the infield grass. Wall held on to the lead when racing resumed, but Ryan Waterman and Travis Jurcik were tight on his bumper. The battle for third turned up as Monahan got alongside Jurcik and took over the position. Wall held on to the lead until the yellow flag came out to conclude the second segment.
Scott Sundeen led the field to green in the final segment, but Shawn Monahan was the car out front as they came out of turn two. The two were side-by-side coming out of turn four with Sundeen holding on to the lead until turn one when Monahan drove out to a comfortable two car length advantage. The top-three – Sundeen, Monahan, and Chris Moose Douton – began to stretch out as the race approached three laps complete, but Sundeen reeled Monahan back in on the following lap. By lap six, Douton had moved in tight with the leaders and the top-three were nose-to-tail. Entering the third urn, Douton was able to slide by Sundeen on the bottom groove right before caution flew for a spin in turn four. Monahan didn’t waste any time getting in front of Sundeen when racing resumed as Douton dove underneath Sundeen in turn three for second. Monahan pulled away to a commanding ten-car length advantage over Douton as the field approached the final lap. Monahan never faltered and drove to the checkered flag. Monahan’s victory in the final segment of the Limited Sportsman races ensured him the overall win for the division.
Leo DeFevers took the lead in turn two on the first lap of the first Mini Stock segment, but Dave Trudeau muscled his way around on lap two to settle in up front. A five-car wreck slowed the pace at lap five that collected DeFevers, Nick Anderson, and Alicia Thatcher among others. DeFevers jumped back out front when green flag racing returned as Dave Trudeau went off the pace and limped back to pit road. Steve Michalski kept the pressure on as he attached himself to DeFevers bumper, but the pressure didn’t keep DeFevers from taking the yellow flag out front.
Steve Dickey, Jr. took the lead at the start of the second Mini Stock segment, but Mike Viens was keeping the pressure on in second. On lap three, Dickey pulled away to a comfortable five-car length advantage. Behind the leader, Jeff Moffat used the outside lane to challenge Viens and take over the second position. Steve Michalski followed his lead and drove by for the third spot. Dickey was unstoppable out front and concluded the second segment out front.
Leo DeFevers took the lead at the start of the final Mini Stock segment with Joe Baxter and Steve Dickey, Jr. in tow. Steve Michalski was the man on the move, however, and quickly made his way into the top-three. Baxter dropped to the bottom of DeFevers heading into turn four and contact was made as DeFevers went spinning around and out of contention. Michalski drove to the front and took the checkers in the five-lap segment. Steve Michalski’s final segment victory ensured his overall win the Mini Stock portion of the segment races.
John Studley led every lap of the 15-lap Lite Modified feature Saturday night. The Framingham, Mass. native led the field off of turn one at the drop of the green with Danny Gamache, Jr. and David Richardi rounding out the top-three. The field ran single file with the Studley and Gamache pulling out to a slight advantage over the rest of the field on lap six. Studley paced himself out front with Gamache closing in to his bumper at lap eight. Studley held strong despite the challenge, but couldn’t shake Gamache from his bumper before caution flew at lap 10. Studley wasted no time in driving out front when green flag racing continued with Gamache hanging out to second and Robert Palmer taking over third.
Studley opened up a ten-car length advantage before a car spun on the backstretch and brought out the caution once again. Studley drove out front, but Gamache was delayed with a brief side-by-side battle with Palmer. Gamache drove out to second and set his sights on Studley, but Studley was strong and could not be knocked from the lead before taking the checkers.
Roger Turbush of Riverhead, N.Y. took the lead on a late race restart in the New England Truck Series 20-lap feature and held off Duane Noll to take the win. Frank Dumicich, Jr. took the lead at the start of the feature after a brief battle with Jason Lafayette while Noll and Chris Turbush took over second and third. Dumicich was solid out front with Noll keeping a close distance behind. On lap nine, Noll looked low, but couldn’t make a challenge as they approached the lapped truck of Tyler Chapman. On lap 11, Noll dropped to the bottom and got alongside Dumicich. Caution came out on lap 12 with Dumicich still out front for the restart. Noll had the advantage when racing resumed, but it was anybody’s game coming out of turn two.
