by | Aug 14, 2013 | New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
Area Auto Racing News of New Jersey reports that construction on Thompson Speedway’s Motorsports Park has begun. It’s all about an addition of a new road course which according to Don Hoenig, patriarch of the Hoenig clan, will be 1.7 miles in length. it will be utilized by the sports car clubs. Don also told AARN that following the conclusion of the stockcar racing season in October that more construction will be taking place.
There’s also plans to sell memberships to drivers which will be limited to 200, according to the AARN piece. The members will get exclusive use of the track, VIP access to all racing events, the adjacent golf club membership, special Raceway Restaurant discount rates, locker rooms and lounge along with other incentives and amenities.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s we can remember the old road course where SCCA held both regional and national events on a 1.6 mile track that didn’t include the any part of the 5/8 mile oval. There was also a F-5000 Pro race held at that track that was promoted by the late Walt Faulkner and Jimmy Costello who leased the the facility from Don Hoenig and his late father John Hoeing who built the 5/8 mile oval track which opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1940. At the time it was the only purposely paved track oval in the nation.
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by | Aug 8, 2013 | New England, New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
For the second consecutive week and the fifth time this season, weather has forced the cancellation of tonight’s race program at Thompson Speedway. With the predictions of rain arriving late afternoon with heavy downpours throughout the evening, Thompson management was left with no choice but to cancel tonight’s activities. Tonight’s race was to feature the Valenti Modified Series, The New England Truck Series and Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions.
The Valenti Modified Series management has agreed to run their race next Thursday, August 8th. They will be joined by Thompson’s NASCAR divisions.
Waterford Speedbowl hosted a jam packed grandstand for its popular mid-week Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday family fun program. Picking up victories on the night of motorsports included Nick Ladyga of Voluntown in the INEX Legend Cars, his first of the season in the Wednesday series. Jon Porter of Canterbury won another Super X-Car race, while Willmantic’s Mitch Bombard won his first X-Car feature of the year. Ken Morin Jr. of Old Saybrook won a thrilling INEX Bandolero race that went down to the wire and the Wacky Hot Dog eating race went to Peter Pollard of Old Lyme. An aerial fireworks display capped the night of action on the track.
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by | Aug 1, 2013 | New England, New England Motorsports North
By Lou Modestino
Thursday, August 1st is the new date for the Valenti Modified Racing Series to run at the Thompson Speedway. Track officials announced late on Thursday that an agreement had been reached with the Valenti Modified Racing Series officials to run the event next week. The change was made necessary when rain forced the postponement of the July 25th race date.
The event is expected to draw the very best race teams on the VMRS roster. Current points leader Tommy Barrett, JR will lead the impressive lineup of drivers to the Connecticut oval. Drivers like Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Louie Mechalides, Norm Wrenn, Chris Pasteryak and many more are expected to compete for a starting spot in the VMRS 75-lap feature event.
Several Thompson regular competitors and graduates are also expected to compete with the VMRS series. Drivers like Keith Rocco, Ted Christopher, Woody Pitkat, Todd Owen, and Charlie Pasteryak are only a few of the many drivers who are fan favorites at Thompson and who compete with the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
Joining the program will be all five of Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions along with the New England Truck Series. The previously scheduled extra distance race for Thompson’s Late Model division will be run at a date to be announced. That division will compete in a regular 25-lap main on Thursday, August 1st. Grandstands will open at 2 PM with racing getting under way 30 minutes earlier than usual at 5:30 PM.
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by | Jul 24, 2013 | New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the 40th Annual Coors Light SK Modified® Xtra Mart Xtra D 80. Taking home the big win of the night was Ted Christopher in the extra distance classic. Christopher’s win was not only his second SK Modified® win of the 2013 season, but it was his 100th career SK Modified® win at Stafford. Christopher was one of five drivers to take home a $300 bonus from Xtra Mart Convenience Stores as Xtra Mart put up a total of $1,500 that was divided evenly among the top-5 finishers.
In other NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action, Adam Gray continued his hot 2013 season with his third win in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Jay Goff scored his first win of the season in the 20-lap SK Light feature, D.J. Burnham was victorious for the second time in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and Kyle Casagrande took his first win of the year in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.
Waterford Speedbowl beat an early rain shower before returning to NASCAR racing on Saturday evening after a scheduled week off. The track’s INEX racing divisions were vaulted into the spotlight, landing the Bandolero and Legend Cars race winners a guaranteed starting spot in a national event for each division. Defending Speedbowl Legend Cars champion Paul Kusheba of Monroe won a thrilling race in a photo finish while Anthony Marvin of Colchester won the Bandolero feature.
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by | Jul 18, 2013 | New England Motorsports South
By Lou Modestino
The reigning champion from Milford, Conn., edged Ted Christopher by .153-seconds to capture Saturday’s Town Fair Tire 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It was the eighth career win for Coby but the first since last September, also at New Hampshire.
The race was aired live on SPEED, the first of three tour races that will air live this season.
The win comes two weeks after Coby missed the race at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway due to a wreck in qualifying and dropped to fifth in points entering the New Hampshire race. Saturday, though, Coby started 15th and worked his way to the front. He drove the No. 52 Furnace & Duct Supply/Seekonk Grand Prix Chevrolet past Preece for the final time with four laps to go en route to the win.
The bad news for Coby and the rest of the title contenders is that points leader Ryan Preece finished third. While Preece had his three-race win streak snapped, he still added to his lead as his three nearest challengers all had issues and finished outside the top 10. Rowan Pennink (15th), Mike Stefanik (22nd) and Justin Bonsignore (32nd).
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