Dumicich and Noll came to turn three side-by-side, but it was Dumicich who had the advantage and the lead at the line. Noll reclaimed the top spot on the following circuit as their side-by-side battle continued. Dumicich took the lead back and held on to a slight advantage on lap 17 before a little contact on the back stretch separated the two enough to allow Chris Turbush in for a challenge for second. Caution flew on lap 18 for a spin in turn three and put Dumicich and Noll side-by-side once again. Heading into turn one, Dumicich went up into Noll a little bit, but kept the lead. Coming off of turn two, the duo were still in the throws of a heated battle when Dumicich spun on the backstretch after contact from Chris Turbush.
Noll took the lead with Roger Turbush on the outside front row for the restart. Roger Turbush drove to the lead with Noll keeping the pressure on in second. Noll made a last lap bid for the lead, but just fell short as Turbush took the checkered flag. Andy Lindeman finished third.
Scott Quinn of North Smithfield, R.I. held off a hard-charging Joe Baxter to win the 15-lap Vintage Outlaw feature Saturday night. Paul Surprenant took a dominating early lead as he pulled away by a second-and-a-half over the rest of the field. Paul Lapante reeled him in however, and was within three car lengths on lap five. Quinn got in the mix on the same circuit and dropped to the bottom to go by Lapante in turn four before caution slowed the pace on lap six.
Quinn took the lead away from Surprenant on the restart and opened up a comfortable lead over Surprenant, who closed back in by lap eight. Joe Baxter applied the pressure to Surprenant, however, and took the position on lap 10. Baxter made a last lap effort coming off of turn four for the lead, but Quinn held on to take the checkers in a nail-biter finish.
LITE MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH: 1. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 2. Danny Gamache, Jr., N. Smithfield, RI; 3. Robert Palmer, Lisbon, CT; 4. Ryan Pellerin, Dayville, CT; 5. Branden Dion, Taunton, MA; 6. David Richardi, Easton, MA; 7. Bob Vojtila, Southington, CT.
NEW ENGLAND TRUCK SERIES TOP FIVE: 1. Roger Turbush, Riverhead, NY; 2. Duane Noll, Monroe, CT; 3. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 4. Jason Lafayette, Somers, CT; 5. Frank Dumicich Sr., East Quogue, NY.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN SEGMENT 1 (TOP-10): 1. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 2. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 3. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 4. Chris Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 5. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 6. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 7. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 8. Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI; 9. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 10. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA;
LIMITED SPORTSMAN SEGMENT 2 (TOP-10): 1. William Wall, Shrewsbury, MA; 2. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 3. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 4. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 5. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 6. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 7. Chris Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 8. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 9. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 10. Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN SEGMENT 3 (TOP-10): 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Chris Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 3. Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI; 4. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 5. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 6. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 7. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 8. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 9. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 10. Todd Dean, Danielson, CT.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN OVERALL TOP-FIVE: 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 3. Chris Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 4. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 5. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT.
MINI STOCK SEGMENT 1 (TOP-10): 1. Leo DeFevers, Moosup, CT; 2. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 3. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 4. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 5. Steve Dickey, Jr. Londonderry, NH; 6. Mike (Butch) Viens, Putnam, CT; 7. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 8. Alicia Thatcher, Blackstone, MA; 9. Nick Matera, Warwick, RI; 10. Todd Lujeunesse, Putnam, CT.
MINI STOCK SEGMENT 2 (TOP-10): 1. Steve Dickey, Jr., Londonderry, NH; 2. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 3. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 4. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 5. Steve Dickey, Jr., Londonderry, NH; 6. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 7. Leo DeFevers, Moosup, CT; 8. Nick Matera, Warwick, RI; 9. Alicia Thatcher, Blackstone, MA; 10. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT.
MINI STOCK SEGMENT 3 (TOP-10): 1. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Steve Dickey, Jr., Londonderry, NH; 3. Mike (Butch) Viens, Putnam, CT; 4. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 5. Alicia Thatcher, Blackstone, MA; 6. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 7. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 8. Nick Matera, Warwick, RI; 9. Todd Lujeunesse, Putnam, CT; 10. Leo DeFevers, Moosup, CT.
MINI STOCK OVERALL TOP-FIVE: 1. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Steve Dickey, Jr., Londonderry, NH; 3. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 4. Mike (Butch) Viens, Putnam, CT; 5. Leo DeFevers, Moosup, CT.
Wins at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park don’t come easy and Justin Bonsignore earned a hard-fought one on Sunday.
The 26-year-old from Holtsville, N.Y., outdueled pole sitter Woody Pitkat for the win in the Icebreaker 150 presented by Town Fair Tire. It was his first Icebreaker victory and fourth of his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour career covering 61 starts. Bonsignore’s second tour victory came at Thompson in September 2012. His previous best Icebreaker finish was a fifth-place effort in 2011.
Pitkat, who won his first Coors Light Pole Award in Saturday’s qualifying, came up just short in his bid for a first Whelen Modified Tour win and finished second for the third time in his 79-race tour career. Doug Coby, last season’s runner-up in the championship standings, crossed the line in third followed by Timmy Solomito in fourth. Eric Goodale rounded out the top-five finishers in the kick-off event for the tour’s 30th season.
Ron Yuhas Jr., Ron Silk, 13-time Thompson winner Ted Christopher, defending tour champion Ryan Preece and Jimmy Zacharias completed the top 10.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is back in action next on Sunday, April 27 for the NAPA Spring Sizzler 200 at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour-Icebreaker 150 pres. by Town Fair Tire
Unofficial Results
Sunday
At Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
Thompson, Conn.
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150 laps, 73.481 mph.
2. (1) Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
3. (14) Doug Coby, Milford, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (12) Timmy Solomito, Islip, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (10) Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.
6. (13) Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (17) Ron Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (11) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
9. (4) Ryan Preece, Berlin, Conn., Ford, 150.
10. (15) Jimmy Zacharias, Candor, N.Y., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (7) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 150.
12. (21) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Ford, 150.
13. (16) Rob Fuller, Boylston, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
14. (20) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 150.
15. (19) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
16. (22) Wade Cole, Hartland, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
17. (6) Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, N.Y., Chevrolet, 148.
18. (9) Bobby Santos, Franklin, Mass., Chevrolet, 142.
19. (24) Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, N.H., Chevrolet, 136.
20. (8) Keith Rocco, Wallingford, Conn., Chevrolet, 135, steering.
21. (3) Donny Lia, Jericho, N.Y., Dodge, 123, accident.
22. (5) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 116.
23. (25) Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, Mass., Chevrolet, 100, ignition.
24. (18) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Chevrolet, 95, engine.
25. (23) T.J. Zacharias, Candor, N.Y., Chevrolet, 19, oil pressure.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 16 minutes 33 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.589 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: W.Pitkat (120.167 mph, 18.724 seconds)
Caution Flags: 7 for 36 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: W. Pitkat 1-16; J. Bonsignore 17-20; R. Pennink 21-78; W. Pitkat 79-99; J. Bonsignore 100; D. Lia 101-123; W. Pitkat 124-141; J. Bonsignore 142-150.
Standings: 1. J. Bonsignore, 47; 2. W. Pitkat, 43; 3. D. Coby, 41; 4. T. Solomito, 40; 5. E. Goodale, 39; 6. R. Yuhas, Jr., 38; 7. R. Silk, 37; 8. T. Christopher, 36; 9. R. Preece, 35; 10. J. Zacharias, 34.
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park opened the season in grand style with Keith Rocco of Berlin, Conn. earning two NASCAR Whelen All American Series wins in one day in both the Sunoco Modified and Late Model divisions. Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. took the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win over Woody Pitkat. Shawn Monahan of Waterford, Conn. earned his second in as many days in the Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman division while Steve Dickey, Jr. of Londonderry, N.H. checkered the Monster Mini Stocks. Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, Mass. won the Granite State Pro Stock Series 50-lap affair and Vintage Outlaw checkers flew for Joe Baxter of Pascoag, R.I.
Bonsignore win in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was his fourth career victory and his second at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Bonsignore took the lead from Pitkat for the second and final time at lap 142.
Pitkat led the early laps of the race, but lost the lead to Bonsignore on a lap 18 restart. On lap 21, Pitkat challenged Bonsignore for the lead and went high in turn one only to lose the lead to Rowan Pennink in turn four. Pennink, Pitkat and Bonsignore settled in line nose-to-tail for several laps, but Pennink and Pitkat broke away by a commanding ten-car length advantage.
After a long green flag run, the caution flew and tightened up the field. A few cars opted to pit, but Pennink, Pitkat and Bonsignore were among the majority that stayed out. Pennink wasted no time in jumping right back out to the lead on the restart, but he would have to do it all over again after a car spun on the front stretch at lap 63.
Pennink jumped to the front again, but Pitkat was on his bumper and applying the pressure. On lap 79, Pitkat got a run on Pennink and was able to take over the lead. Pitkat put two-car lengths breathing room over him and the duo pulled ahead to a commanding two-second lead over Timmy Solomito, Bonsignore, and Ron Yuhas. On lap 96, Pennink’s day took a turn for the worse when he came around turn three and his No. 93 machine came around on him and spun into the wall full speed.
A majority of the field pitted after the conclusion of the red flag. Donny Lia inherited the lead followed by Matt Hirschman and Keith Rocco. Green flag racing resumed at lap 105 with Lia leading the way. Coming up quick, however, was Pitkat and Bonsignore now fifth and sixth respectively. Bonsignore muscled his way by Pitkat en route to the third position and challenged for second by lap 114. Bonsignore was still on the move and about to make a run on Lia for the lead when the caution came out and relegated him back to third.
Lia drove to the lead on the lap 118 restart as Pitkat got by Bonsignore for third. Pitkat and Bonsignore both got by Hirschman to take over second and third. Coming around on lap 123, Pitkat drove to the inside lane in a challenge on Lia for the lead when Lia went high into the turn two wall.
Pitkat, Bonsignore, Hirschman, and Yuhas made up the top-four for the restart on lap 129. After a side-by-side battle, Pitkat gets the top spot with Bonsignore still on his bumper. On lap 133, Pennink dove to the bottom groove and got alongside Pitkat in a tight battle for the lead. Bonsignore had a slight advantage coming out of turn two on the following circuit before caution came out and returned the lead to Pitkat.
Pitkat held off Bonsignore for the lead on a lap 139 restart, but on lap 142, Bonsignore went under Pitkat for the lead off of turn four. Once out front, Bonsignore pulled out to a ten-car length advantage over Pitkat and soared to the checkered flag unchallenged. Keith Rocco’s mastery of restarts helped earn him a win in the Sunoco Modified 30-lap feature, and earned him his second win of the day during Icebreaker weekend.
“We were gaining on him (Cam McDermott) little by little, but we needed that caution in the worst way,” said Rocco from victory lane. Cam McDermott drove out to the early lead, but all eyes were on the battle between Woody Pitkat and Ryan Preece for the third spot. Pitkat settled into the position as Rocco got into the mix and took over fourth. Pitkat, Rocco, and Preece were nose-to-tail and battling hard. Meanwhile, McDermott had put a comfortable distance over Kerry Malone. At lap 10, Rocco began to bear down on Malone’s second place position and on lap 11 dove to the bottom groove to attempt a pass. Rocco couldn’t quite complete the pass and settled back in behind Malone in third. Rocco tried again on the following circuit, but this time took over the second position coming out of turn two.
As the race reached the 15-lap mark, McDermott had a commanding lead over Rocco, Malone, Preece, Todd Ceravolo, and Pitkat. The field began to stretch out before a caution flew at lap 21 and tightened them back up again. McDermott and Rocco went side-by-side into turns one and two and were dead even as they approached turn three. Caution halted their battle after a car spun in turn two. Rocco drove to the front when racing resumed with McDermott holding off Preece for the second spot, but a three-car wreck on the front stretch would put Rocco and McDermott back together again.
Rocco drove to the front with McDermott in tow. Pitkat and Preece were side-by-side for third with Preece getting the position. Preece attached himself to McDermott’s bumper before driving underneath him and take over second coming into turn four on lap 24. Rocco held on to the lead through two more restarts. Preece gave Rocco a solid challenge, but he went high in turn two after some contact giving Pitkat a window to take over the second position. Rocco pulled ahead to a five-car length advantage and the eventual win as Pitkat held off Preece for second.
Mike O’Sullivan began his Granite State Pro Stock title defense with a win in the season opening 50-lapper for the division. O’Sullivan took the lead on lap 20 after Wayne Helliwell, Jr lost a right front tire. O’Sullivan held off Jeff Connors for the victory. “We had a good car. We have a lot of laps here, but you have to step it up every time you come here. I put a lot of effort into this winter. Even though we came away with a championship last year, I knew we had to come a little better,” said O’Sullivan in victory lane.
Helliwell took the early lead over Sullivan and Connors. Behind him the battle for fourth went to Larry Gelinas. Helliwell was in control and in a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. Sullivan closed it up to five carlengths by lap 10, but the field strung out single file as the laps ticked off. On lap 20, the race took a dramatic turn when the leader went off the pace and crawled down the backstretch. Caution flew to allow him to get down to pit road from where he stopped on the outside retaining wall in turn three, but it was O’Sullivan in the lead for the restart.
O’Sullivan chose the outside lane to take the green with Connors on the inside. The field scattered when racing resumed and yellow was called for a bad start. O’Sullivan drove ahead of Connors at the start with Brad Babb moving into third. Gelinas and Dillon Moltz rounded out the top-five. O’Sullivan pulled away from Connors by five car lengths while Gelinas challenged Babb for third. On lap 27, Gelinas drove underneath Babb in turn four to get a run on him and take over the third spot heading into turn one. Babb and Moltz began to battle for the fourth spot in a side-by-side dual that lasted for several laps. Up front, Connors reeled in O’Sullivan to within a car length. Caution came out at lap 36 when Keith Caruso and Ron Smith tangled in four.
O’Sullivan jumped to the head of the field on the restart with Connors holding off Gelinas for second. Again, the top-three pulled away in commanding style, but no one had a challenge for O’Sullivan. Gelinas started pressuring Connors for the second spot four laps before the end, and got up alongside him with two laps to go. Entering the second turn on lap 48, Gelinas got the position while O’Sullivan drove to the win.
Shawn Monahan continued to dominate Limited Sportsman action by backing up the overall segment win of Saturday night with a victory in the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature. Monahan took the lead on a lap nine restart and held on through several restarts for the win.
The battle for the lead was intense at the start of the feature with Chris Douton emerging in the top spot coming off of turn four. Shawn Monahan took over second as Scott Sundeen and Travis Jurcik battled side-by-side for the third spot. Sundeen cleared Jurcik for the position and set his sights on Monahan, but Douton and Monahan were a comfortable five car lengths ahead. Sundeen reeled him in within two lengths by lap seven.
Monahan took the lead from Douton on a lap nine restart leaving Douton to battle it out with the hard charging Sundeen, who took the second position coming out of turn four. Todd Dean brought out the caution on lap 11 when he had some mechanical issues on the backstretch, and tightened the field up once again for a restart. Monahan and Sundeen brought them back to green with Monahan driving to the front into turn one.
Larry Barnett edged into third before caution came back out for a spin in turn four. Monahan drove to the front once again as Sundeen and Barnett battled it out side-by-side for the second spot with Sundeen getting an advantage at the line. Jurcik and Barnett tangled on the front stretch and scraped the outside retaining wall before coming to a stop and bringing out the yellow.
Monahan led Sundeen into turn one with Douton and Kevin Mason side-by-side for the third spot. Further back, the field was battling three wide for the sixth spot. After 15 laps Monahan led Sundeen, Mason, Douton, Ryan Waterman, and Corey Hutchings. Monahan continued to extend his lead lap after lap and soared to the checkered flag unchallenged.
Keith Rocco started the Late Model 25-lap feature last, but led every lap of the race to take the first victory of the season in the division. “This car is absolutely awesome,” said Rocco in victory lane. “Hopefully, we can keep the streak alive.”
Rick Gentes wasted no time getting to the front of the field at the start of the Late Model feature, but it didn’t take long for the fireworks to start when trouble on the front stretch brought out the first caution before the lap was complete. Nick Ladyga brushed the front stretch wall and had to push his car behind the wall to repair the damage. The restart didn’t go much better when the field stacked up just before the entrance to turn one. Gentes, Chris Curtis, Damon Tinio, Keith Rocco, and Marc Curtis, Jr. rounded out the top-five for the restart.
Gentes and Chris Curtis raced side-by-side at the drop of the green, but Rocco took the low line to drive by both of them and claim the lead. Once out front, Rocco pulled ahead to a comfortable five-car advantage over Curtis and Glenn Boss. On lap five, Boss dropped to the bottom groove and drove by for second coming out of turn four.
Rocco, Boss, Curtis, and Gentes pulled ahead to a commanding lead over the rest of the field. Boss reeled in Rocco within a few car lengths by lap 14, and their torrid pace separated them from the third and fourth place cars. The field strung out single file as Rocco and Boss made their way through lapped traffic with ease. Boss was persistent in his efforts to close up the three car lengths that Rocco held over him in turns three and four, but he just could not get close enough to challenge.
Steve Dickey, Jr. led every lap of the Mini Stock 15-lap feature Sunday afternoon and held off Steve Michalski for the win. Dickey drove to the early lead with Michalski on his tail. Leo DeFevers joined the crowd and the trio pulled away from the rest of the field by a second-and-a-half. On lap eight, Michalski moved in on Dickey in turns three and four, but wasn’t quite able to get close enough to mount a challenge. Dickey held on strong out front despite the pressure from Michalski, who had to contend with DeFevers who made an inside challenge on lap 10. DeFevers continued his challenges and got up alongside Michalski in turns three and four of lap 12. Their battle enabled Dickey to pull away to a larger lead as he cruised his way to the checkered flag.
Joe Baxter was dominant en route to the Vintage Outlaws feature win. Paul Lapante took the early lead with Baxter coming up quick. Baxter took the lead away from Lapante coming out of turn four on the third lap. Art Chartier got in the mix and the trio was able to pull away from the rest of the field. Baxter was unstoppable and cruised to the checkered flag.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR FEATURE FINISH: 1. Justin Bonsignore, Holtsville, NY; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, Conn.; 3. Doug Coby, Milford, Conn.; 4. Timmy Solomito, Islip, NY; 5. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 6. Ron Yuhas, Jr., Groton, CT; 7. Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT; 8. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 9. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 10. Jimmy Zacharias, Candor, NY; 11. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 12. Ken Heagy, Calverton, NY; 13. Rob Fuller, Boylston, MA; 14. Jamie Tomaino, Howell, NJ; 15. Glen Reen, Wilbraham, MA; 16. Wade Cole, Hartland, CT; 17. Patrick Emerling, Orchard Park, NY; 18. Bobby Santos, Franklin, MA; 19. Melissa Fifield, Wakefield, NH; 20. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 21. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 22. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 23. Thomas Barrett, Jr., Millis, MA; 24. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 25. TJ Zacharias, Candor, NY.
SUNOCO MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (TOP-10): 1. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT; 2. Woody Pitkat, Sturbridge, MA; 3. Ryan Preece, N. Falmouth, MA; 4. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 5. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 6. Paul Newcomb, Plymouth, MA; 7. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 8. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 9. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 10. Andrew Charron, E. Greenwich, RI.
GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES FEATURE FINISH (TOP-10): 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 3. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 4. Brad Babb, Windham, ME; 5. Dillon Moltz, Waterford, CT; 6. Matt Frahm, Hampstead, NH; 7. Barry Gray, Belchertown, MA; 8. Derek Griffith, Hudson, NH; 9. Carl Eriksson, Deep River, CT; 10. Keith Caruso, Millbury, MA.
LATE MODEL FEATURE FINISH (TOP-10): 1. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT; 2. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 3. Chris Curtis, Rutland, MA; 4. Rick Gentes, Burriville, RI; 5. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 6. Marc Curtis, Jr., Worcester, MA; 7. Robert O’Connell, Wrentham, MA; 8. Louis Rimiza; 9. John Lowinski-Loh, Milford, MA; 10. Robert Pelland, III, Cranston, RI.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (TOP-10): 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Scott Sundeen, Sutton, MA; 3. Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI; 4. Chris Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 5. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 6. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 7. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 8. Scott Cook, Uncasville, CT; 9. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 10. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA.
MINI STOCK FEATURE FINISH (TOP-10): 1. Steve Dickey, Jr., Londonderry, NH; 2. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 3. Leo DeFevers, Moosup, CT; 4. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 5. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 6. Mike (Butch) Viens, Putnam, CT; 7. Jeff Moffat, Smithfield, RI; 8. Alicia Thatcher, Blackstone, MA; 9. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 10. Nick Anderson, Oxford, MA.
VINTAGE OUTLAWS TOP-THREE: 1. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 2. Paul Lapante, Cumberland, RI; 3. Art Chartier, Douglas, MA.
